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!

universal importance of snow

So I know I've been a little behind on updating this blog. I took a wonderful trip home to spend time with family and friends (and especially my nieces and nephew) and to attend my brother's wedding! What a great time! It was a wonderful relaxing, yet busy trip for me.



Since getting back it's been a busy week as well, complete with another wedding (!) and getting back into preparing for groups and Iglesia Biblica La Gracia!



Yesterday I spent a great afternoon with a friend wandering around the mall and seeing all of the preparations for Christmas. We stood and were talking while observing the joy of lots of little girls getting their pictures taken with princesses in the Disney Palace when all of a sudden a gathering appeared around the palace. What followed was a cute little event full of Christmas princesses, including the "princesses of light, ponseittas, bells and the queen of something I don't remember. :) As well as the prince of the Christmas tree and the King of the Spirit of Christmas. It was cute, it was obvious to see the kids enjoyed the show immensly, but interesting as well. My friend and I had been discussing doing outreach at Christmas to spread the true meaning of Christmas. Especially in light of the air of uncertainty that is often felt. Please be praying for us as we plan and have programs at La Gracia that will spread the truth of Christmas-the birth of the son of God who brings salvation to the world.


On an amusing note: a vital part of the show that was meant to get everyone in the "christmas" spirit was the fake snow falling from the sky. Funny how even in a city where snow never falls, snow is an essential part of bringing the christmas spirit. It's hard to see, but if you look real close you can see the snow falling. :)



Visiting Mirador de la Bandera complete with all old flags from the history of Mexico during the week celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Revolucion in Mexico.

...where am i?

Do you ever feel like that? That you're not quite sure where you are? I do. I don't travel all that often (although this year it's happened more), but I travel just often enough and meet enough new people each year that sometimes I'm just not sure where I am or who I might run into. Over the last week I've had quite of few of these moments where I'm just not sure what city, state, or country I'm in. :) Ususally this happens when I see people I know from one place in a completely different place-such as being at a ministry board meeting where you combine people from various parts of the States, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, almost all of whom I have meet before and known for some time, except that they all didn't know each other and I know them from various times and events in my life. But yet I count those as such special times. Especially the chance to get to go to dinner with fellow missionaries and interns. I enjoy those times of remembering and reconnecting.

Dinner with staff and interns in Dallas

Today I was reminded of this oddity as well. While visiting my parents, I decided to make a "late night" run to the store (it was 8:30pm-this is only late night when I am at my parents house considering my normal bedtime is midnight, yet it always feels so strange). Anyway, the clerk when I checked out was a member of a group that had visited the DR during the time I was there. I did a double take and so did he and said "the last time I saw you, you were in the DR." :) I had the same thought for a moment trying to remember exactly where I was and how I know the person in front of me and why he was in the same place I was. :)

However, I do count my blessings that I at least I have yet to do what I witnessed while traveling last week. As I was waiting in line inside the women's bathroom at the airport, I looked over to see a tall man in a suit pass by me on the way to the stalls. That is until he realized that he was not in the right place. He left quickly apologizing for it being a long day. The women in line chuckled (myself included) but I felt bad for him, but yet, perhaps I do understand. :)

Visiting the farm

Decorate...?

So I bought these paintings in the DR. Got them safely to Dallas and then to my apartment. And on my first trip to IKEA I picked up a few picture frames and got them safely to my apartment. But now, the problem, all of these great ideas to hang paintings and pictures and finally get something on the bare white walls of my apartment.

But there's just one problem...How in the world do you hang paintings on a concrete wall???
First I thought maybe concrete nails. Hmm, not such a good idea. Although I did manage to get one partway in the wall (despite a few sparks, yes sparks! I literally saw sparks fly off the nail as if flew back out of the wall and almost took me out!) So I asked around and finally caved to needing to use the drill. Thanks to a little bit of practice using a drill in the DR I didn't feel quite so overwhelmed, but honestly I was secretly hoping someone would come along and do it for me. :)
But...



I did it!! And it was fun! And a really effective stress reliever. (Although I must admit the first time I tried I resigned because I was sick and just didn't have the strength. It's harder than it looks!)
But in the end it was kinda fun!! I'm looking forward to getting more frames to add more personality to my apartment! :)


The concrete dust that covered the apartment from drilling

The little wooden pegs you need to put in the hole you drill in the concrete so that you can put a screw in that to be able to hang the picture. It's a science. Or maybe an art . . .

One project halfway done


Hanging over my dining room table


This wall is still a little bare. What you can't see is the screw already in the wall to the right. Hopefully soon there will be another three picture frame hanging there with other pictures I've taken.

FINISHED!! Amazing paintings from the DR hung!

