So here I am, sitting in a hotel room in Anderson, SC at 11:58 on a Saturday night. It has been so long since I last blogged, and there are so many things I should write down. But it is so late and I don't really have the energy to start at the beginning and chronicle all that has happened since I last wrote. Instead, here's a funny little experience from today...

We woke up and packed as quickly as we could. Jonathan spread out his "blue blankie" and began to place the essentials on it...rubber cammo rain boots, ten of his favorite hotwheels...his blue bunny...AA batteries. He's a light traveller. I went out and made some "to go" breakfast sandwiches and coffee for Luis and I. So I am stirring the coffee with entirely too much sugar, and I realized that the house was way too quiet. I looked out in the car, through the pouring rain, and noticed that the boys were already inside, ready to head to Anderson. No breakfast...no jackets...watching some DVD for the umpteenth time. To say they were excited would be an understatement. About three quarters of the way to Anderson, the snow began to fall. Now, my children do not recall ever seeing snow, unless you count the one day last year in Hampton when it snowed for about 15 minutes and they danced around outside as if they were in heaven. So Josh yells out, "It's pouring snow!"...since rain is the only form of precipitation he has ever commented on until now. Then Jonathan pipes up, and tells Josh that at the next stop, he wants to get out and eat some of the snow, but warns Josh to watch out for the yellow variety. For about an hour, they stared out their windows, watching cars coming from the mountains covered with snow, and not able to believe their eyes! It was so much fun to watch them experience something for the first time. It was not so much fun to watch them run out onto the black ice at the gas station and go down hard, almost taking Luis down with them. Note to self: rubber cammo rain boots on ice...bad idea...anyway, it was a simply beautiful day and we are looking forward to tomorrow's adventure. For now, I am going to turn in. Until next time...

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2010!! This is our last week in our house, as we will be moving in with Luis's brother this weekend. Our closing is set for a week from tomorrow, and we are almost done cleaning, packing, and raking the millions and millions of leaves that have fallen. I probably won't have internet for a few weeks, so this will be my last entry until I am reconnected. Hope the New Year bring lots of wonderful surprises to all of you!

Out with the old, in with the new...

Well, we are on the thresh hold of 2010, and I can't help to reflect on all that's happened this past year. In January 2009, I had no idea that:

We would have another child, much less a daughter!
Luis would lose his job, and we would have to sell our house and land!
We would put our house on the market, and have it sell in less than 3 weeks!
We would even consider moving (again!), and to a colder climate at that!
Luis would receive his first official Pastor's license!!
My parents would be able to make a visit to SC!

There have been so many twists and turns in the road this year, and to be honest with you, I am kind of glad to say goodbye to 2009! It has been a year of stretching our faith, trusting in the Lord, not for our wants, but our needs. It has been humbling in many ways, as we have had to use food stamps and WIC for the first time ever. We couldn't afford health insurance for the children, so they have been on medicaid. We thought, when Luis lost his job, we would lose our home to the bank, and at least one car. Our biggest mistake was racking up the credit cards, and we sunk so far in debt. As I told my Mom today, I feel like I am just holding my breath, waiting until the closing for our house/land is complete and the money has been transferred. At that point, we will begin writing checks to each credit card company, and to Honda, and paying off balances IN FULL!! Hallelujah! I guess from an outside perspective, it may seem like we are losing everything, and I guess in some respects, we are in a material sense, but Luis and I can't help but think of the possibilities of living a debt free kind of life. For the first time, we will have the freedom to go where we feel God is sending us, without the worry of this debt or that payment. While we'll still owe on his car, it will be our only payment for a while (along with insurance), and really, any job would cover that. We still have days where we get frustrated...thinking about giving up our land, but thankfully, we are never both frustrated on the same day.So when one is down the other one is up, and we are able to remind each other that the Lord has better in store! Some days, Luis takes it especially hard, as he had "big plans" for this land. But, I just remind him what the Lord told him about giving "all or nothing", and that God will bless him with even more, because he was willing to give it up. So, 2010 is going to be a new year for us, in many respects. I am really excited to see what is on the way. I am trying not to have any preconceived ideas, or expectations, but rather just enjoy the ride. So here it is, my last blog entry of 2009. I hope you have enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed writing. As 2010 rings in, I pray for a new year of a deeper relationship with the Lord, uncompromising faith, and joying in the journey for both you and me! Love you all!

Silent Night

It's Christmas Eve, and everyone is asleep. We did things a little differently tonight. We had a nice dinner, and let the boys open gifts right after, at about nine o'clock. I know, it goes against all of the traditions...both American AND Mexican! I did, however, just stuff the stockings, so the boys and Lily will have a surprise for the morning. It has been a very quiet Christmas Eve... It's funny how when you are a kid, the holidays are so exciting...you wait and dream all year for Christmas Eve to come...all the family and excitement...and when you are an adult, it's just not the same. But, maybe, it's WE that are not the same. We have grown up, and realized that Christmas isn't a one day affair...another date penciled in on the calendar. Rather, Christmas is a state of being...a daily celebration. Rejoicing in the birth of Jesus, who left the beauty and majesty of heaven to transcend time and touch humanity for all eternity. To give us that second chance to reconnect with the Father. Last night, we turned on the TV and the "Jesus" movie was on. It's the story of the entire life of Jesus on earth, including his crucifixion, and resurrection. "Strange time of the year to watch something like that", you might be thinking, as did I, at first. But in reality, it was a perfect thing to be watching. After all, Jesus's whole mission, the whole reason he was born, was to die for us...to be that ultimate sacrifice...once and for all. Coming home in the car tonight, I was listening to Christmas Carols on the radio. One of my favorite is Silent Night. Even though it's more than 2000 years since the birth of Jesus, I can still feel the heavenly peace that songs sings of. Here are the words to that great old carol:

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

The last verse is my favorite. It holds such promise for us all.

Thank you, Jesus, for being the one gift that is always the perfect size, and color. You never need to be exchanged or returned. You won't break, spoil, or go out of style. You don't require assembly, and you will never be recalled. You never disappoint, and you never get old. You are just the right gift for me!