It is always refreshing to have a new beginning with a clean slate, isn’t it?  Here we are at the beginning of a new year, full of hopes and promises and possibilities!  Isn’t it such a comfort to have the new year follow on the heels of the remembrance of the birth of our Savior?  With him at the forefront of our thinking, the new year looks brighter, safer and more possible!

We had a lovely quiet Christmas at home (well, not so quiet when the girls were banging on every pot in the kitchen to wake the adults!) filled with lovely thoughtful gifts, fun and fabulous food.  There were Skype calls with friends and family and lots of relaxing NON-school time.  We had a wonderful visit with Emma, who was happy to be home, but ready when it was time to return to boarding school.

We had a lively outing on Emma’s last Saturday; Corey and I went with the three girls to have a breakfast picnic, fly kites and walk the railroad tracks.  Right outside town there is an area where villagers dig clay for sun-dried bricks, so it is pitted with holes and very uneven.  The girls dubbed it The Canyons.  It is fun to go on an adventure to The Canyons, even if they aren’t 3 feet deep in most places.  Never mind, it is a great place to fly kites, and we did that quite successfully!  Pictures are on Facebook and some in this month’s album.

Our school year is now half over!  We have just finished week eighteen.  Molly is contemplating making a medieval outfit for herself and Wheaton is just entering the twentieth century.  We have learned the names of the USA states and are now figuring out where they all are!  We are aware of the shortness of our time together and treasuring it more and more.

The krinting that was installed is a great help.  On hot days it lowers the inside temperature significantly.  We are currently in the cool season, so my house, according to the girls, is positively cold – a freezing 77˚F (25˚C) compared to the comfort of 98˚F (37˚C) outside.  I have gotten some capacitors for the fan motor, but am waiting for the electrician to come see if they will work.  “My” washing machine fizzed out and has been taken to the repair shop but I have been warned it may never return.  Please pray that it will be repaired and back in my house soon!  I am currently carrying dirties two blocks to Corey and Katie’s at lunch to use their washer and bringing back cleans to hang to dry.

For Christmas I gave the neighbor boys a sewing kit and showed them how to fix their own clothes.  I have helped figure out several complex sewing projects.  It is both heartbreaking and encouraging to see the things they work on.  They seem to have a real pride in repairing their clothes themselves.  Now their grandmother has started bringing her projects!  I also help with some homework, and while I am willing, language sometimes interferes with my effectiveness.

Because of the holidays, nothing has developed regarding where I will serve next.  Rest assured, when I know, I will let you know!  My desire is to serve wherever God needs me to be!  Please pray with me through this time of waiting.

Prayers:

• Rejoicing for a lovely Christmas and vacation
• Continuation of good school interactions with Molly and Wheaton
• Growing relationships and effective communication with neighbors
• Working solutions to repairs for fan and washer
• Wisdom, peace and direction for the next step