Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Monumental Chorus
Yes, that is what it is called and that is what it is, a Monumental Chorus. A local high school/college invites several schools every year to participate in a Christmas chorus. Victoria participated in kindergarten and scared me to death, so it was just until now that she participated again. In kindergarten, she and one of her classmates were lost in a sea of hundreds of older students who were jumping on the bleachers! Fortunately, the school principal kept them close and handed them over untouched at the end of the evening. Last night, Sam took Victoria to participate in the chorus. I stayed home with a sick girl -- Sofia seems to have some sort of food poisoning and has been feeling crummy. Victoria really enjoyed singing and was able to hold her own in the crowd. Sam was equally impressed with the event. They finished off the evening with a little hot chocolate at Starbucks. The monumental chorus 
Lighting candles with hundreds of other responsible children 
Sam and Victoria at Starbucks 
And for the grand finale -- a lovely song and the choir director shoots fireworks into the crowd of kids!!! Well, at least they weren't jumping on the bleachers...(these are the things that dad's do great participating in and mom's just need to see the pictures afterwards)
Lighting candles with hundreds of other responsible children 
Sam and Victoria at Starbucks 
And for the grand finale -- a lovely song and the choir director shoots fireworks into the crowd of kids!!! Well, at least they weren't jumping on the bleachers...(these are the things that dad's do great participating in and mom's just need to see the pictures afterwards)
Christmas Convivio
We had our annual Christmas celebration this past Sunday. It was a great day!!! I tried to count, but it was rather difficult -- people kept moving or I kept getting distracted. But, 147 plates of food were served and 4-6 additional people came in after the meal. So, we are saying that we had 150 there, which is a great number. There were many new faces, which we always like to see. Along with those were some familiar faces including Santa Claus. The highlight of the evening was the candle light part of the service. It was beautiful to see the room go from darkness to light and to think that that is exactly what we are all about. We were a little apprehensive as to how it would work with a lot of kids in the audience and it took quite a bit of energy to explain to our leaders how they would make it work. And it worked! The owner of the place we rented was especially impressed with it. He has spent 3 years listening to us worship, listening to God's word, listening to Sam preach...so one of these we look forward to him being in the light!
Enjoy a few pictures(a few is all I have, since I get a little distracted for picture taking):
The crowd before our worship time
Our angelic children singing a couple of songs
Fernanda, Victoria and Saul enjoying the moment
Enjoy a few pictures(a few is all I have, since I get a little distracted for picture taking):
The crowd before our worship time
Our angelic children singing a couple of songs
Fernanda, Victoria and Saul enjoying the moment
The joys of shopping
There are very few things that we can complain about with living in Mexico -- after all, we have all the conveniences of the modern world including Sam's, Costco, and Starbucks (add Target, and life is pretty near perfect!). However, it is not as easy as it may seem. We take for granted the one-stop-shopping concept. For grocery shopping, I have to go to at least 2 stores and occasionally 3, so I do miss being able to pop into the Walmart super center and get everything I need in one fell swoop.
Well, Christmas is upon us and the girls have their Christmas programs coming up, which translates into costumes, singing and dancing. I went to our local material store but it didn't have what I needed, so the dreaded diagnosis -- I would have to go downtown to find what I needed. I shivered in fear, took a deep breath and set out to make my plan. Saturday morning seemed like a good time to lessen traffic and people. The girls most certainly would have to stay home! It is way to stressful to go, much less to keep up with three kids!
So, Saturday morning I headed out. The traffic wasn't too bad, and I knew exactly where I was going. It took a few turns to get there due to the one way streets, and although I did pass an empty spot to park in on the way, I don't parallel park downtown. Parallel parking is intimidating enough for me on an empty street with orange traffic cones as my parameters, but in tight spots with honking cars and onlookers full of advice, there is no way!!!! By the way, Sam is an excellent parallel parker, especially downtown. I am always amazed at how he squeezes the van into such small spaces -- a true Mexican! I find the parking lot and wait patiently in line for 5 minutes hoping they don't run out of spots before it's my turn. No problem, I make it in, maneuver the van in reverse (not another strong point of mine) into it's spot and make my way to the material shop.
