Christmas in Tampico

It was lovely to see everyone again. I missed them all so much. Everybody was so sweet and stuff. I felt so at home. You guys are awesome; rock on:P.

Christmas provides a part for everyone to play:

You can be a Mary: Be willing to be whatever God wants you to be.

You can be a Joseph: Take God at His word even if you don’t understand, and give His plan your best shot.

You can be a shepherd: Get excited about the Good News, and tell as many people as you can.

You can be a wise man: Worship Jesus, and give Him your most precious gifts.

You can be a star: Reflect God’s light and point the way to Jesus.

You can be an angel: Loudly proclaim the good tidings.

You can be the Baby Jesus: Lay down yourself to help others live (ML #3607:112).

Tadatatuuum

Aaaand I have my computer back! Johnny walked through the door carrying the precious booty and I had to break out into a jig! Yes, I was pretty happy. I am pretty happy still. To be typing on my luscious keyboard, to have things opening at a normal speed, to be able to see what I'm typing as I'm typing it and not 30 seconds later, yes! This is the life. My screen still has issues, but those have been put in the Lord's hands for now and I'm just happy to have my little girl back. I haven't been this happy since Kit left, yes, that is how pathetic I am. I will take this time to say that I will be going to Tampico the night of the 20th, my bus leaves at 10:30, so pray no one sits in the seat beside mine and that no creepos get on the bus. I will arrive to be greeted by my beloved family around 11:00 Lord willing and there I will spend one blissful week. Ta ta my good friends. I am off to do things I haven't done in a month and a half..that would be to explore the beauties and wonders of my precious, precious Toshiba. Al infinito....y mas alla *soars off*

I MISS MY PUTER!!

Ugh, I've not had a computer for a whole month and it's so annoying. I've been using Freds and it's slow as ...a snail...ahem, yes. Anyways. I haven't posted for that reason, but I've been getting complaints, so here I am, Xerxes, POW. I just got back from Canada, but I'll post about that later, cuz I'm too lazy now. I just came to publicly tell my mommy happy birthday and make all you suckers who didnt get her for a mom feel jealous. Yes, she is the best.

Mommy, I love you. You've always been there for me to talk to and you listened. You gave your advice and let me vent out all my frustration. You've been everything for us, a mom, a teacher, everything a mom should be and more. I'm so happy I got you as a mom, cuz I can't imagine any one better for me. Thanks for everything. For the trip to canada, for the *cough* secret;) ehh....I miss you tons and I'm so happy I'm gonna see you soon. One more year, but you're still looking young as ever. Whatever you're doing, it;s working, keep it up *wink*.

Pictures

Here are some pictures of me and Chuby on the horse. Yes, that same fateful day. I haven't ridden since then and Phin is afraid that I'll never want to again, so he has given me a horse book to read *cough cough* to teach me all about horses. You know me and my passion for reading!...especially about horses and all...yes... Nikki these pictures are for you, but every one else may look at them too:P

Scarriest Ever!

