Pics of Some Recent Christmas Activity

   Our Tree!

  Reece's Christmas program. He was a pretty shy boy but we were proud of him for hanging in there and participating!

  Traditional Christmas Pinatas. Reece's class made this pinata and... he came home with more candy!

 Lots of train fun! The boys were anxious to get out their train from Bear...we need to trim under the tree in order for it to get around the tree so tonight we just let them play with it out in the open. We set up the more "2 year old friendly" version on the inside track and had train races. Pretty fun stuff.

  "What? I am not supposed to touch the track? What do you mean?"

  All cozy, watching Polar Express!

  Christmas Baking!

  

Our Christmas Letter

I know there are still some of you out there who love to get Christmas cards and read annual Christmas letters in the traditional way - via the mail system - with gingerbread cookies and a cup of apple cider or hot chocolate....if you are one of those, don't read this post! I have my cards and letters in the process of going into the mail, but you know how that can go too. I AM going to get them sent, I just don't know exactly when they will arrive at your house! Or, if you are way too anxious to know about the Brednich families exciting lives (ha!) - you can always read the letter twice. A very Merry Christmas to all of you...

December 2006

Dear family and friends;

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Mexico City! We are very much enjoying this time of the year and trust that you are as well. As we reflect on 2006, we are reminded of many good things that this past year has had to offer – God, as always, is good and worthy to be praised!

Our family is really doing well. We have enjoyed a busy year of buzz and activity with our two toddler boys, Reece (3.5) and Chase (2). Thankfully, both kids have been healthy and are growing and developing in so many ways. Reece began school (part-time) this year and we have been happy with his adjustment and progress in the Mexican school system. We are amazed at his quick ability to pick up Spanish and feel grateful that he enjoys going and learning. Chase has had a year of milestones – beginning to walk earlier this year – which has quickly progressed to running, climbing, jumping, and basically anything mischievous. He is talking a lot more too and that has been fun. The boys interact well together – sometimes better than others! All of us are excited for the arrival of a new baby to our home, expected to arrive in March. We have decided to await the birth of the baby to find out if the boys have a sister (which Reece is very sure of) or another brother to add to the mix. We are so very thankful to God for the blessing of our children – they teach us so much about what really matters and about how fun life really is.

As parents, we are also doing well – asking for much wisdom along the way of this parenting journey. We completed eight years of marriage this past month and find ourselves really content and pleased with where God has brought us this far. We have been in Mexico for three and a half years and feel blessed to be a part of this work and ministry. Although there are definitely challenges in living in another culture and being far from family, friends and familiarity – we are feeling good about being here – and are thankful for your part in that!

Some of the highlights of 2006 would most certainly include the spiritual growth and development that we see in our house church and in the work across Tlalpan (our area of Mexico City). God is at work and we are witnesses to that. Yes, there have been times of discouragement and impatience in respect to the progress of our work, but overall, we are growing, serving and learning more and more about true dependence on our God. We ask for your continued prayers for our discipleship and for more seekers to join the kingdom. We anticipate good things in this upcoming year as we look to be creative and intentional with opportunities to shine the light of Christ.

Thank you to the many of you who made visits to us in Mexico City in 2006. We always receive tremendous encouragement by your time spent here with us and your service to this work. We also appreciate the many letters, phone calls, emails, and care packages that you so generously share with us. Please know that our home is open to you for another visit soon!

We will be in Mexico City this Christmas – enjoying a quiet time with our family – and celebrating the goodness of our Savior. We pray many blessings on you this season and in the upcoming year.

