Mexico Spotlight: Manny

*Each day this week, while we are in Mexico, I will be spotlighting a person or family who we've known and loved the last 5 years*

We love Manny. In fact, we love Manny so much, we've tossed around the idea of naming our son (if we ever have one) after him.

Manny is one of the sweetest children I've ever met.  Sometimes this is hard for him, because the older, rougher boys will make fun of him.  He is a habitual thumb sucker, hand holder, and I'll never forget when we was just a little tyke (like below) and out of all the toys he could choose from, he picked Minnie Mouse.

Not only do we love Manny and his family, but Wade's mom is very close to them as well. She met his sister, Dalia when she went to Mexico in 2007 and has never forgotten her, frequently sending pictures and gifts (like this bike) with us to give her. Dalia's mom, Sarah always sends letters to Wade's mom and prayers for her.  This picture below is when we brought a bike from Regina. Sarah is saying a very moving prayer for her. 

Now Dalia and Manny are much more grown.

Manny loves to pose for a picture, but I promise he is not this serious in real life. The only time he doesn't smile is during a picture!

Mexico Spotlight: Myra y familia

*Each day this week, while we are in Mexico, I will be spotlighting a person or family who we've known and loved the last 5 years*

Mayra is a mother of 5 (soon to be 6!) who is close to my age.  Ever since I met her, she has been as much of a missionary as the groups coming from America. She is always looking for ways to serve the teams in return. 

One neat fact about Mayra: She gives her children the most precious names - Benjamin, Rosa ("pink"), Christian, Dulce ("sweet, candy"), and Jireh (like in the Bible).

Mayra (back then)

Rosa (back then)

Dulce (back then)

A few years ago, we were able to be a part of  Mayra and Mauricio's wedding :) 

Families in Mexico don't always do church weddings, but are starting to now, even if they have been together for years and years. 

Mayra and baby Jireh (now)

Rosa (now)

Dulce (now)

me and Dulce (now)

Jireh (now)

There are two additional  boys, who are very smart (and one who is VERY rowdy) but I don't have photos right now.  There will soon be three, as Mayra is currently pregnant with another boy!  Can you image 6 children at around 30 years old?  She is one heck of a woman.

Mexico Spotlight: Cynthia

*Each day this week, while we are in Mexico, I will be spotlighting a person or family who we've known and loved the last 5 years*

Cynthia was one of my first little friends on the Canal in Mexico.  She was just 4 or 5 years old when we met.  We were attached all week long and nothing changed 6 months later when I visited again. 

What broke my heart: One day while I was visiting with Cynthia's mom and grandparents, they asked me to please take Cynthia back home with me.  They weren't kidding. That was so hard.  I still feel sad about it.  looking back, i know God didn't want me to take her because I see how much her family loves her and would miss her in their lives.

After my first two trips, I returned again expecting to reunite with my amiga, only to find that she had left with her family. I didn't know where she had gone and I didn't get to say goodbye.  

Four years passed and one day, upon arrival at the Canal, a beautiful, familiar face was there before me.  Cynthia called out to me by name and we hugged; were just so happy to see each other again!  We then built her family a new home to live in :)  

Nothing has changed between us, in fact, our friendship is stronger having survived such a long separation.  This last trip, Cynthia asked me for a Bible and I was able to give it to her as a gift at her school graduation, which I also was able to attend!  I love being a part of such huge milestones in her life :)

Mexico Spotlight: Julyssa, Katia, and Rey

*Each day this week, while we are in Mexico, I will be spotlighting a person or family who we've known and loved the last 5 years*

As you can imagine, I didn't know much Spanish when I first went to Mexico on a mission trip.  I pretty much slept through High school Spanish and opted for French in college. "God will never send me to Mexico".  Man I was dumb.

With these kids, I didn't have to know Spanish.  I saw them coloring and sat down to join them.  This started a very close relationship.  We spent the week together and had conversations that consisted of pointing at something and learning how to say it in Spanish or English.  

Julyssa (on the left) was my kindred spirit.  She could understand me.  I would say something in English and only by the power of God, she was able to tell someone else what I was saying.  It was truly incredible.

I can't tell you how much we cried when I left at the end of the week. It made my heart smile to learn that the kids would ask their mom every time a group came down to go and see if I was with them :)

Finally, after a few years of hearing about this "Kerrie" person, their father and I met.  He said he didn't know if I actually existed!  (He worked and was always away when I was there)

I can't even describe how close we are.  It touches me to see photos of Wade and I and photos of me with their family, framed around their house.  We have the same thing here:)  And it's crazy to see them now as TEENAGERS!  5 years can really change a person!

This summer we were able to see Julyssa graduate from one school and move on to Beauty School. Several years ago, Wade and I committed to seeing them make it through school, financially.  So many young girls in Mexico can't afford school and start families by the time their fifteen.

You know what's cool?  Today, as this is being posted, I am attending their parent's wedding. They planned it around our trip to make sure we were there; and Wade and I had the honor of providing the rings.  Unfortunately, Wade couldn't come early enough to make the wedding, but I will get to actually be  a part of the ceremony (my second on the canal!). I couldn't not be more excited to be part of such a special occasion!

