#7 - Partners

It is a cold dreary day here in Illescas.  From the moment we woke up you could feel the dampness in the air.  The temperatures are in the 40's and the sun is hiding.  We went to class and to the grocery store and to a second hand store (I am looking for an inexpensive, used sewing machine - only needs to sew straight lines, nothing fancy), came home to a warm home, had a home cooked meal, and sat around the table as a family.  Now I find myself curled up under a blanket, brownies in the oven, water heating for a cup of tea, computer in my lap, and homework staring me in the face.  I am blessed!

All this is possible because of our financial partners, for whom today I give thanks.

www.send.org

We live in Spain and have (or had until October 1 and are waiting on the renewal) residency status that allows us to live in Spain, but not work. And by the way, we are not independently wealthy, either.  We are here to work with the evangelical church and to serve the people of Spain.  First we are learning Spanish and then we will teach English, cooking, crafts, Bible studies, and more.  Through these and other activities, we will be starting a new evangelical church.  But if we can't work and we aren't independently wealthy, the question becomes "so how do we survive?"

We live on faith.  More than 125 people, businesses, and churches have committed, by faith, to financially support us.  We do not take the sacrifice of these for granted.  We know there are 1000s of places they could choose to spend their money, and yet they have chosen to support us.  Many have lost their jobs or had unexpected crises in their lives, and yet they have continued to be faithful in their giving.  We know that each dollar that is given through SEND to us is a sacrifice.

For each of you who repeatedly choose to sacrifice on our behalf and thus allow us to continue to serve God in Spain, today we publicly say

THANK YOU!

#6 - Laughing Along the Way

I'll admit it.  I am lazy.  Given the choice between walking somewhere and driving somewhere, I'll almost always choose drive.  Now dont' get me wrong, I like to walk, just for the sake of walking.  But walk to a destination and carry my stuff as well, no thank you.  I am also a fair weather walker - I like to walk when it is 70 degrees - 85 is too hot - 50 is too cold.  I don't want to have to wear a coat while I walk and I don't want to sweat.  I know, picky, picky.  You won't be the first to tell me so.

But, regardless of my preferences, I walk most days to language class.  Today the sun was shining so I didn't wear a coat, making it a little better.  Unfortunately it was a little cool to go without - but on the way home the weather was perfect.

Today as I walked home I realized how many things I saw along the way that made me laugh, things I would have missed if I drove.  So today, I am thankful for the "little" things I have passed over the past few days as I walk to and from school.  Here are just a few to let you laugh with me.

• This morning (and yesterday afternoon) I passed a rooster sitting on a wall.  Yes, we live in the city - although we are on the outskirts.  Apparently farm animals are legal in the city limits of Spain.
• I passed a man who had to be more than 80 years old this morning, sitting on his front porch playing a recorder.  Yeah, the kind the kids learn to play in school.
• Last week as Scott and I walked to class one morning we passed a grandmother and child calling for "??."  I can't remember the name - but it was a name used for people, so we both assumed they were calling for another child.  But as we went around the corner here comes  a big dog.
• Today as I walked up to a major intersection there was a couple making out (ok, not everything has made me laugh) - and I mean MAKING OUT.  All of a sudden, he came up for air and realized his bus was at the bus stop, which was on the corner diagonally from the corner we were on.  He lets out a yell, grabs his bag, and darts across the intersection, yeah jay walking, without looking, waving his arms at the bus driver, and yelling.  Of course several cars are now blowing their horns at him and I can see the bus driver just shaking his head.
• Every day I pass a set of triplets - two boys and a girl.  They are probably 4 or 5 years old and are always running ahead of the dad.  The girl has red hair and it is almost always in pig tails.  I can't help but laugh and smile every time I pass her.
• This summer I met 3 sisters at the English class we offered in the park.  They range in age from 6ish to 10ish.  The two youngest are both missing front teeth and the oldest has this sly little smile.  They remembered me and every day they wave or speak and I say back "hola chicas."  Nothing like being recognized and remembered when you live in a foreign country, especially when it is not because of how bad you messed up your language the last time you were around them. 

