Two News Items

First of all, Micah is riding his bike! And I mean riding! He rides his bike to school and back. He rides uptown to do errands. He rides and rides and rides! (He needs help getting started, but after that, he's good to go.) Now we can all ride bikes places. It's so much easier than walking. Way to go MICAH!

The second bit of news is that we have decided to extend our MCC term 6 months - so at this point we plan to be here until the middle of April 2010.

Let us know if you want to come visit :)

Thoughts/Questions from Retreat in Chihuahua

Some things I wrote down during our team devotions/reflections at retreat in September:

what did i have in mind before i came?
what points of light did i see or prepared me for this activity?
did i, do i present myself before god?
what do i have in mind now?
what are my personal challenges?
what are our challenges as a family?

.....we must change our way of thinking, which changes our way of living.


god is already there/here
my experience has been one of receiving much more than me giving


paul on the way to damascus
- how do i persecute christ in my own life?
....be open to discovering god in new ways
- we are blind in a new culture - we need people from within the culture to lead us.
- recognize that god is present in every situation
-the theme of sight is so strong in the gospels
-think of is as a challenge to "SEE" in a different way

lord, take away my blindness

United Nations

Yesterday all the preschools in town remembered the formation of the United Nations with a parade through town.

Saturday

On the whole, life in general has seemed "easier" and "smoother" as of late. We know more or less what we're doing here and have a fairly consistent rhythm with work-school-home life.

For some reason, I really lost it today, with my kids. Most days go fairly well. Today was really hard though. So I pulled out the envelope Sara sent with me, with the little notes inside:
deep breathing reduces stress
list 5 things isaiah and micah did well this week
old beautiful oak trees grow strong from windy storms
progress, not perfection
you ARE a good mother. your sons are beautiful. you are blessed.
the feminine divine is radiating through you. let her shine!
good mothering involves making mistakes

And cried.
And hugged my kids after yelling at them.
And tried to explain why I was so upset.
And told them how much I love them even when I get upset at their actions.
And for the rest of the morning we baked bread, zucchini muffins, finished the laundry, put puzzles together and sat in the hammock.
They played together in the tree house.
We played hopscotch on the porch.
sigh.
And I'm trying not to feel too guilty or ashamed of my lousy behavior. But am instead trying to move on.
Why is being a mother so hard for me?

Pre-Wedding in San Francisco

Okay, I'm getting close to having all the summer pics and experiences documented/blogged. Here are some shots from the b-b-q. the day before the wedding. The three cousins had a wonderful time at the beach, Jackie and Andrew being fully in love, and of course, a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Time in San Francisco

Here are a few more pictures from our time in San Francisco. Hanging out with Tio Andrew and his very cool scooter. The boys were in awe! It was so cold (for us). We found fleeces and sweaters at the thrift store.
And though it was cold, we had a number of emotional melt downs. Due to a number of factors, many of which are hard to name, but I'll try. I think the fact that it was the end of our trip was wearing on us. Also, both Martin and I experienced culture-shock in ways we hadn't earlier on in the trip. We both had overwhelming grocery store experiences on different occasions. The prices, the selection....
But now we are back home and settled in to life here again.
I feel grateful for the chance to head north for a bit and be with family and friends....and look forward to the next time we are together, wherever that may be.

Giving Thanks

I've heard a number of people say that the second year in a new place is much easier. I've contemplating how true that is, as this month marks the completion of our second year with MCC, and we have been here in Olinala for 1 yr and 8 months.

Take Thursday afternoon for example. We were invited to a birthday party in Chiaucingo, a community about 20 minutes away. We went to the party around 5:30pm, even though the invitation was for 2pm. We've learned a thing or two over the last 2 years. Going later to the party meant we were in time for the pinata, cake and dancing! We had a wonderful chicken mole meal and laughed together the whole evening. Since this is one of the communities we have been working in a fair amount this past year, Isaiah and Micah know a number of the kids there, so they played happily most of the evening. Isaiah broke the pinata, helped pass out the cake, and both boys snuggled together in a chair while Martin and I danced, much to everyone's delight :)

On the washboardy-dirt road ride home, I realized again how much I will miss these people that have become our friends and these places that have become home. "Yes, I will too," replied Martin, as we slowly made our way home by the light of the stars.

BIG Trees

More wonderful summer memeories with brother Nate, cousing Jal, Abuela and Grandaddy, and the BIG trees.

San Francisco

Still catching up with summer 08 pictures. We had a great time in August learning to surf with my brother Andrew.

Getting Ready - Micah´s Birthday Party in Kansas

Some more pictures of Micah´s birthday party that I want to remember....

Cake Time - Micah Turns 4!

Cake time! The tradition here in Olinalá is that the birthday person takes a bite out of his or her cake. Micah told me ahead of time that he was NOT going to do that this year, plus, we were in Kansas, not Guerrero. But in the middle of the birthday song, "las mañanitas", he dove into his cake! We were all surprised! He was delighted with himself. Did he have a bit of brotherly "help"?

The Weekend

Friday - Start the weekend with a popsicle. The "boys" at home. Can you see the humingbird on the feeder? (On the right side.) Oh how we love to sit in the hammock and watch them.

Saturday - snuggle time with boys in the morning, time in the garden, 3 hour family hike to a waterfall with Merideth (another MCCer), boys went "camping" in our yard, romantic movie in the evening.

Sunday - rode bikes to mass in the morning. Naps in the afternoon. Time in the hammock, watching the humming birds come to our feeder. Invited to lunch at neighbor's house (Doña Marie and family). Played SkipBo with them. Playing guitar and singing together. Reading. Being. Resting.

