Across the Land

Kindergarten performance on Sunday afternoon of May 10th - Mother's Day. They sang a bunny song and a duck song with costumes and dancing to go along.

The kids posed with their mothers/caretakers for photos. Here is Mani Duck and Marce.

On Tuesday, May 12th, Emily and I drove up to Tucson to get my Mom and three youngest siblings, Megan, Justin, and Timothy.

 Megan, Mom, Emily, Me

Timothy, Justin

Early Wednesday morning (while they were still on Illinois time), we climbed the cross mountain, one of the things on our list to do. We visited both our old houses, the Cafe, the favorite convenience store, and the favorite taqueria. They also enjoyed getting to know those of my household and visiting old friends in town. I personally enjoyed having them get to know my friends here. Now when I talk about my family to them or about them to my family, we'll all know who they are.

Friday night there was a campfire and singing at Adam and Jenna's. I was touched looking around the circle at each member of our CVE family, young and old. 

PUT YOUR HANDS UP!

Justin, Timothy, and Marshall Wulf became fast friends and enjoyed hours of fun together especially since my family stayed in the guestrooms above the Wulf house.

Emily and I got Tadeo on Conde for a little ride the Monday before leaving. She brought him right up to the door for mounting. :)

After a safe trip home...

I was thankful to be able to be at Philip's graduation on Friday, the 22nd. 

As salutatorian of his class, he had to give a speech. Here he is walking back to his seat after receiving his diploma.

Sunday evening, Emily and I left for Morris, MN to visit Fede...

...where we had a great time touring the farm, visiting, AND getting Fede on top of Cody! It was an exciting adventure and well worth it.

We left Tuesday morning and arrived safely back in central Illinois that evening.

Prayer Requests...

SO...Sunday is the big day. Our markerboard is announcing "2 more days until Mom is Mrs. Unsicker."  This afternoon we went to set up for the reception and tomorrow afternoon we have pictures. Please pray for a wonderful wedding, but more importantly for a wonderful marriage. Pray for us kids that in the midst of all the emotions that we would never forget for a moment that we are in the hollow of God's hand. Also, pray that it will go smoothly next week as Emily and I babysit our younger siblings. 

As far as God's gifts...

First of all, I need to add to my last post about my clinic day adventures. The day after clinic, I discovered my wallet was missing. I canceled my debit card, gave up pretty much all hope of seeing the wallet again, and figured I'd have to get a new license when I came up here for the wedding. The incident also reminded me that my money and possessions are all gifts from God and really belong to him. Valuable lesson... The next Tuesday after picking my family up in Tucson, we stopped at a Dairy Queen where I had run in to the restroom just before crossing the border. Half-embarrassed, I started, "Umm...I was in here last Thursday..." The cashier's eyes light up and she exclaimed, "You left your wallet in the bathroom!" I was struck speechless, but sure enough there it was with everything in tact. I hardly new what to say, but I bought icecream and went back out to the van feeling like all my problems had been solved. Miraculous!

I'm also very thankful for my family's visit and for my time back here in the states. And best of all, thanks to God for His love and care.

Clinic Day

No School last Monday! :)

Ann took all her boys to the cafe, so instead of watching Tori at her own house, she came to my house for the afternoon. She was in a really playful mood, so we had a great time.

The kids had fun riding in the wagon. Later the Arcoverde girls came over and they got wet on the trampoline with the hose and then in the tubs.

CLINIC

Just as an introduction, Kendra was home in the states, so this was Marce and I's first time being in charge on clinic day. It was rather stressful, but I must admit that I enjoy an adventure :) and I just thank God that everything turned out alright.