In Christ,
Benjy, Carolyn, Reece, Chase & Baby Brednich

Remembering My Dad

Today, December 17, marks two years since my Dad left us. In many ways it is really hard to believe that that much time has already passed since we last shared phone calls and visits - yet in other ways, it seems like it has been a lot longer. Although we certainly miss him, I personally am filled with peace today as I think about the "better life" that he has experienced since that day. Heaven seems more real to me now that I have such a close part of our family already there. I am thankful that we share that hope of reunion - and the comfort it gives us here in the meantime. Christmas time was always a favorite of my Dad's. Over the last few days I have been enjoying memories of childhood Christmases and many of those special thoughts seem to involve him - his love of prematurely guessing what he would receive, his annual words that said Christmas would not be much in our household that year - only to see his generosity poured out in gifts under the tree for all of us. The community Christmas programs he was always involved in. His love for "Christmas oranges" and a good family game of crokinole. I laughed at the memory of how he and mom disguised my brother's hand-held football video game (a big deal back then) in the hugest box ever - filled with heavy things like stools and old-fashioned milk jugs. We were all fooled. I love the way we ate our big meal on Christmas eve and then, in eager anticipation awaited the announcement that it was finally time to begin opening our presents. Christmas was always special....and remains that way to me now. I am excited about this season - and look forward to creating those special memories with my own children. I wish my Dad could be here to know Reece and Chase and our soon to come baby, but his memory is alive in our family. I will think of him as we read the Christmas story from the gospels this Christmas eve. My Dad was a good man with a uniquely good personality - Merry Christmas Dad - we love and miss you.

Chaser Turns 2!

 

Our sweet little baby boy is growing up pretty fast! We had a really great day celebrating his life on Saturday - surrounded by good friends and a very special visit from Bear and Honey (Benjy's Dad, Gary and his wife, Robin). We partied with the barnyard theme - notice Chase's new boots from Texas! Chase had a super long nap in the morning and "showed up late" to his own party - so he was in a great mood and had a whole lot of fun with everyone. We felt like we have had an abundance of candy since Halloween so we decided not to do a pinata...well, we are in Mexico and guess what - Chase received a pinata filled with candy as a gift....so, there went that idea :). He now knows he is 2 and answers "dossss" if you ask him how old he is. Pretty cute! He received a mountain of really neat gifts - thank you to all of you! For more party pictures - check out the link to the right for my flickr account (just click on any picture and it will open up to my photos - choose the set called Chase's 2nd Birthday).

 
 

When things quieted down after a long day, I tucked him in with a quiet prayer of thanksgiving for the beautiful gift Chase is to me and to our family. He is an adventureous little guy with a sparkle in his eye. I love his laugh, his sweet smile and his "big hugs". It has been a fun two years of getting to know him. He is a funny kid and has brought a whole lot of laughter into our home. I believe God has great things in store for him and I pray for many more years of life for us to discover those things. Happy birthday Chaser - you are precious to us and very much loved! 

Bear and Honey

We had a great weekend visit from Bear & Honey (Benjy's Dad, Gary and his wife Robin). We were blessed to have them here - and enjoyed watching them bond with the kids. Gary spent hours in the back yard with the boys - teaching them to throw and catch - shooting hoops, and on and on. They didn't run out of energy and petitions for Bear to play outside with them! Gary and Robin brought the kids cowboy boots from Texas - and it was a huge hit! We felt especially blessed to have family at Chase's birthday - something we never take for granted since we live so far from everyone.

 
 
  

A Great Eight!

We celebrated eight years of marriage today! I so much appreciate, respect and absolutely love my fun and just plain good husband! We realized today that we have known each other for 10 years - one third of my life! That was a weird thought. My mind drifted back to our dating years when I remember sitting in an ice cream shop in Kosice, Slovakia - and I noticed a much older married couple enjoying ice cream together - but with no conversation, just silence. I remember feeling sad for them, in my youthful arrogance, thinking that they must not have a very good relationship if they don't even have anything to talk about! Now, several years later and with a little more "relationship experience" under my belt - I smile to think how beautiful of a thing it is to feel so comfortable with someone that just being together, sometimes in complete silence, is enough. That we don't always have to be talking to understand, feel, and share together. I love you babe!

  

Okay, we had a really fun day together! What more romantic and fun could a good ol' Canadian girl ask for as a fun date on our anniversary but to go skating!!!! We have our own skates here that we recieved as gifts from my parents several years ago. They haven't had a whole lot of practice but we carried our skates in, expecting to find a rink full of Mexicans "trying" to stand up on ice. Honestly, the laugh was kind of on us. I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time. First of all, Benjy is just a funny guy and I could clearly see that, at first, he was just appeasing me. We were shocked to see all these Mexicans figure skating and really being actually good on the ice. And then ther is me - nearly 6 months pregnant and a little timid from not having done this in long time and not wanting to fall on my unborn baby....and then there is Benjy who hasn't skated many times himself (receiving an abundance of heckling from my Canadian family as we would play hockey out on the pond!). At one point, we came across a not-so-good-skater who was losing control and Benjy pushed me in his way so he wouldn't be the one getting hit! It struck Benjy as funny that we were the whitest people out there, with the most authentic equipment (his CCM skates!) and we were the most inexperienced. How could this be?!?!? Okay - so they weren't that good of skaters - but compared to what we expected to see - it was impressive. Anyway, we laughed really really hard, had a lot of fun, saw a good movie together and ate some classic Mexican tacos! Here is to another many, many years of fun together!

