Nature in all its glory...

One thing I love desperately about Mexico is the striking beauty of nature that surrounds me. I live in a small farming community, and I'm surrounded by others. The nearest real town is a 20-minute drive away, mostly on dirt/gravel roads that are basically just one big pot-hole. When I walk out my door and look around, I see nature in its extremes. It's all dry and brown, dust in the air at all times. Or, it's a verdant rain forest during the rainy season, so much so that the streets I walk numerous times DAILY are no longer familiar to me by sight! I love the beauty I see around me in the states, but there is something more profound about what surrounds me here, and it keeps me in awe every moment I'm awake!

Several days ago, Sandy and I were heading back to Arrayanes to have lunch with her family. There was this amazing storm that was following us and arrived just after we did. The clouds were incredible. After the storm (which wasn't as bad as the clouds looked), we went out and started taking pictures of flowers. It was great because all the plants were still wet with rain drops, and my camera surprised me with how beautiful the pictures came out. Sandy took all of these pictures. Enjoy!!

THE STORM

AFTER THE STORM

These little flowers are found all over the place and, as you can see, in a rainbow of colors.


These are something like miniature roses. This clump was just beautiful!




These little orange flowers are so interesting! The four pics above follow them (essentially) from stalk to bloom :)



Just pretty!



This one makes me think of buttercups! It's just so teeny!


These have a very interesting color because it's sort of mottled with white. So at a distance, it looks fuzzy though it's not!



The second one is just a close up of the first. The stalks for this flower are covered in little stems for blooms. They grow all over the place--a common road-side plant but very picturesque!


These make me think of stars!


A miniature sunflower! I've never seen them so small. They have big ones in Mexico also, but the little ones are more like weeds on the roadside.



I don't know what these are, but they always strike me as elegant!

The video is of a little plant whose leaves close up when they are touched by anything. It's very small and hard to see if you're not looking for it. But we did!!

On my way home, I stopped and took several pictures of the mountain range that surrounds our little villages. My printer photo editor has the capacity to make panoramic pictures from several normal sized pics. So, I gave it a try. Here's a taste of what I see every time I walk out my door!!

Thoughts from Jeremy

As part of our organization, we are required to post on the organization intranet each week. One of our location directors posted some pretty thought-provoking stuff this week, and I felt compelled to share it. I hope that you enjoy chewing on these as much as I did! Thanks Jeremy!!

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Not a lot to share about this week. Just been charging hard here inthe office. So, I'll share with you three things that I have been pondering:

1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

Cows
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that our government can track a single cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington? And they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

The Constitution
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq . Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

The Ten Commandments
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal, "Thou Shalt Not commit Adultery", and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.

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No offense to my lawyer friends. I love you guys, and I'm so glad you do what you do!!

Ps. 119:19

"I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me."

I've been meditating on this verse for a couple of days now as I've been reading through Psalm 119. This one has stuck with me pretty well. I understand what the psalmist means when he says he's a stranger on earth. It has been quite some time since I began to long for "home" with the understanding that "home" is not something to be found on this earth but rather in Heaven with Jesus. It's been quite some time since I started to be homesick for Heaven.

What struck me the most about this verse, however, is that what follows it immediately has to do with having access to God's word. It made me think, "Why? Why is the Word the psalmist's remedy to homesickness?" And maybe the answer is obvious, but I quickly realized that for the psalmist, God's word was like his "letters from home".

I love Scripture. I truly do, but I know I have a long way to go before it's truly my "letters from home" like it was for the Psalmist. But I pray that it will be that for me. Verse 16 of the same chapter ends with the psalmist's commitment: "I will not neglect your word." That is my prayer as well.

Reading

So, last week our internet was out, and while that threw a kink in a few things it also provided me with...or rather forced me...to do a few things to relax in my personal/free time that I haven't done in a long time. Those included cross-stitching and reading! Since my trip to Virginia in June, I've been re-reading the Anne of Green Gables series....one of my all-time favorites. I just started book 3 (Anne of the Island), which is one of my favorites of the 8. I also pulled out C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters to re-read; last time I read it was freshman year in college!

I also pulled out a book called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. This is what the description on the back of the book says:

The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.

Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of your busy Mary/Martha life -- and he extends the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters of Bethany. Tenderly he invites you to choose "the better part" -- a joyful life of "living-room" intimacy with him that flows naturally into "kitchen service" for him.

