Categories Everyday Life, Missions

!Feliz Cumpleanos a Micheal!

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Yesterday was Micheal’s 21st birthday. He said he didn’t want a party, but Caroline knew better. So, she planned a surprise birthday party for him. She slaved in the kitchen all day, rolling fresh flour tortillas and making enchilada fillings.

Caroline rolling tortillas

The guests–several families–arrived sometime before 6 and enjoyed horseshoes and conversation in the yard and living room. Around 7 pm, we began the process of making the enchiladas. Caroline was pretty warm by then, so Jim, Rebekah, and I took over. Rebekah dipped the fresh tortillas in the enchilada sauce made of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and water–then quickly warmed them in hot oil. Then Jim and I filled them with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce–and rolled them up. Rebekah got tired of dipping and frying halfway through, so I switched over to the stove.

Rebekah J. dipping tortillas
Jim rolling enchiladas

Once we had prepared a platter-full, we began serving. Pastor Pepe prayed for the meal and the party began eating. Jim and I continued dipping, frying, and rolling until the meat was gone–then we continued until the cheese was gone. Then we sat down to eat ourselves.

Rebekah M. dipping tortillas

We enjoyed good conversation over the meal, and then Caroline got out the guitar. Pastor Pepe led the group in singing a birthday song–and then in (our) traditional (American) Happy Birthday song (except in Spanish!) After congratulating Michael, the party left–and the second party began.

Pastor Pepe on the guitar

Elizabeth and Luis took the van over to the rehabilitation center to pick up some guys to celebrate with Michael. Four guys came over and they and Michael enjoyed hanging out and eating chocolate cake with vanilla pudding on top.

Jim brought out his fossil and arrowhead collection and the two of us looked through them while the younger guys talked. It was a pretty fun (and full) evening.

people around the table

Michael is sitting at the head of the table

Categories Missions, Technology

I’m back

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Online that is. We got into Juamave late on Saturday, only to discover that the power at the casa had fluctuated wildly while we were gone–and had taken out the computer, a couple of routers (including the HS internet one), our water purifier, and the tvs. This meant that we were without computer, internet, and internet phone (the “local” Nebraska number).

Jim went into Cuidad Victoria today and got a new High Speed router for us, so I’m now writing from the laptop. I have a hundred things to say–that I’ve faithfully logged in my (paper) journal–but it is Michael’s 21st Birthday and we are having an enchilada dinner to celebrate. Which means that I should probably not spend all evening on the computer.

But be forewarned–I might have to figure out really quickly how I want to format multiple posts in a day. ‘Cause I have a lot to say.

Categories Everyday Life, Missions

Made it!

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Yesterday (a list)

  • Left my cell phone on Mom’s dryer
  • Plane was late (I was afraid I missed it.)
  • Had to gate check my bag–not so much reading material left.
  • Talk with my seatmate–an older gentleman with four kids around my age.
  • Run to make my connection–I think Houston’s terminal B is bigger than Lincoln’s airport.
  • Chat the entire flight with my flight attendant seatmate.
  • Tour Lowe’s–and wait in line twenty minutes before checking out.
  • Meet the family, say hello, settle in a bit.
  • Eat dinner and watch the hurricane come in.

Oh, did I not mention the hurricane? Dolly? Yeah, highly overrated. We have a gentle, slow rain and a bit of wind; but it’s nothing really. Nothing to write home about at least. The only thing notable about it is that we’re sticking around Stepping Stones for a while.

Rebekah and I started reading Mary Poppins this morning–definitely not the book I anticipated starting on. But Jim is partway into Prince Caspian, and Elizabeth is partway into Magician’s Nephew–and since they’re both in the same volume, it would be kind of difficult for Rebekah and I to start in on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I can tell it’s going to be good though. Rebekah and I get along well, and God is always faithful. I’m interested to see what our days will look like once we get into Juamave. I’m guessing it won’t be quite the lazy crazy of Laredo.

Categories Faith, Family & Friends, Missions

Ora para mi, por favor

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Just a few prayer requests before I leave for the airport.

Por mi como voy:

  • Pray that I would not lose sight of Christ. Pray that I would find Him as all sufficient, that I would see His faithfulness, that I would proclaim His power.
  • Pray that my journey would be safe and uneventful. Pray that all would go well with my luggage, my passport, etc.
  • Pray that I would be a blessing to the family.
  • Pray that I would be healed–that my health conditions may not hinder the work God desires to do in and through me.

