Movin South!

Hi family! We just wanted to update you on some big changes coming up in the Valladares family...about a month ago International School offered Carlos and I both positions along with some great benefits...and within a few days a school in Lansing offered me a Spanish teacher position as well....SO, with all of that came some major decisions...Carlos and I prayed about everything and we both agreed that moving back to Honduras is/was the best decision for our family right now. The school is offering us housing, car, gas stipends, paid utilities, nursery for Andres at the school, insurance, roundtrip airfare, and of course our monthly salaries...AND best of all Carlos can finish his degree he has started in Tegus. Lansing was a great offer, but would require an apt, setting up house (expensive!) and Carlos would still not be able to work because of paperwork...When we move back to Honduras we'll be able to file the paperwork without the stress of NEEDING it to work right now...overall, for our new little family...this is a huge answer to prayer...

OF COURSE, I'm sad to leave my family and support system here...but I know that where God opens doors, He also provides and will take care of our needs...He is faithful!!! And...once Carlos finishes his degree (about 2yrs) we'll move back to the States...much more stable and prepared to transition to life here...Overall, for me it's a bittersweet move...I know what I'm leaving behind (ouch!)...but I also know this is the right move for us...Here are a few things I'm looking forward to in Honduras in no particular order...-weather!!! (i will NOT miss winter ;)) -Lela, our wonderful 'cleaning lady' who takes care of your house 1/2 times a week for SOOOO cheap (i'm spoiled!), Carlos' family and friends meeting Andres for the first time, -cheap, but quality pedicures (again i'm spoiled :)), -our church, Tabernaculo de Sion, -seeing my husband back in his element and doing what God created him to do (protect, provide etc...)), -stability (financial, emotional...) JUST to name a few...;) We already know the house we are going to live in (3bed, 2bath), it is right in the neighborhood where we used to live- about 5min. away from the school, and we can't wait to move our things into it that we left in Honduras when we came to Michigan...YAY! I think the hardest part will be getting us ALL out of the house on time in the mornings :D. I'll post pictures when we are settled...

Right now the plans are to travel down to DC with Leah after Christmas to spend NY's Eve there and so Carlos can see DC...and then fly out of DC on Jan. 3 or 4...we will start classes at IST on Jan. 7! ALSO, our plane tickets will be roundtrip to return to MI for the month of July!!! (one major perk with the 'teacher schedule')

THANKYOU for all of your support and prayers so far, please continue to be praying for our transition back to Honduras, especially for me...this is requiring a lot of trust on my part...and as much as I KNOW this is the best/right decision....it is still very hard...:)- Thankyou!!!

We dedicated Andres at Iglesia Vida (Life Church) in Holland (it's affiliated with Resurrection Life Church- Grandville) on Dec. 9...so here are a few pics from that, and a quick trip to Fred. Mejier Gardens to see the Christmas trees and lights....

We love you...Merry Christmas!

Tashina and Carlos :D