11.23.2012

11-23

So, Its been several weeks since Ive written. When Ive wanted to, there is no computer available, and the times Ive come to a cyber, I dont have sufficient time to blog.

Here is a resumé of what Ive been up to...

SAD on the 11th of November.

Preaching in between and lots... Went to the villages on Monday and started a new study.

Working now! Schedule still unsure, but its fun. Making smoothies and other drinks at same place mom is working.

Learning how to sew with a Government Program. It will give me a certificate once I have completed the course. Since I had already gone to a course in Mexico, its refreshing what was already in my mind and hands. Just started this week!

Ziv had his 2 year Baptism Anniversay this week. He was so happy. That also meant that my first study, Anabelle, to ever get baptized also turned 2 years baptized.

A friend comes in January from Mexico!!!! So happy. He will stay one month and stay with us and oteçher friends.

Wednsday wasnt such a great day for me, but I still went to the meeting, and It made it all better. I got on the wrong bus, didnt eat lunch, hurt myself, was frustrated most of the day, blahblahblah..

Since on Wednsday I scratched my back, it is still sore and hurting.

Next weekend we have a Bethelite coming to give a special talk and join us in service. I have arrangements with his wife. I think we also have lunch with them on Friday.

Hawaiian party this Sunday in Ballenita with several from our Circuit.

My grampas surgery was succesful and he is now recuperating. I wouldve really wanted to be with him, and its the first time Im away from him after a surgery. It feels so weird. But, he´s called us already and hearing his voice is comforting.

I miss you all!!!


I know I am super brief, but gotta go again..

Love,

Izmir


11.08.2012

11-8

We are in the process of moving right now. I am going to begin packing away food shortly. We have decided to move into the little apartment we own. My dad is at the construction site now adding windows, which I think was the last detail needed. We are pretty much done packing at home. Need to clean though. At 5pm Pedro Pablo will show up with his huge van to take our matresses and the fridge. Therefore, I have to go!
Everything else is good. We feel good about our decision. I also went to the beach after lunch today, and it was a great little getaway for me. Others also went, and it was a pleasant moment. 

I will take a picture of how our apartment looks and upload that. :)

11.06.2012

Decision Making Time!

Well, what can I say? These past weeks, almost two months, have gone by rather quickly. On a Sunday, back in September, we had to move out from one house to another, hours after our last District Assembly day. Remember me mentioning that? How my family had to pack all our luggages in a 24 hour span, and move out? Yeah, so that was two months ago. Then the next day, Monday, while my family stayed in our new home, I took a trip to Cuenca and spent a week there. While I was gone, my father, who had never come to Ecuador before, arrived as a surprise. Since my dads arrival, we've had my grandparents and aunt leave to California and the four of us have stayed here. The place where we had to move into in September, and where we still are, belongs to another sister we've known for ages. I consider her my aunt; aunt Lucy. Well, the deal was only for two months and those two months are going to be over by Friday. That brings me to today, Tuesday, and 3 days till we have to move out again. Total moves since May: 4 and counting!

For the past two weeks, we've been spreading the word to every person, bird, dog, neighbor, brother, sister, thing, it and or, about our needing a place to move into. We havent found much! Some places are out of our budget. And to think of it, we really dont have a bugdet, because we cant afford a place right now, as cheap as it may seem. All of our funds are going to a lot where we are building apartments to have as income. So we've searched and asked and of course, prayed! We were being specific about it too, because we needed a home that wasnt far, nice, and hopefully free! You know, something we could maybe care for. If we didnt find a place by this week would have to move into one of the small one bedroom apartments my parents are finishing up. I was mentally preparing myself for that, because I thought it might happen sooner or later. Yesterday I began to pack again and put my clothes back into my three luggages. I know I have some days left, but still, I prefer having that ready before last minute.

Last night we had a lovely encouraging Sheperding Call with two of our elders. After the brothers shared uplifting scriptures about why they visit us and how Jehovah appreciates us and they left my parents stayed in the table talking with my brother and I. This is something usual we do at least once a week. We each shared how we felt about the visit and then addressed the situation we find ourselves in. They told us of how earlier that day while doing errands for the apartments, they went to see a sister. She has helped them by giving them tips about the construction since she herself owns several properties. Anywhoo, she took them to one of her houses to explain some details about some painting or something, or Im not sure, but regarding the finishing touches of her house. This was useful to my parents somehow, so thats why she took them there. Well, after finishing her explanation and touring the house, she told my parents that the house, which is unoccupied, was available for us to stay at. FOR FREE. That was extremely shocking to my parents, and also to me. Though it is not a surprise Jehovah moves hearts and makes things work out always. That was the news my parents were sharing with us and wanted our opinion about. We did a list of pros and cons about our two options together. We decided to go to the house and check it out.

I felt very unsure about the sisters house as an option. I still do and Im not quite sure why. I guess I feel like its to much moving. We'd only be there for about 3 months and then have to move into the little Villa we are also building on the same lot as the apartments. I dont really want to be moving so much. I know we would be more comfortable in the house, because it has 3 bedrooms, compared to just one. It also has a large patio and is free! If we were to rent out all the apartments we would have more income which would allow us to finish up our villa sooner. But, if we go to the apartments, we would be aware of any activity at the apartments and would only have to jump over to the villa once its completed. Plus, because its smaller, we wouldnt have to take so long cleaning. We still havent made a decision, but we only have until Thursday night to decide, so that by Friday we can move in. I am going to continue praying about it, and I would love it if you did too.

Today I am finished packing. I did seperate some clothes I will use till the end of the week and also my Assembly skirt. Oh yeah, forgot to mention we have our SAD on Sunday too. It will be at the Branch in Guayaquil and we will take a bus that was rented by the Hall for the congregation. Looking forward to it!!

(Sigh)

This weekend was festive here and packed. Heard it gets worse for New Years. The weather is getting warmer and I also heard that by December it is completely hot here and everyone goes to the beach. I love the beach! Since so many people come to the Peninsula this weekend, on Friday and Saturday a family asked me to help them out at their Restaurant. I went and got paid! I enjoy helping them and learning about their family business. Making empanadas of green plantain! Oh, well its the Moreira family I helped out. I also learn how to treat the clients and work under pressure. Sunday the 4 of us went to another sisters Restaurant and had lunch there. We then went to the beach with them. That evening Marco Antonio Solis was here for free and my brother and dad went to see him with some other brothers. I stayed home and watched 'The Notebook' with my mom.


That is the latest going on here.


YEP!!

CHAO!