A NEW BEST FRIEND!

November 17, 2009

You may remember that Gabriel´s faithful life-long teddy companion, Daddy teddy, got lost this summer!  we have been on the lookout for a new special friend for Gabri and we found him on Saturday!

In Gabri´s own words he is the softest, smiliest, cutest friend ever!  He accompanied us home from a car boot sale, and we had an emotional family moment with Rhino´s first bus and train ride, and sleep over.  I hate to say it, but in good old fashioned Toy Story and poor Woody fashion, I think Daddy Teddy is almost forgotten.  Lets hope Gabri´s parents prove to be less easily replaced!!

See for yourself! A rather cute new special ted, and I do think he is smiling knowingly at us!

 

 

 

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AUTUMN FUN!

November 8, 2009

Hallowe’en or Fall festivals, depending on your outlook and background, mark the beginning of the dark nights and chillier evening which require us to scramble for our hats scarves and gloves (except my 3 boys who never seem to feel the cold!).

We have enjoyed celebrating dressing up with games and children’s bible talk on 31 October, with our new church, Mountain View International Church. Friends from mums and toddlers came with their families too.

 

 

Last night we celebrated Guy Fawkes at the house of one of the families in the church.  Some of my work colleagues came with their kids and hubbies and we had a great time.  Piñata (a paper mache sweet filled treat to hit), followed by sparklers and a firework display rounded off a chilly fun family evening.  Friends and colleagues Anne Marie, Jude and Jo came with their families which our boys loved. Jo, has her son Mario in Gabri´s class and they are good friends. Friends from mums and toddlers with whom I have stayed in touch came along, Linda, Sarah and others.  Please pray for opportuities to talk about Christ and share our church family support.  All these girls have Spanish husbands or partners and are settled living in Spain. However we do live between the English speaking and Spanish world and the church family provides great support as we celebrate important festivals or events together that remind us of our roots.

 

         

 

 

 

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SPANISH PRAYER DAYS

October 25, 2009
We have just enjoyed spending a beautiful autumn weekend with the other members of the Spanish ECM team, an annual autumnal event.
 
Over 60 of us, including children, guest speaker Rogeilio Prieto enjoyed a variety of seminars and teaching as well as the necessary AGM, while the children were wonderfully catered for with a variety of activities.
 
Friendships were renewed, new friends made and future bridegrooms sought out, and that was just the 4-7 year olds having lunch together today!!!
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
It was especially encouraging to be altogether as an ECM family and share each others prayer needs, for health, for difficult pastoral church situations, for our children, ageing parents etc. We also shared in a time of prayer for other families across europe, using their prayerletters as a means of updating ourselves with their prayer needs.
 
Shortfall in personal support for existing missionaries, or slowness in raising 100% required by missionaries waiting to go out for the first time, was a common theme for prayer.  Please continue to pray for the workers in Europe and the different family stressers they face, including finance.
 
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PEDICULOSIS HUMANUS CAPITIS!

October 16, 2009
Just when we were settling to claim autumn as our favourite season of the year, and having said goodbye to our visitors from Costa Rica, we were surprised by another visitor. This time most unwelcome. Yes, we had forgotten about that annual school circular advising about the annual outbreak of pediculosis.  You have guessed it.  We knew Gabriel´s class had a case of nits, but like all things, anyone else but our child would get it. Not this year! 
 
A necessary but not so pleasant way to spend a Friday afternoon after school.  Well the house now smells like a giant aromatherapy candle.  The product that Edgar bought this time has no chemicals. Ah I hear you say, not sounding good. But wait…this stuff causes the bugs to get drunk and then dehydrate.  Sounds cruel enough for me.  Lets hope it works. 
 
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MISSING TEDDY

October 15, 2009
FAVOURITE TED MISSING!
Have you seen this missing teddy in the North West of Madrid?
 
 
 
Sadly, Gabriel´s life-long 6 year old faithful ted, Daddy teddy got lost in NW Madrid.  Should you see him, please inform or return to one sad owner. xx Thank you.
 
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STAFF TRAINING

I don´t think Student leader staff training events are quite as boring as they look in this photo.  Edgar could be forgiven for looking absent by the 4th hour of this long talking session.  But I rather suspect behind that fancy apple mac laptop, he, like all the others, except the guy on his boss´s left, he has already sent some e-mails, played some game with the volume down and even written me a romantic poem.  Whatever, the staff training sessions, which Edgar attends 4 times a year are intense.
 
 
University and High school workers training days.
 
Edgar works closest with his other high schools staff and volunteers. Here we have pictured the 4 staff workers with a couple of volunteers , David, Eva, David, Ada, Edgar, Ronaldo, David( popular name, I know! and his baby daughter!) Each leader is responsible for looking after volunteer youth groups in their area of Spain.
 
 
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SPECIAL VISITOR

October 5, 2009
Gabriel was only 6 months old when we last visited Costa Rica.  Now as an active 6 year old, we were excited as well as nervous to have Edgar´s aunt coming over from Costa Rica to visit.  At nearly 90 years of age, never having left her homeland, we weren´t sure exactly what to expect.
 
 
 
Castles and palaces were among the favourite weekend visits, bargain hunting in the markets,  as well as tapas and drinks under glorious changing autumn chestnut trees.  In the middle of the visit, our car was broken into and our substitute car was none other than a very cool cream mini one.  The car repair took not the promised 2 days, but 8 in all.  We had fun time zipping around in our hire car with aunt Chris, and when we had to go to the garage to collect our old faithful, there was no charge, because it had been a break in.  The other fun thing was a mini is my dream car!!!  Quite an unforgettable visit. 
 
 
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SCHOOL BEGINS

September 19, 2009
First Day back to School
 


 
Reception Class that is for Asier (4) and Year 2 for Gabs ( 6).
 
After a fantastic summer, of 6 weeks HA, mainly based in Scotland, and 3 weeks back in Madrid, we headed back to school.  Me too! We trot off to our respective parts of the school for around 9.00am. So far so good. A few tears in the mornings, and that is just me! This year I have Year 6 class again, and so far I am liking the group I have. Gabriel has a great young teacher Miss Niki and Asier has a good family friend Anne-Marie as his reception teacher this year.
 
On Friday morning, I took off my teacher hat and popped down to the dining hall with my mum hat on, to accompany Gabriel and all the other mums or dads for a mediterranean breakfast.  The school lay this on every year, as part of their efforts to encourage a healthy mediterranean diet.  Fresh bread spread with olive oil and homemade tomato puree, with fresh fruit and tea or coffee. Lovely easy start to the day!  It was a good chance to say hello to some of the other mums from Gabri´s class I have been getting to know this last year. Lots to pray about already. Staff, kids in class who are struggling with family issues, and our own kids for this academic year.
 

 
 
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