not much going on

Not a lot going the last couple of weeks. I think everyone’s trying to settle into their work routine.

We’re starting our cooking rotations. So far, so good. Of course, only one person besides me has cooked for a week but you know. It’s a start.

I do have a picture of all of us together. This was taken at the Hispanic Cultural Center when we were doing our tour of the city during Orientation Week.

Like I said - not much going on the last couple of weeks. This coming weekend is our church camp out. I should have some fun things to share after that. We’re signed up for the ropes course. Last year that meant I had to climb not 1 but 2 Ponderosa pine trees. We’ll see what this year brings.

Orientation Week

Orientation Week is over. For the past week Liane, Eric, Kate & Tim have been meeting new people, touring Albuquerque, visiting job placements, weeding and learning many things. All

while trying to adjust to the altitude and heat.

Monday we weeded the yard first thing. While this may seem mean, it should be the last of the yard work we do for the year. And unless there’s an unusual amount of snow this year, we won’t have to shovel snow either. We came up with a budget, filled out forms and visited Liane’s job placement at the Learn & Play Center - a low-income day care at Albuquerque Mennonite Church. The day ended with an awesome meal and games with Carolyn, Kenzie & Christopher.

Tuesday we biked to church, the grocery store and the bank. We then visited Tim’s job placement at Habitat - on the wrong day. Luckily the job site supervisor was there and met with us. This is what happens when you re-write your schedule five times. In the afternoon Anne & George discussed the Enneagram with us and we discovered our personality types. Josh brought ingredients to make calzones and then talked about conflict resolution.

Wednesday we toured Albuquerque with Sue and stopped at the Hispanic Cultural Center. We visited the Center for Action & Contemplation which is where Eric will work. We had dinner at a New Mexican restaurant. Very tasty, leftovers and sopapillas.

Thursday we biked again - this time to the grocery store. After resting for a bit we cleaned out the storage unit. While I took Kate to take a test for her job placement at Bandelier Elementary School, Eric & Tim planted a garden. Dinner was at Deb’s with Anelia, Matt, Katie, Dave & Andy. Wonderful vegetarian pizza and homemade ice cream.

Friday we had a half day retreat with Pastor Anita and then lunch at the retreat center. Most of the day was free time. In the evening we were going to the softball game and then have tacos with Steve & Gail. We still did that but Tim got recruited to fill in. Though the first inning wasn’t promising and then there was a half hour game delay in the middle of the game - AMC won by more than 10 runs. We ate at a little Mexican restaurant - very authentic since the menu was in Spanish - and very good food.

Saturday we went to the post office and got stamps. Went to the library and got cards and books.

Today we went to church, watched the Olympics and baked cookies.

After a busy beginning of the week, the last couple of days have been pretty relaxing. Tomorrow reality sets in and work begins.

peace

All here and ready to serve

It’s raining. That’s not unheard of here. It actually rains almost every day this time of year. Usually it lasts about half an hour but tonight it’s been raining for more than an hour.

Liane, Eric, Katherine & Tim arrived this week. So far, so good. One day all together and no major upheavals. J I think they’re mostly settled in. Clothes are put away, groceries have been bought, beds have been made.

Today was relaxing - church, lunch, playing Ultimate Frisbee - some of it in the rain, watching a movie. Tomorrow begins the orientation. We’ll do some housework, some planning, some learning and some fun. And we don’t have to provide dinners for the first week thanks to the Support Committee.

Thanks to the rain doing yard work should be easier tomorrow morning. And the best part - it will probably be the last yard work we do for the year - unless we plant a garden. But that’s minimal compared to having to mow weekly, rake leaves or shovel snow.

That’s about it for now. More after our week of orientation.

Peace