  

Giving Thanks

We celebrated American Thanksgiving a little early this year since we will all be out of town on Thursday. We had a lot of fun and a feast of food! We felt blessed to sit around a table with such good friends. God is so good and has blessed us with co-workers in this City that are also good, good friends to us - that is a unique blessing in itself! This year we missed being with teammates Sean and Jeni, Sarah and Philip McClue (out of town) and Paul and Kristi, Maddi and Olivia Miller (now living in Texas).

  

Personally, I have an abundance of things to be thankful for - three of those - my great husband and my sweet boys - are pictured below (all dressed up and handsome!) Happy thanksgiving to all of you!

 
 
 

Request Granted

As requested by Auntie Betsy after a recent post....Chase giving a self description! Enjoy!

Weekend with Greg

Greg Spurgeon, a good friend from Dallas, spontaneously came for the weekend. We had a great time with him - and my kids absolutely LOVED him. He arrived late, late Thursday night and so naturally, slept in Friday morning. Reece kept asking why he was sleeping so long and when was he going to wake up. They opened his door and kept running down the hall and peeking in on him - I think Greg's prescence was a greater novelty than Santa Clause (although in a way Greg acted like Santa to us - sympathizing with us for our poor supply of quality Halloween treats - he brought us a sack full! Thank you Greg!). I think, at times, Greg may have felt overwhelmed by Reece and Chase's continual desire to sit by him, play with him and have Greg stay longer - but it was fun to see.

I'm A Toot

Little Chase has quite the personality. He is definitely the younger brother and has grown into his role as the "younger and smaller one" quite appropriately. He is a scrapper and defends himself well - he often comes out on top when those two "interact" (partly, I think because Reece knows a little better and is afraid of being disciplined but also just because Chase is plain old tough). Chase is also a little tease. It is amazing to me, that at his very young age, he has learned which buttons to push to irritate his big brother - and he doesn't hold back from doing it - over, and over again. He has brought many a smile to our faces as he gets "the look" in his eyes and gears up to cause trouble. As of late, he has inherited the name "little toot" and Benjy has taught him to repeat "I'm a toot". He mainly says the word "toot" (with a cute little Canadian accent) and it cracks us up!

Some Things Never Change

This post in written especially for Auntie Betsy (well, and Uncle Brig and Uncle Burke) for all have one thing in common: being a younger brother of my dear husband, Benjy...

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a particular "edge" to Benjy's playtime with the boys and it has given me a real live picture into the "stories" I have heard of the Brednichs childhoods (Betsy being traumatized by toy snakes comes quickly to mind). Chase, like most little boys, LOVES balloons. I recently came across a bag of balloons from a previous birthday party. Chase has been in heaven....until his Daddy realized the thrill of chasing him around the house with a blown up balloon, letting out the air behind him. The look on Chase's little face is priceless. I have tried to capture it on video, and just in a picture but I can't get it because he is too fast - scared out of his pants - but seemingly happy at the same time. And not far behind him comes Benjy, laughing himself silly as his youngest kid is scared to death! In Chase's limited language ability he now says, "booon" (for balloon) but immedietly makes a "pheeew, pheew" sound while saying "no, no" at the same time. The poor kid just wants an innocent balloon to play with, blown up and most certainly tied.

The other thing is the little nurf ball shooting gun that the kids have. Benjy will arrive on the scene with this gun, fully loaded with little green nurf balls and the kids begin screaming and running away in an instant. He pings them off and reloads before they know what is happening. There is a lot of scrambling, screaming and most definitely a lot of laughter (mostly by the one behind the trigger!).

Yes, I enjoy watching these interactions of a Daddy with his sons - it makes my heart happy to see the way Reece and Chase light up when he spends time with them. Sure, sometimes they are begging for him to stop and dear ol' Dad is not ready to relent - but nevertheless, all involved have a great time. It has made me smile to think about how Benjy's siblings had many a good year of that kind of play with their brother. Apparently, he hasn't changed too much in the "traumatizing little ones" department. :)

Cute Thoughts On Sharing...

