Posting in May :-)

Half the month has gone by already! We are still here, alive and well. I love to write especially about how good the Lord is, the events of each day He gives, and how He works in my heart and in the ministry here.

But this month I have been taking inventory. :-) My mom knows I have taken inventory since I was little. I would go into my room and tear the place apart and tell everyone I was "taking inventory". That basically meant I was going through every little nook and cranny, seeing what I needed, what I didn't, organizing, cleaning, planning etc...

Now while my house could definitely use a good "inventory" taking (summer schedule's are wonderful for that!), the past couple weeks I have been taking inventory of something else. I've been spending time thinking, praying, seeking the Lord and asking Him for wisdom in many areas of our lives...my life and the lives of my children.

And it has been so good! A bit painful...sometimes very painful...but the healing balm of the Saviour soothes and makes even the most deep sore whole. I've been listening more. I always thought I was a listener, but I realized that often I've only heard what I want to hear. Listening to the Lord's still small voice, learning to trust and wait on Him...patiently. Definitely not by favorite thing to do, but more and more, I am learing how good it is. And listening to my husband.

How often do our husband's say something that we don't like to hear. "That could not possibly be so! I'm not like that! I don't think that way!" How proud and stubborn I am sometimes. When I yield my heart to the Spirit's call and humble myself, the tears flow so freely and then the grace...the amazing, undeserved, wonderful grace...fills my heart and the joy that follows makes me feel so free!

Psalms 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."

I just thought I'd share some pictures I took over the past couple weeks. Some dear friends of ours gave us a new camera and I've been having so much fun taking pictures. Also, truth be told, we got a new phone plan that the phone company just began offering...it has unlimited calls to the USA as well as a much higher internet connection speed! And it will cost us far less than what we were having to pay. So I was super excited to try it out and my pics uploaded in a jiffy!

Well, they might not be that thrilling; we really have done not much short of study, study, study the past 2 weeks as we are bound and determined to hit our goal of finishing the school year by the end of this month. We have something really exciting to look forward to the beginning of June, but more on that later (and no, it's not a new baby :-) ).

Apart from studying and our normal daily routines, I've had so much fun planning our summer schedule which I'll gladly share when it's completed (if anyone is interested).

Oh, and before I forget, we took Samuel back to the doctor yesterday. Another x-ray showed a lot of new bone growing over the broken part...like a big weld :-) The doctor was very pleased and we have a "good bye stinky cast" date....May 29th!!!! That boy is going to get some serious cuddles and snuggles...and a serious bath! I can't wait!!! 15 more days! And to think how light he will feel after it's off. I've definitely strengthened my arms this past month!

I had the most wonderful Mother's Day last Sunday. This was the first year that my children really got into it! They have always made me cards and got me a little something. But this year, they were so very sweet. Cards, lots of extra chores done just to bless me, little gifts they saved up to buy, and my favorite...tons of hugs and kisses!

And while I know many men give their wives flowers, my man gave me something I have really, really wanted ever since Hurricane Jimena came through. A new clothes line!!!!!!

When we were up north last year, one of our supporting Pastor's sons gave Timothy this new toy. I had never heard of a "rip stick" before. It looked a bit like a skate board, but it was sure a lot harder to stand upon! Of course, in all fairness, my husband has forbidden me to set even one of my feet upon it. I have had 3 knee surgeries already; and I'm not getting any more coordinated...wise man he is! But our children all the way down to Josiah can ride it so fast! I love to watch them :-)

Neva and Hna. Meche came over 2 weeks ago just to help me. You see, our church celebrated it's 5 year anniversary. Brother Chava, a dear friend of ours and Pastor for about 30 years, drove almost 800 miles to be with us and our church here for this special day. After not having water the entire week before, my house needed a bit of scrubbing and they came simply to lighten my load. :)

These two I've been trying to keep by my side lately. With the mornings filled with me teaching the older ones and my arms often holding Samuel while I do, these two have been getting into trouble lately! So I just keep them by my side and put them to work...We had 26 people to prepare supper for!

Lots of good food, wonderful fellowship, laughter, and fun!

The other day, Daniel took the oldest 9 with him to town and I so enjoyed playing with Eliseo and Nehemiah (Samuel was asleep for most of it).

Big, Blue, Straight Eyes :-)

I pull out the camera, and this is what Nehemiah does....

I just love them all...

Boys at church and boys at home....

And sweet girls too....

Working together as a family here in Mexico. Just where we belong. :-)