The Last Chapter - 12/9/2007

Melissa and I have been in Washington for several months now, but I am still in love with Belize. It is a third world country with many problems - but to quote Lilo & Stitch, "It is small, and broken ... but it's good." Sometimes I wonder if our year living there actually happened. At times I feel like we woke up from a dream; that living in Central America never actually happened and we've been in Washington this whole time. It went by so quickly and we did and saw so many amazing things that I often can't believe I actually lived that life. The experience permanently changed me and the people we met are unforgettable.

This is a sad entry for me becuase it is just one more reminder that it's all over. This will be my last entry on this blog - the final chapter, though Melissa may have something to add still. From now on my posts will continue on my original blog, Where There Are No Palm Trees.

As hard as it was to leave Belize, I know coming back to Washington was a good thing. The lifestyles are just so different that living in one place makes the reality of the other seem like a dream. It feels like we traded one world for another. We traded beaches for mountains, summer for winter, fireflies for streetlights, and washed-out limestone roads for interstate traffic. We traded the sound of howler monkeys beyond the rainforest trees for the howl of the Sounder train beyond the evergreens. And we traded palm trees in paradise for family and friends.

When we returned to the States, we didn't have jobs or a home to come back to. Now, we live in Auburn, WA in a fancy-shmancy apartment. Seriously - it's set up more like a resort than an apartment. It's brand new (we're the first tenants in this unit - with granite countertops even!) and has a clubhouse for us to enjoy as part of the rent we pay. It includes a sports court, decently equipped gym, pool, spa, theater room, common kitchen and living room which can be used for private functions, a cafe with free coffee, tea, and continental breakfasts, free internet and television, cooking & exercise classes ... it's crazy!

I ended up taking a High School teaching position at Auburn Moun-tainview High School. I teach 10th Grade English and one class of 11th Grade Reading. My kids are fun and I love my job. Our school was built in 2005, overlooking the famous landmark Mt. Rainier. Melissa also has a new job - she has recently been hired by King County Juvenile Probation, so she's back in the game doing what she loves to do. God has blessed us in amazing ways!

Though we have finished the last chapter on Belize, the book is not over. We are now working on writing a new chapter for our life together under the cloud cover of Western Washington, planning visits with our friends in Central America, and re-acquainting ourselves with old friends and family in the States. Through it all, we carry with us the warmth that Belize and its people have left in our hearts, basking in its tropical heat wherever we go...

Reality Check - 7/6/07

What a crazy month it has been! This was the first view of home we caught from the air as we made our final descent into Seattle, Washington on June 16th, 2007. Our last view of Belize was palm trees and sun. Our first view of Washington was Mount Rainier and snow. It is a breathtaking view, but it made us cold just to see it!

Since we have been home we have visited nearly all of our family and many many friends. We've also spent time with friends that feel like family (that's you Rodenbecks!) and family who feel like good friends (yup Ryan and Lindsey, you guys rock!) Since we've been back we have been to the mall, sipped drinks at Starbucks, shopped at Old Navy, browsed in huge book stores, gone to the theater, eaten at a great Mexican restaurant, taken a wine cruise on the lake, and so many other things we were dying to do while we were in Belize! We are having a blast, but boy do we miss Belize! I actually feel homesick for some of the sights and people that I miss so much. Here is a quick list-

Susy: I miss your kids and our times at the pool
Lizzle for Shizzle: I miss hearing you say, "Hello my friends!" and our bedtime chats.
Hilda: I miss your great cooking, our chats, lying in your hammock, our great adventures, and of course, the dogs!
Abe: I miss playing Texas Hold'Em, flying around the country, going on grand adventures, and your laugh!
Marg, Margaret, Susy, Susanna, Tina, Corrina: I miss our Thursday mornings!
Susie: Thanks for teaching me how to make tamales. I miss your silly son!
Marian: I miss our Wednesday evenings, bible study in your computer room and your crazy boys!
Cynthia: I miss your smile, never knowing what your thinking, and your "zany-ness"

There are more, so many people were generous to us during our stay, there are so many people who made us feel comfortable and welcome. Thank you all, you are the reason we miss Belize so much.

I absolutely want to visit again. Thank you for a wonderful and unforgettable year!

By the way: this isn't quite our last post. Keep checking for our official sign-off!

Back to Basics - 2/10/07

We have been back in Belize for nearly a month and life is back to normal. Internet access continues to be a problem, so Nathan and I have been avoiding it altogether. This is less stressful and disappointing for us, but less convenient and informative for you, our friends and loved ones—and the occasional stranger—who keeps track of our lives through this blog. So, here is a quick run-down of what we have been up to over the past month…..

