Hymns of Zion #201

"...I want my friends to pray for me, to hold me up on wings of faith, that I may walk the narrow way, kept by our Father's glorious grace...I need the prayers of those I love." Hymns of Zion #201

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

February Highlights


On Valentine's Day, Miguel and I spent the evening with our church GCC (Christian Fellowship Group i.e. single group). We decorated cookies and took them to some women from church. We enjoyed chatting with them, eating some snacks they made for us, and afterwards we all stopped to buy hot dogs. We all had a lot of fun! This photo is when we were waiting on our hot dogs. I am wearing the sweater Miguel gave me that day!



Tuesday evenings, Miguel has a men's Bible study at Café Sed. I usually go along and read, chat with others, and try to update this blog every other week. :) A couple weeks ago, I took my sketch book along.


This time of year, hat hair is an everyday affair for this guy.

On February 6th, Issa and I took Mr. Speedie to his clinic in Nogales. I got a lot of great pictures of him, but alas I can't post his face. However if you follow me on instagram, I did an instagram story of the day that is saved under my profile, so you can check it out if you like...


We had a cold snap the last two weeks. One Wednesday, Balto's water bucket had frozen! Also, as a result of the "intense cold," school was scheduled to start 2 hours later for two weeks. It threw our schedules off, but I got to go to work late about five different days since I do the school route. And may have taken a few early morning naps! :)

Miguel and I purchased a gym membership this month, so we have been getting up a little after five and going to the gym for 45 min. We arrive home around 6:40 am. and leave again for work at 7:20-25 am. 


On February 15th, Miguel and I were thankful to witness the wedding celebration of Jackie and Fernando. It was a beautiful day, but I don't have a photo of them for you. 


Sunday I had an adventure that I hope to never repeat.  If you look carefully, you may be able to see that the white van in the picture above is stuck in the river. I was substituting for one of the church routes. And well, I knew there was more water than usual from rains earlier in the week... I knew I could take an extra 10-15 min. and go to the bridge and backtrack, but it didn't look too deep, so... I went for it and ended up very, very stuck. I couldn't see real well where the cars had been going through. (While I sat there several made it through off to my left.) It was just that the rocks in that part were large and the wheels sunk right in. Miguel came with our SUV type vehicle, but couldn't get it out, so I waded to shore and we went home for our other car. Someone else was able to pick up some of the later people on the route and once I had the car I went to pick up the few that remained. We made it for the noon hour and second service. Miguel, Adam Kaeb, and his brother, Aaron, spent the noon hour driving the backhoe to the other side of town and pulling the van out. I am very thankful for capable, helpful men! And thankful that things worked out in the end.

Of course, after experiences like that it's so easy to think, "Why didn't I...?" or "If only I had...?" but sometimes things happen. And we probably learned a good lesson, or met someone we wouldn't have met otherwise, or got a dose of humility... God is a master at redeeming our mistakes!

My Treasure

What is my treasure and my worth?
What values do I place?
What object is my focus line?
Where is my eager race?

What treasures fill my treasure chest?
And where do I delight?
For where my treasure is, God says,
Shall also be my heart.

May God bless you each one!

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Ranch Outing


The CVE family enjoyed a fun, adventurous trip out to the ranch PCLM is renting on Monday, February 3. Monday was a holiday to celebrate the signing of the Mexican constitution in the state of Queretaro on February 5th, 1917.


Hiking out to the picnic site.


We were greeted by a beautiful fire, prepared by the men who had gone ahead on the gators.


Thanks to Arika Nuest and helpers who got the meal together. It was delicious!




After lunch, most everyone split up in groups to explore the river bed, and peaks nearby.




Miguel and I took a stroll with some others down the creek. 


I spy some high climbers up on the ridge.


We were serenaded by beautiful music.


Everyone shared their talents...such as making coffee over the coals.


I will cherish the memories of this peaceful, love-filled, beautiful day!


My crayon colored drawing from Jeannie Kauffman's art class on Saturday. 

We were thankful to have Larry and Jeannie Kauffman visiting as a part of the grandparent program and were sad to say goodbye to them yesterday after our splendid trip to the ranch. Miguel played various games of chess with Larry. We enjoyed a couple evenings together, once at our house and once at theirs. We taught them to play Monopoly Deal and Larry showed us some card tricks. We are so thankful for the involvement of dear couples who dedicate their hearts to us here at CVE. (Also thankful the Carlos and Marty Bahler are still here for another month or so.)

Here is a little food for thought from my poem collection. How many of us are focused more on our pet pursuits than on the pursuit of God himself? A convicting reminder to myself...

Passionate Patriots

Patriot to great crusades
Waving banners full of truth
Broadcasting their pet pursuit
So determined to be browned
On the side they like to be 
That they find that they are burnt.
Always trying to escape 
Turning by the hand of God.
Thinking they are right (they are)
But not realizing they’ve been
Passionate for lots of things
But not passionate for Him!

May God bless each of you!
And thanks to all those who have contacted me to say they read this blog. That was very encouraging!