Merry Christmas!!!

Just want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!! May the season be of joy and peace with family gathering and those who you love dearly!! This Christmas I will be joining my dad's family in Guadalajara! I will have a chance to celebrate the Mexican side of Christmas with my grandfather, my aunts, uncles, and all those cousins!!

I know from talking to my cousin and those around here that there are major differences from Mexico and the US! ... BEFORE Christmas beginning the 16th - 23rd there are many posadas, this is the traditional "drama" of Mary and Joseph knocking on the nearby doors asking for a place to stay for their baby Jesus' birth through song. Also during this time, there are other dramas of the Christmas retake in very different perspectives (angels and demons, shepherds, etc...) played the last week of the universities. I had the privilege to check out a couple this year!

1. Christmas is celebrated on the 24th with family through a large delicious meal. I will be enjoying tons of different types of tamales (customary with my family).

2. The 25th is the reheating of the amazing food from the 24th.

3. Santa Claus does not come to many homes here; however, the three wise men come and send the gifts to the children on the January morning of Jan 6th. The night before, the children place their shoes out with their wish list sometimes they send it up in the air using balloons!

4. During Jan 6th there is a certain type of bread roll with a little baby Jesus doll in the inside. Each person there will cut a piece of this bread and IF they encounter this baby Jesus, this person will be in charge of providing the meal for another celebration in February (I forgot the exact date).

5. Pinatas, dancing and games are also a grand part of this celebration... depending on the family traditions!!

I am super excited! Please enjoy and have a wonderful Merry Christmas! Remember the REASON behind the season - Jesus Christ!! And have an amazing NEW Year!! Recall the lessons you have grown this last year and give praise to the God who allowed you to go through it - Also - set those reasonable goals in those areas you are weak in!!

Feliz Navidad!!

Yenedith & Minelli

I would like to share two amazing blessings God has provided in my path: Yenedith & Minelli. these two young women are new believers, new creations, new followers of Jesus Christ, new sisters in the faith. To see their love for Christ is encouraging, powerful and priceless. As an "older" Christian in the faith, I have found myself surrounded by believers because the love of Christ bonds us together. It is absolutely beautiful, the strong connection there is of love. Then for those who do not yet know the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior, the mentality, perspective on life is so separate, different, it is a little more work to connect, but it can be done. For we are in this world to share Christ to those who don't know, to share what Christ did here on Earth and why! Now, I have been blessed, honored by assisting, guiding two students into the life of Christ. What a privilege, what a JOY!! It's like feeding hungry birds the worm, swallowing everything with great delight and eagerness. It's like sharing to young children an incredible action story, their ears are super attentive, their eyes are focused fully to the speaker! As a teacher, they are the best students one can ask! They do their homework, they learn their materials, they attend with anticipation of learning! God is their love and all they want to do is learn about Him and do/obey everything that is right and holy. Why? Because they realize that they owe Him (God), their life, their ALL!! (The pix above is of Minelli and I... I haven't taken a pix of Yenedith yet)

Time to Reflect and Praise God

November and December came and almost went!! It has been a while since my last blog. I realize it is much needed and valued to sit and reflect on daily events especially when one sees the hand of God working in the lives of students, workers and those around. How much we need to praise God for His work! Many times we look or seem to be blocked with the problems around us: financial struggles, personal issues, war, natural disasters, injustice, the poor, illnesses, etc... Will we ever reach satisfaction? Will there ever be a point when we find ourselves problem less? I think not. Not until Christ comes back to call us home.