Hola amigos y familia,
It has been 2 weeks since we arrived here in Spain and it has finally cooled off! Praise the Lord!
We have been busy getting the house organized and more functional for a family of six.  Ikea has become our new friend---a store that has lots of inexpensive items to help with organizing.  Dave has had to put together many items such as bunk beds, dressers, shelves etc...he wasn't able to call Phil! (Our good friend back home who takes care of us!) 

Joshua and Alec start school on the 10th and Ethan and Lynsey on the 15th.  The kids were able to tour the school last Wednesday.  They were excited with all they saw except for the uniforms! I must say that I love the uniforms!  My kids actually look like they are ready to learn and I won't have any struggles as to what they are wearing in the morning.  We did have a few good laughs as they were all trying on the uniforms.   Joshua said  "Are you serious!" when seeing his uniform, and Lynsey said she was in prison!  You should have seen the pile of uniforms we had to purchase for four kids.  We had to have at least 2 of many of the items.  The name of their school is "Colegio Anoreta," and it goes from kindergarten through 12th grade. 

This past weekend from Thursday through Sunday we went camping with 15 other people that we know from our church. We never dreamed we would be camping in Spain on labor day. The past several years we have gone camping in the states with our good friends--the Rosner's---so we were bummed we would not get to go this year.  We have always celebrated Alec's birthday while camping so it was a blessing to be able to have some friends to help us celebrate his birthday again this year.  We spent the weekend toward the southern tip of Spain--near "Tarifa," which is located at the Strait of Gibraltar.  This is where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea meet. We also visited a town nearby called "Baelo.'' It had a beautiful beach with massive dunes that we all climbed.  We felt like we were in Africa when the sand started blowing!  We could actually see the outline and mountains of Africa from where we stood on the beach in Baelo.  There were also Roman ruins near the beach that were dated from the 1st century. I will try to post photos of them.  We also spent one day in a town called "Cadiz."  It is located on the Atlantic coast and up around the corner from Tarifa, heading in the direction of Portugal.  It is supposedly the oldest city in Europe---3,000 years old.

The kids had more fun on the beach than sightseeing.  However, Josh and Alec liked climbing through  tunnels and exploring the ruins. Having other kids to hang out with really helped.  Of course our Ethan did not like the beach or the ruins and says he does not like Spain.  He loves Indiana and his friends back home. He has never be one for change and this is certainly stretching his limits.  Please pray for him--- and that he meets some nice boys at school who help make this year a good experience. Of course Dave and I could use prayers for patience and understanding.

I am constantly challenged here as well, even by just going to the market.  One day I came home from running an errand in Malaga and Dave said I looked a little stressed, not relaxed.  I said "I can't imagine why!"
I was happy to make it home in one piece---although I did get lost a few times! 

Even with all the challenges-- God is good--- and has blessed us by surrounding us with many new friends who are welcoming and accepting of our American ways.  I only wish I could learn Spanish at a quicker rate but I guess I will have to be like Dave....who says it's the journey, the climb, that really matters.

By the way, Dave has had several meetings at church and is excited about his role here. He has met and is working with several awesome men who are very solid in their faith.

We look forward to hearing from you and pray all is good back home. We miss you all and thank God for your friendship and your prayers.

Until next time,
Blessings,
Karen

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