How can you make that choice? With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story and its creative, practical strategies, Janna shows how all of us -- Marys and Marthas alike -- can draw closer to our Lord, deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

I bought this book several years ago but never got around to reading it. My goals right now in my reading is to re-read some of my favorites that I haven't enjoyed in quite a long time, to read more of the "classics" that I never got around to reading growing up and in my Literature B.A. program, and to read the books that I've bought over the years but never got around to reading....such as this book. It's what I'll begin reading as soon as I finish Spiritual Mothering.

I'm also reading through the Psalms, and I'm taking my time in Psalm 119 right now. It's exactly what I need. It's challenging me in many ways, calling me back to places where I've detoured or left discipline behind. It's motivating deep meditation and increased prayer throughout my day. It's comforting places that need it and pushing me to go deeper and be better..etc. It's a great passage of Scripture. I knew a family in the church where I grew up who had every one of their 9-10 kids memorize that entire chapter when they were like 8 years old. I always thought that was crazy growing up. Now I get it, and I am starting to think it would behoove me to do the same. I want to finish reading through it first, though I am memorizing a verse here and there as I go. God is good!

Youth Soccer Tournament

Well, we just finished our second ever youth soccer tournament. The first one was back in December, and both were smashing successes. Check out Steve's post about this recent tournament. He also posted some photos, so enjoy those as well!!

Brokenness

Brokenness is not easy. When it comes, not only do I find myself repentant for the things over which I'm being broken, but also for the fact that I needed breaking in the first place -- for the fact that I was so hard set in my ways that I could not be molded, but instead had to be broken. I know that God's discipline is out of love, but what parent would tell you that it doesn't hurt them even more than their child when discipline is necessary? And thinking of the fact that I've caused God pain is yet another thing that heaps up the godly sorrow that brings repentance.

James tell us this:

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."

Looking intently into that mirror of God's perfect law of freedom does not always bring brokenness. Sometimes, we look into that mirror, see the truth, and act on it, thereby avoiding brokenness and pleasing the Lord. But when we walk away and forget, brokenness becomes necessary, and it is truly unforgettable. Thanks be to the God who loves me enough to make sure I don't forget, even if it will hurt us both to do so!

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~Micah 6:8

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." ~Ps. 111:10

Camp New Generation

So, on July 11 we took 8 rising 7th graders to Tepic for a one-day camp to welcome them into the youth group. This was something we tasked our four new student leaders with planning and executing. We had a great van ride, and upon arriving we headed toward a public park where all the events took place. The leaders (Chuy, Jose Luis, Martin, and Sandy) had planned several team-building games and then some small group time to debrief about those games. At first the 8 new students were pretty quiet. Each one had at least one friend with them on the trip, but as a group they weren't very interactive. It didn't take long, however, once the games began to break the ice and get them laughing together.

The four student leaders welcome the New Generation students and introduce themselves.

The Toilet Paper game: Each one takes a few squares and then has to share something about themself for each square they took.

Newspaper Name game: person in the middle has to hit the person on the head whose name is called out before that person calls out someone else's name.


Back to Back: Each group links arms back to back. Then they must stand up together without letting go of their arms.


TP Nose Roll: they had to roll the tp roll up and back again with their noses.

Banana Game: they each hold one hand and have to peel and eat a banana in the other. The first to finish wins.

Straws: each has two straws, one inside the cup and one outside the cup. Both straws must be inside the mouth. The first to drink the whole cup of water wins.

Small Group time: there were two groups of four new students and 2 leaders. The leaders of the first group are Chuy (green shirt) and Jose Luis (orange shirt). The leaders of the second group are Martin and Sandy.

While the kids were in their small groups talking about their game experiences, Steve, Gena, and I were making lunch: turkey "tortas", which are kind of like deli subs. We had a good time not running everything and enjoyed our tasks of WATCHING, TAKING PICTURES, and MAKING LUNCH. All three of us remarked about how nice it was to NOT being in charge for once. We are excited for the growth we're seeing in our student leaders and the leadership they are taking on more and more, but I think it's also really great to know that there are now more shoulders to help share the burden of dreaming, planning, and executing the vision that the Lord has given us for this youth ministry. God is certainly faithful in providing for His plans!