Para mi y Rebekah:

  • Pray that Rebekah and I would be able to establish a good relationship quickly.
  • Pray that I would have wisdom with determining exactly where Rebekah is at and customizing our study.
  • Pray that Rebekah would have a heart to learn and the diligence to study.
  • Pray that God’s strength would be made perfect in my weakness.

Por la familia en Juamave:

  • Pray for the ministry, that it would flourish and grow.
  • Pray that God would open the storehouses of heaven and rain down blessings. Pray that their needs would be provided for–and that abundant supplies would be available for ministry.
  • Pray that God would bless their relationships within the family–that they would be united in love.
  • Pray that they would be able to minister out of the overflow of God’s work in their own lives–that God would fill them to overflowing.

Por mi familia en Lincoln:

  • Pray for Casandra as she “holds down the fort”. Pray that she would have grace to deal with every situation that arises. Pray that she would press in to Christ and lean on Him.
  • Pray for Grace as she’s temporarily without her sisters. Pray that she would find rest in the midst of her busyness. Pray that she would know how to speak grace, seasoned with salt, to her friends. Pray that she would find Christ as all-sufficient.
  • Pray for “the circle” that they would seek God above all things. Pray that distractions would be torn away, that they may grapple with Christ. Pray that they would develop the persistence of Jacob, to wrestle with God until He touches them. Pray that this world would loosen its grasp.
Categories Following Christ, Missions

Tiempo menos doce horas (T minus 12 hours)

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Twelve more hours before my plane lifts off. I’ll be on my way. Layover in Houston, arrive in Laredo. A few days in Laredo and we’ll go down to Juamave. I’m leaving. It’s actually happening. A month in Mexico. Wow.

I can hardly believe the words that I see appearing on the screen before me. Mexico? It’s surreal. A month? It’s so long, so short.

I’m not a missionary. I’m not a traveler. I’m not anything spectacular. I’m not a teacher. I’m not brilliant. All I’m doing is trying to be obedient.

I don’t know what God has planned–which is why I’m going to have to leave the planning up to Him. From the first nudge in my soul ’til now, I have been apprehensive, doubtful, nervous.

How could I even dare such a thing?

I don’t think I really can. Instead, I must rely on God to do the daring for me.

Five and a half years ago, I stood in a wood in Kansas and stepped through a tree-door. I heard an invitation from the lover of my soul. He invited me to come and see. I had to leave my mundane, attractive, well-planned world. I had to leave the tame I’d always known. I had to fix my eyes on my wild man lover–and follow Him wherever he led.

Five and a half years later, I stand twelve hours from a plane trip that may well change my life. Maybe I’m over-dramatizing the situation–but I tend to think not. The last time I heard such clear direction, my view of ministry was transformed. The time before that, I came to understand justification–and had my shame taken away. How can this time be any different?

I don’t know what the next month may hold–but I know what my role in it shall be. I shall lock eyes with my wild man lover. I shall take hold of His hand. I shall respond to His ever invitation. I will go and see.

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him…
John 1:38-39

Categories Family & Friends

Packed Days

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It’s unfortunate that the most adventure-filled days are the ones in which I am too busy to blog. That means you hear only the weary wanderings of a bored blogger–instead of the ecstatic explosions of a lived life. Take the last few days:

Friday, I went shopping with my Casandra for our Friday night entertaining, then worked on my quilting a bit. My sister came back into town for a last Hurrah before I leave for Mexico. She, Casandra, Joshua, Daniel, Debbie, and I went to dinner at Olive Garden to celebrate (if that’s what you call it.)

Saturday, I finished the quilt I’d been working on for Nytajok (who went and had her baby three weeks early on me!) I had told her when she dropped by work on Friday (to fill out paperwork) that I’d be by with a gift the next day. So I had to get it done. It’s amazing what deadlines will do to you.

picture of baby quilt

We discovered early Saturday that Pastor Jason still wasn’t better and Cheryl (his wife) had come home sick from work on Friday–so our dinner plans were off. Instead, we made the family Chicken Noodle Soup, Fruit Salad, and Rolls.

I visited Nytajok, saw the baby, and scared the other kids (poor little things!) When I returned, I dropped by my parent’s house, hoping to catch my cousin Joe. Alas, he had just ridden off on his motorcycle when I arrived. But the kids had an announcement. The city finally gave my parents the paperwork they needed to start digging for the addition–so the backyard would be torn up on Monday.

