Welcome! Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa ...Our house is your house

A glimpse into the life of Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and their 12 precious blessings. Thank you for visiting; we pray that what we share here may always bring glory to our wonderful God and Saviour. May you praise the Lord with us for the great things He has done and continues to do as we serve Him sharing the gospel here in the little town of Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. He alone is good and faithful!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Summer update :-)

Hola!! :)  Yes, it's been awhile. So long in fact that I've sat here for a few minutes just staring at a blank screen thinking of where to start.   So long that my older children, who I didn't even know read our blog, keep asking me to update.   And even my husband came home the other day and while I was telling him about how we did this and that and the other, he merely said, "So did you update the blog yet?"  
Hmm....well, today if he asks, I'll be able to say, "Yes!" :)

So how to share 2 months in 15 minutes???
Here's some highlights.
We finished school the first week of June and started our summer by taking another trip to La Paz as we continue to work on getting me my visa.  We started the process in February and are still waiting, praying it will come in soon.  They opened an ice skating rink in La Paz this past year.  Well, it's not real ice, but a sort of plastic floor...kind of like those white cutting boards you use in the kitchen.  But it's slippery and for a couple dollars a person, you can skate for an hour.  So after we finished our visit with immigration, Daniel took us to skate.  It was so fun!  Most of the children know how to roller blade, so while most had never been on ice skates, they picked it up quickly.  
Even Samuel.  Oh, Samuel.  How uniquely each one of us are made!  Twelve children.  Twelve very different personalities, strengths, weaknesses.  Samuel has been independent from the start.  I always thought God gave him that extra ummph...a bit of a fighter...as he had such a rough start in life being born so prematurely.  When we got on the skating floor, Samuel was down on the ground.  He was slipping and sliding and getting all frustrated.  Beka and I had been helping Eliseo, holding his hands and staying along side him;  Eliseo needs lots of encouragement.  He's so sweet and sensitive and we didn't want him to give up.  So we went to do the same with Samuel.  Only Samuel wanted nothing of it.  "I can do it all by myself!" was all he said.  And he kept getting up and falling and getting up and falling and his determination never ceased.  After about 20 minutes, he was doing it!  

 On the ministry front, we have been rejoicing in seeing the Lord work this summer.  In the past month or so we've had several people come to Christ.  Alan, a 14 year old young man, use to come to our Sunday School for years.  As he got older, he stopped coming, but recently came back and last week, he told Daniel that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Omar, a young man of 18 and one of 14 children, began coming to our youth group a few months ago.  Daniel has a special service for the youth every Saturday evening.  Saturday nights around here is when most every teen in town is out on the streets, drinking, parties, hanging out etc...   Saturday nights at our church, many young people come to work on church projects, sing, memorize Scripture, and study God's Word.  A couple weeks ago, he too gave his heart and life to Christ.
Anastacio and Hortencia, a married couple with 5 children....Hortencia was the first person I ever really witnessed to in Spanish years ago.  She and her husband accepted Christ as their Savior last week.
Alondra, an 11 year old girl, that has been in our Sunday School classes for about 3 years said on Sunday that she wanted to give her heart to Jesus and she did.  Karla, a 17 year old young lady and single mother, accepted Christ a couple weeks ago.  And Sunday, Carmen, a lady that Lirio and I have been witnessing to, came to church.  After the service, I asked her if she has been thinking any more about what we've been sharing with her, and she said, "Yes, every day.  I'm worried about my soul."  She wants us to come to her house to talk with her more.

