Homes of Hope Tijuana - Jan '10

My first weekend back after vacation, I went on a build for a single mom, Yara and her 5 kids. They were living in the states but when her husband left her for another woman, she was forced to return to Mexico and was living with her children in a small trailer. Yara's dad and sisters came to help with the build and I enjoyed getting to know them and hearing their stories. Many of Yara's family members came out to share in her joy at the house dedication. What a privilege it was to be a part of blessing this family with a home - our way of freely showing them God's love that he first showed us.

I put this video together, I hope you enjoy a little glimpse of what I do here in Mexico!

Ringing in the New Year in TJ

On December 28th, Dad and I loaded up my little Toyota Camry with everything we could squeeze into the trunk and the back seat and headed out for our looooooong drive down to Tijuana...
We basically followed Route 66, and 3 days, 2 snow storms, and 7 states later, we made it to Tijuana, MEXICO!! Dad spent 3 days visiting all of my favorite places around Tijuana -the YWAM base where I live, the colonia where we build houses, the orphanage I visit, the taco stand I love, and more. We even made a trip to Costco in downtown TJ. Also, one night we went to eat at this really nice restaurant and then I took him to the VIP movie theater, complete with recliners and waiters to serve you sushi, crepes, coffee and of course, popcorn and sodas as well.

at the VIP movie theater in TJ

Also it was awesome to be here to celebrate New Year's Eve in Tijuana. For the past two years now, I've celebrated the new year in a different country - Peru last year, Mexico this year. It was wonderful to have Dad here to celebrate with all my new friends from the base. We enjoyed enchiladas for dinner, games and then a few fireworks at midnight. We had a great time ringing in the new year with YWAMers from 6 different nations.

Happy 2010!!!

Can't wait to see what God has in store for this new year! Blessings from Tijuana!

Christmas in Chicago

Over Christmas, I had the amazing opportunity to go back to Chicago and visit my family, friends and church. My favorite moments of being home were, of course, with my niece Faith who is now 3 months old. I can make her smile now, and she has more of a personality. No matter how much we try, she is taking to sucking her thumb instead of the pacifier. She was such a joy to be around and I was so happy to be able to celebrate her first Christmas with her in Chicago.


I also got to dust off the ol' flute and and play at my church. It was great! I forgot how much I missed it. Here's a clip of one of the songs I played in the Sunday service.

It was such a great day, my parents came to see me play, and also my sister brought Faith - it was a whole family affair! And it was the first time since high school my whole family went to church together :)

Also Christmas was a great time to visit my friends back home. I got to visit my best friend Lily's apartment in Chicago and we went to see the "Christmas trees from around the world" display at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Another very memorable moment was one night when me and 5 of my best friends from IWU got together to hang out. It was the first time all 6 of us had been together since graduation 2 1/2 years ago! Definitely good times... we're kind of a crazy bunch!

Maura, Jordan, Monica, Rob, me and Beth - reunited!

So, it was a great Christmas, I was very blessed to be able to spend 2 weeks at home. Not sure when I'll be back in the Chicago area again, but I had a great time while I was there!!
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"For to 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~