Counting Down

Good morning, folks! That's Brandon's contribution to this week's post. When I asked him if there was anything specific he wanted me to write about he said to say "good morning, folks." So there you go.

As of today (well, as of Monday, when I started writing the post), there are eight teaching days left; five this week, and three next. The following week is finals for the high school students, which means half days for all teachers and no classes for the specials/elective teachers (like Brandon).

There are also 18 days until we leave for California. Wow, that's snuck up on us quickly!

Thanksgiving is approaching, too, which is bittersweet for us. The bitterness comes - obviously - from the fact that we won't be able to enjoy the time with our family (or with the traditional foods that we've come to expect on turkey day!). It's been "sweet," though, to have had two different families on campus invite us to join them as they do their best to have an American Thanksgiving despite the fact that many items are not available. I've been put in charge of making mashed potatoes and an apple pie for the event. Secretly, though, I'm bummed that I can't make dressing; the missionary we're having lunch with was SO excited about the box of StoveTop stuffing that she got from the states. And while I know that StoveTop is "traditional" for many families, I will miss the cornbread dressing my mom always makes.

With all the counting down comes anxiety (for me, Stacy) about our trip back to California. Paraguay has become home for me and, while I love you all dearly and am excited to see you and spend time with you, I'm not looking forward to being away from home for two months. I'm also anxious about having to invade other people's homes for the time we're back. That said, there are lots of things that we have missed! Here is the countdown of the top five things Brandon and I have missed (in no particular order):

Stacy’s List:

1. Flushing toilet paper

2. Carpet

3. The Vine

4. Bathtubs

5. Clean floors

Brandon’s List:

1. Football with friends

2. The Vine

3. My Truck

4. Aunt Diana

5. Sports Illustrated