I'm sitting in the equivalent of "the quad" at our language school as Dena prepares for her placement interview with the academic Dean here. The last week has been a whirlwind. We have almost completely set up our apartment, I think we may still need to buy a couple of lamps for the bedroom, but other than that, all groceries are stocked, clothes put away, furniture is arranged. I even put plants in our little garden out back. Dena is very happy here, but would really like to find some hibiscus for our garden... funny thing is, no one seems to know how to say that ;)

We began orientation yesterday and I am impressed with the number of students they have beginning here this trimester. There must be around 40. The school has 100 or so adult students, and then other 100 or so children in the daycare and school.

The campus for the school is beautiful. It is on a few different levels (stairs aren't that great for my pregnant wife, but oh well), and have beautiful foliage all around.

Costa Ricans are very particular regarding things like gardens. The school has a man who works full time keeping the grounds, and he does an excellent job. There are palm trees, flower gardens, as well as different types of greenery placed all around the campus. It's very obvious that Costa Ricans prize beauty and cleanliness both outside and inside their homes.

One thing we learned quickly (actually I think we knew this before we even came) is that the floor is the most important thing in a house. Costa Ricans have a saying, "don't eat in a house with dirty floors." Some women wash their floors (not sweep, wash... as in mop AND wax) every day, and sometimes will sweep multiple times.

The people here are extremely friendly. Even the taxi drivers, when they realize Dena is fluent, will begin telling us all about their lives, their travels and their family.

God continues to lead us as we follow, but I can already see our schedules filling quickly. It will take deliberate planning to schedule tie to spend in the worked and prayer. I know without that, we're just spinning our wheels, no matter how many hours a day we study Spanish.