Reece came home from school today with a bag of cookies and some chocolate milk. He was quite excited. With much enthusiasm he stated that..."when my friends come over tonight, I am going to share my cookies with all of them. And, Mommy, when I go to heaven I am going to give a cookie to everyone there. And I am going to give one to Grandpa!"

This made me smile!

Our Baby

 

We were blessed to be able to see our beautiful baby today via ultrasound. The picture isn't that clear but I wanted to post it anyway - as a sort of first introduction to friends and family! He or she is healthy and all looks excellant according to the doctor. We are very thankful. We shared our request to not find out this baby's sex - the doc smiled at us and proceeded with the ultrasound with experience and finesse - never allowing us a curious little peek at baby's privates, even if we had wanted to sneak it! After finishing, he congratulated us on our healthy baby boy or girl - telling us he didn't know which it is either! So there goes my concern that the doctor might slip up and let us know - he doesn't even know! Ahhhh, this is fun! The suprise continues!

On a more serious note, my heart has been aching for high school friend Jennifer Wallace and her husband, John, upon the loss of their baby boy at birth. I have marvelled at their faith and the reminder that Gordon gives us about the fraility of life, and the hope of heaven. My prayers continue for their sorrow and grief - and with the reality that our days are not guaranteed, I put the lives of my family and friends - my husband, my 2 boys and this unborn child in God's hands. 

Discovering Jesus With Friends

Reece and Kate having a quiet moment. Too precious.

 
  

Happy Halloween

 
We had a fun little Halloween gathering like we do every year. It is fun time for the kids (right?)

 

Our family dressed up as characters from one of the kids' favorite movies - Charlotte's Web. We must have rotated costume ideas about 4 times to include Chase as someone but he was quite opposed to participating in this costume idea (he shuffled from Wilbur the pig to Templeton the rat to a barnyard sheep to finally....a plain old, unthreatening spider web - which he still rebelled against!) This persistent Mom finally gave in, more due to lack of time than determination! So Reece, as Charlotte the spider who saves the day - me, as Wilbur the "some pig" and Benjy, as the jolly Mr. Zuckerman (who did quite the impersonation if I do say so myself) had a fun time! Reece entered the party saying, "Salutations" - it was pretty cute!

 
  

Our AIM team participated in dressing up too - what good sports! They were the Wizard of Oz and did a great job!

 

Reece and Chase got to participate in some trick-or-treating (or as they say here "queremos halloween!" )and then Reece got to dress up for school on Wednesday and they partied all day!

 
  

Revealing Pink or Blue

My growing tummy is confirmation that we are moving along, but it is hard to believe I am almost half-way there! Although this is my third time around of pregnancy, I continue to be amazed and marvelled at what it really means to have a real little life inside me. I am sure if I had 100 children, (don't worry - that is not in the plans) - it would still be that way. Over the weekend I believe I have sensed the fluttery movement of our little one for the first time. How incredible! And how reassuring to my heart! When I was pregnant with both Reece and Chase, I didn't feel them move until around this time, even though "they" say you can often feel the baby earlier in subsequent pregnancies....so things seem right on course. I am growing, feeling really good and loving being pregnant! I should have an appointment this upcoming week and I think we will have an ultrasound - the ultrasound that would enable to reveal "pink" or more "blue". But, contary to popular demand, we are going to wait about 20 more weeks for the answer to the question. Sorry! I will admit that my curiosity is there and I have weakened a small amount in this idea...but Benjy stands strong and brings me back to the fun-side of waiting. So - we are waiting. We will explain our desires to my doctor and ultrasound doctor, and be fascinated by the details of our little ones development as we see it on the screen - without trying to peek at the private area that might reveal the anticipated secret. For those of you who have been in the position of not finding out - what do you do? Close your eyes during part of the ultrasound? I mean, we have learned how to see the image on the screen (unlike the first time when you just nod in amazement when the doctor tells you that that is your babies head, arm, legs, etc.. and you just don't see it at all....but don't want to let that on either! as if it is your first signs of failing as a parent! ha!). Or I guess the doctor tells you when he is looking at that area and your integrity guides you to close your eyes?! I am new at this "suprise" thing - and since we want to wait - how do we do this? Anyway, just know that me and baby are doing great! Praise God for His continual care and blessings!

