Meet our Family...

Daniel will tell you, I am definitely a follower! And while I'm not very creative, I am always inspired by others who are and love to copy a good idea when I see it.
My sweet, young, friend, Amy (mommy of 11), recently put up a page on her blog where you could read a little about each member of her family. I thought that was a great idea! So, with her permission, I copied her...only I used my own children's names and pictures, not her's. :)
So if you look at the top of our blog, right under our header, you will see 2 new links. One says "Home" and the other "Meet Our Family." I've got a couple more ideas to add to that area too, but for now...click on the "Meet Our Family" link and let us know what you think.
May the Lord bless this new week He's given!

Learning to Lean

I have had a tough past couple of weeks. Emotionally I felt so drained. This I know, that when one give His life to Jesus Christ and purposes to live for Him, to give all for Him, to completely follow Him, Satan will do all he can to cause that one to stumble and fall.

Oh, how crafty he is! And how many ways he utilizes to fulfil his purposes. I know as women, we are often led by our emotions. God gave the woman strong emotions; He made her with a tender heart and a sensitive spirit. That's good as woman bear children and become mommies. :) But clearly, as the Bible teaches, women are the weaker vessel and can be easily deceived.

For this reason, how very important it is for us to not only be under our husbands but to also fill our hearts and minds with the truth of God's Word. How often have we heard, even from the time we were little girls reading 'harmless' fairytales, to "follow your heart". What a heap of trouble I would be in if I followed my heart! Jeremiah 17:9 tells us our heart is deceitful above all things.

So this week I was feeling so discouraged. Some hurtful things were said, I was tired with just the normal tiredness of being a mommy to 12, I was feeling lonely, and dealing with a few physical ailments.

But when my heart feels so sad or discouraged, I know just where I need to be...in God's Word. Conviction came over many things and so did the wonderful joy and peace of forgiveness. I tend to often look to the immediate rather than the long term. My focus so quickly gets off the goal and my head droops right down to my feet in front of me...and how quickly I can then get off the path! But "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!" I was encouraged and given direction which I soaked in like dry ground through times of Bible reading and prayer.

I'm so thankful that through the hard days, I longed to rise early to meet my Lord. And at night, I left my writings, sewing, and other things alone and again went to Jesus. Sometimes, to be honest, I just felt like moping and that it would be useless to even try to read and pray, but that's one of those things in which my heart is deceitful. For it is never in vain to seek the Lord! And how those times with Him gave me just what I needed to continue doing what I needed to do.

And how impatient I can be! I want a trial to end now! But the Lord wants me to be still and rest patiently in Him. He wants me to wait on Him. And He wants to work and to be honest, I really do want His work in me! How much He teaches me; how good is He to continue to shape and mold me. How hot that fire can feel, but how I need the purifying it brings.

And how good He is to bring sweet drops of refreshment just when we need it. Words to strengthen our hearts...words from His very lips that bring such sweet comfort and hope.

______________________________

Yesterday afternoon, we got into the bus and went to pick up those from our church here who desired to go our with us to Zaragoza to begin sharing the gospel with the people there.

I think we had as many people go that we almost had at prayer meeting Wednesday night! The mother of a girl who as gone to our church for years came as well...and she's never even gone to church with us before. She is unsaved and the ladies in our church have been working with her for so long...how their faces shone with hope to see her come!
Going anywhere on a bus is just simply fun! Everyone sang, passed around burritos and chips, and had such a wonderful time of fellowship.

Even sweet Juanita came. Turning 87 years old this year on our birthday (we share one-June 24 :) ), she must have been born earlier on in the day since she's older. If I sit on a chair, I can talk to her at eye level. But most importantly, I can give her a big hug :)

While the men set up chairs, a mircrphone/speakers, and other things, the children played.

And I took pictures because they always beg me to do so :)

When everything was finally ready, we began to sing and Daniel preached.

No, not many came...maybe only 4 or so heard and only 2 stayed for the message, but what a blessing for our church here to begin working to win those who have never heard.

Everyone is eager to return next week and work even harder to bring them in!

_________________________

On the home front, it's been just the simple day to day life...school, work, and play.

The little ones got up from their nap the other day and helped me make cookies. I smiled :) They are so fun!