Thursday, Marce and I got up at 3:30 AM and loaded Tadeo up in a big, white van. We drove into Magdalena and picked up Mattie and Lupita, a mother and her handicapped daughter. Leaving their home around 4:30 (Score point #1 for being early!), we headed for the states. I was driving. It took us about an hour and a half to get to the border, including missing an exit and driving around in some very confusing construction in downtown Nogales, MX. At one point, the street I was driving on turned into a one-way street with me going the wrong direction! That was just the beginning of our adventures. After dropping of Marce, Tadeo, Mattie, and Lupita to cross the border on foot and get their permits for the day, I headed back through the construction, got turned around, and drove through the border. There was NO ONE in line. Score point #2! After facing the suspicious security guards (maybe it's my age or that I don't own the vehicle...maybe they seem that way to everyone), I went to find the church where the clinic takes place. I hadn't realized Nogales was so long! After ten blocks or so, I felt like I was driving out of town, so I turned around and went back. After exploring several side roads, I decided I should go further on the original route. Finally I saw the landmarks Kendra had listed for me, made it to the church, and got our numbers. The smaller your number, the sooner you get in, so Kendra always goes for the numbers while the others are getting their permits. This time we got 25 and 26. Score point #3! I went back to the McDonald's right by the border to meet up with Marce and Mattie. I thought they would already be there after all my wrong turns, but was happy to find they hadn't arrived yet. We usually sit down and eat breakfast, but Tadeo needed x-rays for the clinic, so we just ordered at the drive through and set out to find the hospital. I missed the exit. Are you beginning to see a pattern? But thankfully there was a u-turn. At the hospital, Marce, Mattie, and Lupita ate in the van while Tadeo and I went in. While we were waiting, he started to dry heave, but since he hadn't eaten, nothing came up. Recently, Tadeo has been vomiting at least 3 times on clinic days, so...we were praying! We got the x-rays and drove back to the church with no wrong turns...for once. :) It was 8:30 AM. 

Waiting for clinic to start. 

There are approx. 200 handicapped children, babies to around 18, who come up from Mexico once a month for this clinic. Doctors and specialists set up all over in this church - physical therapy in the foyer, occupational therapy in the sanctuary, vision on the pulpit, pediatrics in the hallway...it is organized chaos. Each visit, the patients get appointments for future clinic days one, two, or more months later. This month we had orthodics and ocupational therapy. Next month we have nutrition and physical therapy. 

Tadi and one of his clinic friends. A lot of the patients and most of the doctors are the same from month to month. 

Around 9 or later they started calling off numbers, and we entered into the "waiting room." We had Tadeo's appointment cards and x-rays. We needed to tell the ladies our appointments and ask to go to orthodics first. They would then put Tadeo's folder in the stack for orthodics and we would wait for the doctor to call our name. I got confused. :) Remember the pattern? After getting our folder, we went straight to orthodics, instead of letting them put it in the stack and waiting for the doctor to call us. So we waited...and waited...and waited.

Patiently waiting by the orthodics room.

Still waiting.

And waiting.

Then Marce said, "They are never going to call us, because they don't have our folder." Why had I never paid attention to these things before? Aggravated with ourselves, we took his folder back and got it in line for orthodics. We waited, got called in, and found ourselves once again, waiting by the orthodics room. They called us in and the doctor looked at his x-rays. His left hip has moved further out of the socket. Even I could see the difference looking at the two x-rays, one from last year and one from this year! They want to send him to Sacramento, CA for surgery. I was worried because Kendra had told me to call her if they mentioned surgery (it had been a possibility last year) and I didn't want to make any decisions without her input. Everything slowed to a halt though when they found out neither Marce nor I was his parent or legal guardian, so they gave us an appointment for September and asked us to have the correct paper work then, so they can get the ball rolling for surgery. I was relieved. 

We went to the sanctuary for occupational therapy, but they were leaving for lunch, so we sat down and waited for them to return.

Waiting for occupational therapy.

The therapist and her translator returned and we had our occupational therapy session. Then we went to get our new appointments on the schedule. Mattie and Lupita were still in appointments, so we sat down to wait. No vomiting and exceptional behavior from Tadeo all day!!! Score point #4!

Lilly and Chelly Schick arrived from Tucson while we were waiting because Lilly wanted a ride back with us to Magdalena. We sat and talked until Mattie and Lupita got out. It was 4:00 PM. We drove to Walmart and ate at the McDonald's there. Then we shopped for awhile and went to get gas. We turned the permits in at the border and headed back into the construction of Nogales, MX along with a LOT of other cars. Maybe it was rush hour with many returning from their work in the states. The sun set as we sped back towards Magdalena. We dropped off Mattie, Lupita, and then Lilly and arrived home at 9:00 PM. 

What a day. I'm hoping I've learned all my lessons for all future clinic days!

