Taking a Time-out in Ixtapa!

Hola to all our familia y Amigos! It is good to be on the beach for a few days. Our family was in desperate need of a good night's sleep. The noise level has been tremendous every since our arrival in La Haucana. Our hope is that life will settle down after the holidays but we are doubting our neighbors' roosters will go on sabbatical anytime soon. (LOL) The continuous loud music may subside, but the dogs will likely stay on guard. Can you believe that it was quieter in our resort hotel on New Year's Eve than in La Haucana? I am not joking! There was a lively fiesta by the pool and the beach front was full of people. The fireworks all the way down the beach were amazing. Anyway, we have been enjoying the tropical ocean, the sunshine, the comida Mexicana (Mexican food), swimming in the pool and baking in the sun. This is our vacation time. Once we return to our pueblo (town) then it is time to buckle down. Mike will start teaching in the escuela (school) and the three oldest of our niños (children) will be joining the Spanish niños in escuela. Maddy has decided to continue in her home schooling with me. Carmen, me la amiga espanol, will come to me casa every day to give us lessons in both language and cooking.

Mike and I enjoy all your comments; they prevent home-sickness! It is agreed that this blog is keeping us connected in the states. Like I said on a comment, our family is so blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity that we want to pass on our Mexico experience as much as we can. I have hardly had time to miss home yet. Since we are at the 3-week point, reality is starting to set in. We aren't going home anytime soon. The past three weeks has been an adjustment/settle in period and now we understand that the real stuff is about to begin. Our heart is that God will work in us and through us, effecting others' lives as well as our own. We know it is only through God that our family is here. This could not have been pulled off by little 'ol us. We continue to pray as a family for this, trusting God for His purposes that we may not yet fully understand or see. We are walking by faith, not by sight.

I will be posting a series of pictures soon. WARNING: pictures will contain warm ocean beaches and sun-tanned bodies. As hard as it may, try to be happy for us. We love you all and miss you a great deal. Everyday we are reminded of how much we love our home in America. It may be rainy and cold but "there is no place like home"!

Thank you immensely for those who pray daily. Those prayers give me an amazing amount of strength and faith. ~T