We arrived back in Belize after "The Great Wedding of 2007," on January 15th and Nathan went back to work the next day. Nathan has begun his second and final semester as the 7th and 8th grade teacher at Linda Vista School. He has added two new subjects to the Junior High curriculum this semester- Spanish 1 and Public Speaking. The kids are really enjoying both, especially public speaking. They have given three speeches so far, including a demonstrative speech. Kids talked about various subjects, including how to wash dishes, how to make different kinds of food, and one kid even explained bull castration! Wow! Thanks for the info kids! Nathan is enjoying a bit of a lighter load this semester, with two other teachers stepping in to help him teach some of his classes. He still has more subjects than class periods, but his schedule is definitely more manageable and he spends much less of his Saturday playing catch up and planning the next week’s lessons.

My days have been much less exciting since our return to Belize as I am no longer at the school two periods a day. I am still in charge of detentions, and the kids have been keeping me busier than usual the past couple of weeks. I am also still tutoring students after school. Since I generally don’t have anything scheduled until 3 pm, I have been spending more time getting to know some of the women in the community. One woman in particular, Susy, a young mother of two vivacious girls, has been a lot of fun to get to know. We have played volleyball on occasion and are involved in 2 bible studies during the week. We also get together on Tuesday evenings with our husbands and 4 other people and eat a potluck dinner together.

Also, I am taking advantage of all of my spare time to continue to hone my cooking skills. I have become a master bread baker (without a bread machine!) and even got together with some women in the community and made tamales. I arrived at the house where the tamales were being prepared and was SHOCKED to find them sitting around shucking 200 ears of corn. I stopped and stuttered, “Wha-? Corn! Corn? We’re making them from corn?” I don’t know why I was so surprised. I should have learned by now that everything is truly made from scratch here—even cornmeal is a shortcut! The ladies got a good laugh at my surprise and patiently walked me through each step of the tamale-creating process. It was a lot of fun, very educational and of course, delicious!

Oh yes, and the biggest football event of the year did not pass us by just because we are living in Central America, where futbol is much more popular than football. One of Nathan’s co-workers, John, had a Super Bowl party at his home and quite a few people turned out to watch. Everyone chose a team to root for, but it was very obvious that these were not die-hard football fans, much less Bears or Colt fans. Never-the-less everyone enjoyed themselves! We even had great Super Bowl food! Two ladies, our friend Hilda and the pastor's wife, Corrina, made Belizean Style Hot Wingz!!They're cooked outside on a grill that looks very similar to a wok, called a "disco." They were soooo spicy and soooo good! None of the Belizean kids were interested in watching the game at all, I have no idea where they boys went, but here are the girls jumping and jumping and jumping on the trampoline. I joined in for a while—I just couldn’t resist!

So, that’s all for us! Nathan went on a great hike with a friend, Daniel, but I’ll let him tell you about that. For now, you are nearly caught up. We are currently spending a long weekend in Cancun and will write about it soon. For now I will leave you with this unbelievably beautiful picture of the breathtaking view from our hotel room.

iAdios!

She did it! - 1/13/07

Oh my gosh, have you ever seen a more beautiful bride in your entire life? Yeah, I know, I'm biased, but just look at that girl!

Well, before this weekend, our family just wasn't big enough! For those of you who know us, you know I am kidding. 2 moms + 2 dads + 4 girls + 3 boys + 1 son-in-law = 1 big happy 21st century family! But, I could not have picked a better person to squeeze into our already crowded family pictures than my sister's husband, Jeff. My lil sis, Katherine Denise, tied the knot with Jeffery Dana Wiedemann on 1.13.07. Welcome to the family Jeff! You and my sister are so beautiful together, I know God will richly bless your marriage as you continue to seek Him and serve one another in love.

Here is a poem I wrote for the toast, just a portion of what I said, but I thought I would share it with all of you who are keeping up with our lives via this blog.

When I was just a little girl

With no sibling to fight with or hug

I was blessed with a wondrous gift

Her name was Katie Bug

A tiny baby sister

Had come into my life

And today that baby sister

Has become a wife

So here I stand before you

To toast the lovely bride

And I hope I communicate

The love I feel inside

The woman you see before you

Who married on this day

Means more to me than she'll ever know

More than words can say

Even as a child

Though we didn't always get along

She was someone special

Someone sweet and shy and strong

I remember playing "Princess and Slave"

And I convinced you it was fun

But after that came "Katie Rules"

The games weren't over until you'd won

There is a special bond

That only siblings understand

It happens very naturally

It isn't forced or even planned

And now that you've found Jeff

And made your solemn vow

Mom's got her fingers crossed

That a grandchild isn't far off now

Jeff, my brand new brother

We now share a common goal

To keep her forever happy

Because her laughter makes us whole

And to you, my baby sister

I hope you'll someday see

The joy you bring into to world

The joy you bring to me

And may the joy that surrounds you now

Stay forever in your heart

Because a wonderful future is ahead of you

Today is just the start

North American Adventures! - 1/9/06

We've had a lot of fun since landing in Seattle on New Years Eve. Every day has been filled with wedding preparations, bridal showers, family fun, and reuniting with long lost friends! Here are a few pix of our US adventures so far...

