24 on 25

As we approach three weeks here in Guatemala, we are starting to realize why it is so hard to finish a project that you have started that same day.  The hours of the day just fly by. 
The weather was pleasant for our first week here, and the last week has been extremely hot.  Monday morning at 10 AM we were at 100 degrees F. I didn't ask how hot it got, I honestly didn't want to know.  We were blessed to get some rain last night, and as I am typing this I can hear thunder just over the mountain ridge. Hopefully tonight we will see some more rain and cool weather.  I can't imagine the hardship for the people here if they see another drought this year, so we are greatful for every drop of rain.

Jacob learing to ride a bicycle.

The boys are adjusting to life here. Joshua loves not being cold and seeing his daddy all the time. We are enjoying hi smiles an talking every day.

Jacob has become a little fish, and enjoys playing in the water.

Our house is slowly turning into a home as we invest time into it.  It has been slow, for Guatemala, we are moving right along. By this time next week we might be able to fix our own meals there and eat them there too.

Our family pulled out all the stops in the construction of our house. There is no denying that they are trying to entice us to stick around by giving us a beautiful place to stay.

I am hopefull to get some seeds in the garden this week as I wait for my starts to get a little hardier and start constucting a tent to shade the lettuce and cool weather veggies.  I will be relived when the plants are growing and bearing fruit. I have had a hard time managing the fire ants, as they are relutant to give up there hills without a fight. They are extremely painful and uniterested in comprimise. I am told they will destroy anything i plant, so they must go. 

Ryan has taken over constructing the grain bin, and is almost half way. 
Tomorrow is our sabbath (day off) so I hope we can relax a little, or atleast work slowly and enjoy it. 

I enjoyed my 24th birthday here on Sunday the 25th. I was given fresh  flowers , and birthday cake for breakfast and dinner.
Everyone in the family wished me a happy birthday, and evan some friends and family from back home.

We hope to go shopping next week, maybe find some furishings for our home, take some time off from cooking and all hustle that goes on around here.

Here are some pictures of our house, just imagine it decorated, furnished, and comfortably messy.

Front Door/ Patio

Master bedroom  on left, nursrey on right

Living Room

Front door

Kitchen

Front porch

Ceiling

Our First Day on the Job

We are here!  Guatemala is just as we remember it, dry smokey and dusty. We had three relatively smooth flights yesterday and are glad to be grounded again for a little while.  Our family was so excited to see us, (mostly Jacob and Josh) as they all waited at the runway for our smoothest landing of the day.  The boys were great in the airport and on the planes. They were both sleeping in my arms as we landed here, in Canilla (con-ee-yah). We had a great lunch with every one as soon as we got back to the house. Leslie made Ryan's favorite, lasagna and apple pie.
They had a very large suprise waiting for us when we arrived.  We knew our living quarters would be cramped for a while, but we were looking forward to knocking a doorway through the wall seperating our two bedrooms, but instead they decided to practically build us a house.  The small room we had discussed adding back in December has become a very large and spacious, vaulted ceiling retreat where I will someday be able to feed thousands, ok maybe not thousands, but a lot of hungry people.  We are so greatful for all of their hard work and hope to help them finish it quickly so we can all enjoy it together.

Jacob has a slight cold, we think maybe from traveling, and has been running around non stop, playing with his aunts and uncles.  Joshua is enjoying all the attention and the warmer weather.  We will be celebrating easter tomorrow and will enjoy a family scavenger hunt, as it is the family tradition. 

We are happy to be here, and we are slowly getting settled.  I hope to have some pictures soon, but our camer is still in our suitcases that have not arrived yet. We miss everyone back home, and are still thinking of the friends and family we will not see for a while, but we are glad to know you are all thinking of us while we serve here, as a family, in guatemala.