That called for a party, so we started inviting people over. We made Potato Salad and Macaroni Salad and Fresh Green Bean Salad. We made Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. We invited a few more people over. Mom picked some roasting ears. Casandra and I left to drop off dinner at Jason and Cheryl’s (and to ask them if they would be interested in some dirt.) We brought home a bag of ice and started the ice cream as soon as we got home.

We ended up with a nice little crew–my family, the B’s, the R’s, and Steve and Casandra. I sat with H and C R. and took tons of pictures. C told me quite seriously. “You have two John’s. I think you should give one of them away.”

C and R at picnic

After the younger kids left for bed (the R’s), the “big kids” got into the pool. Between “kicks in the butt” and volleyball and “chicken fights”, we all used plenty of energy–and consumed plenty of overly chlorinated water.

Chicken Fights

This morning, we just happened to have a visitor from Grace Children’s Home–who just happened to be young (as in, 20). He came to our 20S Sunday School and then sat with us all in the front row–and after church, we invited him to join us for dinner. So, we ended up going out again–this time to Golden Corral–with a party of (only) fifteen. And after dinner, what could we do but go back to my parents’ place and hang out for a while? We shot one another with Nerf guns until Nick had to leave, then decided upon a movie.

We decided to watch “Thou Shalt Laugh–the Deuce”, but since none of us own it, we had to borrow it from Jason and Cheryl–which meant a trip back out to Airpark. Casandra and I had a nice chat with Cheryl, and then we enjoyed the movie.

I finally dragged myself off the couch around six-thirty and went home to do some laundry and get some packing done. So, after a very packed weekend, I am almost packed! Yeah!

Categories Family & Friends

Photo, photo in the frame / what’s the dirtiest baby’s name?

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dirtybabycarnival2

When I saw Becky’s suggestion of a Dirty Baby Carnival, I thought “What fun!” I am the guardian of our family photos–so I was sure I’d have plenty of pics to choose from. In fact, why not just show one dirty baby pic per child?

Alas, when I sat down Tuesday to look through the photos, I discovered that there was a definite lack of dirty sibling photos. Instead, I found photo after photo after photo of a very messy Bekah.

Baby Rebekah with formula all over her face
Baby Rebekah with spaghetti sauce everywhere
Toddler Rebekah with a splotch of purple something on her cheek
Toddler Rebekah with butter (from corn on the cob) all over her face
Toddler Rebekah with purple food (of some sort) all over her face--except the circle surrounding her mouth where she licked it off

Not to say that I was the only messy child in the family–I was just the one most frequently photographed. (You’ve got to admit that I look like I’m having a grand time!)

The runners-up:
Young Anna eating powdered formula
Young Anna with a messy face
Young Anna with beets or berries on face and hands
Young Anna with something red on her face
Young Joshua with a rather dirty shirt
Young John with boogers and grime
Young John with dirty face napping after a long birthday bash
Young Timmy makes kissy face with his messy face

Categories Everyday Life, Missions

Every spare moment

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In 9 days, I’ll get on a plane to fly to Laredo, TX. I’ll spend a few days with the family in Laredo while the kids attend a conference, and then I’ll be in Mexico. Until then, I need to spend every spare moment preparing.

There are some things that I just need to get done before I go–the two quilts sitting in the living room, the pile of library books on my desk, final arrangements for the 20S Sunday school when I’m gone. I have a date with a friend Wednesday afternoon to work on quilting. Nytejok had her baby last Friday–so I’m already late on that quilt (I still need to sandwich, baste, quilt, and bind it). I haven’t heard from Nyayan–but she’s due the 17th, so it should be any day. I only have to bind her quilt. Sunday School is almost all arranged–I just need to confirm everything. The library books, on the other hand…

I just checked my account and I have 39 books currently out. All are due before I’ll be back from Mexico. Some are personal reading: Dr. Seuss, The Essential Canon of Classical Music, books on environmental issues, books on managing allergies. Others are specifically related to Mexico: a Spanish dictionary, a “learning Spanish” book, grammar references, math references, reading references, spelling references, creative writing references.

The real task that’s eating my spare time? Preparing for any possibility. I have no idea where my student is at academically except that she’s fourteen years and she’s behind. She could be working anywhere from fourth grade level to eighth grade level–or be at multiple levels. She could have all sorts of gaps in her education–or she could be completely on track. I don’t know.

