Reflecting and remembering. . .

So it has been quite a long time since this blog has seen any action, so long in fact that this blog no longer represents just my life as a single woman on an adventure from God in Monterrey. Instead it will tell of the adventures of a married woman and her husband in Monterrey. :) In fact, a year ago today that wonderful man proposed (picture below) and I am so thankful for the blessing God gave me in him. Today Sam and I both continue to serve full-time with TIME Ministries in Monterrey, working closely with Iglesia Biblica La Gracia. In an effort to keep you, the people who support us and pray for us, more up to date and informed about what is happening and what God is doing, I hope to keep this blog hopping with news, pictures, updates, and reflections. 

One of those reflections I'd like to share now. This weekend, while spending time chatting with a great friend who came to visit (yes, we love having visitors!), I have been able to reflect over the years I have been here and what God has been doing, not just in this city and the church but in me. Numerous people have asked us over the last few days how we met if she lives on one side of the US and I am from the other. Many seem shocked to find out that the answer is we met here-in Mexico. You see, this friend was once an intern for the summer working alongside the TIME Missionaries and with the many groups that come down and the churches we serve. It's quite amazing to reminiscence, reflect, and remember the path on which God takes us and to see with renewed eyes the many blessings He has given us. Two things today were an additional reminder. This morning, we celebrated "la santa cena"- The Lord's Supper-Communion, the time to remember and reflect on what Christ did for us on the cross. Later this afternoon, Sam and I, our visiting friend, and a few other friends were able to visit a beautiful place just outside the city. A place that brought to mind and made alive a few scripture passages. I'd like to share just one with you. 

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1 

We drove through an area surrounded by mountains and rocks, everywhere I turned my eyes were drawn up. Up to see where this massive structure in front of me would end. But only some of them were visible, today being a lovely, cool, rainy day (yes, they do happen occasionally in Monterrey). The others were hidden behind and underneath a blanket of white. But I knew they were there. We  live right on a mountain and in a city surrounded by them, they are usually resplendently beautiful and visible the second we leave our house, but as with the last few days, if you didn't already know the mountain was there you'd never guess how close they are. As my friend exclaimed yesterday during a moment when the sun broke through and the clouds weren't so low. "Wow, you really do live in the mountain." Sometimes life is like that-at least for me. It's not always so much a matter of not knowing; it's more a matter of not remembering, of not reflecting, or of not lifting up my eyes to see that the top of the mountain is there and most importantly to know that that is where my help comes from. Sometimes it's easy to just see the base of the mountain. Maybe the top is covered with clouds, maybe I've forgotten to lift up my eyes, but whatever the case the top is still there. My Savior-the one who died for me, for my sins, who loved me enough to give His life- He's still there. "I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord."I need to lift up my eyes to the mountains, all the way to the top, whether it's visible or not, and remember that from up there comes my help. When the mountain feels huge and the clouds are low, my Savior, the Maker of heaven and earth, awaits. 

As I've reflected and reminisced with my friend over the last few days about moments when the mountains were big and the clouds were low, moments when I forgot to take the time to look to the top of the mountains to find my help even though God has placed me in a location where I am surrounded by their beauty, moments when all was well and the skies were clear, through them all I've been reminded of just where my help comes from and will continue to come. I've been struck by His immense faithfulness and seen the truth of the Psalmist David. 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You annoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23

The glory of God

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

Cleansing Rain

This week it rained for the first time in about 6 months. It was such a refreshing cleansing rain. The dirt visibly washed down the streets and muddy water pooled in the streets as the typical flooding made streets into rivers. As the sun came out after the storm everything seemed brighter, cleaner, fresher. The mountains immediately seemed greener, perhaps bigger.

That evening the group from Stillwater EV Free Church in Minnesota and members of Iglesia Biblica La Gracia went to a lookout in the center of the city to pray for Mexico and Monterrey. After a time of enjoying the view of a city surrounded by mountains left freshly washed by their Creator and as the sun set behind us we gathered together to pray for the renewal and revival of a city and country that is deeply hurting. What a humbling experience to join together with people of various of various churches from two countries who speak different languages to cry out to the Almighty God for His hand to move in Monterrey and Mexico. God is not finished here yet. Please join me in praying for a cleansing rain and revival to fall on this city and country.

Creeré

I just spent about an hour watching the youth group, Amiud 24/7 of La Iglesia Biblica La Gracia (Grace Bible Church) here in Monterrey practice a drama and a choreography they are doing for a special event for Valentine's Day, here known as the day of love and friendship. Valentine's Day often has such a couple's focus, but we're hoping to present a program that speaks to the heart of true Love-the Love of God.