#5 A Spouse Who Is Flexible

Today Scott and I swapped roles.  We both hope to pass the DELE Exam in May and realized that meant we would need to be flexible in schedules and roles between now and then.  SEND suggests that one spouse go to school full time and the other part time, to allow time for all the domestic tasks.  Up until now, Scott has been the full time spouse and I have been the part time, but today all that changed.  For the month of November I will go full time and Scott will pick up a greater share of the domestic responsibilities.  I am grateful for a spouse who is flexible with responsibilities and is willing to cook, clean, shop, and even clean a bathroom.

Today he cooked Tuscan Chicken Stew.  Yum!

Ingredients

• 8 skinless chicken thighs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 red peppers, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) cans peeled tomatoes
• 2/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 large fresh oregano sprigs, chopped
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• salt and pepper
• 4 sprigs oregano (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet until hot, not smoking. Saute the chicken in the oil until brown. Remove chicken from the pan and reserve. Add the onions and peppers to the pan and cook 3 to 5 minutes until soft but not browned. Add minced garlic.
2. Carefully drain tomatoes reserving liquid in a cup or bowl. Mash the tomatoes into a thick paste – more concentrated than tomato sauce but not as thick as tomato paste.
3. Add chicken, tomatoes, wine and oregano to the onions and peppers. Simmer 30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. If the pan becomes dry, add a little of the reserved tomato liquid. Do so sparingly.
4. Add cannelloni beans to the pan, and simmer another 5 minutes until hot.
   Recipe from www.food.com

#4 - Tastes of America

The food in Spain is great.  We have encountered very little food we don't like, but there are times we just yearn for something familiar and comfy.  I am grateful that we have access to some of these tastes (although I really want an Outback Steak and Baked Potato right now - which is totally inaccessible).

This weekend Alex and I had lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken (after waiting in line 30 minutes because it is a favorite of the Spaniards as well) and then last night we had Domino's (not quite the same and it has a place for you to sit and eat in the restaurant - but pretty darn close!).  This morning I went to our "American cabinet" (where we store all the wonderful gifts we have received from family and friends) and pulled out muffin mixes.  Tomorrow it is back to a Spanish diet, but for the weekend, we will be grateful for the tastes of home we have found.

#3 - People & Things that Stand in the Gap

One of (many) things that is difficult about life overseas is the distance from our children.  I know, when a child goes off to college you all parents don't get to see them daily or know everything that goes on in their child's life, but it is different when there is an ocean between you.  You no longer have the option of popping in for lunch on a Saturday, offering to do their laundry, dropping everything and visiting when you hear distress in their voice, watching a football game together, or even sending fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.  I know there are parents who are living in the US who sent their children off to other parts of the country and miss out on many of these things as well, so I'm not saying I am the only one in such a situation, but it is hard.

I'd love to bake Hannah a batch of her favorite cookie or muffin and drop them in the mail (but it would cost a ridiculous amount of money and take so long to arrive they would be growing something).  I miss her calling home and saying I need my winter things - instead she called my parents to bring her fuzzy socks.  I miss helping her figure out how to go to the doctor because she says she needs new glasses - instead I told her to call one of our college friends.  I miss walking around Hillsborough street with college classes in and experiencing the atmosphere of college with her (just not the same in July before students arrive).  I dearly missed moving her into college (although I can't say I missed toting all that stuff up to the 3rd floor).  I have missed chatting with her - sitting in front of the computer screen is a great back up, but just not the same as a light hearted conversation.

I think Hannah would say she misses these things too, especially since she is counting the days until she arrives back at home.

But God is good and faithful!  We are not on this journey alone.  He has placed people and new inventions in our paths that help bridge this gap.  And for these I am deeply grateful.  My mama's heart is soothed by those people who have stood in the place where I cannot be.