Making lunch!

Lunch was very relaxed, and it was neat to see the student leaders spread out among the kids talking to them and getting to know them even better, and not just with the ones that they already knew. After lunch, we cleaned up and then the student leaders took the kids to a quiet area of the park where Martin shared a devotion he had prepared. Then all four of the student leaders gave short testimonies about their what it was like for each of them when they first started attending the youth group activities. They were honest about how different it was for them from what they had been used to or about how they felt a little out of place at first, but they also shared with them that how the Lord really worked in their hearts and lives through the relationships they made there. They encouraged these new students to stay involved and make friends reminding them that the Lord would use this time to grow them in many ways. It was a really neat time!

Devotion time

Once the day's programed events were completed, we headed over to the mini zoo next door to the park. It's free, and there were lots of little street vendors and some really cool animals to gawk at. The kids all had a good time, and they all intermingled pretty well. Once we finished touring the mini zoo, we took some time to just play in the park. Of course, a soccer game was begun, and it wasn't long before everyone was playing. Everyone was exhausted from a full and energetic day, so they slept on the ride home. It was a light day in many ways when we compare it to other youth activities we plan. However, it was effective. We continue to see most of those 8 if not all of them involving themselves 100% in other youth activities, and we see how they look up to the student leaders as friends and role models. We're excited for the relationships that the Lord is building there, and look forward to how He will continue to work in our youth as a result of what He started that day!

Youth Scholarship Fund

One of the most exciting things about working with youth, especially in a small ranching community, is to see their hunger and thirst grow for Christ. We have a number of students who have expressed interest in furthering their education in Bible Schools, Discipleship Training Schools (YWAM), studying music, and what few students here have the opportunity to do…go to university.

Our desire as a staff is to help these students in any way we can to fulfill their dreams of being pastors, worship leaders, missionaries, and strong Christians in the community they live in. We believe that by investing in a Scholarship Fund for these students is one way that you can help as well.

There are currently two students who are pursuing furthered education in a DTS with YWAM. Jose Luis and Ricardo are young adults who have a huge need before them. They both need to raise individually a minimum of $2500usd for the YWAM DTS by September. As you read their profiles below, please pray and consider what donation you can make towards this Scholarship Fund.

José Luís

José Luís describes his life before Christ as “totally lost in the world”. Feeling abandoned, unloved, and completely alone, he pursued anything he thought would help him forget the pain and emptiness he felt deep inside. Then one night, a friend invited him to a youth event where he met Christ for the first time. Life has not been easy since becoming a Christian, but through the ups and downs God has made it clear to Jose Luis that he is never alone and that the He has a plan for his life. Now, this young man is a committed drummer in the worship band, is working toward completing the four-level discipleship course, is growing as a leader among the youth, and even finds ways to minister to and share Christ with his family. The Discipleship Training School will provide José Luís with the knowledge and tools to grow in Biblical leadership and equip him to fulfill the call he believes the Lord has placed on his life.

José Luís says: “I would like to go to the YWAM School because I know that God has a plan for me. I believe that plan is to learn more about his Word and to have a stronger relationship with Him. I believe God wants me to grow in His Word and to be a pastor, preaching His Word to the world. I believe God has called me to serve HIM instead of pleasing the rest of the world, and that He has a plan and purpose for me because I was made for Him.”

Ricardo

Ricardo is the second son of our local head pastor, Gregorio. He does not have a complicated testimony, yet it is packed with the power of Christ to change a life. Unlike his younger brothers, Ricardo spent a good portion of his childhood in a non-Christian home. His father was the first to accept Christ, and eventually his mother did as well. Once they started attending church, Ricardo went out of obligation. However, shortly after joining the youth group, he attended a special youth service hosted by some missionaries. It was then that Ricardo realized that he too needed Christ and finally surrendered his heart. He has continued to grow and mature through the years, not just as a young man, but as a young man committed to living for the Lord. He has been part of the worship band for over 3 years playing acoustic and electric guitars, he is working toward completing a four-level discipleship course and is growing in leadership among the youth. We believe that the Discipleship Training School will provide Ricardo with the tools he needs to continue to grow in the purposes for which Christ has called him.

