Walking

Okay gang - I have a HUGE request. I need some accountability partners! I've been in Costa Rica for 4 months, and haven't done any exercise other than walking to and from school twice a day (there and back for me, and there and back again to get Madison after school). In my little mind, that equates to 2 miles a day. Why should I possibly need more? The answer is because I'm only walking a half mile each direction. Not really enough time for my heart rate to get up and to be sustained. So, although I thoroughly enjoy that time, I've realized I really need to do some EFFECTIVE exercise. If any of you know me well enough, you will also know that I DETEST running. Between a broken ankle (surgery, two pins) and a ripped tendon (cast for 6 weeks) on the same ankle, and spending 3 years in the Army of MANDATORY running, I've pretty much put running off of my agenda for...say...the rest of my life! The gyms here are not very convenient and I have to pay for them...so...walking it is. Madison has signed up for track and field, and is VERY excited about being able to walk with me. So far we've only gone twice, 2 miles each time (Sunday is our day off), but we both enjoyed it thoroughly! So - if you would just check up on me once in awhile and see how I am doing, I would greatly appreciate it!

Our Stinkin’ Neighborhood

So, usually our neighborhood trash gets picked up on Wednesdays. And, in typical Latin American fashion sometimes it is at 6am, sometimes it is at 6pm, sometimes it is on Thursday, but, it always gets picked up. Not this week. Our trash went out on Wednesday. Here it is Saturday morning and it is still sitting out there. With this comes a few extra problems.

1) Three and a half days is more then enough time for stray dogs and homeless scavengers to dig through your trash and make a mess. So, not only is there lots of trash on the street, but, it is strewn everywhere.

2) We have now entered the dry season. No rain, lots of sun and little wind. The temperatures this week have been in the 80s every day. Plenty of heat to bake exposed trash.

The result is a funky smell that filters through the neighborhood and peaks about midday. Nothing we can’t handle. It just enables us to use all of our senses when walking to school or to the market.

Big Kids Back to School

Mike and I started school yesterday. We have a very different schedule - Mike starts an hour later than I do. So - I walk Madison to school, and start my first class. I then have a 2 hour break in the middle of my day, and our school goes an hour later. This change is to accommodate all the new students. There are now more students at this school then there has been for decades. A great problem to have! So, we are adjusting. Mike has the same classmates as he did last trimester - my grammar class was disbanned and redistributed to other classes - this is also to try and accommodate the changing classes. So, the folks in my class are doing a little catch up to where I finished off. Not bad for me - this just means an opportunity to review.

The other thing we are doing is preparing a house for our new team mates who are coming next month. Please pray that things will continue to go smoothly. We have been praying for the "perfect" place - and what do we get?! A BRAND new place came up for rent a half block from our house - 3 bedrooms, will have all BRAND new furniture and appliances! It's an incredible find around here because of the huge influx of students, we were fearful of even FINDING a place! Thank you God for a direct and IMMEDIATE answer to prayer! Isn't God cool?!

Back to School

Madison was all packed for school and ready to go last night. She's off to school after a nice long break. Last trimester she had an elective - she choose Science Club. This trimester, however, the 6th graders don't get to choose an elective as they have been assigned to typing. I've tried to tell her how important learning to type is, and that she may actually enjoy the class, but she is disappointed that she wasn't able to select art. But, I think she enjoys the social time, and routine of things. So, please pray for her return to school.

Mike has two additional skits for orientation he will be acting in, one today, and one tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be trying to recruit for music groups - so pray for that too. Then the day after - school starts!

New Glasses

Two days ago I finally did something I have been meaning to do since we have been here - and that's been to get Madison's eyes checked. She has been "complaining" of her vision being worse then when it was last checked (just over a year ago). So, boosting up my courage to be speaking in Spanish for the next 30 minutes, we went in. Get this - the eye exam was only $6.00! Can you believe it?! Anyway - they did a very thorough exam, and Madison was a trooper, telling the optometrist all her letters in Spanish! Good job Madison! So, we ordered her glasses (cool purple glasses, with shading lenses) and they called us the next day to tell us they were in! Another - can you believe it moment!!! ONE day for new glasses? So - we went to pick them up today, and here she is, acting like such the teen, hanging out on her bed, listening to her IPOD with her cool new glasses (anteojos -literally - before eyes) on.

Now, to call around and make dental exams for all of us - we are OVER DUE!! Pray for me :-)

Orientation, Welcoming and House Hunting

Orientation for new students at school has started, and Mike and I are helping out everyday with it. Yesterday we were "tour guides" around campus, showing folks where to find what. Today we are in two skits to help explain some of the rules of the school. At the same time we are welcoming our "little sister", Zoe - she is a new student and we were responsible for finding her a place to live, and showing her around town. We have had a great time doing that. Also, we are privileged to have the ability to look for a house for our future team mates, the McCann's! We can officially say they are coming next month!!! We are so excited to finally have our future team mates join us in Costa Rica and we want to find them a "perfect" house - although the pickings are slim, we are praying for the best location!

Madison starts school on Monday, and she is hesitant to get started (read - not ready to be done with vacation!). Our schooling starts back up next Wednesday. So, please pray for us during this busy time of orientation, welcoming, house hunting and school starting!

A few firsts:

1. Made gallo pinto (ooohhhhh good!!!)
2. homemade flour tortillas!

A Year in Review

Here we are, on the brink of a New Year, and it's good to reflect on where we have been. A new look for a new year.

Much of my blogging has been reflective of where we have been and where we are going. So - I'm going to just be thankful for what I have. Mat 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." We are thankful for all of our friends, family, church, love, support, prayers, our home, school, health, food, books, relaxation, and more. Thank you to everyone who has committed yourselves to praying for us, for sending e-mails, care packages, videos (you know who you are), and kind words. They have helped maintain us during this time, and I am very thankful. This video will take you on a trip with us as we look back over what we have done during 2007.