After enjoying the blogs of many dear friends (Bethany, Jordan, Haakes…) I’ve finally decided it’s time to get myself going. Here are a couple pictures to get started. Since I just finished teaching at LCA, I wanted to post a couple pictures of what my class room looked like…the kids had made so many cute pinatas and projects. 
It was hard to say good-bye to teaching for now…but I’m excited to be working with Andy at home. (More to come on that.)
Another recent life change was my brother getting married!! Matt and Tina were “wedded” on May 31st in Toledo, OH, where Tina is from. Here’s a picture of Eliza the weekend of Matt and Tina’s wedding. We went and had our nails done – and she’s fabulous as always! I didn’t take many pictures, but their photos are up online now and they look beautiful!
Life right now consists of photo editing, managing bills, invoices, scheduling, emails and whatever else materializes for Andy Olsen Photography. We’re pushing to finish a number of jobs before we leave for Haiti next Monday. We’ll be gone two weeks, working with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, near St. Louis-du-nord, Haiti. (See the mission website here) This is my first experience in 8 years travelling somewhere that I don’t speak the language. So…I’m listening to Haitian Creole lessons and having a lot of fun! I have no idea how to write it yet, but rumor has that it’s quite phonetic. So far I can greet someone and explain that I’m American and I speak only a little creole…not very well. 
Next lesson to master is getting directions.
For those who don’t know, Andy and I bought our first house back in March, so pictures of house and garden soon to come. For now, I’m going to go pick up our CSA (farm subscription) box and start supper. We get vegetable boxes from Elmwood Stock Farm each week and this week we’re getting some Bok Choy and garlic scapes…so I’m scheming about a stir fry and asian slaw for supper.
Just to add something deeper than the daily grind, yesterday I read about joy in the Christian walk. It’s a by-product, not an end in itself. A song I’ve been humming a lot lately says “You are my holiday…” talking about God. My refuge, my cleft of the rock, my hiding place. He is so much bigger than my littleness. What a joy.
Yeah for an Olsen family blog! I’ve been hoping to hear more from you! I can’t wait to see pictures of the house and garden. Take care!
I have to agree with Bethany! I’m so excited to be able to catch up with you on here! I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve seen you or talked with you!
I love the pictures of your classroom. The Don Quixote is AWESOME. I should have taken more pictures of my classroom. I have more pictures of my kids actually doing projects than the room itself. I’ll have to share them with you sometime! And WOW! Matt is married! That’s great news. Eliza looks so big…but considering the time that has lapsed and that people DO in fact grow up, I suppose it makes sense!
erika, i love you. dearly.
as good as the Lord has been,
He will only continue to be!
How did I miss that you and Andy bought a house?? congrats!!! Looking forward to pictures!
Hey Erika! Great to have found you! If my memory serves correctly you are also in the South? We are in Bethlehem, NC. Can’t belive Matt got married…. I am getting SO OLD! You can see pictures of our family (Anna starts Highschool this year! Oy Vey!) http://www.karenpelletier.wordpress.com
YEAH! I found you! I’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to. I’ll be praying while you are in Haiti and also, congrats on the house!