El Jardin!!

The garden... the BIG garden, that is-- is tilled, hoed, raked, mounded, irrigated and planted!!! Mostly :) We have: Tomatoes (5 varieties), Jalapeños, Arbol, Bells, Guajillo, Serrano, Poblano, Spinach, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beets, Radish, Carrots, Tomatillos, Garlic, Onions, Peas, Cilantro, Parsley, Brussel Sprouts, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Zucchini, Acorn Squash, Gourds, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Strawberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Corn!!! Whew!!

This all is in addition to our fruit trees: Orange, Lemon, Lime, Mexican Lime, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Peach, Kumquat, Plum, Quince, Pear, Apple, Cherry, (Some sort of berry), and Guava. We also have a banana plant-- but it is not exactly, um, ... thriving ;-/ I am also trying to grow Mango and Papaya- but we shall see how that goes :)

We have Cactus, which give TONS of fruit as well as their edible Nopali, and Wild Sage- which is medicinal.

Now- if you guys know Memorie or I very well- you know that this is a sort of paradise to us :) We are having a blast with all of this fresh produce! Once the garden begins to give, and we have an abundance, we will not only be saving a ton on groceries, but we will be able to help out our friends too. What a blessing!

It has been a lot of work the past three weeks. My sister and my mom were here to help for a week, and now Mem is back- so she gets to help too :) We have had some issues with Rabbits, Gophers, and insects. We are also dealing with the fact that Mem and I are used to gardening in the Pacific NW.... not the Desert SW. So if any of you happen to be Desert SW gardening Whizzes......

Now is the waiting game..... ugh.... some stuff is already started, some have leaves, some have sprouts, and I have already been able to harvest Spinach, Lettuce, and Cilantro. But now we have to wait anywhere from 30 to 180 days before we can eat fruit :) .... that seems like such a long time. That just means that I will have plenty of time to post pictures, right :-D

><> Shae

~ Blessings ~

The students are gone. The neighbors are gone. The Hubby is gone.

What a big silence out there!!

I have been working on the gardening this week! I am so stoked for the big garden to be planted in a few weeks!

Mem and I planted a mini-version of a garden just outside the Cocina window about a month ago. We have Basil, Cilantro, Beets, Carrots, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Onions, Garlic, Oregano, Peas, Spinach, Cucumbers, Lettuce, and Calendula. It has been so exciting to see it all grow! It is amazing how fast stuff grows here!!

We planted some flowers, and some chilis too, and the flowers are taking off like crazy! The chilis took a hit from being thrown off the wall by the kids, and then took another hit (after being reinstated;) but a little rain storm we had. They are hanging in there- but I planted a new batch today.... so we will see how they do!

It is almost time to take the starts of the tomatoes and carrots and beets out of the small garden and move them out into the big garden.

So I guess I should get said big garden ready! :-/

I need to get it tilled under again- with the compost this time, and get a fence up around it. We have a HUGE gopher and rabbit infestation-- which Samson is doing his best to get control of ;).

I planted the Banana plant in the ground, as well as the Palm (which was our Christmas tree)- and they are both taking off too!

I will wait a week or so and take more photos, but I had to take these of the marigolds, zinnia, alyssum, morning glory and moonflowers that the kids planted-- last week!!

They are already a couple of inches high!! (see photos above^).

We had a day of rain, then we have had a solid week of beautiful, hot sunshine-- so they are loving it!

Ok-- so that is what is up with the garden..... can you tell that I am excited?? ;-)

What else---

The Base was blessed with the donation of a 15 passenger van from some peeps in Phoenix!! So Ryan took the van up to Oregon to get all of the registration and whatnot taken care of. It is getting a check-up, and a good cleaning too. ALSO-- RCF has the opportunity to up-grade their van situation too, so they are passing down one of the white vans to us!! So now we have TWO means of transportation for large groups! The Lord is good!

We had been trying to run everyone around in our personal vehicles :)

How many people can you fit in a 5-seater, '84 Landcruiser????

