8 weeks already???

Well, I think I failed to update on what's going on right now in Mexico. Yesterday I came with the girls that went back to Santa Barbara with me, with Alberto, David and Rod to Cuautitlan-Iscali, still within the state of Mexico. Last night we just hung out, chatted and watched movies. I went to bed pretty late hanging out with my friends here. This morning we "slept in," it really does kind of feel like it now, until 9. After breakfast, we started our debriefing. We went until about 5pm or so, with several breaks in between. It has been really great to process, to share, to ecourage, to worship the Lord, to pray. It has been so great! But it's so hard to believe that I'm heading home tomorrow.
My flight leaves at 3.20pm. My host-family and my friend are hoping to meet me at the airport before I leave. I know it will be hard to say good-bye one last time, you would think I'd be out of tears by now, but they just keep coming. I just have to keep in mind how excited I am about seeing everyone back home.
Well, I'm off to eat dinner and probably stay up late one last time with the interns here. Once again, I thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I look forward to seeing you and thanking you in person!!!

bittersweet

Thanks so much for your prayers. Friday went so well. Class was great, and we all had a really fun time. We laughed so hard. The children's program was so cute and they all did really well. The parents were very proud.
We had a few hours to rest and pack. When we got back to the church, it was all decorated beautifully with all this Mexcian decorations. The program went really well, many people came to bid us farewell. It was a very special time. Then, we all headed to the bus station and our bus left at 1am. I got more rest this time, about 4 or 5hrs. So that was so much better.
Saturday afternoon, when we got into Mexico City, four of us took a taxi to the airport to meet Rod so he could take us back to Ixtapaluca. I was greeted by my host-sister and her cousin. That was so sweet.
I had an AMAZING time back there. It was wonderful getting to see so many of my friends from the past two months again. Saturday night there was a birthday party for one of the host-dads. That was cool because, first of all, it was another pachanga (party), and second, because it was a great way to see so many people again.
Afterward, we went out for quesadillas one last time.
Today, church was so great. I was very encouraged. It was definitely a bit bittersweet, so hard to say goodbye to everyone. When we went home, I hungout with my Alejandra and a friend. Then Abigail came over and my host-parents came back from the market. Abi brought me gifts and it was so hard to say goodbye to her. Rod came to pick me up, I really didn't want to go.
The thought that comforts me is that I get to go home and see family and friends, but my little heart is breaking. Please pray for me.

nachooooooooo!

Well, I can officially say that after this trip to Mexico, I have lived life!!! I've tried interesting foods, I've met amazing people, I've seen cool things, and Tuesday night I went with the team to watch Lucha Libre. It was definitely an experience! I wish my family had been there. Maybe some day, I'll have to come back and bring them with me to Mexico.
English classes have been going quite well. I feel like the students have learned a lot in two weeks. We have begun to prepare for Friday's "clausura" (closing ceremony). Each class will be performing something for their parents, we'll all sing "Forever," a contemporary Christian song in English. I'm so proud because today we had them sing it without any help, and they did so well!!! We're also going to share the wordless book and see if the kids can tell it, so it's more impacting for the parents. Please pray that the Lord will speak to the parents, especially the non-believers.
Please also pray for Friday. It's going to be a long day. After English class is the closing ceremony, then in the evening is our farewell activity. We are to be at the bus station at 12pm and our ride leaves at 1am. We are to arrive in Mexico City at 8am. I don't know what exactly will be going on on Saturday, but in the evening, I will be heading back to Ixtapaluca for the night. After church, I will be heading to D.F. I'm sad I can't stay longer, but I'm glad I'll get to see everyone at least once more.
I can't believe I've been here over 7 weeks. Time has flown by! I miss everyone back home, especially Mom and Dad. I will see you all soon!
Please be praying for my return, and reverse culture-shock. I'm not really looking forward to that, but I know being home will be amazing!!! I love you all! God bless!

continuamos con...

So, I had to leave for lunch, but I am back. Sorry for the confusing order and interruption. When we got back from eating out, there had been a terrible rainstorm, so the whole town had bad flooding. We got to the church, finally and thankfully (there were many cars and even trucks that got stranded in the streets), and the main hall had about 2 inches or so of water, the pastor's house next door was just as affected, the classrooms had about 5 or 6 inches. So it was crazy trying to work hard to get all the water out ASAP. I had fun though, even though it was a bit stressing. Afterward we finally got a chance to rehearse and then go home and I got to hear my host-parents' stories and testimonies. That was very special.
At church, I helped with some of the people from the team to sing worship. After the service, the church family all went to about 30 mins away to a family's home to eat and hang out. It was a great way to get to know some of the people from the church.
Yesterday, after English class, the pastor shared the church's missionary vision to the indigenous people of Oaxaca. It so cool to hear the church's heart. They are sending a group from the church of 7 people tomorrow to go minister there for a few days. Please pray for their 12 hr travels and safety while there!
I need to go for now. I've been on the computer for too long. Lord bless and keep you! Thanks!

to be continued...

