Island mornings start slow—coffee at 5:30, waves in the distance, and a quick step outside to see where the sun is. Today brought surprise rain and wild wind…then a calm hush as the island woke up (along with the sound of roosters :). The sky broke open into a double rainbow “I have set my rainbow in the clouds…” (Genesis 9:13) and it felt like a promise painted over our little home by the sea.
After the show in the sky comes our quiet time in God’s Word, a simple devotional, and space to breathe. It’s not about checking a box; it’s about knowing our Creator and asking for wisdom for marriage, parenting, work and in everything. Psalm 103 has been speaking to my heart: new mercies every morning and love that stretches farther than the horizon.
We do our quiet time together! It unites our souls first thing in the morning. It gives us facetime with each other in a world and life that is so busy most the time. We pray together. We read separately, but then we share what God is showing us. Scott even chose a devotional on marriage this year, which has been such a blessing for us. This practice, this time together, it all started in Anguilla. And every time were return here, I’m reminded of how faithful God has been, not only in our lives, but in our marriage, too. It’s one of the greatest gifts that He’s given us.
Breakfast is a team effort (Scott’s the chef; I’m the bagel girl). Groceries can take a few stops here, but that’s part of the adventure. I set the table, clip a tiny “yard bouquet,” and we sit together—something we rarely do back home. Then I make the bed (island me does it daily!) with washable layers and comfy pillows so guests will feel truly at home.
Laundry isn’t my favorite anywhere else, but here the breeze turns it into a small joy. We line-dry most things to save power except for the towels and sheets those get the dryer treatment because no one likes “crunchy” sheets. It’s ordinary, but I’m learning to say thank you for clean water, a home, and this slower rhythm.
Make sure to watch the whole video to see all my tips and tricks and find out the devotion I’m reading in my quiet time. And next in the Anguilla series: the practical stuff—how we handle water (cisterns), power, shipping, and what island “basics” really look like so tune into our next video and/or blog post!
