Hello from the Prices!
We are beginning to settle in to our new home. It has sure been crazy so far, but the teaching and the wealth of experiences from which we can learn are well worth it. Thanks to all who helped us get here -- help packing, help with the kids, seeing us off, etc. We couldn't have made it without you! Most importantly, thank you for your continued prayers, notes and calls. Many of you have asked for updates, so here they are:

In the first eight weeks we celebrated Chloe's birthday with Courtney, Grandma & Grandpa C. ...Emma jammed a peanut up her nose and narrowly avoided a trip to the hospital ... Laney started walking (she no longer looks like a chimney sweep from crawling through our halls!)... We had a train wreck outside our front door (no one hurt, but several tipped cars)... Emma & Laney went to day care for the first time (they love it!)... Chloe missed the bus home her first day of school -- and Erin witnessed a bus accident while waiting at the stop! (again, luckily, no one hurt) ...We've met tons of fantastic people -- many of whom are from throughout the country or the world, and yet we have mutual friends! ...Laney broke two bones in her arm and has been referred for testing for a bone disorder... Fall came -- and went... We've had colds/ the flu FOUR TIMES ...We had the pleasure of meeting up with friends Kirk and Pam Johnsen and family... Chloe lost three teeth and Laney got five... Our refrigerator quit... And we had a rainbow over our home two consecutive Saturday evenings!

When you combine all this with getting three small children adjusted to a new state, sharing a room, homesickness, going down the hall to the sink and the bathroom, having to haul drinking/ cooking water up three flights of stairs, a very intense course load, and living with 200+ people dealing with some of the same issues, it all adds up to an opportunity for growth that goes well beyond the classroom experience. It isn't always easy to juggle (well, it's never easy) ... but we're getting way more than we ever imagined from the experience!

Our classes are absolutely fantastic. We expected the subject matter to be good, but the talent and passion of the instructors was more than we fathomed! Several courses are already finished -- they move fast, because there's a lot to cover. Matt takes three morning classes and Erin two morning classes plus Greek one evening a week. We've both had two-week afternoon classes, too. They have all been incredibly interesting.

I'll be sending pictures of our living conditions -- several of you have asked ;) Our apartment is much better than we expected. We had to really work to get all the girls' beds into their room, but the kitchen is pretty roomy and, though we miss walking out the door to a yard (and that extra 2600 square foot...), we feel lucky to have our apartment.

We are continually encouraged by what we are learning, by the people we've met and the bonds we're making, and by your letters and prayers. Please continue to pray for our strength, as it is easy to get overhwhelmed; that we will rely on Him in order to meet the needs of our children; that we will get the most out of our classes and the other experiences we're facing; and that we will clearly see God's will for our future. We are praying for all of you as well!