Where do we start?

Our last post was in mid- December, since then, we have been working, working and more working. We are so far behind in our emails and facebook, sorry about that. I knew it was bad when my mom called yesterday and asked me what I got for Christmas. YIKES, sorry Mom!

Christmas is a very busy time on campus. The staff tries to make the holiday season fun and filled. None of the students get to go home for Christmas, so it can be really hard for them. Here's a run down of what our schedule kinda looks like:

• From Dec 14-19th we were busy moving in and working hard at school. Many staff left for Christmas vacation or were laid off, leaving fewer staff with each week.
• December 21st- Our family led Praise and Worship in church
• December 22nd was the Christmas banquet. We decorated the eating pavillion as classy as we could. Staff members cooked the meal, and we hired a Dominican band to play for us. There was lots of dancing. Good times. (Note: the average age of the band was around 70ish)
• December 23rd- Last day of classes and wrapping up the education department with 75% less staff!
• December 24th- Christmas cantata practice in the am ....ready or not! Concert at night. Drew is the only guitarist left on campus, so he and Brodie sang in the cantata, and played all the Christmas carols for the congregation. They ran back and forth throughout the evening. The evening was a success!
• December 25th - Our first day off in forever. We (4 out of 5 of us) were exhausted, and did nothing all day. We had a great day together.
• December 26th- Boxing Day. We match up one or two students with a staff member and we spend the day shopping the markets in Santiago. It's a long day for all of us, but the students always love it!
• December 27th- Work Day- the students and staff clean and machete- making the campus shine!
• December 30th- Spring School session begins. I had all students in classes, everything laid out, and ready for school. We had only two teachers, but we made due. Ter and Erin will be back soon....we miss you!
• December 31st- The day is long...school during the day and then a pig roast for supper, movies for the evening and a bonfire and some fireworks at night. It was a successful evening. I know our kids had fun!
• Jan 1st- Back to school!

Be sure to read the boys blog about our growing farm yard. A sad update: Gertie, our laying hen has died. We fear that the unrelenting rain did her in! We did get about 5 eggs out of her, Ethan broke one, but the remaining 4 were tasty!

I keep saying that I'll post photos of our new place, and of the growing farm...maybe next week! Tomorrow is Ethan's birthday, he turns 10! Ten is huge!!

C