I wonder what poor sucker got duped into buying this car?
Also, I came across this toy as I was wandering through the "girl aisles" at Toys R Us today. It made me laugh.

I got together with some moms from Malachai's school this afternoon to sew costumes. Next month is Carnaval - - the crazy celebration that happens before lent. It's a big thing in the schools here; all the kids dress up and put on a show for the moms and pops. Apparently Malachai's school does a theme every year. This year is "science through the ages" and the 3, 4 & 5 year olds are dressing up like fire, the printing press and the light bulb. Joshua and I really aren't sure about the moral implications of Spain's celebration of carnaval - - how far removed is Malachai's fire costume from the evil origens of the celebration? (maybe we're asking ourselves the same questions U.S. parents deal with Halloween in the States) We will participate this year, observe carefully and evaluate it all so that we can be wiser more imformed parents next year!

coffee outreach today - - it was so, so good! we wondered if anyone would be out; teperatures have been the lowest we've had this winter in Pamplona, and we thought people would be prone to put off waiting in the immigration line until the cold passed. there were fewer individuals in line, but the crowd was a grateful one! (made getting out of bed at 5:45 worth it!)
Again, we are thankful for Carlos and Hebe who have been so encouraging to us. These pictures are of Carlos and Joshua prepping for our coffee give away in Carlos and Hebe's coffee shop.

yesterday was "family day"; we braved the cold and the 10 snow flakes and went downtown to scout out the rebajas (Spain's sales - - which only happed twice a year) for another blanket to put on our bed. I found one that I was pleased with - - brown and 50% off. we then went for a coffee. These are sweet times together as a family.



mom emailed me last night that my dear friend Stephanie had a major seizure after giving birth to her baby girl. I rejoice with Stephanie and Dennis at the birth of baby Rachel Susanne, but I feel a bit like the created world that Paul talks about in Romans 8:18-25 - - anxiously longing for freedom for a corrupted world - - eagerly looking forward to a world free of sin and sickness.
my heart is heavy yet hopeful; Stephanie and Dennis, my prayers are with you today.

I realized this week that I have become a miserably apathetic prayer-er. my prayers as of late have become not much more than a verbal (or mental)discipline. As I was praying a couple of days ago it dawned on me that I would actually feel surprised if the friend I was praying for called me up to let me know that my prayer had been answered - - not because I think that my God isn't capable or willing, but because I was so disengaged mentally and emotionally as I was praying, ! didn't necessarily expect God to answer.
sigh.
I have purposed today to, whether I am praying on my knees or (the more likely) with my hands in the soapy dish water, be more engaged in my requests to my listening God.

Hebe asked today if we would plan a coffee give-away for this up-coming friday morning. Please pray (passionately!) with me as week seek to communicate God's love in a practical way to the individuals waiting in the information line at the immigration office.

my suitcases are unpacked (uh . . . well mostly) and I'm back into Spanish housewife cleaning mode. look at my new cleaning tool:


(it's a broom, and it can be washed!) I saw it at my friend Marian's (Marian is balanced home keeper - - not too obsessive) house and asked her how she liked it - - she said she loves it. and then my friend Jeru (a bit more of the obsessive peruasion) said that she has one too, and that she's had it for the past eight years! maybe this is the cleaning tool that will make my house sparkle . . .

oh my! so much has happened since my last post . . . we have been to Texas, California, and back. Our trip was wonderful; we got to see many people that we love dearly (although there never seems to be a way to see everyone that we want, or to spend enough time with the ones we do see!) While I can't write about everything on our trip that was so lovely and is still buzzing in my head, I thought I would just share some images that I think communicate some of that lovely buzzing . . . .