My New Addiction

No one ever told me something this good existed. It is pure almondy sugary heaven. I put it in everything and dip everything in it. If you come to visit, you will want to buy several jars to take home to friends. Or, hide it in a special place that you only know about so no one else can get into it.

Miriam's "Special" Sink

Story Hour

I have had a full week at home with sick kids. Simon has missed a whole week of school! We've read together, watched Spanish cartoons, played computer games, written out Proverbs, listened to stories on cd's-anything we can do to keep entertained in an 800 square foot home without going outside. Yesterday, as I was putting out the laundry-I overheard this conversation between Simon and Miriam:
Simon: "Miriam, you want to hear a story?"
Miriam: "A one about Sleeping Beauty."
Simon: "Okay. There once was a beautiful princess and an evil monster. He wanted to capture her and take her for prisoner. Then a knight-the other Kings son, tried to rescue her. He went through gnarly battles. But first he was in jail. There was a giant labyrinth. The princess got the key to give to the prince to fight the Menator. The prince said, I can't escape all these people, cause then he will escape to the giant labyrinth. Well-said the princess, let me just give you this little dagger, that will be of much help to you. So, they threw him in the labyrinth very early. He gulped. Looking this way and that-running like a horse. And then, he saw the BEAST. He had 5 horns on his head, and he had the eyes of a bull, but the teeth of the fiery death of hell. As he got closer to the beast, he noticed the body of the beast was exactly like a man. He tried to ram him with his tusk. There was blood, and he took out his dagger swung it at the beast, but the Menator knocked it out of his hand. Then he through mud in his eye and he killed him. And cut off his head.

Apparently, there was not enough "princess theme" in this story, because Miriam ended it apruptly.
Miriam: "In Jesus Name...Amen."

100% Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

We were so grateful to have my parents help as we moved and transitioned here. Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip! We miss you!

Our Cute Basque Girls

I Miss My Dryer

Do you know that it takes 4 days for one pair of jeans to line dry? 3 days for towels, 2 days for sheets. And this without rain.

All Moved In!

Here we have been in San Sebastian, Spain (Donostia) for nearly a month and so many good and difficult things have happened. The good things have been incredible gifts from God-the difficult things have been normal life being lived out by foreigners in a new land. We have purchased a car, we have put our kids in school, Gerald has begun language school, we moved into our apartment (piso)-which has exceded anything that I could have imagined (come and see!!!)! I long for a bit of stability and tranquility and I know that it is on the horizon. On Sunday, we moved effortlessly into our new place and our furniture came (well...at least half of it made it...) on Monday. Gerald and friends have been painstakingly putting this furniture (IKEA) together and it is coming along nicely. Our barren apartment is becoming a home. Our family has had a long trek of travel, adjustment, and changed long before arriving to the Basque Country. We feel we are finally home. We are tired, we are weary (bone-weary), but we are anticipating a new season filled with learning and growing and good things.
After being without internet or a phone or an address I am happy to announce that today we got all three!!! Now we are in full swing.
One thing...we seemed to have misplaced/lost our camera in the moved, so I don't have pictures to add. More to come!

Communication

This was a short conversation I had with Simon after school today:
Me: "Simon, did you learn any Spanish today?"
Simon: "No. But I think I am learning sign language."

A Whole Week of School

Today our kids finished their first week of school. They were totally immersed. The phrase Jillian secured under her belt was "no say" (meaning "I don't know") and"no intiendo" (meaning "I don't understand.") She also had mastered asking for the "toilettes." Simon on the other hand, was content knowing one word..."No." Which-when I asked him, he seemed to have used a lot this week.
I am completely baffled that each and everyday they came home from school they were NOT crying. In fact, they were SMILING! and LAUGHING! When I asked about their day-they said they LOVED IT! They couldn't wait to go back. God has been so gracious to us during this process. This had been one of my utmost concern.

Guess How Much?

For 6 measley pencils, 2 dinky erasers, and 2 plastic pencil sharpeners: Here in the San Sebastian...only 5.90-in euro's that is. Where is Target when you need it?

Have you checked out Simon's blog?

Check out Simons blog...see it on the right over there, yeah...right over there. it is under "connections" under "simon's blogging." You can't miss it. It is really cool. You should check it out.

The Fire

One night-around 3 am, I smelled smoke. In fact, smoke was filling our bedroom. I panicked, because earlier that day I had a crazy thought about what would happen to us (being on the 3rd floor and all) if there were to be a fire. I heard sirens and a crowd of people. With my heart racing, I jumped out of bed, preparing to gather my children and wake up the rest of the house. I looked out the window and saw the firefighters with their hoses spraying down the dumpsters right underneath our piso (apartment). I didn't see flames, just smoke. It seemed like they had everything under control. So, I quieted fears, climbed back into bed with the wafting smells of smoke and went back to sleep.
Later we found out that burnign dumpsters is an act of terrorism here. They do it as a protest. I hope that will be the extent of the protesting! :)

Settling In

We've been here nearly 2 weeks. Our journey has been filled with new experiences, trials, and great blessings. Our first week, we met several of our students from the summers past. It was so good to reconnect. They have so helpful to us as newcomers into their country.
We are so excited to report that we have a permanent place to live!! We get to move in on October 1. God provided a wonderful piso (apartment) right above a park. Every step of this finding was filled with His fingerprints. The kids will be starting school next week. I think Simon-our social guy, is longing for friendships. It has been so frusterating for him to not be able to communicate with the kids around him. I think school will help to quickly expediate the language, and give them some structure.
After October 1st, when we will have an internet connection in our home-I will be blogging and emailing more regularly. Currently, we have to work on the computer at a nearby cafe.

Cutie Pie in her new home!

Jillian says:

"I see people when I look out this window. They are walking and speaking Spanish and Basque. They are riding bikes, they are riding scooters, they are pushing strollers, they are driving cars. The kids are playing, and most of all the are having fun!"

Jillian enjoying the view from our flat

Jillian and I have been people watching like crazy! There is so much activity going on outside our window. It keeps us entertained for hours.

Hanging Laundry

We've made it! Our entry into this beautiful country has been so good. Here I am hanging laundry outside our flat. No dryer...talk about conservation!

Jenni and Igor

See Jillian in the back!

At Phoenix Airport - Saying Goodbye USA & Hello Basque