Saturday, January 22, 2011

Back to the Basics in 2011

When I came on staff with YWAM TJ, I moved to Mexico just knowing I wanted to love God and love people. Since then, its been a whirlwind year and a half of...
...changing houses
...changing ministries
...changing offices
...changing meal plans
...changing staff
...changing relationships
...changing schools
...changing health plans
...changing leadership roles
...etc!

Whoa, its been hard to keep my feet on the ground around here! Now that I'm starting off a new year and reaching the 1.5-year mark of my 2-year commitment with YWAM TJ, I think its time to get back to the basics...

...Love God.
...Love People.

Done. *sigh* I feel better already, how 'bout you? Sometimes we complicate things that are really meant to be so simple.

So, what does this look like in my every day life?

-Digging deep into God's Word for to learn more about his character and how I am to reflect that to a fallen world
-Walking closely in the calling that God has on my life
-Praying earnestly for more revelation about how make a change in my colonia (Antorcha), my city (Tijuana) and my country (Mexico)
-Taking time to enjoy the relationships I have and wonderful people I have around me
-Giving endless amounts of hugs to my kids in the colonia to let them know how much they are loved
-Lending a listening ear to the moms of my kids as they share their heartaches and struggles

And so much more. "Walk in love" is says in 2 John 1:6. I think it means moving forward in love, living out love as a lifestyle, act out of love for God and for others, let love be sprinkled everywhere you step.

It also says in Ephesians 5 to "Follow God's example and walk in the way of love." What was God's example for us? It was Jesus, who "gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:2) Have you ever had someone go past you who was wearing so much perfume that their fragrance stayed with you long after they walked away? Maybe you turned around to see who it was? Maybe you stopped to ask them what perfume they're wearing.

I think that's how love is supposed to be - that after we've shared with someone out of love for them and love for God, the effect of that love lingers long after we're gone; that after we offer ourselves in self-sacrifice for someone else, they remember us and ask us what kind of love we have that makes us want to share it with others.

Will you go back to the basics with me in 2011, and simply "walk in love"? Maybe then we'll see the change we want to see in our homes, our relationships, our jobs, our ministries, our communities, and our world.

2011: Here I come! :)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Christmas in the States 2010

Road Trip anyone??

Day 1 of my vacation, I left from Tijuana at 8 am, crossed the border, flight got delayed in San Diego making me miss my connecting flight in Houston, got on a later flight and arrived in Charlotte at 10:45pm - whew!!! Check out this cutie that was there to greet me at the airport...

My niece Faith, 15 months

I knew it was gonna be a really fun week. My niece now walks, talks and get into everything!! I had so much fun taking care of her while my sister was at work. She also opened her first Christmas presents, and loved playing with the paper. We continued in the Christmas Spirit by taking her to see Santa, but she freaked out and barely got a picture with her on his lap. Later we went to the racetrack where they had a christmas lights show and had a great time there.

After 4 days in Charlotte, we took the looooong overnight drive to Chicago - 15 hours in the car with a baby and a big fat dog. But we survived, anda few short hours after arriving to Chicago we got back in the car to go to Milwaukee Wisconsin to go to a wedding.

I was the Nanny at the wedding and it was lots of fun! for the most part... I had my first experience of poop in the bathtub, which I will definitely never forget! While my sister got ready as a bridesmaid I took the baby with my brother-in-law to the pool! So nice after freezing in the cold Wisconsin air, to take a dip in the hot tub :)



Back in Chicago, it was great to see my family. Most of my days were spent running around catching up with people. And I got to visit my brand new cousin, Victoria, just 2 weeks old!!

We had new fun experiences with my niece, she loved looking at my mom's rotating Christmas tree, see all the ornaments, and watching Bentley run around in the snow. We made cookies too and she put on the sprinkles :)


Also it was so amazing to see my friends from IWU again! We have a tradition of all getting together on Christmas night, after all the family craziness is over to hang out and catch up. This year was no different. Oh my loves, how I miss you all...
So overall a great time catching up and seeing everyone. Far from the restful and relaxing vacation I needed, but what is Christmas for other than to spend with your crazy family, right? :)


"For unto us a child is born, to us a child is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9:6