This place is an amazing maze of material upon material upon material. Right at the door, there is a table stacked high with bolts of material that are on sale. Along most aisles, you have to walk sideways to get by, and there is no way two people can pass at the same time (a mother's worst nightmare for young children on the loose). Here's for the fun part...You browse around for what you want and once you decide, you have to find someone to help you. They are walking around with yard sticks or just look for the flock of people waiting to be helped also. This person, mostly males, I might add, will cut whatever material you need. So, I have my two or three selections. The young man cuts them, writes on a paper what I got and how much it costs and informs me I can pick it up at window 2. For the other material I need, he directs me to another part of the store where I will have to get help from someone else. Again, a very nice man cuts the material, writes on a paper and this I can pick up at window 1. For my other arts and crafts needs, I have to get help from yet another 2 people, after of course, I wade through people heckling, looking, waiting, cutting in line...These items, also recorded on paper I can pick up at window number 3.
With all my tickets in hand, I head to the cashier window and pay. She then proceeds to staple a receipt to each little paper I have and give them to me to pick up my merchandise. Three windows, three lines and a headache later, I am out the door with my stuff. Except, they didn't have one item I needed, so guess what, I have to go to another store and endure the very same process all over again.
Two hours later, I was safely in my car and making my way back home. I survived and even felt a little less intimidated by downtown! Maybe I'll try it again...next Christmas. All this to say, I really enjoy shopping at Hobby Lobby =)
Well, Christmas is upon us and the girls have their Christmas programs coming up, which translates into costumes, singing and dancing. I went to our local material store but it didn't have what I needed, so the dreaded diagnosis -- I would have to go downtown to find what I needed. I shivered in fear, took a deep breath and set out to make my plan. Saturday morning seemed like a good time to lessen traffic and people. The girls most certainly would have to stay home! It is way to stressful to go, much less to keep up with three kids!
So, Saturday morning I headed out. The traffic wasn't too bad, and I knew exactly where I was going. It took a few turns to get there due to the one way streets, and although I did pass an empty spot to park in on the way, I don't parallel park downtown. Parallel parking is intimidating enough for me on an empty street with orange traffic cones as my parameters, but in tight spots with honking cars and onlookers full of advice, there is no way!!!! By the way, Sam is an excellent parallel parker, especially downtown. I am always amazed at how he squeezes the van into such small spaces -- a true Mexican! I find the parking lot and wait patiently in line for 5 minutes hoping they don't run out of spots before it's my turn. No problem, I make it in, maneuver the van in reverse (not another strong point of mine) into it's spot and make my way to the material shop.
This place is an amazing maze of material upon material upon material. Right at the door, there is a table stacked high with bolts of material that are on sale. Along most aisles, you have to walk sideways to get by, and there is no way two people can pass at the same time (a mother's worst nightmare for young children on the loose). Here's for the fun part...You browse around for what you want and once you decide, you have to find someone to help you. They are walking around with yard sticks or just look for the flock of people waiting to be helped also. This person, mostly males, I might add, will cut whatever material you need. So, I have my two or three selections. The young man cuts them, writes on a paper what I got and how much it costs and informs me I can pick it up at window 2. For the other material I need, he directs me to another part of the store where I will have to get help from someone else. Again, a very nice man cuts the material, writes on a paper and this I can pick up at window 1. For my other arts and crafts needs, I have to get help from yet another 2 people, after of course, I wade through people heckling, looking, waiting, cutting in line...These items, also recorded on paper I can pick up at window number 3.
With all my tickets in hand, I head to the cashier window and pay. She then proceeds to staple a receipt to each little paper I have and give them to me to pick up my merchandise. Three windows, three lines and a headache later, I am out the door with my stuff. Except, they didn't have one item I needed, so guess what, I have to go to another store and endure the very same process all over again.
Two hours later, I was safely in my car and making my way back home. I survived and even felt a little less intimidated by downtown! Maybe I'll try it again...next Christmas. All this to say, I really enjoy shopping at Hobby Lobby =)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Solemn Moments...