Samuel, Samuel, Saumel...how do you grow so big?! A year old in 14 days...not that I'm counting. This is the first time I've had a baby celebrate their first birthday without them also about to become a "big" brother or sister. Sigh...does it seem silly if I tell you I have a twinge of sadness about it? How good though to know that just like I can trust the Lord when He brings us a baby every year and can trust Him if/when He doesn't. He always knows best. How good He is! How powerful and wonderful! How amazing the grace He gives!

Did I confuse anyone???

Earlier today, if you think that you saw what looked like the beginning of a post that was obviously not at all finished, you did :)
I had a few few minutes this morning before school, so I uploaded a few pictures and began to write. I must have left the page up and someone, must likely under that age of 4, apparently pushed the publish button. Oops! :) So I took it down and will put it back up once I finish.
I would like to ask you all to pray for our family and our church here tonight. We will be traveling out to another very small town to begin sharing the gospel.
Daniel went out to survey the town a few weeks ago. There is no church there which either means no one has ever tried to start one or the town is a very hard area in which to work. He was given permission by the town mayor to hold meetings in the town square. So last week, several of our older boys and Daniel and some from our church here went out there and went door to door passing out tracts and letting them know that the following week (today) we would be sharing a message from God's Word in the town square. We hope to be able to go out each Thursday and have either Daniel or one of the men in our church here preach a gospel message with the prayer that hearts will come to Christ and church will spring up in Zaragosa (the name of the town).
I was unable to go out last week because Eliseo's been sick with really bad diarrhea. We're hoping the whole family can join everyone tonight.
We'll be heading out later this afternoon and holding the meeting at 6 pm our time. Please pray for us and the people of Zaragosa. How we desire and are so thankful for your prayers! Sometimes the battle is so hard; we need ones to stand beside us an hold up our hands like Aaron and Hur did for Moses. Praise the Lord, ...and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I John 5:4).

Sweet cookies and Souls

Apparently I am getting a reputation around here.

While the children were eating lunch outside on the picnic tables today, I stayed inside to surprise them by baking up a batch of cookies.

They finished eating, brought their dishes back into the kitchen, and saw the cookies cooling on the counter.

Josiah said, "Whoa! Who made those?"

"I did," I happily replied.

To which he responded in an even more surprised tone, "They aren't even burnt!"

Hmmmm...... It's true that when I bake cookies I'm rarely in the kitchen the entire time like I was today. So maybe my mind tends to be in 14 places sometimes.

I burnt the oatmeal once. Elijah tried it and told me it tasted like roasted marshmallows. :)

I am very thankful for root canals. I'm also thankful for the shots they give you to numb your tooth before they begin to drill on it.

Sunday night, I woke up every 30 minutes because my tooth hurt so badly. I would put some numbing drops on it, the throbbing would begin to subside, I'd drift back to sleep, and then wake up again with the throbbing pain.

So yesterday, I was so very thankful to be sitting in the dentist's chair. And I slept so good last night. If any child woke up crying during the night, I didn't hear them. I was out! :)

While we've always had quite a few children come Sunday mornings, lately more have been coming Sunday night as well. We aren't fitting in the back room that well anymore, so we tried meeting in the upstairs room which is right above the room where we hold services. The floor of the upstairs room is also the ceiling of the downstairs...wood boards.

I think there were over 40 children in class. That makes 80+ feet. I think it sounded like a thunder storm to those down below. It felt like a thunderstorm too as one of the children accidently spilled their drink and it began dripping onto one of the ladies down below.

Thankfully, the evening temps have warmed up a bit and Daniel was able to string some light bulbs outside, so I think next week I'll try holding class out there.

The children had fun making Valentine cards for their parents or grandparents.




Aren't those beautiful wood benches like the one on which Rebekah is working? You can see the children sitting on them in the first picture. We are so thankful to have been able to get the wood to make those this month and Daniel's brother (Uncle Samuel) worked hard and did a great job! We can sit so many more children now than in the big plastic chairs we used before.

Sunday morning, we had 8 new children come! Four of them came from the area the children and I worked on Saturday. Sunday, I picked up the first group and then they took me to several of their friend's homes to see if they would want to come too.

