5 year old Bullfrog!

Nehemiah and his birthday bike.

Sunday, Nehemiah the bullfrog, turned 5.  On one hand, I can't believe my only dark haired baby boy is already so big.  On the other hand, a day with that boy can feel like a week.  You can just see it in his eyes.  He's always up to something.  He's cute.  Charming.  And has been in trouble about half his life.  The half that he's not sleeping. :)  But I wouldn't trade him for anything!  He makes me laugh, he's so thoughtful, a GREAT big brother to Eliseo and Samuel always looking out for them, he loves to snuggle, talks my ear off, and begins every sentence with, "Uh-huh...yeah...and one time..."   Those big brown eyes, dimples in his cheek and chin, and that smile that lights up the room...yes, he melts mommy's heart.  Good thing considering how much he gets into trouble! :)  

Birthday Banner made by Mommy and the girls. :)

Nehemiah riding his new bike.  Eliseo not letting any of that birthday cake/icecream go to waste :)

Benjamin, Eliseo, Susannah, and Noah ready for church Sunday morning.

My second baby! :)

My first baby :)

 Yesterday, Daniel and I and our 4 youngest went down to La Paz to turn in more paperwork for my visa and do some Christmas shopping for the children.  The oldest 8 stayed home to study and Hna. Meche came over to stay with them.  We had so much fun! And got sooo tired!  After almost 4 months in the USA, McDonalds was not my first choice for lunch, but with a 6,5,3, and 2 year old in the car squealing with excitement when the golden arches came into sight, well...I do like their french fries :)  Daniel and I were sitting down watching them all play at the play place and I said, "I tell you, when Timothy, Elijah, Beka, and Ben were all this small, I think I had a lot more energy!" :)
It was tons of fun being with just the littlest crew for the day and we had fun spoiling them a bit.
Tonight, we went Christmas Caroling with our church.  Tomorrow and Friday we get to give out the Christmas boxes!   What a wonderful Savior!  A reason to celebrate today and every day!

McD's in La Paz

Samuel LOVES slides!

Susannah lost her first tooth last week!

I told you we spoiled them a bit :) 

Week before Christmas

Yes, we are still here ! :)  Long, busy and full but wonderful days passing so quickly. 

We started school and have a bit of catching up to do but and are still very much enjoying just being home.

After getting settled back in and beginning our school year, I found that things just weren't running too smoothly.   I took a couple days to list down all the "problems" and realized that we were lacking some organization in many areas!   Sometimes I tend to get the cart ahead of the horse.  When I things start falling apart or not getting done, it's usually one of two reasons.  Either I haven't taken the time to organized/plan/instruct as I should or I'm not sticking to my plan/schedule.

So that is what I've been working on the past couple weeks.  And things are going MUCH better!

I listed out all the areas, big or small, that needed attention.  Anything from cleaning, to shopping, to ministry, to school, to projects.  Then prioritized them (for example, getting my food preparation/shopping/menus in order takes priority over practicing my violin.  It saves us time and money and the man and children in this house would much rather eat a good meal than listen to me serenade them on my violin any day! :)  And if I want to make Christmas crafts and bake Christmas cookies with the children, I'd best do that before the 25th thus I haven't updated here much.)

 We started with the basics.  Getting up on time, going to bed on time, chores and school.  Then each day, I have tried to tend to at least one more area on my list in order of priority. And especially make time for those things that fill our home with love and joy.  Playing a games with the children, reading stories, keeping our home open to company, chatting, writing notes, etc...

So this week, while there is still much do work on,  I made a menu and followed it, decorated with the children for Christmas, took time to write some letters, worked on chore training, organized the boys clothing with them, fine-tuned our school day, and printed up/framed some Scripture verses to help keep my heart/mind set on what is true!  

Plans for the next couple weeks...

*Tonight we are having 2 families over for supper

*Sunday Nehemiah the Bullfrog turns 5!!

*Tuesday- going down to La Paz with my hubby to renew my visa and (shhhhhh....get Christmas gifts for the children). :)

*Wednesday- Christmas caroling with our church

*Thursday/Friday- passing out the Christmas boxes we received this year...we got about 100 of them!!  Look for the Christmas Box post/pictures in the weeks ahead.

Saturday- Our Christmas Eve also known as my half birthday :) is like Christmas Day for the people here in Mexico.  They begin celebrating in the evening and often stay up most of the night.  That is when we go visit some of the families in our church, bring them some Christmas goodies and eat tamales, pozole, and drink champurado (a think chocolate drink).  Yum!!!!!!

Sunday- Our special Christmas service, children's/teen choir singing, fellowship dinner

Monday- Hubby and 3 oldest going to youth conference for 3 days with some of the other young people/men/women from our church. I'll have a HUGE list of projects ready to tackle while they are away mainly just because I'll miss them soooooo much and it will not only get things done that I've been needing to, but it will make the time pass quickly. :)

Merry Christmas to all who read here!  May Jesus fill your hearts and homes with His love, peace and joy each day!

