Feliz Año Nuevo!

Can't believe the holidays have come and gone and it is almost February.  We are now on the down hill stretch towards returning home to Indiana.   We miss everyone but can't say we miss all the cold and snowy weather.  We are planning to travel during the month of May and return home towards the end of May or the first of June. We have several families coming to visit in March and April so the kids are once again counting the days until they arrive!  We celebrated Christmas and the New Year with the Rosner family, our dear friends from Indianapolis.  They had flight cancellations and many delays during their trip here. They did not  arrive at our house until Christmas night around 11:00pm.  Our kids insisted that we not eat our Christmas meal until they arrived--- so all eleven us sat down for our Christmas dinner at 12:00 midnight!  Which is not far off from the normal Spanish meal time.  It was worth the wait--- to celebrate Christmas with good friends.  The kids were all  happy to each have their friend here and so was I!

While the Rosners were here we traveled to Gibraltar which was about 2 hours away.  We rode a cable car to the top of the Rock.  The views were amazing and so were the monkeys--- for awhile.  As soon as we got off the cable car Carole asked one of  the workers if we would see any monkeys on the Rock. When I think about that question I have to laugh!  Did we ever see monkeys!  By the time we left we were all ready to be done with the monkeys, especially Lynsey!  While we were on the Rock one of the larger monkeys jumped on Lynsey and grabbed her purse from her shoulder.  Of course Lynsey and Katie screamed and ran!   Lynsey had no choice but to give up her favoite Purdue purse.  The monkey actually dumped everything out and rummaged through her purse.  None of us adults witnessed this attack because we were up ahead of the teens.  However, Nick was brave and went to recapture the Purdue purse, Ethan was by his side.  Well maybe he was not so brave after the Monkey grabbed his leg!  Nick decided to wait it out and finally the monkey tired of the purse.  My advice-- if you ever visit the Rock of Gibraltar--do not carry any bags-- of any kind!  Believe it or not I would love to go back to the Rock of Gibraltar!

We also took a ferry from Tarifa, Spain to Morocco. The ferry ride was a fun experience except for the ups and downs and the many people getting sea sick---I was almost one of them!  We only stayed a day and one night in Morocco so we were only able to experience a little of the Moroccan culture. We shopped a little and we were able to take a ride on a camel, which was very neat.

We also visted the town of  Nerja, the Malaga downtown and a Fortress in Malaga. We enjoyed coffee  by the beach near our home on more than one occassion.  Just being able to relax with good friends and speak English was such a treat!  Of course the time went way too fast and before we knew it they were heading home.  We were all a little down after they left but we eventually bounced back and were so thankful they were able to come visit.

A brief update on the kids...Ethan and Lynsey are now learning at home. Never in my dreams would I have imagined homeschooling two teens!  I think God is  really trying to do a work in me!  Boy do I have a long way to go!  Although Lynsey was doing quite well in school we felt like she was getting too far behind in her American studies, particulary math.  Her school day ended very late so she had no time to work on her American subjects.  Ethan and Lynsey are both taking spanish lessons 3-4 times a week and so far the home teaching is actually going well.  I am very busy getting their days organized but I am enjoying relearning many subjects!  Extra prayers are needed for this endeavor, for all of us! 

The younger boys will remain in school until we start traveling in May. They continue to do well and both have birthday parties to attend this weekend, which they love.  It is a joy to watch Alec interact with his spanish friends, he does not miss a beat!  Both boys have adapted very well to our life here---it is much easier when you are younger!  Today Joshua said that the food was getting better at school.  He thinks the school has decided to not poison the kids anymore!  I just love that my kids do not complain about my cooking anymore!  Makes for a happy mom!  Oh how I hope this does not change when we return home!

Dave continues to help the church/community center with the development of new programs. There are many people using the coffee shop area and lounge while their kids are attending various programs and classes. We continue to be amazed by all the faithful missionaries at the church.  It is inspiring to witness such passion. It definitely exposes are weaknesses, individually and as a family--- but it is encouraging at the same time.
Both Ethan and Lynsey have met friends from the youth group and help from time to time with various projects.  They usually play basketball on Sunday evenings with a group of people.  I even played last Sunday and ended up very sore!  The church has started a new basketball program that is associated with Athletes in Action. Our kids are attending the training and I am actually helping coach a couple nights a week.  It is quite comical trying to teach  5- 6 year olds who only speak spanish.  I do get to teach them a little English through out the night-- nothing too major-- just words here and there! 

My spanish is coming along at a very slow rate. What I really need is to 2-3 hours of my day devoted to spanish classes.  However, that is not going to happen nor is it realistic at this point.  So I will continue stumbling along and soak in as much as possible these next few months that we are here. 

We are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Stayton family. They will be serving at the church for the next year or two.  We know they are going to be a huge blessing to the church.  They are a very talented and faithful family!  They will head this way as soon as all their documents are approved.

Okay I think that about covers it for now.
We hope your new year is going well and you are staying warm.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Hope you enjoy the photos! I am still upoading so check back later as well..

Adios mis amigos!

Until next time,
Love,
Karen, Dave and kids.