The Nations at your Doorstep

It has been our heart's desire to take our family to Mexico. We want to be closer to Angel's family and have opportunities to share with them and point them to the Lord. We also want to be used in that way to reach the nations. We are continuing to pray about that and seek the Lord's guidance. But for now, this is where our family is. We still desire to be serving the Lord, so for now, this is where we are serving. And guess what? God is still faithful to bring us the desires of our heart. Only he is bringing the nations to us!

We recently had the privilege to meet some refugee families that relocated to our town this past month. While we were visiting with a Colombian family, they invited us in but didn't have any chairs. But we didn't mind! They went to ask their neighbors who are from Iraq. They speak very little English. They have two daughters that have been going to school here the past month, and the youngest daughter is doing very well learning English, and also taking a Spanish class and knows basic Spanish. As we all had a conversation, I would translate from Spanish to English and the daughter would translate from English to Arabic. It got quite confusing, but everyone was patient.

Angel and I have both been convicted to have the nations and cultures we are unfamiliar with into our home. This is so exciting because our town is perfect for this. I'm so excited to get to know these families.

I love having a baby in times like this because he's such a good ice-breaker. Babies know no cultural differences or stereo-types.

So in the moment of getting to know each other, I grabbed my cell phone and asked if we could all take a picture together. Cause I'm just like that.

I love this picture because of what it represents. The nations. Columbia, Mexico, Iraq and United States. All photographed together on the doorstep.

Freedom to Fail

There are times when I look at my husband and think "Who is this man?" Sometimes I feel like I just don't understand him. I don't know if it's his not-so-broken English and all the cultural difference we have going or just the fact that he's a man. I'm a woman. We don't get eachother. A lot.

I'm so thankful that he already knows I'm not perfect. He doesn't expect perfection from me. While he loves to see me strive and put my best foot forward. I have the freedom to fail. He still loves me.

But what's the best part of a disagreement? Making up of course! What Satan intended for evil, God intended for good. I sure am in love with this man!

Winner

Well, it was a close contest. Thanks to everyone who came up with a super creative entry and making it way hard to only pick 3 to vote on. I didn't have a plan if it was a tie! I just love this picture.

And the winner is.......


Aaron in Wonderland!
Thanks Jarrod! You should recieve your books soon? However long it takes them to get to Korea.

More Spanish Speaking Humiliation

I recently shared my most embarrassing moment learning to speak Spanish. So I had to share this one too! I didn't ask permission to share the story, so I won't share names! If you want to learn Spanish or are learning Spanish, this is a mistake you'll want to remember NOT to make yourself!

Here's some basic Spanish so you can understand the story.

Bebida: a drink
Beber: to drink
(I) yo: Bebo
(you) tú: Bebes
(he/she) él/usted: Bebe
(we) nosotros: Bebemos
(they/you all) ellos/ustedes: Beben

In Spanish, there are quite a number of words that look/sound the same from English to Spanish. Like the word doctor. But some that look or sound the same have no connection at all. One of these words is embarrassed. This word resembles embarasada which means pregnant. The Spanish translation for "I'm embarrassed" is actually "Tengo pena" or "estoy avergonzado/a." This can be confusing and very embarrassing, but also makes for some great stories! Don't say I didn't warn you.

So, a lady friend went to Costa Rica with a group for a 1 month immersion trip to study Spanish. The day before they were about to leave, the group decided to go to a club to celebrate their time. A tall, dark, handsome latino man asked her to dance. After they danced to a few songs, she asks if she could get him a drink, "Puedo tener tu bebé?" (literal translation: Can I have your baby?)

He was quite confused and just laughed, but she wasn't sure why. Her friend overheard this and told her what she had said. Her face got bright red and she wanted to correct her mistake. "No, no, lo siento. Estoy muy embarazada." (literal translation: No, no, I'm sorry. I'm so pregnant. Hoping to say I'm so embarrassed)

OOPS!

Why I'm Wearing Green Today

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Having said that, we don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But I like to look for ways of doing something different than our normal routine. So, here's what we did this morning.

Green eggs, green butter and green milk. But Caleb didn't want anything to do with green milk. He wasn't really sure about the green eggs, but ate them up once he realized they taste the same.

In the car on the way to school Alisia pinched me. Then she gave me her clip to put in my hair. I didn't even notice I was the only one not wearing green. But really, it's not a big deal. I don't even know why we wear green.

On the radio, I heard them talking about St. Patrick's Day. Today, it's more of a secular holiday for Irish immigrants to show patriotism. But it turns out he was a very godly man. This part of his prayer stood out to me so I thought I'd pass it along. What great words to reflect on as we go about our day. This is why I'm wearing green!

St Patrick's Prayer

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me..."

It'd be way cool to be in Chicago today to see this:

Vote Now!

Please see the right side bar to cast your vote for the children's book giveaway!
Thanks for all the super creative entries. It was sooo hard to pick only 3! My next giveaway will have to be a random drawing!

Perfect for Puddles

It rained most of the weekend! All of the snow melted away! Spring must have been hiding and ready to come out. Yay!


(You guys rocked the photo-contest entries! It's gonna be hard to narrow them down! Looks like I could be mailing the books anywhere from around here to Mexico or Korea. Check back soon to vote on my top 3 entries.)

that kindof day

It was that kindof day.

The kind where there's something wrong with everyone else.

The baby who woke me up 3 times during the night.
Grumbling each time, I dragged myself out of bed.

The neighbor who didn't care about their overflowing trash blowing into my yard.
I picked it up and threw it back.

The taxi driver who cut me off on the way to work.
I yelled at him through the closed entrapment of my car even though no one could hear.

The officer who said she "had to write up a ticket anyway."
I mumbled something disrespectful under my breath.

My co-worker who was complaining about all of her problems.
I didn't have time to listen.

My boss said funding might be cut in half for next year.
I'm tempted to only do my job half-way.

My husband who wanted to unload all his stress.
He felt better. Now what about me?

My kid who didn't like the supper I made.
"Eat it or go to bed," I said.


Did I actually say and do those things? Wow. Writing it down is pretty ugly. I did not want to be the hands and feet of Christ. What perfect opportunities to point others to God. But, my heart is dirty. But ya know, on days like this, I'm reminded that God's grace IS enough. His grace is for me too.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

All Too Fast!

This precious boy is growing way too fast!

I feel like in no time he's gonna be doing this:

ALL TOO SOON!

I still can't seem to get enough of him though.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Children's book GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Name That Photo! All you have to do to enter is give this photo a clever name and we will vote on my top 3 favorites next week!


Winner will recieve two brand-new children's books in their choice of Spanish or English! Comments will be open for suggestions until Saturday midnight! Get creative!

Finnishing Feburary

These snow smiles make my heart melt!

We had some crazy weather this February

18+ inches (and still snowing)

So we made the best of all the days off school!

Looks like sibling love? Don't be deceived. They were trying to push each other off the snow mound.

Angel got in lots of shoveling!

I joined in the fun too!

Angel and the kids made an awesome snow fort for the whole neighborhood!

Blizzard like conditions

Aaron had his try outside, but mostly watched from the window!

Lots of sledding!

Angel planned a sweet Valentine dinner for two and even set up a babysitter as a huge surprise! That was the highlight of my February!
Stay tuned! This week I will be hosting my first GIVEAWAY!