Here are just a few:

Christine Linderman and her friend took a side trip to Raleigh this past week.  They walked Hillsborough Street together, laughed and caught up, and making it all the more special to me - skyped me from the sidewalk.  Others have "checked on" Hannah for me as they find their way in the direction of NCSU.  My aunt Carol and her friend Phyllis drove from Florida to NC to visit with my parents (an annual trip) and after 12+ hours in the car one day, found themselves in the car the next morning so they could take Hannah to lunch.  I am very grateful for those who make the campus visits in my place.

Care packages are essential to the life of a college student.  Joanne Schulze has taken on the task of mailing Hannah some fabulous care packages.  Hannah says when she sees the box is from Joanne she knows good times are ahead.  One box included a chia pet - which has sense been named, featured on skype conversations and facebook posts, and even prompted Alex to experience a little jealousy and want one of his own here in Spain.  SEND sent a care package to all college MKs.  When the team was here in October I was able to send a care package to her via their suitcases and then Lea helped get it delivered.  Thank you for all who help Hannah's mailbox not be eternally empty.

 Football games are part of the college student life.  Kevin and Ashley invited Hannah to tailgate with them for one of the home games.  Knowing that she didn't know their family really well they even insisted she bring a friend.  What a fabulous treat - home cooking, lots of laughter, and being a part of the college life that she was without.

Shopping - what college girl would turn down a chance to go shopping?  Over fall break Mary and Joanne took Hannah and Dena shopping.  Although she did some picking of things she really needed, she had a lot of fun being silly.

 My parents have been fabulous at standing in the gap for us - even digging through the things she left at their house and delivering fuzzy socks to keep her feet warm.  They have repeatedly stood in the gap for us - taking Hannah to college, loaning her a car to visit friends, giving her a place to call home and a permanent address to put on paperwork, and more.  

 

Carol and Steve live in Raleigh.  Carol and their daughter Anika took Hannah to lunch one Saturday - just because weekends on campus can be long and boring.  Carol has helped Hannah find an eye doctor, and if need be, will help with transportation as well.  It's th elittle things that people remember and help with that bring tears to my eyes and fill my heart with gratitutde.

 

And then of course, I am grateful for Magic Jack phones that have allowed me to just chat on the phone with Hannah as if we lived in the same city.  I'm also grateful for Skype that gives me a glimpse of her face regularlly as wella s the sites around here and iphones tha tallow us to text daily without costing a ton, email and facebook to allow us to experience a little more, and so much more.

 

So today I am grateful for all of you (even those I did not mention) that have stood in the gap for this mama, making the distance just a little easier to bear.

#2 - One on One Days

Scott is at a conference for missionaries and pastors so Alex and I are having a couple days of mother/son time.  Together we planned our day - first we had chocolate and churros (yum!), then we went shopping (ok - so this was my addition, but at least it was shopping for him).  After that we rode the Teleférica of Madrid, which landed us in Casa de Campo Park - one of the larger parks in Madrid.  We walked and he climbed trees.  Then we drove to Kentucky Fried Chicken (yep, that is what happens when you let a 13 year old choose where to have lunch).  We thought it would be easier to go to a stand alone KFC than one in a mall - little did we realize that meant I would be driing straight down Gran Via - one of the major, busy streets in Madrid.  But God took care of that too - cause my other addition to the day was to go to Bricor and get a television cable so we could rearrange the living room furniture.  When we found KFC and a Cortes Ingles parking deck nearby - we discovered that there was a mini Bricor uder the store and it had what we needed.  No need to stop on the way home.  Finally at home - we rearranged furniture (and I like the way it looked so we don't have to move it back) and now we are watching a movie and studying spanish.  What a great day!

As I watching Alex hang from trees I knew that today I would give thanks for those rare days when I get to spend uninterrupted time with one of the kids (or Scott).  I am thankful for those days that we get to slow down, laugh, and play.  I definitely plan to put a few more of these in the schedule!

 

 

 

Thankfulness Challenge, Revisited

Two years ago I challenged myself to write a blog post each day listing something for which I was grateful.  I re-read those posts tonight and am ashamed to say, it has probably been two years since I was that intentional in being grateful.  So, I am revisiting that challenge.  For the month of November, I intend to find at least 30 things for which I am grateful.  This should be easy - I am blessed above all measure - yet, sometimes it is easier to complain about what I don't have.  Will you be intentional with me as well?  Check back here and leave a comment for what you give thanks.