SO today me and Liz weren't going out witnessing till the afternoon, so I was taking care of Chubs (Phin and Joys grandson) and we wanted to go HORSE RIDING!! Apparently a good idea, but no.... So she starts off great and we're riding along, without a care in the world. Joy comes, takes pictures of us and the sun was shining, life was a bliss... Chubs decides he wants to get off and I'm like YIPEE a ride in the cornfields! We always took those, Horsie and I, so this promised to be a blast. So we make our way to the little path leading to the cornfield and she starts going bizzerko. Bucking and neighing and trying to knock me off. "Mean ol' hag" I yelled in terror (no, I didnt, but it was something of the sort...)! I screamed for Freddie as the horse took off in a gallop towards the thorn bushes. *SCRATCH!* went my poor arm on those pokey branches. Blood seeped from the wound(there was only one drop, but yeeeah) and I held on with all that was in me. I was half off the saddle when I superhumanly pulled myself back on and finally reigned the horse to a halt. Freddie came running, his face white with fear. "I'm fine now" I said, barely able to breath. Freddie reassured me that once the horse did that once, it was most likely never to happen again, especially since I showed him I was boss by not falling off. I hoped he was right. "HEYAH!" I said as I kicked the horse and off we went. He was fine till we reached the corner, then he freaked out and started galloping. Not cantering, GALLOPING. Not even slowing down for turns, into another thorn bush we went, this time the thorns tearing at my leg, leaving ugly white scratches. "Jeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuusss" I called out, praying with all my heart that I wouldn't die, but would live to see my princess again. Under low branches I ducked, screaming at the top of my lungs for Fred, all the time trying to reign the horse to a halt. She got off the path and ran through tall, dry grass, dodging random trees that dared get in our way. The yelling and praying continued. Finally, right in front of a guayaba tree, we screeched to a halt. I could hardly breath and was panting so hard. Mana had heard me screaming and her and Joy were looking for me to see if I was okay. I yelled to them that I was and they called Fred. He helped me get off the horse and took it far away from me so I wouldn't kill it. Chubs came running up to me and held me, imagining never seeing me again...it was too much for him to bear, cuz he didn't let go of me for the next 5 minutes. It was the scarriest thing that ever happened to me, but I'm here in one piece, with only a few scratches from my ordeal. That is one naughty horse, but I like it and shall ride again shortly:).....

Sad titings...

Sniff. They've gone. All the boys...minus Johnny and I guess you could say Fred, have gone to the States for a whole 45 days. 2 down, 43 more to go. No you creeps, I don't have a little calendar right beside my bed, crossing off the days. The house is so quiet without them, it sucks. My princess went too and I already miss him soo much. I'm trying to distract myself with junk food (oops babe, don't see that), movies, and the thought of going to Canada. I'm also thinking of starting to work out...sigh...so we'll see how long that lasts. It's pretty convicting to not be doing any form of get out here cuz every one does it.

On a lighter note, yes, as you read above, I'm going to CANADA!! I havent been there in about 11 years, so this is all so exciting for me. My wonderful mommy got some people to pay for my ticket and we're off December 1st! Weehooo.

Belated love

My computer is officially screwed up and it'll cost about 2,400 pesos to fix, so yeah, I'm kinda screwed...I haven't gotten on in the longest time. I just wanted to take this moment to send a wee bit of loves and stuff to two of my favourite Asians. Celeste, I know your post always ends up with some one else's, but it's better than nothing(yeeeah, just referring to the fact that you didn't post for my birthday>:P ).

Celestie Poo: You know I love you and can't stand not being with you and I only want the best for you out of life. I'm a little selfish by wanting you all for myself, but that's just the way things are, so grin and bear it. Can't wait till I get to see you again and take you back with me and...yeah, you know all my plans;). Never change. Not even a bit. You're my perfect girl: You sing, you're HOT, you clean up after me, you cook, you're mature, humble and everything I wish I could be.

Melanie: Thanks for being so fun and cheery and awesome. You're so cute and I admire you. You've been through a lot and are still holding on for Jesus. Know you're in my prayers. I called you for your birthday but I heard you were getting a little birthday surprise;). Call me sometime. Can't wait to hear from you!

That's it. My Asians...Julie and Hiro, you're my asians too.. I would post pictures, but I'm illegally on Checko's computer so this is me signing out with an "I love you girls, happy birthday and you're awesome!!"

Whoopie doopie dooo

OMG Te-te is PG! I found out yesterday but couldn't get on the computer. Don't worry though, this will be just as inthusiastic:P. Te-te is gonna be the best little mommy any baby could hope for, besides me...lol. It's gonna be so spoiled by it's(oh wait, dibs on being favourite auntie) yeah that... Guys I wish the best for you and know that I'll help you out with whatever whenever where ever.


