Week Juan in San One

Been here for a week now. Here are a few highlights. Oh - first, a rundown of  my living situation. I'm living with the pastor, his wife, their four kids, and their nanny. Pastor and Wife are great. Young and fun, and I have a lot to learn from them. Nanny is great. Young and fun, and I have a lot to learn from her. Four kids are great. Six-year-old boy, twin four-year-old girls, and a three-year-old girl. Sweet and cuddly, young and fun, and I have a lot to learn from them. Okay, the highlights.

• Valentine's dinner on February 15. Nanny had 20-something young people over. Delicious food and dancing. My head said, "This is good. God is doing something good here. The next time I see these people, I'll feel closer. And if we do this again in a few weeks, I won't feel so self-conscious dancing. And if we do this again in a few months, these people may really be my friends." But my heart said, "It's hard being the new girl, and I miss being known."
• Helping put the kids down to bed. Parents get them ready, and we all sit in the kids' room. Parents pray and give a devotional, and we sing hymns. Hearing the children sing is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Tonight one Twin asked, "Can He hear us when we sing?" Pastor gave a beautiful response. Son replied, "I've been chewing on my arm." So... it's not a robot family. I think it's going to be really beautiful for me to see a working marriage and be around kiddos.
• Charco Frio - rain forest and cliff jumping. Last Thursday I drove into the rain forest with two men from church and some guys visiting the area. Hiked and swam to a jumping spot that only the locals know about. Jumped a couple times and went down this natural rock/waterfall/slide thing. Just as totally amazing as it sounds. It felt like summers in Tennessee, and I then I would look up and remember I was in the rain forest.
• First day at work today. Really great first day. Really excited about the work I'm going to be doing.

There's so much more, but I think I'll stop there. I've got my room almost set up; I'll post photos soon.