The overdue update :-D, part 1

I have about a month worth of excitement to fill you all in on….. So I think this is going to be in the form of several posts. I have been majorly slacking in the Blogging department. I know. But, come on! I have had a total of 167 guests, 6 students, and 2 new neighbors, in just one month. Plus all of the little things in between. Lots of food, lots of rain, followed closely by even more sunshine, and lots of God! So here we go: :-D

The rain started on December 18th sometime in the night, around 2:00 am. It never stopped-- not even for an hour-- for three days. And if you have seen rain in Mexico, you know what I am talking about. Our driveway turned into a river. Our buildings all leaked. ALL of them. The wind blew, and the water came down in sheets. …. Speaking of sheets….. We were preparing for our team from Roseburg, who were to arrive on the 20th. Ryan was trying to mop up puddles, and repair leaks, and I was trying to get 12 beds ready. I walk into the “Wash house”, where all of the sheets are stored, and… well…. It was raining. Inside. All over the rack where the sheets are stored. Ha Ha Ha!!! Oh boy! …. so I used the ONE dryer that we have on base to dry 12 sets of sheets, and threw the beds together. I think I got done just in time to start dinner for the group.
The weather calmed down, the group arrived, and all was going well, until we saw that the weather report called for a one or two day break-- then MORE rain! We were expecting the kids from Guadalupe to come over to receive bikes for Christmas, and have a bike clinic and relay races.
Well- it rained. Again….. So the first day we had the kids over, we played with them inside the chapel. They played games, and sang songs, and had a lot of fun. See…. God works all things out-- so why worry? :)
The weather cleared up, and we had sunshine the rest of the year… in fact-- it hasn’t rained since.
On the 23rd of December, we had a friend (sister Marina) come over, with her 2 lovely daughters, to prepare Tamales and a traditional Christmas Dinner, Mexican Style, for us. We invited the kids who Lance and Maricela work with, and their parents. The food was amazing! And it was fun! And we made new friends.
What a blast!
On the 25th, I cooked a traditional American Christmas Dinner, and we had Lance and Maricela and Luis’ brother Alex over. It was delicious, and fun to see the Mexicans trying new things.
The group gave out 7 *new* bikes, and tuned up several others, including one for the mother of one of the kids. I have pictures. They weren’t the least bit excited ;-) Even Maricela joined in on the races.
On a side note- we enjoyed sharing our Christmas morning with my mom. The kids got to open gifts that were sent down with the group by various family members. Our family is always there to make sure the kids feel at home when holidays come.
We also got to skype with my Dad and Step-Mom on Christmas morning. Thank the Lord for technology.
That was the first week of our group from Roseburg.

The second Week:
We went to the Casa Hogar (a type of Mexican Foster Care Home, for abandoned children.) on the Monday of the next week. It was a very warm, beautiful day in the eastern valley! We brought hot dogs, and chips and hand squeezed lemonade (courtesy of Albert :-). Marlena and Lilly joined in on the trampoline, and Nick and Kathy and Courtney played Volley Ball. It was a blast.
We had a work party at Lance and Maricela’s house on Tuesday and Wednesday (I think? :-), and did some yard work, cleaned out the new school room, and painted it. Maricela made fish & shrimp soup for lunch..mmm mmm good!!
Thursday was my beautiful friend Rachael’s 18th birthday. I love you Ratch. You are an amazingly beautiful, sweet, innovative, creative, artistic, woman with a huge future. You are going to bless the socks off of a LOT of people in your life. You are going to be a wonderful wife and mother someday. God is going to use you mightily!
Our next team (including the students, and Ma and Pa Noobs) came that night- and my lovely Kayla was with them J, as well as the Froslands- thus bringing the ranch total up to 25.
We had dinner and cake for Rachael, and then she and some of the teens went to a youth camp overnight at the Alverez’ ranch.
Friday was New Years Eve, and we stayed at base. Everyone came over to our house, had snacks and pumpkin bread and watched the prophesy update online.
Both teams left Saturday , one early Saturday morning, and the other Saturday afternoon.
This was the end of week two, and the end of our first string of guests :-D
….to be continued……

Hogar, dulce hogar

Three weeks since I posted! yikes! I guess we were a little busy :)

I didn't really know what to expect on our first visit back to Oregon. I knew it was going to be strange to be back in our "home", and it not be our home. And it was. We have no house there. Our jobs aren't there. Our belongings aren't there. We have changed our whole lives, while everyone in Oregon is still doing what they do. We felt out of the "loop". I realized that God had done this in our hearts to bless us. He has made me very happy here, in order that I can serve Him here with Joy. I also realized what it must be like to be the one staying..... Our families are there, and we are not, and it is very tough for them to see us for two weeks, then not see us for 6 months.

