On Fridays

Every Friday morning we gather to dissect and interpret the worship songs for Sunday.

Many years ago, when I graduated from college and then packed up and went to volunteer at Rancho Sordo Mudo I didn't know any sign. This was in 1997. I just went willing. They had so little staff at that time that they were grateful for any help they could get. I took one summer community ed class and learned the ABC's. That was it, from there it was the learning from the School of Sink o' Swim.

And if I could, I would love to study-you know - get certified - but I'm on a different path now, so we meet with our deaf pastor Carlos and go through how to sign the songs for clarity, so that the deaf congregation can understand and appreciate the worship.

It's a wonderful practice of thinking outside the box and after each session I am usually strangely stimulated and exhausted at the same time. My mantra is "think beyond the words" . . . meaning, meaning, meaning, . . .

For example:

We have come to a consensus that when the song speaks of not turning back, or falling away we will use a sign that means "united" linking your thumb and pointer fingers together then breaking them away while shaking our head "no". . .

There is a whole song that speaks of hearing the rain and the sounds of nature - so we switch it to seeing the rain and the like.

Yeah, so when I'm posting all these videos of people signing songs, it's typically not a word for word translation. I'm constantly learning. I love it, and I hungrily watch and pick up stuff all the time.

One more interesting aspect is that you can do a song well yet differently - for example this song "The End of the Beginning" was signed by this fellow and this couple. Both songs are done well, and are clear, pure preference would say that one is done better than the other.

Oh, and you do need to know your audience when thinking through these translations. Thinking about if they understand the symbolism involved when speaking about the Holy Spirit in terms of "rain", "fire", or when speaking of "the price that was paid", and "Your reign in me" . . . yup.

So, there you go.

That's my Friday. How was yours?

End of the Beginning

yeah yeah . . I know what you all are thinking . . another signed song!
What can I say. It's close to my heart.

Because it's true

JulieMom has gone and hit the nail on the head AGAIN!

How You Know You're A Mom
By JulieMom

I have decided to make a list of things that will show you (in case you didn't already know this about yourself) that you are indeed a Mom.

You Know You're A Mom If:

1. You leave the house without brushing your teeth. And it's not because you are a scungy person, or you enjoy doling out a good dose of halitosis to the world, it's simply because you're a Mom, and you're busy. Things like teeth brushing are for people who only take care of themselves.

2. You don't shower every day. Or every other day. In fact, you may only get to shower once a week. Or once a month. It all depends on how demanding your kids are, and how many you have. Even though you know smelly gym sock meets greasy dinner is not your husband's romantical scent of choice, you have mastered all the tricks possible to get the most mileage out of your un-showered hair without looking too horrid.

3. There are Little People That Follow You Around and Need Stuff. And unless your name is Dorothy and you live in Kansas, those aren't munchkins. They are your kids. And they will live in your house until they are eighteen. Unless they are boys without ambition. Then they will live in your house eating your food and playing video games until you can either trick some unsuspecting woman into marrying them, or you move away without leaving a forwarding address.

4. You Spend Three Hours a Day At the Sink. If you're a real Mom who cooks real food for the family, then chances are you spend a ridiculous amount of time in front of your kitchen sink. You are either washing you hands, washing vegetables, washing dishes, soaking dishes, soaking laundry, filling pots with water to do the cooking, or filling up the water filter pitcher. If you're lucky you have a window facing the street so you can spy on your neighbors. Yeah, sink times are good times.

5. You Look at the Washer With Contempt. Not because it has personally assaulted you, but because it exists. And it means you have experience with its use. You spend almost as much time with the washer as you do the kitchen sink. It's hard to balance your attention so the other appliances don't get jealous, but that's why you have midnight ice cream snacks. Gotta fit quality time with the fridge in somewhere.

