It is Benjy's "way" to make small talk with the taxi driver when we are sitting in his taxi - partly to be friendly, but also to get a feel for what kind of guy he is (I guess so he can know if we are about to get kidnapped or robbed - I am kidding!) Last May or June, we caught a taxi somewhere and Benjy explained to him why we are living in Mexico City and left him our phone number if he was ever interested in studying the Bible.
Yesterday he called us.
Today he came to our home, along with a friend of his - they are interested in studying the Bible.
You never know how a small conversation or a phone number scribbled on a scrap of paper can be used, even months and months later.
Victor and Romano told us today that they are looking for a relationship with God.
Pray with us for them!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The Boys!
Chase - 1 year
Reece - 2.5 years
My kids know what a camera is...and even if it takes numerous shots (thank goodness for digital cameras!) I can almost always capture a good smile!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Cultural Influence
Everyone knows that the culture you live in has a tendency to influence you. We are seeing evidence of this in the life of our son. In the Mexican culture, it can be difficult to accept blame and responsibility for your actions, if they aren't positive. This is even demonstrated through the language....if you arrive late (which is not an uncommon occurance!) you say, "se me hizo tarde" - meaning, something made me late. Not, "I am late" but "something made me late" - a subtle denial of responsibility. The other evening, Reece was playing on the floor and suddenly let out a rather obvious "toot". Benjy said, "hey Reece, was that you?" He very seriously responded, "that wasn't me, it was my bottom."
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Reality Check
The house is extremely quiet right now. Benjy is away at a meeting, both boys are in bed, and I can hear the clock ticking in the background - a sound rarely heard around here. I feel a little "out of sorts"....I am reminded today of where I am - physically. This city is so large - there are many dangers out there...and I feel the urgency to pray more seriously about the physical protection of my family. I know we are in God's hands and I take comfort in that tonight.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
A Little Humility Might Be Nice
After dressing himself for church this morning in his new red shirt, I told Reece he looked pretty cute. A few minutes later I heard him approach Chase and say, "Chase I'm cute. Wanna touch me?"
Feeling Encouraged
We have experienced a very refreshing morning! We met for Sunday worship in the nearby forest/park with a few friends. Benjy prepared a few thoughts to lead us in, but after arriving and finding a spot to sit - Jorge began by saying, "I have prepared something unless you want to go ahead..." Naturally, Benjy declined because it is an awesome feeling to see our Mexican brothers taking the initiative. He shared his heart about the importance of putting our faith into action from James 2. He told us how he shared his faith with his family over the holidays. It was really neat and serves as a confirmation to us that God is already at work in 2006. I mean, of course He is - but it is good to see it with our own eyes so quickly. After discussing, singing, and sharing in the Lord's supper together we spent the better part of the afternoon with all of them...and came away feeling very encouraged. What a nice feeling!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Unexpected Accomplishments!
The annual discussion of New Year's Resolutions has crossed my mind numerous times in the past days. Of course, I do have specific areas that I want to grow in in my life - and I am intending to take steps to make things happen this year. But, I also pray for unexpected and amazing things to happen in and around me - things I didn't anticipate or plan out. Today, Reece unexpectedly made his first sommersault...and was quite excited and proud of himself. I had noticed that he was in the right position but probably had not ever seen one done. So, I demonstrated it to him (hold the laughter!)and just like that he was rolling all around the room, laughing and calling his Daddy away from his work on the computer to try it too! I know he hadn't planned out that this would happen! And my prayer tonight is that, maybe in my own life, this year holds great and exciting things that I am just that close to experiencing...even if it isn't on my list of resolutions for 2006.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Great Holiday Memories!
Okay - first let me say, I have been working on this post for some time now - and it is finally ready! Don't ask me why but for some reason, in my disorganized mind, I still felt the need to have the whole holiday packed into one post....so forgive the length!
Our holiday season has been wonderful, filled with blessings, and also with surprises! It all began months ago when we decided to surprise my Mom with a Christmas visit to Canada! I knew that December would be a difficult month for all of my family as 1 year approached since the death of my Dad. With the help of Charlotte, my sister, we had it all arranged. Reece, Chase and I braved the skies and flew into a snowy Saskatchewan. All of the grandkids (except for Kenzie because she was the bait to draw Grandma close to her surprise) were perfectly positioned under the tree and as Grandma came around the corner her mouth fell open at her first glimpse of little Chase sitting there with his hand in a bowl of fruit loops to keep him in his spot! I popped out from behind the chair and all of the kids yelled "surprise!". After much hugging, laughing, and reassuring her that this was really true we enjoyed a terrific week together.