Nathan, Katherine, Jeff, Lis and Harvey cheering on the Hawks and rejoicing in their victory over the Cowboys (sorry Grandpa)!

Getting ready to go get some eats at Katie Downs on the waterfront! Michelle, Russ, Harvey, Nathan, me, my mommy, Lis, Nate, and Sara! Yay "the couples" were FINALLY together again! Thanks for making that long trek across the snowing, scary pass just to see us guys!

Riding the train to Portland to visit my lil sis and her fiancé. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sip a little Starbucks! Yeah, that's a scarf, it's brrr cold here!

Heeeere's Nathan! He’s my favorite traveling buddy. We had a great time on the train, it was a great way to get to Portland!

We went to Pizza Schmizza as soon as we stepped off the plane. It's YUMMY pizza and look how eco-
conscious the delivery boys are! Only in Portland!


We went to Powell's bookstore after this. For those of you who don't know, Powell's is the COOLEST bookstore in the world! We bought 9 books to take back to Belize with us and I had a great time browsing the kids section. We finally got to Kate's apartment where Jeff made us an AWESOME Indian dish. He followed it up with vanilla ice cream topped with homemade wine sauce. mmmMMM. It was fun hanging out with my lil sis and her soon-to-be hubby!

Back at mom's house, I took some time to play fetch with Jorja, the family dog. Even though it was raining, and less than 40 degrees, she still wanted me to throw the ball into the lake so she could swim after it!

Pix of Kate, Jeff, Nathan and me, goofing off in her new car!

We're hilarious, we know it, do you?

We still have a lot more people to see and a lot more stuff to do. After all, The Great Wedding of 2007 hasn't even happened yet, but we've already done so much! Keep checking in on us!

AmericansinAmerica.blogspot.com - 1/1/07

The last day of 2006 found Nathan and I spending a long, but not unpleasant day traveling from our familiar home of Blue Creek to our old stompin' grounds in the Good Ol' US of A! My mom, sis and very-soon-to-be-brother, Jeff, met us in Baggage Claim with piping hot decaf soy peppermint mochas!! We landed at 11:49 P.M. and rang in the New Year right there in Baggage Claim!

This morning my step dad, Reggie, made one of his signature breakfasts, which we all washed down with New Years Day Mimosas. Tonight my dad, step mom, brother and little step-sis came over along with my aunt and uncle for our final Christmas celebration. Mom made beef stew, because she knew Nathan and I would be craving some good ol’ home cooking. And of course, it was Costco pumpkin pie for dessert.
Oh yes, fun was absolutely had by all!

Since the holidays mean family, food, phresents, and fun, here is the newest family pic, taken tonight at my mom's house. Here you will find nearly all of my brothers and sisters. We are still missing Joseph and Michael, but I don't think we're all ever going to be in one place, so this is the most complete photo of my brothers and sisters you will ever see! Are we a good lookin family full of Kodak smiles, or what? And who is that tan girl with the curly hair? She looks Belizean...

THE FINAL GOODBYE- 7/31/06

Here we are at our final good-bye party this evening (Sunday 7/30) at Katie Downs on the Tacoma Waterfront. It was sad to realize this was the last time we would be saying goodbye to friends and family, but I feel I am also ready to discover what lies ahead!!

Many people have asked if I am nervous to make my home in a new country without a career path or even an idea of what daily life will look like. I belive this is because I have been a hard-working and dedicated Juvenile Probation Officer the last 2 years and a student and Teller at Bank of America for the 5 years before that. I have always kept myself busy with school, work and other activities and for now my day-to-day life is completely unknown to me!

During a time of prayer, I was reminded of God's covenant with Abraham, promising he would be the "Father of Many" and begin a new Nation (Israel) who would be His chosen people. Abraham could not have accomplished that task on his own--He needed his wife, Sara, to bear his child, Isaac, for this promise to become reality. God included Sara as an important part of His covenant with Abraham. Now, I am not saying Nathan and I are going to start a family in Belize (sorry mom!) and I am not trying to compare Nathan to Abraham, but I am saying that although God has called Nathan to teach in Belize, I know He has prepared a place and a purpose for me also.

I am so excited to discover what Belize has in store for me, and I need only wait 12 more hours...

TAKEOFF! - 7/30/06

We're on our way!

We had a good-bye fiesta at Melissa's mom's house with friends and relatives in Western Washington. This picture is of Melissa's brother Nathaniel, Melissa, Me, future brother-in-law Jeff, Katherine, and Melissa's sister Haley.

We've been packing the last of our things off and on all night before flying out in the morning - at 3am. Still so excited to go! Even though at this point, we only know the following:

• I have a job waiting for me
• We have a furnished two-bedroom apartment with AC
• We will have internet access at least once a week - maybe more
• Somebody will be at the airport to pick us up
• We have a pickup truck to drive while we are down there

All other details are just part of the adventure! ...right?

So excited!