We did a lot of explaining. We tried to get people excited about MBS, and about Tres Cruces. We really just want everyone back home to get a chance to come here and see first-hand what is going on with us. *hint hint*

I also realized how much I LOVE having the Students here (I got to see the three of them who are from Oregon-- whom I hadn't seen in almost a month!). I can't wait for those kids to get back here!...... and I realized how much I miss Memorie, and how much my kids miss their girls. It is very quiet, and often lonley here with only us. It is much easier to bear day-to-day with friends on the other side of our wall.

We had a lot of meetings, and we had a lot of very good visits with dear friends and family. We tried to stretch ourselves as far as we could.

But I still came home feeling like I missed people. I didn't get enough time with some of you-- which is why you have to come see me. *hint hint*

Overall- we had a very good trip. It was good to see all of you who we got a chance to see! And thank you to the Millers, and Wilsons for planning a wedding during that week, so that we could see a lot of people at once :-D (even though Jem knows that she is one of those people who I didn't get to see enough of).

I also did some shooting while I was there. I had a Senior Shoot with Miki:

I did a Family Shoot with the Ballengers:

And I did a baby shoot with Grace and Hayden, and Hayden's Big Brother Breaden:

We got home on Tuesday the 14th, and were welcomed by Luis, and the dogs (who thought we had left them forever) and the warm Mexico sunshine :)

Now we are preparing for a team. They will be here on Monday, and they will be here through Christmas, and leave on New Years Day. My Mom will be with them-- and my kids are not the least bit excited..... ha! ;-) (Taiah cleaned her room!!! She MUST be excited!).

So I will go now, and put some sheets on some beds, and some towels in the bathrooms.

Here is a little peek at what Oregon had to offer us. (A very beautiful {cold!! but beautiful} place to be...... for a short time :-D)

Words

I put this post off for a whole day. I just don't seem to have words this week.

I didn't really know what it was.

I have had a burden of prayer for a couple of people.

In a matter of 24 hours, I found out why.

Our friends in Uganda are dealing with serious illnesses this week, and in the middle of two teams! The enemy wants to put a damper on the spreading of The Gospel- and he is doing his best. But our God is awesome, and it is HE who reigns- in heaven, and on earth.
We are praying for you Zane!

Our Friend from the North, who I mentioned a few weeks back, has been taken from his home
and put in custody. Once again- the enemy trying to stop the furthering of The Gospel.

This is serious stuff friends.

The Word of God is the beginning of faith. The Message of God's sacrifice for our salvation, in HIS own words. That is a powerful thing!
Just stop and think about the power that God's words have:
They spoke the world into being ~ Gen. chapter 1
They gave Man dominion over the earth ~ Gen. chapter 2
They cursed Man for his transgressions ~ Gen. chapter 3
They gave Moses the Law ~ Exodus chapter 20
They declared Jesus to be God ~ Mat. 3:17
Jesus tells us that ALL of His words, were God's ~ John 14:24
Therefore: every word Jesus spoke on this earth, was a direct word from God.
And His words forgave our transgressions, and conquered death ~ John 19:30
And they will offer me living water in the End ~ Rev. 21:6

Now, in Matthew 4, we see that Satan knows the Word of God.
If you were him, wouldn't you want to keep people from hearing it??
He knows the ending!

He gave us His Word.

Be IN it.

KNOW it.

SHARE it.
We are His feet.
Let's keep the Word moving.

Where are the weeks going?

It is a little difficult to explain how strange it feels (as an Oregonian), that THIS is November. It is sunny and warm every day. We haven't had rain in a month. Last week it was in the 90's. This week it has been in the 80's.

Mexico obviously doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, so there is no precursor to Christmas. It took me completely off guard to see Christmas decorations out in the stores.

(Side note: Mexico is in a different world when it comes to Christmas propaganda!! There are hardly any bins of decorations, no one has trees, there are a couple of tree farm lots, but they are $50 or more...and we hardly hear mention of any of it!)



SO! Since the year is moving on around us, and we are here in the quiet seclusion of our own little ranch.... we are crafting and plugging along at school!

I have been crocheting some things for gifts, and will be sewing some others.

Taiah has been pushing through her books.... she would rather get her work done before lunch, so she gets started right after breakfast, instead of our scheduled start time of 10:00am. She has been learning about Uganda, and the animals of the Safari Plains (Summer- I promise she will be typing out her letter to Eryn soon! She has it written already ;)

She has also been working a lot on her spelling. We got a spelling workbook on Amazon- and I hate it. So I have been using some of the suggestions that my friend Esther gave me, and keeping it easy for her. LOTS of repetition!

Asa L-O-V-E-S starfall.com

We have been fans for a long time, but he is able to navigate the site himself now, and thinks it is great! Check out the letter "Z" ..... it is his fave ;-)

The students are doing great! We have been getting regular updates from them, and we are getting so anxious to see them all!!

