Friendships

We all need and crave friendship. We need someone who will rejoice with us or cry with us, someone who will comfort us when we crawl through valleys of despair or laugh with us on the mountaintops of happiness. Through the years we have made and still have many close friends. We have not really had that since we got to Guatemala.

Danny met Carrol at Language school and soon after we had the whole family over for dinner. It did not take us very long and we all hit it off. For the past 3 months we have had an Awesome friendship. We all need deep meaningful friendships with other people. The proverb says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly." (Prov. 18:24) We have with the Gunters. When we met the Gunters it was like we had known them for ever. We all got along so well and we were able to really open up and share our hearts with each other.

Today our hearts are sad, we said goodbye to our good friends last night. It was a tearful time, and hard on the kids too. Last week as we were preparing the kids for the departure of our friends both of the boys had a melt down and said they were tired of making good friends then saying good bye. I told them I was too, but reminded them how neat it was to have so many friends. God has allowed us to visit many places and meet many great friends. I told them I would rather have friends I may have to say goodbye to than not have friends. Often people do not find the friends they want and remain lonely and wonder why? To have friends we must show ourselves to be friendly, and have to learn to say goodbye.

The Lord led Carrol & Mica here to Guatemala to adopt Sweet Josie. It was so neat to see the love that Christian & Corie have for their new little sister. We learned a lot from them and will really cherish the time we spent together. Blessing to you guys as you take Josie HOME!!http://antiguajourney.blogspot.com/

FRIENDS, YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!

HAPPY EASTER

I was taking pictures of the kids, Roxy had to be in the picture too!!

We had a wonderful Easter, as I reminded the children this is the day we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. It was so neat to see how they each pondered about it. Titus said it was easier to remember down here in Guatemala because you see and hear more things about Jesus and His death rather than the Easter bunny. Isaac is my quiet thinker and did not say anything. Chloe Ann asked "Did He just die or was it a long long time ago?" It's hard to get it all straight when you are just five.

Driving in Antigua

Well I just thought I would enlighten you on my driving obstacles here in good 'ol Antigua. It is absolutely Gorgeous. Everywhere I look I want to take a picture. But the pictures don't even do it justice.

This is the famous arch in town. With Volcano Agua behind it. Actually we live at the base of this Volcano.

All the buildings are so bright and colorful.

This is the catholic church at Central square. it is absolutely beautiful! As you drive through town you see ladies washing their clothes in the community pila (concrete washtubs?) usually located at the end of a park. I am very thankful Danny bought me a washer when we got here.

I don't pride myself in being an excellent driver but I still cannot believe I drive through these things. There are concrete obstacles you have to drive through to get in town. To keep out big buses and trucks. I asked Danny if maybe we were considered too big to go in town? He said "We fit don't we." It took me several months to get up the nerve to go through them, I found a route that went around. One day I went too far and HAD to go through. Isaac was in the front seat and said "Don't worry Mom, I'll guide you through". Sure thing I said (then thought my SEVEN year old is guiding me through. yikes!!). I said a quick prayer, lined it up, and drove through.

I just want to let everyone know I have NOT hit a concrete obstacle with the truck, only the tire oops.

One day after I dropped the kids off at school I was driving through the concrete things and jumped out to take a picture. Yes the lady walking down the street thought I was a crazy gringa 'Oh well.

Just thought you guys would love to see me drive through Antigua.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua

We have really enjoyed the Easter season here in Antigua it has been so interesting. Last Sunday we went to a procession. I was able to look up some of the significances before we went so when the kids asked, what are they doing?, and what is that? I could actually answer their questions.

Semana Santa ( Holy Week or Easter) is the last week of lent. It follows Jesus from Palm Sunday to His death on Good Friday in preperation for His rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. You can see they are holding pictures representing each scene.

All the purple is a sign of penitence. The men in the purple robes pay to carry the procession float.

The processions completely bombard the senses. The incense is used for cleansing and purification. The alfombras are street carpets made from flowers, dyed sawdust, corozo palm and pine needles. R ight before the procession goes in front of the peoples house or business they decorate a beautiful carpet. As the precession goes by they trample all that beautiful art work. The carpets are a way to give thanks for favours granted, it is an obligation to a revered image.It is wild how long some of these carpets were. They were almost as long as the block.

This is a bird in the sand under a tree. We all thought this one was really neat.

This is a daisy made out of daisies!

The creativity is just amazing! I wish I could show you everyone we saw but it would be a lot.

As the Procession went by there were soldiers blowing their horns,

Men in red hoods who did not want their picture taken. oops
Ladies who walked on the outside of the procession with staffs.

It was a very festive and happy time with venders selling cotton candy, little toy trinkets & ice cream. As soon as the horns were heard there was a hush over the crowd, and we all watched in silence as the procession walked by. I could here people praying the rosary as we watched all the different people walk by. One woman who stood close to me was explaining the whole procession to her little girl. Our kids did not say a word they just soaked it all in. After we left we asked the kids what they thought. They all agreed it was different but cool to see. They thought it would have been even better if they would have thrown some thing. Thats my New Orleans kids for you!!

This is one of the procession floats which is carried by by thousands of men during a 12 hour period. This is a very desired job. As you can see they are about to turn the corner that we are standing on. It was incredible to see all those men carring such a heavy load.

School Uniforms

Here is the cute picture of the kids I could not down load with the post I wanted to. I think the kids look so good in their uniforms. This is what they wear every day to school.

Our new addition

This is Roxy our new puppy. (Yet another reason I have been busy)
She is a great puppy and the kids have really enjoyed having a dog again.

Hello again!!!

As you all could tell I have been a little busy since the kids started school. School has been good for the kids. Titus comes home telling all about his day, what his teachers and class mates said and did that day. At first Chloe Ann had the hardest time leaving me. Once I left the teacher said she was better. Now she has made a lot of friends and looks forward to going to school. Danny & I are amazed at how well they are picking up Spanish. Isaac was having a harder time with School. He actually quit talking!! His teacher said he does all his work he is given but does not speak. Danny & I decided to give all the kids goals. Titus goal was to ask 3 class mates their names. Chloe Ann had to also ask 2 class mates their name. Isaac had to say "Hola, como estas?" That after noon when we picked them up Titus jumped in and said he had met 3 new friends, Andi, Josue & Violeta. Chloe Ann said she met Lourdes, & Estefani. We asked Isaac how it went. He said "Well I was going to talk to someone, then my lip got a cramp so I couldn't". No kidding this is what he said. We all died laughing. He just sat there with a big grin. After much encouragement Isaac is talking much more. Please keep the kids in your prayers next week, it is exam week. Titus is very nervous about the exams. We told them not to worry about the grades. The main reason they are in school is to learn Spanish. I was going to post a cute picture of the kids in their school uniforms, but I cannot add images right now. Anyone else have that problem?