Need a Prescription?

Brian's been having trouble with his allergies so he went to see an allergist one day after school. The school nurse gave him a ride to the hospital, the allergist was able to see him, some tests were set up, and the doctor wrote two prescriptions on a piece of paper.

The next day Brian and I set out on a walk to get the prescriptions filled. The first pharmacy we walked to only had one of the prescriptions. This was a problem because both prescriptions needed to be filled at the same time to get them covered by insurance. We headed out the door and walked about a mile to the next pharmacy. They also had only one of the drugs, but said that they could call and have the other one delivered to the store in about 10-15 minutes. This was great news... until we found out that this pharmacy doesn't take our insurance. It was too late to walk to another pharmacy so the prescriptions wait for another day.

Another example of how everything takes longer here...

Very Close Neighbors

Our apartment building is very close to the apartment building next door. As a matter of fact, it sometimes seems like our neighbors are right in our apartment when they talk. Tonight I was standing in the kitchen when I sneezed. The neighbor girls in the next building called out, "salud," which is like the Spanish way of saying "bless you." Talk about close neighbors!

School Christmas Program

Here are a few of the first grade boys waiting for the Christmas program to start.

Excited about the program and about Christmas.

Each class did a song or two for the Christmas program. These are the fourth grade students doing the song "Mary Did You Know." It was beautiful.

It was different to be outside for a Christmas program. We wearing bug spray and short-sleeved shirts.

Mission Retreat

Last weekend we went to a Christian Reformed Mission retreat. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. We spent a lot of time worshipping God together and even celebrated the Lord's Supper together on Sunday.

It was wonderful to worship in English again, and it was so good to meet the missionaries. The retreat was led by a Christian Reformed pastor from Lansing, Michigan, and a few members of his church were able to come with him to spend the worship times with us. It was good to meet together in God's name.

Christmas Cookies

We had a great time baking, decorating and eating Christmas cookies tonight! What fun.

Carols and Car Alarms

We've heard that there's snow back home. Despite seeing holiday decorations in stores and in our neighborhood, it just doesn't feel like Christmas without cold weather, snow and hot chocolate. Tonight we turned on the Christmas music and decorated our cute little tree. Soon "Silent Night" was drowned out by our neighbor's car alarm. Thankfully we are now experiencing Peace on Earth and in our neighborhood.

Amy got the tree, lights, ornaments, and nutcracker from Brian's sister's family as a birthday present. Even though most days are sunny with warm temperatures and there's no chance of snow, we're feeling festive and look forward to seeing friends and family in just a few short weeks.

Pilgrim and Native American Feast at School

Today the kindergarten, first, and second grade students wore Native American or Pilgrim costumes to school to celebrate a Thanksgiving feast together.

Here you can see Brian with some of the first grade Pilgrims.

More first grade Pilgrims with one of the second grade teachers.