Update on School for Sawyer

Just a quick update for those who have been praying for Sawyer and his schooling this year. (By the way, is it just me, or would I probably not blog about this if I didn't live in another country? Hmm.) Anyway, after much prayer and agonizing (the agonizing was mostly my part!), we decided to enroll him at Tio Conejo, where Olivia was last year for kindergarten. He'll be in a preschool class of 24 kids. I took him to meet his teacher yesterday, and was really impressed. Her name is Milena, and she seems like just what Sawyer needs--someone with patience and experience who can keep his active little mind and body busy! She has a great classroom with lots of space, and TC has an amazing field and playground area. Sawyer's really excited, and I have high hopes that it will be a good year for him. She asked him if he behaves himself well, and he answered very seriously, "A veces" (sometimes)!! She laughed and said that at least he's honest! :)

As a side note, this year, both Olivia and Sawyer will come home after school, instead of going to daycare as they did last year in the afternoons. I've struggled with my role here in Costa Rica and have worn many hats, but one thing that I keep sensing is my kids' need to be at home more and have normalcy--or some form of normalcy! And, since there don't seem to be any good childcare options for Lynnea 'til she's at least a year old, it seems to make sense to be the one home more for all of them. We'll see how the year shapes up. I know I'll still be really busy hosting teams and staff, and I haven't decided exactly what my involvement in sites will be, but I'm trying to be intentional about my time. So much of life here has been learned through trial and error, and this is one more area! Your prayers are appreciated in these things. Often we report on all the exciting SI ministry that's happening, and all that God is doing in the communities we work in, but there's also this reality that we have to create sustainable life patterns in the midst of 'ministry.' And, while we believe whole-heartedly that our family is our first ministry, it is really hard to put that into practice sometimes. So, hopefully the adjusted school schedule will help. Anyway, we feel good about Tio Conejo for Sawyer, so we'll see how it goes! The adventure continues :)
--Tracey