17 days in...

17 days... in some ways it feels like we just got here and in other ways it is like, is that all?? 17 days??!!  At the moment I would have to say we are a mix of emotions.  It is honestly hard to sit and write a blog because I want to say, "We are doing amazing things to the glory of God!"  But in all actuality, right now it is making relationships, getting to know people, Travis spending time going different places to see need and really just being open to where God is leading us here. I am going to try to hit some highlights of what has been going on:

• The kids and I started school.  Ethan fits right in with the boys.  He is really enjoying it.  His class is small and I am his teacher.  Olivia is loving having someone other than me as her teacher, and in fact loves her teacher.  She is having a little bit harder time making 'friends,' but overall is getting along great.  The kids have actually been such little spirit lifters when we feel discouraged.  Olivia has been making up praise songs, and Ethan sings worship at the top of his lungs in the shower... and they truly have a heart for being here.  I LOVE the other teachers at CEE and my classes are going to be good. 
• Travis has done a lot around here to get things going.  Right now it is just hard work, but the pay off is going to be great.  He got the ol'tractor, that didn't look like it would ever run, running and got a field all plowed up!  It is almost ready to sow some seeds!!
• While Travis has been working he has been getting to be good friends with Roger, who is in charge of the farm project here.  In fact, today Roger has taken Travis to Yoro, a few hours aways, to see a man who wanted to meet Travis.  Not sure what will come of this meeting, but we shall see! Roger has been great because he knows so many people around Honduras and he has been great about taking him around introducing him... And he has been trying to teach Travis some Spanish!
• We have been going to church with Roger and his adorably precious wife, Ivis.  We really like the church and hope to really get involved.  Ivis has been so kind to us.  She has made us dinner, made me lunch for school one day, made us breakfast on her gas stove when the power was out one morning, taken my laundry in before the rain has come (several times), and is just always a smile and a hug.  We truly love this family and are so incredibly grateful to them.  They are so Christ-minded and they have been constant encouragement.
• We are still looking for a house and a car.  Our budget is very small and we are pretty sure right now, being new 'Gringos' they are thinking we have loads of money.  So for now we are borrowing a car (praise God for that!!) and taking taxis when we need to, and we are living in a one bedroom apartment on the seminary property for the amount we have allotted to housing... and for that we are very thankful too. 

Please pray for my aunt Kathy... not sure on the updates, but I know she is very sick and in ICU.  Last I heard she had fluid around her heart and lungs and they were pumping it out.  And pray for her daughter, my cousin Courtney.  She is an only child and that would be a lot to shoulder. (I love you both very much and my heart is hurting for you.)

All for now!  Hopefully Travis will have something more inspirational for the next blog post...;)

Love you!
Julie