Our accomplice in all of the surprise planning - Auntie Char !
Grandma with her Christmas packages! Merry Christmas!
Reece and Chase loved playing with Kenzie, Kalen and Camrynne....not to mention their toys! Reece got a special tour of the cattle from his uncle Bruce, and he loved that! And his uncles spoiled him by giving him more candy in a few days than he has eaten in his two and a half years combined! I got the chance to see my sister perform with her singing group, All for One - and that was a very special blessing for me. The weather was cold, but I loved the snow and having a white Christmas like it always was for me as a kid. I think we all felt like the week flew by - and as always we tried to pack a whole lot of activity into too little time so there was lots of driving back and forth between the farm and town and my sisters' house. But it was so much fun to be back home and for my kids to reconnect with everyone! I think the following pictures will illustrate the fun times we had!
Chase all bundled up with no place to go....brrrrr - it is too cold out here!
Reece playing in the snow!
Checkin' out the cows with Uncle Bruce
Our Christmas lights photo shoot with all of the Canadian cousins together!
But I must say that we did miss Benjy (Daddy) lots too and so it was good to get back to Dallas to be together as a family. We were soon met by another surprise - but this time not a good one. Chase had caught a cold but was quickly getting worse and was struggling with breathing. We took him into a walk-in-clinic on the 23rd and were told he was okay...just needed a few prescriptions. By that afternoon he had gotten much worse, was struggling to breathe, so we took him back in - where they sent us on to an urgent care center for breathing treatments...they then sent him on to the emergency room where he was eventually admitted into the hospital. Chase's oxygen levels were not maintaining on their own without oxygen and so we feared a Christmas in the hospital. But....thankfully, the morning of Christmas eve Chase awoke with a whole lot of energy and was feeling much better. The doctor released him after checking him out and his breathing was back to normal, his levels fine and we were very happy to be able to continue on with our plans to be with Benjy's Dad for Christmas.
Chase right before he is discharged from his hospital stay - as you can tell....he is feeling much much better!
We arrived at Benjy's dad's on the eve of Christmas eve - in time to hang out a bit and have our family traditional readings of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the birth of Jesus from Luke. The video will always remind us of our hospital visit because as I am videoing Benjy reading with both kids on his knees - you can barely hear his voice over both Reece and Chase's bad coughing spells. We ended up all sleeping in on Christmas morning and taking our time to open the mountain of gifts beneath the tree. We had a really nice day with Gary, Robin, Burke, Betsy and Jared. The kids were spoiled rotten...again. And I was pretty spoiled myself - with some very thoughtful and special gifts from Benjy. Reece received an electric train from Grandpa Bear - and as the picture below shows, I think all three generations of Brednichs were pretty excited about the train! Chase, like all little guys, was more interested in the wrapping and packages than the actual gifts. As always, Gary and Robin were gracious hosts and our family stayed with them for several days - a good chance to recup from travels and sickness. The kids enjoyed their visit to the museum to see more trains!
The special reading time on Christmas eve - coughing included!
Waiting with great anticiaption for the train to make its way around the tree...again!
Yes, I also got a Christmas knot on my head after crashing into the coffee table! ;
Visiting the train museum.
We ended up our time at home with a few days with Mimi (Benjy's Mom). We (all 4 of her kids and families) met her at the airport and she was more than thrilled for that to happen! Our kids were spoiled yet again with another time of exchanging gifts. By now, Reece has learned to declare, "are there more presents for me!" All of us enjoyed a great few days with her...shopping, watching family favorites (movies, etc..), playing games and of course...taking trips! We took a day trip to Shreveport, LA to revisit some of Benjy's favorite childhood memories of summers with his grandparents - and Mary Beth's roots. I always sit back and marvel as I watch my husband interact with his family - they can quote more movie lines than anyone I have ever known. Each time we are all together I learn more and more of what I thought was simply Benjy's personality is really a line from some movie. Very revealing! We took Mimi with us to Austin as we headed back south so that we could have a little bit of time with Caden and Tabor. Both Reece and Chase loved their days with the Brednich clan - connecting and making special memories with them...