He is so faithful and sooo good!

See below for pics from this week!! :)

Daddy brought home a treat the other day...big jars of peanut butter!! :)

Sunset a few nights ago- view from the side of our front yard.

Making Christmas Carolers

Working on snowflakes for the windows

I saw this idea on my friend Cindy's blog and loved it!  We made 14 carolers....one for each of us! :)

This was the first year ever that I let the children decorate the tree all by themselves!  More and more, it's not about being "perfect"...just seeing the fun they had making memories together makes it the most beautiful tree ever!

Gift from my hubby to me :)  I had books everywhere...in totes, in cupboards, in baskets, and the two book shelves we had were breaking and full.  He saw a special at shopko for bookshelves for half off and got me four of them and an additional one with doors to hold our games/dvd's!! :)  I feel like we have our own little library!
When Daniel gets time, I want him to paint a verse on the wall above the shelves.  Any suggestions for what verse?

The weather has finally become cool enough to bake without sweating! :)  I love fresh bread!    I was thinking 2 loaves for us and 2 to give away to friends/neighbors.  Well, we did give 2 away, but we could have easily eaten all 4!  Next time I think I'll make 6!

I'm not the most creative/artistic, but I want to start changing our dining room bulletin board every month to fit the season/theme.

These little guys are usually the first ones up.  I let them stay in their jammies till after breakfast and usually the little ones will munch on Cheerios while Beka and I cook. :)

Not sure why these next two pics got put way down here, but I've got to start supper and don't have time to get them where they should be :)

First Day...

...of December.

First day of school.

After a 3 month "field trip", :)

we are back to opening our text books,

working at our desks,

back to our daily schedule.

We've missed it!! 

It's soooo good to be home!

Thanking the Lord tonight for another "school year". 

Ten children from 10th grade down to Kindergarten and two pre-schoolers just to keep me from getting bored and keep me laughing and smiling all day.

Furlough was not too long

For about a month or two, I'd been thinking, "Furlough is just too long."  But as I've spent the past week reflecting over our time away and just soaking up being back home, I had to ask the Lord to forgive me for thinking that way.  I know He planned our furlough just as we asked Him to and it wasn't too long.  It was just right.  Just what we needed. Just the right amount of time.  Just where we needed to go.   I learned so much.  He opened my eyes and heart and helped me see how much I lack. And how much it is only Him.  And I just feel so blessed.

It is soooooooo good to be home.

I was talking to my mom in law on the phone today.  She asked if we did anything special for Thanksgiving.  For the first time in our 16+ years of marriage, we didn't.  Yet I don't know if I have ever had a Thanksgiving where I've felt so blessed.  

I love holidays.  After day after day of just "everyday" life, I've always looked forward to those special days.  Something different.  A break from the normal.  Waking up to a special morning with great anticipation and excitement.

But this past week, I woke up to an entire week of special mornings.  Those little everyday things have been the things for which I am most thankful.  The things I look forward to.   Things I've missed to much.

Waking up in my own bed.

With my husband right beside me.

And sometimes one, two or three little ones snuggled up all around.

The sound of my alarm clock.

My closet and dresser drawers.

My favorite spot to read my Bible and pray.

Hot coffee.   Bringing a hot drink to my hubby.

Waving to my neighbor.  Children waking up finding me in the kitchen cooking breakfast.

My own kitchen.  My pots.  My pans.  My spatula with the melted handle.

Family Breakfast/Bible Time with Daddy around our own table.

Our church.  Our friends.  Knocks at my door.  Welcoming others into our home.

Chores.  Laundry.  My clothes line full.

Washing my own dishes while watching little ones play out the window.

Hanging up pictures colored on my fridge.  

School. Teaching. Learning.

Story before nap time.  Walking barefoot down to the store.

Puppet shows.  Children reading on the couch.  Cars and Lincoln logs.  

Laughter.  Cries.  Kisses.  Hugs.

Pushing a child on the swing.  Jumping on the trampoline.

The smell of pine-sol.  The taste of homemade cookies.

Wiping a dirty face.  A runny nose.  Tying a shoe.  Or 10.  

Fixin' supper that I know my family will love.  Ironing Daniel's shirts fresh off the line.

Giggles in the bath.  Mopping water off the floor.

Picking up toys.  Family Devotions in our family room.

Tucking my children in their own beds.  With their own special song.

Hearing the girls giggle and watching the older ones read by their lamps.

Sitting at my own desk.  Working on our schedule.

Hearing Daniel get home.  Having him brush my hair.

Going to bed without 12 other people in the room. :)

It is so good to be home.