6. Your Alarm Clock Whispers "Mom, I'm Hungry". If you sleep past the crack of dawn, chances are your alarm clock will come in the form of a smallish-type person whispering directly into your nostrils with their stinky morning breath that they are hungry. Of course the sun isn't up yet, but their tummy is. And it is beckoning you to the kitchen. My advice? Buy some cereal bars and keep them on a low shelf in the pantry.

7. You Repeat Yourself Hundreds of Times a Day. Well, the chances of you being a wife and experiencing this are pretty high too, but with kids it's exponentially worse. The Little People seem to think you do this because you enjoy it, but you know it's because every little person is practically deaf until the age of eighteen, or until they have a special person they are dating. Then they are totally Deaf to you and can only hear the special person's voice. Until they get married. Then they go completely deaf on all counts.

8. You Forgo Sleep to Make Cookies. If your kids attend public school, chances are there's a holiday or party at least once a month that your child will volunteer you to make cookies for. And they will neglect to tell you until after you assume they've been asleep for at least two hours. Then they will walk into the living room all sleepy and rubbing their eyes and mention the party to you, and that you need to have five dozen cookies ready. For tomorrow. At seven in the morning. You kiss them, send them back to bed, and walk to the sink.

9. You Know Instinctively That Mopping the Floor Causes Spills. Of course this hasn't been scientifically proven, but my floor has proven it countless times. It's the same phenomenon that when you wash the car it rains. It's just the law of the universe. After you mop all the floors to shining perfection, one or more of the members in your household will spill something sticky and sweet on it. Then they will fall in it and drag others down with them. So you strip them, send them to their rooms to change, and walk to the sink for a little quality time.

My walk

This is my first post of this meme. I'm excited.

I was reading in Isaiah 15-16

Now, I am not a biblical scholar. I've never been to seminary, and I don't have the bible in the Greek translation. I just read it. I depend on the Holy Spirit to teach me and I might pick up a study here and there for more depth and history, but for the most part I usually have laundry that I need to hang up and put away.

So, follow me on this . . .

The people of Moab come from an ugly act of incest (Genesis 19:36-38) and remember the story of the talking donkey? That was the king and princes of Moab who were afraid of the Israelites so were asking Balaam to curse them. (Numbers 22)

Then, right there in this story Balaam says:

"I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel."
(Numbers 22:17)

A foretelling of Christ.

And now when I'm reading Isaiah talking about Moab, I find this:

"In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness."

Isaiah 16:5

Another foretelling of Christ. Random?

Yeah - I've learned God seldom, if ever, is random.

Why here? Why now? Why again when we are talking about Moab do we hear about Jesus?

Because of Ruth, who will be the great grandmother to King David - the line that Jesus comes from? (Ruth 1, 4)

See, now that, to me, is just plain cool.

"O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago"

Isaiah 25:1

Above All

Heaven, I'm in heaven . . .

*ring*
"You! Go get your teeth brushed, and
*ring!*
You! no, no more chocolate milk . . ."
*ring*!
"Hello? Bueno?" This is how I typically answer the phone here in our home.
"Hello, Michelle? This is Karen." she's a fellow missionary from a different ministry here in Ensenada. She and her husband were directors of an orphanage as of late, but just recently were following God into new areas.

I just loaded up my two kids with Karen and her youngest two (she is a mother to 5) and she is taking them to a Carl's Jr (yes, in Mexico) with a massive play place. That was at 12:30 and she is bringing them back at 5pm.

So here I sit, just me and the baby. Baby is happy chowing down on cheerios and graham crackers. I'm having some flavorful Spanish rice and re fried beans topped with queso fresco and a glass of ice tea . . . I'm out of tortillas.

*shrug* Ni modo

Aaahhhhhh

Oh, and she dropped off dinner for me and the family, too!

Talk about blessing your socks off!

Speaking of blessing your socks off, I got to tell you about Heather's blessing!
Who is probably going about 21 different directions at once about now . . . !
If you don't know her (you really should) she is moving to Japan very soon with her family. She saw that in this interview I mentioned that I needed a lap top and so she offered me a Vaio computer that is very compact, albeit not a laptop, but smaller, newer, faster then the one I was using.