Answer-- at least eleven.....

So Ryan is driving the van from RCF back down (as we speak- so to say ;).

He left at 6:30 on monday morning-- after having taken all of Saturday to drive to Phoenix and back to get the other van! Isn't there some sort of point system for frequent drivers?? I think he will have logged in around 2,700 miles in 6 days. Whew!

In other news:

MY SISTER WILL BE HERE IN 7 DAYS!!!!!!

I am not the least bit excited.... obviously.

My mom is coming too-- in fact, she is bringing Niki with her-- but, she understands..... Niki hasn't been to see me yet- and Mom got to come down for two weeks in December.

This will be a fun visit though-- I don't have to work this time :-D

All we have to do is : Paint walls, dig and plant gardens, and eat tacos.

So...... please think of me the 17th through the 28th, because it shall be rough ;)

Oh, one other thing.

I have been told that a list of needs for the Base went out to RCF last week, and the van which Ryan is bringing home is packed to the hilt with blessings!!! You guys are so awesome!! I am always amazed at how much you all love this place! We were blessed to see everything that was sent back in July. It was such a help to get the school started!! And you have done it yet again.

I will post pics when I get the shipment ;)

AND- on top of this van being chalk full-- the van which Nate is bringing back at the end of the month will be full of everything that was brought in on Wednesday night, after the first van was already packed.

Did I mention that you guys are awesome??

cambio

I have written at least 4 posts to put up here, but none of them seem like what I am supposed to say.
I feel like there is no a whole lot to update you on, but then I look back at what we have been doing- and I always have a list of things I could share.
We have made new friends, we have served in our community, we have had guests, we have had fun, and we have had all sorts of weather.
But all I can think about, and what weighs heavy on my heart, is that the students are going home again.
I love these kids like I love my own siblings. I wish they would just ask if they can live here :)
And knowing that this is the last time that they will leave, and return is a hard thing for me to bear. The next time they go home- they will stay there. Or they will move on to the ministries which God has for them-- the ministries that are the reason that they are here in the first place.
I hope they all come back from time to time. I hope they all write home once in a while.

A dear friend of mine brought to light a very important aspect of our lives here when we were talking in December. I was explaining to her that it is hard for my kids to adjust to our ever-changing- sorry- excuse- for- a "schedule". She said that that made since. "You guys are living a rollercoaster life, with people in and out of it...... and the kids are on the ride too."
My kids are on an emotional rollercoaster.
People come, and life changes, and people go, and it changes again. They get used to life being one way, then it changes. They get used to one set of people, then they leave. Not to mention that this is our first year being away from everything they have ever known.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ride!!! I LOVE that every day is new, and we never know what we will be doing next week, and we meet new people all the time.
But there was no sign at the gate that said "you must be this tall to ride".
It is our job then, as parents, to first ask God to build a foundation for us (I Cor. 3:10-15)... then to build upon it with things that can withstand fire.
We need to give our kids a safe place. They need to feel loved and protected. They need to have rules, and know that they can't be broken. This helps them to have a sense of normalcy. It is a structure. And they need to know that we are all in this together- that God has us all here for a purpose. They are important in it too. They are "missionaries" too.

These are my thoughts this week.
Pray for us often.
Come and see us.
Every familiar face is like care package from home.

><> Shae

Excess

We decided to get outta Mexico for the day.
It was a long, busy month- and we needed a change of scenery .
So we packed up the car and headed to San Diego.

San Diego is a magnificent city.
It is beautiful, and clean, and warm.
It is also very rich.

I was born in a small town.
Taught to fear Jesus in a small town. ;-)
Took for granted the simplicity of being raised in a small town.

As we wandered around various shopping centers and malls throughout San Diego, Mission Valley, and La Jolla, I saw more money being wasted than ever before in my life.

Twelve dollars to watch a movie.
Two hours worth of entertainment, for four times as much as a ranch hand in Mexico makes for an hour of hard work in the hot sun.
That really makes me stop and think about my three dollar coffee.

