Going Out to Lunch...

When I was in college and debating on changing my major, I went through the typical self-questioning of trying to figure out what kind of career I was most interested in. At one point of feeling especially frustrated at attempting to discern my elusive "ideal job," I remember remarking to my mom, "I just want to go out to lunch with people and talk to them about their lives!" My mom shared this comment with my youth pastor who replied simply and matter of factly, "Oh, she just wants to be in ministry."

So, here I am seven years or so later, living as a missionary in Fresnillo, Mexico...As I talked to my mom on the phone today and told her about some of the things I had done yesterday, she pointed out that I was doing exactly what I'd always wanted to: "going out to lunch with people, talking to them about their lives, and listening to their problems"--I just had to do it in Spanish! (I added to this that I was also doing it over tacos or gorditas instead of over Hopkins' or Zoe's.) As I reflected on this, I realized that this really is true and how grateful I am to have the privilege of investing in people's lives like this. "Going out to lunch with people and talking to them about their lives" will always be one of my favorite things to do because it's part of the core of who God made me. I'm thankful for all the "coffee dates" when I was teaching elementary school full-time (it's hard to get deep at lunch when you only have 25 minutes and are being interrupted by children needing you to help them with their ketchup packets), and I'll be grateful for however the Lord provides for this desire in the future. Today, however, I'm very content to be here in Fresnillo...spending time with people, listening, sharing, counseling, encouraging, praying, crying, and laughing with them over "picadillo" or "desebrada."

Thankful

This week I am especially thankful for...

• hugs
• fall
• hot chai tea in the AMs
• adorable little kids
• finishing two huge tasks I'd been working on for the last month or more
• Emergen-C
• running
• answered prayers
• the fact that it's still warm inside our house even though the weather is getting chilly outside
• meaningful conversations
• the community of faith

September Celebrations

It's hard to believe that October is already here. As usual, the fall seems to fly by. September was a busy month. Club, team meetings, planning for and teaching ÉXITO, computer & administrative work, visiting with families and Club kids, CFCI correspondence, prayer times, Torta, and much more quickly filled each ministry/work hour and more. However, we also found time to do a lot of celebrating in September...

Claudia's quinceañera--the whole family before the church service and party that would follow

Maye's boys toasting in Mexican Independence Day with their Coca-Cola... great "Independence Day Eve" celebration with their family including pozole and watching the fireworks from outside their house

The parade on Sept. 16, celebrating 200 years of Mexican Independence

Mini-party at Yohana's for Uriel's 14th birthday

Kevin definitely enjoyed it!

Fun day trip to Aguas w/ the CFCI team girls to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday

More birthday celebrating with our dear friends and neighbors, Sergio, Faby, and Jonathan