Hello once again friends and family! As I sit here writing this I'm reflecting on how incredibly blessed I feel to be here, that God would allow me to be in this place. Though I'm very much anticipating my trip home in 6 weeks He is reminding me of how He has been moving in my life in the time I have had here thus far. I'm amazed at how much He has revealed to me not only about himself but myself as well. I can honestly say that in 4 1/2 short months my relationship with Him has grown more than it ever has in my 12 year walk with Him. I'm continually in awe of His grace and love that is never ending even when we are doing everything we can to push Him away and run from Him. How great it is to serve such an amazing God!
Spain is as beautiful as ever. The weather is slowly getting warmer as we approach summer. Today looks like it will hit about 80 degrees. We are all decked out in our summer clothes while the Spaniards are all still wearing sweatshirts and jackets.....apparently to them this is not warm yet. The warmer weather is bringing lot's of tourist. The beach is starting to get more and more crowded and all of the little restaurants, cafes and shops along the beach are starting to re-open after being closed for the off season. We are beginning to see a lot more of the Costa del Sol character. It has been very fun to witness.
All is well here with the triplets and family. All three of the kids have been fighting through some sort of illness that we have not really pin pointed but seem to be doing well now. Easter here in Spain was nice. We went to church then had the pastor and his wife over for dinner as well as another friend who just so happens to be a fellow Austinite. I found myself missing family, friends and my church back home very much but still had a great day. It is very true that holiday's are the hardest time to be away from home.
Last week Sierra, Michael and Jonathan started at a nursery that they will be attending on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. My hope is that they will pick up Spanish very quickly..........then teach me. ;) I don't actually see this happening but know that Sierra would love the prospect because it would mean she has permission to be in charge. Somehow she knows she is the oldest and loves to boss her brothers around, usually taking on the tone of the adults saying such things to them as, "no, no honey" and as I say to her, "no ma'am". Yes, she tells the boys no ma'am not no sir.
As for Johnny he is working really hard on figuring out who is a boy and who is a girl. If you ask him if a stranger is a boy or a girl he is able to differentiate between the two. It gets a little harder when you ask about people or things he is close to. According to him Daddy is a man, not a boy. Mommy is a mommy, not a boy or girl. I am an Anna, not a boy or a girl and his little cat doll who is sometimes named Kitty, Meow or Gato is a gato, not a boy or girl. This last one he is very adamant about so when someone asks him if it is a boy his response in a very serious tone is, "Kitty is NOT a boy, Kitty is a Gato!" We have learned not to question this any further.
Michael is the little flirt in the family. If there are girls around that is normally where you can find him. He has this little smile and hand wave that can win over any girls heart, mine included. It has actually been really fun over the past month or so to watch him come out of his shell more and more. When I first arrived in Spain he was the least verbal but now he seems to be talking like crazy. He has even started standing on the front balcony facing the park below and yelling down to the people "hi peoples!" or just simply "Hola". Also something that is fun to just sit back and watch.
Well, I think this pretty much catches everyone up. I know I say this each post but I will say again how grateful I am for all of your prayers and support. This truly has been and continues to be an amazing experience on so many levels and knowing I have the support of loved ones back home is an awesome feeling. Thankful for each of you everyday for the roles you have played in this experience and in my life.
Can't wait to see you all in June!!
