Blog 3 07 July 2015

Helping Mama with her 3 Handsome Boys!

This week I have had a little down time.  Other than a few days of babysitting I have had some time to write, take pictures, and learn a little of how this blog works.  I did not see until two days after posting how difficult last week's entry was to read.  If anyone has experience with Google Blogs and would like to FB Message me some tips, I would appreciate it.

 Here are a few pics of the church and property.  

The mountains are visible from everywhere; it is truly beautiful country.

New Food of the Week:

Galleta sabor pina
    (cookie)    (flavor)   (pineapple)
Pineapple flavored cookies
(actually read backwards from English)

These cookies are very similar to fig newtons, except the middle is pineapple.

They are also available in strawberry, but the pineapple is my favorite.

Ladies' Soulwinning:

     Alas, I am STILL the silent partner.  This week I went with Hermana Jessica, who also happens to be one of my neighbors and the parent of four students in the Christian school.  Nine ladies went soulwinning and nine souls were led to the Lord!  I greeted a few people and carried the tracts and pens.  
(I felt a little like Lydia and Shayleigh, my Pastor's daughters, who did {do} that for me and their mother each Saturday.)

     We met a man who told us he had been led to the Lord by Bro. Tommy Ashcraft and that his family had been saved at our church services.  He has been several Sundays in the past year, but his extended family (parents and siblings) have pressured him to returning to the Catholic church.  This testimony is often repeated through other families reached by our soulwinners in the area.

     Mrs. Brenda led two while her partner Ana led one.  Later that afternoon Mrs. Brenda went to the doctor because her ankle had been bothering her.  The x-ray revealed a clean break.  I think it will be a very long time before I have an "excuse" to not go soulwinning!

Language Update:

I continue to use the Rosetta Stone and phone app, DuoLingo. Jessica has agreed to work with me when she and her family return from visiting their family out of town.
A lady in the church commented to me that I seem to be learning quickly.  I at least have the greetings and a few simple phrases down.  

Some things I haven't gotten used to yet:

1. Changing water pressure

    Right in the middle of my shower the pressure (and sometimes the temperature) changes.

2. Cars driving in various directions and various speeds

    So far, though, not on the highway, only the streets

3. Horses on the road

    Horses and donkeys often pass by on the road by my house; and sometimes there are people riding the horses. There is a rodeo not very far from my house.

4. Concrete floors

     Although some people have small rugs in their kitchen or living room, and I have a small rug at the end of my bed; I have not seen a carpeted floor yet. Most homes have tile over the concrete.

5. The heat!
     We have had much rain and a very mild summer so far.  The temperature has not yet exceeded 100* which I have been told is more normal for July.  For my Hot Springs followers, the temperature here is generally 10* hotter in Monterrey than in Hot Springs.

Some things I am especially thankful for:

1. Gracious hosts!

     Dr. Tommy and Mrs.Brenda Ashcraft (along with Jon and Jenny) are taking very good care of me.  Until I learn the language and the area better I cannot go anywhere by myself, and they always offer to take me with them.  

**Also-- they feed me!**

2. Patient people

     The church people are helping me greatly with my Spanish.  They are all very kind and understanding.

3. Working Wi-Fi

     With texting, e-mails, and FaceBook, it sometimes seems I am only in a different state instead of a different country.  

4. Faithful Pray-ers

     If you have taken the time to read this much of my blog, then more than likely, this is you.  Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and yes, finances that make all of this possible.

5. Peace that Passes Understanding   

     I know that I am exactly where I need to be for this chapter of my life.  God continually sends reminders of this fact to me in various ways. I am already excited for school to start!

Happy Independence Day!

We spent a little time at the pool and a little time 
"Just Hanging Around"

"Dad" grilled steak and potatoes and "Aunt Emily"
washed the dishes -- "Mom" held Baby Lucas, who turned one week old July 4.