Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Moving up in the world
It's hard to explain, but sometimes it is really difficult to get much "business" accomplished in one day. This is possibly due to long lines, a lot of bureaucracy, many people needing a job; therefore, you have to do many things to secure their job (get a stamp here; get a paper there, make a copy here, tip the parking lot guy there, etc., etc. But, Mexico is moving up in the world, as evidenced by my ability to get some key things done today with three of my kids in toe. As Isabella napped, Olivia woke up from her nap and Sofia chatted incessantly about life, I first drove to the one and only ATM drive through in town (a city of 1 million people) and was able to get cash out. This ATM only works about 60% of the time. With cash in hand, I drove to a drive through set up to pay your light bill, seeing how the electric company is not too merciful on paying late and very quickly turn off the electricity. Again, without getting out of my car, I payed our electric bill in record time (no one was at the drive through, because most people opt to stand patiently in line at the electric company). I was so thrilled about what I accomplished, that what better way to celebrate than driving through one of the few other drive through in town -- Starbucks! It was great! Now, if I could figure out some way to do grocery shopping from the car...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
For the record
All of you four faithful readers know this already, but just for the record, we have a new baby. Isabella Joy is now a month old! She was born June 17th at 10:40 pm. Just so everyone knows, I did it fast and furious so everyone could be home for a late dinner and a good night's sleep (no discounts from the doctor's though). It is amazing that although this was our fourth time to experience a new birth, it was equally amazing and awe inspiring. Bringing a new life into this world is such an experience, it's hard to put into words.
We love her dearly and can't imagine our lives without Isabella. She is so beautiful! I don't think she looks like anyone in the family -- she is her own little person. She has an intense look, long fingers and a very cute toes. In a way, my life has come to a screeching halt (not such a bad thing), and on another note, it never seems to end. We are glad for a more relaxed summer schedule.
I would love to show you and updated picture, but our camera is missing, which makes me very, very sad!
Top 10
Top 10 reasons I haven't been blogging in the past couple of months:
1. Victoria
2. It is really difficult to type with one hand (while holding a baby with the other).
3. It is much more fun and easy on the brain to read other people's blog. Some of our friends have been having some amazing adventures this summer like Eric and Mattias biking across California or Pete and Sara swimming, biking and running in all kinds of events with their kids having a summer to remember.
4. Sofia
5. As incredibly exciting things have been in our lives, it is just not as exciting to write about two months later.
6. Olivia
7. Blogging is always interesting, but pictures make it so much better. We haven't taken many pictures and our camera has gone missing (I really, really, really want it back).
8. Isabella!
9. We've been too busy enjoying the fellowship of several visitors.
10. Writer's block
So, all that to say that we are still here...Alive and kicking enjoying a full, loud house! I'd say that I'll be posting more often, but no promises...
1. Victoria
2. It is really difficult to type with one hand (while holding a baby with the other).
3. It is much more fun and easy on the brain to read other people's blog. Some of our friends have been having some amazing adventures this summer like Eric and Mattias biking across California or Pete and Sara swimming, biking and running in all kinds of events with their kids having a summer to remember.
4. Sofia
5. As incredibly exciting things have been in our lives, it is just not as exciting to write about two months later.
6. Olivia
7. Blogging is always interesting, but pictures make it so much better. We haven't taken many pictures and our camera has gone missing (I really, really, really want it back).
8. Isabella!
9. We've been too busy enjoying the fellowship of several visitors.
10. Writer's block
So, all that to say that we are still here...Alive and kicking enjoying a full, loud house! I'd say that I'll be posting more often, but no promises...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Baby Gonzo
Some of you have been asking about our baby in waiting. Sorry, we haven't said much about it. Unlike with your first kid, where everyone knows within a week of conception that you are expecting and what you'll name the kid, but the fourth, we're not quite as jubilant (don't worry this baby will never read this!). In this case, no news is good news, since it has been a fairly uneventful pregnancy. I will say however, that age and gravity catch up with you!!!! I'm not the spring chicken I was 9 years ago with Victoria.
So, all medical evidence points to a girl. Sam and a few others are holding out for medical error and hidden appendages. I'm getting all the pink stuff ready, again. We only have about 4 weeks left to go, so it shouldn't be much longer until you can meet our precious baby. Until then, here are a couple of images from the 3-D ultrasound we had a few weeks ago. If you can't make anything out, just let your eyes relax and think baby! You can see her face from different angles here -- nose in the middle, eye on the side with her arm up around her head. Have fun making it out!
So, all medical evidence points to a girl. Sam and a few others are holding out for medical error and hidden appendages. I'm getting all the pink stuff ready, again. We only have about 4 weeks left to go, so it shouldn't be much longer until you can meet our precious baby. Until then, here are a couple of images from the 3-D ultrasound we had a few weeks ago. If you can't make anything out, just let your eyes relax and think baby! You can see her face from different angles here -- nose in the middle, eye on the side with her arm up around her head. Have fun making it out!
