Congratulations!!

Rebeka graduated from Berry College on May 7th.  It was a beautiful ceremony on the lawn.

From our point of view it was a fast four years.  We are so very thankful for the good experience she had at Berry and the fact that she graduated debt-free.  Now she really steps out into adulthood. 

Her major was Visual Communications.  She is a Graphic Designer and very good at what she does.  She already has 3 years of experience in her field due to the unique work opportunities that she had at Berry.  

Her current plan is to stay in Rome for the summer and take a little breather since she literally worked non-stop through the breaks and summers for the last 4 years.  She does have 2 internships to give her more experience and hopes to have a full-time graphic design job lined up by the end of the summer. 

First Day of School

Rebeka's First First Day of School at Colegio Arco Iris in Antigua, Guatemala. January 1997

And her last First Day of School at Berry College.  January 2016 

Merry Christmas

Rebeka 21, Elizabeth 17 & Sarah 9

One Step Forward

After FIVE very long years, the day we have been waiting for arrived.  Elizabeth received her USA citizenship!!!!

Signing

In the ceremony hall

On the stage

Very happy sisters!

At home

Favorite Food from Spain

One of Elizabeth and Sarah's favorite foods in Spain was Patatas Cheddar and Bacon.

A mid-afternoon snack !!

That does not sound very Spanish and actually was not very Spanish, but it was new to us and they enjoyed it.  We discovered it at 100 Montaditos, a small restaurant that served "snack" foods and had deals on different days of the week.  My kind of place! 

Eagerly anticipating something yummy.

It would have been more like lunch in the States, but because of the very different meals times in Spain, it was a mid-morning or mid-afternoon meal that kept hunger at bay while we waited for the next real meal.

Eaten with a tiny plastic fork!

When we got back home I tried to recreate it and came pretty close.

Patatas Cheddar & Bacon

frozen shoestring potatoes
bacon, cooked and crumbled
shredded cheese

After cooking the potatoes according to the package sprinkle the bacon and then cheese on top.
Then put it back in the oven until the cheese melts
I served it with the tiny forks we had brought back with us - fingers would work just fine!

My version.  Pretty close to the real thing!

Thank You from Rebeka

On what would have been the weekend of Rebeka's orientation in Katmandu I am reminded that I never posted the thank you note that she sent.  My delay, not hers.
 
Hello again, 

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown their support to me during this time. While canceling my trip to Nepal was an extremely difficult choice to make, your support and affirmation has played a huge part in helping me come to peace with the decision. I am also extremely grateful for all the donations you have made to me, which in turn I have been able to send to Save the Children and their relief efforts in Nepal. 

The response was truly overwhelming. Prior to the earthquake, I had my doubts about being able to raise enough money to afford the trip. I know now that I had no reason to have those doubts. I was able to donate $1,860.00 to Save the Children with your help, and I have also heard from people who have been responding to the disaster through different avenues, as well. 

I am at peace with the way this situation has worked out, I feel I was able to make a substantial contribution towards helping the children affected by the disaster, and I am certain now that I made the right decision. 

Thank you again so much for all your assistance and support throughout this process. 

 Rebeka

Proud Parents

A lot has happened in the short week since we last communicated with you. The earthquake in Nepal hit us - through Rebeka - very personally. There have been many prayers, many phone calls and many tears and at last much peace.

Click  here  to read what she wrote about her decision.


As parents we are just so proud of her and how mature she has been during the entire decision making process.