A little update

My test is over...finished! I did well enough to move onto book 4. This is our last book! I wont know my score for awhile because they record it, write the conversation out, and then correct it. I talked for an entire hour so I am assuming it will take the teachers some time to get it all sorted. It went pretty well, and I feel that it will be a really good gauge of how I normally speak and what I have learned so far. Thanks so much for your prayers. I wasnt too nervous, and once I got going the words just came out (right and wrong I'm sure)!

We have school today, and then tomorrow (Friday) is a holiday here. Hari Kemerdekaan! It is their independence day celebration (gaining independence from the Dutch). So, everyone (us included) has their flags up at the front of their houses.

Sunday is the start of Hari Raya Idul Fitri. This the the week long celebration of breaking the fast and the end of Ramadan. Sunday morning, all the people will go to the mosque for special prayer. In fact, the mosques will be so full that people will be praying in the street. After prayer, the people spend time visiting neighbours, friends, and family. This is a special time for the people here. They start fresh in relationships, apologizing for any wrong they have done towards other people. On Monday, the visiting continues. At 5am, one of my teachers is picking me up and I am spending the morning with her family. She is a believer, but her family is not and I will be able to participate in the visiting with her family. I've been practicing my Arabic (we have learned a bit of Arabic here as well) so that I can participate. I am really looking forward to it!!!!

Noah will go back to school on Tuesday, but our language school will not start back until Thursday. I am looking forward to some time at home. Shane, Dave, and Noah are coming down with the flu so I think a bit of rest will do us some good.

Here are some of the latest photos.

My Birthday!

Noah's first day of second grade. I love that he wanted to wear his USA shirt.



Me with the boys. Dave was so sad to say bye to Noah!

When the kids finished with the Fruits of the Spirit, we had a medal ceremony where I gave them a medal for the "fruit" that they have grown the most in over the summer. The kids loved this!