I Have Been Thinking...

I have been thinking how much I enjoy being a two country person when it comes to holidays. Between Mexico and the US we have a reason to celebrate every few weeks. This week alone we celebrated the Day of Revolution on Monday and Thanksgiving on Thursday. Over the next few weeks there are lots more coming including Three Kings Day on January 6th. Reason 52 for being thankful to be in Mexico: Lots of Celebrations.

I have been thinking that Mexico is infested with missionaries and not necessarily the variety that make us happy. We regularly see two men dressed in white shirts and ties walking along the streets of Cuernavaca. Yes, Mormon missionaries. In conversation class a few weeks back Diana and I talked with a nun who is here from India. But the other day in line at the grocery store topped it all off. There beside me was a Hare Krishna missionary. I discovered that he is here from Italy with his wife and three children and operates a vegetarian restaurant near our school. Heeeeeeeeeelp!

I have been thinking that the weather here is very unpredictable. I was expecting warmth in Mexico but last week was freezing by Cuernavaca standards. We had to make a run to Home Depot to purchase a couple of space heaters. By mid-day it’s all warm again and we are in short sleeves.

I have been thinking about family during the holidays. It is no easy feat for them to give up brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren. Surely there must be a reward awaiting them, special grace and blessings to you all.

I have been thinking about what Scripture might effectively penetrate the hearts of people who have a deep tradition and devotion to God, Christ, Mary, salvation and the church. Yet people have been deceived, trapped and left with emptiness. One that has come to mind recently is Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Thankful To Be In Mexico - 51 Reasons

1. Fresh fruits & vegetables
2. Nice climate (at least in Cuernavaca)
3. Our first puppy
4. An opportunity to give our family a heritage of missions
5. Beautiful clouds and sunrises
6. Faith lessons learned afresh in a new situation
7. To be infected by people who are doing the Great Commission
8. The believers we fellowship with at the church
9. Fresh bread & pastries
10. Special memories of “Friday Family Nights”
11. The discovery of homemade frappuccions
12. The opportunity to someday be bi-lingual
13. The opportunity for our children to be bi-lingual
14. The opportunity for future grandchildren to be bi-lingual
15. The kindness and encouragement of Toby & Marilyn
16. Many people who are praying for us specifically
17. Sunny cheerful days
18. Soccer and lots of it
19. A chance to grow in new ways as a family
20. To be a pencil in the hand of God as He writes His story
21. The pleasure of little surprises, “Guess what I found?”
22. Open air cafes and restaurants
23. A chance to spend ourselves on behalf of the poor
24. Classical guitar lessons for our children
25. To see that the American way isn’t necessarily the best way
26. Lots of cheerful colors
27. Beautiful gardens, trees and shrubberies
28. To see God’s care in the provision of little things
29. Tuesday evening youth group with Tim & Michelle
30. Flowers in November
31. Economic public transportation
32. The romantic architecture
33. Discovering His strength in our weakness
34. The adventure of it all
35. An opportunity to weep over the lostness of humanity
36. New varieties of butterflies and other wildlife
37. Simplicity of life
38. Free trash pick up right at your door
39. Lots of people who are really nice
40. Street side flower shops
41. Following in the footsteps of those who have gone before us
42. Our house
43. That everything is so different and all that we learn from it
44. One of our favorite restaurants - La Gringa
45. Our pastor and his family
46. A chance to be a nobody trying to exalt Somebody
47. New insights and discoveries into the Scriptures
48. Traditional markets
49. International experience for the children
50. A chance to have beautiful feet
51. The anticipation of reunions with family and friends

What Is It? - A Photo Journal

Here are a few pictures from around our neighborhood, city and state. Take your best guess at what it is. Answers can be found after the photos. We welcome your scores and comments!

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1. Ancient pyramid
2. Tile roof
3. Us – He is the potter we are the clay
4. Over the entrance to the premier church in Cuernavaca – the skull and crossbones is the symbol of the Franciscan order – think Golgotha.
5. Dome at the Temple of Accession
6. The harvest – it’s plentiful but…
7. Ancient talavera pottery – modern pottery is the rage in Puebla
8. Walls – a portion of the great walls of Mexico
9. Pork for tacos
10. Cactus up close and personal
11. The dawning of a new day in Cuernavaca – from our balcony

Six Month Anchors

We arrived here in Cuernavaca, Mexico exactly six months ago which required a big celebration at one of our favorite restaurants, Los Colorines. There have been plenty of ups and downs since we arrived, but Scriptures have consistently been our soul anchors. Here are a few specific ones. We encourage you to “walk in our shoes” as you read these Scriptures thinking about what they would mean to us.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous and successful. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

“Delight yourself in the LORD; and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit you way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noon day sun.” Psalm 37:4-6

“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:12

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, and the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2