We have them occasionally in our house, or at least we try to have solemn moments. Tonight we started our Advent devotionals. The girls were thrilled to get the candles out, and the ensuing discussion was who would get to light the candles and blow them out. But, we got the candle lit, the lights down low, everyone quiet and listening as Victoria read from Isaiah 52:7 "how beautiful the feet of those that bring good news." As we are discussing who brings good news, Sofia answers "God" (good job!), immediately followed by "Santa Claus." Trying not to laugh too much, we continue on, only to have Olivia try and imitate her father's burp and make a face way too funny for us all not to laugh. That's as solemn as it got tonight!
Yesterday during our worship service, I finally sat down with Olivia for a moment of solemnity as we participated in the Lord's Supper. I was trying to concentrate on the moment, when I felt a warm fuzzy feeling on my lap. Lo and behold, the girl had peed all over me! To top it off, when I stood up, it just looked like I had peed all over myself.
One more, where I had no choice but to laugh. A couple of weeks ago, I was wrestling three monkeys during the worship time and I finally got them settled...I'm trying to sing, focus and praise God with Olivia on my lap, Victoria on one side sitting close and Sofia on the other side trying to sit in my lap. I get my hair to move it out of the way since my girls like to play with my hair, when what to my surprise should appear, but gum in my hair. Yes, GUM IN MY HAIR!!!! Not to worry, in between verses, I pulled out my trusted pocket knife and proceeded to cut the gum out! Like I said, all I could do was laugh! I'm glad God knows and understands moms!
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Lord works in mysterious ways
There is no beating around the bush on this one, but it seems that the Lord's in His immense wisdom and sense of humor, has decided to miraculously bless us with another child! Yes, it is true, much to our surprise, I am expecting another baby. It has taken a while for the reality to sink in, to ask for forgiveness for all the things we have said about "big families" and about crazy missionary families that think they should have a lot of kids!
We rest in the Lord's peace, knowing that He walks with us in this, and we are even getting excited about the prospect of another baby. This baby is due in mid-June, so we wait to meet the new member of the family. We always appreciate your prayers, but we will REALLY appreciate them now.
We rest in the Lord's peace, knowing that He walks with us in this, and we are even getting excited about the prospect of another baby. This baby is due in mid-June, so we wait to meet the new member of the family. We always appreciate your prayers, but we will REALLY appreciate them now.
Catching up!
There have been several significant things to write about in the last few weeks that I have such insightful things to talk about, but now they don't seem quite as amazing or interesting several weeks later. Amazing how that happens! So, in order to not forget anything, although I probably will, here is the list of our latest in sorta chronological order:
1. At the beginning of November we participated in the yearly missionary retreat. Again, there is a lot I could write and picutres I could post, but I will direct you to this fine accounts of the retreat -- click here for Sara's report. Also, if you would like to see our pictures you can click here. We would have more pictures, but we left our camera at the restaurant and had to wait a whole day before we could get it back. Also, Belinda Moore took some great pictures that you can enjoy here. She is the Marilyn McBroom of Mexico as far as pictures are concerned.
So, for some impressions of the retreat. The first evening as we sat around the circle, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I was taken back to missionary retreat in Argentina, and what a special time it was for me as a kid. It was a peace of heaven -- okay, my parents might not agree with the "she's not playing with me," the sunburns to the point of blisters, catepillar bites, and refusing to smile for the pictures since I was forced to doing it in my red polka-dotted bikini (I needed to be ready for swimming at a moment's notice). But it was a time to be with friends, to play, to enjoy. Today, it is still a piece of heaven for me. As an adult, it is a time to be surrounded by people who are in the same walk in life -- the same place in family, in life, in ministry. It is a time to be with people that are walking the same path as us. People we can laugh with, cry with, rejoice, compare kid stories, and play a mean hand of nurts! (Nobody has caught on to the idea of talent show night here, and I haven't thought it necessary to introduce the idea) I especially enjoyed watching my girls be friends and make friends.
I would say, there is something about missionaries that have a deep need to take pictures of all their kids!