On Tuesday we were able to use this newer computer to do our deaf women's bible study via web cam! And I am having all sorts of fun downloading itunes and the such. Can you believe that my other computer didn't have room to allow me to do that?!?!?!? I am so tickled, just bursting with gratitude - so Heather, if you do stop by to give a read:

THANK YOU!!!! and mucho hugs your way, OK?

Now that he is 8 months old

This is the face my boy gave me all during lunch (note lunch on his face)

I was trying to teach him some sign. "More", "food", "please", "thank you" . . .
Yeah, and he pretty much just looked at me like that.
That look that says "I know your trying to tell me something. I know it!"
Or "Bless your heart."

So here is my molehill of a dilemma . . . to teach him baby sign in ASL (American Sign Language) or LSM (Lenguaje de Senas Mexicanas-that is Mexican Sign Language)

ASL/English is what we speak at home
LSM is what we speak and minister
in
ASL signs for those words mentioned above are all easier to do ("food" is
the same)
LSM would be recognized with the deaf outside of these 4 walls
unless we go to the states (which we do about once a week) and there he
would be able to communicate with the other mamas that are teaching their babies
sign . . .

So, what do you think?

Bell Atlantic 9-1-1 commercial c. 1989

Because baby sign is just so dawg-gone cute!

About Jason

For those of you who have been praying and following what has been going on with my cousin Jason, I just got this e-mail from his dad, my uncle:

We have been deeply moved with the care and concern that so many have poured our way after the accident 8 days ago.

Mostly we are just thrilled and grateful that Jason is no longer in jail.

There is yet to come a legal process, which can be both long and complicated.

But in the end it, worst case scenario, it means money, not jail time, unless something absolutely strange were to happen. It may also mean the loss of our pick up truck, mostly through a Catch 22 (veinte dos!). It would be great is this does not become a reality.

Many have inquired as to Jason's frame of mind, how has he is handling it.

Needless to say, being involved in someone's death takes its toll.

But the accident was caused by a dolly disconnecting from Jason's vehicle.

That dolly was attached by the man at the rental place; Jason had nothing to do with it.

We have also discovered that this was the third accident in one month caused by a dolly from the same rental place. Fortunately the other two accidents had less dire bottom lines.

But Jason knows that the loss of life was not caused by his negligence or lack of caution.

A pastor friend in Ensenada tells us that some of his youth know the family of the victim. They have been able to minister to the family. We are praying that this family meets Christ through their tragedy.

Thank you for praying. The struggle is not yet over.

Marcos and Veronica

The post where I badly mix all sorts of idioms.

I mentioned in my interview over at A Cup of Joy how part of my day is to be prepared for interruptions.

Another part of that interview mentioned that one of our needs is a family van. Our own family mini-van a huffing and a puffing, with driving to and fro with a "I think I can, I think I can."

Well, today's interruption is helping my husband push the now kaput mini van to a spot, that should we be able to afford parts, he will see about making it run again.

Yesterday it puffed it's last and threw in the white flag.

I am thankful that it died under my husbands able hands instead of me with a load of kids.
I am thankful that we still have the slightly-running-better work truck of my husband's to get around.

But even so, I've got to go walk up the hill now to get my daughter from school. She gets out early today and that's a 25 minute walk with the other two kiddos along.

Ok, make that 30 minutes.

Lost series - Star Wars

So, does anyone else see the similarity with Star Wars that is Lost?
Jack = Luke Skywalker
Kate = Princess Leah
Sawyer = Han Solo
?
Now just to find that Kate is Jack's sister. But I haven't seen any of season 4 yet - so go ahead and tell me if I'm WAY off . . .
I don't mind spoilers.

Is there a Star Wars fan in your home?

My husband, my brothers and now my son love a good Star Wars any time of day.

My son is 2.

He begs and begs for me to let him play with the Star Wars ship that sits high out of reach, and again and again I say:

"You have to wait until Daddy gets home and ask him, it's his toy."