Our Friend Burnell

Last September, we as parents tried to encourage Reece's compassionate heart for others by helping him send a small care package of things to a young child displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We had some friends in Lubbock, TX volunteering with families from New Orleans and they helped us match our package of young boy things to an appropriate family. Reece taught us lessons that day - choosing some of his newest toys to share. We sent McDonald's gift certificates, markers, crayons, coloring books, etc.. etc.. We also included a letter from Reece and a picture of him and Chase. We included our return address in hopes for an opportunity of correspondence between these kids. We sent the package, heard it had been delivered, and then....time marched on.

Last weekend Reece and Chase suprisingly received a letter from Lubbock, TX. It was from Burnell - including a picture of himself and words of thanks for our prayers and the things we sent them. It made me cry. A whole year later! We have occasionally prayed for that "little boy" who is playing with Reece's firetruck, but now we have a face and a name,Burnell, to place with it. His family is moving to Houston after all this time.

Praise God for little gifts like this and the opportunities they provide to teach our kids - and ourselves! - about generosity, prayer, and thinking of others needs. We are incredibly blessed and with the holidays approcahing, we have been talking about remembering the importance of being a family that lives the true spirit of Christmas - and not just "stocking up" with more material things.

Brotherly Love

This picture says it all and it really makes me smile. It might make you smile if I posted a picture of the opposite emotion that can be exchanged between these two brothers....but I won't!

  

Welcome Baby Julianne

Our good friends and Mexican teammates, Israel and Nelly Molina (son, Gael) welcomed their new daughter into their family a few weeks ago.

 Israel, Nelly and Julianne

 

 Reecer getting ready for a new baby at our house! He couldn't wait to hold her!

We threw a small shower for Nelly on Thursday. It was a lot of fun! Nelly wasn't feeling that well and almost decided not to come to her own suprise shower - but we managed to get her and baby Julianne there. We had a good time celebrating this new, precious life - and showering her with gifts. All the "pink" made me a little curious as to whether we have any "pink" in our future! Enjoy these pictures (especially the ones of the ladies trying to guess what baby food was adorning these diapers - funny game, and a bit gross!)

 
 
 

Simple Pleasures During Pregnancy

Ok, although we live in Mexico, I must say that we do have it pretty good for being able to get what we want in way of familiar foods. But not everything. I went through my whole pregnancy with Chase missing something that had been a highly consumed product by me during my pregnancy with Reece. Nothing too strange to fit that weird craving stereotype...just Berry Burst Cheerios. I love them. I am a BIG fan of raspberries, so the dried raspberries mixed in with the other berries is perfect - with a sliced banana to go along with it of course. I ate boxes of those Cheerios. Well, I am so happy to say that I stumbled across a box of them today - in Mexico! More than likely, they won't be there the next time I go back because it is often that way here....BUT....for now, I am one happy pregnant woman...and I am going to end at that and go eat a bowl now! Cheerio - HA!

I read this this morning - pretty amazing...

"Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" Hebrews 7:25

Bringing Up Boys...

  Reece - 3.5 years

  Chase - 22 months
 

I am just finishing up Dr. James Dobson's book, "Bringing Up Boys". It has been on our shelf for a long time but I finally pulled it out and jumped in. It has been a good read - very challenging and in some ways disheartening. Disheartening in the way that he paints the reality of raising kids, and especially boys in todays' culture. He addresses the breakdown of the family system, the blatant war that society wages against the family, and against kids with sex, violence, moral relativity, etc.. etc.. I do feel all the more blessed to have God on my side and a Godly man to share this responsibility with me everyday. I feel called to be more aware of the ugliness that this world has and the important role we have in making our home a refuge and a place of God-centered principles and relationship.

Father, I pray for your loving protection over our boys tonight. I pray for the wisdom and the strength to provide them with a home life rich in relationship, communication, and dependance on You. Give Benjy and I insight into what is best for each of them and to provide boundaries, discipline and love that equips them to be men of character in a world that lacks it. Give us consistency, intention, and endurance in this great task of parenting. Thank You for being the perfect Father - may we do our best to model Your love and grace to our kids. Thank You for the honor of being parents - we need You and humbly ask for lots of wisdom and guidance each step of the journey. In Christ, Amen. 