:)

Someone asked me in a recent comment about what it means when we go soul winning. While we share the gospel as often as we can with those the Lord brings across our path during the week, Saturday mornings is set aside to go out house to house around our town and do one of three things:

*Invite the people to come to church Sunday

*Pass out tracts and share the gospel with them

*Go to the homes of those who have recently began coming to church and talk with them about the Lord and their soul

If you are a Christian and you have never gone out simply to share Christ with those around you, I encourage you to begin today! Many won't go because they are shy or do not know what to say. Oh, dear one, ask the Lord to give you courage! He has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, of love and a sound mind! You do not have to have all the answers; Daniel encourages our new believers to begin immediately to share what Christ has done for them! Share the simple gospel. I can't tell you how many times I am not sure what to say to a question or I get stumped up with my Spanish. But I ask the Lord to use me as weak as I am. I often go to Daniel and ask him if he can go back to a certain home and talk with them. You may get laughed at, mocked, rejected, or ignored, but to have it done to you for Christ Jesus your Lord...to be able to suffer a little bit for Him who knew suffering like no other. And what joy unspeakable to see one come to know Christ as you have! Ask the Lord to give you a love for souls. He will! We must bring them in! Wherever the Lord has called you...wherever he has you and your family...He has a job for you soldier! It is not just a job for those on the foreign field. Work for the night is coming!

Romans 10:13-15

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

Happy Valentines Day!

My husband gave me one dozen white children. :) They are soooo beautiful and even smell good...sometimes :)

Happy Valentine's Day!
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

No pictures...Just words

My brother in law likes it when I have many pictures and little words on my posts :0). But tonight, no pictures. I need more batteries for my camera and a stronger rubber band to hold the battery cover shut as recently a child accidently dropped the camera on the cement floor of the church and some seemingly insignificant but apparently needed tiny, black pieces of plastic broke off.
I just want to share about our weekend thus far and plans for tomorrow.
I went to the dentist on Friday. It is the first time I've been since 2005. Mainly because the dentist I went to here in Mexico scared me. He wasn't scary, but his room really was. But we found a new dentist who works in the same building as our children's dentist and we like both of them a lot!
I have bad teeth. Very bad teeth. Is it possible to have had 14 root canals? It is. I brush my teeth a lot. My hubby does now much more than he did his first 22 years of life before we got married. :) And his teeth are as good as ever. Mine are like swiss cheese. I have had a bad tooth ache for about a week. It's kept me tossing and turning many nights from around midnight until 4 am. Monday, Lord willing, we will work with that tooth and then go from there. On the bright side, the cost of dental work here is about 1/10 of what it is in the states.
Today, Alma (my soul winning partner) had to work, so I went out myself with Abigail, Josiah, Noah, and Nehemiah. It took us a bit longer than normal to cover our route area, but we found 6 new families to invite to church and had a good response. I'll go back early tomorrow morning to walk everyone to the corner to wait for the bus. I'm praying many will come and listen to God's Word tomorrow.
Somebody sent us a big box of Valentine's Day goodies to use with our children and the children in our church. So tomorrow night, I am planning a very special children's class! Tomorrow afternoon, we will decorate with some of the things they sent and then we'll have special treats, gifts, make cards together for parents/loved ones/friends, have a special lesson on God's love, special craft and I know the children will be so happy!
I love doing little things for them! Here, where so many are poor, the littlest things...special food, fellowship, a little treat...are so appreciated. Oh, that each of their little hearts would soon come to be filled with the joy that comes from the the One who loves them and died for them!
Uncle Samuel built several benches for the children this week! I can't wait to use them! We will be hopefully able to fit so many more versus using the plastic chairs we've been using. Daniel has been working at the church all afternoon and evening finishing up accomdating things better so we can bring more in!
Brother Juan, a national missionary/pastor from the capitol city in our state, will be passing through our town tomorrow and Lord willing, will be preaching Sunday night. I'm not sure if he'll be staying with us overnight or continuing on after church. Praying the Lord will use the message he brings in the hearts of all who hear.
Oh, one other thing. Daniel and I have had a burden on our heart for some time now. As our church has grown, families have come to Christ, and there has sprung up a real need...a need for Christian education for their children. We love home schooling and it was so sweet to hear Ivan (age 15 who's been with us from the beginning) say last week, "When I have children someday, I want to home school them." As the fathers/mothers are growing in the Lord, they are more and more aware of what their children are being taught or the influences they are subjected to in the schools here. These families are so very poor, and many of the mothers/fathers did not receive much education themselves as many of them had to work as youngsters. They want their children to learn to read and write well and to learn history, math, and the like, but are struggling with the schools.
Last Sunday, Hna. Julia, the principal of one of the schools here, got baptized. Daniel began to ask her about having a private Christian school here for our church children. She was very excited and how we would love for the young people here have a Christian education. And how exciting to think that soon, these young ones will be grown up, married, have their own children, and like Ivan, have the option and desire to home school thier own! Just something we are thinking and praying about.
Well, many words and no pictures as I said. Thank you for praying for us here. May you have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow. He is so faithful and good!