Please pray: That God would bless my family's visit here at CVE as Emily arrived last Tuesday and Mom, Megan, Justin, and Timi arrive this coming Tuesday. That God would bless all the women her at CVE who have taken on the role of mother especially as we celebrate Mother's day. For patience and grace for all the women and men (even those without the title of houseparent) who are important figures in the lives of the children here. And for those who are grieving the loss of their mother or of their child or children. 

Gift of the Week: The gift of loving, caring mothers who pick themselves up each day and keep trying. I thank Thee God for my mother and for all the women in my life who have taught me, encouraged me, inspired me, and loved me. Happy Mother's Day! 

Called to Choose

Jorge lost his two front teeth!

Tori and Soraya.

Last Thursday I decided to try to document some of our class again. We've been working on throwing that small ball with his right hand. 

We're also working on communication. Tadi does not use this communication board very accurately yet, but he loves to push the buttons. I believe we are on the right track...

He got all his stickers for not hitting on Thursday, so Marce had a marshmallow treat for him.

Friday there wasn't any school and we had Dia de Diversion (Day of Fun). After some relay races, the children were divided into age groups and went with their group leaders around to the different competitions. There was a long race, free throw (basketball), obstacle course, scooter/ripstick course, sprint, bicycle course, and accuracy and distance throws with a softball.  

Joe helped Tadeo through the bicycle course.

Gisel riding the course.

A video of Kenia, my 12-year-old roomate, riding over the jump.

The accuracy throw for the softball.

The volleyball tournament after lunch.

Please pray: For the converts here in Magdalena, most of whom are young people from CVE and CVE families, but also Ivonne, a young lady from Magdalena who just started repenting. Pray that each one of them can fall in love with Jesus and surrender their lives completely to Him.

Gift of the Week: The gift of choice, that we can choose God every day out of love and out of gratitude! Much of my life I have lived doing what I knew I should, telling myself to try harder, saying "I will never do such and such again," and plunging into discouragement when I failed. Sometimes as I did what I thought was right, I resented it in my heart. I knew God wanted my heart, not just my service, but what else could I do but try harder? Does that sound familiar? I see the same pattern in my relations with other people. When someone has given you a suggestion, have you ever grudgingly followed their advice, telling yourself they were right, but wishing they hadn't meddled in your business? I've done that before too. Have you ever felt like you did certain things just because of other people's opinions and what they might think? I've felt that way too. But what struck me last week is that we are called to choose! Whether I obey God or whether I listen to the suggestions of others is my choice. If God is truly good or if their suggestion is truly right, why would I choose otherwise? But I must choose and own my choice. I am responsible. No one can force me. No one can force you. God has given us freewill. When I realized this, I experienced a sensation of freedom because I was free to choose and joy because I wanted to choose God from the depths of my own heart. However along with that liberty and joy, I experienced a twinge of fear. What about the times I don't want God? What if I choose wrong? So I kept thinking about it and it comes down to a basic way we deal with problems. When I fail or when I don't desire God, do I "try harder" or do I turn back to God in repentance and fall in love with Him? I have learned that when I "try harder," I feel trapped and I fail, but when I place myself before His holy throne, stand before His cross, remember all the little wonders He has done in my life, and fall in love with Him all over again, I experience true victory. "Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10 Sometimes stopping to remind myself of God's goodness seems like too much work, but when I do, it is well worth it because when I desire God above all things, serving Him is pure joy. So if you haven't thought about choice before, perhaps you can this week. When you feel a twinge of resentment, stop and bring yourself before God. Instead of "I should read the Bible and pray this morning," say "I choose to read the Bible and pray this morning." Instead of "I should go visit so and so or I have to do this or that chore," say "I choose to visit so and so. I choose to do my chore." Apply that to the drudgeries in your life and you will see how it makes an exponential difference. God does not enjoy our half-hearted attempts to please Him. He wants our whole heart, and we are called to choose. "..choose you this day whom ye will serve..." Joshua 14:15

Spring Break

Friday afternoon after my last post, we climbed the mountain.  It was quite a group of us as Jodi, Osi, and Jorge came and Nicole and Laura (a young lady who comes to church) and we were still watching Angela's three girls. 

