Recap of April

Another month gone and a new one here.  

April was a wonderful month.

To make up for the lack of pictures my last post, I have plenty to share with this one! :)

I also just noticed I only updated here once last month.  I love to write, feel I share my heart best through written words, and have enjoyed sharing with you all a glimpse into our daily life here in Mexico and most importantly, give praise and glory to our wonderful Lord.

But the past several months, most of my writing has been done in my journals here at home.  As I look back through those pages, what do I see?  The Lord's hand, answered prayers, changed hearts, and so much love. Oh, He is faithful!

May is here, the last month of our school year.  To take advantage of free shipping, I placed our next year's school order online late last night (Abeka offered free shipping in April).   Ordering 10th grade materials for Timothy and Elijah brought a few moments of contemplation.  I still remember the first books I ever ordered when Timothy was 5.  I remember receiving the order, opening the box in our bedroom on the bed and I can still remember the smell of the new books.

That was almost 10 years ago.  And with Samuel being 2, Lord willing, I'll be homeschooling for another 16 years still.

I have a picture framed on the shelf above my desk.  It is one of my favorite pictures...sweetest memories.  It is of Elijah, age 5, lying on my bed with Beka, age 4, lying next to him on his shoulder.  He's reading one of Timothy's readers to her.  He use to do this every afternoon for weeks.  They were too "big" to sleep during nap time, but had to lie down and be quiet.  He loved to read, and his little sister loved to listen.  So did I. And I still love to hear the children read.  

Nine of them can read now...three more to go! 

This morning, I read Psalm 1.  As I read the first 3 verses, the words, "...and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper", spoke to my heart.  Sometimes, my heart fears or feels overwhelmed with so great a task before me...home schooling my children.  But these precious words remind me that as I continue to trust in the Lord, follow His Word, and each day, do the job He's called me to do, that He will prosper my path!  What wonderful encouragement!  

Well, since I do have (to use Benjamin's words) a bazillion pictures to share, I'll keep this short.

I do want to start updating here more!  And I think I will. :)

So here's a glimpse of our April:

*Playing in the mud.  We've hit about 100 degrees a few days already!

*Samuel decided to comb his own hair.

*What do you think, Mommy?  Do I look nice?
Uh, a little heavy on the gel there, buddy :)

*Hna. Lizbeth, a dear sister in Christ, came to give a class on teaching children.  We've always had a heart for the children in our town and what a blessing to the ladies in our church to glean from Hna. Liz's wisdom and ideas.

*This little man turned 3!  He got over the stomach flu just in time for his birthday.  Notice a couple of recovering sickies still in the background :)

*Here is the building that is being loaned to us for free where we will be holding services now.

Daniel drove by it tonight and the electricity just got connected, so we'll begin moving this week and, Lord willing, hold our first service there Sunday!

*Here are a couple of "before clean up" pictures.

*Daniel, the boys, and Hno. Juan worked on the clean up for a few days, and then we had an all church work day.  Beka and I helped Hna. Tola make tamales to eat after the work was done.

*Let the clean up begin!

*I love these boys!  Left to right...Isaiah, Noah, Benjamin, and Josiah

*Hno. Ramon...such a kind man!

*Children playing in a cleaned out room

*Baby Abraham and his big sister, Alondra

*Every time Nehemiah does this he first says, "Look, Mommy!  I'm so strong like Daddy!" :)

*A couple weeks ago, a Russian church from Sacramento, CA sent a group down to our area.  After a day and a half of cramming to learn Russian, I was happy to know they spoke very good English. :)

They held a VBS for the children one day.  Ninety children and 40 adults heard the gospel that day.

*I loved this shot.  Hna. Tola following around her little "chick" making sure he doesn't get hurt/stays out of trouble...just like a grandma. :)

*Messy, sticky, and very happy :)

*Sweet Rebekah turned 12.  What would I ever do without her!  She is so helpful and so full of joy and life! Sensitive, caring, and a tender conscience.  She told me this past month, "Mommy, sometimes I just want to be all grown up and sometimes I just love being a kid."  What a fun age to be!

And, I love Nehemiah's face in this picture :) 

*Since the group was still here on Beka's b'day, she got to go out to lunch with us.

What a blessing to meet these brothers and sisters in Christ!  I love making new friends!

Remember, our house and hearts are always open if you want to come and visit! :)