Somehow we have been gone a whole month already!  We did get out of the city this weekend to go to Laurelville camp.  It was a nice change of pace and we were happy to be able to see both of our parents, do some hiking, and learn from great speakers. 

Our time in D.C. has been very busy between working and schooling, but we have had ample time to get out and see the city.  We are about a half hour bike ride to the D.C. mall, so we have frequented museums and the monuments there.  It has been great to be able to study insects and Africa one day from our school books, then hit the Natural History museum the next day to see the corresponding exhibits.

 Other good experiences included participating in the climate march last Saturday, hitting an organ concert in the National Cathedral, touring various historic buildings and, of course, sampling from the vast array of ethnic restaurants in D.C.  We are amazed at how our kids have jumped on board with trying Middle Eastern Tabbouleh, West African goat, Cajun crawfish, and many others in between.

We have also thoroughly enjoyed the hours of conversations with guests and staff at the guest house.  The guests there are mix of people traveling through for business or pleasure, often connected to the Mennonite Church, as well as many international visitors (mostly from developing countries) for various reasons.  Part of our responsibility is facilitating breakfast and evening tea conversations, which often last an hour or more.  It has been fascinating to interact with different segments of people and the range of perspectives they bring.

Because of the size of our family, we aren't actually staying at the International Guest House.  Instead, we have a 1 bedroom basement apartment which is several miles from the guest house.  It is a pleasant 30 minute bike ride along a riverside path north to work or south to the mall.  We are near a park, which explodes with people walking their dogs in the evening.  Our kids try to get their fix of laughing at and petting various dogs, since they are constantly missing their own.

Thanks for being a part of our journey.  We are having a great time and hope all is well with you also!

Eric, Jodi, Julia, and Nathan 

Hello and thanks to all of you that are taking the time to read our first blog of our time in Washington, D.C.  For those of you who don't know, we are taking some time out and volunteering at the International Guest House in D.C.   http://igh-dc.com/    We have been here for 2 weeks now, and feel like we are settled in nicely.

There are long term staff here at the Guest House, so we are mainly aiding them in daily chores both inside and outside the house.  One of the great things about working here and at this stage in our family's life, is that the kids can help.  And they really have been a big help indeed. 

This place makes a staggering amount of breakfast muffins and tea time cookies for the guests.   Julia has been baking regularly along with weeding, planting herbs and tomato plants and cleaning.  Nathan has been mowing the lawn, cleaning porches, and helping Eric with bathrooms and changing bed linens.

But just as important, we are enjoying time with the other staff at the Guest House and interacting with guests.   We received such a warm welcome and have thoroughly enjoyed staff lunches and connecting with new friends!

We will let you know more about our situation down the road, but for now wanted to get a quick note out to say hi, thanks for your support, and let you know we are doing well!

Jodi, Eric, Nathan and Julia Miller