Road Trips 'R' Us....

Well - it's January. 2009. Oh my, how did that happen. :)

This month has been and will be filled with several new things for our family.

One - Our kids have started attending the local bi-lingual school here in Gracias. We've felt for a time that more interaction would be good for them and with the move and general craziness our lives have resembled in the last few months, I needed some help. :) They've been going almost two weeks now and while it isn't perfect (wasn't expecting it to be...) they've done remarkably well. They are making some local friends, gaining more Honduran Spanish and are enjoying the routine. The girls especially like the outfits - and taking their lunch. Riley is enjoying the futbol and the Math. Yesssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two - there were some visitors here! THAT was fun. They are a family I first 'met' on a homeschooling forum. The international section to be exact. They came to work and play with the Sowers family (who they also 'met' on the international forum) and we got to be in on some of the fun! We had a great time getting to know them and they are missed!!!

Three - Natalie turns 7 on Friday! She is inviting any and all who will listen to come and play with us at the local hot springs on Saturday. She has announced there will be brownies so I'm sure there will be a crowd. I hope I've stashed enough mix. She has officially lived outside US borders longer than inside them. Hmmm...that is a strange feeling.

Four - the reason for the title. We have to leave the country already for visas. 90 day ones are the longest option you can get here. Blech. I feel like we JUST GOT HERE!!!!!!!!! We're just now getting into the groove of life and bills and house and living and working; and we have to leave for 3 days minimum. Sooooo....we are planning our trip. It looks like we'll be leaving the early part of next week (the kids' school has mid-term testing which the Hayes', having just started, won't be taking) and are planning on coming back by Saturday the 24th.

I would covet your prayers for this. It feels like a big process.

We're heading to Belize. Doesn't that sound exotic? I used to think so too. Actually, it will involve a very long arduous truck trip (with the trailer for added entertainment, er...I mean new visas for them too) and a border crossing between Honduras and Guatemala then Guatemala and Belize. As with ANY border crossing there are potentials. Potentials for favor, for bribes, and for denial. We would ask that you pray for the first option. :) We've heard tell of a hotel about one hour in on the Belize side and we're planning on camping out there for those 3 days then turning around and reversing the process. CON EL FAVOR DE DIOS, we'll be granted another 90 day visas for all of us; 7 including the truck and trailer.

I have to remind myself that this is just a part of the process and cost of living here and being available to work, but it feels like a rather long 'row to hoe' today. Maybe I need to take some advice from God's word and look back at his faithfulness. To us through this journey we've been on, to taking care of the details for our daily needs, and for our protection. That evidence is all over our experiences.

Wow - I feel encouraged already.

Que Dios les bendiga hermanos!