Time for School

After much prayer and consideration we decided to put the 3 older kids in school. We have always home schooled and will continue to do so once we get to Santiago. They were learning Spanish just fine but at a slow pace. Once we get to Santiago we will focus on learning T'zutujil so to speed up the process. What better way than FULL immersion right. Yikes! poor kids. I think it is harder on me than them.

We have been attending a CAM church and they have a small school of about 130 students. The kids were very excited and even more nervous. The school is completely in Spanish, they do have an English class!! I told them they should make an A in at least that class.

As I sit here trying to catch up on E-mails & blog buddies I am a little overwhelmed. How I miss so many of you. I love keeping up with you through your blogs. As I sit here with tears running down my face remembering all the wonderful people God has allowed me to have as friends I am so thankful for you and your prayers but selfishly want to be there with you.

Goose I lost it when I read your last blog. We too would love to be there with you all. Give those babies a big hug for me.

Our visit with Mom & Daddy

Our visit with Mom & Daddy was so much fun. We had lunch at the Calle de la Fonda real. We sat at the same table Titus lost his tooth! He enjoyed sharing that story with Mimi & Grandsir. We had some delicious cheese fondu.

The Philippis had us over for lunch. It was good for Mom & Daddy to catch up with them. We always have a great time with together.

I especially enjoyed taking pictures of her gorgeous flowers.

You all know me I cannot resist a good photo opportunity with the kids! Hee hee

Titus is 10, Isaac 7, Chloe Ann 5 & Naomi 1

That week-end we went out to the lake for a couple of nights. We stayed at Las Buenas Nuevas in Panajachel. It was absolutely beautiful!

Pedro & Ana were also at LBN one of the nights we were there. The boys & G’sir taught them how to play Monopoly. I think they got the hang of it pretty quick.

On Sunday we crosed the lake “on the fast boat” as Chloe Ann says. It takes about 30 minutes on the small boat. The view from the middle of the lake is Awesome. You are in a bowl of mountains and a few volcanoes, on this gorgeous blue lake. God is an Awesome creator.

Once we got to Santiago we went by the church and met with Pastor Abraham. There were some ladies there who could not believe Naomi could walk so well. They were so excited we were coming to live and work with them so soon.

We got to meet Pedro’s Mother. She could not speak one word of Spanish. Mom & I said “Hola” and she just started speaking in Tzutujil!! We did a lot of smiling & nodding, and sign language.

One of the highlights for the kids was shooting fireworks with Grandsir & Danny. On December 31st we had a blast, they put on quite the show.

We loved every minute of the week we had together.

Thank you for coming Mimi & Grandsir!!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve with the Samuc family. It was so special to be invited into the home of Pedro & Ana. We arrived around 9 and went to buy a few fireworks with Pedro. Ana also invited her cousins so after they arrived we ate dinner at 10. It was so much fun to help Ana and the girls in the kitchen. We had turkey, vegetable rice, homemade bread, potatoes & ponche (hot fruit drink with chunks of fruit, hot fruit cocktail). We had a fun time getting to know each other. We learned one or two words of T’zutujil.

Then we went out to shoot the fireworks at 11:45. Let me tell you it was quite the show!!! The boys loved it. Chloe Ann slept through the whole thing and Naomi woke up when the all noise started.

Traditionally the Guatemalans have tamales and do not eat dinner until after midnight!! The Samucs said they get too hungry so we ate at 10. We were glad about that!

Merry Christmas!!!

Feliz Navidad,

Let me just start the letter out by saying we LOVE Guatemala! We have been here almost three months and we are thrilled to be here. We are really enjoying getting to know the people, learning the culture, and trying new recipes. It has definitely been an adjustment but we are taking it in strides and soaking up every minute.
We are so excited to spend our first Christmas here in Guatemala. It has been so neat to see so many new and different things. We have also enjoyed the familiar things. Central Park in Antigua is completely white with lights. Santa Clause was there Saturday night with a full orchestra playing Christmas music. My parents are coming down on Christmas day, what a Christmas gift huh? The kids are counting down the days. We have planned lots of fun things to do but the best time will be spent together.
Danny and I have had the wonderful opportunity to join David Gomez (Guatemala director of Evangelism Explosion Guatemala) a few times in Yalu. He has started a ministry to the people there. They have no church within 8 kilometers (down a dirt road through the mountains). They have only had the gospel for one year. As Danny and I sat in a house with Ed & Eleanor Beach, David Gomez and the three believers that are studying the Bible, We knew this is what the Lord has for us, not necessarily this group of people but this kind of ministry. A few weeks ago we went out with David as he was teaching the believers how to evangelize. We visited a neighbor’s house. They were both very attentive the wife made tortillas the whole time while the husband sat with us. Finally the husband told his wife to come sit by him. David continued to tell the story of Adam & Eve and explained the power of God. He also told the story about Jesus walking on water to show how Peter had faith. After a few questions they both knelt and asked the Lord to be their Savior, and Lord of their lives. It was Awesome! Please pray for the people in Yalu as the Lord works in their lives.
We now live in Antigua, we moved the week-end after Thanksgiving. It is a 3 bedroom house and has a large living area. The kids really enjoy the big yard. We live on the base of the Volcano Agua which is dormant and we can see the Volcano Fuego which is active. It is so neat to wake up in the morning and see the gorgeous view of both Volcanoes. The last couple of nights we have been able to see the volcano erupting. The kids really liked seeing that.
Danny is doing great in Spanish school. He is finishing up his 2nd book this week and will start his 3rd book the week after Christmas. At the pace he is going he should be finished by this summer. He is learning quickly. Please pray that he will continue learning and retain the language. It can be frustrating at times for him but he is doing really well.
Praise the LORD. We are so excited to tell you all that Jerry & Sarah Lastrapes are officially CAM candidates. Please pray for them as they are starting their support raising process to come down to Guatemala. We will all be working as a team around the Lake. It will be wonderful to have them help us with church Leadership training. We are so anxious to see what the Lord has in store for all of us.

Titus Birthday

I still cannot believe we have a new pet. Titus decided to get an Iguana for his birthday. This is Gator!

Football or Soccer??

The kids were playing soccer in the yard the other day Chloe Ann was doing everything she could so Titus would not get a goal.







We are really enjoying the wonderful weather here. The locals think it is sooo cold. We will be in short sleeves and the locals will have sweaters and scarfs.

We are alive and well!!

Hey guys,

Thank you all for your questions and concern. The week after Thanksgiving we moved to Antigua and sad to say we do not have internet at the house. I have to go in town to check or recieve E-mail. I will blog again soon. I have lots of cool material.