#1 - I am grateful for the relationship between Alex and Scott.

Although they can drive me totally insane when we are out and about, I love the fact that they can goof off and rough house with each other.  It was cute to watch when Alex was little - but he is almost as tall as Scott now and he gives Scott a run for his money.  (A note to Hannah - come home soon - I need someone who will just walk on the sidewalk with me - no need to jump, twirl, duck, walk backwards, etc).

Pollo a la Santanderina

My favorite Spanish chicken dish - easy to cook and always a hit.

• 1 whole chicken (or parts - I use about 8 - 10 pieces of chicken)
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, cut in about 8 - 10 wedges
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
• 2 red peppers, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
• 1/2 c white wine
• olive oil
• salt

1. Clean the chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Cover the bottom of a frying pan with oil and add the chicken.  Brown the pieces, then remove to a paper towel to drain.
3. In the same oil, saute the onions, carrots, peppers, and garlic until tender.
4. Put the vegetables in a dutch oven/soup pot (spoon out - because you want to reuse the oil one more time).  Add the chicken to the dutch oven.
5. Add the wine and brandy to the frying pan and heat well - allowing the drippings to come off the bottom of the pan.
6. Pour on top of vegetables and chicken.
7. Cover the mixture and cook on top of the stove about an hour (until chicken is done and vegetables are very tender.
8. Remove the chicken from the pot.
9. Use an immersion mixer and puré the vegetables and sauce into a "cream of vegetable" soup type texture.
10. Return the chicken to the soup.
11. Serve with bread.

Problem with Perfectionism

I know - it has been forever since I posted.  Over the past month life has moved faster than I could keep up and unfortunately the blog lost in the line of priorities.  I have so many blog posts floating around in my head that I could probably write for an entire day and still not be caught up.  Hopefully over the next week or so I'll get some more of them down, but for now - we'll just take it one post at a time.

"Perfectionism, in psychology, is a personality disposition characterized by an individual striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, accompanied by overly critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations."  

Some of you who have known me forever just read that and said "that describes her perfectly."  I had the same reaction.  I have always been a perfectionist.  I have always set high standards and usually have achieved them.  I graduated from high school in the top 10 students (out of 500+), I graduated from college with honors and a GPA of higher than a 3.75, and I graduated from seminary with the same GPA while working, raising 3 children, being married, and driving nearly 2 hours each way to class.  

I have driven my co-workers (and husband) crazy at times.  Shoot, I've driven myself crazy at times!  But I'd say, most of the time this perfectionist trait has benefited me.  It has proven to be the push behind surviving and reaching my goals.  It is a great benefit when organizing large events or handling tasks that require attention to every detail.  But this week it really hit home how this attitude hurts as well.

I am not blessed with the gift of learning a new language.  I have to work for every new word and every new conjugation (and Spanish has thousands) and every new pronunciation.  I think I am making progress.  I have learned to survive and can even usually accomplish my daily tasks.  But then, put me in a situation where I think I am being evaluated (whether I really am or not) and I know no Spanish.  

For example, last Sunday in church I had to introduce our guests and I stumbled over the 10 words I said and half were wrong.  Why?  I panicked because the team leader of the language and orientation program was there and in my mind he was "evaluating" my language when he probably wasn't even thinking about it.  Then later this week I was in a group class and every time I went to speak I first looked at the teacher to see if she was nodding yes or no.  (She pointed this out to me later when she was asking "why do you talk in long, fluid sentences and communicate well when it is just you and I and yet in a class of all learners you stumble with 3 word sentences?")

I realized this week that perhaps, needing to be "perfect" in my language may actually keep me from ever being fluent.  How do I overcome this?  I have no idea.  All I know is that I am tired of tears falling over Spanish, tired of freezing when needing to speak, and tired of fearing I will never pass the DELE (the proficiency exam we must pass).  I know that God's grace is sufficient and that I can do all things through HIS strength.  