I guess they are just soo cute. I did not even suggest any kind of age or size line up! It was hard enough to just get them to stay and smile and look at the camera and get their fingers out of their mouths, and not cry, and not pinch their sisters and not pick at the grass...
1979 Argentina missionaries retreat. Do you see any resemblence here?
1984 or 85 Argentina missionaries retreat with a lot more kids!
2. On November 18th, we had a friend's day for our Sunday assembly. It was great to have over 100 people! We enjoyed a morning of worship, word and a fellowship meal to follow. Everyone did a great job at inviting people and it was exciting to see how it looks with a fuller house. We praise God for what He is doing here, because it truly is above our expectations.
3. A couple of weeks ago, we had a big scare with Olivia. We were all outside playing (yes, we let our kids play in the street!) and enjoying the fellowship with our neighbors. Olivia decided to step out just as Victoria was riding by very fast on her bicyle. She didn't see her sister until it was too late and knocked her over. She skined her nose pretty bad and we thought it was the worst of it, until we saw the huge bump on her head. Everyone cried for a while, but we are all okay. We are reminded of how much God takes care of us!
These pictures really don't do justice to what it looked like and felt I'm sure, but her nose is finally healing up, just in time for passport pictures.
4. For Thanksgiving, we decided to take a road trip to Mexico City. We tried the turdunken delicacy. It was fascinating to have turkey, duck and chicken all wrapped in one lovely package. We really enjoyed spending time with Benjy and Carolyn Brednich and the rest of the Tlalplan group. They were vary gracious in welcoming us to their festivities. Victoria wasn't sure about missing school again, but warmed up to the idea once there.
The famous turdunken
A little after dinner fun or our excuse for staying one more day!
5. Okay, here is the last!!! For my #?## birthday, Sam surprised me with an evening of food and fellowship with 40 of my closest friends (I stopped counting after that). We had pozole (chicken and hominy soup), cake, played games and I got about 4 versions of happy birthday tunes. As I mentioned to those present that evening, it feels good to spend these times with "family," and it feels good that we have friends here we now consider family.
Victoria and Sofia gave me a hair dryer for my birthday, since mine died about a month ago, so now I have no excuse for not fixing my hair.
Part of the crowd at our house
The birthday singers
Okay, I think that is more than enough for one post! Thank you to all 3 of my faithful readers for being patient!
1. At the beginning of November we participated in the yearly missionary retreat. Again, there is a lot I could write and picutres I could post, but I will direct you to this fine accounts of the retreat -- click here for Sara's report. Also, if you would like to see our pictures you can click here. We would have more pictures, but we left our camera at the restaurant and had to wait a whole day before we could get it back. Also, Belinda Moore took some great pictures that you can enjoy here. She is the Marilyn McBroom of Mexico as far as pictures are concerned.
So, for some impressions of the retreat. The first evening as we sat around the circle, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I was taken back to missionary retreat in Argentina, and what a special time it was for me as a kid. It was a peace of heaven -- okay, my parents might not agree with the "she's not playing with me," the sunburns to the point of blisters, catepillar bites, and refusing to smile for the pictures since I was forced to doing it in my red polka-dotted bikini (I needed to be ready for swimming at a moment's notice). But it was a time to be with friends, to play, to enjoy. Today, it is still a piece of heaven for me. As an adult, it is a time to be surrounded by people who are in the same walk in life -- the same place in family, in life, in ministry. It is a time to be with people that are walking the same path as us. People we can laugh with, cry with, rejoice, compare kid stories, and play a mean hand of nurts! (Nobody has caught on to the idea of talent show night here, and I haven't thought it necessary to introduce the idea) I especially enjoyed watching my girls be friends and make friends.
I would say, there is something about missionaries that have a deep need to take pictures of all their kids!
I guess they are just soo cute. I did not even suggest any kind of age or size line up! It was hard enough to just get them to stay and smile and look at the camera and get their fingers out of their mouths, and not cry, and not pinch their sisters and not pick at the grass...
1979 Argentina missionaries retreat. Do you see any resemblence here?
1984 or 85 Argentina missionaries retreat with a lot more kids!