I am so blessed!  I love the life God has give me.  I love being home!  It is all these everyday little things that bring me so much happiness.  I love to serve the Lord by serving my family.  I don't deserve any of this, but the Lord is so good and I am so very thankful.

It is sooooooooooooo good to be home!!!!

We are at the border...

Going home!!! :)  Sorry to not have updated sooner.  I wanted to leave the Christmas box post up to make sure nobody who wanted to participate missed hearing about it.

We picked up the boxes last night!  Thank you so much for those who gave!  We'll be giving the boxes to the children before Christmas and share pictures of those precious smiles here.

We are getting ready to cross the border!!  We delayed our departure date by a couple days because our little Samuel needed to have tubes put in his ears just like his big brother.  

Home sweet home!  I can't wait!  It's been a wonderful furlough but we are all homesick for there truly is no place like home.  God is so faithful and so good!!!!!

Christmas Box Time!!

Every year, for the past 4 years, we have been able through the generosity of so many to give a Christmas gift to many of the children in our town and some surrounding villages/ranchos.  And it is that time again!  Well, actually, time's almost over!  Normally, we begin much earlier sharing about the Christmas Box program and giving a mailing address to send the boxes, but with all our travels and not being exactly sure about our departure date back to Mexico, we haven't posted it for this year until now!  And there isn't much time at all!  We apologize for not being able to post sooner, but for those of you who would still like to participate and can work quickly, we have the details! :)  And for all those who work well under pressure, this might be perfect for you!   Whether we get just a few boxes or many, each and every one will be placed into the hands of a Mexican boy or girl in our area and oh, the smiles and those precious faces that light up when they see their gift!!

We will be heading back across the border, Lord willing, in just under 2 weeks!  So in order to ship your Christmas box(es) to a USA address, they need to arrive at the address for pick up by

November 14th.

The USA address is:

Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood

108000 Woodside Ave. Space 91

Santee, CA  92071

That means they have to be sent by this week or maybe by early next week.  We will be leaving our home town on the 12th and plan on crossing the border into Mexico on the 14th.   Our home is 800 miles south of the border, so we won't be able to return for any boxes that arrive late.  

Anyone is always welcome to send a Christmas box at any time to our Mexico PO box.  The postage is much more expensive that way, but there would be no time limit.  It takes about 2 weeks for mail to get from the USA to Mexico.  Even if a box arrived later than Christmas to our Mexico address, we'd be happy to give it to a child. :)

Our Mexico address is:

Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood

APDO 8

Col. Centro

Cd. Insurgentes, BCS

CP23700 MEXICO

Again, we are sorry there is so little notice this year.  But we wanted to be sure to give an opportunity to all who are wanting and able to take part, to do so!

For those of you are are new here or do not know what the Christmas box program is all about, here are the details-

For the past four Christmas seasons, we have been able to bless a number of children in our town and the surrounding ranches with a special gift from many of you. What a joy it has been to not only give these children a shoe box or bag filled with wonderful treats, but by being a blessing in this way to their families, have an open door to share with them about the One who gave us the greatest gift of all!  

This Christmas, we would again like to reach out to the families of our town by giving their children a Christmas Box. We want to not only show them the love of the Saviour through this tangible way, but go back and tell them the wonderous gospel that so many have still never heard.

Each time we have done this, it has been a tremendous blessing to the people. We've been able to hand out between 50 and 200 boxes each year!  Every box that we receive is placed into the hands of a Mexican boy or girl. For many of them, it will be the only Christmas gift they will receive.

 We will pass out whatever boxes we receive and the more the better! And we would love to have your help! It is truly more blessed to give than receive! If this is something in which you would like to have a part, here are some guidelines:

*Boxes should be shoebox size (you could either send a real shoebox or send a plastic container with a lid that is approximately the same size; the advantage of the plastic container is that the child/family can use it for something later)

*For Shipping Purposes, some people prefer to send a bag. Each year we handed out backpacks, paper gift bags (which were protected by being wrapped in plastic wrap so they wouldn't break open in shipping), and cloth hand bags as well. When we were up north, our girls were given some cloth hand bags for their birthdays that were purchased at the dollar store.

*Some years we had  people send a large quantity of an item(s) to be handed out with or in addition to the boxes (we've received Spanish New Testaments, Spanish Christmas Coloring Books, Stuffed Animals, Blankets/quilts, hats). If you are interested in sending something like that, just email us and let us know! :)

*If you would like to specify "Christmas Box for a Boy" or "Christmas Box for a Girl", please mark that somewhere on the package.  We will be handing them out to children of all ages, so variety is welcome!

Now for the fun part! Ideas of what to include in the boxes!If you are on a tight budget and would like to give, please know that anything will be appreciated.  The children here do not have much at all and even small treats mean so much.  If you have a dollar store or the like in your area, that would be a great place to go!

