tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36723389703573239852024-03-13T15:09:22.335-05:00Buena AventuraGood adventures in ArizonaStevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-80517736977304903192012-03-17T01:50:00.000-05:002012-03-17T01:50:56.060-05:00We're Back!Dear Devoted Readers,<br />
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After a terribly long absence, I have make a resolution to return to buenaaventura and become a better blogger. Life here has settled into something of a routine here.<br />
<br />
Sundays- church and bible study<br />
Mondays- work and evening bible study<br />
Tuesdays- work and a "free evening"<br />
Wednesdays- work, Steve stays and works extra, during Lent- soup supper at 6, church at 7, then choir<br />
Thursdays- work and another "free evening"<br />
Fridays- work and relaxation if possible<br />
Saturdays- sleep in, clean, shop, get things done<br />
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There are plenty of little bits of excitement thrown in here and there. I will be sharing those things, as well as some of the every day tasks, trials, and joys. I may even convince Steve to write again, though his reaction to my conviction of beginning again was rather unenthusiastic at best. Your comments will be welcomed and taken as encouragement to get both of us going again.<br />
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My parents arrive tomorrow for a week long stay. We are excited to show off the house and share our life here with them. Tomorrow is also the community garage sale day so we are getting up as bright and early as we are able. God bless and good night!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-30804909290593589152011-12-14T23:18:00.000-06:002011-12-14T23:18:30.242-06:00A Christmas House!That magical time of year has come again! Since we spent last Christmas in the Dominican Republic, we were a little short on evergreen trees, snow, Christmas cookies, and lights. We are doing our best to make up for it this year! Steven was very little help, since he left all his ornaments behind in Minnesota... Between my decorations, a couple thrift store runs, and the generosity of a couple at our church I think we have done quite well for our first Christmas! Here are a few of my favorite Christmas things:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hnNMBXdebDWFExHCTQyKLEE_PHgQvI3FflJcc2EEkSut8M7nWHdsmeK4gKtKnv0ONPw8MmbNDyrCuh5A8JBSw-XP6U1m0lh60_XPxBSuoXrcmq3E9EtZbB5e0a8GmtiXJ1R_P49Mos4/s1600/IMG_5012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hnNMBXdebDWFExHCTQyKLEE_PHgQvI3FflJcc2EEkSut8M7nWHdsmeK4gKtKnv0ONPw8MmbNDyrCuh5A8JBSw-XP6U1m0lh60_XPxBSuoXrcmq3E9EtZbB5e0a8GmtiXJ1R_P49Mos4/s320/IMG_5012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first batch of Christmas cookies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7orsxkekKYzZFqwDczNhTiGnB1HtHKChoMpCYnhc5xAAY71_L6qNB5_vvC-M9EcQDOWRgSQo1MhPdjpwtdyPVIkpuvVzf-6uOn_6_v6OrS6iDYKch7CR1K9SL6xeMYYYIM06KfOOEe_g/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7orsxkekKYzZFqwDczNhTiGnB1HtHKChoMpCYnhc5xAAY71_L6qNB5_vvC-M9EcQDOWRgSQo1MhPdjpwtdyPVIkpuvVzf-6uOn_6_v6OrS6iDYKch7CR1K9SL6xeMYYYIM06KfOOEe_g/s320/IMG_5026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bear tin adds some Christmas to the kitchen counter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ64bblbHdPwOnOLgDX3-6qVc2LI5eo24d52xqifHW_CSM3_vEz_2LsvcZsxOsSnloD55UFn9iHcigsGM0IFdm1ZOcxJm0VtXo8NS3SZDAABUtU_3eTnMH9YnSF-PYELVQRJo3Y5haKSo/s1600/IMG_5034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ64bblbHdPwOnOLgDX3-6qVc2LI5eo24d52xqifHW_CSM3_vEz_2LsvcZsxOsSnloD55UFn9iHcigsGM0IFdm1ZOcxJm0VtXo8NS3SZDAABUtU_3eTnMH9YnSF-PYELVQRJo3Y5haKSo/s320/IMG_5034.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was so fun! I put the centerpiece together for our Advent by Candlelight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RxB-RHZLkfK-PFBAY1mXbijOIjPJN6l4YQcwwTKL6yCbExFc4XPnpkB0TCKuNQueWyJmJnb2sMjvkXw0nFLjza_LgoSA2hWhJynBEqjYX1cw55H1rlLHYrvI7majd_63Nf0t3zsQDF8/s1600/IMG_5036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RxB-RHZLkfK-PFBAY1mXbijOIjPJN6l4YQcwwTKL6yCbExFc4XPnpkB0TCKuNQueWyJmJnb2sMjvkXw0nFLjza_LgoSA2hWhJynBEqjYX1cw55H1rlLHYrvI7majd_63Nf0t3zsQDF8/s320/IMG_5036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally have pictures on our walls! Just in time for the holidays.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FVYHH9vgd2-gkQ6w9XOza2QE-isXtzgnX3Wh1q6mgc7P8ru6yG7t7E3jN1Zx6Uz0dHaopzV9EZJV0jdpVAeQMfPDerYN2iz1gs6nGR6su_62TN86uoqpIFxUw63EJ7u1sCDqdQD_ujM/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FVYHH9vgd2-gkQ6w9XOza2QE-isXtzgnX3Wh1q6mgc7P8ru6yG7t7E3jN1Zx6Uz0dHaopzV9EZJV0jdpVAeQMfPDerYN2iz1gs6nGR6su_62TN86uoqpIFxUw63EJ7u1sCDqdQD_ujM/s320/IMG_5041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a combination of thrift store finds (bowl and garland), a rummage sale purchase(green ornaments), and small ornaments given by a couple at church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLJ-Ei7dN-2eLXdtFnrh3sIASvr5m4j4_zj6Pn3e81kCA7FCoGAvvwLOT2yRavo6B2_-pW2hblOMi6ZJbOMVOlQ31Izoz8kCjQq6hkO_-ehi7pwWywVMBXigbVScs_QS9Qlp4b_ySvYA/s1600/IMG_5044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLJ-Ei7dN-2eLXdtFnrh3sIASvr5m4j4_zj6Pn3e81kCA7FCoGAvvwLOT2yRavo6B2_-pW2hblOMi6ZJbOMVOlQ31Izoz8kCjQq6hkO_-ehi7pwWywVMBXigbVScs_QS9Qlp4b_ySvYA/s320/IMG_5044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few other things setting around. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTn2MHjTezGwD5w7wIPFSRQASO8BGv-ePESpHwoJeJaDHIOdoWPlxrTL0wUsgE6REv6of7VAE8casfJWI53iSCn3PM2bOjkv-hAvRAQn8Yoo1nsFaoikfzK67FUaeUOfY8tN6uviZCVA/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTn2MHjTezGwD5w7wIPFSRQASO8BGv-ePESpHwoJeJaDHIOdoWPlxrTL0wUsgE6REv6of7VAE8casfJWI53iSCn3PM2bOjkv-hAvRAQn8Yoo1nsFaoikfzK67FUaeUOfY8tN6uviZCVA/s320/IMG_5051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tree is taller than Steve, even though it doesn't look it here. Christmas tree pictures always end up so disappointing. They never capture the real life beauty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrD8IuuVnGLPiX6pCku5R9mkUVrZ58iLk0wTpPPiRjE7B7WdHUrTDBTLWPmxo_rI8EY69vtBdh-pzN4Bffya_cXiSjSJLiM-t5o6r0upxCE_L4ZUOEjQs4QF_E7fX-E0q-i5KAJhVawQ/s1600/IMG_5052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrD8IuuVnGLPiX6pCku5R9mkUVrZ58iLk0wTpPPiRjE7B7WdHUrTDBTLWPmxo_rI8EY69vtBdh-pzN4Bffya_cXiSjSJLiM-t5o6r0upxCE_L4ZUOEjQs4QF_E7fX-E0q-i5KAJhVawQ/s320/IMG_5052.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My stocking... guess Steve doesn't get one this year since it's still in Minnesota...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DwXfAOOUJvO6z_9KlG-mfi6Uzfr026ZnlL3taP1wceUC58wuVY07mNfrNG2clskidk_kUN2j5zoKcZv0MbkbcdPKTEKsmgnGvnFCSljgMtu6OAvtvbbaeazS7w12l90JdOn0K4zKTe0/s1600/IMG_5053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DwXfAOOUJvO6z_9KlG-mfi6Uzfr026ZnlL3taP1wceUC58wuVY07mNfrNG2clskidk_kUN2j5zoKcZv0MbkbcdPKTEKsmgnGvnFCSljgMtu6OAvtvbbaeazS7w12l90JdOn0K4zKTe0/s320/IMG_5053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pretty things.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU7I8P0SAo-gqi6M8WNz-wOJkzCEwcCjzGa03_SENxFDGz_MXImniAyXtATxN-59wXJeuoV8OEBqt6UeOsRkJY1EAvQ92Km408HYGYNHmlg9cON0qrhVJiZlxEEkqlDrcwGTFBEOiNoQ/s1600/IMG_5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU7I8P0SAo-gqi6M8WNz-wOJkzCEwcCjzGa03_SENxFDGz_MXImniAyXtATxN-59wXJeuoV8OEBqt6UeOsRkJY1EAvQ92Km408HYGYNHmlg9cON0qrhVJiZlxEEkqlDrcwGTFBEOiNoQ/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you believe this candle is actually a smoky green color?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0uphjO1WAtOaKuWkdqFl7qFC8yynSXTMlyCzCId-aA1NFCNf6aaHShwUFovtyRE52krPdPLVdkZxzxTbsAXOX3-8pvneVpg98tKw7yfLMdDpOEQfyVC12iSeHFNcPqfPz_E9VB4p-2o/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0uphjO1WAtOaKuWkdqFl7qFC8yynSXTMlyCzCId-aA1NFCNf6aaHShwUFovtyRE52krPdPLVdkZxzxTbsAXOX3-8pvneVpg98tKw7yfLMdDpOEQfyVC12iSeHFNcPqfPz_E9VB4p-2o/s320/IMG_5070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cute little thrift store buy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We are also very busy with school and church things. Steve is doing most of the work for the kid's Christmas program. Steve plays for a funeral this Saturday and we will both play for a memorial service at the beginning of the new year (two elderly members of the congregation). We will be singing in church with the choir and by ourselves. This Friday evening is ALA's Christmas program. Somehow we need to fit in a little shopping, too! The excitement of the birthday celebration of our Lord keeps us going, though we are eager for our break- a trip to the Midwest!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-40652677592434816452011-11-03T22:49:00.000-05:002011-11-03T22:49:04.057-05:00Weekend Visitor!Grandma Sue, Steve's dad's mom, came over the weekend. She arrived Friday after an exciting flight. She is a retired nurse and there had been a medical emergency on the plane. They asked for a doctor or nurse to help. In the absence of the doctor she did a quick assessment. The elderly man did alright so she sat with him on the flight and was cheered at the end. I got off early due to extra hours early in the week (Steve and I did our CPR/AED/First Aid class) and so I was able to meet her at about 2:00. We caught up for a bit and then picked Steve up.<br />
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It was a nice relaxing weekend. We sat out and enjoyed our patio. We ate out at Macayos (a delicious Mexican restaurant) and Firebird (a steak place where we had amazing prime rib). We got to show off our house, school, church, and life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina6JNQtewZCRBRM4HBeN7Qw-8j9OOSCZz6BT_c7LimL4o_ptDAeqFxLte8frRKgovtD-ePUEWSLxErTBlgjCzcNY_Z-jjFxt__qsWeIyKgzkWQrdXW3o-Bniammgi52RNw94-fWaTn9o/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina6JNQtewZCRBRM4HBeN7Qw-8j9OOSCZz6BT_c7LimL4o_ptDAeqFxLte8frRKgovtD-ePUEWSLxErTBlgjCzcNY_Z-jjFxt__qsWeIyKgzkWQrdXW3o-Bniammgi52RNw94-fWaTn9o/s320/IMG_2200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We went to ALA (Arizona Lutheran Academy, the WELS high school in Phoenix) for the Reformation Service. We checked out the thrift store that gives all its proceeds to ALA. No finds but a few ideas. We also went to Kohls and got curtains for our bedroom! We don't have them up yet...<br />
