Settling in

Sunday we went to a bilingual, non-denominational church service. I was missing Gateway but it was a good worship time. Singing a familiar praise song is such comforting feeling when you're in an unfamiliar place! Erick did great, slept half and quietly ate Cheerios the other half. After church we strolled through town where they are beginning the Lent season celebrations. Not sure what they are called, but businesses and families make intricately patterned and colored sawdust murals in the streets. It's a festive time for the locals and tourists.

I also found Casa Santa Domingo, a romantic, historic hotel. The landscaping and gardens are amazing! Hmm, maybe Pat needs to take me there??

This week I am going to check into Spanish lessons. It's ridiculously cheap to have a teacher come to your house--like $5/hour! I am getting around OK on what little I know, but it's definitely frustrating not to be able to speak the language well. I feel like it's just a common courtesty, too, that if you're going to be in a country for awhile, learn their language.

It's still a process of trying to slow my U.S. pace of life and settle in and just BE here. There's a potent mold smell under my bathroom sink that needs attention, I want to get going on Spanish lessons, figure out this whole adoption timeline, learn to be blogger-efficient, journal more, learn about the childrens' homes in the area, take some local cooking lessons.....then I sit back and think, 'OK, God's given me a unique opportunity here to pour a whole bunch of love into this little guy named Erick and be a mom for awhile. We've waited for this and He has answered. Just sit with Erick and enjoy his fingernails digging into the dirt, and not think about washing them or the clothes. Spanish lessons will come and the mold under my sink isn't in any hurry to leave.'

So, I'm working on it.