Amistad (Friendship)

“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is, at last, a drop which makes it run over; so, in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.”  Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

There is nothing like being far from home for an extended time to fill our hearts with longing for those we love. So too, there is nothing like the laying down of fresh roots to open our hearts to new connections. 

We have been blessed these past few months with visits from many friends from back "home", and we have had countless moments of shared experiences with our new friends here in La Josefina. Below are some images from just some of those moments.

Evan and Dillon, boogie boarding in Olón in the surprisingly warm waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 
One of our favorite hikes, El Guadual Waterfall, with Erica
Leyver, Brynna, Dillon, Joan, and Jonah eating claudias (Ecuadorian plums) 

Post-river swimming oranges with GG at Delia’s poza (swimming hole)

Christmas morning, Taylor and Brynna

My kids playing cards with Leyver at the molienda
                                                   

The view from The Guayasamin Museum in Quito with Gwen during a precious few days of adult time.

River crossing shoe assistance with Pat, as Paul carries Evan across on his shoulders. 

On our way to the swimming hole, finding giant leaf umbrellas -with Evan
Sherman, almost 8 months old, still lets the kids snuggle her. She will be laying eggs soon, we think.

Jonah, Leyver and Esteban playing their current favorite game—Flags  of the World Memory — on our front porch. 

Dillon, Luis, Ariel, and Jeryko poring over our Birds of Ecuador book. 

Luis, Leandry and Brynna help me make a chocolate zucchini cake for a friend’s birthday.
Yes, Sherman was everyone’s first friend, and we all remain loyal friends. Leyver, Dillon, Brynna and Jonah at the finca.

Jonah reading to Evan and Brynna. We feel so blessed that the Okura Bailey family came back to Ecuador for Jonah's birthday.
Brynna and Sandy, snuggling Sherman in the finca.
Joan, Brynna, and Leandry dancing in the kitchen while patiently awaiting Friday pizza.




Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 10, 2023 at 8:42 PM

    Even the chickens are friendly? Wow. I find them hard to snuggle; the beak and claws get in the way. Maybe Ecuadorian are more cuddly. And how is that blond bunny? (FB)

    ReplyDelete

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