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We had off yesterday and today for teachers conferences. Since conferences are in Northern California only the principal went this year. We are using the time to get things done! Hopefully pictures will be on walls by the end of this weekend. We're getting there!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-39886719288566738702011-10-19T00:21:00.000-05:002011-10-19T00:21:59.910-05:00What is that?Did you notice it? We recently added a fun new feature to our blog! You no longer have to have a blogger account to follow us. You can have update notifications sent right to your email. This calls for another tutorial!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oMUwHblxMpUlQ66pSZXhNkQcXi_aFqB_xzhwUgEuT-rDJU9NRJuFaq6ZHVihrQTn2Niukoj4y7VfzPFbfkXTPKW5q9U4dGyEFCIhJfY57y2I1FPhp3x47FWCRPYKLytyPzCUfCJm9ru7/s1600/Follow+Tutorial+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oMUwHblxMpUlQ66pSZXhNkQcXi_aFqB_xzhwUgEuT-rDJU9NRJuFaq6ZHVihrQTn2Niukoj4y7VfzPFbfkXTPKW5q9U4dGyEFCIhJfY57y2I1FPhp3x47FWCRPYKLytyPzCUfCJm9ru7/s320/Follow+Tutorial+1.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enter your email address in this box and click "Submit."</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg5QTcbXN6uLtHqLIDSOR-GiFgMtwQ-oEJ9R2es8rplrZ00_o4mjDaBq_jt1LFfV1xIi-uqSJ4l8O0UprrGSMHtIi863NhKD79ciosXVRyU1mz9WwIYDfrOgJw1psa_kvMX-JC-zXvaPK/s1600/Follow+Tutorial+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg5QTcbXN6uLtHqLIDSOR-GiFgMtwQ-oEJ9R2es8rplrZ00_o4mjDaBq_jt1LFfV1xIi-uqSJ4l8O0UprrGSMHtIi863NhKD79ciosXVRyU1mz9WwIYDfrOgJw1psa_kvMX-JC-zXvaPK/s320/Follow+Tutorial+2.png" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will get this pop-up window. Type this "word" into the box and click "Complete Subscription Request."</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABz52ZvLWcWcgRZGX5wkCEjJA6EgcPAvJm-jMKhW5B8da4stR0-5xhj2bg94exghJeInox7UrrLiFwqav9k3IriV5Ig46DDSJBkjXRDxkUexfHpbifjIaSq9cRSB1Bee_TtmTPtjedHAV/s1600/Follow+Tutorial+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABz52ZvLWcWcgRZGX5wkCEjJA6EgcPAvJm-jMKhW5B8da4stR0-5xhj2bg94exghJeInox7UrrLiFwqav9k3IriV5Ig46DDSJBkjXRDxkUexfHpbifjIaSq9cRSB1Bee_TtmTPtjedHAV/s320/Follow+Tutorial+3.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will receive this confirmation email. Click the blue link.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>That should do it. If we update that day, you should receive an email telling you. Enjoy!<br />
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Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-66549959941614079742011-10-17T00:05:00.000-05:002011-10-17T00:05:35.461-05:00A Relaxing and Productive Week Cross of Glory had a nice short week. We had Monday off for Columbus Day. Steve and I went to the chiropractor in the morning and Olive Garden at lunch, then just got things done around home. It is hot again so plans for a nice walk in the neighborhood came to naught. The next time we walk we want to take pictures and write about the flora of Arizona.<br />
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Parent/teacher conferences started Thursday after school and continued through the day on Friday. I had off and sorted important papers at home and got some of the never-ending little tasks done. Steve and I got re-fingerprinted since the last time they used the wrong ink... Steve rented Despicable Me on his way home from a Red Box so we watched that.<br />
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Saturday we went to the chiropractor again. For those who aren't aware, our chiropractor does the Blair Technique which aligns the top vertebrae in the neck so that your body works at its best. He adjusted me in a different direction and I've been feeling really good since. On the way home we stopped at a rummage sale. Check out our great finds!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafxajwJVLnkGEM50wm8jfxk52tbCxvA4rVLcrWE6S-yFLdQpdXGvr0M-89Zb7kyo3kkdlpnUsd7I2T9oh9hb-99ifKpDR1tWBoD3JTFzn4UIC9SzUYkl1ywtqnJ63mOCsQTHOAsJTssg/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafxajwJVLnkGEM50wm8jfxk52tbCxvA4rVLcrWE6S-yFLdQpdXGvr0M-89Zb7kyo3kkdlpnUsd7I2T9oh9hb-99ifKpDR1tWBoD3JTFzn4UIC9SzUYkl1ywtqnJ63mOCsQTHOAsJTssg/s320/IMG_4916.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a paper towel holder, a coat hanger for our entry, and a little bookshelf that will hold books and our TV!</td></tr>
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Much of the rest of Saturday we spent finally getting our den set up now that we finally have an "entertainment center." It feels so cozy and relaxing! The only problem is the empty walls... We are planning to get things on the walls the first week in November. There is no school the Wednesday-Friday for the district teachers conference. Only our principal will be attending since it is in Northern California this year. Enjoy the pictures and don't forget to plan a vacation to sunny Arizona. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKM-C5_SLytU1ubQbr4ct0Y5j7y9DtzMtnvkQ6ZZclKw3McGidqchVk9vK4gAHwKU7g0uxmM8kgc9O3E4kBc3o18xjl4iFjLF7O22a2bIk2GNutWn_V1SvEy_Z75yGwnFqSmqmJSKeMw/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKM-C5_SLytU1ubQbr4ct0Y5j7y9DtzMtnvkQ6ZZclKw3McGidqchVk9vK4gAHwKU7g0uxmM8kgc9O3E4kBc3o18xjl4iFjLF7O22a2bIk2GNutWn_V1SvEy_Z75yGwnFqSmqmJSKeMw/s320/IMG_4922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view of the den through the double door that open into it from the living room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwo8ZYSmKdToaFyQPgD117sZIQgycHz2aH1NdK8NtaxSNfXhzULiJffipMl1nAmXjpGwU-xW2WGY-DFv7kn9Vqt1ys3-mtqOC6N4Lespd1DBTuu_vOmbv_95JGsPwh-J3Xv2quep7lqQ/s1600/IMG_4926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwo8ZYSmKdToaFyQPgD117sZIQgycHz2aH1NdK8NtaxSNfXhzULiJffipMl1nAmXjpGwU-xW2WGY-DFv7kn9Vqt1ys3-mtqOC6N4Lespd1DBTuu_vOmbv_95JGsPwh-J3Xv2quep7lqQ/s320/IMG_4926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from sitting on the loveseat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1aaUF-E88J6Xjja2IgJ0GsQEbBNoirWg1sk6Qd0_SyQoHjMPzwL2_ZgF-M8mtAP1XFuAzV54rwQXzKkyIoTBqEg9W_jFlghwU_uEhBJLEYYJ_vcHNJ3bAPrdvcIq3kEY9ObLpSeR1kc/s1600/IMG_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1aaUF-E88J6Xjja2IgJ0GsQEbBNoirWg1sk6Qd0_SyQoHjMPzwL2_ZgF-M8mtAP1XFuAzV54rwQXzKkyIoTBqEg9W_jFlghwU_uEhBJLEYYJ_vcHNJ3bAPrdvcIq3kEY9ObLpSeR1kc/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from standing by the TV- this is our seating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-9691311829386501302011-09-25T23:12:00.000-05:002011-09-25T23:12:10.664-05:00Culinary Adventures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHyhIc7LgrYlzAVFQcCrnI_i204BFoNT6_cP3C3oJTXLsI7uv35PaKjIxisP7yg3IS3XbNtlrnNTBNNpuk-SuEdpPUqALa7-NQDj8EfU2Ack6i9Sm7geInawAgCmeBngIB99MwkCjBRw/s1600/IMG_4907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>As you may have noticed, I enjoy taking pictures of food. Cooking is one form of art that I seem to have a pretty good handle on, probably because it is not difficult to do well if you can find a good recipe. Lately I haven't been feeling up to doing too much (for reasons you read about in Steve's last post) but I'm doing much better and gaining back my energy. After making oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins for breakfast and a nice easy frozen pizza for lunch, I still had energy to make Pad Thai for dinner.<br />
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Here's a little background: Steven and I went to an Asian restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico on our extended honeymoon (aka. drive to Arizona). This idea was inspired a bit by our excellent experience with Thai food at Justine (Steve's sister) and Billy's rehearsal dinner this summer. As usual, the two of us were drawn to the same two dishes- one that we knew we'd both like and another that sounded exciting. Steve always orders the exciting dish, I order the good one, and we switch half way. His was a delicious tofu soup with coconut milk and mine was Pad Thai (which easily won). We followed our dinner with a sweet plum wine.<br />
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Steve has mentioned the Pad Thai several times since so I noticed it right away as I looked through our "Light and Healthy Cookbook." I had never thought much about making Asian food, but I though it looked very doable. It is made with rice noodles, shrimp (though we used chicken), lime, fish sauce, eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, and peanuts. It is seasoned with garlic and red pepper and garnished with cilantro. It tasted as good as we remembered! Just another reason for you to visit... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4olOyB1wmjcXaKsx1DzgmZyTtFzxkDmsa9IBxhipyBx8eSYky0fH-vZXxKwCrEy6F1IFfacZlP_buVhqkCJKreABQo_uBtjKoBqjGBphfILFZruiigEsAErXK5tlzW_5Z4Nbgb1qUUA/s1600/IMG_4913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4olOyB1wmjcXaKsx1DzgmZyTtFzxkDmsa9IBxhipyBx8eSYky0fH-vZXxKwCrEy6F1IFfacZlP_buVhqkCJKreABQo_uBtjKoBqjGBphfILFZruiigEsAErXK5tlzW_5Z4Nbgb1qUUA/s320/IMG_4913.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-43242908576389918512011-09-24T15:03:00.000-05:002011-09-24T15:03:51.857-05:00Welcome Back!Sorry for the leave of absence, Amy really wanted to write a post about the rest of the house (including the new piano) but that would require taking pictures of the house, which would require cleaning the house, which is way too many steps for us, so it hasn't happened. We did manage to clean the house last week, but then we had a friend over all weekend, so blogging didn't happen. But hopefully we will have time for all of that today! We have a Saturday with nothing scheduled, so look out Blogger, here comes some postin'!<br />
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I have a few items of news to share.<br />
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First, Amy and I have had a full week of adjustment from our local Blaire technician. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you haven't heard that the Blaire technique is what saved my mother. She suddenly developed inexplicable symptoms including weakness, fatigue, and "spells" where she couldn't do anything at all. After having every medical test under the sun at the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and being consistently told she had nothing wrong, she turned to alternative treatments. She found out about the Blaire technique, a special chiropractic method that only gives attention to the top vertebrae of the spine. If those are in alignment, the brain communicates effectively with the rest of the body, and the body heals itself of almost anything that is wrong with it. My mom got adjusted and has seen remarkable results. <br />