On the construction front, this week Daniel, Timothy, Elijah, and some of the young men in our church will be beginning to build temporary wooden buildings to be used as Sunday School rooms.  We continue to use what will someday be bathrooms and storage as our current classrooms.  Every week new children come to and hear the gospel.  Alondra's mom says Alondra has been coming home from church each week "preaching" everything that she learned.  
We are still without electricity.  We are waiting for an inspector to come up from La Paz to verify that everything is installed correctly.  He was suppose to come on 3 different occasions, but hasn't.  Please pray that we'll be able to get lights soon.
Daniel, Miguel, Elijah, Chuy, Timothy, Ivan, and Benjamin...work crew :)

 Doña Luz, our 85 year old neighbor across the street, began coming to church with us last month and has come faithfully each Sunday.  After years and years of praying for her and inviting her and sharing the gospel with her, she is coming.  Pray that she'll trust in Christ alone for her salvation soon!
 Oh!  On Monday, June 24th, 1973, a 9 lb baby girl was born.
That girl grew up, married the boy she went to school with since she was 10, went to the mission field, spends her days caring for her husband and dozen children, and forty years later, she turned....
40!!!!
I have wanted to be 40 for soooooo long!   It sounds so wise and mature and oh, so not me!! :) 
Well, Sunday evening the 23rd, I got to church a bit early as normal, and saw all the tables and chairs set up outside.  Daniel was already there and smiling.  I asked him why everything was set up outside, he smiled, and said something about a party.  Then I walked in the church and saw this.
 The people in our church had been planning for a month to surprise me and they did!!!  I had NO idea!  
They didn't tell any of my children or any of their children which is probably why I never got wind of it.  
Between services, they had set up the tables/chairs, decorated inside, and prepared a delicious birria with beans, rice, salsa, tortillas and cake!!!   I felt so very loved and it was such a special service.   
Chuy, a young man who got saved here 5 years ago and is now studying to be either a pastor or missionary, is home now on vacation and preached that evening. 
After our service, we had a wonderful time of food, fellowship and I was given wwwaaayyyyy more candy than any one person should ingest (don't worry....I managed just fine :) ).  
 We got home very late and I felt soooo blessed and sooo tired and said it was just the sweetest birthday ever.  And Daniel smiled and said, "There's one more surprise.   Tomorrow Hna. Tola will watch the children and you and I will go to La Paz overnight."  Loved by my husband, loved by my children, loved by my church family and so many friends.  Loved by my Lord who gave His life for me.
SO thankful for the 40 years He's given me and I just want to live each new day He gives for Him.

My soul winning crew a couple weeks ago

Elijah, Miguel, Chuy, and Timothy- 4 young men serving the Lord together

Josiah, Pablo, Noah and Isaiah....Best Friends
Me and my baby :)

Some of the lonely times on the field can be holidays or special days when you really miss your family back home.  But I want my children to have the sweet memories of each special day like my mommee gave to me.  So when the 4th of July came, we colored and laminated flags to hang, made cupcakes and other desserts, barbecued burgers, invited over some of the young people from church, played relay games and had an egg toss (which I played with my husband and got egg ALL over my face!!!  Only I could manage that!), and then in the evening during our family devotions, we talked about what made the USA such a blessed great nation, prayed for our nation, and then recited the Declaration of Independence (which 5 of the kiddos had learned in school this past year).


What else to share?  I'm waayyyy over my 15 minutes.  The girls are decorating their bedroom, boys are making kites, our neighbor boy is over playing with the little ones, Elijah's getting ready for his A+ Computer class, and I need to get to the store to buy some cheese because I'm going to surprise the children with pizza for lunch :)  I'll end with a few pictures of daily life.  
And while there may not be many who read here, those of you who do and who pray, know the Lord is answering your prayers.  He is so faithful and so good!!!
Having yogurts/muffins for breakfast and reading their Bibles in the cool of the morning.

Our 2 sweet young ladies :)


With boys, life is NEVER dull :)


Listening to Daddy tell stories after breakfast

Abraham and Samuel :)

32 comments:

  1. So glad for your update! Praise the Lord for the great things HE is doing! Looking forward to sewing for you again:) Fabric washed and mostly ironed...soon to be cut and sewn:) Have a blessed day!

    Thinking of you...

    Heather
    Is. 6:8

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    1. Thank you, Heather! :) The girls can't wait! I know they will look beautiful in their new jumpers and skirts.