Sweet Morning Sun

I heard people say, or have read in books, that the they were awakened early , seemingly by the Holy Spirit to pray or read their Bible etc. And I've also always heard how great it is to wake up early to spend time with God and I completely agree. But I must confess waking up really early, or being awakened with a burden, especially early, doesn't happen to me often. I fight to wake up most mornings. I think it's safe to say I'm not exactly a morning person and throw in the couple years of working night shift and needless to say I find it hard to understand how my grandma, whom after 25 years of not having to get up at 5:30 to milk cows, still often wakes up at 5:30 am.

However, during the time I spent recently in the Dominican Republic (DR) something strange happened to me. I found myself waking up 30 minutes, an hour before I needed to be up, even when the wake up time was 4am! (I know! I don't understand it either.) However, one morning in particular was especially sweet. It was after a long day of helping with a foundation (and getting soaked) and receiving a rather sad and upsetting phone call in the evening. We were going to be woken up at 6 am. But by 5:15 I was wide awake, and truthfully slightly irritated that I couldn't fall back to sleep because I knew I would need the rest. However, I soon gave up trying and instead took my Bible, journal, and camera and went up on the roof of the building. Wow! Praise the Lord for waking me up. It was one of those times I was reminded and humbled by who God is and how incredible it is to live within his plans. Never would I have believed a few years ago that I would ever be able to watch a sunrise in the Dominican Republic (or in Mexico for that matter). If you knew me in high school or college-who would've thought? It's humbling to see how God has worked and to be on the receiving end of blessings I don't deserve. I wish now that I could watch the sunrise in quiet peaceful reflection from the roof of my apartment. But I am glad to have pictures, although they do not do the beauty justice, of the awesome beauty of God's creation and that special time of spending quiet time crying, praying, listening, reading, watching so early in the morning with my Savior. And I know that no matter where I am, He is still the same God, same Savior, and time spent with Him is just as sweet.

adventuras del verano

Bueno, he estado diciendo por semanas que necesito subir otra blog entonces aqui va. Yo se que no he sido muy fiel y pues dicen que esto es algo malo en este mundo de "blog." Pero pues creo que es una cultura a la cual todavia me estoy acostumbrando. :)

Hablando de acostumbrando de culturas, tuve que hacer esto mucho este verano. Pero fue exactamente lo que Dios sabia que yo necesitaba. Fue un tiempo de renovacion para mi espiritu. Yo pase casi 5 semanas en Dallas, 3 en la Republica Dominicana (RD), y como 10 dias en mi casa en Monterrey(Mty) durante el tiempo que normalmente tendriamos grupos aqui en Mty. Eso no fue mi plan hace como 4 meses, para nada, PERO, fue el plan de Dios. Yo vi vez tras vez que ciertamente fue el plan de Dios como salio este verano. El obro para traer la gente y los eventos juntos exactamente como fue necesario. Que tan grande es Dios!

Aqui son algunos de mis momentos favoritos del verano:

• Ayudando con el club de ninos en los departamentos en Dallas.
  
• La oportunidad de conocer personas de Monterrey en Dallas. Playeras que dice TIME Monterrey ha provisto ser una buena manera de empezar placticas con la gente. :)

Mi viaje a la Republica Dominicana (con Karen-mi companera de TIME)

• Que tan bonito esta el pais y que tan linda la gente
  
• Al fin pude conocer al staff y los lideres de la RD


• Viendo la construccion de las capillas y conociendo la gente de la comunidad.


• Visitando a Cercadillo-un pueblito ignorado por muchos-y viendo lo que Dios esta haciendo ahi.
  
• Fue un viaje que Dios uso para renovar mi espiritu en muchas maneras y hacer crecer mi fe. Gracias a Dios que "el esta encargado de todo." Asi me recordo mi sobrinita quien tiene 5 anos. Que lindo la sabiduria y fe sencilla de los ninos.

(Abajo hay mas fotos que va junto con este blog.)

summer recap

So I've been saying for weeks now that I need to post an update so here it goes. I know I have been rather sporadic and apparently that is a bad thing in the world of blogging, but I think this is still a culture I'm slowly adjusting to.

Speaking of adjusting to culture I found I had a lot of that to do this summer. But it was a time that was exactly what God knew I needed. A refreshing and renewing of my spirit. I spent a total of about 5 weeks in Dallas, 3 in the DR and a random 10 days home in Monterrey during the time that would normally consist of running summer groups here in Monterrey. Not at all my plan 4 months ago, but most certainly God's plan. I saw over and over again how it truly was God's plan. I saw how he wove a tapestry of events and people together to bring together in just the way that was needed. How great a God He is!


Here are some of my highlights from the summer:

Helping with VBS at apartments complexes throughout Dallas, including translating for a bunch of the little ones.

