Family Update

All of the individual families got some great shots, except for the photographer's family. It's ironic that it happens that way, but it's hard to get great shots of us because I'm always behind the camera. This time, however, we were stymied by Kate's raisin box & hunger level. :-)

Mom & Dad are currently living in Leon, Guanajuato, MX. Although dad & mom were missionaries for my whole childhood, we lived right on the Texas border with Mexico. Dad commuted to his teaching job right across the border. This gave us a lot of advantages. We grew up going to US schools, Dad was able to do his work that he was called to, and we were immersed in a Tex-Mex culture that gave us an appreciation for Spanish language, food, culture, friends, church, music, but didn't isolate us from American culture of family, either. Once all of the kids left the "nest," they decided it was time to move to Mexico. Dad has continued his teaching ministry, but instead of teaching at one central school, he travels around training pastor's to form their own schools in house. He also travels around and teaches Bible classes to small groups & individuals. Mom is finishing up her master's degree by getting involved with the Trique population of Indians in Souther & Western Mexico. Her degree is in ethnomusicology & the Trique Project focuses on encouraging musicians to compose original Trique Christian songs to sing for worship. Currently, their hymnal is all (or mostly) songs translated from Spanish. Mom just finished two recording projects for this Project. One CD of entirely new Christian songs & another of translated children's songs & stories.

This is a great picture of my sister Becky, and her husband, Elias. They got married in March of 2007. She graduated in 2006 with a Cross Cultural degree from TFC & he just graduated in May with his degree in Business. Today they flew to Guatemala to live & work in Elias' hometown. He hasn't seen his family in 8 years, so I can only imagine how excited they will be to have him back! And, he's bringing a wife with him. His parents applied for a visa to come for Becky & Elias' wedding, but they were denied, so this is the first time that they will meet Becky. They will both be working for the Ixtatan Foundation, which runs a school & several other humanitarian projects in Elias' hometown of San Mateo Ixtatan. Becky will be teaching English to several grade levels of middle & high school. Elias will be teaching computers & also running the computer lab. This school is the first high school ever in San Mateo & it was only founded a couple of years ago. Students used to have to go to a boarding school in a bigger city. We are so excited for them, but are so sad to see them go!

Well, what can I say??? Most of you readers ALSO read and/or know Jen & Ben personally, so there isn't much to share. I'm so glad that I have some family that live so close to us. Kate often wakes up and asks about Lydia, Lauren, or Auntie Jen, indicating that she thinks we ought to go for a visit or do something fun. Over time, our fun activities with each other have changed. We no longer go to the movies or out to eat or even shop for a fun time. Nowadays, we have to eat lunch at each other's house, go to Chick-fil-A, story time at the library, or swim at Mima & Papa's. Do I miss the old days? yes. But these new days are great, too. Lydia & Kate play especially well together, so I often kidnap Lydia for a fun day with Auntie & cousin. She is a great babysitter when we go shopping. Kate is not a very good shopper by herself, but w/ Lydia to distract her, she's great! Jen is my commadre in arms, my first call for advice, commiseration, or company.



Susie & Patrick are living in Elkins, WV. Patrick was recently ordained in the Christian Missionary & Alliance church. He works as a youth/assistant pastor & Susie is his sidekick. Patrick is the most involved youth minister I believe I've ever come in contact with. Not only do he & Susan invite their kids into their home for game nights & small group, he also makes it a point to go to sporting events & special events, AND spends one on one or small group time with his kids regularly by taking them to lunch or inviting them over. This summer, Susie & Patrick are taking their high school students to Peru for a mission trip. They are also missionary candidates in the CMA, and are hoping to complete their home service in a year or two & be placed somewhere overseas after that!