I am back at blogging again - just a catch up for what's been going on over the summer. And also to test and see if I have figured out how to format these blogs so that they are not all one huge paragraph!! That's one of the reasons I haven't said much this summer - I wanted to wait until it was in a format that is easier for you all to read!! And I knew that would probably take time for me to figure out!
So here I am again. I THINK I've figured out how to do this. Maybe I'll even add a picture or two!! How techy of me!!
We started off with a busy summer. First Troyer arrived and then Olivia at the middle and then end of May. It has been nice to have them here! It was great to have the four together again!!
Then at the beginning of June we had an intern arrive who was visiting for 3 weeks. But not just any 'intern'. Steve Durgin is dating our Olivia now and so we enjoyed the opportunity to get to know him better and for him to see what Liv's life was like growing up in Spain!! We enjoyed those three weeks with him immensely!!
While Steve was here, we also had a team of 5 come to learn about missions in Madrid. Four were from So. Cal and the other was from New Jersey. They were here two weeks and Steve participated in many of their activities and outreaches and meetings too. For some reason, Olivia wanted to go along too!
Our July was much quieter. The two camps Troyer was supposed to work at teaching English in July and August fell through at the end of May. So we made reservations for him to go to our EFCA Family Conference in Slovenia with us, with a stop beforehand in Venice. Then, at the end of June we found out that they COULD use him so he went for one week. Every little bit helps when it comes to paying the college bills!! They were so desperate for English teachers they were willing to take him however long he could go.
July found Troyer at camp for a week and the rest of us hanging out at home and Olivia working on her Honor's project. Her plans are to Student Teach in Morocco the second semester of this year. So instead of working on her Honor's Project then, she's getting it done before she leaves - or as much as she can.
Later July found us all flying to Venice for 2 days and then on to Slovenia for our Mission's Family Conference. As always, it was a highlight for the whole family and it was hard to say good bye again. Meeting new people, catching up with people you've been friends with for years - such an encouragement. AND we happened to be right on the coast of the Adriatic Sea! So beautiful. But first Venice.
Venice is located on a series of islands on the coast of Italy in a lagoon. So when we walked out of the doors of the airport, the humidity hit us. We complain about 100 plus temps in Spain, but it is near 0 humidity!! So that makes it more bearable. In Venice, we were dripping and drinking!! But it IS truly a beautiful and magical place. And VERY compact. Few gardens or green spaces that are visible from the streets. Homes may have gardens back in their inner courtyards, but you don't see them generally. But the city is truly beautiful and rustic and classic and there is absolutely no motor traffic!! You walk. Deliveries are made by men pushing carts over the bridges and down the streets. All manpower.
Once we returned, we had 2 weeks until Olivia flew back to the States. She left last Wed and then she and Steve drove to Trinity, arriving Saturday night around 11 pm? I got a text around that time to say that they had arrived. It's hard enough to worry as a parent when your children are traveling but when you are SO far away, well, it just makes it a bit harder - at least it seems to me. If anything were to happen, it would take us at least 2 days if not more to get there to do anything. But we have not needed to deal with that and so we try not to worry. Or maybe I should say that I try not to worry. :-)
Troyer left this morning, Sunday morning. Hard to see him go but I know it will be good for him to get back into classes and seeing friends and working. Here in Spain, it's hard for them to find a job other than teaching English or babysitting. Two things Troyer prefers NOT to do. :-)
I feel totally unprepared but I know that God can work in and through me in spite of my preparation level. I try not to worry and try not to stress. If my heart is walking with Father, He will help and He will have what He wants come out of my mouth. And so I hold on to this.
Well, I will look for some pictures and try to add them.
I found some!!
Thanks again for listening!!
Jill
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