a lesson in tamale making

Today Betty let me try my hand at tamale making.

Pulling out the soaked corn husks.


Later I ate a taco and I accidently bit into the chile piquin. Those little suckers are hot! My eyes watered and I needed a drink.

thoughts on being phoneless

Since Christmas break I have been without a phone. In August I left a life of being on the phone non-stop and texting constantly (quite fast, I might add). Then, when I got here I had no text and could use a phone whenever I was in my apartment and when the internet was working. NOW, I have no way of verbally talking to anyone out of my community here unless I borrow a phone. It is actually okay!! I don't come home and right away check what messages I have. I have no calls to return. I have to trust my friends are my friends if I don't call them all the time. I spend more time on other things. It is freeing. Maybe I am not such a phone talker anyway??

Feliz cumpleanos Claudia y Ewelin

The Merrill's Going Away Party

With a lot of sadness we took Heather and the kids to the airport Friday and Bill left with the SUV and trailer to travel to Michigan. Their teen girls are adjusting and right now are in a transition period before their new 'house parents' arrive. Please pray for them in this time of sadness and change. For the Merrill kids we had a party at school Thursday and made a scrapbook for them, and Bill and Heather got one from the staff.
You will be missed!!

God's Love

It's amazing to see how much God loves us all and how he wants to give us the desires of our hearts and see us smile. A week ago I posted my 'bucket list' and then I got a call asking if I wanted to go to a soccer game of the Rayados, a Monterrey team! I was so excited. I borrowed a shirt from one of the teens on campus so I could have the full effect. We were in the rowdy section and it was a blast!! There is a whole section called "The Addictions" who sing and chant through the whole game. They lit sparklers and threw confetti. The half-time show was very unique and hilarious. They won 3-0!

thoughts on being phoneless

Since Christmas break I have been without a phone. In August I left a life of being on the phone non-stop and texting constantly (quite fast, I might add). Then, when I got here I had no text and could use a phone whenever I was in my apartment and when the internet was working. NOW, I have no way of verbally talking to anyone out of my community here unless I borrow a phone. It is actually okay!! I don't come home and right away check what messages I have. I have no calls to return. I have to trust my friends are my friends if I don't call them all the time. I spend more time on other things. It is freeing. Maybe I am not such a phone talker anyway??

My Mexico Bucket List

I don't know if you have seen the movie that is out about Bucket Lists but it actually came here to Mexico and we went to see it. I am a big fan of these lists. I have had a 'life list' on a napkin in my wallet for at least 5 years now. There are things I would like to do in my lifetime. I enjoy trying new things and experiencing as much of life as I can and now that I only have 4 months left in this beautiful country, I have a list of things I want to do here before I leave. They are:

*go hiking at several different places around here
*go on a day excursion to Matacanes (hiking in caves and rock climbing)
*go to a futbol (soccer) game
*go to the hot springs an hour away
*go to a concert in downtown Monterrey
*try more new restaurants