2. On November 18th, we had a friend's day for our Sunday assembly. It was great to have over 100 people! We enjoyed a morning of worship, word and a fellowship meal to follow. Everyone did a great job at inviting people and it was exciting to see how it looks with a fuller house. We praise God for what He is doing here, because it truly is above our expectations.
3. A couple of weeks ago, we had a big scare with Olivia. We were all outside playing (yes, we let our kids play in the street!) and enjoying the fellowship with our neighbors. Olivia decided to step out just as Victoria was riding by very fast on her bicyle. She didn't see her sister until it was too late and knocked her over. She skined her nose pretty bad and we thought it was the worst of it, until we saw the huge bump on her head. Everyone cried for a while, but we are all okay. We are reminded of how much God takes care of us!
These pictures really don't do justice to what it looked like and felt I'm sure, but her nose is finally healing up, just in time for passport pictures.
4. For Thanksgiving, we decided to take a road trip to Mexico City. We tried the turdunken delicacy. It was fascinating to have turkey, duck and chicken all wrapped in one lovely package. We really enjoyed spending time with Benjy and Carolyn Brednich and the rest of the Tlalplan group. They were vary gracious in welcoming us to their festivities. Victoria wasn't sure about missing school again, but warmed up to the idea once there.
The famous turdunken
A little after dinner fun or our excuse for staying one more day!
5. Okay, here is the last!!! For my #?## birthday, Sam surprised me with an evening of food and fellowship with 40 of my closest friends (I stopped counting after that). We had pozole (chicken and hominy soup), cake, played games and I got about 4 versions of happy birthday tunes. As I mentioned to those present that evening, it feels good to spend these times with "family," and it feels good that we have friends here we now consider family.
Victoria and Sofia gave me a hair dryer for my birthday, since mine died about a month ago, so now I have no excuse for not fixing my hair.
Part of the crowd at our house
The birthday singers
Okay, I think that is more than enough for one post! Thank you to all 3 of my faithful readers for being patient!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The wonders of nature...
Although we live in the city, our house has been a source of interesting nature discoveries. That does not include our neighbors roosters that we would like to serve in mole or use for a dissection experiment! We had been admiring some spiders outside our kitchen window and seeing how they caught grasshoppers for lunch (which we do not mind at all, since there is a grasshopper abundance right now). Only after our maid killed it, did it don on me that we had been admiring a black widow! Yikes! In the same day, our maid also killed a scorpion. She has a special hatred for these critters having been bit by one some time ago. So, we are not lacking in excitement.
Today, as I was hauling laundry up to the terraza, I spotted a couple of dragonflies resting on one of our plants. I called the girls to take a look, and they noticed several of them. It was beautiful to see 10 or 15 of them glimmering in the sun and sitting very still on the vine. We are always amazed at all the incredible things God has created for our marvel and interest.
And, just to leave you a sweet look at our own butterfly...
Sofia had her face painted while we ate at Chili's! What fun...She has decided that she would like this face painter at her birthday party. Hmmmmmm...
(Sorry, I don't have the energy to figure out how to turn the pictures around...)
Today, as I was hauling laundry up to the terraza, I spotted a couple of dragonflies resting on one of our plants. I called the girls to take a look, and they noticed several of them. It was beautiful to see 10 or 15 of them glimmering in the sun and sitting very still on the vine. We are always amazed at all the incredible things God has created for our marvel and interest.
And, just to leave you a sweet look at our own butterfly...
Sofia had her face painted while we ate at Chili's! What fun...She has decided that she would like this face painter at her birthday party. Hmmmmmm...
(Sorry, I don't have the energy to figure out how to turn the pictures around...)
Chicago style pizza
Last week we had a house guest and friend, Charles. Much to the joy of our pallette,he is a cook for his Italian restaurant (italian food is my favorite). So, he sucumed to our pleas and made us some delicious pizza. It was very yummy and much unlike anything we can get here, so we enjoyed it to the fullest! Here is a visual of all the calories we ate!
Stuffed crust pizza
The traditional pepperoni pizza
Lunch with Charles
Stuffed crust pizza
The traditional pepperoni pizza
Lunch with Charles
Monday, October 8, 2007
Low flying trip to Texas
We got back last night from a very quick, but rich trip to Texas. We joined Summer Powell and her family in her marriage to Tupac. 
