How we're doing (the long version)

We've been here in Madrid for 4+ months and have less than a year remaining of Russ's International MBA degree. We have loved the city. It's culturally rich, has great food, and Spaniards are friendly and helpful. We are so thankful to be living here. There's so much we still want to explore and experience to know the people and the culture more deeply.

Some folks at our church in Waco asked us to give an update of how we're doing and what they can pray for, so we're posting it here for others to read too. How can you pray for us? Monique's needs involve relationship and time for herself. People are very busy here and most families have nannys, so it has been hard for Monique to connect with other moms. She has met a few moms but has not yet seemed to develop a relationship with any. She misses being able to call a friend on the phone and talk or get together.

As far as time for herself, Monique is with Josh all day long every day. She enjoys this time with him and has even started doing some preparatory school curriculum. He's responding well to this and learning lots so the days feel productive. Monique would like to take some Spanish classes and get out on her own once in a while, but it has been very hard to find someone that can watch Josh consistently. Josh's name is on a waiting list for a guarderia (like a pre-school for toddlers) and we are hoping that he'll get in soon and be able to attend a few mornings during the week. This is also a prayer request for Josh as he needs social interaction and friends. We think this will be a good way for him to learn Spanish too.

As for Russ, the IMBA program is very intense and demanding. He loves what he's learning and enjoys his classes. However, his days are long and the next 5 months are the most strenuous. Pray for endurance and strength to stay healthy through his group projects, exams, and lots of homework. Pray for wisdom as he learns to lead his workgroup; that he would have a strong shepherding heart and a sharp sense of decision making. He struggles to balance his time between studies, family, and social involment at school. We wish there were 2 of him! Pray that he doesn't wear himself too thin. Pray for his classmates as he tries to connect with them relationally. Over 40 nationalities are represented in his program, so it is a great opportunity to meet and work with people from all corners of the world.

Our landlords live next door and we are very thankful for them as they have become the perfect family for us to live next to. They have two kids that Josh loves to play with. Both parents are lawyers and are very busy, so we don't see them a whole lot. They love their family and are fun to be around when we get the chance. We want to be an encouragement to them and we hope for opportunities to connect more.

Church community has been difficult here. We have chosen to attend a Spanish speaking congregation near our house, but no relationships have developed yet. The childcare situation doesn't allow both of us to worship corporately - especially tough for Monique since it is already in Spanish. In many other ways we are living an expat life, not a culturally immersed life, especially since Russ's school is so diversely international and is conducted mostly in English. We have attended an expat English speaking church once, and we are considering doing some more of this, but don't want to give up on the Spanish church. We miss the deeper community life that we've been blessed to have in the past.

Pray for our decisions about what to do after this degree ends in December. This opportunity has opened up more doors, and it is hard to know how to pursue next steps. We have a broad vision and some goals, but the specifics are still to be shaped one step at a time. Pray for wisdom and creativity as we begin to think about what's next. We'll probably be looking for a job option that fits with our vision of impacting needy communities or a job position that gives Russ more of the skills to keep working toward starting businesses like that. But then again, who knows what turns our path might take?

If you read this far down, thanks for caring to take the time! Journeying together is much more fun.