Faith over Fear

Wade and I have been going to Mexico together for 5 years this fall.  It is where we met and where we will continue to go for the rest of our lives. We go several times a year, either when we take a group down or when we just go to visit.

The question I get asked most about Mexico is if it's safe or if I'm ever scared.

I can honestly say I'm never scared, at least not for myself, but unfortunately I can't say it's safe.

I won't say it's safe.

I've learned that Jesus doesn't call us to live safe lives.  He certainly didn't live one!

When people say I'm crazy for going, I remind them of how dangerous it was for Jesus to come to this Earth. In fact, He knew it would end with a painful, humiliating, undeserved death.

This usually isn't what people want to hear. They want me to comfort them and tell them that nothing could possibly happen and that it's super safe.  But truthfully, I wouldn't tell anyone that, even if I was taking a group down the street! Danger is everywhere.

Jesus commands us to go into the world and share the Good News, making disciples.  He doesn't say anything about doing all of those things, as long as its nice and safe and comfortable.

Because of the heavy gang presence in Mexico, many groups have stopped going to Reynosa. And the people are suffering for it.  Less houses are being built, and the orphanage is struggling to pay its bills.

And while I can assure people that I've never seen anything that scared me and that Wade and I have committed to putting the lives of everyone on our team before our own, I look hopefully toward the day when we live radically for Christ without fear of what that may mean.

We cross the border tomorrow to start building a home on the canal and see our friends and family. Please pray for us that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and not let fear win out.  My prayer is that those who don't know Christ, will; and that we will find ways to serve and meet the needs of these people.

Gloria a de Dios!

regalos para los ninos

Since our first Christmas, Wade and I have never bought each other Christmas gifts.  We committed from the start that instead, we would pool our money and do something for someone else, together.  I love our tradition.

This year, we spent date night trolling Target picking out Christmas presents for some of the kids in Mexico who we are close with.  It was so fun, but also hard! For every child we bought for, another would come to mind, "We can't get ____ a gift without getting ____ and ____ a gift!" 

We leave for our fall mission trip to Mexico tomorrow, and needless to say, I've got a suitcase full of wrapped presents coming along with me.  I can't wait to watch them unwrap their gifts, even if it is still a month before Christmas!

To learn more our love for Mexico, go here. And be sure to check back tomorrow as I share my feelings on missions and fear and how they work together, or don't. 

Thanks:giving

Today is Thanksgiving! Maybe you noticed.

And I'm thankful that TOMORROW I'll be getting in a van and leaving for MEXICO!  I could not be more excited.  I love that place like no other :)  I don't usually post while I'm there, but this is a special trip, so I planned some blog posts ahead of time to share with you guys.  This trip is my five year anniversary of going and also my five year anniversary since meeting Wade! My life changed drastically 5 years ago. God not only gave me my husband, but also a people and place that make me a better person. I always say that "I am my best self in Mexico."

So, stay tuned over the next week as I start off with some thoughts on Mexico and then spotlight some amazing people that I met down there 5 years ago.

ya gotta love her

Today I received a very special Thanksgiving art piece from my 4 year old niece who lives all the way in Oregon.  

Check out this sweet action.

Yep. Deci is thankful for Herpie and Wade.

Herpie = Kerrie.... that's pretty darn close, don't ya think? ;)

I'm going to treasure this one forever :)

my mother, the artist

I've shared one of my mothers pieces before, and I'm excited to share another!  

My mom is working on a portrait series for me of all of the different places I have been on a mission trip. I already have Africa, and now Mexico! I love this one. When you see it in real life, it's like she is looking right through you.  I can't wait to hang it up with the other one!  And I really cant wait until I get my India portrait *hint hint mom* ;)

Pump up the volume!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

One of the very first blogs I followed was vol.25.  This girl takes photos to the next level.  She makes photos fun!  Between her etsy shop and her digital shop, you are sure to find some awesome things to grab up!  

Last week, I hit the jackpot when she had this overlay on sale! (sorry, it's no longer on sale)  And she has some HUGE deals for Black Friday.  40% off her Etsy shop and 50% off her digital shop!  Don't miss it! I know I won't!

Check out what I did, just playing around, with her Simple Pencil Blog Post Template.

see more: The Battle Family

 see more: The Oregon Trail

 see more: Happy Engagement!

photos of us -- courtesy of Authentic Photography

Cute, right?

Vol.25 in no way asked me to write this post. I just like to share things I find that are cool!  And this definitely is.  

Wade and I are headed out of town AGAIN for the weekend. This time, we are going to the Bayou of Mississippi for an early Thanksgiving with my mom.  We're taking some of Wade's family with us, and I know one thing for sure... I'm about to eat GOOOOOD.  Yeah buddy. 

We get to travel a lot because Wade works 7on/7off, and I love it! To see where else we've vacationed lately, check out these past posts!

Today I learned I could post to my blog from my phone (am I way behind here?) so hopefully I'll post some this weekend while we are away!  Enjoy your pre-thanksgiving weekend everyone!