I'm here!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...

Matt started classes last Wednesday and the kids and I started homeschooling Monday with the kids. We've settled back into a routine and it good to be home.

Homeschooling is FANTASTIC!!!!!! The kids are doing well and I LOVE it!!! Tuesday we went to the park and learned about force, energy and work for science. After going through the book with Ethan (while the girls were listening)and experimenting with a few things around the house, we took the soccer ball and went to the park and Ethan demonstrated to the girls and I the use of force, energy and work. It was so cool and they all three learned from it! Yesterday, Lucia was here helping us and she spent time with each of the kids practicing their Spanish. Isabelle loves to be with Lucia helping her and at the end of the day, her and Lucia had a tea party. It was beautiful!

I love that God is showing me how to use what he has given us in this world and the people and places around us to teach my children in a real tangible way. Homeschooling is amazing! Not to mention how much I LOVE being back home with the kids!

Matt has decided to drop his conversation class at the institute. He will still be taking grammar, but will spend the morning utilizing the native speakers God has given us right next door. He will be meeting with Coco and also Mariana and Valeria to spend time conversing with them. Also, he'll have the opportunity to be in the ministry during this time, again conversing with native speakers. It seems to be the best option for him and we are all excited for him to have this opportunity.

We've enjoyed the company of many visitors lately. Alex's parents and sister were here for a short visit. It was great meeting his sister and seeing his parents again.
Here is a picture after church on Sunday in Pastor Rogelio's home.





And we also have been spending time with the Droke family. They are here with visiting until tomorrow. We've shared meals, ministry, fun and good conversation with them. Check out www.clfcostarica.com and click on team blogs to read their blog.

We are becoming increasingly aware of the blessings God continues to give us. We have prayed for a vehicle for almost a year now and while we still do not have one, we are confident that God will provide when the time it is absolutely necessary for us to have one...for now we have made our life walking and using public transportation and grown accustomed to. This week, we've become aware of some of the downfalls of having a vehicle in a foreign country like re-occurring flat tires during rainy season, hit and run accidents where you find yourself in a place where even the insurance agent won't come into because of the danger of the place itself, too much smoke emission from your muffler and the trouble that brings you, and just being at the mercy of the government officials here. Maybe it has been a blessing in disguise to NOT have had a vehicle at least during this first stage of life here. God knows so infinitely more than we do about things like this and his ways are always perfect! As we continue to pray for a vehicle, we also pray that we never take for granted our situation or circumstance as we live in it. But also we thank all of you who sacrificially give so that we may be here.

I have many more things to post about, but I have to start the school day!! More to come later!