busy, busy

We've been really busy lately.  I get frustrated sometimes that the times we are the busiest are the times that I actually have a lot to write about on this blog, but, because we're busy, I have no time to do it!  So, I end up just sharing little snippets every once in a while of what's going on with us.  I wish I could share everything - all the stories of people we're getting to know, all about the projects that Dan is working on, and photos of everything we're experiencing.  But, in the midst of the busyness, I'm going to have to be satisfied with little snippets. 

Here is what has been keeping us busy lately (besides, of course, the cutest little two year old boy ever):

• a women's retreat at church:  We had an all day prayer retreat for women from our church.  We focused on praying for women in the Muslim world.  It was a very sweet time.  I helped with planning a tea party for the afternoon.  Taking the place of the normal cafecito, the tea party, complete with teacups, saucers, and dozens of cookies from my kitchen, was a new experience for many. 
• a missions conference:  Our church has really been adopting a missions focus this year, which we love since it is a huge passion of ours, and we came here hoping to be part of encouraging latinos towards missions.  Dan and I were some of the speakers for the three day conference. 
• a sermon:  Dan preached his first sermon in Spanish a couple of weeks ago!  He put a lot of work into it, and God blessed him with the ability to communicate well and effectively.  Doesn't he look nice and calm in the photo to the right?  I was way more nervous than he was!
• a project trip: Dan lead a team of volunteers for a week long project at a school in San José. They designed a new building as well as a new entrance road and walkway into the property. Timmy and I were able to join the team for the last couple of days, and it was a joy to hear how God worked through them during that week!  (As you can see below, Dan is a great project leader.  Here he is - um - ordering Ben, his intern, to do something.  They were being silly.)

• relief to Haiti: Dan has been incredibly busy in the office finishing up two large projects for ministries in Haiti, as well as partnering with other EMI staff to create a cost-effective design for a house for the many people left homeless by the disaster in Haiti. The desire is for around 4000 of these houses to be constructed.
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  a visit from Dan's parents:  We were blessed with a wonderful week with Dan's parents.  They were able to be at our church the Sunday Dan preached, and to be here for Timmy's big birthday party.  We also got to do some exploring around beautiful Costa Rica and found some new favorite spots.  In the photo below, we're in Monteverde.

• a trip to the States:  Dan, along with two other staff members from our office, is in Colorado Springs this week meeting with other EMI US and Canada staff to develop some specific plans and standards for the relief effort in Haiti.  It is busy week of work, and we're praying for productivity, unity, and endurance for this team of EMI staff.  It's just Timmy and me at home this week and with the exception of another ant invasion and a leaking water tank, things have remained fairly calm.  Keep us in your prayers!

The list could go on; there is so much to tell!  But, I have limited free time this morning while a teammate is watching Timmy for me (thank you, Cindy!).  I hope to update more specifics, with more photos, soon!