We took one of those swimming noodles and cut it in half to make light sabers. (Wonderful idea, by the way since it is way cheap and last way long, and he can hit and be hit by his dad without any pain.)

And then I read in Wonder Time, one of my favor it parenting magazines so far, an article that sounded very familiar! Click Here to go read it.

"Laugh it up, fuzz ball!"

It's mother's day in Mexico today!

Mexico celebrates it's mothers day on May 10th of every year regardless which day of the week it falls on. So in honor of the Mexican Mothers Day I post this funny. Cause all mothers need to smile more.

Chapstick

We had this great 10-year-old cat named Jack who just
recently died.

Jack was a great cat, and the kids would carry him around
and sit on him and nothing ever bothered him. He used to
hang out and nap all day long on the mat in our bathroom.

We have three kids, and at the time of this story, they were
4 years old, 3 years old, and 1 year old. The middle one is
Eli. Eli really loved Chapstick. LOVED it. He kept asking to
use my Chapstick and then would lose it. Finally one day I
showed him where in the bathroom I keep my Chapstick and
explained he could use it whenever he wanted to, but he
needed to put it right back in the drawer after he finished.

That year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush
around and try to get ready for church with everyone crying
and carrying on. My two boys were fighting over the toy in
the cereal box. I was trying to nurse my little one at the
same time I was putting on my make-up. Everything was a
mess, and everyone had long forgotten that this was a
wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is
motherhood.

We finally had the older one and the baby loaded in the car
and I was looking for Eli. I searched everywhere and I
finally went into the bathroom. There was Eli. He was
applying my Chapstick very carefully to Jack's ... rear end.
Eli looked right into my eyes and said, "Chapped." Now if
you have a cat, you know that he is right -- their little
bottoms do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't
seem to mind. The only question to ask at that point was
whether it was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's
behind or the hundredth!?!

And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it
reminds us that no matter how hard we try to civilize these
glorious little creatures, there will always be that day
when you realize they've been using your Chapstick on the
cat's butt.

Received from Pastor Tim.

Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List
A cheerful heart is good medicine... (Prov 17:22a)

The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at
http://www.gcfl.net/latest.php

Advice to New Mothers

Advice to New Mothers (Warning: Sarcasm Ahead)

by Juliemom

New mothers; they wear sleep deprivation and unwashed hair like badges of honor. They are excited when their little bundle of joy has six wet diapers a day, and smiles at them. Remember these days Veteran Moms?I think it's time to share the advice I wish someone had given me before becoming a Mother. (Or shortly thereafter.) I hope this is helpful to some and that others will not look back in retrospect with regret. Trust me, these tips can apply to grandchildren, or neighborhood kids as well.

If there is something I missed, feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments.

1. Don't Get Comfortable Sitting. As every Veteran Mom knows, the minute you sit after a flurry of work which little eyes have taken in, someone will need something. I, therefore, recommend you master the elusive "counter lean" or the non-committal "wall slouch". Both of these are effective because they offer the benefit of semi-relaxation while keeping you upright. This will confuse your family, as they can only ask for things once you're sitting. You master these, and you're golden.

2. Learn to Fly Under the Radar. Few Moms know their children are born with a freaky sixth sense. They can calculate, to within a few nanoseconds, when their Mother wakes up. It is especially sensitive when you want to read your Bible or exercise. I have developed what I consider a fulll-proof plan. First, sleep on a cement floor without any blankets. This ensures no one will be tipped off by creaking or rustling. Secondly, as much as you may think it necessary, there can be absolutely no breathing. And for heaven's sake, don't even think about flushing the toilet.

3. Electrify Your Bathroom Door. If you're the kind of Mother who likes an uninterrupted shower, this little gem may come in handy. Have the navy seals come and install a special sensor. After you lock the door of your bathroom, it's automatically activated. Now anyone who touches it from the other side will receive a fairly sizable shock. You may also wish to have them install a decibel recognition system to prevent the children yelling to you from the other room.