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Amy and I found a chiropractor that practices the Blaire technique in Phoenix. Amy's developed some symptoms of fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems (maybe acid or something like that) that we didn't know what to do about. Urgent Care recommended an ultrasound to check out her gall bladder, but the ultrasound showed no problems with her gall bladder, or any of her abdominal organs. So we turned to Dr. Tony. We got adjusted last week and we think we are seeing results. My neck looked pretty good in the x-ray. My spine had a nice curve, but the top vertebrae were a little unbalanced. Amy's neck was not so good. She looked like the picture on the wall, a perfectly straight neck with the top vertebrae well out of place. We noticed increased energy the week following the adjustment, and Amy's stomach was doing much better. Thursday was a bad day. Amy had all of the bad stomach pain back again. We went in for our third check-up that week, and lo and behold, Amy was out of alignment. Dr. Tony popped her back into place, and the past 2 days of been great again! We're hoping this treatment will also help her with her arch problems and carpal tunnel in the future. Praise God for making us such wonderful bodies that are so efficient at healing themselves!<br />
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I'm sure many of you are also wondering about my classroom. I'm am starting to feel like a real teacher, where I can plan ahead and have well-thought-out lessons. My classroom is starting to run well, and the students are responding really well to me. I've heard from multiple parents how much their children love my class, so I must be doing something right, even though I don't always feel that way. I am very excited that I am getting a new 2nd grader on Monday. He was attending a charter school and was having a miserable time there that was affecting his attitudes and behaviors. His mom is beside her self, and came to look at our school. He shadowed in our classroom one day (basically he got to try it out for a day) and loved it. We are very excited about this family since they are unchurched but hungry for the Word. Amy also got phone call just yesterday from a father looking for a school for his 1st grade daughter. So maybe I'll be moving up to a class of 16! <br />
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Thanks for your patience in waiting for this update. I'm going to see if I can get Amy to put something up about the house/piano later today... like I said, we first need to clean the house, so maybe not today, but hopefully sometime this weekend.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-92160553773837825442011-09-07T00:04:00.000-05:002011-09-07T00:04:53.258-05:00Thank You For Your ConcernI am so thankful and appreciative of all of the concern you showed after the post entitled "Survey Says." It means a lot to know that there are so many people out there who care so much. It's important for us when we are so far away to be able to feel all of your love.<br />
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First of all, let me say that my finger is doing much better. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvYTkrMeBbi0mNu3yZVPlgJQMErXb1SwocF_zFRFUTB0QdkIMALKGhjJvG0p6O9vYYOXTgYq2ZP9HZBMJqWnRASvSuAGA7J09cjmctGti61kFZor1zSHcqmEBpZ4Wks7tf-twqnTyaGBS/s1600/Piano+Finger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvYTkrMeBbi0mNu3yZVPlgJQMErXb1SwocF_zFRFUTB0QdkIMALKGhjJvG0p6O9vYYOXTgYq2ZP9HZBMJqWnRASvSuAGA7J09cjmctGti61kFZor1zSHcqmEBpZ4Wks7tf-twqnTyaGBS/s320/Piano+Finger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It is only in a Band-Aid now, not the scary-looking gauze you saw in the post.<br />
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For those insensitive or unobservant readers who didn't ask me about the injury, I'll explain what happened. Let me begin by saying thank you to Patty for the wonderful knife. Just a little gravity is all it takes to make a beautiful cut. Don't worry, I just dropped it while I was washing it and it cut my knuckle. It wasn't that bad, even though it made a bit of a mess (a bit of a squirter). We quickly realized that we had no first aid materials anywhere in our house, so a night-time Walgreens run was in order. I hope we didn't worry the cashier too much as Amy bought a first aid kit while I clutched a paper towel around my finger. We got home and gauzed it and wrapped it in tape to keep me from bending my finger and reopening the cut. Piano playing was a bit hampered, but I just needed to find creative ways around what I wanted to do. It's doing great now, no infections, and I'm trying to bend it a little more. I should be fully healed and digitally mobile soon.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-10875770644530885282011-09-05T18:02:00.000-05:002011-09-05T18:02:12.969-05:00Barbecue Bonanza!Seeing as almost every store was advertising a Labor Day Weekend Sale, we decided to spend Saturday traveling all around the city in search of the only important furniture that we were still missing- our bedroom set. We looked on Craigslist and found a couple of possibilities but nothing we were too excited about. We found a couple of store ads in the paper that looked promising and decided to check them out.<br />
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The first stop was at SPF (not the sunscreen- it stands for "Special Purchase Furniture"). They were having a "Barbecue Bonanza" with free hot dogs and chips and so we figured we couldn't go wrong. First we went in to check out the furniture. A very helpful salesman- as they all are at these kinds of places- bent over backwards to find us a deal.<br />
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We told him our budget and that were were hoping to get a queen bed, mirror and dresser, 2 nightstands, and a chest dresser. We were kind of dreaming big, but he found us a clearance set with a king bed, 1 nightstand, and the mirror with dresser. He also found another clearance set with a queen bed that matched but it was paired with a chest dresser that did not match our other items. He said we could swap the queen bed for the king, get the mirror and dresser, and the 1 nightstand. He also checked and found a second matching nightstand in "the back." We would not have a chest dresser, but including tax and delivery everything else was still under budget.<br />
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The guy about died when we passed up the deal in order to check out a few other places. He told us, "You have one hour to go across the street and check out the two other furniture stores. If you aren't back in an hour this deal is going to be sold to someone else." <br />
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We went to another place that we had seen in the paper where we knew there was a beautiful set that we could afford to get all the pieces. We took one look and knew it was not anywhere near the quality of the other store's offer. Steve assured me that with our big closet he won't need a whole chest dresser and I even promised him a drawer or two of mine.We went back to SPF, finalized our purchase, and ate hot dogs. <br />
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The movers arrived today, set everything up, and were on their way out. As they were leaving we walked in the bedroom to see our little queen sized mattress sitting on a giant king sized frame!!! Steve ran out and stopped the truck. Thankfully it was their mistake and so they took it back and brought the other out a couple hours later. We are now settled in with our bedroom just as it should be! We have been so blessed and as soon as the piano arrives our furniture will be all set! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the old frame out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One new nightstand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7qU3e_7EwJe8Ryl65yf0HfBuOGkQw_LTIXHCtM_ZPWNZUI91NvIu_sBG1yBtjrC-Kjxume2aQWNspvXoaMS4bYSAwjUo046ioWl-KD438cmb9sclhP9eEPbe8AsZYMJ3r2znSWDPQIo/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7qU3e_7EwJe8Ryl65yf0HfBuOGkQw_LTIXHCtM_ZPWNZUI91NvIu_sBG1yBtjrC-Kjxume2aQWNspvXoaMS4bYSAwjUo046ioWl-KD438cmb9sclhP9eEPbe8AsZYMJ3r2znSWDPQIo/s320/IMG_4886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new bed and nightstands! I love the curvy headboard. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMZ4Z1fADpP02aTFmARsTn13FvJ58uF65zCwVC8rTSP9Qhrmkz0kC4DBZ4wExSe-XLfjr6l-75HqSqKfuXst_PBycCE8od4rp5Z-YCA7JYSqLX-33utXSGAmRw2BMUju1ixIqtJxiLlw/s1600/IMG_4885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMZ4Z1fADpP02aTFmARsTn13FvJ58uF65zCwVC8rTSP9Qhrmkz0kC4DBZ4wExSe-XLfjr6l-75HqSqKfuXst_PBycCE8od4rp5Z-YCA7JYSqLX-33utXSGAmRw2BMUju1ixIqtJxiLlw/s320/IMG_4885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror and dresser :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPQxgUEu7kuq_P7kZYOAAJ2PYEf7DPw567dQTyTntxGNGiikujHyJeUfKeL_03e1evcJdro7Z6JT32P2nMM5v2fbtyeebkUoenRp9toHdV0zq0ali5FObc4A0YzenXhiCcQ6nmUCDAVQ/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPQxgUEu7kuq_P7kZYOAAJ2PYEf7DPw567dQTyTntxGNGiikujHyJeUfKeL_03e1evcJdro7Z6JT32P2nMM5v2fbtyeebkUoenRp9toHdV0zq0ali5FObc4A0YzenXhiCcQ6nmUCDAVQ/s320/IMG_4889.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a close-up. There aren't as many drawers as there seem to be-some are combined.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt_zAf6CdNc1nstfwQ13qnr6SZ9USWcltbELyT2wt9RWGq2wXIAHdVfsxTIm76AX5-vmIloSfUtr8SUa8s6GTkVHm7c2c0F_IyHr5G7DqQhp9bU8Z7YQo6Y8K2Al25_lOQ9kgnL3F3WY/s1600/IMG_4892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt_zAf6CdNc1nstfwQ13qnr6SZ9USWcltbELyT2wt9RWGq2wXIAHdVfsxTIm76AX5-vmIloSfUtr8SUa8s6GTkVHm7c2c0F_IyHr5G7DqQhp9bU8Z7YQo6Y8K2Al25_lOQ9kgnL3F3WY/s320/IMG_4892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These windows are lovely but they really heat up the room...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-76307210259629116552011-09-01T21:35:00.000-05:002011-09-01T21:35:09.244-05:00Survey Says:We already bought a car.<br />
We don't need to buy a house.<br />
Amy's already got the ring, but this purchase was about the same value.<br />
We've been checking for Murris statues on craigslist, but they are either way out of our price range or way out of our geographical range.<br />
<br />
