(27/30) a few pics!

After a few days of no internet... I have it back!

I also missed a few photos of the day... SO here are two from the last few days.

Everyone has heard of American Eagle... But mexican eagle? HAHAH

and the beautiful view from when we went to paso de cortes yesterday!

 

Maybe tomorrow you'll get an actual post with more words than pictures... =)

(26/30) Creepy Allen!

Today is Fabians birthday! So of course we had a party!

At the end Allen got a little out of hand =)

(25/30) Problem Solved!

The mystery as to WHY the lights in the community center has been solved.

Well.... actually I am still in the dark (not literally anymore) about why the lights were out.... but its fixed!

lesson: Ninfa can make anything happen!

New Experience!

Today I was walking Maggie (3pm) when this cop car pulled up next to me.
In English the cop asked me if i was here legally. Yes I have a visa.
What do you do here? I work for the church.
Do you have your visa? Its in my house

So these two drove by my side all the way back to my house.

Then they told me they wanted to come in with me...
UM NO!

I got my paper (because really my visa is in process so i don't have my passport with me right now). So i showed them my paper and asked them if they needed anything else.

After a long pause and trying to see around me in my house they said 'no" and drove off.

Strange. 

I feel racially profiled.

(25/30) Obsession!

My new obsession: crockpot

In the past week and a half I have made three (successful) meals in this new purchase! It is nice because i have meals for at least half a week. =)

(24/30) Candy Skulls

Tiff and I went to the market to pick something up today and we were greeted with lots of images of dead people, skulls, really scary pinatas (like freaky.. to me let alone a small child)....

So today is of a mountain of candy skulls from the market area.

(23/30) Daniel

Tiff and I are doing the Beth Moore study on Daniel right now (in english!) We get together every monday and watch the video that goes along with that study! I'd recommend it, if anyone wants a new study!

Today's picture of the day is from the time when we are watching the video.. notice my pouting dog in the background because she thinks she deserves attention!

(22/30) Don't do this!

Only in Mexico is it ok to put your child in the window!

Side note: This little girl loves my dog so much she calls ME maggie too!

(21/30) NEBRASKA!

I love that I can be so far away and still watch my beloved Huskers! (even when they are having a bad season!)

(20/30) a pic from yesteday!

Because of Rods recommendation .... this is the pic of the day. I do love this pic...even if it was taken yesterday!

ENGLISH CLASS!

(19/30) GENIUS!

Fixin something Mexican style. i LOVE it!

The facet sprays everywhere... whats the obvious and CHEAP solution... part of a plastic bag!

GENIUS! I don't have a wet shirt after I wash dishes!!!!

(18/30) Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The kids here either go to the school in the morning OR in the afternoon. So our Tuesday night bible study has turned into also having a Wednesday morning bible study for those girls who go to afternoon school! Same material-- just different day!

Surrender

Luke 11:9
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.

James 4:2b-4
You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility towards God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God

I am so thankful that God is always listening. That he never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:4) BUT he is also my Father...and knows better than me. He is always listening but cares way too much about me to give me something that could actually cause harm. So many times I have heard the "answer"": Wait. Because I am not ready.

Sometimes I find myself asking God (and sometimes telling) to change my circumstance (either big or small)-- but instead, He wants me to change first. Often I do have wrong motives (even if i dont know it at the time) for the things that I desire or want. I want easier, happier, faster, better.


Of course, the problem lies with me, not with God. I need to continue to surrender... my dreams, passions, life... to serve Him in whatever capacity that means.

I think if I were able to step back and see what God was always up to I would be quicker to surrender.

I surrender. my hopes, desires and dreams. ... Because I have seen God change me in dramatic ways since following Him. He knows what is good for me, even when what i want is different. Because He is my Father. And in surrendering...  i will wait.

(17/30) READ YOUR BIBLE!

I just turned on my kindle (in my defense--- to read the bible study we are doing with the youth girls tonight) and this is what it told me!

I am glad that my kindle is a great accountability partner! =)

Actually, i signed up for a read through the bible in a year plan and haven't started it because right now I am doing a beth moore study with Tiff and a study with the youth girls. =) But, yes kindle, i shall start soon!

(16/30) VISA!

Today was full of cleaning, grocery shopping, going to the gym and getting ready for the classes and stuff going on this week! Mondays were designed for that! 

Tonight we celebrated Fabian getting a visa for the states with a 90s music party and lots of junk food!

Congrats Fabian!

(15/30) Pumpkin cake!