*Toys: a small stuffed animal, a ball, a yo-yo, whistle, picture book, a puzzle, a game, play dough, coloring book etc...

*School Supplies: pencils, pencil box, crayons, felt markers, stickers, notebook, erasers, pencil sharpener, glue etc...

*Toiletries:  soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or brush, wash cloth, floss, etc...

*Other: American Candy, scarf, a personal letter* or picture drawn for the child, comb or brush, toothbrush, craft, stickers, etc..

Here are things to NOT include:

*Chocolate or any other food that could melt, make a mess or spoil

*Medicine

*Items that could easily break

*Books or music (other than a note book or coloring book)

*Anything liquid that could spill (bubbles, shampoo, ect...)

*Anything that could be dangerous for a small child (marbles, sharp items ect...)

*Clothing other than maybe a scarf or hat as you don’t know what size the child is that will receive your box

If you have any further questions, feel free to email us (email address at the very bottom of the right side bar). Of course, we plan on taking lots of pictures of the children opening their boxes and will post some on the blog. Wouldn’t it be fun to see a picture of a child opening the box that YOU sent? :)

*Spanish phrases that you could include in a personal note if you would like:

Dios le bendiga– God Bless you

Jesus te ama– Jesus loves you

Feliz Navidad– Merry Christmas

Dios te ama– God loves you

Estoy orando por ti– I am praying for you

Con amor de - With love from  

Joy Comes From Within :)

The past week was hard.  True, we were tired, the children were cranky, the days of driving were long,  some physical ailments and we were all home sick.  But the hardest part wasn’t caused by my circumstances but by my attitude.  Unkind words,  anger, selfishness, and a heart that was  anything but submissive make for some miserable days.  Daniel always says that no circumstance, no situation, no trial is so great that it can cause you to lose your joy for joy does not come from our outward circumstances but from within.  Joy comes from the Lord.  And the Lord NEVER changes!   And I’m so thankful for Gods forgiveness. 

Once I confessed my sin to the Lord, I felt so happy!  And nothing had changed...other than me!

And today, after driving 770 miles yesterday, we are back in California!  From coast to coast.  Over 15,000 miles.  And we are almost home.  The Lord is so good!

We drove for days and days and He kept us safe.

He provided for our every need.

He gave us such sweet fellowship with so many dear families who love Him too.

Families provided so many meals for us.  And our family can eat in one lunch what some families  eat in a week!!  And as we think of the love and sacrifice of those with whom we were blessed to stay, we are so very grateful.

Daniel and I learned more about each other.  And I’m more thankful than ever for the man that the Lord has given me to be my husband.  I love him sooooooo much!

We learned more about each one of our children.   I love them soooo much!

We got to pick up supplies to meet some needs for our family/home/ministry in Mexico.

We saw so much of God’s creation and as great and intricate as everything was our eyes beheld, it is just a drop in the oceans  compared to how great our God is!

We heard preaching that refreshed our souls. 

We were impressed again and again and reminded of how children are a blessing.  As our family went to each church and the children would sing and visit with the people, we saw it on their faces.  And heard it over and over again.  They loved the children. 

All the hardships, sickness, miles, heat, cold, unknowns, being out of our home...it is such a small sacrifice compared to the joy the Lord gives us each day in just knowing Him! 

There is so much for which to be thankful!  I complain, I whine, I get discouraged, and get angry.    And Daniel will try to encourage me and let me know that quite frankly, my attitude stinks!  And of course, I KNOW that I am right!  I feel that what he is saying isn’t fair or true.  And I continue to be “right” and miserable! 

And then the Lord usually brings His Word to my mind.  “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.”  “Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”    And once I admit that I am wrong  and humble myself, confess my sin, repent, and get my heart right, I then see how very wrong I was and I’m so happy!! :)   Funny how that works, huh?  The Lord’s ways are so pure and true . 

It’s been a wonderful 3 months.  We are almost home.  Wherever the Lord has us is the very best place to be!

Oh, and for those that have been asking about the Christmas Boxes for this year, we'll be posting about that early next week!!

Playing in the puddles after a rain in New York

Fun at the Kerschner Home

Pen Pals for years finally meet in person!

Beka and Gladys....Beka's first pen pal ever

Saying good-bye :(

Cinnamon and I have been friends for almost 15 years.  I taught piano to her oldest son, Garrett, when he was 9 years old. :)

Miss Sarah sent us a Dairy Queen gift card :)

One morning, our hotel offered a restaurant breakfast for 2 people per room.  We had 2 rooms, so we had 4 vouchers for free breakfast.  The girls got up early and got ready to have a breakfast date with Daddy :)  

We went out for Mexican food and were all sooooo homesick afterwards! :)

The Brompton Family took us for a ride on a cart pulled by oxen! 

Fun on the ranch!