WE BOUGHT A PIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAhdDaMHWtlQjzDN64bg_4-3kkcPo0cm7P6LFepjdLpm_IUVwNhCRKPS8cs-XWOHzFxCk3ms2-zInu5keTibmLFvVcpcocVR8uJqTrdJxVmTjDDUIjN88m5ji0smcUzGub5WYvUpxmoGX/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAhdDaMHWtlQjzDN64bg_4-3kkcPo0cm7P6LFepjdLpm_IUVwNhCRKPS8cs-XWOHzFxCk3ms2-zInu5keTibmLFvVcpcocVR8uJqTrdJxVmTjDDUIjN88m5ji0smcUzGub5WYvUpxmoGX/s320/IMG_4869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's not in our house yet, I still need to figure things out with the piano movers, but I wrote out the check today. It's a 5'6" Kimball grand. The previous owner's father bought it new in 1938 and passed it on to his son. They are a family of musicians, so it's been pretty well taken care of. It's in great shape. The exterior is beautiful, the soundboard is in good shape (so the piano tech told me), it has a real sostenuto pedal (not that I have a song in my repertoire that requires one), and although they are cracked and worn, it still has the original ivory keys. We went to his house to write the check, and tried to figure out a way to strap it to the top of the LeSabre so we could have it home today, but I'll be happy to wait and let the professionals handle it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS_X4ny_Ma8MyYveiYcQd3qoSr-PHV9XNQjCDPqoJmHIPIIp69LIfWTyMc1FjQBVkNDvXWTspdg6w23ITFCRMGO4i-Py3H-qdHoWVe8Xt-PwniRjVhErP8FWVG_kZTZEMX_VDMJDhC4-4/s1600/IMG_4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS_X4ny_Ma8MyYveiYcQd3qoSr-PHV9XNQjCDPqoJmHIPIIp69LIfWTyMc1FjQBVkNDvXWTspdg6w23ITFCRMGO4i-Py3H-qdHoWVe8Xt-PwniRjVhErP8FWVG_kZTZEMX_VDMJDhC4-4/s320/IMG_4870.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C3vkivyrTOqFksWJ84Qgg_znBZtBlToqEK0j0X1Qr2Q62BAGYlCEb16LRdEg15TBqoeKWm2ewXRBSMkUDoqNTuRlGCpSkU6pNJ_MIBgyQVOYkSFk0noFi9PeZsYqVls2kBX6ygWTPs2g/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C3vkivyrTOqFksWJ84Qgg_znBZtBlToqEK0j0X1Qr2Q62BAGYlCEb16LRdEg15TBqoeKWm2ewXRBSMkUDoqNTuRlGCpSkU6pNJ_MIBgyQVOYkSFk0noFi9PeZsYqVls2kBX6ygWTPs2g/s320/IMG_4867.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Next item on the shopping list: bookshelves. I'll have to start unpacking all those piano books...Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-77308345036162104472011-08-23T23:58:00.000-05:002011-08-23T23:58:04.572-05:00A Red and Turquoise KitchenJust a few photos of our lovely kitchen after it was all set up. Well, mostly... We are still missing a few things that we will need but we are getting them slowly but surely. Everything has a place but it may not be where we keep it forever. We are so blessed with this beautiful space to cook. We are so pleased with our color choices- the red and turquoise are classic but nice and bright. Steven is even tolerant of the few pink pieces that sneaked their way in... :) Our pantry is well stocked after a nice welcoming Sunday which included a pantry shower! Now I just have to get the hang of working with an electric stove and nice stainless steel pots and pans- luxuries we never had in the DR.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4stOl9Ll-K0gABJG-5iRMa66jfRHlpgc61SZQlVtYaF9eBz34aQDNZPYkxHPAuwt6421DYMEUBxMGy20oRAS56X6Rt1wWKhp2eL1ZwgkjgW0a5suZu_CzXDaUOa_B5bEB-148obwEfI/s1600/IMG_4786.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4stOl9Ll-K0gABJG-5iRMa66jfRHlpgc61SZQlVtYaF9eBz34aQDNZPYkxHPAuwt6421DYMEUBxMGy20oRAS56X6Rt1wWKhp2eL1ZwgkjgW0a5suZu_CzXDaUOa_B5bEB-148obwEfI/s320/IMG_4786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers were a welcome gift that the Ladies Group at church presented us with.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xfX5DNrH_D6wtNv3lfOFubfZkbNIl7mMPywTyWS9Dn_BgAzaUnUjZz5tZacXPCiVgX8GwYZwkpqe-uVg8ZGGG8wU-OfT1DIOe5tYDab9S5NOxIea8Z2uk3Pp0b5cNZz0HGRK-EKeZoU/s1600/IMG_4791.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xfX5DNrH_D6wtNv3lfOFubfZkbNIl7mMPywTyWS9Dn_BgAzaUnUjZz5tZacXPCiVgX8GwYZwkpqe-uVg8ZGGG8wU-OfT1DIOe5tYDab9S5NOxIea8Z2uk3Pp0b5cNZz0HGRK-EKeZoU/s320/IMG_4791.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see some of our favorite appliances including a dishwasher!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBYu4gv2gyCFjaeUqq7oMPuQoLEwN1C5jQgVgby4sWYaLthgZC2F7rdFAGKiBz2adL8FJz2EUR9omD911hwGksv6ELzMpiyiIuh7YQYaRPZLEiGxwCfvW95MoeBrSPwvO21ZmRdmI1pc/s1600/IMG_4789.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBYu4gv2gyCFjaeUqq7oMPuQoLEwN1C5jQgVgby4sWYaLthgZC2F7rdFAGKiBz2adL8FJz2EUR9omD911hwGksv6ELzMpiyiIuh7YQYaRPZLEiGxwCfvW95MoeBrSPwvO21ZmRdmI1pc/s320/IMG_4789.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are cooking our first real homemade dinner- Spaghetti, courtesy of a wonderful congregation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-LB34MnnytYmH6A80f2Z4jw67oj9Hu64PELQoA2MKOx-fLJpR6uOCgV6F04eIr9Mu2G7Nn1HMxQCy9VzvUuNUMOUjRPpf4nH66lhD9bTH2F2YgTGN6ynOuRQSq75MzURUwbjsfvyfyo/s1600/IMG_4788.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-LB34MnnytYmH6A80f2Z4jw67oj9Hu64PELQoA2MKOx-fLJpR6uOCgV6F04eIr9Mu2G7Nn1HMxQCy9VzvUuNUMOUjRPpf4nH66lhD9bTH2F2YgTGN6ynOuRQSq75MzURUwbjsfvyfyo/s320/IMG_4788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the pantry door back in the right corner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGaF0tM0dDz94sfIO4Arzq8NnXdjfUUtiK_7fh78PqLAcU48VCcKFaeDeIryrgIUS5m22PseCbCzqOLTOACLOHi2lWcyZ_sx22E_H_dYzurRC4TGkYf9S2FKRd9PFxQuWOqPKRBQmG2Y/s1600/IMG_4798.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGaF0tM0dDz94sfIO4Arzq8NnXdjfUUtiK_7fh78PqLAcU48VCcKFaeDeIryrgIUS5m22PseCbCzqOLTOACLOHi2lWcyZ_sx22E_H_dYzurRC4TGkYf9S2FKRd9PFxQuWOqPKRBQmG2Y/s320/IMG_4798.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner is ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-41005457074000267012011-08-21T18:17:00.000-05:002011-08-21T18:17:25.245-05:00HOME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone asks, "Are you settled in yet?" We always answer, "We're getting there," or "We're working on it." But the simple answer is no, we are not. We have gotten a lot done since we first got here (or rather Steve's dad got a lot done when they arrived with our moving van). Here are a few pictures to show our progress.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNuy7xOXpeOyAL49MugfzbVbkB0cIgfAF0FuerzpmJGbFyXkcKnwpgmBprlKqKOwDWUhjAhliqA5SipXcMRnARBMHOTpj9emvU1jA7Aa12elCNLNJzACe2LPnlcrdGm9E3PttZLzhWMI/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNuy7xOXpeOyAL49MugfzbVbkB0cIgfAF0FuerzpmJGbFyXkcKnwpgmBprlKqKOwDWUhjAhliqA5SipXcMRnARBMHOTpj9emvU1jA7Aa12elCNLNJzACe2LPnlcrdGm9E3PttZLzhWMI/s320/IMG_4749.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After unpacking the boxes that came in our car. The floor was just covered in packing materials.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUFhprVbSOr6BQR-e54hAXBhuyPVLwTOD3Py1ZS-caYxJziTOnhUX0Wdu7BC7B1nrBfiVVF1g1xeiRAUUn2CXn7SQ2GRFURcODIJ5X33_ImlW5ABwinpFhyphenhyphencUMjkyF897e9lbpTVEYB8/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUFhprVbSOr6BQR-e54hAXBhuyPVLwTOD3Py1ZS-caYxJziTOnhUX0Wdu7BC7B1nrBfiVVF1g1xeiRAUUn2CXn7SQ2GRFURcODIJ5X33_ImlW5ABwinpFhyphenhyphencUMjkyF897e9lbpTVEYB8/s320/IMG_4750.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first dinner at home- from the Target deli.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijROwO3OT24TaJujA1GLms1p5hUq2JizRlPADFSmARWYyiredFfbt_5Fpljvhn6cujHfHcPUvriVcpYiJ2sYltNeY3JFjavXkr8moYeCTliUTSV11dDx0O_aC1JGERacwdMUkcemU_0lM/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijROwO3OT24TaJujA1GLms1p5hUq2JizRlPADFSmARWYyiredFfbt_5Fpljvhn6cujHfHcPUvriVcpYiJ2sYltNeY3JFjavXkr8moYeCTliUTSV11dDx0O_aC1JGERacwdMUkcemU_0lM/s320/IMG_4756.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bedroom, complete with air mattress and tv trays.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRJFGa3_pR3nlGYAF7WEk18mjnyyTsgUVW5_UCbG7_wRtjCCYwAXpLbWri_cVgg4Wd1ky1Oiwxlf5BeMKmrFJpMIfRJw01Qx8juwi9cEg7XtfRNd_QJDj__3N3CQqTgzVEtnTq02k-Iw/s1600/IMG_4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRJFGa3_pR3nlGYAF7WEk18mjnyyTsgUVW5_UCbG7_wRtjCCYwAXpLbWri_cVgg4Wd1ky1Oiwxlf5BeMKmrFJpMIfRJw01Qx8juwi9cEg7XtfRNd_QJDj__3N3CQqTgzVEtnTq02k-Iw/s320/IMG_4761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen. Fairly empty but as organized as possible.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9Zbn7uQIh9bhrVQut7fk7kEvTV1eAZsQ8mKdvRvsTkMlYXeQ_e0GpPzykz68texImqLnEWMKMyYvEGpXWVUqcubmyk-rI9VhlMYYzoLSkrfVi6KxoCkq9yIBJFgT1CLU4ugUC5d-JY/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9Zbn7uQIh9bhrVQut7fk7kEvTV1eAZsQ8mKdvRvsTkMlYXeQ_e0GpPzykz68texImqLnEWMKMyYvEGpXWVUqcubmyk-rI9VhlMYYzoLSkrfVi6KxoCkq9yIBJFgT1CLU4ugUC5d-JY/s320/IMG_4762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other kitchen counter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGieUSsGxcEETG81qTUBQ-dfu5-eGRFNOvAhiD9xYZFbZOtuqvLVUvgtugw05UaNGitAcmOSVJr7kWC6od7BmTTqd3wR5mfhQm7HB-XxG97-suLkc_IhJye1yDIk6dMQfeMwCIE4MpYuA/s1600/IMG_4763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGieUSsGxcEETG81qTUBQ-dfu5-eGRFNOvAhiD9xYZFbZOtuqvLVUvgtugw05UaNGitAcmOSVJr7kWC6od7BmTTqd3wR5mfhQm7HB-XxG97-suLkc_IhJye1yDIk6dMQfeMwCIE4MpYuA/s320/IMG_4763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new mattress! We still have no other furniture in our bedroom but the bed is so comfy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO39873VJEJk8xdUrYiiMRoswWKMCTZNQ6fYYSAPe_bTBITYhDKS9rdCZYf09shIXz7qsy0mNELZcJNSm_qPdJ8jFNC6OkEWHESTJPzAUHf-kY7SOyq48d5vREMGSdMnqgfZr1fBZ8Yjw/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO39873VJEJk8xdUrYiiMRoswWKMCTZNQ6fYYSAPe_bTBITYhDKS9rdCZYf09shIXz7qsy0mNELZcJNSm_qPdJ8jFNC6OkEWHESTJPzAUHf-kY7SOyq48d5vREMGSdMnqgfZr1fBZ8Yjw/s320/IMG_4771.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Steve's parents arrived with the moving truck. It was like starting over only with a LOT more stuff than last time when we unpacked just our little car. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCdBOUU5BC4hXMOfgPPLpT-vt2gbWIPjpQs0yCQxNTwXcaldrcDiG2qzhe5uTf15KytqppxQeIrWtlAnPNCreaTjgqqmfxc1MDawPvGBSxWaep7F7Ampu-o2onT7KfOFZY8XPJBeggjs/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCdBOUU5BC4hXMOfgPPLpT-vt2gbWIPjpQs0yCQxNTwXcaldrcDiG2qzhe5uTf15KytqppxQeIrWtlAnPNCreaTjgqqmfxc1MDawPvGBSxWaep7F7Ampu-o2onT7KfOFZY8XPJBeggjs/s320/IMG_4773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guest bedroom furniture is old and it is a very small room but it is already pretty cozy. Come visit and you will stay here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAvdvuLj7FLGsfl11Kkia453bPKeGFJil9vfZ7v2QwiFsTF4O-oZgzstksyMwVGtc86eXoC41-nmh0vSJXerj-sUBrgxGcOKKeAH9j34cc2q4smILvcDBCcWaQhopFygpZv3JgUDhbFE/s1600/IMG_4775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAvdvuLj7FLGsfl11Kkia453bPKeGFJil9vfZ7v2QwiFsTF4O-oZgzstksyMwVGtc86eXoC41-nmh0vSJXerj-sUBrgxGcOKKeAH9j34cc2q4smILvcDBCcWaQhopFygpZv3JgUDhbFE/s320/IMG_4775.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bedroom- filled once more with boxes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Things have gotten better since these last pictures. As we get the house set up, I'll post pictures of the different rooms so you can get a good idea of what our house really looks like. We'll also want to fill you in soon on the new jobs and our excitement over calling a new pastor. As always, we love your comments. They inspire us to keep writing. Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-86906626448586862832011-08-16T00:21:00.003-05:002011-08-16T00:44:12.471-05:00A Whole New WorldGod has blessed us so greatly! I cannot say that enough. Last June we returned from Santiago, Dominican Republic where we taught in a bilingual school. If you missed the stories of all those adventures, you should really go back and check out the previous blogs. Some crazy stuff happens when you spend a year overseas.