Flowers For Everyone

  

This afternoon, Benjy came home with a huge bouquet of red and yellow roses...just because! I was so happy and in my thanking him I said to Reece, "isn't it so nice that Daddy brought me flowers!" He seemed a little bothered and stated strongly, "they aren't just for you Mommy, they are for everyone" - so I am sharing my beautiful roses with the family :) As with most things, Reece wanted to help me arrange them in the vase and it created a good conversation between us. I explained to him that when he grows up and becomes a Daddy he needs to remember how much Mommies love flowers and get them for her, etc.. etc.. - then I backtracked and explained that before he became a Daddy he would become a husband. We talked about the difference between being a wife and Mommy and a husband and Daddy. Then we went on with our day.

Tonight, just before bedtime, the topic of the roses got brought up again as we noticed them cheering up the kitchen table. Benjy told Reece that the yellow roses mean "friendship" and he asked if he thought Mommy and Daddy were good friends. Reece's response was pretty classic (in my humble opinion) - he said, "well, Mommy is the wiseman and Daddy is the foolishman!" HA! Not sure if earlier he was hearing "wise" instead of "wife" but hey, his take on it all sounds good to me!

Thankfulness

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving - and a great opportunity for me to reflect on the goodness in my life. There is much.

I am thankful this morning for Jesus and the One He is in my life - even when I am too distracted and distant to acknowledge Him for all He deserves. I am grateful for the fact that He has been a part of my life since my beginning - and has guided me and protected me from a lot of hard lessons people have to learn the hard way without Him. Christ has been, and continues to be, the foundation of who I am. Sure, I do not always listen to and obey His principles, and I have leaps and bounds to gorw...but at the core of me, and my family is Christ. And I love that. I am thankful for His goodness, His grace, His love, His purpose and His many blessings.

I also am amazed at the idea of "family". I love it that I know so many people who deeply love their spouses and their kids - who think that they are the most blessed and have been given the greatest gifts in a spouse or children (you can all think that, but I believe I have you beat!). I just think it so neat to think that people share life together and enjoy it - what a blessing. I love the unique and special things about my boys - Benjy, Reece and Chase. Their laughs, personalities, sensitivities, generosities, passions and just simply who they are (even including the not always so pretty parts!) I am thankful that I have a grounded, Godly man to walk beside me as we love life together and try to raise these kids to become Godly men. I love it that I have life within me as we await our third child. What an amazing and humbling experience! I love the anticipation that new life brings. I am thankful for my family.

I am also thankful for the idea of hope. I love it that in God, there is always something to look forward to! Yes, I am certainly referring to the joy of heaven and the chance to be with God and reunited with loved ones. But I am also referring to life right now. There is always hope in difficult situations, that God will use it to bring good to someone or something. There is hope that your current struggle won't always be there because of Christ's power to transform. There is hope that God wants to use you for something purposeful at some point. There is hope that people, including myself, will become more and more Christlike...and that the world (even if it is my little part of this big world) can be a better place because of God at work.

I am thankful to have the chance to be at home with my kids while they are young. I know that many women desire that but just can't financially. I am grateful that we don't feel that pressure right now. I know I can get frustrated and forget and am not always aware of the priviledge I have to be a at home with the kids like I am - but when I stop and think about it, I am reminded of all that is good about it. Sure, it is a lot of work and I am not so sure I always do it well - but....I am thankful today that as I sit here and write, I can hear the laughter of my kids playing together. That I was here for all the special milestones, but also for the everyday happenings. I feel honored to give my kids the unique gift of a constant presence in their life, of playtime on the floor, of snacks, of breaking up their fights, of telling them "no" again, of reading stories and singing songs, and disciplining, and on and on. It is a huge responsibility - and I continue to ask God for wisdom - but I love being a Mom and I am thankful today for this role.

I am thankful for relationships. My extended family means a lot to me and I am thankful for the quality of relationship that I feel we have maintained, in spite of living so far apart from each other. And my friendships continue to be an important part of my life. I have kept in contact with a lot of old friends - from childhood, high school, AIM, etc.. and it is just a part of my life that I love. Even at times when weeks and months have passed between making contact, most of the time, we can pick back up and carry on. I am thankful for my friends right here in Mexico - that encourage me on a more regular basis. Thank you to all of you family and friends!