The choreography is being planned to the song "Creeré" by Tercer Cielo. Creeré means "I will believe" in Spanish. Go to YouTube and look it up. It's a really impactful song, I wish everyone could understand all of the words. I've heard and liked this song for sometime now, but sometimes I forget to pay attention to the words. The picture above is from a line in the song that says "Y la fe te dará fuerza de creer que vencerás." Faith will give you strength to believe that you will conquer or triumph. The whole song talks about choosing to believe in God alone when you feel down and discouraged and without strength.

Watching the youth practice tonight was a moment of seeing the belief amidst the doubts of the last few years played out. Seeing them practice something they are excited about and commited to. Watching them the last few weeks act on a passion to reach their friendship for Christ and as a group go out and look for them in a mission they have called "Rescuing Lost Souls". It is a sight that brought a smile to my heart and my face. I wish you could see it and understand. God is doing something in the lives of these kids. How humbling to be able to witness it.

laughter is good for the soul

I think we've all heard the saying laughter is good medicine. I think I would have to agree. I don't know what the theology is for this, but I praise God for the opportunity to laugh with friends. I find that I often tend towards the serious side but the other week I had the opportunity to have dinner with some friends and laughed for most of the few hours we were togetehr. What a joy. And tonight I also spent a few hours laughing, at myself mostly, and my dismal attempt to play a mario bros game on the wii. :) I think I lost about 12 lives in the last level we played before deciding to take a break. Oh well. It made for a great evening of laughter with friends.
Tonight I am thankful for laughter. I think it really is great medicine. When was the last time you spent an evening laughing? I hope you get the chance soon.

Merry Christmas!

It's strange as you get older and holiday traditions change and everyone must find their own. This is the third Christmas that I have spent in Monterrey. I have so much enjoyed putting up a Christmas tree in my apartment the last two years. This year it went up right after Thanksgiving. Without the normal Pennsylvania cold Christmas seems to arrive before I even realize it's December. The decorations help me remember and add a soft homey touch to my apartment. I hope to each year little by little add to my Christmas decorations, this year I added just enough to make my tree look a little less charlie brownish. ;) Being away from home at the holidays is always difficult but I have seen God's faithfulness in providing friends and family for me even when many of my loved ones are miles away.

It seems to be the tradition here that people have the big family gathering on Christmas Eve evening complete with gifts, tamales, and a host of other delicious foods. Christmas day is more relaxed with perhaps family returning for leftovers. I was blessed to joined in the Christmas dinners with friends of mine here both on Christmas Eve and Christmas day night.

Christmas Day we had a special Christmas service at the church. It was a very special time. For some from the church it was the first time they have celebrated Christmas as part of their church. Eighty-four people attended, some from other churches, some family members of the congregation who aren't believers, a few people from the neighborhood behind the church, and two girls from my apartment building. Praise God for the opportunities we had to remember and celebrate together that not only did God send His Son to be born as a baby but to be the Savior of the mankind! Please pray that I would continue to be able to have opportunities to talk with the girls from my apartment.

Sunday we had a great service and spent the rest of the day and night at the church with the youth and some of the young adults and adults. It was a great time just to spend with the youth. I'm also learning a lot as its a completely new generation and instead of hours of conversation and card games; Xbox, Wii, and Rock Band are the hits of the night. But I'm learning. :)

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year! (We are planning round two all-nighter with the youth) ;)

Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

It's been a few weeks since I've commented anything on here. I think I intended to update about my wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, but never got to it and now we're facing Christmas around the corner. Times are busy and there is lots of craziness and at times uncertainty but there is much for which to praise God. Thanksgiving was a wonderful time that I was able to spend with some new friends. And we had the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal-although at 9 pm! I made my first Turkey, that almost didn't fit into my oven as well as some other yummy Thanksgiving favorites and even was able to find a glimpse of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on tv, as well as talk with my family as they were all gathered together.

There are also moments that create quite an amusing story to tell, even though at the time I didn't feel quite so amused. December 12 is the day of celebration to the Virgen of Guadelupe throughout Mexico. As a part of this tradition groups called Matachines dress in traditional ethnic dress and dance as they march through the streets to the Church of the Virgen of Guadelupe. Music, dance, prayers as well as groups of people are all a part of this custom, as well as a someone who walks alongside the dancers. The tradition that has developed is that he will run up and scare people, especially teens and children who might be standing on the street watching them pass. Well, last week this man, he's called "el viejo de la danza" got me. I had just pulled into my garage and was walking to unload things from the back of my car when "el viejo de la danza" came running up to the other side of the garage door (its not a solid door, more like a gate). I screamed so loud and without remembering how I got there found myself on the other side of the garage behind my car. I think I trembled for 15 minutes but thinking back on it now just makes me chuckle. I'm hoping I screamed loud enough that I scared the guy intending to scare me. Life is never dull.

Currently we're planning events for a Christmas day service at the church. The custom seems to be that families gather on Christmas Eve, so we are planning to come together as a church family on Christmas day. Please pray for the opportunities to reach out to the community using this event!

Merry Christmas!