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<br />On July 23, not so long after getting home to the Midwest, Steven and I got married- finally! The wedding was the happiest and most beautiful of days! My brother, Seth, shared an excellent message from God's Word based on the text we chose- Ephesians 3:16-19. Everything was perfect and our fantastic photographer captured it all brilliantly. Here is just a taste of her excellent work!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLF0leHx9mJj_883L5fD1B9mEVO2NLnehQfB_-LEsTC8ZGwd_PPHZkBht_yjMr5fAILeOgaUUXPDCPUTKUFl0piYdCxssdDuL6-B8OTd1txGqgLhr1AMbSWKV8uEGBHmN_ZXkJKRtpEQ/s1600/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling+with+party.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLF0leHx9mJj_883L5fD1B9mEVO2NLnehQfB_-LEsTC8ZGwd_PPHZkBht_yjMr5fAILeOgaUUXPDCPUTKUFl0piYdCxssdDuL6-B8OTd1txGqgLhr1AMbSWKV8uEGBHmN_ZXkJKRtpEQ/s320/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling+with+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641322253310649554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_ZUh5DiVrBla-xoFOaH6ABJrT9pwuZuUSpXqQBeKZ8k8nkh_N-j_eFFzYZdNu55Z0-j0339voTiIgWPcjUWJQ18HHG-Hl6yDmP-05uVuOkVuYOmnif1aRPoQOrMBZeOO1K9fQPJBFUw/s1600/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling+us.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_ZUh5DiVrBla-xoFOaH6ABJrT9pwuZuUSpXqQBeKZ8k8nkh_N-j_eFFzYZdNu55Z0-j0339voTiIgWPcjUWJQ18HHG-Hl6yDmP-05uVuOkVuYOmnif1aRPoQOrMBZeOO1K9fQPJBFUw/s320/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling+us.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641322247885397314" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItLFwNr7ImJHXOUil7isR-Hmhe5LcNDoUdW-X3IzSNPKNCVUbfGHoDh0VMFv0oy12jkbD1MSbs3o-8WYBeoxWo-3Jghss8IRVNeDJI5HIRF39YfxyQK0JXB0RByllm7AbF25iC_gGSbE/s1600/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItLFwNr7ImJHXOUil7isR-Hmhe5LcNDoUdW-X3IzSNPKNCVUbfGHoDh0VMFv0oy12jkbD1MSbs3o-8WYBeoxWo-3Jghss8IRVNeDJI5HIRF39YfxyQK0JXB0RByllm7AbF25iC_gGSbE/s320/wedding+picture+from+Emily+Ebeling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641322255571593762" border="0" /></a>The wedding was followed by a short but sweet honeymoon. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in Whitewater, but the highlights were wine tasting, a sunset lake tour cruise in Lake Geneva, and dinner at a 20's themed house-turned-restaurant with jazzed-up broadway tunes playing on the piano.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbl3lN82awdyagRq92rf6UfJoJ3AxinIgRHFRa4BDjtFEcoynYHxmqqvK0qDxDJrOmFuZxBR0O2uGwY3SrsQYEhfFlghtGhIHBH6bEKHEz79Kj1QCHhXGDs3r70GTKMItQdGMeNrne5Q/s1600/IMG_4538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbl3lN82awdyagRq92rf6UfJoJ3AxinIgRHFRa4BDjtFEcoynYHxmqqvK0qDxDJrOmFuZxBR0O2uGwY3SrsQYEhfFlghtGhIHBH6bEKHEz79Kj1QCHhXGDs3r70GTKMItQdGMeNrne5Q/s320/IMG_4538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641325205764608482" border="0" /></a>We went back to my parents' house, got a good night's sleep, filled up the car, and started the drive to Arizona. The scenery was beautiful! It took us 4 days, with stops in Omaha, Denver, and Albuquerque before finally reaching HOME. Life has been a whirlwind since- as if all that wasn't enough! We will continue to post pictures of our home and school and write about all the exciting things happening here. Welcome back!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5mQEj1KBOkiEtJRjDxQe7elf9IvYkQ47VaIsHF3nl-EPSy8UBm4y1xx6ropbqEX7s4y-TtWoBv2Ox_kSVB6G8jSMphI4T6dD9yMjoRj2U_6UW2uFcS7mS3M0I0oSImbubr9wSb3lzxo/s1600/IMG_4728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5mQEj1KBOkiEtJRjDxQe7elf9IvYkQ47VaIsHF3nl-EPSy8UBm4y1xx6ropbqEX7s4y-TtWoBv2Ox_kSVB6G8jSMphI4T6dD9yMjoRj2U_6UW2uFcS7mS3M0I0oSImbubr9wSb3lzxo/s320/IMG_4728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641325208846343490" border="0" /></a>
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413282858289209922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-32548748485669652852011-06-14T22:51:00.008-05:002011-06-16T22:14:32.345-05:00Saying "Good-bye"It's a long process. We've been working on it for a while now. Slowly the realization is setting in. These people are not going to be a part of our lives anymore:<br />
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My Zumba class girls- just as I was getting really comfortable with the group. (Being the only white woman isn't always easy, especially when dancing is involved!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p1wDy1rMR3GIpk9WRnBU2xjY4jOsATSJgKk3CA34fzrfDMG8rrKQM2JgBkaUOiDZ3SBaXtAJXDDA6BtbFffBNTWsureamFJl1tvXqkAJv-mCJ6MzlMBLX9bj9tZhKmXrko5RQqIYK_oL/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618809130977506530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p1wDy1rMR3GIpk9WRnBU2xjY4jOsATSJgKk3CA34fzrfDMG8rrKQM2JgBkaUOiDZ3SBaXtAJXDDA6BtbFffBNTWsureamFJl1tvXqkAJv-mCJ6MzlMBLX9bj9tZhKmXrko5RQqIYK_oL/s320/IMG_3679.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Our Sosua beach server. He always remembered us and even called us family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGQoDGmbIg74vk16Maz6_Jij_ILufsg3gViMLhXDaMKTCwGCyV3xx7fMBk7yDPohgsWKoV7vQabuo61kMis9NlkWHlugAR8ACp4FPFLLdQpFDUcygUObn23_wjVBc84LvhMS9aIzWUbv1/s1600/IMG_3938.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618809143534507330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGQoDGmbIg74vk16Maz6_Jij_ILufsg3gViMLhXDaMKTCwGCyV3xx7fMBk7yDPohgsWKoV7vQabuo61kMis9NlkWHlugAR8ACp4FPFLLdQpFDUcygUObn23_wjVBc84LvhMS9aIzWUbv1/s320/IMG_3938.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>The members of <span style="font-style: italic;">Cordero de Dios</span> (Lamb of God), our beloved church family here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTk_AEOTDK8fPhrXB6umRmFNJZnKGpwgX1jKB49SM9oa64LtV6WAv28KK-neAoFmNFOnqsTV6JHP_L2K4bWfifu6hHFooKPzCmb98fX16lmAXFiBjzgYTc8IkP4WrCMh9bxmlgzkS53qG/s1600/IMG_3980.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618810254882197506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTk_AEOTDK8fPhrXB6umRmFNJZnKGpwgX1jKB49SM9oa64LtV6WAv28KK-neAoFmNFOnqsTV6JHP_L2K4bWfifu6hHFooKPzCmb98fX16lmAXFiBjzgYTc8IkP4WrCMh9bxmlgzkS53qG/s320/IMG_3980.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Pastor Alex and his dear family. They have welcomed us into their home on so many occasions now!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkboh3VqqYv6wZ5gE3SUMa9haX13kVycYRuCrfXhzPsG4z8R-D8_SXfhZ4SgCcUd9wq_JRaysG3aYLmyR7vdOqEt_KL_RvQyE8pvqcwq0KCXy2foBPR3BOWjZVrv2UOPOAcevHxH2KyCH4/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618809125568616162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkboh3VqqYv6wZ5gE3SUMa9haX13kVycYRuCrfXhzPsG4z8R-D8_SXfhZ4SgCcUd9wq_JRaysG3aYLmyR7vdOqEt_KL_RvQyE8pvqcwq0KCXy2foBPR3BOWjZVrv2UOPOAcevHxH2KyCH4/s320/IMG_3672.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>David, the boy I tutored, and his family- such kind and genuine people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdCoDDhuV_DH_rn6mSMJfHXJHdaV5mj0dgdr3UIEmUk9izJWhPyrePVMwh5UsBOt8WQvOyHTzGZrczSKGfug4GvI2zbCujaGADgQCrSBqw-48sTEqDxuBTPacsO7b2h0jiQldZCmkFbCB/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618809133018637522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdCoDDhuV_DH_rn6mSMJfHXJHdaV5mj0dgdr3UIEmUk9izJWhPyrePVMwh5UsBOt8WQvOyHTzGZrczSKGfug4GvI2zbCujaGADgQCrSBqw-48sTEqDxuBTPacsO7b2h0jiQldZCmkFbCB/s320/IMG_3699.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>My students. I like to think of them as my babies, but they really are second graders now. I see it every time I look at them. This one has been the hardest of them all. I pray that God continues the work he started in their hearts this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigog7AW-J6sthr3jXG2gc1vkDTOUW4etNoAU8b7NoWl0jlz7DT9MiSXuiucyHrpVyCDj7-8jFwsR7tAtwO4KBWVbVrAUqRm3AKddBgfAyGoR3CyFYPWDExEfLDx4VD36m7WJO_Nl1sPIFf/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618809137275585186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigog7AW-J6sthr3jXG2gc1vkDTOUW4etNoAU8b7NoWl0jlz7DT9MiSXuiucyHrpVyCDj7-8jFwsR7tAtwO4KBWVbVrAUqRm3AKddBgfAyGoR3CyFYPWDExEfLDx4VD36m7WJO_Nl1sPIFf/s320/IMG_3849.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>In today we said our last good-byes. The good-byes to all the wonderful teachers at our school. This year has been very difficult, but we have been so very blessed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe5qsZOJ1VB_AZF6tsynUb4-i9xWkjMDVvtSTPEX7_9NVgvfa5vHZ3N1E-4LmnwnJCPPTyZZsZrQMVF9NDL2sDSDM-vTPlQ6RFqBeVAkBOa-J3gs9oKRPG3KuVTxQcQG9-vTPb7RCKzw3/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618822165858429538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe5qsZOJ1VB_AZF6tsynUb4-i9xWkjMDVvtSTPEX7_9NVgvfa5vHZ3N1E-4LmnwnJCPPTyZZsZrQMVF9NDL2sDSDM-vTPlQ6RFqBeVAkBOa-J3gs9oKRPG3KuVTxQcQG9-vTPb7RCKzw3/s320/IMG_3850.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12276420738805256341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-52686522732471868252011-06-14T08:24:00.005-05:002011-06-14T09:35:12.376-05:00Monte CristiJune 4, 2011 we finally made our trip to Monte Cristi. We had been putting off the trip due to all the rain that Steve has told you about in a previous blog. Finally, with only 2 weekends left in the country, we had to go- rain or shine.<br /><br />We woke up early to a cloudy morning. The bus left at 8:45. We had heard different stories about the length of the trip, but everyone told us it was FAR away. I heard 3 hours from some people and 4 hours from others. When looking at a map we were shocked, because it looks closer than Santo Domingo, which is 2.5 hours away. Not a problem, right? Wrong. The trick with the buses here is that they don't <span style="font-style: italic;">tell </span>you what stop you are at!<br /><br />A few stops in we asked the women in front of us which stop it was. I didn't recognize the name of the town but we had only been on the bus for an hour so we couldn't have been there yet. After a while we asked the the women again and they said Dajabon.... maybe? Then they asked where we were headed. Monte Cristi? That was one of the first stops, they said! We went and asked the <span style="font-style: italic;">chofer</span> (driver) and he told us we were in Monte Cristi at that moment. We skeptically got off the bus and found ourselves in the right place!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2la7S9UFbUUbq2KNiZvqSC9ULzKP7UmIFvwkscI1b7Y_7n-wowJokla6KDKiRoelGTk9H_G1k697Te_Vq11YHU54qAZAF1X7vVZ0ga3xT64v73_i_qQt58LSpDf5RkZubeJaUMi6VUFK/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2la7S9UFbUUbq2KNiZvqSC9ULzKP7UmIFvwkscI1b7Y_7n-wowJokla6KDKiRoelGTk9H_G1k697Te_Vq11YHU54qAZAF1X7vVZ0ga3xT64v73_i_qQt58LSpDf5RkZubeJaUMi6VUFK/s320/IMG_3577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618077265556229986" border="0" /></a>We took two <span style="font-style: italic;">moto conchos</span> (motorcycle taxis) out to the beach. The ride was so beautiful! We even saw some birds in the water that looked like flamingos! I don't think they are native to the Caribbean... but the birds were tall and stood on one foot with heads tucked under a wing. Any ideas?