Once again, this is long over due - here are a few pictures of the house I moved into just about 2 months ago. It's feeling very much like home. I'm enjoying some days of peace and quietness around the house. Over the last few months we've had many overnight visitors. I'm thankful to God for this new place and continue to ask Him for guidance on how best to use this great space.
A before shot of the living room. There was no option - we had to change it - I did not want to live in this house with this colour of walls.
The living room looking very different and feeling more like home!
More of the green that had to change.
The dining room.
The table feeling a bit small for the large space.
The entry way and hallway.
the office
My pink bedroom!
The guest bedroom.
Plant life - a little garden in the middle of the house.
the kitchen - a rather dull looking room - but it's big.
moving day
So thankful for the extra hands around to help!
That's a little tour of the majority of the house - I'm missing a few spaces, but you get the idea. It's been great to have the extra space for many youth events over the last 2 months.
I've moved. It's felt like a whirlwind of a month - my head isn't spinning anymore. I'm feeling encouraged and excited about life even though I feel tired. The work has been fulfilling, God continues to teach me and allows opportunities for me to use my giftings. Sandra and I moved into a house almost a month ago - it's allowed us to enjoy a bit more space. There has not been a night that it's just been the 2 of us though - we've had constant visitors and overnights guests (which i've enjoyed!).
It's also been a month of birthdays among the youth here and so the new space has enabled us to host 4 birthday parties with up to 26 people here - something that would have been just about impossible in the apartment. Here's a picture from one of the parties where one of our guests was insistent of getting a picture with the Generation X'ers that were in attendance.
Here is my new address for those of who would like it:
Calle San Bonifacio 461
Colonia Los Arcos
Guadalajara, JA, Mexico
C.P. 44500
If you've sent me a piece of mail in the last 2 or so months - can you maybe just drop me a note so I know that I can be looking for that - I am able to still check my mail at the old address. Thanks for sticking by me - thanks for your prayers and encouragement during this last month.
Thanks for sticking with me - I'm still here and haven't given up on blogging.
I had a great time with my family - it was wonderful to have a week of rest and to spend it with family. I loved seeing my nephew - who is 2 and how precious he is and how much fun he is. I loved meeting my beautiful 2 month old niece. I loved laughing, talking and just being with my siblings and parents. It was a refreshing week with them at the beach.
2 thoughts this evening...
1. Tuesday, the 11th marked the 2 year date of arriving here to Guadalajara. It's amazing how fast the time has gone by. Praising God for all that this time here has held. Looking forward to what God has in store for the future.
2. Sandra and I are moving! The contract is up this month on the apartment we've been renting and so we decided to look around for something with a bit more space. We found a house and the next little while will be packing, cleaning, painting, and moving!
Life continues to be busy.... my parents were here for 10 days and that was fun. They've gone to the beach and I'll join them on Saturday when all my siblings, in-laws, nephew and niece make there way here too!!! I'm super excited for a week of vacation - spent at the beach - and with my family. Apparently my nephew (almost 2 years old) said the words "Auntie Jen" when my parents asked if he was ready to go on an airplane! How cute is that!
Besides this I'm trying to find time for regular weekly jobs, youth ministry, discipleship, visa paperwork, apartment/house hunting, working with the TREK girls, preparing for teams, etc. Life is full - lots of learning that continues to happen! Thank you for your support and prayers!
I love airports. I always have. I like finding my way around airports and the excitement and adreneline that airports hold. I love going to the airport to pick up people and even to drop them off. There have been times when I've lived in Winnipeg, that I've gone to the airport observation deck where I find joy to sit and journal. I just got back from the airport this afternoon!
The last 10 days my good friend Rosanna was here to visit. Rosanna and I did TREK together 7 years ago and I'm blessed by her friendship that has continued on through the years. Below is a mix of pictures from the last 10 days. These were days filled with sunshine, tacos, good coffee and great company (and I did manage to work in there somewhere as well!). We also took the chance to get away for 2 nights and enjoyed the warmness and holiday feeling at the beach! Thank you for your presence, your many treats and your visit Rosanna! We all loved having you here! I get to go back to the airport tomorrow - to pick up my parents who arrive! I guess my joy of airports will continue on...
Thanks for checking in with me friends! Blessings to you all!
It's been a great last 10 days. Our Hadime program ran really well - lots of learning took place in different experiences. We showed this video of some highlights in church yesterday - it's in Spanish, but you'll get the idea.
The last 3 days of the program we took a trip to an indigenous village a few hours away. It was such a great opportunity to be Jesus to these people. We were forced to give up some of our daily comforts - showers and bathrooms, beds and being warm (it was cold at night! - down to almost 0 degrees). The team bonded really well and many memories were made. During our trip we handed out Christmas shoe boxes - our Mexican version of Operation Christmas Child - our 3 churches collected 87 gifts! We also had clothing and milk along to hand out. Praise to Jesus for the great growing opportuntities in the lives of the 16 participants!
2 cuties from the Indigenous camp in GDL that we visited.
Vicky and I during training
Trever and AP standing close to the fire - our source of heat during the evenings!
A picture from the street.
No stoves here - food tastes great over the open fire!
We were a mix of 5 different cultures - Mexican, Colombian, Canadian, American, and Thai - what a rich experience it was to learn from one another!
Thanks for your prayers for me over these last 10 days!
Praise God for the safe arrival of a niece - Addison Cassidy - born Dec. 31, 2007 - 5:30am - 8 lbs, 4.5 on - born to Chad and Missi.
Love you guys lots - February 24th can't come soon enough!
I'm in the midst of our 10 day discipleship program. Having a great time - feeling exhausted and a bit under the weather. Loving the teachings, bonding, and hearing testimonies. Great to see God at work.
I arrived here in Guadalajara at the beginning of March 2006. Here is just a bit about the happenings in my life - what i'm learning and what i'm experiencing.
2 thoughts this evening...
I get to go back to the airport tomorrow - to pick up my parents who arrive! I guess my joy of airports will continue on...
Vicky and I during training
We were a mix of 5 different cultures - Mexican, Colombian, Canadian, American, and Thai - what a rich experience it was to learn from one another!