In the lower right corner of this photo you can see the red-roofed "palacio" which would be like a town hall.

Headed down again. Tania and I walked together.

On our second week of spring break (We had a week before Easter and a week afterwards), we went to spend an afternoon in Nogales, MX. Yaneli got to meet with an aunt who lives there and we went to a park nearby.

It was interesting to go to Nogales, MX because we still spoke Spanish and paid in pesos, but there were many stores found in the US and even a mall. They have a Walmart, too. 

While Pau, Marce and the other girls were busy at the mall, Kendra, Nicole. and I watched Tadeo and Mani. First we went to Carl's Jr. where they played on the play place. Then we walked around the mall and ate supper. They enjoyed sitting on riding toys and pretending to play the games at the arcade.

Perla came over one morning to play with Tadi, so we took the diapers to the trash together.

Later, they got this cute picture with Tadi's Santa Claus hats.

And then spring break ended and it was time to get back into routine...

Monday at Wulf's, Tori and I played with playdough together. First, we made soup, pizza, and bread. Even Marshall joined in the fun for a bit.

Then we made cake and cookies.

Now that I'm not taking Tadeo with me to Wulf's in the afternoons, (Kendra, and the others can take care of him at the house) I am trying to spend more time "teaching" Tori. I hope to help her learn her colors, numbers, and such things. She is just starting to talk, so it is a really fun age as she says a lot of cute things.  

Please pray: For Laura (who climbed the mountain with us) as she is coming to church and church functions more regularly that she can trust God and find strength and grace to surrender her life to Jesus. For Panchita and Ibet, two of the ladies that I visit occasionally, that God would touch their hearts (and their families) as well. That we as a church here can be a beacon of light, truth, and hope and that many would come to Jesus and be saved. This city is full of emotional and relational pain, alcoholism, drug addiction, and spiritual darkness like many places are (even in the US!). Please pray that God will break the power of Satan. And please pray for me that I can be grounded and settled in faith and in truth, so that I can be a true witness to the people here.

Gift of the week: I have to admit I have not been as diligent in counting my gifts lately, but when I start to do it right now, I immediately feel more joy! Thanking God for my Bible, for choir, for musical instruments, for talks with friends, for stars, for strength to run, and for reminding me again and again of things I should never forget...like the importance of being thankful. 

Fun Times Together

Last Friday night, Marce, Yaneli, Yerania, Kenia, Tadeo, Mani, and I and Nere Arcoverde went to the open area between the school and the church diningroom and pulled each other around on blankets.  It was a lot of fun!

Saturday, Marce, Kendra, Kenia, Tadeo, Mani, and I went on a gator ride. It was a fun family bonding experience.

Saturday night before supper...I enjoyed seeing everyone spending time together.

  Saturday, the Congerville team arrived along with my friend, Kelly Waldbeser from Fairbury. We enjoyed a wonderful week with them and they just left this morning. Our new school has nearly all the dryvit on and a lot of the ceilings put in thanks to their work. They were our last team for about two months.

Friday with Friends

We are babysitting Angela's three girls today so we enjoyed a fun morning.

First the younger ones colored with markers,

  

while Kenia sprayed off the trampoline,

and I filled the tubs with water.

Tadeo decided he would rather watch

than get sprayed on the trampoline.

They piled into the tubs for awhile before laying out on towels to warm up

and afterwards sang on the trampoline

and played until lunch time.

Please continue to pray for our family here at Casa Betel and for all of CVE. Monday was moving day for three families. Joel and Kristy Leman moved off campus to a nearby home with their newly adopted son Gonzalo, their two little girls, and another on the way. Joe and Denise Maller moved to take their place as house parents in the "boys' house" and Endi and Alisha Ramirez moved to take Joe and Denise's place. All change causes pain in one way or another, so please pray that we will all take our pain, worries, frustrations, and fears to God and that we can all adjust, accept, and move forward.

Gift of the Week: Today and this weekend we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. God rejected His OWN Son in OUR place, so that we could be redeemed and become His sons and daughters. Thanks be to God, our Father, for His unspeakable gift.  Thanks be to God that there is hope, and purpose, and love in this life and the expectation of a perfect life to come! Doesn't it just fill your heart with joy!