<br /><br />We arrived at the beach and were instantly being eaten alive by mosquitos!!! Thankfully another family was there and offered us <span style="font-style: italic;">repelente</span>. After that we could really enjoy the beauty of this beach. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw3j_vEkes0MBUvo1vIGmy8WtjrTd0InX-KvqDsfTHZOxWfuXNhp9l7qouwPng3HKYFJ5u4U1b3GwaoUUndoUbcDJrjXEVAgnYMHT8seywPOmWmjDsGgCmUF2GMdQX3q1C4thjHWmGWWj/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw3j_vEkes0MBUvo1vIGmy8WtjrTd0InX-KvqDsfTHZOxWfuXNhp9l7qouwPng3HKYFJ5u4U1b3GwaoUUndoUbcDJrjXEVAgnYMHT8seywPOmWmjDsGgCmUF2GMdQX3q1C4thjHWmGWWj/s320/IMG_3591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618073763707592402" border="0" /></a>Notice the <span style="font-style: italic;">zapato</span> (shoe) in the pictures!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLWa81uHYMzW7E9V4dZ3B_W3QHHtqmSAfmJj-XATFTMqI0PB4AEMo4m7vHqiTyUNRNcxZSWdyM71xHGPMizr-wxjegwDaDm43ZRiHiAe0cES52VUBcyhqBGMatrevin5yGTOEecy0q6W/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLWa81uHYMzW7E9V4dZ3B_W3QHHtqmSAfmJj-XATFTMqI0PB4AEMo4m7vHqiTyUNRNcxZSWdyM71xHGPMizr-wxjegwDaDm43ZRiHiAe0cES52VUBcyhqBGMatrevin5yGTOEecy0q6W/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618077993162606738" border="0" /></a>Both the other groups on the beach loved the idea of having a photo shoot of the American couple! Here's a sample of their work:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16tEhjleV7raSs7PJCudESBguqHazDDZSqGyxUsM_xal5wotiykmwYBN5jYQQAu97EXgRvuOnsK0p4zrjKIQM8UJwtWe-2KWOevFLUPWVoMZRgJuZIzV_31iAc5LbB9J-MRyGAO9lHqwD/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16tEhjleV7raSs7PJCudESBguqHazDDZSqGyxUsM_xal5wotiykmwYBN5jYQQAu97EXgRvuOnsK0p4zrjKIQM8UJwtWe-2KWOevFLUPWVoMZRgJuZIzV_31iAc5LbB9J-MRyGAO9lHqwD/s320/IMG_3614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618073768382887522" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuuq3PrZd0IfhZlI7hCfuRzKzIAUib__RTfc-tUZXJGuQWxsM5lsb529VFAYYTfGJ3CcUzagAOOXau9KZik_eiPe52AnXm5SDyl80zsysVE6swiNR-oNf_f_ZxN2v6SyZ7MmJhZ2jGONQ/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuuq3PrZd0IfhZlI7hCfuRzKzIAUib__RTfc-tUZXJGuQWxsM5lsb529VFAYYTfGJ3CcUzagAOOXau9KZik_eiPe52AnXm5SDyl80zsysVE6swiNR-oNf_f_ZxN2v6SyZ7MmJhZ2jGONQ/s320/IMG_3610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618077276468129186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZwCYwQNZGjszsCEqJcahJ332HOxdVzj909XVepvdNvfTpo9iaaDSX4dto46Qbh5xHUOtSOA6hijAJqz1znWozjoMlCJohgsV42a-KCJqYj4O1i_vn2bTePEppOKMAepWoWSB5kp8rR7f/s1600/IMG_3612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZwCYwQNZGjszsCEqJcahJ332HOxdVzj909XVepvdNvfTpo9iaaDSX4dto46Qbh5xHUOtSOA6hijAJqz1znWozjoMlCJohgsV42a-KCJqYj4O1i_vn2bTePEppOKMAepWoWSB5kp8rR7f/s320/IMG_3612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618077272198334194" border="0" /></a>We relaxed on the beach, ate our picnic lunch, and watched as white clouds were replaced by dark gray ones. When the rain started we decided that we might as well swim since we were going to be wet either way...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQn9MInL6ounlHGi4VDW40skTCHMyvFauIf34u8mfPN87GRS_b9_k2GiZfSMZzFeawfOhliv-JzxIOX13BDtxl0Fh8nl0o0PaLOzAFCl3XGm-x63RoHKc-OHWTdnDghFMsf-tjFhU_IBT/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQn9MInL6ounlHGi4VDW40skTCHMyvFauIf34u8mfPN87GRS_b9_k2GiZfSMZzFeawfOhliv-JzxIOX13BDtxl0Fh8nl0o0PaLOzAFCl3XGm-x63RoHKc-OHWTdnDghFMsf-tjFhU_IBT/s320/IMG_3631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618073772839515074" border="0" /></a>After a little swim the rain slowed. We tried to hike but it was muddy and slippery so instead we went to the security guard house and played with their puppy while waiting for a taxi to take us back to the bus station. We were glad to have gone, but content to head home early with another adventure to tell.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrRLz4WAsLWe7W-42AFTswnSy4B1Zwh43JzFaWW92hwmL1S-yJR6iJzvLeOQFM6gTQwnoJILyq62dlsqN1sgayBLvhXJe1_5sHJVuKTEj2I3iYyw5XGBEX2sKUndL6n36Bi9IrrthKH1/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrRLz4WAsLWe7W-42AFTswnSy4B1Zwh43JzFaWW92hwmL1S-yJR6iJzvLeOQFM6gTQwnoJILyq62dlsqN1sgayBLvhXJe1_5sHJVuKTEj2I3iYyw5XGBEX2sKUndL6n36Bi9IrrthKH1/s320/IMG_3644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618077286408792146" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12276420738805256341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-2971671424650750922011-06-10T07:38:00.001-05:002011-06-10T17:54:12.860-05:00Last Day of SchoolAt last!!!! Finally!!!! Right?<br />
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In a few minutes, my 6th graders will come through the doors of my classroom for the last time. Many of them I will see for the last time. I have seen them all grow so much. When they walked into my room in August, they were little 6th graders. Now as they come in to take their last final, they are practically 7th graders. They've also grown intellectually. They write opinion essays, they identify themes, they use possessive nouns (a big deal with English Language Learners). I have a student that came to class the first day and did not know any English. Now he has extended conversations with me and reads full paragraphs and understands them. And I don't think I can take any credit for any of this. It seems like the intellectual growth and physical growth happened together, gradually and naturally developing throughout the year.<br />
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Today is the last day of my first year of teaching. I'm not going to say it was easy, and it definitely was not what I thought it would be. But it has prepared me for next 40 or so years of teaching I have ahead of me, God willing. <br />
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This is a pretty important day.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-18923573195487698532011-06-07T15:57:00.001-05:002011-06-07T15:58:58.992-05:00Rain, Rain, Every DayLiterally, every day it rains. It's called a "rainy season." We don't really have those in the Midwest. There really aren't other seasons here, no Summer/Winter/Spring/Fall. There's hot and less hot, and wet and more wet. Right now we are in a hot/more wet season. Usually it doesn't rain all day, but it is usually cloudy all day, and when it does rain, it'll keep up for the rest of the day, and it rains a lot. <br />
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I used to laugh at Dominicans on rainy days. Everything stops. No on goes anywhere, plans are cancelled, nothing happens, all just because it rains. How silly! Letting a little water stop you? Not at all. Here is my guide to help you understand the frustrations of the rainy season that I have learned throughout the year.<br />
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1. You have to walk a lot. <br />
.....a. Umbrellas are only helpful in mild rain and for a short time.<br />
.....b. Not fun in the rain.<br />
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2. The streets flood. Guaranteed. If it is raining, the streets will flood. <br />
.....a. Also not fun if walking.<br />
.....b. If driving your own vehicle, you might not be able to make it.<br />
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3. Public Transportation<br />
.....a. Moto-conchos (motorcycles) are right out.<br />
.........i. No fun at all.<br />
........ii. Dangerous in wet streets.<br />
.......iii. See 2b.<br />
.....b. Conchos and Guaguas<br />
.........i. All full. You will have to wait for a long time. (See 1a)<br />
........ii. See 2b.<br />
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So, yeah. We don't do anything if it's raining. And it's been at it for over a month now. But I'm not complaining, because while it is raining every day, it is better than the alternative. Rain means it is cooler. If not for the rain, we would all be roasting alive in the summer sun.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-51855623264882340842011-06-03T09:28:00.000-05:002011-06-03T09:28:49.105-05:00The WhirlwindApologies, as always, for not posting. I always use the excuse that I am busy, which is ever true. <br />
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Ever since call day, our focus has shifted significantly. We are constantly looking to August and all of the exciting questions it raises. Our house? How to get there? Move our things? A car? How much can we spend? Insurance? Another loan? Loan payments? A salary? What's housing equity? Budget? A new church? New people? A school? How many children? Desks or tables? SmartBoard? Curriculum? Music program? AZ teaching license?--<br />
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But wait! Before we get there, we have to get married! Wedding... old questions... Rehearsal dinner? RSVPs? How much cake? You didn't get your invitation? How many centerpieces? Showers? Bachelor/ette parties? Registries?--<br />
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But wait! Before we start that, we have to finish here! We have duties here, opportunities here, and God has a plan for us here. Right now we're just praying for contentment in our current position and patience as we move closer to the rest of our lives.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-12211186736242363182011-05-18T17:12:00.000-05:002011-05-18T17:12:51.650-05:00OatmealSo, two random, interesting facts.<br />
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It is rainy this week. It rains everyday. The best part is that when it rains, it is no longer hot. After the rain is done, you open your windows to let that sweet cool breeze in. Then comes the bad part. For some reason, after the rain, there are hundreds of these little insects with black wings, like flying ants or something, that all want to come into your house. You will suddenly have a hundred of these nasty things flying all around your little apartment, landing on you, flying in your food, and then, just as suddenly, they will all be gone/dead. I'm not quite sure which, since when they die/leave, they leave behind their wings. So your apartment is littered with these little black wings. Yuck. Sweeping the whole apartment every day.<br />
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Interesting fact #2: I am now "enjoying" a cool glass of Tang. Tang is really big here. They don't have Kool-Aid, they don't have Crystal Lite, their powdered drink of choice is Tang. And it comes in all the flavors you would expect plus some fun tropical ones, like guava-pineapple. They even come in a variety that boasts "con avena!" or "with oatmeal!" There is oat flour in this drink mix. The particular flavor tantalizing my tongue right now is Limon Avena, or Lime Oatmeal. I'm not sure yet...Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-73476201785057455682011-05-17T21:58:00.000-05:002011-05-17T21:58:32.976-05:00How to CommentAfter reading many a friend's blog, Amy and I noticed that they have many more commentors than we do, although maybe not as widely read. I think I know the difference. Wordpress is much easier to leave comments on than Blogger. Many of our readers are perplexed by the options they must choose between when leaving a comment. So, today, I offer you a quick tutorial on leaving a comment on our blog.<br />