Apparently the food in Tabasco is better than the food in Bangladesh ;)


We had a spur of the moment visit from Ryan's Uncle and Cousin from Spring Valley this week! That was awesome!! We LOVE having people here, and it was good to see them and get to visit up at their house for a while before we all came down here. We are going to go back up to their place for Thanksgiving next week too! I only wish I could figure out a way to sneak Luis up there too ;) so he could experience an American Thanksgiving dinner! But he will have to talk his mama into making him dinner instead :)

Tomorrow is the Baja 1000 off-road race. It is pretty much the biggest Off-Road race in this hemisphere. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_1000. We aren't excited a bit. And we definitely didn't spend ALL day yesterday 4-wheeling through the Mexican desert tracking the race route and finding a good spot to watch it........ that would be silly.......
Photos to come :-D

8 days 'til Thanksgiving!

13 days 'til Oregon!!

Woo Hoo!!!!

><> Shae

Going, Going, ........ Gone

Everyone is gone. Spread throughout the world- sharing the Gospel. This is the work that they have been preparing for. They have been working non-stop for two months to be equipped to take these trips. The anticipation of hearing their stories is almost unbearable! I am SO anxious to see them all again-- and they have not even been gone a week :)
Nate and Chris made it safely to Bangladesh. They have limited internet- so we haven't heard too much from them.
The rest of the bunch left Saturday for Comalcalco, Tabasco, MX. (outside of Villahermosa)
I haven't heard from any of them, so I assume that they have yet to find internet.

We walked up to the kitchen yesterday.
No one was there.
So we went into town and had $0.84 fish tacos.
They were delish.

When we got home, no one was here.

Three more weeks and we're leavin' for Oregon!!


"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"
Psalm 46:10-11

One more Update!

I forgot to mention that ALL of the expenses for the Students' trips came in- and they ALL get to participate! Praise God! One month ago, there were only 2 or 3 who knew for sure that they could go. Thank you for your gracious donations!!! And Thank you Lord for providing for us, and stretching our surplus!!

November?

The sun is shining, and it is 81 degrees outside. Doesn't feel like any November that I have ever experienced. I am LOVING every minute of it. We have been here for 16 weeks! Can you believe it?!
The semester is winding down, and so is the year! In 5 days, we will have an empty Ranch with the exception of our family. We have had close to 100 different people visit us since July.
What-A-Blessing!
I don't think that Google allows enough storage for me to list the ways that the Lord has blessed us since then! This adventure has been over and above anything we could have ever expected- and the year isn't even over yet!
Our Students will be leaving for Villahermosa, Mexico on Saturday. They will be ministering to over 100 Mexican Pastors there. Pray for their safety, health, and obedience. Nate and Chris will leave Thursday for Bangladesh. They will be ministering there for two weeks, and then they go on to Uganda for a visit with the McCourneys for two weeks. They have a LOT of traveling to do this month, and will need your prayers for safety, health, rest, and sensitivity to the Spirit! Also pray for Memorie and the girls, as they are in Oregon, missing Nate, and will no doubt be struggling with worry while he is overseas. Also pray for our Students as they go home. You can't imagine how difficult it will be for them to go back to "normal" life at home.
I am so excited to hear about how these two trips go, and what all happens while they are all gone! But I am overwhelmingly sad that our friends will be leaving here, and some may not return next semester. We don't know who will be staying here in January, but we know that the Lord will send them, and it will be a blessed semester as well!
I am also SO VERY excited to go visit in Oregon at the end of the month!!! We will leave here on November 30th, and be in Oregon for two weeks. The kids are so excited that they could explode. They are going to make a countdown chain today :) They miss their Moog and Gump like no one's business! (they haven't gotten to skype with them at all), and they can't stop talking about all of the people that they are going to stay overnight with ;). I miss RCF like crazy. I underestimated the impact that moving away from my church would have on me. I can't wait to see everyone, to sit in on Phil's teaching (in person- and not just over the net ;), and Dorie better remember to schedule me for the Coffee Shop- cause I am in dire need of some serious Espresso construction AND consumption!
As far as happenings updates:
David shaved Austin's head.

That's right. Bald Austin. Very, ummm, different.

Ryan shaved Asa's head. :-( Boo Hoo..... no more blonde locks. But he loves it- and he is Brothers with Austin ;),

so what else would you expect.
Samson ate his first animal: a Jackrabbit that Nate shot. He loved it. He became carnivorous, and will hopefully start to hunt the rabbits himself (pesky buggers!)

!!!FELIZ CUMPLIANOS!! to our niece Katherine!!! She turned 5 yesterday!! We are sorry we had to miss your Peter Pan Party, Katie- but we will see you in 28 days!!!
Well.... new pics are up, and I am off to read in the sun :-D

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Bendiciones! ><> Shae