P.S.....On a very less exciting note, I just got voted in this afternoon, so I'm sorta a ranch girl now. Lord help me:P

To my baby Jules

Aww Julie. I'm sorry, I had no time yesterday aaaaaaaand I tried calling you and the phone was busy or something lame like that. I miss you tons and I'm sorry we have hardly talked since I left. I miss our talks on the roof. I could tell you anything, and that's something I value a lot. I hope you have the most awesome year yet, even though I'm not there, somehow you'll survive. Take care of Nikki for me and don't let her get into any trouble. You're still my Jaydee and I think of you whenever I hear that name. We'll sing our hearts out and not let Celeste tell us to shut up;)

Just rantings about a horse and stuff....

I came home from a hot, trashy day out to ride me dear friend fred's horse:D. He had it all saddled up for me so that when I got home I just needed to change and hop on; that's exactly what I did. We trotted across soccer fields, galloped through cornfields....it was pretty awesome. She's super naughty though. Once she left the gate and I'm leaning all my "weight" on the reins and the old hag wouldn't stop till after a bit. I'm all flustered and scared and like "NO! Naughty horsie. tsk tsk." Did I learn my lesson? The answer is no. She did the same thing again twice and tried to knock me off by going under trees etc. Did I let her? Not this cowgirl, uh uh. No way. I manuvered her out of the bushes and off to the glorious corn field. Normally she's all scared of ditches, so we get to this ditch and we were gallopping, so I'm expecting her to slow down but noooooo. She leaps over the ditch and I almost fell off but daaaaamn it was awesome! I shall ride her again shortly:D

Update from October 17th:
I just found out from some horse nerds that what I was doing was cantering, not galloping...but who cares, it was awesome anyway

I love it 'cuz it's mine!

So after not having a room and living out of a suitcase for 2 weeks here, I finally moved into my own little LOFT. It's awesome and I love it so much. Every time I climb up my little ladder, I laugh. Every time I turn on my lamp (cuz the light switch is all the way downstairs) I smile. I've never had my own room before, and that makes it all the more exciting.

P.S. If you want to see it, which I'm SURE you do, you have to come visit me:D

Tampico

Wow this post is overdue! Haha. I wonder if anyone still comes here after that long month away. So much has happened since last post; too much to put here. As most of you know, I'm in Guadalajara. It's weird for me, being here. I guess I thought I'd never see the day. I've been saying I was gonna leave for a while, but now that I'm actually gone, it just feels weird. Before I get into the whole missing Tampico deal, though, I just wanted to say that I'm doing tons of new stuff here. I picked corn from a corn field, I rode a horse, and I whipped the cream to butter:D. I know right? Country girl, you're all thinking, but I guess that's what living on a ranch does to you:P. Okay enough about me, even though you're all dying to know how I am. This is about the Fresno Home(Just doing a little advertising for you guys. You know you appreciate it:D)...

I miss you guys more than you can imagine. You have nooo idea. I miss everything about it and I don't think I'll ever forget each and every one of you. I can't wait to go back and visit...see you all again. I guess the Lord never takes anything away without giving you something better, but believe me, you guys are crazy competition. I miss every single one of you. From Sean all the way up to Mary Rose. I still call Tampico "my home" and I get weird looks. It's so hard to put what I want to say down in words, but I guess it can be summed up in a few: You guys are awesome.

Mary Rose
Silly ol' dad.
My beautiful Mommy
Cherish
WillingDaniel

Magfis
Danny
Mary and Rachael
David and Sebby
Marianne
Celestie
Sammy
Jubilee
Anaik
Manu
Robin
Jordan
Sean

FDTP

Hey I'm going to the FDTP tonight! woop woooooop. I'm not gonna be posting here for about 3 weeks, but after then, be prepared for a mushy post to my now former home in Tampico. See you in a bit

In Brownsville.