Made so very special

A dear, young friend of mine wrote 3 adjectives to describe each of her children. And that got me thinking:

Timothy- outgoing, strong, kind (Daddy's right hand man)

Elijah- smart, thoughtful, responsible (Can count on him to do any task or know any fact)

Rebekah- fun, serving, loyal (Brings so much life wherever she is)

Benjamin- creative, patient, quiet (Steady, faithful and true that boy)

Abigail- girly, joyful, motherly (Feminine through and through)

Isaiah- sensitive, neat, sincere (Every mother's dream child...a good example to me!)

Josiah- goofy, impulsive, helpful (Always laughing with him or at him :) )

Noah- serious, determined, honest (As tough as they come yet so tender too)

Susannah- loving, trusting, talkative (Hugs abound and words all the more)

Nehemiah- entertaining, silly, clingy (I could sit and just watch him for hours)

Eliseo- gentle, snuggly, happy (Big in stature, meek in spirit...a gentle giant)

Samuel- sweet, little, endearing (Definitely not lacking for attention)

(I'm focusing on their positive traits, of course :-) )

Each child so very unique and so very special!

Made in the image of their Creator!

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In other news, the boys were cleaning their room the other day. Elijah and Nehemiah both have blue banks on their dresser. Elijah opened what he thought was his bank to put something inside of it. But only it wasn't his bank. It was Nehemah's. And this is what he found.

How long do you think it takes a burrito to grow that much "cotton" as Noah called it? I have no idea when that "deposit" was made as we have burritos almost every day. We live in Mexico. I told Elijah to dump it outside and we'd wash the bank. He dumped it. I washed it. With bleach. And let it air dry in the sun for several days.

I was teaching Rebekah Grammar yesterday. I was explaining to her that when we write out the name of a newspaper or magazine article in a sentence that we need to put quotation marks around it. She looked confused and said, "What do you mean articles?" So I said, "Well, where would we find an article?" She still looked bewildered, but then you could see a light bulb suddenly go on in her sweet head and she said, "Oh, in a cave!" I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. I know how sensitive she is and always try to hold back my smile and gently explain something or try to understand what she is thinking. But her brothers are male...they, who were sitting in the next room over and so absorbed in their own studies that they would not possibly be able to know what was going on in the next room, instantly burst out in laughter not even trying to contain their chuckles.

They are still young. They don't understand why girls cry so easily. Their Daddy's much older and he still hasn't figured Mommy out either. :)

*I will say that I did feel better this morning when Rebekah was in a well rested not so sensitive mood and we were laughing all together this time about articles being in caves. I then found out that she wasn't quite as "dingy" as it sounded...in her defense, she had gotten confused with the word artifact which she had recently learned. I always feel better when I can at least figure out how we got from point A to B. *

Growing Pains

Has it been a week since our last update? And even now, I only have a few mintues before bedtime. How full the days are! As the Lord has grown our family and ministry here, how easy it is for us to get overwhelmed or begin to sink. But like Peter, it is only because we have taken our eyes off Jesus and looked toward our own selves. How powerless and weak we are...and how mighty and strong is our God! Each morning, and often throughout the day, we pray together as a family for the Lord to guide and direct our day. More and more, I feel in such desparate need of His wisdom, strength, and realize more and more how desolate I am apart from Him!

As I was preparing for my Sunday night class, I felt overcome with the need to just pray. All the songs, lessons, verses, and crafts are nothing if they are not bathed in prayer beseeching the One who loves the little children to work in their hearts. Often, I do not know what to say or how to help, but He does! And how I have come to love these people here more and more! Thank you Lord for sending us here! As I sang "Jesus Loves Me" tonight to Nehemiah, the words "they are weak but He is strong" set deep in my heart. He is so strong! And has the power to save!