It costs (on average) twelve American Dollars to print a Bible in any language.

One movie- or the Word of God.
Two hours of entertainment.
Or someone being given the Truth, in their own language, most likely for the first time.

Do you know that the average American household has four Bibles.
Most Christians have even more.
Did you know that it is illegal to have a Bible in over 52 countries?

Makes me think that KP was on the right track…..
I think Americans alone could financially support the worldwide spreading of the Gospel.
If we all gave away everything that we didn’t need, to someone who really needed it, maybe everyone could have what they really need.
If we really really thought about how much money we need, and gave the rest to someone who didn't have enough.....

Isn’t that how God set it up in the first place??
“So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.“ Nmbr 3:49-51

Do you guys have excess???

I know we do.....

Overdue update part 2

Alright. So I have you updated till New Years.

We had one day to catch up on sleep, and then swing into gear getting the base cleaned up.
Half of the students were here, and the other half would arrive on Monday afternoon.
Once the whole crew was together again (minus one very important Austin :( ) we began preparing for our Missions Conference. We didn’t know exactly how many people would be coming, but last time there were 32, on top of our 15, so we knew to be ready for a big group .

On Friday, we welcomed our new neighbors on to the ranch. Patricia and Carlos have purchased property across the street from us, and are in the process of getting it ready to live on. In the mean time, they will be living in their RV, here on the base. They are an amazing Christian couple from Central/Southern Mexico.
They both helped me to cook during the conference, and I can’t even tell you how big of a help she was!!
She has also promised to teach us Spanish. Yay!!
OK…. Back to the conference. As you all know from last time, in October, these conferences are a big deal. We get guests from all over the world, and have a busy schedule, and are very very blessed.
The group of guests from Roseburg arrived on Monday. On board were Don, Steve, Rachael, and Austin. Yes, Austin…. Our missing piece. Austin was our student last semester, and is not returning this semester in order to pursue ministry opportunities in Roseburg. We all miss him like crazy, and hope that God will have him back here very soon.
Also-- they pulled down the tractor that we had donated to us back in the beginning of summer. Ryan was like a kid on Christmas morning. I have a feeling some dirt is going to be moved around very soon.
Tuesday we welcomed the rest of our guests, and fun began! :-D
Base occupancy up to 46.
Moses and Seragem Paulose, from India, came as our special guests. Moses is an amazing man of God. He is CONSTANTLY sharing the Gospel. Wherever he is. Even the taco stand.
What an example he sets!
His wife, Seragem, is a humble, prayer warrior. She is always lifting up her husband, and children. Her testimony is amazing, and her laugh is contagious. I love her dearly. She will forever be in my prayers.
The Pauloses have a ministry there in India, where- along with discipling natives, they feed and minister to over 120 people everyday, right there in their home. They care for 58 children from the streets. They have 6 biological children who are ALL missionaries/ministers. They also have an adopted daughter. She is 10 years old. They rescued her from the all too common fate of a female baby in their area. She would have likely been bruitally murdered.
This family has sacrificed everything for the call that God has placed on them. They packed up and moved from the home they knew, to a foreign state. They didn’t have money. They didn’t know the language. They had no idea what to expect. But they packed up and moved anyhow. Two young children (a 3 year old, and a 1.5 year old) and 8 months pregnant. On foot.
Moses heard the call, and his wife believed in him, and followed. Amazing witness these two are. Check out their ministry: Body of Christ Ministries.
Another big blessing for me during this conference was that there were several women who came. I really enjoyed meeting them, and visiting with them, and just seeing other women who are fired up about discipleship and evangelism.
I’m telling you guys…. You need to make time to come to the next conference. We don’t even know who will be sharing- but it is always worth it. It will likely be in April sometime. I will keep you updated.

Thanks for being patient with me :)
Now you are updated.
Lots of pictures to thumb through here: http://picasaweb.google.com/steffensenfaminmexico

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)