4. Boiling Water is Your Friend. When your child asks to help you cook, say "Sure!" with confidence. Whip out a pot, fill halfway with water and set on a burner over high heat. (Even if you don't actually plan to use it for cooking.) Ask the child to let you know the minute it starts to boil. Set the child on the counter so it can't get away, then tend to the real cooking duties. The child may get bored and lose their desire to help rather quickly, which is exactly what you want.

5. Don't Teach Them To Speak English. Use the TV as a babysitter often. In fact, don't even speak directly to your child. Ever. Just make sure you sit them in front of foreign language programming. Preferably a language that you don't speak, such as Russian or Farsi. Or that clicking African language. Yes, the satellite dish is a bit of an investment, but with all the money you save by not owning a real bed or having to wash sheets, you can afford it. Think of it as early missionary training for them.

6. Have A Wax Replica of Yourself Made. This way you can take naps or read for extended periods of time under the radar. Make sure the wax figure is pose-able, and can execute the "counter lean" or "wall slouch" effectively. The last thing you need is for 'you' to fall over and have the neighbors hear your child yelling like a crazed maniac in some foreign language because 'Mom' fell over and is unresponsive. Let me also recommend having a voice recording installed that activates on 'unexpected fall'. It should be recorded in your child's chosen language, sound like a hyped-up aerobics instructor, and only ask: "Ok! Who wants to help boil water?!?" Your child should respond by staying quiet and slowly backing away. They may even retreat to a hide-out under their bed. This is good: you can then stash the wax figure away without their knowledge.

7. Employ A Foreign Spy Temporarily. Look on the web and find a foreign spy employment agency. It shouldn't be too hard. Hire one that speaks your child's language, and instruct them to covertly warn your child that 'they' are watching him/her, and if they want to have a positive future in the government of said country, the child cannot allow even a speck of dirt to infiltrate the house. Let them know in no uncertain terms that it is their duty to their countrymen to keep the house clean. Your house will remain spotless with no effort from you. This is especially effective if Russian is your child's language.Feel free to pass these tips onto any new Mother you know. They will be sure to thank you

Based on actual events.

"There's nothing to do. I wish we had something to do. We don't have anything to do. What should we do?"

"I know, lets play a game!"

"Okay." "How do you play?"

"You just find a way to entertain yourselves for the next couple of hours or ELSE!"

"Um - maybe later. Bye!"

"I call it 'Who Wants to Live Until Dinnertime?'"

What kids pick up.

Brendas Blog from Paraguay had a post up about "when Thank You means No"
It spoke of the tenacious street vendors that come up to your car window to sell you stuff.

We've got our fair share here in Ensenada too. Especially at the Tijuana boarder. So many in fact that if someone is seen approaching the car window you hear a chorus of the two voices from my 4 year old and 2 year old:

"No gracias."

Cousin Update

My uncle writes:

I am so emotionally spent I find it hard to even sit down to write this email. But today it is only joyous news!

Jason was released last night, about 36 hours after the accident.

We had to put our house in hock to make it happen, but there were times when the clouds were so grey that it seemed like Jason might be put into the federal penitentiary, and that can be a hard place to get out of!

The case isn't over, but it seems the most difficult part is past.

There has been an amazing amazing amazing outpouring of love and support via emails.

A thoroughly amazing outpouring.

We thank you.

Many have asked about the finances. It is hard to say, but we calculate that the ordeal could end up costing $15-$20 thousand dollars. Most of it for funeral expenses, vehicle replacement, etc, for the family of the man who died. Theoretically there is some insurance coverage, but often that is just a runaround. Only because so many of you have asked, we will say that yes, if you would like to contribute for that, you can do it via a check to Olive Tree Ministry.

Olive Tree Ministry

Box 530099

San Diego, CA 92153-0099

Mention that the money for the accident expenses.

m

Come read my interview!