My goal this week?  To rest a little more in His grace and a lot less in myself.  

Hannah's Room

Yep, even though she is the states at college, we still have a room she can call hers.  When she is not here we'll enjoy the use for a guest room (or a spouse run away room when the other is "sleeping" just a little too loud).  The curtains need hemming and the rug needs to be a little bigger and it needs some pictures - but there are no boxes, no tools, and it feels good when you walk into it.  Actually, what I really need is an interior decorator to now come behind me and add the pretty touches.  Anyone interested in a trip to Spain to decorate?

School for Alex

Many have asked "why don't you know where Alex is going to school?"  So, I thought I would do a primer on school registration in Spain.  At first, it is easy to proclaim that the process is just crazy, but the further into it you wade, the more it "makes sense" in a Spanish sense  We are learning to say "it's different" and embrace the difference without the comparison to what is natural for us.  It sure is a lot less stressful with that mindset.

So, back to school registration.  We knew at the end of last school year Alex would not return to school where he attended last year, but did not know where he would attend.  Lacking the name of a new school we were required to accept a position in his old school - just in case something didn't go as planned he would be guaranteed a spot.

Then, when we finally had a house rented in our new town we began the registration process here.  We gathered all our paperwork and went to the school of our choice and turned it in (this was July 10).  They told us to come back the first week of September to see where we had been assigned.  Side note:  Unlike in the US, you are not assigned a  school based on your address, you are assigned a school based on where there is a vacancy.  You will get a school in your town - but you could pass 10 other schools on the way to yours.  Here in Illescas there are only two choices, so we knew we would get one of those, just not sure which.

Now we were able to officially un-enroll him from his previous school (which by the way was required before we enrolled him in a new school - makes sense, can only be enrolled in one school).  Scott filled out the paperwork relinquishing his place in original school, but again, because we did not have a new school assignment, only a portion of the process could be completed.  They could not issue a certificate of transfer because no one knew where we were transferring.

We returned the first week of September and was told that they had not made any assignments for students who requested schools during the summer and to return the next week.  We returned the 2nd week of September and were told that assignments had still not been made and that although school officially began in the middle of that week, we should return on Friday.

Alex's New School

Finally, today (Friday) we returned and were given a place in our first choice school.  God is good!  We had decided to not fret over either school, to just rest in His ability to navigate the system without our help.  So, now we have a place, but we are not registered.

We then "bought" our registration packet (only 1 euro to help cover the cost of the official envelope and etc) and sat in a corner and completed the paperwork.  We discovered we were short two things - a picture of Alex (there are picture kiosks everywhere as almost all government paperwork requires a picture) and a certificate of transfer (see above).  So, Alex headed down the street and got his picture while I finished the paperwork, but we were unable to finish the registration process due to lacking the certificate.

Next stop, calling the old school to determine how to get the certificate.  But uh oh, it is nearly noon on a Friday and the lady who processes these certificates only works 9:00 - 11:30 and you must request the certificate in person on one day and pick it up the next.  After explaining we were an hour away the secretary kindly gave us directions for how to request the document via e-mail, but adamantly explained it would still not be available until Tuesday and without proper identification we would not be able to pick it up on Tuesday.

So, email is sent and I have received a confirmation that the form will be ready on Tuesday.  Tuesday I will drive to the old school (with documentation in hand) to pick up his certificate of transfer.  Will hopefully make it back to the new school before the end of the secretary hours to submit his registration paperwork and then we will hold our breath as we wait to hear what the next steps are.

We know we will have to wait to be assigned to a group of students (students stay together all day, teacher's travel) and we will have to purchase all of our textbooks.  We'd love for Alex to start school next Wednesday, only a week late, but we will be excited for him to just attend any next week.

It's all a learning process and a chance to practice lots of Spanish.  It's a chance to stop and learn how Spanish minds think and process.  It's a chance to meet new people.  It's a reminder that life moves slower here and it is ok.  It's a chance to put a little more trust in God.  And mostly, its a reminder that I can fuss and fume because life is not how I am used to, or I can embrace my new culture, love each person I encounter, and be eternally grateful that I am blessed to have the opportunity to live in Spain.  I think I'll chose the latter option.

