Happy New Year 2007!

It’s been a year since we last wrote our rhyme—
So much has happened in so little time.
From Provo to Xela, and then back again
We’ll tell you about who, what, where, why, and when.

In Guatemala we had a great trip,
Four months of adventure, then back in a zip.
We taught a workshop ‘bout starting careers,
Finding employment and outshining peers.
Our students were varied, some young and some old,
Some shy or fearful and others quite bold.
Some had education and planned to go on,
But others in first grade had quickly withdrawn.

Aside from the workshops, we taught at FUNDET,
Where students learn skills for the jobs that they’ll get.
The students are young, and all back from missions
Ready to realize their life-long ambitions.
We helped teaching English, the technical sort,
So they’d be prepared and not come up short.
Computers, Mechanics, and Refrigeration
All needed help with English translation.
We increased our vocab in English and Spanish
And made some great friends that we hope never vanish.

We traveled the country on foot and by bus,
Mike’s height and Steph’s blondeness both caused quite a fuss.
We saw Mayan ruins and climbed pyramids,
Camped in a treehouse, saw lots of cute kids.

To get all the details and pictures galore,
That’s what our family web site is for!
In May we returned and found a new place;
It’s not grandiose, but it has enough space.
We are quite pleased with the locale and placement,
Comfy and cozy in our little basement.

Steph’s old ESL school took her right back—
She was teaching again, no time to unpack.
She likes having students from all ‘round the map;
Teaching them English they learn in a snap
With book club and card club, and class to prepare,
She’s always so busy that spare time is rare.
She always finds time for her family tree‘
Cause her newest interest is genealogy.

Mike spent more time finding something just right;
Computer forensics became his delight.
He helps the good guys investigates crimes—
He’s better at that than he is at these rhymes.
The last couple weeks he’s been filled with elation
Since he’s finally cleared for his graduation.
Though it took a while for just one degree
He thinks he’ll return—Education’s the key!

Now that you’ve read almost to the end
We have a small secret we want to append.
For a year and a half it’s just been us two…
(that kind of preface should give you a clue)
This coming June, we’ll have an addition—
A change that will launch us into a transition.
Both mom and dad are excited, you see,
‘Cause when baby comes we’re a family of three!

This new year we plan to update our site
With stories and pictures and things to excite.
We’d love to hear from friends far and near;
Tell us about what’s new in your sphere.

We give many thanks for all that God’s done,
Blessings unmeasured, the gift of his Son.
We know that through Him our families can be
Happy together through eternity.
May your family find the blessings from heaven
That surely await you in two thousand seven!