I invite you to hop over and read my interview on A Cup of Joy. :-)

Stuff Christian Like, the blog

OH MAN!
I have been busting stitches here going through this blog Stuff Christian Like.
Julie, and Mr and Mrs Harmon, Sandie, I especially think you guys'll get a kick from it . . .
I can't remember who first turned me on to this blog but I do remember being told to start from the beginning . . .
I did and have enjoyed it ever so much . . .
Let me copy and paste #8

#8. Singing friends are friends forever at camp.
There used to be an unwritten rule when it came to the last night of any Christian event: you must sing Michael W. Smith's "Friends are friends forever."
For me, that meant a guy named Jaime would bust out the electric piano and belt out the song that had all of us a little teary eyed. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to all the new friends you'd made at Christian camp but would probably never see again.
Take us out with the chorus Michael. Send us home happy:
Though it's hard to let you go In the fathers hands we know That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.

PRAISE REPORT!

My uncle just texted me:

"Jason's out because Jesus is Great!"

No details yet, not sure what was done or how much was paid. They are all in the car together on their way home; euphoria does not lead to sharing of details.

It got really ugly around 2pm. The family's bulldog lawyers were trying to get Jason moved to the state penitentiary. There was a moment of panic, distress… it was difficult.

All is well for now.

There is still much to come. We don't know what the legal case will be, or when it will happen.

For now I think everyone will be glad to get some sleep in the own beds.

Thank you all who have been praying specifically for this! It's working so don't stop now! :-)

Cousin Update

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED!

Tuesday, 11.40 am

We need prayers redoubled for Jason. That he can out on bail & not go to the federal penitentiary. The family of the victim is pulling out all stops to make things as ugly as possible.

This is urgent.

My uncle is at the breaking point, having slept 1 hour last night and not much on the trip, he called his wife crying. Jason's sister, who is watching and doing what she can from Cairo, Egypt, told me that she that her mom (my aunt) called her in tears.

They are missing 1 piece of paper to use the deed as bail but they are getting red tape all over the place.

They have not seen Jason today and he has no idea what is happening outside.

Click here to visit my cousin's Christian group "Los Hijos De Asaf"'s myspace.

Cousin Update

This e-mail is from my uncle, Jason's dad:

it is 2 in the morning, about 20 hours after the accident.

Veronica and I are back from our trip to the Huichols.

Jason's bail was set at $20,000 dollars. We didn't have it, so he is spending tonight in jail.

Tomorrow we hope to post bail by using our house as collateral.

We met some of the family of the deceased, shared our sorrow with them.

They have the ability to get Jason out of jail, but were not willing to do so.

Please keep praying. The situation is complicated, just because it is Mexico.

marcos

Grab your kleenex

I found this at Virginia's blog.

Cousin Update

This just in:

The $5000-6000 bail fee were were expecting has become $18,000. They do not have that on hand at the moment so prospects don't look so good for Jason to go home tonight.

Also, since it is Mexico we aren't 100% sure that we'd really get it back once the court case is resolved. It is also a little iffy as to whether to pay that much at this moment in time, and they'd rather use a house title deed as collateral. This amount of course does not include bereavement, funeral costs, etc which may well be Jason's responsibility if it goes that way.

My uncle Marcos (Jason's dad), Rigel, Oli and Gissel are still there, they will spend the night where Jason is to try to make any progress before the next shift comes in order to try to avoid having to start the process over with a new set of guys in the morning.

Cousin Update

Pictured: Rigel and Jason and their daughter.

Jason's sister, my cousin who lives in Cairo, Egypt said she had just gotten done talking to Oli and Gissel. Oli was positive, things seem to be moving along and they are still hoping to get him out today.

Jason is not in a cell but locked in a room at the police station.

They've not allowed his wife Rigel to see him, but Gissel has, and they brought Jason food.

Jason's mom and dad have landed and are on their way, cutting short their trip to the Huichol Indians, and they should be arriving there now.

