Hannah's Questions

So as an update on one of my former posts, we have now learned that Caleb told Hannah that babies come out of the belly button.
So, yesterday she asked me,
"Mommy, do babies come out of the mommy's belly button?"
"No, Hannah they don't." I replied.
"Well then how do babies get out of the mommy's belly?"

OK, so now I am SOOOO thankful that God gave us a friend who is wise and I remember what he had told his little girl when she asked the EXACT same question.

"Well, Hannah, God made a special place for babies to come out of their mommy's belly."

That was it! No more explanation needed! FOR NOW....

Reverse Culture Shock

Many people told me that upon landing in the US that we'd experience reverse culture shock. I can't say that it has been a "shock," but we have DEFINITELY noticed the MANY differences. For instance
Today during the church service, I had to reach a foot away from me to even touch Doug, where as in Costa Rica the chairs in our church were so close our shoulders always touched.
There is no garbage on the streets here.
There are no bars on the windows.
We don't have any keys. That one is weird. To have no keys means really no responsibility for anything. Very weird!
People actually greet each other on the street. I was litterally shocked that some lady wished us a Merry Christmas as she passed us on the side walk.
We drive a mile to WalMart, not walk. (Although Doug and I did walk the other day for "old" times sake.)
The houses are so much bigger here. Especially the bedrooms!
There is a mail system! In Costa Rica they don't have street names or addresses. For instance, we lived in San Franscisco of 2 rivers, in the bario of The Pacific, 450 meters east of the pharmacy in a house that was directly across from the Day Care Center Step by Step. Our house was salmon colored with white bars on the left hand side. Try writing that in a small space that asked for your address. Praise God there are addresses in Chile and a postal service!!!
We are gradually adjusting to the changes and know that this is all just one BIG transition. We hope and pray that wherever we are we will never take the little things for granted!
We are also VERY thankful this Christmas season that Christ was willing to experience "culture shock" by coming here to earth.
May God bless you and your families this holiday season!

Back in the States

We're back in the states for 2 months. Actually 2 months from today we'll be arriving in Chile and beginning to get settled! WOW! As things progress, we'll update you! God bless and Merry Christmas!!

Wrapping up the last few days

Has it really been a year since we moved out of "our" house in Troy, Ohio and began the journey of visiting parents before flying down here? God is SO good! It has been a world wind year, but we are all speaking Spanish and LOVE IT! Even Caleb just yesterday was so excited when he said, "Mom, I can understand this whole TV program in Spanish and it's only been a year!!" I can't wait to see how fluent they become while living in Chile!

Even though the year has gone by SOOO fast, I know it's been a WHOLE year because of our new found church, friends, and teachers that I will miss terribly. I might even miss our little house and the LONG walk to school. But for now, we are preparing to leave our little house on Saturday to stay close to the airport before flying back to my parents on Sunday.

Over the next few days we'll get to...
Go to our neighbor's son's kindergarden graduation
Take a beloved teacher out to lunch
Graduate from ILE with neighbors watching and hearing the gospel, although we think they may be saved.
Doug will "run" downtown to return our modem and pay any last minute bills.
Finish getting the sold items to their new owners

We've sold almost everything and we'll be getting rid of the last few items this Saturday, including our sheets, which is why we're going to stay in a hotel by the airport.
We are sad to leave here, but SOOO excited to visit with family, friends, and churches stateside for a couple of months. THEN OFF TO CHILE!! YAHOO!!!!

UH, OH it's coming...

The other day Doug overheard the very end of a conversation between Caleb and Hannah.

"You know Caleb, I still don't understand how a baby can come out of a mommy's bellybutton."

We have not taught her that! In fact she's never asked how babies get out of a mommy's belly. She knows that babies are connected to their mommys' through the cord that then becomes the baby's belly button. This is probably her confusion. I don't think we'll set her straight though until she really asks. Innocence is a wonderful thing!!!

Just a little reminder that they grow up WAY TOO FAST!!!

Our Last Sunday...

This past Sunday was our last AS A FAMILY at Impacto Vida Nueva Baptist Church here in San Jose. I say last as a family because, although the kids and I will be attending next week, Doug has signed up to run the San Jose Marathon which happens to be next Sunday. Here are just a few pictures, which capture our precious memories of our time as a small part of this family.

Some of the guys that greet people as we come in the door.

Jose talking to some of the "SCORE" missionaries.

Doug with Esteban

Doug with another Jose and another Esteban.

My "little sister" Emily, helping with crafts in the nursery.

Aunt Patty Colier praying with Caleb and Hannah's Sunday School class.

The young people hanging out before church

The song worship

Praying for us as we leave for the US first and then on to Chile.

Prayer by Max Bastos

Pastor Paul Colier preaching about TRUE Thankfulness

Caleb in Jr. Church with Jose

Esteban, Jil, Doug, Pastor Paul, and Max

Doug and Heather with friends Esteban and Fanny

Hannah with brasilian friend Melissa. Her parents are missionaries with Word of Life and have recently moved from Brasil to Costa Rica. Her dad is American and her mom is brasilian. Her dad, Steve was an MK from Brasil.

Some of our friends, Max & Helen Bastos with their children Pedro, Marianna, and Daniella.

Caleb & Hannah with surrogate grandparents, Jorge and Thelma.

After church dinner in honor of Thanksgiving.