Sequim is beautiful! The sun shines more often than anywhere else in Washington and the light glints on the droplets of water that keep the earth washed fresh and clean from rain and fog and just plain humid air. Yesterday it was 39 degrees F and 98% humidity!

Sequim borders the Strait of Juan de Fuca and from the shoreline north of town we can see Victoria, BC and the San Jaun Islands. Dad and I stood there and watched a ship go by. I love the sound of the sea breathing. ;) It was low tide but the sound was big and deep and thrilling.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca north of Sequim, WA

But for a week and a half I did not think Sequim was beautiful. We came to Sequim in the darkness. To me it was grey and filthy and moldy. The sun, if it shown, sent weak rays of light through the dirty windows of the small house we were to live in. Most of the time it was grey and foggy outside. I did not go out for three days. I just scrubbed until I was exhausted and my hands and wrists were lame. The only thing that keep me going was the hope that soap and water gives, my desire to make a home for Bruce, and my testimony! Even then there were tender mercies; a yellow fire hydrant that I could see through the scraggly bush at the corner of the yard, a rough and tumble fort that some teenage boys must have built at the house across the street, and the word, "Fabulous!" that I saw through the window in the bedroom on (what I assumed was written by very positive people) the back door of the house next to ours.

In a few days the house was clean and the mission sent nice furniture to us and I realized that the structure  under the filth was a kind old house that had been sorely mistreated but had a nice spirit. I felt that it appreciated being unburdened so it could make a good home for us while we were here!

We met some very nice young Elders (missionaries) who helped us carry refuse out and good furniture in, who cheered our hearts and were very welcoming. We met some kind members of the Church who invited us for dinner. We even discovered a couple who had served with us in the Family and Church History Mission in 2006-2008 and were members of our choir!