Well, well, it's been a while again. It's been a little more difficult to get time to post here, so this might be another long one. I apologize ahead of time, and I will keep that in mind.
Last I talked about was that Tuesday we were going to the orphanage to work for the first time. I helped with the painting. Afterward, we had a fun little presentation with songs, games and the story of the wordless book.
Wednesday, when we were done with the English club, we went to this "tianguis" or market. It was really fun to get to experience that here. Later in the evening, Fer (the pastor's oldest son) took us to a coffee house. It was so great to hang out and chill with the team in a setting like that!
Thursday, after class, I had a very meaningful time with God. I think the Lord renewed my focus and humbled my heart. He reminded me to be content in all circumstances, because I really don't have it hard. He has been placing on my heart, time and again, all the blessings I have that I shouldn't take for granted. I also had a great time lifting up those around me in prayer. How refreshing!!! These past several days have been hard for the whole group. Much fatigue, sickness, issues that have come up with children, discipline, attitude problems with the children and even within the group. But, thanks to the Lord, our leadership has stepped up and we have united to fight in this spiritual battle. Please continue to pray for strength and protection, it is evident that these are more than physical struggles.
Friday was a really great day. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I'm not going to let that get in my way. I woke up to one of my house-mates, Jessica, standing in the doorway to wish me a happy birthday! Then, when I was getting ready, I heard some children's music in the hallway, when I heard that it said something about "Feliz CumpleaÑos," I walked out and my host-parents were waiting to give me hugs and wish me a happy day. They gave me a little present, it was so sweet. Then in English class, all the students and teachers sang to me and attacked me with hugs. It was very special.
In the evening, there was (what was supposed to be a surprise) party for me. We played games, ate hot dogs and had cake! The have this tradition that the birthday person has to take a bite of the cake as it is, and someone most likely will shove their face in. I didn't have too bad of an experience, I took advantage of the darkness after I blew the candles out, so not many people had a chance to shove me in. Regardless, it was really fun and sweet. I got a few cards and presents. I definitely felt loved. Then my host-dad, a guy from the church and a guy from the team came out with guitars and were my birthday mariachis. I was soooo excited! (I kind of secretly wanted mariachis for my birthday, but no one knew)
Saturday we got to sleep in; that was amazing, I repeat, AMAZING! Sleep in til 9am....can't believe I'm calling that sleeping in!!! Then we went downtown to check out museums and go to the central market. The craziest thing is that while walking around, I bumped into the McDougal's, a family from my home church that lives just about 5 mins from my house back in College Station.

feliz birthday

Mom, I love you so much!!! I want to wish you a very, very happy birthday! I miss you. I want everyone to know how amazing mi mama es!!! Que la pases bien y nos vemos pronto!

the say i talk like a chilanga (from Mex. City)

I'm definitely seeing the Lord's sovereign hand working here!
The bus ride wasn't to bad. The whol trip was about 7.5 hrs. I only slept a total of 20 mins or so. When we got to Guadalajara, we met the pastor, Fernando Amezcua and his family. Then we went to our host-homes. Our family is really fun and very sweet. They are a strong Christian family, very involved in the church, especially in the music ministry. They have four daughters, Karime (10), Ania (7) and Dani (6). I'm living in their home along with three other girls. They have a really nice home.
I feel like, until this afternoon, we have been going non-stop. I was so exhausted, this afternoon I took a 2 hour nap, and it was AMAZING! Praise the Lord. I'm serious, I really needed it (for bothe mental and physical reasons).
We pretty much spend all day, from 8am, at the church facility. It can get exhausting, so please pray for strength, energy and patience. Today was our first day of English class. We are going from about 9.30am-1pm. It is a bit of a long day, but we have decided to break up the day into sessions and do music, games and snacks along with the class time. That has helped with the crowd control aspects. We're still trying to figure out the division of the groups, but today I worked with the only adult that showed.
Tomorrow, after English class, we are going to work at an orphanage for about four hours and again on Thursday. Like I said, they've got us pretty busy here. But it's all good, and at the end of the day, we feel accomplished. As we have been studying recently, please pray that we would only boast in the Lord and in His mighty power!
One last prayer request, it has been a bit hard for me to part from the church and my host-family from Ixtapaluca. I think about them often. I'm so grateful I will get to see them again before I leave, but it's hard to be away from them. I think about them often. It's also hard to not compare ministry here to there. Please pray for contentment in ALL circumstances!
I cannot thank you enough for all your love and prayers. I have been so encouraged by you all! God bless you!