Graduation Day!

We did it!
Last weekend we officially graduated from language school!

Almost exactly one year ago today, we packed up our lives, got on a plane, and arrived in this strange city. Our hearts were filled with the hope of learning Spanish and somehow being used by God to impact our new community for Christ.
We knew it would be hard at times, and it was. Being away from home, away from family, and away from familiar surroundings was by far the most challenging part (and still is). But never before have we been in such a place spiritually that made us rely so heavily on God to get us through each day, and there is no better place to be.

It was very touching at our graduation ceremony to see so many missionaries, each marching in behind the flag of their Latin American country of service, ready to head out once again, in unfamiliar territory, to serve God's people.

It was also a very bitter-sweet time as we had to say good bye to so many really good friends that we got so close to through this whole process.

Jamie's parents were able to be here for the ceremony and we celebrated with them on a little vacation at the beach for a few days. Some of our missionary friends from school were able to join us there for some much needed rest and relaxation. It was just what the doctor ordered!

Now we're ready to dive into full-time ministry! WooHoo!

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Bailes and Bombas!

Guanacaste Day is a Costa Rican holiday celebrating the annexation of the Guanacaste province from Nicaragua in 1824. Guanacaste is the north-western part of Costa Rica, and is kind of like the "Texas" of Costa Rica with a drier, warmer climate, lots of cattle and cowboys, and a different accent too.

Our school put on a big presentation and we had the opportunity to participate in the traditional dances (mainly because Jamie's teacher put it all together) and hey, why not? It was super fun! The following night we danced them again in the street for the local neighborhood while they enjoyed tamales and chalupas.

Bailes tipicos -- simply meaning traditional dances -- are done with the big flowing skirts, ruffled blouses, and of course a big flower in your hair. In our dances, Jamie's group wore floral patterned skirts, representing the "rural" Guanacastecan woman who cooks, cleans, and works hard in the home but still dresses up and puts on aires. The women in white skirts represent the city girl from San Jose.

Bombas are traditional rhymes or short poems that are shouted back and forth as either fun flirts or taunts (usually with reference to mother-in-laws). Nathan shouts, "If all the men ran out like the silver runs out the women would be left mooing like cows!" and his partner responds, "If all the women ran out like the gold runs out the men would be left braying like bulls!" (Sounds better in Spanish)

For the finale, the men take on the "Toro" in the ultimate bull fight!

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The Results Are In!

Wow! Where did July go? That went way too fast.
We've been working really hard to finish these last few weeks of school strong... and we have some really good news! The test results are in... but first let me explain.

When we first got here, the school gave us entrance/placement exams to assess our current ability (or lack thereof) in Spanish. The written test was all about grammar and then there was an oral test to see what you can do in one-on-one conversation. Being from California we could say a few things like, "¿Donde esta el baño?" and "Yo quiero Taco Bell." Needless to say that didn't get us too far.
So last week we got to take the mother-of-all comprehensive grammar tests and an oral ECO exam which is an internationally recognized system for evaluating language proficiency. Not everyone who graduates from the language school will pass the grammar, in fact some people can learn to speak fluently and still not pass it. In the ECO you can earn a Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced level, each of which divide into low, mid, and high.

And so the results are in...

Drum roll please.....

Nathan received Advanced High on the ECO and 93% on the grammar!
and Jamie received Advanced Low on the ECO and just passed the grammar with a 71%!

This is better than either of us imagined we would get to and when we think of how far we've come in a year...well...it truly is a miracle, and we give all the credit and glory to GOD! He has been so faithful to us.

So the big question is, "Does that mean you guys are fluent?"
We are resigned to the fact that language learning is a lifelong goal but we can definitely say we are a whole lot closer!

Happy Birthday Kendyl!

Our baby Kendyl just celebrated her 6th birthday! What a beautiful little girl she has turned out to be! We are so proud of her.

This year she really wanted to get her ears pierced for her birthday. Since we couldn't find decent quality affordable earrings here, we found some online and it just so happened that our friend had to go back to the states for a quick trip and she was willing to bring them back down with her a couple weeks before her birthday!

And here's the crazy part...you can actually get your ears pierced by the pediatrician at the hospital! No joke. It's very cultural here that all the baby girls get their ears pierced before leaving the hospital so, I guess it makes sense. Oh, and did I mention that he just pops 'em in by hand! yeeah. But believe it or not it was the most easy, smooth process in the world! Kendyl was a trooper and it was over before she even flinched. She chose to get them done before her birthday so she could have sparkly ears for her party!

She decided to have an everything "strawberry" party so strawberry cake, strawberry decorations, Strawberry Shortcake piñata, and of course strawberries! You get the picture. And of course Jamie had to make a special cake fit for a princess. Kendyl had a fabulous time with her little friends, most of which are other missionary kids whose parents will soon be graduating from language school and moving on to other countries. :(
The party gave her lots of fabulous memories to remember them by!

Happy Birthday Kendyl Boo!

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