Ricardo says, “Since the day I surrendered my life to Christ, my life changed. Now, I go to church, not just out of obedience to my parents, but because I need to be in the presence of God. I would like to attend the YWAM School because I desire to have even more communion with God and to learn how to minister God’s Word to other people, specifically to youth, not only in my own town but also in other towns in the area.”

How can I help?

Each of the guys will need to raise at least $2500 to cover the cost of tuition and the outreach phase. If you would like to partner with us financially by donating to the Youth Scholarship Fund there are a couple of ways that can be done.

· Send a check made out to Alternative Missions and designate for "Cofradia Youth Scholarship Fund" by adding a Post It note.. Mail the check to: Alternative Missions, P.O.Box 5835, Goodyear, AZ 85338.

· Donate online. Your donation is secure, consistent and automatic. Just click on the link: https://www.egivingsystems.org/support/42705

June Update

Welcome to Summer!!

Well, it’s now boiling hot here in Mexico, and the rains have started and increased humidity. They tell me it will continue to get worse through August, so I’m definitely looking forward to being back in the Virginia summer weather in August where the rains actually cool things down a bit and where at it’s hottest, it’s never like this! But I am also very grateful for a chance to experience this time of year and to see Mexico in all it’s seasons. With the rains come the green-ness of life. Cofradía is beginning to look like a tropical rain forest in places rather than a desert, and it is a welcome change! In addition, the rain keeps the dust under control for the most part, which is making breathing and cleaning a little bit easier. Thank the Lord for how he cares for and waters the earth and all that live on it!

Hustle and Bustle…

June was a very busy month for us as a ministry. We hosted two short-term teams back to back. The first was from Ridgway, Colorado, and they were joined by 6 Mexicans who came down separately: a family of four who live in Colorado, and two Cora men who pastor their villages in the mountains. Ridgway’s outreach with the Cora people was very successful. The team spent their mornings doing construction on a new meeting area in Mojocuautla, which the town leaders have graciously given us permission to use for ministry activities (Bible studies, outreaches, etc.). In addition, they also cleaned up, painted a mural in, and stocked the library at the town’s elementary school. At the end of the week, there was an inauguration ceremony for the new school library during which some of the American team-members spoke on abstinence, and the Cora children shared traditional dances and cultural experiences with the team. In the afternoons they visited with five families in three Cora villages: Mojocuautla (where they were also doing construction), Agua Aceda, and San Juan Corapan. The fifteen families were chosen based on their dire need, and the group had filled a backpack for each family with various necessities and clothing for each member in the family. Each backpack was “adopted” by a family in the Ridgway church and was accompanied by a picture of that family who had also committed to praying for the family that would receive their backpack. It was a very successful ministry time, and it was a special time of making contact with families in these villages that we had not previously known or ministered to. Please pray that the Lord will work in their hearts and receive a great harvest in these villages.

The Canyon Hills team came down from Washington state with a very evangelistic focus. They, too, spent their mornings working on construction, this time in the new church facility. Then in the afternoons they went to four different towns (including a different part of Cofradía than where the church is located) to do open air meetings that included music, dramas, puppets and other activities for kids, a gospel message, and prayer time. Some of our own local church members participated in these outreach events in other towns and tell me that it was a really neat opportunity for them as well, since they do not have as much opportunity to go and evangelize other towns around them! At the end of their time here in Cofradía, the team put on a carnival for the local kids in Cofradía and surrounding areas. It was a fun time with face painting, puppets, balloon animals, various games, and lots of fellowship. All in all, it was a great outreach that not only served to reach folks that we have not had much opportunity to minister to in the past, but also it provided unique opportunities for the local church members that the Lord will use to continue growing them!

