26.9.13
























Oh good.  He's home;  we are complete again.

25.9.13
























Joshua texted me from Acapulco the other day - "take the kids out for hot chocolate, and tell them that I love them"  Gasp!  their very own drinks?  That's kind of a big deal in this sharing-obsessed, stingy thrifty family! So this morning we loaded up our art journals and our current read-aloud and headed to a nearby Starbucks.

An accordion player/singer made an appearance soon after we sat down and started our read-aloud.
He planted himself behind us and and sang his heart out. So we put down our book, gave him our rapt attention, and  slipped him a generous tip (important elements of cordial musician/photographer interaction)

I'm not totally sure,
but . . .
I'm pretty sure my Starbucks is way cooler than your Starbucks

24.9.13

 
We were walking home from the library today when it started to rain.  "uh-oh" said Selma "I bet Papa is getting super wet right now in Acapulco; do you think the water is up to his middle?"  

My girl is trying to wrap her brain around what it means for her papa to be in flood-ravaged Acapulco.  It makes sense; Even Joshua and his team didn't really know what exactly they were headed into when they packed up Barry's truck with canned goods and tools on Sunday and drove to Acapulco. They knew that there was need, and they knew that there were churches on the ground - looking for ways  to care for their devastated communities. That was enough for them. Off they went.  

Joshua has been texting me with their news: It's hot; there are so, so many mosquitos; but it's all so good! He has spent time shoveling sticky, stinky mud out of homes, and hearing the stories of the families who are hurting. He has been sitting in on the meetings of the local pastors who are assessing the needs of their neighborhoods, strategizing how to implement care, and dialoging about how the richness of God's love is uniquely expressed both physically and verbally during times like these.  

We didn't make it to Acapulco with Joshua and his team this time around. 
Maybe next time.

For now we are cozy at home - - we cook dinner; we water the plants; we learn to spell and add.  
And we pray:
for a strong, healthy back for Papa as he shovels heavy mud;
for rich, meaningful conversations as the church leaders figure out what the needs of their neighborhoods are and how they can help;
for God's abundant care to be poured out on the needs of his people, and for his name to be displayed as radiant and beautiful as his people care for their communities.

We pray;
we are part of his team too.

19.9.13



Pozole:
first you choose your broth (red? or white?)
next, you add your shredded meat (do you want pork or chicken?)
then you pile it high with condiments (I take my pozole with shredded lettuce, radishes, onion and lime)
make sure to ask for seconds (otherwise you might offend the cook)

I took this picture at our Independence day party. The party was fantastic. But. I only took pictures of food. You would understand if you had been there. (Look here or here, though, for some pictures from friends who are quicker with their cameras than I was.) 

15.9.13
























My Friend Gaby has been coming over once a week to tutor the kids in Mexican history and culture.  This week, in preparation for independence day, they stuffed eggs with confetti (to crack over the heads of poor, unsuspecting victims . . . Selma has been scheming for three days now about who she'll attack with her given eggs), tissue paper chains (to tear in half as a symbol of the chains of Spanish oppression being broken) and Mexican flags (because all the other buildings in the city are sporting their red, white and green - it's about time we joined in!)

So:  today's the big day. In just a few hours, we'll all head out to celebrate with our friend Bruno and his family:  we will all be dressed in our finest Mexican garb; we'll eat pozole, and toast to this great country.

first though, I have to hit the streets to see if I can find a fake Mexican mustache for Joshua and some hair ribbons for my braids

¡viva Mexico!



10.9.13

so, so good

Two weeks ago when we were visiting a friend, Malachai and Josu went up to her rooftop to see her two German Shepherds. I was in the garden when I heard screaming and barking . . . I flew (flew!) up the steps to the rooftop and was able to pull the dogs off of Malachai. Although Malachai's leg was covered in deep scratches from the dog's teeth, there was no significant damage.

This week as we walked to the library, the kids stopped at the street corner - 20 feet ahead of us - and waited to cross the street. A car lost control and crashed into the corner opposite where my kids were standing.

On Sunday we ate lunch with the church. We were eating inside as Malachai, Josu, and Selma were eating outside. My friend Martha was sitting near the kids and noticed Malachai's face going blue; she had the insight to realize that he was choking, and was able to dislodge the chicken bone in his throat just in time.  

I know that God cares tenderly for my family; I know that he cares for us even in the gentle, mundane course of life.  These poignant reminders, though, have urged my heart to pause a little more than usual and to thank him.

He is so good!

4.9.13

























Our building owner is changing out all of the apartment's rusty, paper thin windows for some shiny, modern, fancy ones. I hear that the new windows will keep out the noise and dust, and be much easier to clean, but I can't help but feel a little bit like they are ripping out the beautiful old soul of the building;  sigh.
 
plus. someone told me that the new windows don't have windowsills . . . where will I put stuff?

2.9.13


Welcome, September!
and so we enter the month in which you can find a mexican flag on any given corner of the city. Why?  because Mexico it pretty excited about its freedom from Spain's tyrannical rule.   (that's a gross over simplification.  I suggest that you go ask your favorite Mexican friend to explain the significance of September 16th. You don't have a Mexican friend?  go find one!)

Last week we were sitting around the table with Sam - - giving her an intro to the city, and we asked the kids what Spanish word they thought Sam should know.

Josu threw his fist in the air and shouted LIBERTAD!

Aaaah my boy is becoming Mexican.