La Esperanza

I just wanted to share a news article with you about my grandparents. They have an amazing testimony (became Christians in early 1980's) and are a great example to me of how to live the Christian life and letting Jesus use them to further His kingdom. I just pray that Jesus will use me and that I would be as willing as they are in doing His will.

La Esparanza is one mission field in Baja Mexico. They minister to the Oaxaca (pronounced wahaka) Indians that come up from the mainland and work grueling hours in the fields picking produce and live in camps that are really just rows of tin sheds with each "home" being about 12 feet square. They have no running water and the last time I went to one camp, a man came up to me asking for shoelaces because he had none, and my heart broke b/c I was wearing flip flops. I wished I was wearing shoes and I would have taken off my laces and given them to him. These people have literally nothing and yet are so happy, and we in America have so much, and yet are so unhappy.

I can't wait to go back someday!



Three Dental Patients At La Esperanza Pray To Receive Christ

Jack and Betty come each winter (this is their 12th) to care for people's teeth, but the most important thing to them is that their patients are sure that they're going to heaven. Jack talks to each patient about having a relationship with Christ. Three patients have prayed to receive Christ in the past month. Below is the story of one of them.

One day Betty called for us to come pray because a young woman's jaw had locked open during her dental work. Jack was doing everything he could, but it wouldn't shut. He began to give Stevito pointers on how to reach into her mouth to relieve it. Praise God that He heard our prayers before Stevito took action. The young woman believed that it was by prayer and faith that her jaw loosened. This woman had never prayed to receive Christ as her Savior. After seeing God's awesome miracle in her life, she prayed to receive Christ. A few days later she came back, and said she had been to church with her husband. She shared how she had been considering a separation from her husband before she came to the clinic. Now, her husband wants to follow the Lord as well, because he's had enough of what the world has to offer. I had a chance to pray with them, and it was evident by the tears and hugs that God is bringing restoration to their marriage.


www.mexicanmedical.com

International Night

Yesterday was a busy day! Chad switched his work schedule with another guy so he could stay home with the kids while I scrapbooked ALL day! What a great guy! I was there from 10-4 and had a good time.

I had to leave scrapping early to make some food for our Sunday school's International food night. I was making Chinese food so I made some Orange Chicken, rice, and broccoli.

When we got back to the church, I walked in and saw everyone decorating their tables according to their country and was so embarassed. Here we came with our dinky 3 dish meal and walked past ornate tables full of food. So, we put the cream colored tablecloth on and spread out our food as much as we could ( I wish I had a picture to show) and Susan let me have her cupcakes to put on the table to make it look fuller!

The dinner was great and I loved eating food from other countries and liked even more that all my chicken was gone and I didn't have to take anything home!

I thought we were home free from embarrasment and then Susan had each of us stand by our tables and say why we chose that country. We were the last to go and I couldn't think of anything to say so I said "We chose China because I like the Orange Chicken from Costco" (I think Costco should give me free food for that little free advertising) and Chad piped up, "And we would have had posters but China censored all of it". Everyone laughed at our comments and I was able to go home happy and tired!

BODY PUMP

The other day, Lindsey and I were talking about the gym and she told me a great way to tone up is to do a body pump class. She also said whatever I do, don't add the weights to the bar or I won't be able to move for a couple of days.

This morning I woke up and checked online and saw the BP class was at 9:30, so I jumped out of bed, got the kids dressed and fed, and off we went to the gym. We got there at 9:30 and I checked the kids in and went upstairts to the class........

Luckily, before I walked in, I looked through the glass in the door and thought to myself "Uh-huh, Oh no you don't!". The class was FULL and each person had an enormous bar(not the 1" weight bar I was picturing in my mind) with padding on it and 30# of weights on already!!!

I tried to muster up the courage to go in and just as I was opening the door I saw there was no room at all and raced down the stairs. Not wanting to look like an idiot (what do I tell the childcare workers--I don't do anything that requires sweating!?!) I hopped on the eliptical for 30 min.

I am not a quitter, though--I'll be right back there on Tues. morning, but much much earlier to get a spot in the far back corner!

Happy Easter!

Since Chad's working Sundays, we went to the Easter service last night and afterwards we went to TGIFridays for dinner to celebrate his birthday. It was sunny yesterday and the kids were great at dinner. This morning, the kids found their Easter baskets, and Jackson's eaten almost all of his candy! I keep wondering if he'll get a tummy ache from all that chocolate!

I hope you have a blessed Easter!

Trip to the Commissary

Yesterday started out with a much needed trip to the Commissary. I was determined to get all healthy food since we've been eating junk food for the past couple of weeks. We started out at the organic section, moved on to the fruits and veggies and was so proud of myself for having all healthy things in the cart. That is, until I walked past the Dr. Pepper! My weakness!! That is my "coffee" :) It was on sale for $2.50/12 pack! So I stocked up...and when I went down the soda aisle (I am so OC and AR that I go down each and every aisle every time I go shopping!) I saw that all brands of soda were $2.50! The cheapest I ever see it is $3.50.

So, there I was on the phone calling my Mom and Lindsey, and before I knew it, my cart was overflowing with soda! 12 cases to be exact! We all decided to stock up for the next couple of months, and it was humorous to see the reaction of the lady checking us out! She said "Wow you must be having a party" and I just smiled--what else do I say...ummm, I have no self control and need my caffeine!

The bagger who put my groceries in the car did an amazing job and joked with me "Do you want any more groceries?" because there was still room in the car. I was so pleased that I got a car full of food for such a good price!

After we left the Commissary, I met up with Lindsey at Babies R Us to transfer the soda and burger meat to her car, and here's what happened:

That's right! When I opened the back, the milk came crashing onto the ground and sprayed all over like a fire hydrant! A lady walking by later asked Lindz and I if we got in a fight over the milk! haha We all had a good laugh over that one.

Well, that's enough adventure for one day.

I hope you all have a Happy Easter!

Praise Jesus!!

I just had to write again to tell you the good news with Chad's work. Some of you know he's having to drive about 80 miles each day total to and from work and isn't getting money for gas. Well, the Captain of the base heard about it and today Chad got the phone call that he will have use of a Jeep Liberty and might get travel pay for the 3 weeks he's already paid out of pocket. God is so good. We've been patient and praying about this situation and I just had to share it with all of you.

Hi!

After reading and enjoying my friends' blogs, I've decided to start up my own! I have family and friends all over the US, and this will be an easy way to update them with whats going on in our life. Bare with me as I get my blog up and running. This is going to be so much fun!