Out to the country

We will be heading out to the country for a few days of rest and relaxation while visiting Narcizo's mom. We are heading to Paso Del Macho. We have some land there and maybe, if the Lord tells us so...we will put a small cabin out there. Only the Lord knows His plans for us now....

Here is a photo from the last time we were there. Our land is full of Mango trees...and if you don't know what mangos are...you are missing out! ....a simply delicious fruit!!!

the family pic in Xochimilco

Thought you would like to see a family photo as we were riding on the boat cruise in Xochilmilco.

the last day blues...

Its the last day before leaving back for South Carolina and being a little sad...Dad was in the bed all day. Well, he wished it was just because he was sad....he was a little under the weather. He skipped breakfast and went back to bed...then slept through lunch. At six, he decided to get out of bed and try to feel a little better. I hope he gets better before the flight tomorrow.

A sunny day in Cuernavaca..

We headed to Cuernavaca (another state away) - since its down in the valley off the mountain, we actually saw the sun. Unfortunately, this picture was taken after a little problem developed from the bus ride. Mom lost her camera..... so we were all trying to get over this. It was a beautiful 2 days there. We are still watching the buses to see if we see the same bus driver....not sure if he claimed it or if someone else claimed it after we got off the bus.

Relaxing cruise in Xochilmilco...

We went on a nice relaxing one hour cruise that was "motored" by someone on the back. Along the ride, other boats came up beside us to see if we needed anything. In case we wanted to buy some food, they were selling corn, others were cooking right there on the boat and we enjoyed some quesadillas. Others were selling drinks, jewelry, souvenirs. And there were even boats ready to play music for us and take our pictures. We had a great time. Here are a few pics.

Welcome to Mexico Mom and Dad!!!

They made it safe and sound Saturday at noon and we haven't really stopped since then. Here are a few pictures - I will update more later! This first picture is an airport Welcome to Mexico! In the second picture....Welcome to our home!

Saturday afternoon, we went down into Topilejo (our very own Heath Springs here in Mexico) and we went to the Corn Festival. Everything was made with corn - even a corn drink (Atole)

We had been wondering last week if mom and dad would try some different foods - well, they haven't stopped trying them! Last night at an Independence Day Celebration, Dad even had a bowl of cow stomach last night. He passed on the cow feet. Mom said...no, thank you to both of them. We have had a great time! Here are a couple of photos!

Today we are heading on a small vacation from the vacation! We are going to another state where it is WARM!!! Finally, we need the shorts. So...I will update you later!

Fresh and New daily....

As you know, I recently got a new kitchen and everyday, I have been putting things in THE right place, cleaning it to a shine, and basically, being very attentive to it. It's new! Don't we all do that with everything new?! And later, when the experience is not so new, how we aren't quite that attentive, maybe its not THAT clean.

Then I thought , how precious is our relationship with Jesus Christ that it should never become just something we have. It must be refreshing daily to us - new and alive! But that comes from our emphasis on Him - not His emphasis on us. He is here daily..but are we going to Him? If we seek to find Him daily - our relationship will be new. I am guilty of this - sometimes I have let my relationship with Jesus become just something I have had for awhile.

What about you? Is your relationship with Jesus fresh and new daily? Or is it just something you have had for awhile and you know its there?
Father, forgive me for the times when I don't treat you as the precious jewel that you are! Help me to keep you first always in my day. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Having fun or not - time still flies by!!

It amazes me often at the speed of time! I remember when I was younger hearing the phrase..."when you get my age, time flies by!" - When did I get to that age?! These years go by faster and faster, especially when you are planning for something. And since March, my husband and I have been planning for the visit of my parents in September. And here it is..they are scheduled to arrive next Saturday. We are so excited about their time here with us! and then...my negative side says..."That week will be gone like it was only 2 days!" I say to myself...Ugh...Hush..let me enjoy this! This ever happen to you? Well, here I am still awaiting their arrival, if the Lord wills, we will see them soon!

Comments?

We would love to hear from you and any comments, thoughts, advice, or simple "hellos"! We miss hearing from friends and family! We hope you enjoy the blog!

remodeling...of the house.

We are almost finished with the kitchen..here is a before and an after...I will let you figure out which picture is which. He is currently working on the bathroom...and we are hoping the bathroom will be finished before mom and dad come next week! They are too...since the water still isn't "running" in our home. We are still carrying it in in a bucket! Have I said..life is different here?! But I love it...and of course, he does..it's his country.

a big delay.... what have we been doing?!

Yes, it has been a long time since I have written on the blog! Wow, it is now September the 2nd and we are getting things ready around the house for a visit from my parents in 2 weeks! We are looking forward to their visit! For the past several months, we have been busy with many things and boy, does the time fly by!

