“¡Bienvenido, Otoño!”

Recent travels took us through Canelones and Lavalleja to the city of Treinta y Tres in the department by the same name, on the eastern side of the country. The weather was perfect early autumn weather, and we thoroughly enjoyed the drive!

The new growth in the eucalyptus groves reminded us of “Christmas Tree Farms” in NC.

Cerro Verdún, an iconic landmark of Minas, Lavalleja

The occasion for the trip was a church service, honoring a recent graduate from the Bible Institute program there in Treinta y Tres.

The pampas grass in full bloom – in the light of the setting sun – put the crowning touch on the return trip!

“¡Bienvenido, Otoño!”

“Welcome, Autumn!”

These are some of the colors we enjoy in autumn here in Uruguay! Yellows and browns are the most common, but oranges, reds, and pinks sprinkled throughout also help to liven the landscape!

The bright pink of the Silk Floss Kapok continues to be a family favorite!

And we finally saw acorns here – in Parque Batlle y Ordóñez, commonly referred to simply as Parque Batlle, home to numerous species of trees and plants, native as well as non-native, and home of our Estadio Centenario, the original World Cup stadium!

We recently enjoyed a little family outing to the park.

Celebrating Life!

This little man, with his extra joyful personality, made a significant difference on a very difficult day, our first to leave Jacksonville to begin our route back to Uruguay, leaving the now-empty armchair in that living room...

God’s grace to our extended family was clearly on display that morning, exactly one month ago today! This precious boy’s contagious smile and joyful clapping helped to heal and fill the void I was so keenly feeling that morning...

So today we especially celebrate the gift he is to our extended family. We love you, S! 💙

#WorldDownSyndromeDay  #CrazySocks  #DownRightAwesome

¡Aguará Guazú! 💙

#AnimalesAutóctonos  #Zorros  #Uruguay

¡Gracias, Crea Cariño!

Down Memory Lane...

SO thankful to have found these treasures today... 💙

On Daniel’s 4th Birthday!

In Grandma’s yard in Tillsonburg, Ontario

In Westerville, Ohio

Beginning Another Academic Year!

So many emotions! A new academic year begins today with teaching and (hopefully!) learning opportunities on multiple levels, including bilingual primary and secondary as well as tertiary levels...

Hear my cry, O God;

Give heed to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a refuge for me,

A tower of strength against the enemy...

(Psalm 61)

¡Mi barrio! 💙

Home again! Home again!

Inspired by recent adventures, DJ invested time on the plane reading The Horse and His Boy.

Reading The Horse and His Boy – for the 2nd time!

We flew in over Montevideo, angling in from the northwest, enjoying great views of its natural harbor:

And THE Stadium is always the favorite landmark as we fly in! 💙

The roof of “The Mission House” is in the upper left corner!

The Logos Theatre: “The Horse and His Boy”

Thankful to have taken part in the professional United States Premiere of “The Horse and His Boy” at The Logos Theatre during our days in South Carolina!

#TheLogosTheatre #TheChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis

Bountifully blessed!

Amazing! Well worth attending!

#YeahThatGreenville

We enjoyed our “Goal Planning Date” with coffee and ice-cream in Downtown Greenville, also celebrating JM’s finishing the on-site part of his last course in the D.Min. program!

(We’re especially thankful to PaPa & Grandma for their part in making our abbreviated get-away possible!)