Youth Leadership…

At the beginning of June, Steve, Geña, and I took four of our older youth to Mazatlan for a youth leadership retreat: Jesús Alberto, José Luis, Martin, and Sandy. Our goal is to make them student leaders this year beginning with the new generation of youth group members that will begin attending this month upon the completion of school activities and graduation to Junior High. We spent two days studying the book of Nehemiah and the leadership components and strategies that show forth in the person of Nehemiah not only in accomplishing his goal of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, but also in rebuilding the people of God. We also spent time doing team-building activities in an effort to build a sense of community and unity among the four of them. At the end of the retreat, we gave them the task of putting together a one-day camp for the rising 7^th graders that will be matriculating into the youth ministry this month. The purpose of this camp is to welcome them into the youth group; give them a bit of an orientation into who we are, what we do, and why we do it; and to give them the opportunity to get to know their new student leaders as well as each other as they begin to make the transition from children to youth in a new and quite different ministry environment. It was an extremely successful retreat, and the four youth leaders have taken to their planning like ducks in water! Every time they find themselves in the same room, they end up together talking and planning, whether they had planned to do so or not! They are coming up with their own ideas, recognizing problems and working them out as a team, and have put together a day camp that promises to be a very fun and interesting time! The day camp will take place on July 11 in Tepic, and we are anticipating the presence of 5-10 new youth. Please keep this event in your prayers and our student leaders as well as they continue to adjust to their new role in the group.

Mentor Gazette…

On May 25, Sandy taught the Bible study for youth group. Originally, she was thinking of teaching about the Fruit of the Spirit based on what she was learning in Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself study. However, in the end she taught about the three types of man: the natural man (unsaved, dead in sin), the carnal man (saved, but living like he’s unsaved), and the spiritual man (saved and walking fruitfully in the Spirit). She taught the differences between the three and then spoke about how the difference between the carnal and spiritual man is found primarily in their spiritual diet. The spiritual man has a stead, meaty diet of the Word of God, whereas the carnal man does not. She then challenged to think about what kind of “man” they would call themselves and to take the steps necessary to become spiritual people. She challenged them saying, “Many of us have been saved for a long time and have been going to church and youth group and hearing the Truth for a long time, but we still live like we’re unsaved. It’s time for us to change that and commit ourselves to having time daily in the Word, to studying it and knowing it well, and to live what we preach.” Many of the youth were challenged by this lesson and make comments to the staff later on. It was neat to see how they responded and listed to her as she taught and how the Lord is working in them since that time.

In addition, in June Sandy and I finished the Living Beyond Yourself study. Both of us were very challenged by the study of each of the fruit of the Spirit and the challenge to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

She also continues to find work with the camera. She completed and was paid for her first two “gigs”, and was asked by several families to take pictures of their children’s graduations from elementary and junior high schools. In addition, she continues to take pictures of the area in hopes that they may find sale while I’m home in the states this fall. We finally received a book that was ordered for her, as well, so that she can learn more about what she’s doing technically and artistically, and she’s excited to dig deeper into photography and improve her skills.

She is also enjoying her new role as student leader in the youth group. I asked her recently what it is that wakes her up inside, that just sets her on fire in her heart. Her response was being involved in the church and especially what she is now doing as a student leader in the youth group. She is excited to dig in with the younger youth, to disciple, to teach, and to train in righteousness those who come up behind her. She continues to challenge herself in reading Scripture and in prayer, and as such is a constant challenge to me in my own personal devotional habits. God is certainly continuing to move and grow this amazing young lady, and we’re anxious to see where He will take her in the future!

In Conclusion…

Thank you for your prayers and your continued support. With the death of my youngest brother on June 16, in the midst of all this activity and responsibility, June has also been a difficult month. But I praise God every day for blessing me and surrounding me with such a wonderful cloud of witnesses on this earth. Your prayers have lifted up me and my family, and your generosity has overwhelmed me as it made it possible to be with my family for the week of my brother’s memorial service. What a special time that was to remember his vivacity and joy in life and to praise the Lord that he is no longer suffering but at home in complete and eternal joy and peace with the Lord. Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers as we continue step-by-step to learn to live without Chris in our lives and yet continue to celebrate the 24 years that we were blessed to have him with us. Thank you!

I continue to anticipate my trip home in August for 8-10 weeks. I look forward to the advent of fall weather, something I missed greatly last year, as well time with my family and friends. I’m excited to get plugged back in with my church and the community of friends and spiritual family that I have in the Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia area. Please pray that I will be sensitive to how the Lord leads me to use my time to not only soak up encouragement and strength from those relationships, but also to invest all that I’m able!

In addition, please be praying that the Lord will provide the right living arrangements for me while I’m home. I’m hoping to find a place in Fredericksburg from August through October to base myself. I still plan to spend several days each week with my family and friends in Richmond, but I feel very strongly that the Lord is calling me to base myself in Fredericksburg this year. I have $100/month to offer to whomever it may be to offset costs, but I am trusting that the Lord will bring forward the right arrangements according to his perfect and pleasing will for me during that time! Thank you for partnering with me in prayer over this matter! The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective!

