FELIZ AÑO 2010
Happy New Year 2010
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Happy Christmas from Madrid.
We spent Christmas and New Year in Madrid this year, which we enjoyed immensly. We had one full day of snow the last day of term before the holidays, and then it mostly rained, and rained some more. We enjoyed lots of time indoors and it was very relaxing. The boys were lots of fun and enjoyed their Christmas toys very much.
LET IT SNOW!
We had our first proper snowfall in our town yesterday which nicely co-incided with being snowed in giving us a first good reason to not go into work or school;( nursing a sick younger son was a not so pleasant second reason for a day at home, especially for him). I found time to head out with Gabri to build what was a fairly respectable first snowman of this winter. We hope to get the snow suits and boots out many more times over the winter and enjoy the fact we live only 20 minutes from the ski and sledging slopes..
Rain is forecast over Christmas, starting from last night. A lovely first few days of hols indoors wrapped up and cozy, me thinks.
A NEW BEST FRIEND!
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!
AUTUMN FUN!
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.
SPANISH PRAYER DAYS
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.
PEDICULOSIS HUMANUS CAPITIS!
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.
MISSING TEDDY
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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