Well, I am sure I could go on, but speaking of my previous "thankfulness" I smell a dirty diaper and must tend to it!

Thank you God for giving me an abundant life! Praise You for your goodness!

Prayers Needed....

We just found out that our friends, Gerardo and Dulce, are in a difficult time. Gerardo's Dad was diagnosed with cancer last week - and although they are still doing tests, it looks pretty advanced and aggressive. Please be praying for this situation.

Benjy and I were talking and wondering if this might be a time of vulnerability and an openess for spirituality in our friendship with them. We were with them the other night and felt the openness to extended expressions of prayer and support towards them. Pray for us to have wisdom, sensitivity, compassion, and action in their lives right now.

Cafe Y Algo Mas

So here are a few pictures of the new coffee shop location. We are on the top floor - far left corner. For those of you who have been down here to see it in person, you will notice, in the second picture, that our old shop was to the far right of the plaza (bottom floor, facing that corner of the street) So we didn't move far! But things have gone well. We have officially been open full time for 1 week now. Veronica is a young girl who works for us from 2 - 9:30 on the weekdays and then most of the day Saturday. We (between us and the AIM guys) run it in the mornings. We have noticed that our shop has become the "hang out" for most of the employees when business is slow for them. We ask for your continued support through prayer as we seek to create relationships with people through this ministry. Yes, up until now we considered it to be through our clientel, but maybe God will open doors through Veronica, or other workers in our neighboring businesses.

 
 
 
 

Weekend Happenings....

This weekend was almost like most weekends, except that...
* dear Dodger Black (Reece's fish) died. I went to feed it on Friday evening and noticed him floating sideways. Oops. Reece was already in bed so we waited until Saturday to tell Reece and allow him to experience one of life's many lessons - the loss of a pet. His reaction was interesting. As to any toddler, the novelty of a fish had worn off a long time ago so I wasn't even sure if he would care. He didn't cry or even seem very sad. Mad might be the better description. He did want to touch him and try to save him but I told him he was floating like that since yesterday - he was dead. Reece said that Dodger Black was a bad, bad fish because he died. And that God and Jesus didn't like fishes.....to which Benjy reminded him that God made fish and He liked them very much, that Dodger Black wasn't bad, he was just dead, and that Dodger Black was in "fishy heaven" (hadn't heard that one before!) Reece left it at that for the rest of the day, but did say it was the sad part of his day during "happy parts/sad parts" routine.
* I reached 15 weeks in my pregnancy. I feel good and am thankful for this little baby. I really couldn't feel happier about our families stage (besides a little fearful at times of how 3 might be!)
* Chase did a half turn side flip off of and over the edge of the side of the slide and landed flat on his back...a good ways away from the slide. He is acting a little big for his britches as of late and I have imagined a broken neck with his boyish ways of playing. But - he cried for a few seconds and wanted to go back up. Kids are crazy!
* I have made a scrapbooking plan - plotting out a way to achieve some progress in the boys' "1st year" books. Now I just need to get to it!
* the coffee shop is in full swing with our new employee, Veronica. We feel good about it and have had made some good business over the last few days (we are now open Monday - Saturday from morning to evening with a few hours off around noon). I will post a few pics soon of the shops new location.
* we watched the movie, "Ghandi" this weekend - I had never seen it before but was quite challenged by his life.
* Benjy and I had a good conversation about our kids - proud of where they are at developmentally, and also retouched on areas we need to grow at in our parenting them. Chase is really fun! He is talking a whole bunch more - saying lots of things spontaneously now and is fun to interact with. He makes the cutest excited or scared face and is beginning to really like books - which makes us quite happy. Reece is amazing us with his ability to pick up on the spanish language. He is really doing well - showing a lot of interest in how to say things in spanish and seems like he only needs to be told once - a little sponge for a brain! He brought home some of his notebooks this week and we have been working on stuff that he misses during the week by only going part time. He is really doing well! We have got some good boys!
* had a good morning with our house church - worshipping and fellowshipping together.
* kids are resting, Benjy is playing video games and I am going to read a book! Yay!

That about covers the last few days. I am looking forward to another new week...hope you are too!