Cold and cold.

Our 'snow day' included sunny weather but following that sun the last two mornings of normal school the weather here have been wintery. What does 'wintery' in the tropics look like you ask? Well cold and wet with 'cold' defined as daytime temperatures dropping into the low 70's and reaching the high 60's at night.

With only screens on the windows and cement floors these temperatures send me under blankets wearing jeans, sweatshirt and socks. [Also boycotting daily showers for a day or two] Thankfully I can teach from my warm nest..where today I also am fighting a head cold and being tired.

Last night the dogs did not bark through the night and no drums to make me restless but about 2 a.m. a strange noise woke up both Cory and I. Something similar to an adult walking on a tin roof. But we could not find out what caused it and it did not repeat.

Then about 4:35 a.m. our earthquake alarm sounded off for several seconds. Cory, Anna and I stood by the outside door [Eli sleeps on the lower bunk so we figure he's protected.] but felt nothing. Checking the internet this morning we see that an 5.3 earthquake hit the southern Dominican Republic at that time.

Our first full school day of the year, yesterday went fairly well. Will take some additional energy today but our motivation in January for schoolwork continues to be visitors in February. Yesterday we learned that we will also be hosting a combined team of 9 folks [5 from Battle Creek, Michigan and 4 from Warsaw, Indiana] in March.

Eli and Anna both enjoy 'playing' with Dad after their school work on weekends. Last I heard Anna's civilization rules but Eli remains closely behind. Another motivator to complete schoolwork and office work  in a timely fashion.

Please pray for Mme. Fanny's family as her daughter-in-law recently lost a baby in late pregnancy.