Goodbye to Stacey and Salvador
Salvador and Stacey with their children: Mariah, Luis, Salvador and Ezekiel
On May 5th, in the middle of the night (crazy flight schedules), we put Stacey Torres and her four children on a plane back home. You might remember them from previous blogs. They made the difficult decision that it was time to head back to the States. So, they gave away their belonging in Ciudad Hidalgo and headed home. It was a tense evening as Stacey had to talk to immigration here since she and her kids have been living in Mexico with expired visas for 2 years. At the airport, Sara and I stayed with the kids (it is 11 o'clock at night) while Sam and Stacey went to the imigration office. After an hour we were sweating bullets, but Sam finally came out to get money. The immigration officers were gracious and charged her fines for a lost visa rather than an expired one, which would have been $2800 for each of them!!!!
So, with mixed emotions for them, we hugged them goodbye. God's divine intersections are always amazing. We pray that they will settle back into life in the States. It won't be easy. Please pray with us that they will all re-adjust, especially the kids.
Some VERY excited kids headed to the airport long past their bedtime!
Happy Mother's Day
For mother's day, the school always puts on a music festival where the kids dance. This year was exceptionally good. Each group danced a typical Mexican dance. They all did an amazing job, and even the junior high kids seemed something less than bored, embarrassed and put out to have to dance. The costumes and numbers were all very well done. I guess I was especially impressed, because in years past, the numbers have included dubious outfits, a lot of hip movements, and not my choice for grade school kids to swing to. So, this year was really good.
Victoria did a dance typical of our state, Michoacan, and Sofia did a number from Jalisco. They did great and looked beautiful. Here are some pictures of the grandiose moment! There aren't any of them in action because they were both on the back row most of the time and it was hard to get a good shot of them.
Victoria and Sofia (you can appreciate Sofia's attempt at a hair cut, focusing on her bangs)
Victoria with her classmates (Here you can appreciate the distinct separation of boys and girls prevalent at this age)
Victoria and Sofia with some of Victoria's classmates and their moms. This is the group of women I am closest to at school. God is opening doors into their lives, which is exciting.
Sofia and her English teacher, Miss Mari Carmen. She is so sweet, and really the epitome of a kindergarten teacher. We love her very much!
Our beautiful blond Mexican!
Victoria did a dance typical of our state, Michoacan, and Sofia did a number from Jalisco. They did great and looked beautiful. Here are some pictures of the grandiose moment! There aren't any of them in action because they were both on the back row most of the time and it was hard to get a good shot of them.
Victoria and Sofia (you can appreciate Sofia's attempt at a hair cut, focusing on her bangs)
Victoria with her classmates (Here you can appreciate the distinct separation of boys and girls prevalent at this age)
Victoria and Sofia with some of Victoria's classmates and their moms. This is the group of women I am closest to at school. God is opening doors into their lives, which is exciting.
Sofia and her English teacher, Miss Mari Carmen. She is so sweet, and really the epitome of a kindergarten teacher. We love her very much!
Our beautiful blond Mexican!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Happy Anniversary Church!
Last weekend we celebrated five years since the Iglesia Rio de Vida started. Wow, that's all I can say is Wow! (for a more comprehensive understanding of this statement, read "Lilly and her Purple Plastic Purse). It was an amazing weekend! We knew it would be a lot of work, but we came out of the weekend full and blessed and amazed at God's greatness.
We had several visitors from Richland Hills who joined us. These included Ron and Marilyn Holland, Duane and Debbie Jenks, Phyllis Needham, Carol Maples, Don Box and Norm Meyer. It was great to have them be a part of the activities, but more to be blessed and encouraged by their words and prayers.
We started the weekend with sightseeing on Friday (me and my little chicks all stayed home for this). That evening we had a night of praising God, prayer and the ever necessary potluck! People from the church here got to meet our visitors and hear a little bit about their involvement in this work. On Saturday we met with our leaders. This was again, an amazing time and a very emotional time. Each of our leaders shared how a little of their testimony on how they came to know God, how they came to this specific body of believers and what God is doing in them now. It blew us away! and we had already heard their stories! Our guests shared a little about how they have been involved in this ministry and what God is doing in their lives. They gave us all words of encouragement and prayed for us. Since this was also Mother's Day, we opted for a very nice, quiet banquet at the office. The food was yummy, the conversation flowing, and no noisy restaurant to battle with. A perfect choice!
Friday evening's praise and prayer time
Banquet time on Saturday
Now, this is only half way through the day. After a little rest time, we headed downtown for some local sightseeing and dinner. As much as it frustrates us sometimes, connections in Mexico are everything, and this day God used it in our big favor. A friend of ours works at a restaurant right in the middle of downtown, and when Sara stopped to say hello, he offered us the terraza of the restaurant to have our own private dinner overlooking the city. It was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous, and we got to watch the lighting of the cathedral ceremony complete with fireworks. Everyone was awed and amazed that we could have planned something like that (except we didn't plan any of it! Hard not to take credit for it). To top the evening off, as we headed to our cars, we were serenaded by a rondalla -- this is a group of young men in tights (a Mexican irony with machismo so prevalent), who sing and play various instruments. They were quite impressive with their dances and tunes.
