There is no accounting for taste.

There is no accounting for taste.  Enrique and Carlos came to the house after the meeting this morning to use the computer.  I told them there was pie in the refrigerator if they wanted some.  There were three pies, mulberry, strawberry and lemon meringue.  Guess what they wanted.  “Can we have the leftover pancakes?”

Greeting to all of you, we thank the Lord for all who has stood with us during this past year in praying and giving.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.  As we look forward to another year we need your prayers for wisdom and strength.  The responsibilities continue but the energy is less.  The Lord has promised  "as thy days, so shall thy strength be."

Christmas Eve we spent with Marcos and family enjoying the traditional late supper.  Christmas morning we had breakfast with Oswaldo and family, then we took off for the country to have the noon meal with Fabian.  We took along all the fixing and had a cookout.  Praise the Lord for the progress we see in Fabian.

Oscar is in the Beni, another State of Bolivia spending some time with his father.  It has been a long time since Marion and I have had the house to ourselves.  It won’t be for long.  Helen and Miguel, the newlyweds are returning from Camiri in a couple of days.  They have a place lined up to move to, but for the time being they will be here until they can get settled.  


 After the New Year another couple will be in the house for a while.  Saul and Jenny are coming to work in the school next year.  They will be using our house as a base while they are looking for a place to live.  Saul and Jenny are graduates from the university in Sucre.  He will take over the job of teaching physics, math and chemistry.  Jenny teaches English and German.

Marion wonders how many grandmothers have the privilege of teaching their own grandchildren.  Here is a picture of Oswaldo with Oswaldo Enrique (Quique)  and Asiel, his two oldest.  Notice the green and white ribbon.  Those are the colors of the Santa Cruz flag.  It indicates that they are the best students in their class.  Quique is will be starting third grade in February and Asiel will be in first grade.  Marion was their kindergarten teacher.

Oswaldo with Quique and Asiel

Wedding Day One

The bride's family has been our personal friends for years.  They arrived (seven of them) at our house on Wednesday to help Helen with the preparations.  Praise the Lord for a house big enough to handle the crowd.  They are all willing workers so there are many hands to help with the work.

Tacos for lunch

On Friday afternoon the civil registrar arrived at our house to perform the civil wedding.  That is the only one that has any legal standing in Bolivia.  The immediate families and a few close friends were present for this ceremony.  Afterwards there was a snack and people stayed until late visiting and getting to know each other.

Helen and Miguel with their witnesses and the civil registrar

With the official document

Tonight the church wedding will be at the chapel in Montero.  I will be heading into the city later to pick up the cake and get it back to Montero.  

Along the way I pick up Fabian who will be spending the weekend with us.  This will be the first time since he went into rehab that he will be back in Portachuelo.