Saturday, April 3, 2010
is it spring yet?
It is said that when the weather is good, it's GOOD and when it's bad it's BAD. Well, I am ready for the GREAT! It is still a bit cool here and coats/jackets are still on stand by every time we leave to go out. Today it looks and feels more like fall- gray skies, windy, and brown. These are the days I wish to be back in the states, where in the south shorts are being worn and boots have been replaced by flip flops. Flowers have been planted and the grass is green. More than anything I wish I were home to celebrate our risen savior with the family I love and miss so much. I have been lonesome for a church family- where the excitement over this season and what it means to our faith is absolutely contagious. In this culture, church attendance is an obligation and there is no joy. Most of the cities have processions but they all depict the death of Christ and the weaping Mary. I am looking for the celebration!!! We reflect upon the death of Christ and what it means to us and what it accomplished for us- but in this culture it pretty much stops there. I want to praise my risen savior who is alive and working in and amongst us. This holiday season, I pray for opportunities to tell the rest of the story......He lives, he lives, Christ jesus lives today- He walks with me and talks with me.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
To Busy to Blog!
Whew! It has been a wild few months. Things have been good but crazy. Ian and I are working about 25-30 hours combined at the Chat Room as well as trying to meet with people to practice Spanish and keep up with our personal studies. Due to budget shortfalls the company has had to make several cuts and our language budget was cut, so we are on our own. It has been difficult and we have definitely noticed a difference in our progress, but God is good to us and we will get it....it just might take a bit longer.
The girls are doing wonderful. It has been hard to tell how much progress that have made because the will not speak Spanish to us. Someone told us that children relate languages with relationships and so for us it will be English. Since the weather has been nicer we have had more opportunities to be outside with them and have seen them interact more with their friends on the playground and we are so happy with what we see. They are getting along wonderfully- of course they make mistakes but they are being understood and seem comfortable using what they know. At a recent teacher-parent meeting the twins teacher mentioned in front of all of the other parents that our girls were the best Basque speakers in the class. While it was a bit embarrassing it was nice to know. Bianca was invited to a birthday party last week and I was a bit nervous about just dropping her off. I had to work that afternoon so Ian took her, but I made her put a piece of paper in her pocket with our cell phone numbers....just in case. She did fabulous and had a wonderful time.
Ian has started training for a triathlon. He has been interested in doing it for years and now he has finally taken the plunge. He is doing well in the running and biking, but the swimming is kicking his butt. He is reading lots of blogs and training advice on line and I know his hard work will pay off.
I have finally gotten back behind my sewing machine. I had to order fabric from the US and pay almost 30 dollars for it to be shipped. I paid the equivalent of 10 dollars for 5 yards of elastic and there are not any stores that offer pleating services. I will not go into all of the details, but it took me 2 days to pleat a simple garment. In the states it may have taken me 10 minutes. So while I am sewing again I do not see myself cranking things out as quickly as before.
Well,that is all for now- will try to do better with updates.
Love to you all,
Katie
The girls are doing wonderful. It has been hard to tell how much progress that have made because the will not speak Spanish to us. Someone told us that children relate languages with relationships and so for us it will be English. Since the weather has been nicer we have had more opportunities to be outside with them and have seen them interact more with their friends on the playground and we are so happy with what we see. They are getting along wonderfully- of course they make mistakes but they are being understood and seem comfortable using what they know. At a recent teacher-parent meeting the twins teacher mentioned in front of all of the other parents that our girls were the best Basque speakers in the class. While it was a bit embarrassing it was nice to know. Bianca was invited to a birthday party last week and I was a bit nervous about just dropping her off. I had to work that afternoon so Ian took her, but I made her put a piece of paper in her pocket with our cell phone numbers....just in case. She did fabulous and had a wonderful time.
Ian has started training for a triathlon. He has been interested in doing it for years and now he has finally taken the plunge. He is doing well in the running and biking, but the swimming is kicking his butt. He is reading lots of blogs and training advice on line and I know his hard work will pay off.
I have finally gotten back behind my sewing machine. I had to order fabric from the US and pay almost 30 dollars for it to be shipped. I paid the equivalent of 10 dollars for 5 yards of elastic and there are not any stores that offer pleating services. I will not go into all of the details, but it took me 2 days to pleat a simple garment. In the states it may have taken me 10 minutes. So while I am sewing again I do not see myself cranking things out as quickly as before.
Well,that is all for now- will try to do better with updates.
Love to you all,
Katie
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