It was a beautiful wedding and we are excited for what lies ahead for Summer and Tupac. Victoria and Sofia were both flower girls and did a great job in the wedding.
For a plethora of pictures, you can go here. They looked so beautiful and big! They not only enjoyed their weddingly duties, but they also enjoyed spending time with Jessica, Grace and Grant Wininger. We stayed with our friends Ted and Cindy. They are the kind of friends that make you feel at home, when it's really not your home, and even when you flood their pantry. We and our kids stepped right in where we had left off and enjoyed good coffee, great food, trampoline jumping, playing and an occasional shut-eye! I would post a picture of them, but we thought of picture taking on Sunday morning, when none of us were looking particularly glamorous for pictures, and as any Sunday morning, running late!
Olivia tunes into some itunes while waiting for the plane...
Sofia expends some energy on her head!
Relaxing after a delectable airplane meal...
It was an uneventful trip that included a 4 hour drive to and from Mexico City and a plane ride to DFW. The girls were thrilled to be able to fly, which made the drive worthwhile. They only went to the bathroom three times in two hours! I'm thinking they were checking out a few of the bathroom amenities...(memories from flying to and from Argentina...)
Once again, we are home safe and sound, and nothing fell apart. Our pets are with us. Yes, we have a new pet: a guinea pig! We went to the fair and came home with it. I was not in the pet shop when the deal went down...but, hey, it's not a dog.
Meet Cri-cri -- who is looking much healthier than his first days here!
It was a beautiful wedding and we are excited for what lies ahead for Summer and Tupac. Victoria and Sofia were both flower girls and did a great job in the wedding.
For a plethora of pictures, you can go here. They looked so beautiful and big! They not only enjoyed their weddingly duties, but they also enjoyed spending time with Jessica, Grace and Grant Wininger. We stayed with our friends Ted and Cindy. They are the kind of friends that make you feel at home, when it's really not your home, and even when you flood their pantry. We and our kids stepped right in where we had left off and enjoyed good coffee, great food, trampoline jumping, playing and an occasional shut-eye! I would post a picture of them, but we thought of picture taking on Sunday morning, when none of us were looking particularly glamorous for pictures, and as any Sunday morning, running late!
Olivia tunes into some itunes while waiting for the plane...
Sofia expends some energy on her head!
Relaxing after a delectable airplane meal...
It was an uneventful trip that included a 4 hour drive to and from Mexico City and a plane ride to DFW. The girls were thrilled to be able to fly, which made the drive worthwhile. They only went to the bathroom three times in two hours! I'm thinking they were checking out a few of the bathroom amenities...(memories from flying to and from Argentina...)
Once again, we are home safe and sound, and nothing fell apart. Our pets are with us. Yes, we have a new pet: a guinea pig! We went to the fair and came home with it. I was not in the pet shop when the deal went down...but, hey, it's not a dog.
Meet Cri-cri -- who is looking much healthier than his first days here!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Church retreat
Last weekend we had our annual church retreat. What a blessing it was! Steven Wells, a former team member and now a minister for Impact Church in Houston, was with us and spoke about being artists for and of God. He did a great job talking about how we are God's artwork, created by Him, and are created to be artists also -- being able to see what is true, interpret truth and live truth. Everyone was blessed and inspired! We had about 50 people there and the rains held off during the day. It did, however, catch up in the night, and the ground was soaked, leaving nice muddy grass to walk on!!!
The weekend was a special time of being filled by the word, resting, being refreshed and being in community with one another. We had a bonfire, smores, plenty of food and even a talent show! The kids actually got to swim and enjoy it. All in all, it was a special weekend and we look forward to next year and what God will do!
The whole group
The kids playing a little water balloon toss!
Breakfast bright and early for the kids
Worship time before class from Steven
The weekend was a special time of being filled by the word, resting, being refreshed and being in community with one another. We had a bonfire, smores, plenty of food and even a talent show! The kids actually got to swim and enjoy it. All in all, it was a special weekend and we look forward to next year and what God will do!
