Story of the Savell's: Graduation Day!

On August 10, 2012, Will and I graduated from our year of language school at The Spanish Language Institute here in Costa Rica. It was a one year program (3 trimesters) and we feel we have a good grasp on the language after completing this year. It was tough, but we feel blessed to have this gift of language before diving into ministry here in Costa Rica. I have to say that it was nice to not have to pack up and move again like everyone else! It was a very special day for us and I'm so glad we did this together.

This was us in class a few weeks before graduation. I think it's very telling! Emma had a holiday from school, so we brought her with us to watch movies on her Kindle. As you can tell, she's quite bored. I am furiously taking notes because hey, if I have to be there, I might as well try to learn something. And Will is staring off into space. He told me in the end that he died a little each day having to go to class.

Our graduation was at 3:00 in the afternoon, so of course it was POURING down rain

The program...Will made it

Since he was President of STUCO this year, he had to do some things like this

Jack ready to watch and cheer us on

They announced each person/couple and we followed the flag of our country we'll be serving in

The teachers then had a time of remembrance of each of us. They asked each of our teachers over the past year to give some words that described us, our personalities, and our approach to language learning.

It was very sweet and encouraging

Here are our stars from our teachers.

Elaine Savell- Your teachers will always remember you as: sensitive, persevering, responsible, simple, sweet and intelligent.

Will Savell - Your teachers will always remember you as: achiever, man of faith, organized in your work and honest.

Our speaker: Sadrac from ESEPA Seminary (Will's boss). I did mention that Will had to plan out graduation too didn't I? He did a great job.

Will receiving his certificate

Me receiving my certificate

So proud

Prayer time at the end with teachers and friends

Us with our language teacher, Ana Silvia

Us with our grammar teacher, Laura

Our friends Alejandro and Ana Lorena who we still regularly practice our Spanish with

Will and Yong...buddies. Yong is returning to his home country of Korea. Yong doesn't speak English, and it was so neat being friends with him but only being able to communicate in Spanish. What a cool world.

Will and Curtis...another missionary family serving here in Costa Rica

Me and Amy...she is now a senior in language school :)

Us with Pat and Michelle from Destin, FL who will be going to Honduras. We loved sharing stories of the South.

Our family with the Graham family (from Montana). They will be staying in Costa Rica and we are so excited to be able to stay close friends with them!