In Honor of Nathan

Hello readers. This post is coming to you from the illusive, yet quite real wife of the man who has single-handedly set up, designed, and kept this blog running. I make it a point now, to give you our first post from Bolivia because of my brother Nathan's persistent remarks about my absence from 'blog world'.

We want to thank you all for your prayers, for many blessings have occurred within the short time since our departure from the States. The first being, a strange availability of exit row seats on all of our flights, giving Mike much needed and joyous leg-room. Every night since arriving, we have been wonderfully doted on by a rotating cast of missionaries who provide a meal and company for us. It has been a great way to slowly be introduced to all of our co-laborers. We are also being eased in to our roles at the University and in to a completely Spanish environment there. I seem to cling to the hope that God has blessed me with the gift of language and may soon be speaking in full sentences with an abounding vocabulary. However, more frequently, I find myself thankful for the very real and concrete blessing of a husband who can quite capably communicate with taxi drivers, waiters, our new Bolivian friends, etc.

Our accommodations here are quite nice. We often joke that they are a step up from our apartment in Helena. There is a small air conditioner in our bedroom that is much appreciated during the night, and so far, fairly frequent siestas. We have lots of space with an extra bedroom and open dining room and kitchen. We are even said to have the best bathroom in our small gated community since the previous owner had just put in a bath tub a few months before leaving. There are three dogs (a dachshund, retriever puppy, and golden lab puppy) owned by various people in our compound and for an animal lover growing up with a golden lab, I am quite thrilled with their company outside.

We would just ask that you pray now for our newly planted friendships with those within our mission and at the University. Especially with the two Bolivians (a brother and sister) in charge of the sports program with whom we will be working closely. They both speak about as much English as I do Spanish, but are tremendously patient. Gerson, the brother, married a missionary's daughter who is fluent in both Spanish and English. They actually live in our compound, so we look forward to getting to know them. Thank you again for your support and prayers. It is in our plans to have a support letter ready for mail in a few days, and I am confident (mostly in Mike's ability) that pictures are soon to follow.