So, today i needed to cook the pumpkin that I didn't freeze...so I attempted Pumpkin cheesecake AND pumpkin bars (which kinda looks more like cake). Anyways, I am proud to announce it turned out way better than the lattes i attempted earlier this week =)

I really wanted grandmas pumpkin bars-- so guess its time to call her to get the recipe!

(14/30) Xochimilco

Today's picture of the day is from Xochimilco!

We went there this morning for a boat ride down a river and some hanging out.

After that we went to Coyoacan-- a cute little area in around Mexico City!

Busy day... but fun!

More photos to come on facebook in the days to come!

Week in review!

Phew... it has been a busy week! Between English classes in my house, community center activities, hanging out at peoples houses, and bible studies this week has flown by! I guess it isn't over... still have an english class, youth activities and eating with Ninfa!

It was a pretty good week in terms of community center stuff... almost everything was really well attended! Some new people in some of the classes!

The coffee shop doesn't seem to be as big of a hit this time around... but we still hang out there and so do others!

We are selling crepes every Thursday (as a way to make the community center self sustaining). This week wasn't as good as last week but it is still going well and we have at least one new family come every week! Right now we are covering cost, but not making enough to pay someone to run it.

Tiff and I had our second week of the new bible study for the youth girls! We had more girls come this week, Thank God! Tiffany is doing a great job translating it every week for the girls and the girls seem to be enjoying it... even if they kinda look at is as homework!

I was thinking just this morning how a year ago i kinda dreaded teaching english. Mostly because i felt not prepared or adequate. I still don't feel adequate... but I am really enjoying teaching it. I think part of it is the amount of spanish i know now over last year but ... funny how you begin loving things you never thought you would!

Anyways, I would appreciate prayers for all of the above mentioned things!

(13/30) How to fix a street!

Today's picture of the day comes to you from behind a store that we frequently go to.

You see this a lot... or things like this. Something is broken with a drain or something in the street or sidewalk... just put something in it!

I am sure this tire would help if a car was to fall in!

(12/30) HORCHATA!

In these glasses is one of the most delicious drinks ever... horchata! Its a rice and cinnamon drink... so yummy!

Every Thursday they have it in the market by my house... so we get it, every week!!!

(11/30) Danny and Drums!

Danny Fry taught drums today in the absence of Allen today! (this pic was taken before three students showed up a half hour late!) Thanks for doing this Danny!

(10/30) TAMALES!

Todays pic of the day comes to you from ... another one of Rods b-day parties!!

Tamales and Jello! YUM!!!

Captured By His Presence!

Captured by His presence,
In awe of His mercy and grace-
Knowing that one day I’ll see
His loving, wonderful face.
Until then, I will reside
Close to the Master’s feet.
Humility covers my every stride
Gratitude… is my heartbeat.
A soul deeply drawn to my Maker
Every morning of every day.
Makes me a giver, and not a taker
Of the Lord’s most precious ways.
Captured by His presence
With a mind determined to obey,
A heart drawn, in present tense
To the Molder of this clay.
Captured by His presence
More determined to always stay
Close beside my peaceful prince
Every moment of every day

Sovereignty

As I work my way through the Bible again, currently i am in the not so warm-fuzzy-make-me-feel-great-book of Job. Its full of sorrow ... full of questions... especially for a Monday!

But it definetly highlights something that we have to embrace. The sovereignty of God. He is God and I am not!

I was thinking about how many people "believe" in God. (this thought was sparked by a conversation I had with a lady in our church this morning). But what does it mean to believe in God? We teach people to distinguish between believing IN god and Believing AND following God. There is an important difference.

If we say we love God, if we say we follow him, there there is points in our life where we don't just make harsh decisions without fervently praying about them... or even points in our life when what God wants and what we want are not the same thing!

I don't know how many times in the last several years I have come to this crosspoint. Where I have to lay down my want or desire on the alter of the Lord and say, "not my will, but yours!"

And everytime I have done that (whether my want and Gods line up and especially when Gods will wins) I realize even more that I can't fret because His plans are always greater then I can even imagine-- even if it takes a while to see that!
What I can't see- He can!
When I don't understand- He's at work!
And when its time-- He will lead!

There is comfort in that!

(9/30) Pumkin mmmmmm

Today I really miss seeing all the beautiful colors of leaves on a cool fall Nebraska day!

And I also miss the easy-ness of taking pumkin out of a can =) Something you take for granted when living in the states. haha

Anyways, I am baking a pumkin for pumkin lattes at the coffee shop this week, maybe a pumkin pie? or bread? we will see!

(8/30) Pinatas!

I decided todays picture couldn't be of Rod... he has made it twice and its only been 8 days!