So we came up to brownsville FINALLY for those who knew we were leaving "tomorrow" for over a week:P. It's been going pretty good, considering the selection of CDs that we have. We weren't really expecting to be doing the kind of tooling that we are, but PTL and we're doing our best:D. We're heading back home tomorrow after doing a day and a half of witnessing. We made a bit for the FDTP but still need quite a bit more, so just pray the supporters that we wrote come through. We have our fingers crossed. I packed up my room before coming. It was so hard. Hahaha. I'm suuuuch a pack rat. Course, I couldn't bring myself to forsake all my sentimental stuff, so I'm leaving a box of my stuff there...Oh sorry girls, I must have forgotten to tell you:P. Celeste was being a taskmaster and making me fold everything all perfectly and unfolding the ones she didn't aprove of. She went to go "make lunch" in david's room (Buuuuusted lesty) and I stuck everything in the suitcase fast before she could inspect them. Ho ho ho. She is probably refolding it all now as we speak...I type...wtv. Anyways, this is getting long and boring, so I'll cut it here. Oh no, I won't. I got my diploma for finishing high school today and we opened it. It's so beautiful:D. They included a letter and my dad read it out loud and was crying. Hahah I love you dad. So yeah, I'm ending it noooow. Hehe Love you all. Kissies.

Ha. How do you feel about yourself now? Hmmm?

Remember, we don't just need labourers in the Family; we need labour leaders! We need people who can take initiative, go the extra mile, do the extra job‚ and work better and harder and sometimes longer than they're expected to. If you do what the Lord expects you to, there are no limits! If you exercise the spiritual weapons He's given you, there are no impossibilities. If you give your all for Jesus, He'll give His all for you, both now and a hundredfold hereafter, for eternity.

Mon Pere.

Happy Birthday Dad. Come out thou bald head. Hahaha. I love you so much. It's so weird that I'm moving away from home and I'm not gonna have you there anymore. I'm really gonna miss you. And your sillyness. How we can tease you and you don't mind. Remember when I'd always call you a cow and you'd be like "Oh, that's okay, cuz cows are cool." Haha gullable. Thanks for being the best dad I could've wished for; for caring for us so much. Night braids. Lol. Anyways, all that to say: Happy birthday. I hope you have a super good year surrounded by ...some...of your little olive plants.
Noah and his olive plants.
Hahahaha. I love this one.

Xalapa.

Soo. I've been on the road a lot lately, but, being the smart person that I am, I didn't bring my camera with me. Luckily for this forgetful virgo, other people did, and although I'm not the type to jump in front of a camera, there are a few that I'm gonna post here. Enjoy (said like Nachooo)

* I knoooow that that movie is ages old, but it remains to be one of my favourites:D eeee ding

We stopped at the beach on the way down. It was so pretty; you could see it from the road.

Stopped again..don't remember why...Yay! We like our fruits!
Sky ballet..on tiles....beat that
Not sure what we were doing, but it's pretty cool, eh?

3 of the 7 ...non...stinky missionaries (Oh that may have been a better name for our team!)Ho ho ho.
Tired after a long week of witnessing

All us girls (minus Marianne, who was taking the picture) and Benito, the super cool guy who put up with us the whole time we were there and fed us and everything.

Me...

Heheh...Hey guys. Gosh, it's been a while. I've been on the road quite a bit. First in Matamoros for like 10 days and got home Saturday night. Monday morning, we made our way to Xalapa, Veracruz. The weather is sooo nice here. It's actually cold. Celeste, you know how my feet get cold super easily, right? They're icicles. The witnessing isn't so great (cough) but we're trying. We need your prayers, so if you feel the burden (ho ho ho) shoot up one for us. We have 10,000 pesos to make for the FDTP still so, yeah. I'll post pictures soon, I think. Ehehe. We stopped at the beach on the way here and it was so pretty. We took some pics, but don't get too excited. We have our clothes on:P

I have the sweetest brother in the whole world.

So me and Marianne are chillin'...like villains...and Mare Bear comes in the room and proceeds to tell us the cutest, sweetest story in the world:

Jordan:"Hey Mary, can I be with Danny this afternoon?"

Mary: "Uh...I think Danny is going out with your mom this afternoon...but maybe something changed. Why? Where is Sebby?"

