Overdue update...

Finally - a new update! Not much new to report here - weather is still kata kata (HOT!) with no rain in sight, even though this is meant to be the rainy season. We could really use some rain - the air is so heavy and hot, and the water tanks are low. Each evening the sky darkens as if the clouds are going to open up, but we never get more than a few of the smallest misty drops. When it finally pours, we will all be out there dancing in the rain I'm sure!

We've all been illing a bit, but are on the mend. Over New Years, I was sick with a terrible sinus infection, Jimmy has been down with fever the past few days, Lucas had the fever two days ago, and both boys have had skin infections. The viruses have cleared up and we all are full of energy again, but we did have to get some antibiotics for the skin infections. They were getting worse than better, and things quickly move into staph here in this climate. Each time they would get a mozzie bite or the slightest cut, it immediately went into a festering wound. Ick. Will be glad to see them healed up - it's so hard to keep wounds clean on the island - seems like all J and I get done some days is dress wounds!

I was sad to be sick over New Years, because it meant that I missed out on the big New Years celebration. The sister island to Vorovoro, Mali, has three villages, and each year one of the villages host the celebration. This year it was Ligu Levu, and it sounded like I missed a great time. Lots of food, amazing singing, and water fights. In Fiji, the month of January is a month for water - at any moment, at any time, someone will throw a cup, a pitcher, a bucket of water on you, even in your bed! If someone takes your hand and says "Let's go to the sea" you have to go with them as you are. Everyone is just wet, all the time. FIjian culture is playful by nature - we have so much fun each day. Always laughing, joking, pranking. Our island especially - it's often described as the happiest place on Earth - people come and never want to leave. Lately we've had some real gems of people come through as tribe members - it's been quite hard to see them go at the end of their stay. We meet such amazing people, people that we strike up deep connections with so quickly. I've had some of the best conversations of my life this past couple weeks, and made some really wonderful friends. Looking forward to when they visit again, and I know they will!

Kids are doing well. Some days I barely see them. Ollie is a dedicated fisherman, and becomes more so by the day. It is what he lives for and he is good at it. He reminds me so much of my dad. And of me as a little girl. He has so much patience. He goes fishing with the adult Fijians, when even the Fijian children aren't allowed to go because they get restless. And when he hears a school of fish breaking water, he is the first to run for a spear and stand in the water searching for the big fish. He has quite a reputation on the island now! And he eats his fish like a Fijian - head, eyes, tail and all!

Bethie is a little mama - she spends much of her time mothering the little Fijian boys who live on the island. She feeds them, bathes them, dresses them - it satisfies her craving for a baby sibling, although she still asks at least weekly if we can PLEEEEEEASE give her a baby sister! Right now, the extend family of Francis and Poasa (the Fijian family who live on the island with us) has come to visit, so there are loads more children on the island that usual so the kids play from dawn till after dark. The kiddos were sent a zip line for Christmas from friends back home, and it is the ultimate hit of the island! Our kids and the Fijian kids spend hours on it - their hands are all raw from hanging on and zipping through the jungle. What a great gift it was!!! Thanks Bob and Elizabeth!

Lucas continues to be a book worm - I think he's already read all the books I packed for the year and has started in on some of the more kid appropriate adult ones from the tribe library now. He has his own house separate from ours - it is quite a pad, and I have to admit I'm a bit jealous! He has it fixed up really cozily. He has his Lego in there, and spends hours and hours creating. One of our more recent tribe members is as big as a Lego fan as he is, so he was in heaven to have someone to chat Lego with. He is Jimmy's assistant quite a lot as well, so he gives him a hand with work around the island. It's been nice with so many kids on the island lately, because he has friends to play with. I know he gets a bit more lonely than Bethie and Oliver. It will be sad for us all when all the Fijian kids head back to school next week when their break ends.

I've been getting really into swimming and snorkeling lately - yesterday Jen (our support staffer and a dear friend of mine) and I swam about half way around the island. I'm finally getting in good shape and it feels good! Some of the best snorkeling is right in front of the village though - last week we spotted a couple sharks, a school of squid, a huge lobster, in addition to all the usual amazing colorful fishes.

Okay, looong post and now time to close it! Much love from us to you!!! If you are thinking of us, please remember to drop a line or an email - it is so nice to hear from you, even if it is only a quick note! I miss everyone and would love to hear what is going on in your lives!