The whole group
The kids playing a little water balloon toss!
Breakfast bright and early for the kids
Worship time before class from Steven
Saturday, September 1, 2007
We meet baby Ezekiel
The road to Ciudad Hidalgo
Today, we packed up the car and headed to Ciudad Hidalgo to visit some friends of ours and meet their new baby. This is a 50 mile, two hour, winding drive through the mountains of Mexico to a small town nestled in the Mexico highlands. It is near the area where the Monarch butterflies come to winter. Olivia got carsick on the the way there and left a pungent aroma for us to all enjoy!
We met Salvador and Stacey a couple of years ago when Stacey and her three had recently arrived in Mexico to join her Salvador who had been deported from the States. They live in Ciudad Hidalgo where his family is from, and have adjusted to a VERY different than what they had in the States. Stacey just gave birth to their fourth child and today had the joy and relief and bringing Ezekiel home. She endured 70 hours of labor, a couple of tries at Pitocin (which only intensified labor, but didn't create much progress), no pain medicines, communicating in broken Spanish, and no one by her side!!!! The dad, and only the dad, is allowed to come in during visiting hours twice a day. Salvador stayed outside the clinic sleeping in his truck to be as close as possible. The baby had some breathing problems at birth and so he had to stay a few more days in the hospital.
Baby Ezekiel
The Torres family -- Salvador, Stacey, Salvi, Luis, Mariah and Ezekiel
We rejoice with them in the birth of their new baby. His brothers, Salvador and Luis, and his sister, Mariah were very excited to finally meet him, since they had been waiting a week to meet him. We pray that Stacey will get some much needed rest and everyone will adjust to this new bundle of joy!
Stacey and baby looking radiant
A literal bundle of joy with his daddy!
Yes, school has started!
Victoria and Sofia getting ready for school. Don't let Sofia's face fool you -- she's thrilled about school, after 8:00 am!
We are a little slow on getting things published in this family, but indeed, school has begun. The girls have survived their first days of school; although, we are still adjusting to the schedule. Victoria is now in 3rd grade! This is rumored to be a difficult year in Mexico, so we are praying that Victoria will continue to do well. She already knew who her teachers were, and most of her classmates are back. So, she started with confidence. One tidbit of information that we failed to receive was start time. So, when we arrived at 7:30 am the first day and everyone was in class and seated I decided to ask. Sure enough, school now starts at 7:15. This is a big adjustment for us! It's still dark when Victoria goes to school
Sofia started kindergarten this year. It is her second year of school and she seems to be enjoying it. She also already knew her teachers, which is very helpful in adjusting. She goes with Victoria and I at 7:15, and then we sit in the car for about 30 minutes until I drop her off to start her day. This has been a special time to spend just with Sofia reading, talking, drawing or just sitting (usually she's brings her fluffy robe along to stay warm).
We are off to a great year for both these girls. We pray that they and we will be a light in that school for people that need the hope of Christ.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Home Again
This week I slept in my own bed after a couple of months of being on furlough. What a glorious feeling to crawl under your own sheets and cuddle up with your own pillow! It has been great! Of course, shortly after climbing into bed, the roosters started their nightly crowing routine, the neighbor decided to do some midnight car repairs, and the rains drenched our stairwell. It's good to be home...
We pulled into Morelia around 5:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon after a two day road trip from South Texas. All in all, it was an uneventful trip. Since we have a new vehicle, both Sam and I had to drive. Sam's mom came with and was a great help with the girls. Most notably, as we approached Queretaro, there seemed to some trouble up ahead since traffic was at a standstill. Like fine Mexicans, we put our cars in reverse on the main highway to catch the exit we had just passed and head on a ways towards Mexico City. If it's any comfort to those of you gasping, we weren't the only ones with that great idea!
We are slowly getting unpacked and reacquainted with our home. The girls are ready for school on Monday, and we are looking forward to worshiping together with our brothers and sisters in Christ here.
Thank you to each of you that made our time in the States so special! Victoria is convinced she would rather be in Texas to go to school, because she could ride a yellow school bus, and you get lunch at school that you don't have to pay for (don't know where that idea came from) and it includes chocolate milk!
