In Peru

We have arrived safely! We left the states Sunday afternoon, leaving Houston at around 4pm, and arriving in Lima around 10:30pm. We spent the night in the airport, and boarded a plane to Ariquepa at 6am Monday morning. Ella and Thomas were amazing. Our team was amazing, getting ALL of our luggage from here to there and helping withe the kids.

Lots-o-bags All of us getting our bags together- We made beds for the kids with our duffel bags-once asleep, they were out! I ended up carrying them both through the Lima airport. We woke them at 4am to get checked in and all they wanted was Mama. Fortunately, we had extra hands to carry luggage, so I could carry them! After we arrived in Ariquepa we all met our host families and got settled in before an afternoon of orientation. The house that we are staying at is very comfortable. We are all in a room together, and have a bathroom to ourselves. When we arrived at our home it was 9:30am. They served us a small breakfast and then we excused ourselves to our room for sleep! We slept until 2, woke up and had a great pasta lunch and headed back to the office for orientation. We ate at Dominos pizza for dinner- and enjoyed riding around the city in the taxi. It is no understatement to say it is a different world! We are loving it.

This morning we had orientation again, then went to have lunch at a church construction site with all of the missionaries. This is Trevor and Garren with Chad standing above the construction.The kids found dirt. This is Ella and Thomas with Arianna Wilkins and Jana Tibbs. Arianna's parents are a cluster support family, like us. Jana's dad is the Extreme director, Brian Tibbs. (Jana is in the front with the white necklace.)

This afternoon we are back at the house, catching up with our communication back home and organizing our room. Tomorrow we begin language school. Our kids are staying here with our host Mom, Victoria. I am going to check out a school tomorrow afternoon, where another missionary family sends their daughter, who is 3. We are leaning toward having the kids go there while we are in language school from 9-1 each day. There are many reasons for this, and after tomorrow Chad and I will be able to make a final decision. The kids are doing well. Ella told me this morning, " I am glad God gave me you for a Mom and that he gave me Chad for a dad." She is noticing all the differences! Thomas flashes his smile at everyone and gets huge reactions. "Que Lindo!" Which translates to How cute! I am suprised at how settled I feel inside, considering how totally unsettled life is on the outside. God is so faithful.

Our host family is Gorge, Victoria and their daughter Allison, who is 14. Victoria speaks about as much English and we speak Spanish- so we are doing our best to muddle through. I am eager to begin school and improve in this language! They are so gracious. This morning Gorge fed Thomas his breakfast, to make sure he had enough. I can't remember what is called, but has the consistency of watery oatmeal. That does not sound tasty, but it was! Thomas just kept opening his mouth for more bites! It was cute. Ella is very quiet and shy, which I expected. I have to remind myself to not push her too much. When she is ready, she will interact. I am trying to speak as much spanish as I can to them-which is a few words and phrases. Today Thomas said, "Mom, why are you talking Spanish?" They both think it is such a treat to ride in the taxi's with no carseats!This is Ella with Denena. She is one of the single missionaries. Ella loves Denena, who tells her elaborate stories about princesses and unicorns and whatever else Ella requests! This is the house we are staying at.Thomas noticed the posters for ice cream that are outside of the little shops along the streets right away and began asking for one so today we stopped for a snack on the way home. We are in walking distance to the Extreme office and our language school. If you have any specific questions please leave them in the comments section, and I'll answer them for you!