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Step 1: Click on the title of the story or the word "comments."<br />
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Step 2: Type a comment in the field labeled "Post a Comment."<br />
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Step 3: Click the arrow on the drop-down menu labeled "Comment as:" and select who to leave your comment as. This is the tricky part. There are several options.<br />
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3a: The first is "Google Account." You may use this option if you have a Gmail, Yahoo, or YouTube account. You should just get a prompt to enter your username and password.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UwJRtbo7H4Hhs4L0SxZ7DDiwhU-2lYZXcWlsNcBaJ-_C-Kvgaa71L2h8f1s9gC3TABCoB1Ybyw8KuScUkqtvO83cc76w8dJmsBmDUvIjLp5x7EPBnejO90NHaugYpr_MbVa1NTZXxLS1/s1600/Comment+Tutorial+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UwJRtbo7H4Hhs4L0SxZ7DDiwhU-2lYZXcWlsNcBaJ-_C-Kvgaa71L2h8f1s9gC3TABCoB1Ybyw8KuScUkqtvO83cc76w8dJmsBmDUvIjLp5x7EPBnejO90NHaugYpr_MbVa1NTZXxLS1/s320/Comment+Tutorial+1.png" /></a></div><br />
3b: WordPress, LiveJournal, and TypePad are all different blogging sites. If you do not have a blog, do not worry about these options.<br />
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3c: Let's skip to the most important options. "Name/URL" is easy. Select this option, type your name in the "Name" field, and you're good. Don't worry about the URL part unless you have a website you really want to share with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMa0LDnHEA38RGBboa0UYZEcRTdX717TiwuA1Kq3MuhB5zhnB2s3rAUlptrXBrcasPUkoAEiZeYdjR4a2woR2Hr-cBwPo4W0uxLZ_UVKjnQk-wK5vFWkeLNYIKE2ubVfTwqpbxuPGg78v/s1600/Comment+Tutorial+NameURL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMa0LDnHEA38RGBboa0UYZEcRTdX717TiwuA1Kq3MuhB5zhnB2s3rAUlptrXBrcasPUkoAEiZeYdjR4a2woR2Hr-cBwPo4W0uxLZ_UVKjnQk-wK5vFWkeLNYIKE2ubVfTwqpbxuPGg78v/s320/Comment+Tutorial+NameURL.png" /></a></div><br />
3d: The easiest and most private option is "Anonymous." Just select this option, and make sure to put your name at the end of your comment so we know who is talking to us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaQa_wiAri3BNdSS8As0lCE7jayHcnawdM2yf-B-03PZwt595pExT6PeKTDHifehcjKegZsYntbkJUTU1497VA_2vQSGMXWLWpiZxZLB5A2I563gvzqKL7jTUKm0lzpVxlDi-_Xd9WFnV/s1600/Comment+Tutorial+Anonymous.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="242" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaQa_wiAri3BNdSS8As0lCE7jayHcnawdM2yf-B-03PZwt595pExT6PeKTDHifehcjKegZsYntbkJUTU1497VA_2vQSGMXWLWpiZxZLB5A2I563gvzqKL7jTUKm0lzpVxlDi-_Xd9WFnV/s320/Comment+Tutorial+Anonymous.png" /></a></div><br />
Okay, class, your assignment for today is to follow the above steps and leave a comment on this entry. If you have any problems during the process, just... well... you won't be able to leave a comment, so you'll have to send me an email or facebook message.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-37981876788119678632011-05-14T18:21:00.000-05:002011-05-14T18:21:07.086-05:00Call Day!At 2:50pm Amy received a Facebook message from her mother informing us that we were indeed being assigned. About an hour, after a painstakingly long list of "S" names, my name was read followed by the words "Cross of Glory, Peoria, Arizona." My family has a picture of our faces as they watched us watch on Skype, looks of wonder, astonishment, excitement. The words that followed included "grades one and two," "music," and "youth." As of right now, we know nothing else but these few words, but their implications have been slowly growing on our consciousness, all happy, sad, and exciting. So far from home, a warm climate, primary grades, youth groups, outlying district, so far from home, so far from friends, so close to other friends. We continue to slowly realize what our new life will be like. <br />
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<a href="http://www.crossofglory.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=140001642">This is where we will be serving. </a><br />
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Many thanks to all of the people who were with us via Skype, thought, and prayer. We appreciate all of your support.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-12581402645885233992011-05-13T22:21:00.003-05:002011-05-13T22:51:41.722-05:00Holy Week and a Wedding!My parents left Maundy Thursday. We considered going to church the next day since they had a service for Good Friday, but did not. The problem was the <i>guaguas</i>. You see, in the Dominican Republic, as in many Latin countries, Good Friday is the big holiday. Everyone takes off of work- including the <i>choferes</i> (bus drivers). Everyone spends the day contemplating the death of Jesus and that's where it ends. By Sunday all has been forgotten for another year. Thank the Lord he has given us the Good News so that the story does not end there for us!<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On Saturday we made <span style="font-style: italic;">habichuelas con dulce </span>(sweet creamed beans). It is a traditional Holy Week drink/soup here. It is made with sweet potatoes from the indigenous people, spices and beans from Spain, and coconut milk from Africa. Our quest was to keep it from tasting like beans. We did okay but it is not going to be a staple... Here is our adventure attempting to make it:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZQto_LU51uz1ssHiA4riUcbzVSeC1f-fSfyEs3gjzmOGSum2lIAlvE3sJczJIir_-DLj9wlYloOibK8_ifcs3_amR-hdKEC_bH9biRHPpsHGX-nSZhRsKPbex6coR6kAta87XAMmEois/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZQto_LU51uz1ssHiA4riUcbzVSeC1f-fSfyEs3gjzmOGSum2lIAlvE3sJczJIir_-DLj9wlYloOibK8_ifcs3_amR-hdKEC_bH9biRHPpsHGX-nSZhRsKPbex6coR6kAta87XAMmEois/s320/IMG_3506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606413916485335890" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt7ntr2oq3JiY6wNED9T7W5Vo4RR9mOxFddy6LUeS5yXS3PVHHJHDdSZ2YW7fCY_tC1drEOiPGxJQ9W2zD2dgRRz6K4O0pSUnDplFLP_DZmxjxgM7L7jn3KYYF1drmRDCiAJBAuXDWsg6/s1600/IMG_3510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt7ntr2oq3JiY6wNED9T7W5Vo4RR9mOxFddy6LUeS5yXS3PVHHJHDdSZ2YW7fCY_tC1drEOiPGxJQ9W2zD2dgRRz6K4O0pSUnDplFLP_DZmxjxgM7L7jn3KYYF1drmRDCiAJBAuXDWsg6/s320/IMG_3510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606413921731113922" border="0" /></a>We chose to have our own worship service- Keith, Beth, Andrew, Steve and I along with my roommate Katie. We read the Good Friday readings from the Bible, sang some favorite hymns, and Andrew read his dad's Good Friday sermon. After that we had some pumpkin pie that I had made and hung out for a while. Don't worry- our story doesn't end there as with much of the DR. Take a look at our Easter morning sunrise:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBGWj82CA6CTSLX7l0A1syfx2GbbZ2Av1jloTUl6SsMCk_TmSdAtaiZoo_kjiJTHUAIVmdLjcfG9HeXccC_glYetZHyRmXMQsCoKIM_0-63PhECyiEtNLgWsqTOcsWDg6BMLXMELHqzgK/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBGWj82CA6CTSLX7l0A1syfx2GbbZ2Av1jloTUl6SsMCk_TmSdAtaiZoo_kjiJTHUAIVmdLjcfG9HeXccC_glYetZHyRmXMQsCoKIM_0-63PhECyiEtNLgWsqTOcsWDg6BMLXMELHqzgK/s320/IMG_3526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606413918797484082" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHg82owg5RGASITIWCcK2FoXX4TzifWOx2eZnT3lOtivr70JV6k9cBImh3IKa47MuQQMdxC0OiU9XpYEHIM4_h3fWlZhFNm1dOGinGT-vELzhmGiptNftMWZ_UatT5uq7kVcHBoXJMEdFM/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHg82owg5RGASITIWCcK2FoXX4TzifWOx2eZnT3lOtivr70JV6k9cBImh3IKa47MuQQMdxC0OiU9XpYEHIM4_h3fWlZhFNm1dOGinGT-vELzhmGiptNftMWZ_UatT5uq7kVcHBoXJMEdFM/s320/IMG_3533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606413924137690530" border="0" /></a>Thank God for bringing us to Cordero de Dios, our WELS church here! We were blessed to rejoice with our Dominican brothers and sisters in Christ by watching Road to Emmaus in Spanish and singing some of our beloved Easter hymns. We have been so thankful time and time again for this congregation!<br /><br />The next Sunday we arrived shortly after the service began. As we approached we noticed a veil in the front of the room! No one told us there was going to be a wedding! We were SO excited! Weddings in the lower class here are nothing like what we are used to. The bride and groom dress in a suit and wedding dress- probably rented or borrowed. There was a large cake (mostly made of a frosted inedible filler thing) and some balloons to decorate. The simplicity however did not diminish the beauty of the ceremony or the anticipation of our own- in 71 days!!!<br />The beautiful young (17-year-old) bride and her groom:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEAanktlt-CdaxNBMnz5dt2PnsN1iPPsAu54HLs59m7g9Zf98nna2lECkO9p1t4qj-5htl_4dWpA2DMLwznkciCTNEHdpyNliBKRGPWXNGQQUXmungApTIructpNWyUdnLapEy4J-FtmQ/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEAanktlt-CdaxNBMnz5dt2PnsN1iPPsAu54HLs59m7g9Zf98nna2lECkO9p1t4qj-5htl_4dWpA2DMLwznkciCTNEHdpyNliBKRGPWXNGQQUXmungApTIructpNWyUdnLapEy4J-FtmQ/s320/IMG_3614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606413927207861426" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12276420738805256341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-56164785811991600252011-05-11T18:52:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:46:46.745-05:00Parents Visit: Part IIII still haven't written about my parents time on the coast! I'm pretty bad at this. That was ages ago so let's go back in time a bit here....<br /><br />We arrived at the coast in Sosua and took a taxi to Cabarete. He tried to overcharge us but gave up when the resort told us our reservation had been cancelled! We told them no it had not and thankfully they still had room for us and agreed to the price we had been told. We were then shown to a tiny little room in the corner of the place. Not exactly the Standard we had expected, but Dad got that sorted out the next morning with a little persistence and diplomacy. Thanks Dad! Take a look at the new and improved room:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmUrskhvFH01t91DrtQ7YnYL7kjxaowSHzwzWd3sv-SsNssDJS7E0XLimpuN9aNyCjhyPqJdhVl0MLLKSINxb828ffi8g3qnThWGmwIlYTYx-5L7rn15njdX6ni_sSCbHyfa4CEBAvq0S/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmUrskhvFH01t91DrtQ7YnYL7kjxaowSHzwzWd3sv-SsNssDJS7E0XLimpuN9aNyCjhyPqJdhVl0MLLKSINxb828ffi8g3qnThWGmwIlYTYx-5L7rn15njdX6ni_sSCbHyfa4CEBAvq0S/s320/IMG_3459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605662637646040978" border="0" /></a>That night we enjoyed 3-star resort food and a 3-star "Africa Show" which was Latinos attempting to lip-synch Lion King in English. A night we are afraid won't easily be forgotten. Ha!