Group shot of Mimi with her kids.
The Brednich cousins!
The home of Benjy's all time favorite coconut cream pie!
In all the miles we have travelled in this van I have packed away a whole lot of snacks!
And....so now we are in 2006! We anticipate another year of God's goodness and faithfulness. And we pray for a year of growth and blessings on all of our family and friends!
Our holiday season has been wonderful, filled with blessings, and also with surprises! It all began months ago when we decided to surprise my Mom with a Christmas visit to Canada! I knew that December would be a difficult month for all of my family as 1 year approached since the death of my Dad. With the help of Charlotte, my sister, we had it all arranged. Reece, Chase and I braved the skies and flew into a snowy Saskatchewan. All of the grandkids (except for Kenzie because she was the bait to draw Grandma close to her surprise) were perfectly positioned under the tree and as Grandma came around the corner her mouth fell open at her first glimpse of little Chase sitting there with his hand in a bowl of fruit loops to keep him in his spot! I popped out from behind the chair and all of the kids yelled "surprise!". After much hugging, laughing, and reassuring her that this was really true we enjoyed a terrific week together.
Our accomplice in all of the surprise planning - Auntie Char !
Grandma with her Christmas packages! Merry Christmas!
Reece and Chase loved playing with Kenzie, Kalen and Camrynne....not to mention their toys! Reece got a special tour of the cattle from his uncle Bruce, and he loved that! And his uncles spoiled him by giving him more candy in a few days than he has eaten in his two and a half years combined! I got the chance to see my sister perform with her singing group, All for One - and that was a very special blessing for me. The weather was cold, but I loved the snow and having a white Christmas like it always was for me as a kid. I think we all felt like the week flew by - and as always we tried to pack a whole lot of activity into too little time so there was lots of driving back and forth between the farm and town and my sisters' house. But it was so much fun to be back home and for my kids to reconnect with everyone! I think the following pictures will illustrate the fun times we had!
Chase all bundled up with no place to go....brrrrr - it is too cold out here!
Reece playing in the snow!
Checkin' out the cows with Uncle Bruce
Our Christmas lights photo shoot with all of the Canadian cousins together!
But I must say that we did miss Benjy (Daddy) lots too and so it was good to get back to Dallas to be together as a family. We were soon met by another surprise - but this time not a good one. Chase had caught a cold but was quickly getting worse and was struggling with breathing. We took him into a walk-in-clinic on the 23rd and were told he was okay...just needed a few prescriptions. By that afternoon he had gotten much worse, was struggling to breathe, so we took him back in - where they sent us on to an urgent care center for breathing treatments...they then sent him on to the emergency room where he was eventually admitted into the hospital. Chase's oxygen levels were not maintaining on their own without oxygen and so we feared a Christmas in the hospital. But....thankfully, the morning of Christmas eve Chase awoke with a whole lot of energy and was feeling much better. The doctor released him after checking him out and his breathing was back to normal, his levels fine and we were very happy to be able to continue on with our plans to be with Benjy's Dad for Christmas.
Chase right before he is discharged from his hospital stay - as you can tell....he is feeling much much better!
We arrived at Benjy's dad's on the eve of Christmas eve - in time to hang out a bit and have our family traditional readings of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the birth of Jesus from Luke. The video will always remind us of our hospital visit because as I am videoing Benjy reading with both kids on his knees - you can barely hear his voice over both Reece and Chase's bad coughing spells. We ended up all sleeping in on Christmas morning and taking our time to open the mountain of gifts beneath the tree. We had a really nice day with Gary, Robin, Burke, Betsy and Jared. The kids were spoiled rotten...again. And I was pretty spoiled myself - with some very thoughtful and special gifts from Benjy. Reece received an electric train from Grandpa Bear - and as the picture below shows, I think all three generations of Brednichs were pretty excited about the train! Chase, like all little guys, was more interested in the wrapping and packages than the actual gifts. As always, Gary and Robin were gracious hosts and our family stayed with them for several days - a good chance to recup from travels and sickness. The kids enjoyed their visit to the museum to see more trains!
The special reading time on Christmas eve - coughing included!
Waiting with great anticiaption for the train to make its way around the tree...again!
