Settling In With SO Far To Go

Carmen and Zoya in front of their new school

 I have no idea where to start when everything is new.
Internet: An answer to prayer.  We talked and asked and researched and finally just chose the one company who services our area.  We didn't want to go with them because we heard the service was so slow.  With schooling 4 children online, Erin (our homeschool teacher), Curt's and my needs, we needed strong, reliable internet.  We were hesitant to go with a company who didn't have a good reputation.  But when they are your only option, there isn't much of a choice :).  Our first few days, it was really flaky.  We thought, "This is not going to work."  And then, a few days in, it just started being great...all the time. Every once in awhile, it drops out for a few minutes but that is certainly nothing to complain about.  Amazing!  We are so thankful to finally have internet at our house!!
Speaking of our house, we have been here 4 weeks today.  Curt has done an amazing job working through all the small issues of a third world home.  He has slowly turned our home into one that is much more accommodating to our needs (now all our showers have hot water!  Hurray!).  We are all so thankful for the gifts God has given him to work through almost any issue.  We love our house.  It is wonderful and perfect for our needs (office for Curt, homeschool room and enough bedrooms to go around).
We love our landlords.  They are kind and helpful.  They are always willing to give advice, come over and translate (they speak English.  He is foreign and she is Thai), help with any problem or be a part of any other issue that arises.  We are very blessed with them.
We love our neighbors (minus the rooster that lives next door).  Everyone loves the kids and are happy to wander over when they are outside playing.  Everyone says hello and introduces themselves.  Honestly, we find that unusual in this culture, which is usually more reserved.  We are thankful the kids bring that out in them.  We plan to have a neighborhood Christmas party with everyone.  Our landlord told us that used to happen but has not in the last few years.  We plan on reviving that tradition!

Play time.  Can you tell which kids are ours?

 We love the preschool Carmen and Zoya are a part of.  They have been 2 days so far and the first day was hard.  The kids crowded around them and wouldn't leave them alone.  But day #2 was much better.  They were basically ignored and treated like everyone else.  I get to sit in the back of the "classroom" with Elden and the teacher is very lenient.  We learn songs, poems, listen to stories, learn our letters, do writing, go through numbers and play.  It's pretty awesome.  I am hoping it's going to significantly help my Thai!!  Forget the kids, going to preschool is a great way for me to learn language!
We love Erin!  Erin is our homeschool teacher, a college junior from Chicago who agreed to live with us a year to teach the 4 oldest.  This year, Turi is in 9th, Bitsu is in 7th, Tihi is in 6th and Carmen is in Kindergarden.  She is wonderful.  She is conscientious, hard-working, creative, very flexible and helpful.  She fit in easily, as she is the oldest of 8.  For this year, she is the oldest of 7 :).  She has taken a lot of stress off of me, as she has the time to sit in the homeschool room and monitor everyone's progress.  Without internet, the kids were still able to start school with her guidance.  That was an amazing blessing.  We have thoroughly enjoyed her being here the last 3 weeks and look forward to another 10 months with her.
And finally, we love where God has put us.  We are thankful to, yet again, be serving overseas.  We are grateful for the opportunity that He has given us.  We love Him and are so glad for the many people He has given us to remind us of His love for us.  We are thankful for this country He has called us to.  We are enjoying their food, culture, people, struggling through learning their language and loving life.  Thank you for being a part of sending us here.

Carmen and Zoya with a new friend in our home