Back in Bolivia

Hey everyone,

So we're back in Bolivia for a 10 day trip to visit everyone down here and see how things are going with the various projects we have been involved in.  There should be a newsletter on its way so keep your eye out for it in the mail.  We are on our way out to Poza Verde.  More updates when we return.

Home Sweet Home #9

We have continued our trend of our ever changing lives and have moved to home #9 since we've been married.  We have been here a few weeks and are starting to feel "settled".   We are loving our new duplex.  Quite the step up from our previous apartment and paying less than if we would have stayed!

The boys enjoying snack time in our new backyard

In our first weeks here a lot has happened.  We have already plugged into a new church that has quickly taken us in.  Already they have been helping us out a lot and showing us the ropes here in Mount Vernon.

The pastor introduced us to an amazing group called Skagit Gleaners. This group collects produce from grocery stores in the area that would otherwise be thrown away, sorts through to pick out the stuff that is still good, and gives it away to their members.    To join you pay a nominal monthly fee and agree to give 4 volunteer hours a month.  We can collect produce up to 3 days a week and so far the limits have been 25-35lbs!  Thanks to this group it looks like we are going to be well fed and saving a lot on our grocery bills.

Mikala and the boys

We have had a huge answer to prayer during this whole move.  Mission Nannies came through again and provided us with Mikala who will be helping us with the kids the next few months. This comes just in time since Jenna will be starting at the birth clinic before long.

Here we go again!

So in keeping with our tradition of never staying in one place for more than a year and a half, we're moving again! 

Places we have lived since we were married:
Camp Hill, PA - 3 months (I lived there for a year prior)
India House @ ECHO, FL - 6 months
Block House @ ECHO, FL - 6 Months
Host Family San Jose, Costa Rica - 4 months
Our own apartment San Jose, Costa Rica - 4 months
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - 6 months
Pailon, Bolivia - 1.5 years
Kenmore, WA - 1.5 years
Mt Vernon, WA - ?

We were looking forward to being in one home for a few years for the first time ever but it is not going to pan out that way.  Although we are not looking forward to the process of moving, we are looking forward to getting out of this moldy apartment.  I don't think we will have to worry about mushrooms growing out of the wall in our next place! 

Still mushrooms even after the "repair". 

The reason for the move?  Jenna was accepted to a birthing center as a student to start getting some hands on experience.  The center is about an hour north from here (not a good commute for a baby catching job) and since I have a job that moves with me, away we go!  The fact that mold grows everywhere in our apartment, the large increase in rent, and the fact we can get a MUCH nicer place in Mt Vernon for the cost of this place made the decision easy.