I was thinking that Mondays would be a good day to update you all on the ministry here. I know so many of you are praying and your eagerness to stand along side us here through your prayers has convicted my heart in coming to my knees so much more for our church here in La Toba. As we see our sweet Saviour's work in each heart here, we have joy unspeakable! May He add many, many more jewels to His crown!

Wednesday, we were out of water all day. Cleaning was difficult and wouldn't you know it that an unexpected guest arrived for the night. I'm learning more and more to swallow my selfish pride on such matters and do as the people here do...give each guest the best we have and receive them with sincere joy especially one who is a servant of our Lord.

Pastor Alvero, a national pastor from the state of Sonora, feels the Lord may be calling him to work in our state here and he was surveying the area. He preached in our Wednesday night service and then returned and preached in our service Sunday evening.

Hna. Julia, her daughter Lupita, and Hno. Juaquin gave testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior following Him in obedience by baptism last night.

We've been having growing pains in our little church lately. How wonderful to see each and every pew filled! Last night, we put chairs up front near the pulpit, chairs along the back wall, and there were still people having to stand outside. We're being creative in fitting all the children in my evening Sunday School class and have been brainstorming and especially praying asking the Lord to gives us ideas to best accomodate and work with what we have. May we be faithful in whatever He gives!

Picking up children in the bus

Sunday Night Service
When I couldn't fit in any more chairs in the room....


...I stacked them on the stairs :)


Jewels for His crown!


Enjoying a time of food and fellowship together
Pastor Alvero and Daniel

Special Blessings

The Lord truly gave me a very special time up north last week. For one, I was able to spend all that one on one time with Eliseo. That was a true blessing that helped mend a little hurt in my heart. You see, I got pregnant with little Samuel when Eliseo was just 4 months old. Now, that wasn't too unusual for me, but being put on bedrest for much of the pregnancy was. Between the bedrest and then hospital stay, Samuel's premature birth and then weeks in the NICU and later hospital here in Mexico, I felt like I missed so much of Eliseo's baby days. He grew so big so fast and I just had this tinge of sadness feeling like I wasn't able to hold him as much as I had my other babies.
Well, last week, this little guy got held by me A LOT! :) And it was so special to just be with him for a bit before he gets too big for me to hold.

My favorite thing about being in the USA (even more wonderful than getting to pick up supplies at Walmart :) ), is spending time with family and friends. This trip, I was able to spend some time with some very special people whom I love very much.

This picture brings tears to my eyes and is one of my favorites. I was able to see my Grandpa whom I hadn't seen in almost 24 years. It was a tearful, joyful reunion.

Eliseo is our first child to meet his Great Grandpa

I met my sweet little 4 year old cousin Olivia for the first time too; Eliseo had so much fun playing with her!

I have mentioned here many times what a tremendous blessing the Maxwell Family has been to our lives. There are certain people the Lord brings into our lives to bless and encourage us in our walk with Him. The Lord has used Mrs. Maxwell to mentor me in so many ways. Several weeks ago, my sister in law told us that the Maxwell family was coming to Redding to do a conference. I went to their website to look at the speaking schedule and saw they'd be in Redding during the time Eliseo and I would be there! What a special treat to be able to go to the evening conference and visit a bit with this family who has been such a blessing to us!

I was able to spend 3 days with my sister Julee before Eliseo had his surgery. She teaches at a Christian school and it was wonderful being able to watch my little sister teach! What a gift God has given her! She teaches a combined 5th/6th grade class and does a wonderful job. I was taking notes! :) She took me out to eat one night and we had such a good time catching up, laughing and sharing what the Lord has done in our lives. Saturday morning, I was able to go soul winning with her in the neighborhoods in her area too.

Yes, I did end my trip with a visit to Walmart. :) My sister in law Deborah and my friend Christine helped me make a supply run late Thursday night. Apparently after midnight, we are easily entertained. :)

And now I am back home. Today was a cold, rainy day. I didn't even know those happened here. I had just finished catching up on all the laundry and housework, so no children outside in the mud today! But they kept themselves quite busy and happy. :)

Daniel ran into town to take Timothy to the doctor. Sunday afternoon, he fell off the storage shelf above his closet and landed on his foot. Today it was pretty swollen and bruised, so we decided we'd best get it x-rayed. It was fractured, so he's in a cast for the rest of the month. I'm not sure what his face is all about :) Apparently he's easily entertained as well. :)