memories

I can't help but think of my time in Mexico all the time. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my good friends I've made there. The Lord is working wonders everyday.
My sister, Ale, is still growing immensely and her love for the Lord is burning. It is so encouraging for me to talk to her. I am so grateful for technology, that I can talk to her and communicate throught the Internet with her. I miss her very much. But the Lord is greater than distance and borders! Almost everytime we talk, email or chat, she asks for advice and encouragement. I thank the Lord for giving me wisdom and the words to speak.
I have a few real cool stories to tell before I share a few more pictures of my time there. A couple of nights ago, I was chatting over the Internet with Ale, and all of a sudden we decided to start going through the Essentials Bible study via Internet. I must say, it's not as easy as being in person and studying one-on-one, but regardless, this is something that still blows me away!!! I love that we don't have any time schedule to follow and this information is all new to her, so her excitement is so contagious!!! She is so thrilled, she wants to share everything she is learning with those around her!!! Praise God! Please be praying for her growth and for the continuation of this unique ministry.
The second story happened just a week ago today. My friend, Alberto, whom had become a believer last summer through the same internship program I worked with, was telling me he was going to be traveling with his brother for a family reunion. He wasn't exactly looking forward to it because he didn't have any other believers in the family, and it was always a hard experience to spend time with them. I encouraged him and told him I'd be praying for him.
That Monday, come to find out, his younger brother trusted Christ. Oh the excitement!!! He was so thrilled to tell me, "Now I can't say I'm not the only believer in my family!!" I pray that this is only a start of a great change in the lives of his family.

Anyway, this weekend was great! I went up to Dallas for the weekend to go to the wedding of some college friends. It was a beautiful ceremony and a great reunion!!! It's crazy to think that next weekend, I'm going to be in the wedding of my best-friend from college!!! This is so exciting and crazy! WHo said we had to grow up??? Haha...anyway, it was also a sweet weekend because I spend the weekend at Rachel Drennan's house, a girl that was on the internship in Mexico with me. So great to share memories together.

This is me and Alejandra. I miss this girl soooo much!!!



















This is Abigail and me after church. Sweet, sweet girl!!!
















My wonderful host-family the day I left the home.
Such a sweet family! I had a blast with them!
















Abigail, her two sons, Saul and Abraham,
and a friend, Alejandro, in her little store.
















My English class in Ixtapaluca, Mexico City.

back in texas

As you may have figured by now, I'm back in College Station, TX. I've been back for 2 weeks now, and managing to keep myself busy. Maybe it helps me forget how much I miss Mexico from time to time. Saying goodbye was not easy, but it was really sweet getting to be there!
My flight went smoothly, I had no major hassles, so for that I am thankful. I was met up at the airport by my sister, Ale, and my two friends, Alejandro and Alberto. It was defintely great to spend a few last hours with them, but once it was time to say goodbye, I didn't want to let go of them. As I walked away with tears in my eyes, although I wasn't crying, my heart ached and still does because I left a piece of it with each of them.
Now I thank the Lord for the ease of communication through technology. I've been able to email, chat and even call a few times since I've been gone. It's great to be able to keep in touch with everyone still.
My welcome to Texas was sweet. My parents picked me up and took me out to dinner where Daniel and Amber surprised me by meeting us there. That was really cool!
It has been great getting to reconnect with people here again. I've been working back at the church a few hours a day.
Pretty soon one of my best friends is officially growing up...in my eyes....she's getting married! I'm so excited! This is crazy!
Anyway, thanks again for checking up on me and being interested in my trip. God bless!

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.