Meeting random people in Dallas from Monterrey. Wearing TIME Monterrey t-shirts proved to be a great way to strike up conversations with people. :)

My trip to the Dominican Republic (with Karen-fellow TIME Missionary)

• The beauty of the country and people
  

• Getting a chance to finally meet and get to know the staff and intern s



• Seeing chapel built and meeting members of the community






• Visiting Cercadillo-a secluded village ignored by the government-and seeing the work that God is doing there







• It was a trip God used to renew my spirit in many ways and increase my faith. Praise God that "He is in charge of everything." As my wise 5 year old neice so wonderfully reminded me.

(Thanks for reading! As soon as I can figure out how to make this blog work I will add some pictures to add some color to my ramblings. )

the hard life...

Ok so not really, just kidding! This picture was taken at a beautiful beach resort on the north side of the Dominican Republic island.

This summer is not going as we had planned, but God is ever faithful and is leading me on a new path that is both exciting and challenging. I have spent most of this summer so far traveling. In Dallas a few weeks, back to Monterrey, return to Dallas and now I have been at TIME"s site in the Dominican Republic for almost a week. I have not before had the opportunity to visit here and it was long overdue. As was a few days to rest and rejuvenate which I was able to due almost immediately upon arriving. I arrived just in time for the mid summer break between groups and joined the team of missionaries, staff, and interns to head the beach for a couple days. It was a wonderful time to see the beauty of God's creation on this island, start to get to know people, and spend some much needed time resting, relaxing, and reading and studying from the Word. After a few days we returned to Santo Domingo, still with a more relaxed schedule intermixed with work, some rest, and some great conversations with fellow staff and believers. I enjoy getting to meet new people and new cultures and so this has been a great refreshing time for me and I praise God for it.
Please continue to pray for me in my travels. And for the groups coming in. The semi relaxed schedule ends tomorrow as the first of the final three groups arrive and there will be no more full day breaks until after the final group leaves Dallas on August 7. Please pray for endurance and energy, as well as time to spend with God daily.
Please also be remembering Monterrey. About two and a half weeks ago hurricane Alex hit there and has left some pretty severe damage. I am hearing it may take up to 6 months to just clean up and then begin to rebuild many of the roads that were washed out. Everyone I know is safe, as far as I know. But I have not been back since the flooding happened. It is a surreal feeling to see the damage in the pictures and recognize the places of what is now my home but not yet be able to see it in person. Please pray for the needs that are there. I know God is faithful and I am seeing his perfect plan being played out in so many ways and I am so thankful for his everlasting love and faithfulness. It is the sustenance of every day.

Paseo Santa Lucia

Sunset from Santa Lucia

Tonight I visited one of my favorite locations in Monterrey. El Paseo Santa Lucia. It has been months since I have gone, but I love walking around there at sunset. The beauty of this city, of God's creation, of the mountains, of the sun reflecting of buildings and water. In a city of millions, there is a little bit of peace there and I find it relaxing. Tonight I went with my friends Karen (the other TIME missionary hanging out with me here) and Abi. The plan was to eat and then maybe take the boat ride on the riverwalk or just walk around. Well...

Esta noche fui a una de mis lugares favoritas aqui en Monterrey. El Paseo Santa Lucia. Ha sido meses desde el ultima vez que fui, pero me encanta ir a caminar ahi en la tarde cuando baja el sol. La belleza de esta cuidad, la creacion de Dios, las montanas, y del sol reflejando sobre los edificios y el aqua. En una cuidad de milliones de personas, se encuentra un poco de paz ahi y puedo relajarme ahi. Esta noche fui con mis amigos Karen (la nueva missionera de TIME) y Abi. El plan fue comer y talvez despues subir la lancha o solo caminar tantito. Pues...

Having dinner at a restaurant right on the river walk.

Cenando en un restaurante a lado del rio.

...Well... we made it as far as dinner and when we were almost finished a summer Monterrey storm and terrential downpour came out of nowhere. We hung out in the restaurant a while but finally hung out underneath a bridge but a little soaked nonetheless. J

...pues...llegamos a cenar y casi habiamos terminando cuando de repente llego una tormenta de verano y lluvia bien fuerte. Nos quedamos en el restaurante tantito pero despues esperabamos la lluvia abajo de un puente, pero un poco mojadas comoquiera. J

After walking about 50 feet in the rain.

Despues de caminar solo 15 m en la lluvia.

Hanging out by this bridge. Boats pass by here and there are museums overhead.
Esperabamos abajo de esta puente. La lancha pasa por aqui y arriba hay unos museos.

In the end, we had a great evening. I love the summer rain that brings a refreshing cooler ending to the heat of the day.

En fin, nos pasamos la noche muy bien. Me encanta la lluvia en el verano que trae un poco de fresco al calor del dia.