Merry Christmas from the 6 Wall’s.

 So much has happened over the past year we want to share a little of our lives with you.  In last year’s letter I (Melissa.) just had gallbladder surgery  in hopes it would be the miracle cure for my chronic stomach issues and while I was recovering we were preparing to move to Guatemala for 6 months. We flew out to Guatemala on Dec 24th all 12 checked bags in tow along with a carry on for each of us. We had an overnight in NY City and much to our surprise the airline made us take all our luggage to our hotel.  How do 2 adults and 4 small children carry 18 bags plus push a stroller with only 2 hands each?  Dan is the miracle man and somehow managed to bring and fit all our bags in our little hotel room and back to the airport the following morning. We spent 6 months in Guatemala working with Fuego Christian college. Dan and I loved being involved with our 9 students lives, discipling them, doing ministry and falling in love with Guatemala and the great people of that country.
 We learned quickly that we needed  to learn Spanish if we wanted to get involved with the Guatemalan’s life, know their culture and live amongst them. Dan and I spent hours studying, Dan took a college Spanish course and I spoke with anyone and everyone I came in contact with. The kids were pretty sheltered living on the college campus where only English was spoken so after lots of prayer and consideration we decided to place the 3 oldest in school where they only spoke Spanish. The kids loved the time they had at school and cried on their last Day.  I could write a book on our time in Guatemala and it is hard to write the highlights since everyday was a highlight for us.  God blessed us with old and new friends, a great church we attended, lots of ministry opportunities, a small little house to call our home and views so breath taking of God’s creation from our door.  If you want more details of our time there please check out my blog I wrote while there at . www.homeschoolblogger.com/wallfam
 We are forever grateful to God, Fuego College and our church family for giving our family this lifetime opportunity to serve in Guatemala. Our family fell in love with Guatemala and pray the Lord will bring us back there again to serve.  We are open to what ever God calls us to do.
 Things at home in Maine have changed slightly. We decided to put in a new septic, well and driveway so we could separate our house from the Burbank’s. We now have our own “Wall St.” with a sign to prove it.

 Dan spent lots of time golfing this summer, he even bought himself a new set of clubs. He goes when ever he gets the chance.  He also has started teaching Foundations of the Faith Bible study at our home.  Daniel Wall Construction is into it’s 10th year of business and we are thankful God has always provided for our family.
     We celebrated our 10th anniversary in July. We spent months thinking about what we could do to celebrate and finally we chose on going to a Patriots game and an overnight. I had never been to a game before so it was exciting for me and Dan always loves going to any game.  We enjoyed our time greatly. Thanks to my aunt who watched our kids while we were gone.
 

         I keep busy with lots of different things. I retired from Pampered chef last year but have come out of retirement for some special occasions.  I am home schooling the kids which I love.  I got the kids involved with 4-H this year  and they are loving it. While in Guatemala I wrote a blog mainly for my Dad because he asked me too, I had no idea how many people would faithfully read my blog. I had readers from all over the world including some of our student’s parents. I have never liked writing and English has always been a weak point for me yet some how people enjoyed the blog even with all the typo’s!  When I think of writing things they always sound so good in my head and then when I go to put it on paper I get writers brain cramp and I can’t  convey the wonderful thoughts I had in my head.  God really stretched me with blogging. I personally would much rather talk out my thoughts then place them in writing.
 In June Faith announced she wanted to save her money to buy an American Girl doll. I told her to come up with some creative ideas on how to raise the money and she became a little business woman. She painted rocks and sold them. (except for the time when  her uncle said he would buy a rock if she paid him .10 and she did.) She helped me do a lawn sale and we sold all the junk we didn’t need. When she turned 9 in August for her birthday she asked for money, after saving for months she was finally able to buy herself an American Girl doll. After months of dreaming, working and saving she was able to buy Summer, her new doll. (see picture below.) She also got the chance to go with me se see Sarah Palin at a campaign rally. 
 Eli, who turned 7 in June, has started to read. All it took was one week at our church’s kids program where you learn Bible verses and Eli wanted to participate, so he sat down for hours a day learning how to read and memorize his verse and it has gone from there.
 Alicia is now 5 and it just starting to read. She continues to be a bubbly happy go lucky little girl. She loves to help anyone she can.  While in Guatemala she was given the opportunity to be in a Christian Music Video. She also was in her first wedding as a flower girl for her cousin Erika.
 Emma is 2.5 and her biggest accomplishment this year is Potty training. There was a time when I never thought this would happen but after months of trying she finally caught on. She was our latest child to learn but then one day it clicked.  She loves to dress up, babies and purses and will keep herself entertained for hours.
 Well this is a very condensed version of our lives over the past year. If you want more details check out our blog . www.homeschoolblogger.com/wallfam 
 We pray God blesses you this Christmas season.  Please don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. Lets celebrate his birth. If you’re ever close to Clinton Maine come stop by. We would love to see you.   With love from our house to yours .
    Dan, Melissa, Faith, Eli, Alicia and Emma