En la Cocina

The missionaries called up the other night and asked if Lane could go with them to a teaching appt. of a brand new investigator that lives in our area. They were going to take a bus as close as they could get to our house and then needed a ride. Turns out that their schedule allowed them to be at our house for about an hour and half before their appt. so of course we grabbed the opportunity to feed them! I hurried and made some chocolate chip cookies and some spaghetti. Can't go wrong with those comfort foods right? We also had some plantains that I had bought but didn't know what to do with, so I had Elder Martinez (from El Salvador) give me a little lesson on how to cook them. They basically tasted like fried bananas would taste if you fried them....pretty good, but not our top of the list favorite.
It was so great just having them in our home. I just love the missionaries. There is such a special spirit about them. They are both just awesome young men and they are helping us so much with our Spanish. They are Elder Martinez and Elder O'Dell (from northern CA)
Lane went with them to their appt. with a family that consisted of a mom and her 3 teenage kids. He said it was such a sweet spirit and they plan on more lessons. I am hoping to go with them next time and get to know the mother. We always welcome any opportunity to spend time with the missionaries .Any bit of them that can rub off on us is a good thing. Elder Martinez had never had choc chip cookies before and I wished I would have had a picture of that. I think he has a new favorite food!

Our Beach

OKay I thought I had better stop posting pictures of tarantulas or no one is ever going to want to come and visit us....so here are a couple of pictures of our beautiful beach. I say "our beach" because it is so private and secluded that there is hardly anyone there but us. It is truly beautiful here. All the beaches have their own unique thing about them so it is fun to explore them. It is so green and lush and the rain just makes everything seem clean and fresh. So, start planning a trip to see us! You won't be disappointed.

My near death experience...

Well it took me overnight to recover from my near death experience. My heart rate is finally back to normal and I can only hope that seeing these pictures again will not send it soaring.
So, last night Lane and I actually went on our first DATE since leaving the states. We went to Eddie's restaurant, which was wonderful! Anyone who comes here to visit will for sure have to plan on eating there.
Actually, I am afraid that by posting these pictures, it will greatly reduce the chances of us ever HAVING any visitors, but I hope that is not the case. I know that my sisters and my mom share the same fear of spiders that I have, so I hope they can recover from these photos as well.
As we were driving down our dirt road again last night, we saw 2 more tarantulas crossing the road. (what is so exciting on the other side of the road??? I have no idea.) Anyway, I was a mature woman and just waved to them as we drove on by. Then we pull into our driveway and there is this monstrous one just sitting there waiting for me. TO make matters worse, it was ON MY SIDE OF THE CAR!! I needed to get out and into the house as quickly as possible, but here was this THING blocking my way. I lost all maturity and started wimpering like a two year old, shaking and....ok..I am embarrassing myself I know, but I have a severe phobia so just try to be understanding.
Lane and Abe thought it was just awesome and just had to catch it and bring it in the house. I have nothing more to say.

Happy Birthday Emma!

The baby of our family turned 7 yesterday!We had a great day celebrating with her. We went to the beach and even though it rained, it was still fun. Then later Eddie and Mirna came over for cake and ice cream with us. Emma brings so much joy to all of us. She is always happy and gives out hugs and kisses regularly. She is always so concerned that everyone around her is happy and does whatever she can to please those around her.
WE LOVE YOU EMMA!

Why did the Tarantula cross the road?

To give me a HEART ATTACK I guess!!!
Well last night we were almost back home from being at mutual with Abe..we were headed down the 2.5 mile dirt road to our house...only our headlights were lighting the road in front of us. We are driving along, trying to dodge the potholes and we see this rather large black thing walking across the road. We whiz by and then Lane and I look at each other and say at the same time, "was that a tarantula??" Well, we just had to back up and see if it indeed was a tarantula. Sure enough, we back up and there sitting in the middle of the road stunned by our headlights was this big, black, hairy, did I mention BIG, scary looking TARANTULA! I know that people say they are harmless and I have even heard them described as beautiful. Well,I am not ready to attach either of those adjectives to this discusting creature. Those of you who know me well, know that me and spiders just don't get along. I am probably going to need therapy now and the therapist will most likely not speak english so it will just be useless right?

Lane and all the kids jumped out of the car and looked at it, but I just remained firmly frozen to my seat in the car trying to slow down my heart rate.
If I EVER see one of those in this house....I am catching the first flight home. Mom and dad please don't pray that I see one in the house! I know you miss me.

I have been praying constantly for personal growth and to be able to overcome fears and embrace new challenges. Does this have to be one of them or can I just remain forever afraid of spiders and still go to heaven???

I like Tuesdays

Today I have discovered a couple of reasons that I think Tuesday may become one of my favorite days...
First of all, we heard a very obnoxious honking as a large truck drives up our road. I go out there only to discover that it is a PASTRY truck delivering fresh baked goods of many different varieties to whoever is interested. I was interested!
Just the whole back of the truck loaded up with so many yummy treats...kind of like a really good dream. Can you tell that I have been seriously deprived of my treats?? Well, these nice gentlemen just got themselves a new and loyal customer.

Secondly, the property manager just set up a maid to come every Tuesday and do whatever I need her to do in the house. It is only going to cost us $4 an hour and she plans on 3 hours each week. I figure $12 is a great deal. I will make a new friend, learn some more Spanish and get my house cleaned all at the same time. Plus it makes you feel good to be helping someone else financially for a pretty small price to us.

Thirdly, the branch has Young Men's activities on Tuesday evenings so that means that we will all get to go to Santa Cruz at least once a week and explore the town.

All of these things combined have just added Tuesdays to my list of favorites.

After Lora and Abe's scare at the beach yesterday (see Lora's blog post) the kids were not ready to go back in the water today so they have found something else to keep them quite entertained. They have been making a movie with Abe's laptop literally all day. We got up and had our family scripture/study time, had breakfast and then they started in on their movie. They stopped for lunch, but other than that they have been completely entertaining themselves with this project. They politely tell me when to leave the room so that I am not "on camera" and let Lane and I know when the crying and or loud outbursts are just part of the movie so they don't get in trouble.
I have to say that it is so great to see them working together on something and being creative. After Abe saved Lora's life yesterday, they have a new BOND.

I have spent my day studying spanish and reading my novel. I think I can get used to this.
Emma's birthday is in 2 days so tonight when Abe is at mutual, Lane and I will look around to see what we can find for her and put Lora in charge of keeping Emma distracted.
I hope that more than just Abe will show up for the activity or it might be hard to keep him excited about going. We shall see....

Angels at the border!

I wanted to post a picture of the WONDERFUL family that picked us up at the border and helped us so much. This is Mike and Lisa Ballantine and their awesome kids. We love you guys and will never forget how you were truly "good samaritans" to us that day.