I know that they haven’t been using a set curriculum–instead they’ve been using a lot of internet resources. Which means I have no way to gauge what her education has consisted of heretofore. I know that Caroline wants me to focus on Math and English.

So, I’ve looked at a Middle School scope and sequence. I’ve determined the large scale topics that I may need to discuss. I’ve begun preparing review sheets–basically a text that I can use as a resource to “fill in” any “holes” that may exist. I have a long way to go.

Today? I reformatted a review sheet on using the dictionary. I began a review sheet on parts of speech. I started working on a summary of spelling rules. I read part of a grammar resource. I read part of a spelling resource. I played some Spider Solitaire on my computer–why did I do that? I don’t have time for that. I know I don’t have time for that.

I’m overwhelmed by the intensity of this task. I’m overwhelmed by how much there is to prepare, by how much there is to do once I’m there. I feel incredibly insufficient for the challenge. How can I even dream of doing this? How can I even think that I can impart something meaningful in one short month? How can I think that I can prepare something meaningful in one short week?

There’s no way. Which is why I’m spending every spare moment praying.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Categories Family & Friends

Meet the Fam

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My family goes out to eat after church once a month. It’s a chance to relax, to enjoy ourselves, to be a family. It’s incredibly hard to schedule.

Dad rotates with three other men to do weekly Bible studies at the juvenile detention center. So, once a month, he has to be somewhere by three. Once every other month, he leads a service at a retirement community in town–that’s at two. Joshua and John are both late ushers–responsible for closing the church after the services. They are scheduled approximately every other week and generally stay from 1:10-1:30. Every three months, the youth do a service at a female detention facility outside of town. That’s not until 4, but it’s about an hour drive.

And that’s just the normally scheduled stuff. This month, we have even more of a predicament. Last week Dad had the service at the retirement community. This week is “Youth Sunday” with a cookout at the church afterward. Next week, Anna will be doing OB/GYN rotations in Columbus. Then I’ll be gone in Mexico.

So, we had our Sunday lunch this evening–and still ended up missing someone. Danny’s girlfriend Debbie was playing her cello tonight for a wedding reception–but since she had knee surgery on Tuesday, she is unable to drive or to carry her cello. Daniel was, therefore, needed to chauffeur her and carry her cello.

The rest of us hopped into the “Herburban” (an amalgamation of “Herbie Husker” and “Suburban”) and made our way to Imperial Palace, where I took pictures according to tradition.

picture of family
From left to right: Anna, Joshua, Dad, Gracie, Mom, Tim, Casandra, John.

Categories Everyday Life

TGIF

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It’s a inconvenient aspect of working in a 7 day a week industry–days of the week are largely irrelevant. Depending on when your days off fall, you may enjoy “Friday” on any day of the week.

Working at the University, as I do, means even more day of the week confusion. You see, the University’s workweek runs from Friday to Thursday. So, Friday is Monday (or Sunday). Except that our menu cycle runs from Monday to Sunday. Yeah. Fun.

Usually, though, we count based on our days off. Which is why today is Friday. And Saturday will be Friday too. And Monday at the same time. A little confused?

Introducing my life: The (work)week before the Fourth of July I worked Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. My days off were Sunday and Thursday. The week of the fourth, I worked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday–and got holiday pay for Friday the 4th. Saturday and Sunday were my days off. This week? (As in, the week starting tomorrow?) I work Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and have Friday and Sunday off.

And I have a much more regular schedule than my coworkers–well, sort of. I always get Sunday off. Very few others have such privileges. There are trade-offs. Most of my coworkers have more regular hours. They work 12:30-8 every time they work, or 6-2:30 or whatever. I work whatever they need me to work. At the end of June, that meant 11-7:30. Then it was 7:30-4. Then it was 6:30-3. Next week it’s 7:00-2:30. But even that is better than at the beginning of the semester, when I might awaken to a phone call–“How soon can you come in?” It was 9 am. Half an hour. Another time it was 8. Forty-five minutes. Call at 6:30? Give me an hour. They let me relax that morning. I came in at 8.

It would probably drive most people nuts. I think it’s great. I have my mornings free. I have my evenings free. I have a two day weekend, a three day weekend, a one day weekend. I work with morning people and evening people, weekday people and weekend people. I get to enjoy it all.

TGIF!–and I get three Friday’s in a row. (Today, the day before my “weekend”. Tomorrow, which on the calendar is labeled “Friday”. And Saturday, the day before my next “weekend!”)