Our plans are coming along, we have been preparing, and we look forward to the upcoming move. Thankfully, John has his U.S. and Argentine passports and is ready to travel.
The weather continues to be cool and rainy with an occasional warm day sprinkled about. The storms have downed our internet for a week on two different occasions which only partly explains the delayed post.
In the last post I said I would post some pictures of the upstairs that Dane had completed before our house guests came from Paraguay. Here is the view from the entry door looking to the boys' room and attic stairs.
This is also looking from the entry area to the doors of the girls room and master bedroom (which was also going to be Dane's office).
Here you can see inside the girls' room.
This and That......
The children are taking a break from their schoolwork right now to help with the moving preparations. Some of their chores include helping with the baby. In the picture below, they made John a stroller from his carseat and the moving dolly.
Some bees have made themselves at home in some boxes Dane has stored in the attic. Yes, those are bees on the boxes and in the air, in the house! The boxes happen to be above the master bedroom so sometimes we can hear them; although, they have not been a nuisance at all up to this point. Dane plans to move the bees to a more appropriate location this week.
The Kiri trees have been in bloom which fills the air around here with a nice perfume and makes the ground underneath them appear to be snow covered from the fallen blooms. It has been fun watching the hummingbirds and bees that are attracted to the blossoms.
Meme (Dane's Mom) made and sent each of the girls a new dress to wear. She also sent some nice denim shirts for the boys that I didn't get a picture of. The children are saving their new outfits for their trip back to the States. Thank you Meme, they're beautiful!
Ralph and Judy Reed (the couple who are buying our farm) were here for a week and were much help around here. They have worked in Mexico as missionaries translating the New Testament into Aztec for the past 20 years. Mr. Reed has just started the publication process for his translation. Judy, a great example of someone who prays without ceasing, has been his assistant along the way.
The Reeds kindly brought with them from the U.S. many needed items for the children like shoes, socks, shoelaces, baby clothes and peanut butter :-)!
After a wonderful week of hard work and sweet fellowship, the Reeds left on the Sabbath to visit Iguazu falls. The children were all teary eyed after they said goodbye. Ralph will return here for another 3 weeks on Tuesday and Judy is headed back to Texas.
Ralph and Dane worked on several projects last week and Judy tirelessly helped around the house and ministered to the children and I.
Dane got our temporary (or maybe permanant) shower completed. He ended up cutting a hole in the wall from the kitchen to the shower area. It turned out very nicely and now taking showers is easier and more private than it has ever been here.
Dane and Ralph used the tractor to level the ground behind the house so that water wouldn't run under the back door during heavy rains. We have already had an opportunity to test it and it works great. No more free floor cleanings at inopportune times :-).
The guys are getting the new barn ready to erect by working on the footings (digging the holes), and perhaps the building guy can start the erection process before we leave.
The biggest project that Dane, Ralph, and Elijah, David, Joseph, and Javier are working on is installing the hydroelectric equipment and electric lines up to the house. The next several pictures show some of that process. Lord willing, the hydroelectric will be up and running before we leave.
Here is one of my little helpers, Miss Elisabeth, helping to make tortillas in the kitchen.
Also, we have been getting and enjoying a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables lately. John has been enjoying them too but in a different way.
And as usual we keep finding interesting critters around here. This is a big earthworm that Joseph found. Anyone want to go fishing? 
These two large moths (they are about 8 inches wide as they sit) were attracted to the light in the kitchen.
Abby took a picture of this very interesting butterfly with clear wings. She got it to sit on a fallen Kiri flower for this picture.
The Reeds stayed the night in town before their early bus to Iguazu and so we took some group pictures in their hotel room. We enjoyed their visit tremendously.
Judy Reed taught the girls and Elijah to do some crocheting. These are some of the pot holders, coasters, hot pads, etc. that they have enjoyed making.
Well, I would like to think that I will have another post up before we leave, but if not, I hope to update as soon as possible when we reach the states. Thank you for your patience with me and for all your prayers as we embark on our new adventure. Until next time....
Have a blessed evening,
Jessica