At the first of May, we finished our regular classes and took a small vacation to the beach in Oaxaca. Then I visited mom and dad for a suprise Mother's day (and Father's day) present. I enjoyed a week there with my family! It was good to spend time with them although I was missing my husband!

The first of June, a major part of the construction took place in our home. We moved into a temporary housing we made down the stairs from the house so that we could put the roof on the house. yes, we had a roof but it was made of a laminate...kinda like a cardboard with an oil base on it. Anyway, the month of June we were living in a small room and teaching in that same small room. We began some Saturday English classes where we had 3 small girls come. They were a pleasure to teach.

Then the first of July began an intensive summer course that just finished the third week of August. Each day we had 4 classes. We began at 10 with our first class and it ended at 12, the second class began at 12 and ended at 2. We had a 2 hour break (if you will) to run to town and eat something and run back. Then from 4-6 was our third class and we ended from 6-8 with our fourth class. Wow, by 8:30...when everyone had left, we were exhausted. We taught an average of 40 students per day...ranging from the ages of 3 - 16. yes, that is right...3 year olds. Don't be confused...these 3 year olds were in the same class while teaching English, Math, and Spanish for me. (you see since my spanish is still weak, I am teaching the younger ones since I know enough to teach them) And my husband is teaching the older children Chemistry, Spanish, History, Physics, Math, you name it...

So, its now, September and we are taking the month off...kinda, since we have students that come to the gate and knock when they need help with their homework. It's nice. and we say "Thank you Lord!"

This is a picture of our 3 little girls on our Saturdays. Wendy, Lesli, and Yasmin. They also came to our summer school class 3 days a week. This was in our temporary housing...notice the bed in the background. We called this our rustic house and classroom. We currently are using that room as our classroom. Here's another photo of our rustic classroom. It's actually kinda nice. And the first picture you see is us....trying to rest a little before the next classes start back!

What a great sight to see....

In this picture, you can see an "Agua Potable" truck...how wonderful it is to see this truck and to hear its sounds coming down the street! For this is how our neighbor receives her water and then we get to carry our buckets to the house for clean water! woo hoo!

However, we are currently in the process of having our very own water tank....so no more bucket carrying! Thank you Lord! Now, well in a month or so, we will be able to turn the knob on something inside the house...and out will come water! What a wonderful thing I took for granted while back in the States!

What have we been doing..

We have been tutoring students in their homework. We have around 21 students signed up for classes and we average 10-12 students per day. The subjects range from Spanish, Mathmatics, English, Physical Science...you name it and we are trying to teach it. Well, mostly Narcizo is trying to teach it. I am helping the small children with their Spanish...and learning a little in the process. We occasionally have students come who need help with their English so I can help out then. We are planning to start a Saturday class for 3 hours in the morning for those who want to come to learn English only.

Please be in prayer for us as we both know we can share the Light with all who come into our home. Pray that God will continue to work through us and give us opportunities.

And oh yes, I have been learning to cook. Not only learning to cook...but learning to cook Mexican foods. What a blessing it was that my sister Teresa bought me a cookbook for Christmas...."1000 Mexican recipes" - now that has come in handy! Here you see Chile Rellenos, pinto beans, and of course...tortillas. We all know that every Mexican household has to have beans, tortillas, and homemade salsa...right? By the way, this may not look too good to you....but boy, was it delicious!

Cooking is slow here because everything is natural and fresh. This has been the biggest change in my "cooking life"! Ladies, just think about it...when you cook a meal, any meal, how many times do you cook without using anything from a box, a can, a package, etc? just think about it! You will be amazed. I have emailed my mom and sister in law for help...."how do I cook without boxes and cans? and How do you make tomato paste...it has always come in a small can." By the way, my sister in law Anita got a good laugh out of my request since she has always cooked with fresh products. She has actually had to learn how to cook with cans and boxes and packets.

Oh well, such is life...full of changes....and I see they are all opportunities to learn more! Thank you Lord for spicing up our life with changes!

You can pray for me as I continue to learn and especially pray for Narcizo as he has to endure the results....:-)

Well, here we are...

It's been a little over two months since we have been here in Mexico as newlyweds, getting settled in. Wow!! The Lord has really blessed us in many, many ways. Some of you know we have a story to tell, others may think you know, only to find out there is so much more the Lord has done for us and to us. Praise the Lord! We will begin to write the story that He wrote for us long before we knew each other and we will share it with you soon!

For now....enjoy the photos and comments on what we (or I mostly) have been experiencing in this HUGE change in my life. I thank the Lord for preparing me for this...by changing my heart, by changing my mind, and by changing my love for the things He has prepared for me.