Strength and glory are in His Sanctuary!

The Lord is so incredibly faithful to me. It's quite humbling, actually, but even greater is the joy that overflows from my heart when I think of His faithfulness to me these last couple of weeks. After my brother died, it was so hard to spend time in the Word because I simply couldn't think of where to turn to find the words of comfort I so desperately longed for. But I turned to the Psalms anyway, knowing that if I were to find them anywhere, they would be in the Psalms. And as I read each morning at my kitchen table over breakfast and coffee, my ceiling fan would cause the pages to turn on their own. So, I let them, and when they stopped turning, I read what was before. That is how it has gone for the last two weeks. The ceiling fan paged through my Psalms last night so that this morning Psalm 94 was waiting for me. I read straight through to Psalm 99 as though they were all one long Psalm. And I just feel the need to praise the Lord by sharing what I found there. May it touch your heart as it has been touching mine! Be a good sponge and soak it up well!!

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"Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in
the silence of death.
When I said, 'My foot is slipping,'
your love, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to
my soul."
(Ps. 94:17-19)

"Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our
Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of hi
pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts..."
(Ps. 95:6-7)

"Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after
day.
Declare his glory among the
nations,
his marvelous deeds among all
peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy
of praise;
he is to be feared above all
gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before
him;
strength and glory are in his
sanctuary"
(Ps. 96:1-6)

"Let those who love the Lord hate
evil,
for he guards the lives of his
faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand
of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are
righteous,
and praise his holy name."
(Ps. 97:10-12)

"Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation
known
and revealed his righteousness to
the nations.
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to the house of
Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God."
(Ps. 98:1-3)

"...they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
O Lord our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving
God,
though you punished their misdeeds.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain
for the Lord our God is holy."
(Ps. 99:6b, 8-9)

"Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are
his;
we are his people, the sheep of
his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his
name.
For the Lord is good and his love
endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through
all generations."
(Ps. 100:3-5)

Plodding Along...

Well, this week has been an alright week; it definitely improved as it progressed. At first it was really hard to leave my family with all that happened right before I left, and it was hard being back in my apartment where it's so quiet and no one to distract me most of the time. I also finished up my to-do list before I went home, so I haven't had much on my plate to do this week as far as "work" is concerned, and in addition to that everyone here cares about me and wants to know what we found out about my brother and how my family is; sadly, I'm not in the mood to talk about it most time, especially to repeat it all 30,000 times in a week. So, all those things combined made coming back a little difficult, and then when I realized I left a suitcase in the taxi that dropped me off at home, well I definitely felt pushed over the edge.

But the Lord provides in wonderful ways. As I stepped out of said taxi in the pouring down rain, I was bombarded by the simultaneous hugs of about 10 of my youth girls all yelling "Amber's here! Amber's back!". It was one great group bear hug, and it definitely made me feel special. They knew I'd be arriving that night and they waited around for me even though it was raining something fierce. Then, Dave was able to locate and bring home my suitcase! He did some sleuthing in Penas and Tuxpan, for which I'm forever grateful. And I don't even think the taxi guy or his family opened the suitcase because not a single thing was bothered or out of place, praise the Lord!

I also have not spent much time alone this week, since due to one reason or another Sandy spent four nights here in my apartment with me, and about 2.5 full days. Mili spent the night a couple of those nights and days as well. The first couple days were harder, but now I'm doing much better thanks to their company and their ability to lighten my mood. They have been very patient with me this week also, and that has meant a lot!

So, now I'm at the end of my first week back, and my to-do list is filling up again, thankfully. We've also had a week of school graduations, about which I will post at a later date (to include pictures and video of course!). I'm looking forward to the weekend and all that next week will hold.

Thank you for your prayers!! They are working. Please keep them up!!

Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty
waters,
though your footprints were not
seen.

You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

(Psalm 77:19-20)

Solace...

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my
salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

(Psalm 61:5-8)


The Lord is close to the
brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in
spirit.

(Psalm 34:18)


I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with
thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than
an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.
The poor will see and be glad--
you who seek God, may your hearts
live!
The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive
people.

Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and
possess it;
the children of his servants will
inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.

(Ps. 69:29-36)