Yes, I also got a Christmas knot on my head after crashing into the coffee table! ;
Visiting the train museum.
We ended up our time at home with a few days with Mimi (Benjy's Mom). We (all 4 of her kids and families) met her at the airport and she was more than thrilled for that to happen! Our kids were spoiled yet again with another time of exchanging gifts. By now, Reece has learned to declare, "are there more presents for me!" All of us enjoyed a great few days with her...shopping, watching family favorites (movies, etc..), playing games and of course...taking trips! We took a day trip to Shreveport, LA to revisit some of Benjy's favorite childhood memories of summers with his grandparents - and Mary Beth's roots. I always sit back and marvel as I watch my husband interact with his family - they can quote more movie lines than anyone I have ever known. Each time we are all together I learn more and more of what I thought was simply Benjy's personality is really a line from some movie. Very revealing! We took Mimi with us to Austin as we headed back south so that we could have a little bit of time with Caden and Tabor. Both Reece and Chase loved their days with the Brednich clan - connecting and making special memories with them...
Group shot of Mimi with her kids.
The Brednich cousins!
The home of Benjy's all time favorite coconut cream pie!
In all the miles we have travelled in this van I have packed away a whole lot of snacks!
And....so now we are in 2006! We anticipate another year of God's goodness and faithfulness. And we pray for a year of growth and blessings on all of our family and friends!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Tis the Season....
I love the Christmas season...and it just wouldn't be complete without Christmas baking, Christmas music, good friends.... This morning a few of us women got together and baked, and baked, and baked some more.
The bakers! (several are missing from the picture)
It is fun to share a little part of our culture and traditions with our Mexican friends - they were writing down recipes and enjoying it all just as much as us! And the kids! Reece was sneaking cookies left and right...and later, while I was cleaning up I suddenly caught Chase with one hand in the icing bowl (which he had grabbed off the counter from his secure high-chair position!) and the other hand firmly gripping a huge spoonful of very sweet and very red icing! I tried a few recipes from childhood memories - lots of fun! Our combined efforts produced around 15 plates of goodies that we will share with church members, neighbors, and friends -just a little way to share the joy of Christmas and to say "Feliz Navidad"!
Hmmm mmm!
The bakers! (several are missing from the picture)
It is fun to share a little part of our culture and traditions with our Mexican friends - they were writing down recipes and enjoying it all just as much as us! And the kids! Reece was sneaking cookies left and right...and later, while I was cleaning up I suddenly caught Chase with one hand in the icing bowl (which he had grabbed off the counter from his secure high-chair position!) and the other hand firmly gripping a huge spoonful of very sweet and very red icing! I tried a few recipes from childhood memories - lots of fun! Our combined efforts produced around 15 plates of goodies that we will share with church members, neighbors, and friends -just a little way to share the joy of Christmas and to say "Feliz Navidad"!
Hmmm mmm!
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Chase is 1!
Our little "chunky munks" Chaser (as Reece calls him) is now 1! Chase is in this "curious and mischievious" stage of life so we fittingly used the Curious George theme for the party. We enjoyed the day yesterday - decorating the Christmas tree, and celebrating Chase with our friends. I was a bit sentimental and wanted to watch home videos of his first year of life...but ran out of time - so I plan to do it today! He has changed so much! Chase always has this twinkle in his bright little eyes. I anticipate great things in his life.
From day 1 until today...oh, how I have grown and changed!
He has been such a special addition to our little family...Benjy and I couldn't feel more blessed. What an awesome time of year all packed in so close - American Thanksgiving, our anniversary, Chase's birthday, and Christmas - both Benjy and my favorite time of the year. My heart feels so full I could burst! Thank you to all of our friends for the gifts, your love, and for sharing this special day with us!
Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candle! (Reece was definitely more excited about this than Chase was!)
During the cake...what a mess I am making!
After the cake!
From day 1 until today...oh, how I have grown and changed!
He has been such a special addition to our little family...Benjy and I couldn't feel more blessed. What an awesome time of year all packed in so close - American Thanksgiving, our anniversary, Chase's birthday, and Christmas - both Benjy and my favorite time of the year. My heart feels so full I could burst! Thank you to all of our friends for the gifts, your love, and for sharing this special day with us!
Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candle! (Reece was definitely more excited about this than Chase was!)
During the cake...what a mess I am making!
After the cake!
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