This week our language helper hurt her knee. As a result we only had one day of class this week. The break was really nice. It wasn’t until we took the break that I realized what a toll language learning has had on my mind and body. We were able to get caught up in life and rest. Here are somethings we learned and experienced on our break.
- -Update on our Move – We are still in the process of deciding if we will move out of Dakar. We HAVE decided that we will take a trip to the city with Joel’s parents when they are here. We are hoping after that trip to make a decision and start working out the logistics of when and how. We will be done with the official language school at the end of February, which is just around the corner.
- – Tori is influencing our children. Tyler now can be caught frequently reading cookbooks. Usually when he turns the page he says, “mmmm delicious” . Ethan walked into the room the other day and said “I smell something delicious, is that butter cooking”.
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Reading Cookbooks together 
Smile - – We would be lost without Georgette. Georgette comes and helps around the house 3 days a week. She has become a great friend and she is a wealth of knowledge. If we need to go anywhere or buy anything, she is the one we talk to about it.
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Georgette Trying waffles for the first time - – When locked out of our house, the roof makes a wonderful place for a picnic. Tuesday is “buy one get one free” pizza night (not the same as American pizza, but it is still pizza). However on the way home from our pizza purchase, Joel got separated from us. He also had the keys to our house. So the boys, Tori and I had dinner on the roof. Ethan thought we should eat there every night.
- -Bartering Success – I have successfully bartered on my own now a couple of times. I can only talk numbers with them and I don’t understand all the wonderful things they are telling me about their product, but I can finally go to market on my own if I want to.
- – Fabric, Fabric and More Fabric. One of the mornings off I ventured out to the fabric market with another missionary. The market seemed huge and we only ventured into a part of it. I was amazed at all the fabrics and all the colors. I bought my first Senegalese outfit. Now I am ready for the next big event, whenever it will take place.
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Let me know if you want one of these hats! 
Although the break was nice, we are hoping to be back to work on Monday. We are eager to continue with our language learning, because it is the key to so many areas in our life right now. Please pray with us that we would all remain healthy, so that our learning can continue.
You should definitely get the orange hat for Becca! 😉 I am glad you got a break. Language does take a huge toll on one’s mind and energies, but since we can’t see the effects, they are easy to overlook. I love you and I am praying for you all!
Hey, I loved the hats!!! Simply fantastic. And, I drooled over the fabric. Imagine the quilts that Anna and I could make from that. But I have a question. Was Tyler singing in English or French? Won’t that be cool when he picks up his mike and sings in French. What a milestone that will be. LOL
Thanks as always for the wonderful pictures and chatty updates. We love them.
Carolyn
Sounds like fun! 😀
That totally sounds like Tori!!! Butter does smell good in a pan! or is that just me? 😉 Those are some Awesome hats, and some even MORE awesome fabrics!!! I can’t wait to hear more stories as you acclimate more to your new surroundings. 🙂 In my prayers still! <3 hugs!!!
I can hear Becca’s voice when your kids say “I smell something delicious”. Love your family (at least the parts we know), and we’re so proud of how you’re doing. Enjoy Joel’s parents when they come.
Ken
We will pray for continued good health and learning and communicating the language. What great pictures of Tyler and Tori. Love your hats!! Looks like they do have some beautiful fabric–we need bright here now. Looking forward to Thanksgiving with the kids. Had a great time with Emma and Ellie last weekend. They are quite the young ladies now and growing up too fast.
I can smell something delicious from here!! What a fun update. Great pictures. Tori looks like she is in her element.
God knows we need seasons of rest and it is interesting to me how He provides those at unexpected times. Sorry for your teacher, but grateful for the refreshment for you.
Love,
Dad