Everyone is hoping to get the paperwork done within the hour which will then hopefully allow them to post bail, he said it has all been going as smoothly as possible, under the circumstances.

Pray for Rigel, Jason's wife. She's pretty shook up they still haven't' allowed her to see Jason.

Cousin Update

Jason is currently still at the scene of the accident, detained by the highway patrol. What we know of what happened:

Jason was pulling a trailer behind his car; the trailer broke loose on the Rosarito highway in the path of oncoming traffic. One oncoming car hit the trailer at very high speed, spun off the road, flipped, and that driver was killed instantly. Several other cars were also involved but sustained only minor or no injury.

Being involved in a car accident is considered a felony, and in cases where someone is injured or dies the offending party can at time be in jail up to 10 years.

Several friends are already at the scene, including our brother Oliver and his wife Gissel (my Uncle's assistant) who also happens to be a lawyer. She is working to resolve the situation and push paperwork as quickly as possible and with the best possible outcome. They have been able to speak to Jason, who is reportedly “fine, but shaken”. Other friends are organizing cash withdrawals and wire transfers to have bail ready when the time comes for that.

My uncle said this is the third instance of a death during his visits to the Huicholes in the Sierras of Mexico in the past several years so this battle is as much spiritual as it is legal and emotional.

It will most likely be several hours before we know what needs to be done to have Jason released. It doesn’t help that today is Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday, so the powers that be are not in their offices.

We expect Jason will have to remain under arrest for at least a night or two.



Please pray:

For Jason’s speedy release and the finances to make it happen
For the case to be moved to the city of Ensenada, where Gissel has more legal recourse (rather than Tijuana where they currently are)
For the family of the victim
For Jason, detained, and Rigel, waiting – and for the rest of us


We are thankful for Jason’s safety in all this, thank you for standing with us

Urgent Prayer Request

My Uncle Marcos and Aunt are on a mission trip with the Huichol Indians. My cousin, their son, Jason was in an accident early this morning (Monday). His wife and daughter Rigel and Abigail were not with him. He was driving along the highway pulling a trailer, the trailer disconnected, and the person in the car behind was killed.

This is a felony in Mexico; we are facing a very serious situation.

We need prayer. Please pray both for the family of the victim and for Jason's legal situation. He'll probably have to be in a Mexican jail at least a night or two, but in some cases like this a person can be in jail for 8-10 years.

Jason and Rigel are the group called "Hijos de Asaf", and have been working on their second CD's these last few weeks. This is from their first album "Mi Mundo es Muy Pequeno", a very mission focused album. That is Jason and his wife you hear singing.

I've been tagged.

Rebecca from "Beautiful Feet" tagged me a little while ago with 6 words or phrases about myself.

1. I love almost anything served up with a dash of humor.
2. I love to host and socialize. I love to give people my attention. I'm finding it clashes with parenting 3 young ones. They need my attention. That is why we compromise by having game night once a month that starts at kiddy bed time: 8pm.
3. I (finally) have come to terms with the fact that I am not the great mother I once thought I would be.
4. Somewhere along the way I got an amazing unshakable faith in Jesus. I just pray that I can pass this beautiful gift on to my own children.
5. I chose to go to a private collage in Minnesota. Being so expensive I joined the Army National Guard to help pay for it. Most people don't know this about me.
6. I would love to sit in on a chat with Debi Pearl of the No Greater Joy ministries and Dr. Laura.

OK

If you want to play along please do and let me know so I can go visit!

Now that I can breath again . .

Sorry for the last odd post . . . but I've been battling with the desire to connect to webby friends and still keep pace with life. That was my 'sum up' of the day.

I won't bore you with the details, there were too many, I'll only say that I didn't get enough coffee AT ALL, and that should explain most any odd post.

It's May and that is our newsletter month so I will be trying to sum up and share all that has been going on for the last 3 months.

Its really cool keeping in touch with our friends and family. Even so, when I write our newsletter I feel like I did in collage when having to write a term paper.

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!