And Can it Be?

Last Sunday was our last choir performance before summer vacation. Our first song, "And Can it Be?" states,

I do not understand, How can it be?

Amazing love, how can it be?

That I should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood

Died he for me who caused his pain?

For me who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love, how can it be?

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left his Father's throne above

So free, so infinite his grace

Emptied himself of all but love

And bled for Adam's helpless race

Tis mercy all, immense and free

For, oh my God, it found out me.

How can it be?

Amazing love, how can it be?

How can it be? Verse 1

How can it be? Verse 2

Our last song, "Fear Not" states, "Fear not, be strong and brave, God goes with you; every day he is true. He doesn't desert us; do not be afraid, He doesn't desert us; do not be afraid. 

In the midst of trouble, He will go with you. And in every moment, He will protect you. He doesn't desert us; do not be afraid. He doesn't desert us; do not be afraid."

Fear Not

Praise the Lord for how He is working in the hearts of these young people. Last night was graduation, and a young lady graduating 9th grade (last year of Junior High in Mexico) broke down in tears as she shared how in the past year she gave her heart to Jesus. She expressed the thankfulness she feels for that and to all those who have supported her. Praise the Lord!

Please pray for the upcoming two weeks. Marce will be traveling to Ixtlan area to visit her family, leaving June 30th and returning July 14th. I am thankful that I have not been anxious about her absence yet, but I anticipate a tiring two weeks. This will be her first two weeks away since last August when Whiz and Tag arrived. Pray she can be refreshed and that I can feel God with me and the boys here at CVE. 

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.

We are perplexed, but not in despair.

Persecuted, but not forsaken.

Cast down, but not destroyed."

Praying I can remember to live by these verses and when I feel perplexed and cast down, to know that I am not forsaken nor destroyed.

El Cerro De la Ventana

I discovered after our hike that the mountain is actually nameless, but I will always think of it as El Cerro de la Ventana. The first time I hiked it was probably in 2006 with my dad, Emily and a friend of my fathers, Carlos, with his two sons. 

Each summer for the last two summers I have made an attempt to climb it. The first time I overslept and the second time we broke a key. That is the short, short version. 

So when my sister Emily and her husband Mitchel made plans to come the end of June I decided to try again. This time it was a success! 

We left around 4 am and drove about 20 min. on back roads to get closer to the mountain. These are the lights of Magdalena as seen from the foot of the mountain.

Coming up to the cliff, the path grew steeper.

Looking at the distant mountains through the brush.

We clambered and slipped and fell and laughed and laughed some more. 

The other side of the mountain. It's a new view, a new world to explore...more wilderness...

Sitting on top, with Magdalena in the valley behind us.

CVE from the summit.

We "rode" our walking sticks partway down the mountain it was so steep.

Riding in the jeep was part of the experience.

Good-bye til next time Mountain of the Window!