<br /><br />The next day we were able to enjoy the day on the beach and in the pools. It was so relaxing- just what we needed! That night Dad and I won a round of bingo each- with a prize of a souvenior sized bottle of rum. On Wednesday we took my parents in to the public beach in Sosua so that they could experience the culture. The ride there was a cultural blast in itself. The guagua (bus) that we were in decided to race another! It was terrifying for even those of us accustomed to the different driving style here. Once there we were able to relax. We ate fresh shrimp and had pina coladas in the pineapple and coco locos in the coconut! After enjoying the beach as long as possible we braved another guagua ride (much safer than the last) back to Cabarete's public beach. There we enjoyed a delicious dinner of red snapper and lobster, before heading back to the resort. Here is lovely Sosua in the evening:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIRTcvJzHfYMMy-eGYiWHXsEDZzXh6YtF89ZTYTk4VpfoxyhW4d-gNFofQB9WCJCysk24AZaZ1Al1hXonYweuFQrdNJLGlFpUQaoKux1YQz32SVPsGHe9_rVslHa-gJ0leMurwyeyUwdY/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIRTcvJzHfYMMy-eGYiWHXsEDZzXh6YtF89ZTYTk4VpfoxyhW4d-gNFofQB9WCJCysk24AZaZ1Al1hXonYweuFQrdNJLGlFpUQaoKux1YQz32SVPsGHe9_rVslHa-gJ0leMurwyeyUwdY/s320/IMG_3472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605662645816368258" border="0" /></a>Thursday came all too fast. We all packed up and headed to our respective home. My parents had an adventursome trip and got home much later that expected (or should I say earlier since it was the next morning)... but all was well. I suppose they were our last visitors. We miss them but we're in the home stretch now!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGeCtak7Kyi4K5AWB0PHXxMRaHb5rAq5oNpOBsop3vFVYT62t7pkxdH_IeEe1Hie2ELd4P95fBmFZON-FHcJZxCAIbbNkE2jN7yCLRHgEREYAiNzPED8aRTscQpm_SFAuXTaGPITG9GEo/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGeCtak7Kyi4K5AWB0PHXxMRaHb5rAq5oNpOBsop3vFVYT62t7pkxdH_IeEe1Hie2ELd4P95fBmFZON-FHcJZxCAIbbNkE2jN7yCLRHgEREYAiNzPED8aRTscQpm_SFAuXTaGPITG9GEo/s320/IMG_3502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605662648487252930" border="0" /></a>Stay posted- I should write a bit about Easter yet, a (surprise?) wedding, Science Fair, and most importantly look for Call Day results posted SATURDAY! Or just watch the service yourself and spoil all our fun;)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12276420738805256341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-87488136923922089462011-05-08T22:18:00.005-05:002011-05-08T22:23:13.864-05:00The Day is Surely Drawing NearWhen Call Day comes!!!!! Next Saturday, the 14th, people, 2:30pm Central Time. Amy and I may find out the plans God has for us. Last year at this time, we were getting ready to graduate and attend a call service where our names would not be read. Like many of our classmates, we were heading abroad to serve the Lord in a different place. Since then, we have had many experiences that have shaped us and prepared us for future work in the ripe harvest field. Amy and I have been preparing for this day almost without ceasing. We are now subscribed for email call reports so we can monitor what positions as freeing up and which ones have been taken. We hold regular discussions: "What if we're in Michigan?" "What if we're in Milwaukee?" "What if we're in Nebraska?" "California?" "Florida?" "What if it's a high school call?" "Dorm supervisor?" We've covered all of our angles, I think, so we are fully prepared. <br />
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For those of you wondering, both of us will not be looking for an assignment on Saturday. I put my name in under category 1, meaning I am willing to serve the Lord anywhere. Amy put her name in under category 4, meaning she is willing to serve nearby my call. I will be considered for assignment, she will not. Instead, if/when I receive a call, my district president will then be able to offer Amy a call. <br />
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So, if you're just as curious as we are, you can tune in to the MLC livestream website, watch the call service, and see the next generation of public servants receive their assignments. You should be able to view it <a href="http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home/media/streams/">here.</a><br />
So keep Amy and I in your prayers. While you're praying, also remember a friend and co-worker of ours, Keith. Keith is an MLC grad teaching here, too. He's been here for 5 years, and has recently received a call to teach 2nd grade at Risen Savior in Milwaukee, WI. The choice he has to make is between being a layman witnessing to his friends and supporting the church here in the DR, or to give up this country, go back to his family in the US, and become a called worker in a WELS school. He has been deliberating for 2 weeks now, so the decision is not coming to him easily. Pray for wisdom and guidance for him.<br />
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Sorry the updates died out there. School is going crazy with Science Fair coming up, and grades due last week, so hopefully we'll be able to catch you up on some things. I know Amy has some pictures she's ready to throw out there, so there is plenty on its way. Stay tuned!Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02207677851108577206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672338970357323985.post-11229428077752875272011-04-27T17:14:00.012-05:002011-04-27T18:44:45.046-05:00Continuation of Parents' VisitSaturday we got up early and had breakfast with my parents at the hotel before heading to the bus station. We arrived a few hours later in Santo Domingo, the capital. We took a taxi to the Colonial Zone, where Columbus first landed and all the firsts of the new world are located. We saw the first sundial, cathedral, hospital, monastery, street, etc. So cool. There are some Santo Domingo pictures from Steve and my first visit located on our Flickr account if you missed them last time around.<br /><br />We got back and went to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Plaza</span> (mall) for a while. Mom found some jewelry at KB- cheap but so great! Then we went to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Parillita</span> (little grill) for some great Dominican cuisine. Always delicioso!<br /><br />The next morning was church. My parents got the wonderful <span style="font-style: italic;">guagua</span> (bus) ride that most of our other guests have missed. We headed out to Moca and were thrilled to see the church decorated in fronds for Palm Sunday! We had an excellent service and then my parents got to meet some of our church friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUKtqGX-SYAhNfS3pQsLwvEnFJhPNta-jbR064WsKsuiJL-DbSuj36uMnO7XsXJHjn3D90KrojsRsBhwk0Zv028LVA1IThLQoMHan53xpK5_i-R1Gkiq2t7z7ir_P5bPqkeKtW3oJtqA/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUKtqGX-SYAhNfS3pQsLwvEnFJhPNta-jbR064WsKsuiJL-DbSuj36uMnO7XsXJHjn3D90KrojsRsBhwk0Zv028LVA1IThLQoMHan53xpK5_i-R1Gkiq2t7z7ir_P5bPqkeKtW3oJtqA/s320/IMG_3419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600404741805919842" border="0" /></a>After church we took the guagua back toward Santiago but got off early in Licey to visit the first grade Dominican aid, Niwrka. Niwrka was so excited to have us! We got to meet her family members, who are mostly her neighbors. She taught my mom and I to make <span style="font-style: italic;">arroz amarillo</span> (yellow rice), <span style="font-style: italic;">cerdo</span> (pork), and<span style="font-style: italic;"> ensalada de tayota </span>(a salad with a vegetable that we don't have in the States...) Definitely some of the best food I've had on the island! She showed us her very humble home, we relaxed on her patio, she taught my parents to <span style="font-style: italic;">merengue</span> and<span style="font-style: italic;"> bachata</span> (Dominican dances).<br /><br />Finally we headed home to Santiago with enough time to go swimming in the hotel roof pool and get dressed up for Camp David, a beautiful restaurant in the mountains that overlooks the city. We got there in time to watch the sunset. Take a look at the <span style="font-style: italic;">beautiful </span>view!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW973bFEFvxQ6D8E3TwRLBiOWH0HRczvPPpgfE2iEdSX-0b9M52U9Y4BbBdRC7cxB16USYfrmzKN5I-W1YqUD5OSp-pTsf0c6Ip3WZqi_XmZJt_2gE8gke9mT-gjAA8QH04snGK79aQUaa/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW973bFEFvxQ6D8E3TwRLBiOWH0HRczvPPpgfE2iEdSX-0b9M52U9Y4BbBdRC7cxB16USYfrmzKN5I-W1YqUD5OSp-pTsf0c6Ip3WZqi_XmZJt_2gE8gke9mT-gjAA8QH04snGK79aQUaa/s320/IMG_3432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600406765498893250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwmBr55BerqtZHOnItJwyVwKgP8kpSLTQPhFf6kn7CAUrSfZSogrg1wVjyWlOkc65nwc9LO4pALMYrcHEYfabFfCRLTV9gDb0fg_ejiicrab-XAiPOxKABs0NvG0NuUPtY5zk3QNkmLGl/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwmBr55BerqtZHOnItJwyVwKgP8kpSLTQPhFf6kn7CAUrSfZSogrg1wVjyWlOkc65nwc9LO4pALMYrcHEYfabFfCRLTV9gDb0fg_ejiicrab-XAiPOxKABs0NvG0NuUPtY5zk3QNkmLGl/s320/IMG_3440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600407961857330834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We enjoyed another amazing meal, mine slightly more adventurous than the others... I ordered Seabass with Calamari Risotto. Take a look at what I received!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKyEeeRQPrIAjXBKHV3vxHu-Y1T9ImGnLAUWIHHIz4XvDsbLme_L-GChvEHSJkp7bAKE6RLzeUURwd8vIEIrQqE18Dsoamct-xXNYjZUq2R0XQpwT6qfO4vffJp-vBYbazh_Vf24HNdOC/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKyEeeRQPrIAjXBKHV3vxHu-Y1T9ImGnLAUWIHHIz4XvDsbLme_L-GChvEHSJkp7bAKE6RLzeUURwd8vIEIrQqE18Dsoamct-xXNYjZUq2R0XQpwT6qfO4vffJp-vBYbazh_Vf24HNdOC/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600406767141887938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7CPTp10QDELP7FSQ_I8V-63vY_AB7waCS72JSEyuD-Xz5B6z1h-zMWsmpNu9KeUVRWrkBymvDJqGYd3k7v-PyK0U8kgXtSn-QGuWz8ufJicSnyZokXg-UTIP2VT4g242Bjg1gb-jn4bS/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7CPTp10QDELP7FSQ_I8V-63vY_AB7waCS72JSEyuD-Xz5B6z1h-zMWsmpNu9KeUVRWrkBymvDJqGYd3k7v-PyK0U8kgXtSn-QGuWz8ufJicSnyZokXg-UTIP2VT4g242Bjg1gb-jn4bS/s320/IMG_3439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600407968036799970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yes, that squid <span style="font-style: italic;">looks</span> like a squid. Really good- just not quite what I had envisioned... ;)<br /><br />Monday, we went to a salon to get beach-ready! The boys came to check it out with us and then left us to pack. Mom and I had manicures and pedicures and Mom even got a great new haircut! Along with a haircut here you will always get a wash and dry. We LOVE her new look. Here's us at the salon:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh_HbJ6lM8cp35kpJ0bDSPbvC_ZBxCNDDnjKfoiHb8aAwioyd8RR7WWBCvVdmbNZw8xtWM8e6qBcZZrR1kKbw6JnOGdabH8XrqKlIIxEseBFE0YfA39dEBGAPC9foKZK0VMMNbD4CQrNe/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh_HbJ6lM8cp35kpJ0bDSPbvC_ZBxCNDDnjKfoiHb8aAwioyd8RR7WWBCvVdmbNZw8xtWM8e6qBcZZrR1kKbw6JnOGdabH8XrqKlIIxEseBFE0YfA39dEBGAPC9foKZK0VMMNbD4CQrNe/s320/IMG_3444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600404748401096930" border="0" /></a><br />After that we finally headed out for the beach. And that's where I'll have to leave you until next time...Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12276420738805256341noreply@blogger.com2