Epicurean Adventures

For you philosophy and world religion scholars, you are probably wondering why I would title a post "Epicurean Adventures". Isn't Epicurus a man associated with the purported axiom "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die"? Friends, you will be pleased, yea, even relieved to learn that Epicurean is the name of the large supermarket here in Antigua. It is possibly the most "American" venue on island. This grocery store competes with another called First Choice. When we first arrived, Julie and I did all our shopping at First Choice, a smaller, slightly more local supermarket. But now we shop almost exclusively at Epicurean. Why? It's location is much more convenient for our gracious drivers. The prices can be a little more expensive, depending on the fare, but the selection is bigger and the location, desirable.

Like many grocery stores in the States, Epicurean has a rewards card. Now, initially, Julie and I thought to ourselves that it would be silly to get a rewards card because we would so rarely patronize the establishment. Then, as we found ourselves at the store more and more (and as Cindy Johnston kept saying, "Hey, have you gotten a card yet?") we thought perhaps there would be a benefit to signing up for the rewards card. There is no cost (always a bonus). The rate of point accumulation is nothing to write home about - I believe you earn 1 point (1 cent) for every dollar you spend. So if we want to get $10 in rewards, we have to spend $1000 at the grocery store. But! we are already spending the money for groceries, so maybe we'll earn a little back. Who knows?

An important prayer request to my readers: Judah Sternhagen, 3-year-old son of one of our pastors, had some serious seizures Wednesday night. Routine tests came back negative. So mom Kristin and Judah have traveled to the US, are staying with family, and will visit doctors and specialists to see if they can't determine the cause of the seizures. Please keep the Sternhagens in your prayers, as well as the doctors and nurses who attend to Judah. We are confident the Lord will carry out His will for the good of His children.