Fun and Games at Micah´s Birthday Party

Finally getting more pictures from summer posted. Playing games at Micah´s birthday party in Kansas at my mom and dad´s farm.

Más Summer Pics

And a few more pictures.....

More Pictures from Summer

Some more pictures from our trip to the States. It was so good to be with friends and family.

Morning Prayer

new understandings from old memories

Psalm 143 6, 8
I stretch out my hands to you, my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.


"The mystic guides of Islam teach that "a person who has put a foot to the holy path must be content to travel like a turtle." Grant me patience, then, as I plod slowly towards wholeness and holiness. But also make me eager to achieve a largeness of heart, a generosity of giving and a greater depth of humble service.
from Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim

Conversations

I've been thinking about a number of conversations lately:

....with players of my basketball team
I've been playing with Nuevo Paraiso since August. My old team, San Jose, didn't enter this league. There has been a fair amount of conflict between some of the players, a number of people feeling like they don't get to play much during games (me included, but I haven't said much) among other issues. After not being contacted to play in a tournament the other weekend, I decided to stop playing basketball. It seems to cause more grief the joy. They have enough players. I'm not that good. Maybe if I stop playing basketball we can finally get a frisbee game going...... During the past few days however, a number of people from the team have talked to me about what's going on. They've asked me to continue playing until this league is over (December) and come to a meeting on Monday where we can all talk openly. I want to be a part of the conversations - I think conflict resolution is important. But I'm not sure that I want to keep playing. So I keep praying for guidance and understanding.

.....moms at school
There have been some rumors going around lately about children being kidnapped. People say that most of the rumors are from the "communities". Well, we work in the "communities" and have good relationships with people in the "communities", so it bothers me when these rumors go around.
On Wednesday, an announcement was made from one of the town's loudspeakers that an 8 year old was missing. Went to school and didn't come back. If anyone had any information, please contact......
So, I started talking to other moms at school, wondering what they thought about these rumors and if the 8 year-old was found. (He was, he's fine. He was only lost for a few minutes.)
I wanted to know what they thought of Isaiah riding his bike to school alone. I don't want to live in fear.
Their advice - take precautions, talk about being safe, but keep doing what you're doing. "You know people here, Liz, what do you think?" one mother asked. Well, from my experience, people here are very open, generous, friendly, and helpful. I get the sense that the whole town cares about my children and is looking out for them.


.....team mates about community development
These conversations have been very exciting, thought provoking, and challenging. We've started a "new chapter" as a team. We're back from a break in our routines and summer vacation. Looking forward to the new family joining us soon. Larger team relationships are healed (basically dedicated the month of August to healing work and conversations.)
So now we're taking time to talk about and read about community development. We've dedicated time and energy to analyzing what, why, and how we're doing community development work. We're going over our programs carefully and analyzing where we can make changes and improvements, based on our philosophy. It's good. Rewarding. And hard too. It feels like the more we talk and read, the more questions I have, the more complicated the issues and tasks at hand. But again, it's all very rewarding. And a journey. One in which I am grateful to be on.

Receiving

I feel like we continue to be on the receiving end of things. Last night we had our second consecutive team supper. Again, it was wonderful to share a meal and conversation together. The threads of this cloth, these people coming together in this place, at this time, around a common goal, are being woven together in a strong, tight weave.

I felt especially grateful for the gift that Merideth and Kiara brought in the form of spending time with Isaiah and Micah. At one point early on, Mer and Isaiah were in the hammock, reading a chapter book, and Kiara and Micah were on the couch, reading a book. The time, attention and love that they both continually share with the boys is a true blessing, and a real gift. Thanks dear friends!

October 15, 2008

Today is our 2 year anniversary with MCC.
On my trail run this morning, a number of butterflies accompanied me. It was beautiful. Moving. I was grateful.
I remembered the butterfly connections I had while we were at language school almost 2 years ago. We went through some hard times, especially with our second host family. It led to lots of meaningful conversations with the language school teachers, especially Martha. We had many conversations about our faith. She told me about going to see the butterflies in Michoacan and how they kept landing on her. She felt God's spirit. Our conversations led to a series of dreams in which a butterfly continually landed on my bellybutton, my core. Reminding me of my inner strength and the sprit of God that dwells in each of us.

Isaiah

Rides his bike to school alone
Reads and writes in Spanish
Asks me if I'm okay
Tells us he loves us
Gives hugs
Wants to snuggle in the morning
Tells me his dreams
Takes care of his brother
Sleeps in the tree house alone
Is into playing card games
Loves his new soccer ball
Wants to be read to (chapter books)
Is fiercely independent
Is fiercely persistent
Tries to be responsible


......went with me to Chiaucingo last Wednesday and played with Micah while I was in a meeting at the Preschool. They were playing in the playground with some other kids. For some reason, Isaiah decided to "pass" a brick through the fence. It happened to fall on the windshield of a truck and broke the windshield. Sigh. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The owner was very kind. Said he has kids and things like this happen. He and Martin went to Tlapa (1 1/2 hrs away to get the windshield fixed.)
$1,000 pesos later the owner is satisfied with his new windshield. We worked out a plan for Isaiah to "earn" the money to pay for his action. And there continues to be lots of talking about our choices and consequences.

Team Meeting in Chihuahua

In September our whole team went to Chihuahua. It interesting and thought provoking to visit the Mennonite colonies there, talk with people, and try to understand a bit about them.