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  2. Delighted to read about your blessings! Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia

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  3. Thank you soooooooooo much for updating!!! You know how to make my day :). It is so encouraging to read your updates. No, you are nothing of what I picture 40 being :)! It must be all those kids that keep you so young. Wow, you are getting short ... I mean your kids are getting TALL! I loved the story of how different your two youngest are. All I can say is that God sure does put a lot of different "spices" in families :). I think now that you are 40 you should make a really great goal of updating a little more :). Okay, I'll stop chatting! Love and miss you and will be thankful for any update we get :). My computer is making the "dying sound" so I better shut it off. It takes after me an wilts in heat :(.
    Hugs and love to you all!!!

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    1. I do need to update more! I'm working on it :) 40 is great...like my sister in law told me (she's just a year or two older than me), "Welcome to the still young yet wiser decade" :) I am so thankful as I look back and see how the Lord continues to teach me and change my heart and while I know I still have so far to go, I love walking with Him and am soooo grateful for His great patience and love!

      I miss you too!!!!! Thank you for "stopping by" :) Come visit in real life sometime!!!

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  4. Happy belated birthday Jaynee. I love reading about your days and your dear family. You are so blessed, and I know that is because you are such a blessing to others:-)

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  5. Thank you, Katherine! The Lord is so good and truly blesses us far more than we deserve because He loves us so much and He is just so good!

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  6. Thank you for the update! it's so wonderful to see your beautiful family!! Everyone's getting so big. Happy birthday! I love your attitude about turning 40. I hope to have the same attitude - every year is a GIFT from God not a curse! :) Blessing to you all!!

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    1. The children are getting big! And I agree, every day God gives is a gift...may each one we live honor and glorify Him!

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  7. i've been checking frequently for updates!!! Finally:):) Love hearing about whats happening and whats on your heart and happy happy birthday! I'm 35 and hope to look forward to 40 with such enthusiasm as you! Working on that one:) Please try to update often like you used to (just friendly pressure;);) Love your family!! If i ever get to go to your part of mexico i would love to visit! my husband and i were in cancun for a week a couple months ago...is that anywhere near???

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    1. Come visit anytime! Nuestra casa es su casa!! We'd love visitors :)
      Cancun is about as far away from us as you can get in Mexico, but I hope you had a wonderful time together!

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    2. Well that's good then that its far otherwise I would have regretted not popping by!:) even so I thought of you while I was there!

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  8. Yay!! An update!! :) I just love seeing your name pop up in my blog reader! I've missed you! I have been thinking about and praying for you all recently...but between ministry and family (and I only have 2 little ones!!) I know how quickly life can get busy, so I always hesitate to ask "when are you going to update?" :) (So, I'm glad there are others who ask for me!) But, it is always so fun to see all that the Lord is doing in your ministry, your church, and your family! And what a joy to read names from years back on your blog...and see how the Lord is working in their lives!!
    And, Happy (late) Birthday! :)

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    1. Hi, Veronica :) Aw, you can bug me and ask me to update all you want :) We are praising the Lord for all He is doing! There is so much joy in serving Him as a family!

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  9. Oh so glad you have updated! I kept coming back hoping for an update and low and behold today was the day. :) I am so thankful that the seeds of your labor has started sprouting, God bless you. I actually went back to my old stomping grounds in Mexico this past May and so wished I could have gone to see you but you live way on the opposite side of Mexico. Anyways, hope you have a blessed evening and many more updates to come.
    Damara Poledna

    PS. Let us know if you are ever in Texas again.

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    1. Damara!!! I think about you off and on all the time! I will definitely let you know next time we're in TX. Probably not until next furlough (2016), but if the Lord tarries, that will be here before we know it :) God bless you!

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  10. Oh, Hooray! You ARE alive! :) Fun catching up with you. Your kids are getting so tall (especially in that first picture ;) and grown up looking. Thanks for sharing the fun and the wonderful news of so many people receiving Jesus as their Savior.
    Love to you, my 40yo friend!

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  11. Ameeeeeeeeeeee!!!! :-) Yes, I am alive! And my children are getting tall...and I am getting short...I think since my last pregnancy, I lost half an inch. Still trying to find it...I think it's wherever all the kids missing socks are.
    How are you?? I need to write you! I still read every time you post...I just have a hard time thinking of anything to say about stevia ;)
    I love and miss you!!! I'll come and see you in 2016, okay? Maybe I'll make a chain to count down the days :)

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  12. Happy Birthday!!! I turned 40 a couple years ago and it was no big deal. What a wonderful ministry you have to both your family and city. God Bless.

