New Opportunity!!??

Today I took Brooklyn to a birthday party she was invited to. Her first invitation from a friend at school. She was so excited to go...I was almost sick because I was so nervous. I now had to meet even more new people, and attend our first Mexican birthday party...by myself. I knew nobody, and had no idea really how they do parties. But I knew how much this meant for Brooklyn and how exciting it is for a kid to be invited to a party, so of course I took her. No doubt about it. I prayed for my nerves to calm down and that both Brooklyn and I would enjoy ourselves. I also brought Nolan along because in all cultures babies are conversation starters:) Now I know I did not have to be so nervous. We had a great time, even with Brooklyn being so tired by late afternoon. It was at one of her favorite restaurants with 2 blowup bouncers. She got to play with her new friends around her and experience a Mexican birthday party. I got to meet a few of the moms who have kids in her class and they are so easy to visit with. One is another Christian who has only lived here in Cuauhtémoc as long as we have, but is Mexican. Another lady that was there has now made more of a connection with me. It turns out that she lives in Vista Hermosa right close to where we do kid's club. She is a Christian, but as we talked she said her and a bunch of friends used to have a Bible study but no longer could because of work. So now I have her phone number and we want to try and find a time that will work to do a Bible study together. I was amazed at while talking with her about this I was not nervous but getting excited. Through her maybe we can invite more ladies that are not believers and reach out into the community. She seemed really excited about it. Please pray that I will continue to have this excitement, contact her again, that we'll find a time that works (most likely an evening), and that I can think of what would be the best to study with her and whoever else joins us.

MEXICO 2010

Tomorrow is Mexico's Independence Day which marks 200 years of independence from Spain. Because it hits a big number it's extra special and extra big. We are celebrating tonight with our church with a supper where all the foods have to Mexican. This may sound funny since we are in Mexico, but people here don't just eat Mexican, like we Canadians don't eat Canadian food all the time. What is Canadian food anyway? Canada is just a bunch of different cultures thrown together:) Back to Mexico...I am bringing Mexican Lasagna and Watermelon popsicles that have the colors of Mexico. I'll have to take a picture yet to post those. Then after supper, close to 11:00 we walk to the local plaza and enjoy the AMAZING display of fireworks that can be explained but really you just have to see them to understand. Basically...you stand under them and hope not too many sparks fall on you. It's great fun!!

Tomorrow morning we are driving to Delicias to connect with our fellow missionaries...who just happen to be pretty good friends:) and family too. We'll spend a couple days with Dallas, Tara and their boys connecting on ministry level and just hanging out. With summer schedules different and both having new baby boys in the house, we have not had the chance in a couple months to get together, so this will be a time of relaxing and being refreshed. Being with people where you can just be yourself COMPLETELY just does that. We are really looking forward to that, and being able to 'get away' for a couple days.

1 Year - Summer Update

August was one year since we left Manitoba to move to Mexico. One year of learning a new culture, continuing learning the language, and learning a new way of life. One year of times of loneliness, fears, language mistakes, culture mistakes, missing our old life, missing family and friends. One year of meeting new friends, finding a new home church, progressing in our Spanish, growing closer as a family, seeing God work, and being strengthened through trials. Yes there have been ups and downs, we can't deny that. We have had very discouraging times, but we have also had times where we see God working for His glory. We were told by many that the first year of living in a different culture is the hardest as there are many things to get used to while being away from home. As we look ahead we do feel that the hardest year is past us. Yes we still struggle with different aspects of all mentioned above, but now we kinda know what to expect. We know more about the culture, a lot more of the language, and we know what feelings to expect when we miss home and we know at times how to make it through those hard times. Ups and downs will continue, but we pray that we can continue to rely on God's strength to help us through.

This summer was a time of looking back over our first year to try and re-evaluate what we have been doing and what to do in the future. What has been working, what hasn't. Where do we need to put more of our time, where do we need to step back a bit. And of course learning...balance, balance, balance...even more with our family, within our marriage, and everything else. For the summer we stopped kids' club in Vista Hermosa, my Bible study with one woman, and there were less meetings. Without those it meant more time to slow down a bit and to rather prep for this coming year. We found new kids' club material, and new Bible study material that we feel might reach people easier. Also with Nolan being born LeRoy took more of the work onto himself so I had time to rest up completely and help our family adjust into a family of 5, as well as with Brooklyn starting school. We are very glad we did this. Now our fall begins with kids' club beginning this Saturday in Vista Hermosa. I am hoping to connect with Yarena (my Bible study lady) in the next week to see when we can once again begin meeting together. LeRoy continues his Bible study Wednesday mornings that can have anywhere from 1-4 men joining him. LeRoy meets with Walter as a mentorship thing every Wednesday evening (more or less). Saturdays are full now as we go to Vista Hermosa for kids' club in the afternoons, and then from there LeRoy will go to Anahuac to help with kids' club there and then have evening worship practice to get ready for the following morning's service. And within all that comes visitation, connecting and encouraging fellow Christians in the church, and non-believers around us.

That gives you a good idea of what our lives consist of...when it comes to ministry. Add to that our family life at home fully enjoying our kids, each other, and coming soon....trying to meet more people so we can sometimes just get together with friends.

Parking Lot Help

If you are going grocery shopping (or any shopping that requires an actual parking lot) expect there to be men wanting to help you park, watch your vehicle, help unload groceries into the van, or even help you back up so you don't hit any body. And if you use their service you are expected to pay them a little. For the past year I have tried to avoid situations like this feeling as if they don't think I can do it myself, but what I should have learned a long time ago, is that it's not saying I can't do it, but it's a small way they are trying to earn money, be helpful, just a culture difference and really, it does help. It was very nice help when I was 8 months pregnant going shopping with 2 kids in tow, and it was a great help yesterday with just Emma in tow, but realized it is nice to have someone else put the groceries in my van so I can help Emma get in her carseat and we can get home even a few minutes sooner. Plus, I could help him out by giving him 2 pesos (that's only about 20 cents CDN) that may just make that difference for him. One culture difference from in Canada...not better nor worse, just different.