Its been awhile since we've written a general update... so here it goes.

Since I've posted last we had 3 big events. 1. We went with church friends to Chiapas and Tabasco 2. Brittany Lambert came and visited and 3. We decided to stay (that is

explained in the previous blog)

1. Tim and I went with 11 others on a 5 day trip to Chiapas and Tabasco, two southern states in Mexico. The trip was absolutely wonderful and filled with many gorgeous views! The highlights included going to Agua Azules, which was a huge series of cascades with absolutely gorgeous and clear waters:

Then, we headed to El Canyon de Sendedero which was a river running through a hugh canyon abnout .6 miles high. We took a boat ride through the canyon for a few hours and then headed to the top in a car to look down. What an astoundingly goregous place!

Later we went to a city called San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas. It was such a wonderful, clean, and beautiful town located in a valley surrounded by beautiful green mountains. The weather was much cooler - with a high of 85 instead of the 100 we are used to here in Merida. The city was very well developed and we spent and entire day walking around:

We also went to the Mayan Ruins of Pelenque:

Overall, it was a wonderful trip both for the sights but also for the company. We had a great time getting to know some of the people from our church and school on a more personal level.

2. Then, the day we got back form our trip to Chiapas, Brittany Lambert came to visit! She got here on a Thursday evening and left on Monday. It was a quick but WONDERFUL trip! We went to downtown Merida and looked around and shopped, went to one of the seven wonders of the World: Chichen Itza and the beautiful centoe Ikkil near it. Also, she came to school and met my students and played with them, went to church and Hocoba with us. It was an excellent trip and I feel so blessed that she came down! We stayed up late every night cracking up and reminising!

As far as school updates, everything is going well for both Tim and me. Also, the school is growing quickly. A new building is in the process of being built - the first level is finished and construction on the 2nd and 3rd level will continue to be built as funds come in. The new building is in anticipation for the growth of the school from preK-6 and 300 students this year to preK-7 and 450 students next year. We are excited to be part of the growth and see how the school continues to grow and change next year.

Life is good and we feel very blessed to be able to stay another year and continue our work at the school, church, and especially in Hocoba. But, at the same time, we are VERY excited to come home for a month this summer to relax, and most importanly see family and friends! We'll be home July 13- Aug 10.