Jordan: "No, Sebby is upstairs. It's just cuz I was thinking that we have all these clothes from the provisioning that no one wants, so we could take them to a poor colonia and sell them for like, super cheap. And Danny could drive."

Mary: "Uh huh....aaaaand?"

Jordan: "And then we could give the money to Flowy and Marianne for the....C...D...F..T..P...D"


Awww! That is just so precious and sweet. I was so caught off guard. Earlier my mom and I were talking about the fundraising for the FDTP and midget was just sitting there listening. I love you, fatso. You're the bestest.

Farmerless.

Awww! They've finally left. The room looks so clean now:P. Joking Celeste, you know I love you. But seriously, dinner was depressingly quiet. I miss you guys already and don't know how I'm gonna survive the month. Goodness me, what am I gonna do when I move? Alright. Lets start with the head of the family... and make our way down to the feet:P.

Will: Hehe. I'm gonna miss your weird jokes. The rabbit one. Lol. It's gonna be weird not being teased for a WHOLE month! I'm still your Miss Guadalajara.

Cherish: My teacher. Who's gonna bug me into action with my school? I miss doing school with you; you're a great teacher. It was fun being in your classroom, cuz we got to goof off and talk and stuff. You put up with us, and I admire that about you--I don't know how you did it. I know you're correcting this like an essay right now, so I'm gonna stop!

Celeste: So if we were starting at the head and working our way down to the feet....you would be...:P Tum baby. I yuv you baby. (you know the voice and all;) ) I'm looking at your huge double bed right now. The room seems so quiet and empty without chya. Aaaand I'm officially kitchen deacon by myself for a whole month. Pray I live through it! I hope you have a great time in Canada...without me. Bady. You broke your promise. Hmph. Get online for a change, cuz if you do, I have a sumfin to tell ya;).

Julie: OH MY GOD!!! No one to make me feel bad about not working out, no one to convict me about me eating habits when I see you walk into the room with an overflowing bowl of carrots, and, God, there is soooo much butter in the home for a change:P. Love you Julie. Stay sweet and loveable, and always be there for me, like you always are. You're a junky climber, and I miss being able to make fun of you for it. We'll go roof hopping some day.....I like that phrase, some day. Snicker.

Seany boy: I missed a million extra hugs today. I actually had like...none...basically.You know what happened today? I was being silly with Marianne today in the OXXO, and I told her that I'd kick my shoe super far if she'd go and get it. So I did and on accident I kicked it too high and knocked over some bottles. haha. You would've had to been there. It was funny.

Anyways, I know this post is pathetic, sounds like you guys are gonna be gone forever and this is some memorial, but I'm gonna miss you guys tons. Say hi to Canada for me and be nice to it. Don't miss me too much; I can't say I wont though.

cute...

GREATER LOVE
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”1
Greater love means taking the initiative
to reach out; to feel what the other person
is feeling; to dry their tears; to bear their
burdens; to feel their afflictions; to minister
to those who are sick and nurse them back
to health; to listen with a loving, open ear to
those who need to pour out; to be a caring
and understanding friend to those who need
a friend; to pray for those in need; to let their
heartaches be your heartaches; to make their
hopes and dreams your hopes and dreams.

Old awesome pictures

So for the feast we had this "Mexican night" although half of us came as Aztecan warriors. So cool. I never got to post the pictures, so I'm going to do so now...

Note from the editor: Not for the faint-hearted. Some girls are half naked:OA toast! To wealth!...I mean...to our wins!

Me all excited about nothing, as always, and Celeste making fun of me...as always:P
Shiner pants, shiner pants!
Robie is soo cute!


Our war dance. Watch out devil! It's the offensive!
Our...other war dance.....
"Look, water buffalo!"
We don't need to cut off one boob like the amazon women, because we don't have ANY!!! yaaay

Some of the fierce warriors.
The freaky kids' table.

Haha This picture is super awesome, so I labeled it. It's too good.
Ana and Rachel.
The table. We had some AWESOME Mexican food that night. Slurp!
Julie the fierce super modela