Danny’s parents came to visit for two weeks the end of last month. We had a wonderful visit with them and it was over way too soon. We miss them so much already! The first week we spent most of our time showing them the all the ministries that we are involved with. The second week we got to do some fun things, but when Brayden, then Danny, then Brianna got sick it kind of slowed things down. I think we were all ready for the slower pace, though (I know I was). We went to Iximche ruins in Tecpan. That was a nice visit and the kids really enjoyed just being able to run free in actual grass for the first time in three months! We still got to make it to the beach for the first time. What an experience that was. We rode a ferry through the swamp to get to the black volcanic sandy beach of Monterrico. The waves were so powerful that we could not even get in the water. We had to stand so far away from the water and just catch a little on our feet as it came up. It was so strong that it tried to drag us in when it was washing back into the ocean. We even got to visit the zoo with Danny's parents. That was a lot of fun! There were lots of animals and they even had a cow.
Brianna turned four on March 28! We got to celebrate her birthday with Danny’s parents. It was a small, but fun party with a chocolate cake (her favorite), and presents of course!
When we traveled here in December, we were only able to bring the bare essentials. Which was limited to our clothing and very little else. We had to leave behind a lot of our belongings for others to bring later. So when Danny’s parents came they brought three totes full of our belongings with them. It was like having Christmas in March! The kids were thrilled to see some of their toys they had to leave behind and I was excited to get all of our rain boots that I know we will need during the rainy season which begins next month. Danny was just glad to get three bags of his favorite caramel candy his mom got for him. Brianna, who continuously asked Danny’s mom to bring goldfish almost every day, was glad that grandma didn’t forget (she got 1 box and 3 bags). Thanks again for your visit and bringing some goodies with you. We love and miss you!
After Danny’s parents left I have begun to miss my family so much more. It is hard to be away from them when I have only ever lived in the same city as my parents and sisters. I am so thankful for being able to communicate with them through skype and facebook. What a great tool that has become when we live so far away. I won’t get to physically see and hug them until November. I love you, mom, dad, Crystal, Tammy and Katelyn and everyone else! Pray for mine and Danny’s family as it is hard for them as well.
The 30th of March was the end of our ninety days in country. We had to file for an extension. This did not come easy as nothing does in Guatemala. Danny had to travel to the Guatemalan Immigration Office in the capital not once, but three times. The first time, they needed specific items that he did not have, the second time to complete the task with the specific items necessary, and the third to get our passports back with the new stamp (they held them for 12 days). He had to take a taxi to this place, because it is in the heart of the city and the driving is craaaazzzzyyyy! You really have to know the roads, because you may have to drive on the left side of the road while cars are wizzing by on the right. You also have to go through zones that we should stay out of. We are no legal to stay here in country until June 28. At that time we will have to drive to Mexico and stay there for 72 hours. This will give us another 90 days in country.