Check back next week - hopefully the headlines will read Alex Went to School!

Dining Room

 One more room is finished!  Well, finished minus the need for some decorating now - perhaps some kind of area rug and something on the walls - but we have furniture, curtains, and lighting!  Scott did a great job with the Japanese panels, but he is also glad that he is finished with that project!

Office

After two solid days of work I can finally proclaim the office finished (or at least finished minus hanging the curtains and buying an extension cord).  It feels so good to walk into this room and know that it will be possible to be productive again.  I have missed having a work space (other than the end of the dining room table).   Now to attack the expense report!

Loving all those cubbies!  I am an organization fanatic!  Besides, next to impossible to find file cabinets here, so made do with cubbies and boxes!  The desktop computer came with us from the states - after several trips to the shop (wrong power supply for use here) it is great to have it up and running!

The yellow chair quickly folds out into a single bed.
Making room for friends and teams!

Aroma

So, I am a doer!  Anybody who knows me knows that.  Always a to do list, always trying to accomplish something, always needing to see progress.   This is a great trait when you are in a job that requires constant production.  It isn't such a great trait when you enter a season of life that has little to do with WHAT you can visibly accomplish.

And that is the description of this season of language learning and job transition.  There are of course tasks that can be written down and checked off.  Even at times, in a short span of time.  But the majority of this season is about slow progress and unseen accomplishments.

Yesterday, when reading the Bible I came across this verse :

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other the fragrance of life."  (2 Cor 2:15-16)

A refreshing reminder to this "doer."  God is using this season, whether I can see it or not - the question is am I allowing him to use it as a fragrant aroma or a stinky mess.

Laughter

One of the hardest losses when learning a new language is laughter.  In the beginning, my vocabulary was so limited that I couldn't understand enough of a story or a joke to know whether it was funny or not.  Solution, if everyone around you is laughing, then laugh.

Then, as my vocabulary grew, I could follow the conversation, but had to work so hard at translating, by the time I realized it was funny, everyone else was finished laughing and I got some odd looks when I would then laugh.  Of course, the solution was still - laugh when everyone else laughed and pray that it was appropriate to laugh.

Then last night I laughed - at the right time and because I knew it was funny.  Somewhere in the middle of the laughter I realized, "hey, I'm laughing at a funny story that I understand what it is about."  We were at a birthday celebration and another guest was telling a story of when their pool had a leak and they stopped the leak with cinnamon chewing gum.  The story was hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Later, I realized how much you miss laughing when learning a new language. Laughter is good for the soul, the heart, the mind, and the body.  It is good for my mood and is so encouraging in language learning.  The whole evening seemed to much more fun after starting the evening with true laughter. 

I can't wait for the next "true laughter" moment!

Cars and Bikes

Never bored at the Hunter house!

The temperatures are cooling down and I am once again focusing on losing a little more weight (personal shout out - have lost nearly 20 pounds since arriving in Spain and would like to lose 20 more :) ), so invited Alex to go for a bike ride last night.  Scott is still nursing a hurt back, so he stayed home.  Needless to say, I grew tired way before Alex, so I returned home and he went to do one more time around the block.

Just as I got home my cell phone rang (we require Alex to always wear a helmet and always have his cell phone with him) and I jokingly said "please don't be Alex and he be hurt."  Needless to say it was him and the first words out of his mouth were "I was hit by a car."  My heart stopped beating and I had enough sense to say "are you hurt?"  He assured me he wasn't and told me where he was.

Side note, our car is in the shop - every time you unlock the car the trunk door opens - so we were without a car.  I got back on my bike and Scott started walking.

Sure enough, overall he was ok.  Lots of scrapes and bruises and is sore today, but nothing serious.  However, when we began to converse with the driver of the car, he wanted us to take full responsibility for the accident and pay for the damage to his car (the passenger side window broke when Alex's shoulder hit it and there is a scrape from the bike).  Alex's version of the story at best made the accident the driver's fault, and at worse they both shared fault.  Due to our limited Spanish we called our teammate who joined us at the site.