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    1. I told Daniel that 40 feels just the same as 39 only it sounds so much more mature :)

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  13. I'm so glad you updated. When you go long periods I fear the worst ( do I sound like a mother :)) So glad God spirit is working there amoungst the people.

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    1. Aww...it's nice to know you think about us :) Yes, praise be to the Lord for all He has done!!

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  14. Happy Happy Happy 40th Dear Jaynee!!! I was so excited to see you post! You inspire me. I love hearing of all that goes on down there. Praise the Lord for many salvations. Makes it all worthwhile. How special to have a surprise party and then a day with your husband! So fun. Love you and praying for you all.

    Jessica

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    1. Thank you, Jessica!!! It was so special...I loved celebrating with our church family and then the kiddos made me a cake here at home and then being with my hubby for a whole 24 hours alone....I need to turn 40 more often!!! :) Love you so much my friend! Keep enjoying each day as you bring up your precious babies to know and love our Lord!!

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  15. Love, love, love the update! What a great picture of you Jaynee!! The children are too precious. Just when I think its not possible for them to have bigger smiles and more joyful personalities shine through, they do! We are having a heat wave right now, so we feel like we are in BCS:) I like the ice skating! Just racking up the reasons for a trip to Minnesota as they can choose their lake this winter:) We are doing well here, but have slowed down our summer quite a bit since I now have a fun walking cast on...The good news is the kids are getting lots of practice in serving and helping around the house! (I was looking for ways for them to take on more this summer and nothing like cast to speed up the service opportunities!:) They are actually really good with it, though, since the injury also comes with a very glamorous! "spirit knee glider" and a set of crutches which are currently more fun than any toy that they have:) Always an adventure! - Sonya and family

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    1. Oh no, Sonya!!! What did you do??? I'm sooo sorry, but you are right...it will give you children lots of opportunities to serve and they'll grow in character and can learn how blessed it is to give and think of others.

      Did I tell you Josiah sent Carl his box last week? I stuck in a little note for you all too :)

      Love to you and I'll certainly pray you heal quickly!

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  16. Oh wonderful! That will be something to look forward to! It is so good to watch the children grow in character...along with me too:) I am really, really grateful for the three goods limbs that I can use:) So I ruptured my tendon playing tennis on Monday. (Its about as fun as it sounds:)) I hadn't played in about 10 years, but Carl has started some little lessons just for fun and a mom invited me to play with her on another court while the kids had their lessons...and it definitely showed that I hadn't played in forever:)! My body was saying "what happened to that nice walking that you usually like to do?" Thank you so much for your prayers! - Sonya

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  17. Hi Jaynee,

    It was so nice to read your update. I think about your family all the time and pray for you often. Your wise and encouraging words are an inspiration to me. Happy Birthday!! I'm so glad you had a lovely day. I would love it if you could explain a bit about how you share your faith - with neighbours and when door knocking. Do you go over and visit your neighbours regularly to chat and then invite them to church or do you do something else? Thank you and God bless. Lisa (from Sydney, Australia).

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    1. Hi, Lisa! :) That sounds like a good idea for a future post...hopefully sooner than later :) I would love to share how we share the gospel here with others.

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  18. Happy birthday!
    It's always great to read a post from you folks!
    It's been a great blessing spiritual things with Timothy and Elijah via Google chat - I'm sure the Lord will use them as great missionaries someday.
    Our family LOVES ice skating - it would be interesting skating on plastic instead of ice. I wonder how they smooth it out after. If you ever visit us during the winter, we'll all have to ice skate together! :D

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  19. Great to hear from you again. And happy birthday! You share a birthday with my youngest child, who turned 17 on June 24, and my grandfather, who would have been 99. I'm with you -- I love being in my (late) 40s!

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  20. Thank you for the update! I love reading about you and your family.

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