But, since it was his birthday today... and Tiff and I made a pinata in a Rod shape.... That made the picture! Its of a cute little girl and her dad beating Rod!

Worship!

One thing I absolutely love and appreciate about being here and belonging to this church is the idea that a church service doesn't have to be soley run by a pastor (or one single person) who has a masters degree and trained in leading a church.

Don't get me wrong, that is not a bad thing.

Of course, we have a pastor and an elder who are VERY great men of God... and they do a great job of shepharding the church and are very involved in its ongoings.

BUT, we also have 100 or so people who are or could be involved in something on any given sunday.

Today we had our worship service with communion. Every other month it is just that. worship (in many different forms, prayer and communion) for a few hours! In one way or another I bet 50 people were invovled in different things. The women, youth and kids sang different songs, some people read, some people gave testimonies.... it didn't matter if God gave you the "gift" of leading worship, singing a song to Jesus is all about whats on your heart. And thats what they did!

It was great to just hear peoples (various) types of worship to God!

Another reason I love it here!

(woman singing thier song!)

(7/30) Taco Cake

We really did have the best intentions to make a really cool taco cake as one of Rod's birthday presents... but when it didn't turn out the way we hoped... we didn't want to use it for a party- so we gave it to him a day early!

It is more like a taco in the states then here in Mexico--- but its funny!

Happy Early Birthday Rod-- just wait til tomorrows suprise! ;)

(6/30) in the road?

First of all--- I changed the look of my blog, because Rod told me that I should... what do you think?

So, my picture of the day WAS going to be of the Santa Barbara english class... but then i saw a skull in the road. why? good question.

Now I am probably going to be awake for the next five hours because the ladies in the church make me eat too much and drink too much cafinated beverages... guess i can... read! good night!

(5/30) Really, Rod?

Did you know that Rod Fry is a Hannah Montana fan? ya me either.

Today I was walking around minding my own buisness when I saw Rod hiding in the back patio of the locales playing this very pretty purple Hannah Montana guitar. (He thought he was in a spot where no one would see him.. muahaha)

I do have to say, this was the ONLY picture i was able to snap before the Settlers playing Rod came out and he started screaming and chasing me down. Don't worry, i was not hurt in this chase (i am faster then him!)

Since his secret was revealed, i later saw him (on the same patio crying). Sorry Rod. We love you the way you are.... hidden fan clubs and all!

 

Ok thats not a true story-- he was actually just tuning a guitar for a girl in his class!

(4/30) Beauty!

Isn't it a shame I have to wake up and see this beautiful sight everyday!?!?

(3/30) Girls Bible Study

Today we were in our first taxi accident... only minor damage to the very baby pink VW beetle we hit! And right after another taxi magically appeared behind us did i think... THIS WOULD HAVE MADE A GREAT PHOTO OF THE DAY!

Another great photo would have been to the gym we "visited" today. It was BEAUTIFUL and CLEAN! We wanted to join.... but it is 300 (thats dollars) a piece just for the one time membership cost and 100 dollars a month... YA RIGHT! I guess we will keep going to the place that from time to time grosses me out... and usually the equiptment doesnt work

Or the picture of Tiffany in the market (check her facebook page)

So, here you go... your picture of the day.

We started the NEW girls bible study today... 2 showed up! We usually have between 0-10 so two isnt that bad. PLease be praying for more to come--- and that God changes these girls... and tiff and I!

MORE WHEELCHAIRS!

More wheelchairs! YES we are getting 20 more wheelchairs to hand out. It is going to be part of our end of classes, wrap up of "born again" series.... and lots of fun night on December 7th!

We have been SUPER fortunate to have found this wonderful organization to partner with. They give wheelchairs to us for $12 a wheelchair-- and we are able to give them to people we know, we serve-- who are in need of one. Who may not have been able to get around easily or at all in the past!

Are you interested in helping us purchase these?
the total need is $240! e-mail me tbarham@caminoglobal if you are interested in helping!

You can come down and help us put them together too would be GREAT!

here are some of our past wheelchair stuff!
http://avoidanceoftheperfunctory.blogspot.mx/2012/06/wheelchairs-breakdancing-and-gospel.html

(2/30) Coke Coffee

 

Todays picture of the day comes from....

 

Samuel asked if i could take some pictures he is doing for a banner for a missions confrence Rod is going to....

 

Theme.. no regrets, no reserves, no retreats...

 

So how to capture that... hmmm

 

This is one of the pictures a bible study while of course drinking coffee. shhh don't tell anyone we didn't want to make coffee so its coke!