After more discussion, the driver decided to call the police (this is not required in Spain unless both parties do not agree to the circumstances in an accident).  The police came and after another 30+ minutes of standing on the corner (did I happen to mention I was still in bike clothes - not the clothes I wear with friends and definitely not in public?), the police explained what would happen next:

• we were required to take Alex to the Health Center (aka emergency room in a small town) to be checked
• after the doctor saw him we would need to bring the papers to the police station
• the police would then process the report to the judge (who also does detective work, not just ruling) and the driver's insurance company
• together the judge and insurance company would decide fault and who needed to pay for what

We are so grateful to God that Alex was not seriously hurt - he was coming down a pretty steep hill and could have been seriously injured.  We are grateful for teammates who dropped everything and helped with translation and driving until nearly 11:00.  And we were grateful that Telepizza was still open, because when it was all over we were all starving - dinner hour had been missed.

One Room at a Time - The Kitchen

Scott, Alex, and some friends did a great job of getting things into the house, now I am trying to put my personal touch on the rooms, find permanent homes for "junk," and get the house cleaned after being gone for so long.

First room I attacked, of course, was the kitchen.  I declare the kitchen finished!  Well, except for that fact that the new refrigerator and dishwasher don't arrive until Saturday.  But at least I feel like I know where everything is and that it is MY kitchen.  Sweet treasures to a woman's heart.  :)

A rare treat in a Spanish kitchen, space to have a table and eat.  My favorite place for my morning quiet time as well!  Now, to figure out how to put curtains on those windows - cause when the sun is shining, it is really, really hot! 

Standing in the doorway - you can't see that there is still a good deal of cabinets behind me - perfect place for the computer while I am in the kitchen - chatting with friends on skype, listening to music, or watching TV.

The empty spot is for the dishwasher, and yes, that is my washing machine in the kitchen as well.  The door you see leads to the dining room.  Loving the ample counter space and cabinets - another rare treat in a Spanish kitchen.  

I cannot wait to host my first cooking class - question is, will it be with children or ladies.  Of course, first I must finish Spanish lessons before I can start teaching English.

To Do List, Update

1. Go to bank to change address - well, the lesson I learned today is that you don't just change addresses - you have to get a new bank account number because we are now in a different province - so this makes our third bank account number (non-resident, in Alcala, and now in Illescas) with the same bank.  But my part of the address change is finished, Scott goes back on Monday to finish his part (yep, I can't change the address on his part and he can't put his name on the new account without my being there) - 
2. Go to car shop - I think the guy at the car shop understands what is wrong - charades worked better than my Spanish, but I successfully made an appointment for Tuesday morning - of course, when I got home Scott asked if I had questioned if this was a warranty repair, and of course - I hadn't even thought of a warranty.  Thankfully he agreed to take the car in to the shop on Tuesday - he gets to ask!
3. Refrigerator shop - SUCCESS!  I found one and it is coming on Saturday (even successfully changed the delivery date of the dishwasher so they both come at the same time).  

In addition, I almost finished organizing my kitchen, took siesta, fixed lunch, went to the post office, bought groceries, and am now watching TV.  All in all, a really good day!

Cansado (Tired)

I keep saying one day I will learn, but probably not - American to do lists do not work so well in Spain.  Today I even declared I was working American Style - a long list of things to accomplish in one day - no mind for siesta or other schedules - I was going to plough through, no matter what!

