Six Months Later

Caleb enjoys a spoonful of JIF -
a precious treat from the states!

We have officially been in the country for six months! Time really has flown by. It seems like we just arrived - and not just when we try to speak the national language! We are all picking up the language little by little. I have caught the boys exchanging the typical national "greetings" on several occasions. In the last week or so I have noticed that the boys are not only understanding more but also trying to use what they know. At a friends house recently I overheard Caleb answering a question in the national language and I was convinced that he made up a few of the words just to sound like a national. Well, not only did the boy understand what he said but so did the boys parents. I, on the other hand, recognized just a few of the words. Oh, to be able to learn a new language as fast as a child! Our language tutor asked me what I missed most about living in America - I very honestly answered that I missed being able to talk and function as a normal adult. As I think back over the last six months I know that there are other times when we have missed being "home". More and more I have tried not to refer to America as our home - not because we don't miss it and the family- but as a reminder that this is where our home is now and these are the people we have been allowed to live among. The boys are still doing well, although Caleb still misses his grandparents and wants to see them "right now". Josiah is happy as long as he has gum and Lucas is content as long as he can sit in Daddy's lap and listen to music. More and more we want to be content with what we have access to here - though we are grateful for the few care packages that have allowed the boys to color superheroes and a very pregnant lady to have JIF!!!! I'll end by relating a humorous, though untrue, dialogue between Caleb and Josiah.
J:Caleb do you like chocolate bars?
C: Yes
J: Do you want to go to the store and get a chocolate bar?
C: Yes
J: I'm sorry Caleb, but in this country they don't have candy bars at the store, only food for dinner.