Have a blessed Lord's day!
We pulled into Morelia around 5:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon after a two day road trip from South Texas. All in all, it was an uneventful trip. Since we have a new vehicle, both Sam and I had to drive. Sam's mom came with and was a great help with the girls. Most notably, as we approached Queretaro, there seemed to some trouble up ahead since traffic was at a standstill. Like fine Mexicans, we put our cars in reverse on the main highway to catch the exit we had just passed and head on a ways towards Mexico City. If it's any comfort to those of you gasping, we weren't the only ones with that great idea!
We are slowly getting unpacked and reacquainted with our home. The girls are ready for school on Monday, and we are looking forward to worshiping together with our brothers and sisters in Christ here.
Thank you to each of you that made our time in the States so special! Victoria is convinced she would rather be in Texas to go to school, because she could ride a yellow school bus, and you get lunch at school that you don't have to pay for (don't know where that idea came from) and it includes chocolate milk!
Have a blessed Lord's day!
Monday, August 6, 2007
It's Time To Go Home
We have been in the States for almost two months, and are nearing the end of our time here. We top off our furlough with family time in South Texas. It has been a rich, refreshing time for us, but we are starting to feel that itch to get back home. Here are a few thoughts on when you know it's time to head back, in no particular order:
1. When you can't remember whose house you stayed in last week.
2. When you start to think that despite the twelve choices of pizza flavor, Mr. Gatti's is lacking in selection. After all, they don't have the low-carb, whole wheat, all veggie, meat lovers pizza they advertised last week on TV.
3. When you have forgotten what the inside of an oven looks like.
4. When even Chick-Fil-A starts to loose it's charm.
5. When your idea of putting your kids to bed is dragging them out of the car, sound asleep, and hoping they don't get too much sand or dirt in the bed since they will shower in the morning, unless, of course, you have a breakfast appointment.
6. When you start to think being in school will actually give everyone a chance to rest.
7. When driving 6 hours to go visit some friends is all in a day's work.
8. When your kids weep at the sight of the car.
We are eager to be back and to get back into a familiar rhythm of life. Thanks to all of you who have made our time here a blessing and a rich time of fellowship.
1. When you can't remember whose house you stayed in last week.
2. When you start to think that despite the twelve choices of pizza flavor, Mr. Gatti's is lacking in selection. After all, they don't have the low-carb, whole wheat, all veggie, meat lovers pizza they advertised last week on TV.
3. When you have forgotten what the inside of an oven looks like.
4. When even Chick-Fil-A starts to loose it's charm.
5. When your idea of putting your kids to bed is dragging them out of the car, sound asleep, and hoping they don't get too much sand or dirt in the bed since they will shower in the morning, unless, of course, you have a breakfast appointment.
6. When you start to think being in school will actually give everyone a chance to rest.
7. When driving 6 hours to go visit some friends is all in a day's work.
8. When your kids weep at the sight of the car.
We are eager to be back and to get back into a familiar rhythm of life. Thanks to all of you who have made our time here a blessing and a rich time of fellowship.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
We have a new car
Furlough has been wild and crazy, and there are a lot of things to write about. But, we'll take one thing at a time. One of our top priorities has been to get a new vehicle. So, after exhaustive looking, test driving, debating (making decisions, especially of this magnitude, is not a strong point for us) we got a new car. We now have a 2004 Ford Expedition. It is BIG! I'm not sure how I'm going to drive it in Morelia, without taking out some side mirrors. We are enjoying it very much, and in the three weeks we have had it, we have already put about 2000 miles on it. Wow!!!! (The photo above is of our friend's car, that we got to stand in front of, and Sam got to briefly drive)
Sunday, July 1, 2007
I have finally given into the pressure of the blogging world...and have started a blog for our family. Currently we are on furlough in the Ft. Worth areas, which seems to be flying by at warp speed! I had all these great ideas to blog about when our furlough started, but alas, they don't seem as exciting three weeks later. So, before I announce to the world about the blog, I'll see how much I write, and I'll add a family picture to see how my blogging skills are going.
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