To accomplish today:

1. Make hotel reservations in Illescas for the team 
2. Take Scott to get steroid shot - finally - but boy you won't believe what it took to mark this one off 
1. Back up to yesterday - doctor prescribed 6 steroid shots
2. Last night stopped at pharmacist and bought steroid medication
3. This morning dropped Scott off at Public Health Center to get shot administered - was told because we have private insurance he needed to go a private clinic
4. Scott walked to private clinic - closed for the month of August
5. Called clinic where medicine was prescribed and told he could come there (15 minute drive) but would need to go to pharmacy and purchase syringes
6. Drove to pharmacy from last night, but was closed for siesta - sign indicated which pharmacy stayed open
7. Drove to indicated pharmacy, which was also closed for siesta
8. Drove to town where clinic was and went to an open pharmacy, who was sold out of syringes
9. Drove to other pharmacy that was told would be open - closed
10. Drove to one more pharmacy that was also closed
11. Gave up and started shopping for refrigerator/dishwasher (see below) and waited until after siesta
12. Went to pharmacy that was now open and purchased syringes
13. Went to clinic where medicine was originally prescribed, paid 10 Euros, and was given injection - using a syringe they provided - Only 5 more shots to go
3. Get Alex a haircut   
4. Make lunch 
5. Update mileage book - we have to write down every kilometer we drive - I have notes in all sorts of places from our 3 week journey - one day I will learn to do better - about half way updated
6. Purchase dishwasher and refrigerator - are you ready to follow this line of shopping?

1. Tell GPS to take me to Eroski (kind of like super wal-mart)
2. Arrive at destination to find a different store, and not one that sells appliances
3. Use phone to go to the Eroski website and search for nearest store - it gives me the same address where I am presently located and finally see the abandoned building where the store used to be
4. Use map app on phone to search for closest Eroski and it sends me 6 kilometers away to another town (which takes 20 minutes to drive because we literally hit every traffic light possible) - get within eye sight of the store and the road is closed
5. Navigate around the detour and reach store, to realize this is not a "super" Eroski, but just a grocery store - didn't even know they had different kinds
6. Navigate back to original town and stop at an "electrodomestico" store (sells appliances and other household electric appliances)
7. Find the perfect dishwasher, but not refrigerator.  Spend 30 minutes writing up the purchase because a high priority in Spain is conversation (had a great time getting to know the salesman and even invited him to English camp - love this part of the Spanish culture!)
8. Left this store and went to another "super" store that was on the way home - Carrefour - uh oh, discovered that they too have stores that are not "super" - they sent us back to another store, which by the way was next door to the appliance store we just left
9. Shopped for a refrigerator and determined that I needed to come back home and re-measure my space before buying (thought I had the exact measurements in my phone, but apparently not - only the measurements of a refrigerator I had seen before we left for vacation)
10. On way out of store saw a little table and chairs we wanted for our front "yard" (no grass, just concrete)
11. Got to check out with table and 2 chairs and saw that one of the chairs was scratched so had to go back and get another chair
12. Got to car with table and chairs and saw that 3 of the legs of the chairs were missing their rubber ends - had to go back in the store and get them
13. Drove home with pictures of the two refrigerators I liked and found out the prices are different on line (more expensive) and not all the same model numbers are the same
14. Oh well - back to the store on Thursday - when Scott needs a 2nd shot :)

So tomorrow, I only have 2 things on my to do list -

1. Go to bank to change address (this SHOULD be easy)
2. Go to car shop - ready to laugh?  Every time we unlock the doors on our car the hatch to the trunk pops open - who knows why?  Now whether they can fix it tomorrow or not is another question - but a lot easier to stop by and ask than call them.  I still hate the phone when I have to talk in Spanish!

Needless to say I am tired, but I am learning a lot about patience, laughing along the way, and enjoying the process as much as the accomplishment!

Back in Spain

My body has returned to Spain, my head and heart are somewhere between Spain and North Carolina.  Jet lag is still winning and my sleep pattern and hunger pattern matches neither country.  My clothes are in piles (as well as lots of other things from the suitcases).  In fact, yesterday I finally had to unpack the suitcase so I could repack it for a trip today.

We leave today for a 2+ week trip.  We will be at the SEND Spain Annual Conference for 5 days then we will be serving as the cooks for a youth leadership camp (yep, in tents) for another week, and finally we will spend two days pretending vacation is reality.  Finally we will return to our new house and get serious about making it feel like home.

I continue to process lots of emotions and thoughts from my trip back to the states.  Pray with me through this journey.  I'll share of the journey later, but for today, I'll wipe the tears away again, take a deep breath, and move forward.