Time in the Garden

We have been enjoying beautiful spring weather for quite some time. Lots of daffodils in our front and back yards have brightened things up.

Ragnar really enjoys working out in the garden, keeping the grass trimmed etc.

He has planted several scrubs and flowers and will soon plant lots of vegetables in our back yard. We are looking forward to eating fresh food from our own garden this year - a first for us!!

On Saturday we had a couple from Germany with their 4 week old baby drive all night to spend the day with us. It was amazing to us how they could stay awake and talk about working overseas with lots of enthusiasm. Then to top that off after the evening meal they started back home on the 18 hour journey. We are thrilled about having this couple excited to join the team!

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! Since there are many Northern Irish students and staff here I thought it would be fun to make some green Shamrock cookies for our coffee break today.

There is usually around 70 people there, so I made around 160. Watching their reactions, and hearing people from other countries ask what this was all about, was worth the effort!!

Each morning at 10:15 staff and students gather for coffee break.

It is a great place to get to know each other, or have a chat with one of your coworkers whom you seldom see.

We try to go over each day for this time of fellowship.

Friends in our Home

One of the main differences we find between living here in North Cotes and in Aritao (our last home in the Philippines) is that when we come home at night here, we close the door and basically don’t see anyone until we go to work the next morning. In Aritao we opened our door around 6:00 every morning and didn’t close it until 11:00 or 12:00 p.m. People were coming in and out all day long - sometimes just for a minute to ask a question - sometimes for an hour to share a cup of coffee and sometimes for several hours as we shared a meal and talked about their work. Here in North Cotes, usually the only time we have people in our home is when they receive a special invitation - so we have caught on to that and have been enjoying folks from all over the world.

Esther Mosby and her dad - Esther is working here in the kitchen for a few months, and her dad was home for a short visit from Thailand.

McDoles - we were in Language School together in Michigan and Missouri back in 1977. They spent many years in Indonesia, and now we are both working here! Gill has been teaching me my new job, so we have spent quite a few hours in our office talking ‘business’. It was fun to just have a fun relaxing evening together.

Our next door neighbours - the Townleys, and their 3 sons.

I was very brave to invite them over for dinner, since she is ‘the cook’ in the student dining room. She was very gracious though - we always enjoy being with them.

Four single students from England - Switzerland - America and Germany. We had met the German guy in the Philippines on 2 of his trips there.

Breakfast with more friends from Germany that we first met in the Philippines.
Besides 2 ladies from Germany (is that dominating) a young couple from Northern Ireland and U.S. that met in Thailand.

Our first conversations with Ronald were about his trips to the Philippines with OM. He is originally from the Netherlands, and she is from Brazil.

A lovely time spent with Esther and Miriam - Germany and ??? - do MK’s know where they are from?!?!

We spent our evening with Samuel and Judith talking about the Philippines. They have been there on a work team and might go back!!

We don’t always have to be serious!!

Ellie & Rebekah's Birthdays

Ellie celebrated her 3rd birthday with her friends on the 26th. A kitchen - almost just like mom's!

Ellie's good friend, Anna.

We were blessed to be able to be with them for the week-end.

All of Claire’s family joined us for a lovely dinner Saturday night.
The Grandmas and Grandpas enjoyed watching them open their gifts,
blow out the candle(s) etc.

A fun week-end!!