The view from our restaurant
Enjoying the rondalla
The guys in tights
As if this were not enough, Sunday was icing on the cake. We had our usual celebration time with several first time visitors, and we even had a couple of baptisms. Mayte and her son, Julio, decided to be baptized, so we rejoiced all the more! We had 130 people be a part of the activities this day! After services, we enjoyed yet another yummy meal, a mariachi band to serenade the mothers and cake. In closing the activities, we watched a video diary of the last five years (it brought tears to my eyes more than once) and then we opened the floor to those that wanted to share about what this church and ministry has meant to them. Again, we were overwhelmed by people's thoughts and feelings. By the end of this, we all needed a nap!!! Sunday evening, we closed our time with our visitors over tacos (I know, more food!) and a time to look into the future. Again, we were blessed and encouraged. We especially took time to think of former team members and their contribution to the work here and even to mourn their not still being here.
As I said, our cups were running over by the end, and I had just expected to be drained. The last five years have been a wild ride with it's definite ups and downs, but we praise God for what He has done, is doing and will continue to do through us and in spite of us. Praise His name!!!
Olivia getting ready for a full day!
Duane preaching with Sam translating
Mayte and Julio with Aldo and Sandy who have studied with them
Mayte being baptized
Cake
Mariachi band serenading
Some of the ladies enjoying the day!
We had several visitors from Richland Hills who joined us. These included Ron and Marilyn Holland, Duane and Debbie Jenks, Phyllis Needham, Carol Maples, Don Box and Norm Meyer. It was great to have them be a part of the activities, but more to be blessed and encouraged by their words and prayers.
We started the weekend with sightseeing on Friday (me and my little chicks all stayed home for this). That evening we had a night of praising God, prayer and the ever necessary potluck! People from the church here got to meet our visitors and hear a little bit about their involvement in this work. On Saturday we met with our leaders. This was again, an amazing time and a very emotional time. Each of our leaders shared how a little of their testimony on how they came to know God, how they came to this specific body of believers and what God is doing in them now. It blew us away! and we had already heard their stories! Our guests shared a little about how they have been involved in this ministry and what God is doing in their lives. They gave us all words of encouragement and prayed for us. Since this was also Mother's Day, we opted for a very nice, quiet banquet at the office. The food was yummy, the conversation flowing, and no noisy restaurant to battle with. A perfect choice!
Friday evening's praise and prayer time
Banquet time on Saturday
Now, this is only half way through the day. After a little rest time, we headed downtown for some local sightseeing and dinner. As much as it frustrates us sometimes, connections in Mexico are everything, and this day God used it in our big favor. A friend of ours works at a restaurant right in the middle of downtown, and when Sara stopped to say hello, he offered us the terraza of the restaurant to have our own private dinner overlooking the city. It was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous, and we got to watch the lighting of the cathedral ceremony complete with fireworks. Everyone was awed and amazed that we could have planned something like that (except we didn't plan any of it! Hard not to take credit for it). To top the evening off, as we headed to our cars, we were serenaded by a rondalla -- this is a group of young men in tights (a Mexican irony with machismo so prevalent), who sing and play various instruments. They were quite impressive with their dances and tunes.
The view from our restaurant
Enjoying the rondalla
The guys in tights
As if this were not enough, Sunday was icing on the cake. We had our usual celebration time with several first time visitors, and we even had a couple of baptisms. Mayte and her son, Julio, decided to be baptized, so we rejoiced all the more! We had 130 people be a part of the activities this day! After services, we enjoyed yet another yummy meal, a mariachi band to serenade the mothers and cake. In closing the activities, we watched a video diary of the last five years (it brought tears to my eyes more than once) and then we opened the floor to those that wanted to share about what this church and ministry has meant to them. Again, we were overwhelmed by people's thoughts and feelings. By the end of this, we all needed a nap!!! Sunday evening, we closed our time with our visitors over tacos (I know, more food!) and a time to look into the future. Again, we were blessed and encouraged. We especially took time to think of former team members and their contribution to the work here and even to mourn their not still being here.
As I said, our cups were running over by the end, and I had just expected to be drained. The last five years have been a wild ride with it's definite ups and downs, but we praise God for what He has done, is doing and will continue to do through us and in spite of us. Praise His name!!!
Olivia getting ready for a full day!
Duane preaching with Sam translating
Mayte and Julio with Aldo and Sandy who have studied with them
Mayte being baptized
Cake
Mariachi band serenading
Some of the ladies enjoying the day!
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