Merry Christmas!

We want want to wish you a very Merry Chirstmas! Thank you so much for visiting our blog and for all your prayers and support. We have felt that we have quite a team backing us up and we so appreciate each of you!

We have been enjoying record breaking snow here in Beaverton, Oregon. The kids have had a blast in the snow and we have enjoyed being "snowed in". Quite a weather change from Costa Rica!

Even with the snow we've been able to see several friends and get lots of time in with family.

From our family to yours, have a blessed Christmas!

~Cindy

Our new home in Atenas

We spent one week in our new home in Atenas before returning to the States for Christmas. We're looking forward to the chance to make our house a home when we return to Costa Rica in January.
Frontyard.

Backyard.

Kitchen and playroom under the stairs.

Living room and hallway to back porch.

Bedrooms.

Bathrooms downstairs and upstairs.

Utility room at back of house.

Destination: Chirripó

I can't believe that it has been a month already since I had the priveledge of going to Chirripó a second time. Here are some pictures from the trip. A complete album will be posted on my (Cindy's) facebook account.

Forging a river on the two hour drive to the trail down into the Chirripó reservation.

Heading out on our long journey by foot. My shoes after walking down the mountain in ankle deep mud.

Stopping for a break, a chance to wash up, and to grab a snack. We arrived to our destination after dark where we had a church service.

Using the wood we carried in to finish building volunteer housing.

A finished project aside from shutters. Working with the beautiful kids.

Cindy

How to make cocoa powder

First you buy a cocoa fruit.

Then you find a strong person to crack it open.
Remove the slime covered chocolate beans.Bake the beans until toasted, stirring occassionaly to prevent burning.
Shell the roasted beans.
Pulverize beans in a blender and viola, you have chocolate powder to use for baking!

Cindy