I know I am a liar but you cant see the persons face soooo….
Hello everyone, I thought I would be good and do the personal emails, but I find I have the same problems as when in Costa Rica. No internet no access or no time. Kevin signed up for internet here at our apartment so we are hoping that it continues.
Here is a Haanpaa update…
We now have our own apartment! Funny how happy it can make a girl to put a pink table cloth on the table or orange towels in the bathroom! I was content with our temporary housing, but I think this is fun too. It is a big one bedroom one bathroom with hard wood floors (like the ones Brad and Chad put in our home in Louisville.) It is galley shaped so the kitchen is on one side, all stainless steel counter and sink. It came with a built in microwave, and 2 electric burners, but no oven. We have a gorgeous view of the Truckee river where there are people walking, or kayaking and since we are on the 4th floor we also see the Gotham like buildings lighted up at night some green others pink it is fabulous.
Some have mentioned that they feel sorry for us all 4 living in a one bedroom, funny but every one of us feel like it is a treat and more than we deserve. We have a new wooden futon bed for the girls in the living room and my Dad and Karen gave us their queen size bed,(they upgraded to a king) I have newly painted wicker chairs from Karen that we rescued from thier storage, and 2 sturdy wooden chairs. We got laundry basket, garbage can, silver ware linens and blankets from Marlene and Jerry (Kevin's parents) Don't knock the little stuff, it awesome not to have to go and buy the necessary things.
Jennifer (my step sister) also cleaned out some of her extra things and I inherited a convection oven !!!!! two end tables. A sister in the congregation gave us her old to.v that she had been advertising on craigslist for free boy was Cassie happy. We have all utilities paid, free local phone (like a hotel) free basic cable. There is an excellent exercise room….which we have only visited on the walk through. a private courtyard in the middle of the building and get this….it is a non smoking complex! I am sure some cheat but you don't smell smoke when you walk through the halls. There is a clean 2 washer 2 dryer laundry on each floor (5 floors). We can make a mean cup of Joe and had our first guest Sandy Anderson, who came bearing awesome stainless steel pans. we started with nothing ….now I have to be careful not to over load. Funny story for my girls in Ohio, I was out in EMS with Cassie and brother Richard Demangate (50’s single very zealous for the ministry) I saw a small round wood table beside the trash at one of the apartment buildings we were leaving magazines at I yelled Stop! he did and I went and looked at it…would you believe he helped me put it in his car squashing cassie with no room and brought it to meeting for field service so Kevin could transfer it to his big work truck! My new best friend, Kevin however looked like a bear, but softened up when he realized the brother doesn't know me well. Now we are using this lovely table in our dining room in front of a lovely window overlooking Reno. And he is happy we got it.
We just had the C.O. visit. It was lovely till we got to Friday evening, Tifka was sick but then all of us girls got sick with a violent flu virus..I spare you the details. We missed the pioneer meeting and his final talk on Sunday…ughhhh. well we hope to follow him to his next place.
the congregation here has been very loving and welcoming. I get hugs now and then and always a smile. I haven't latched on to anyone specific yet, but it is more than likely to happen. With us there are now 10 pioneers where just last year they had one. Jesus is paying attention to this congregation mightily. allot of inactive or previously interested ones in the territory. Honestly there are still new bible studies but we see more of the former. Kevin is working as a service overseer, and he is quite challenged with the territory maps, Jehovah bless his heart figuring them out.
Kevin is employed still, ATM support, Tifka is a Valet at the hospital part time, and Cassie will be starting the 2010 census in April, 6th. I am still stubbornly unemployed. Gives me free time for special projects. We will be taking care of a mentally challenged man for 3 weeks in May. Kevin and me. In thier home here in Reno. His mom is in the Chinese group and will be gong to China for a vacation then to southern California for the Chinese assembly. He is a year older than us but acts 15, has health problems. But can care for his own bathroom needs and wants to sweep the whole United States. His mom lets him sweep the neighbors driveway and down the road. She is a faithful sister who doesn't get a break often, last time was 5 years ago. We are looking forward to this little adventure. She also partakes at the memorial, but that is not why we are dong it.
Well I am getting worn out from typing, you are welcome to note the blog or send an email. I think of you often , please take care
Love
Kathleen
