Burches, Coffee and Our Trip

My wonderful friend, Collette

Last night we had our friends, Philip and Collette Burch (HIM missionaries here in Salamanca), over for coffee after prayer meeting (which by the way was really blessed with the Lord's presence). We ended up around the table playing Phase 10 which has to be our son Cameron's favorite game right now. And guess what? He beat us all!

Logan was our "waiter", bringing us ice water, coffee, creamer, etc. It was pretty cute - he had the whole towel over the arm thing going on, too. We got a good laugh out of it.

There is just no way to say how wonderful it is for us to have Philip and Collette to mentor us, to fellowship with us, provide encouragement and advice, immense help with the language and just to be good friends!

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On another note - tomorrow's the big day! We are leaving to go North! Our first week will be spent at Pell City Camp - Marc's one of the evangelists - then a week for family - and a week for traveling back, etc. We are so looking forward to this. The Lord answered prayer (seriously) yesterday and gave me a sunny day in the middle of rainy season to get ALL my laundry washed and dried on the clothesline. Now I have today totally set aside for nothing but packing and cleaning. Oh yeah, and fixing food for my family - seems like someone's always hungry...smiles...

I have no idea if I'll have time to blog in the next 3 weeks....if not, I'll see when we get back to Salamanca! Hasta luego!

Update on my Nephew, Braxton

My nephew Braxton is doing great and recuperating well after his accident. All casts are off and he is getting back to normal with his activity.
Here he is having fun in his garage. You can see him using the leg that was injured.

Thanks for praying for Braxton and his family. We will be spending a few days with him and the rest of his family in July - can't wait!

Happy Anniversary - to us!

Our 15th wedding anniversary was actually June 20, but since I wasn't able to blog about it then...here goes...

Wow - what a happy journey these 15 years have led us on! I wouldn't have dreamed of where we'd be on our 15th anniversary, but happiness knows no borders or boundaries, and love takes you with the one you can't and don't want to live without, no matter where.

So here we are, having enjoyed 15 years together: 15 years of happy memories, 3 great kids, yes - some difficult times, too. But then that's life. 15 years of ministry together, giving ourselves to God and His kingdom - there's nothing we can think of that brings more fulfillment. And this new path He's called us to walk - we're walking it hand in hand, for always. 15 years of intertwining our hearts, our dreams, and everything that marriage means.

I could never express my deep contentment with the man God gave me to share my life with. He knew just who I needed and led me right to him.

Thank you, Marc, for 15 wonderful years...let's grow old together.

I love you.

And now he's 10......

With no Sears Portrait Studio close, my HP PhotoSmart will have to do. My goodness, when did this boy get so tall?

The Cake

Cameron's cake - delicious!

Cameron's Birthday Party

We're back home from helping Steve and Beth move to the Language School, and I'm a few days late posting Cameron's birthday pictures. He had a great birthday party at Uncle Steve and Aunt Beth's new house, with Kent and Maria, Papaw and Grandma Sankey and our family. He got really cool gifts and we all enjoyed a scrumptious Dairy Queen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard Ice Cream Cake! Yum!!! And in that 100+ degree heat of South Texas, it was just what was needed.

Pics later when Blogger will cooperate.....

Cameron is 10

Today our middle son, Cameron, turns 10. I can't believe it - where has the time gone since this morning 10 years ago? It seems just yesterday we were holding you for the first time, thanking God for the miracle you are.

What joy you have brought into our home, always keeping us smiling with some silly saying or goofy action that is "just Cameron".

Today we celebrate who you are and what God is making of you. He has so many plans for your life, some of which He has already revealed to you - we can't wait to watch and see what He does. Happy Birthday, son.

Love always,

Mom and Dad

Happy Father's Day

Today I wish my dad a very Happy Father's Day. Although we cannot be together today, you're in my thoughts. I love you, Daddy.


Also, to my father in law - a very Happy Father's Day - although I have already wished you that in person today. What a rare privilege we have to be together with you and Mom on this Father's Day - first time that I remember. I love you, Dad.

Our New Missionaries Have Arrived

Our new missionaries, Steve & Beth, Maria and Kent Stetler, arrived safely here in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas where they will be spending a year in language study. They are settling into their new home on the language school campus, using the rest of the summer to get oriented and Steve will be beginning Spanish classes in the middle of August.

Thanks for praying for them - we're so blessed to have family as our new co-workers. God is good!

Feliz Cumpleanos, Irving

Happy 7th Birthday, Irving! We were invited to Irving's birthday party last Saturday - it was so much fun. The food was delicious and our boys enjoyed being with Irving, as always.

Getting ready to enjoy those burritos!

Blowing out the "futbol" candles

You can see how hot it is here right now by the sweaty faces of these boys!

Opening his gift

Thanks, Isela, for inviting us!

Check out this Motorcycle!

Hi - it's Cameron again. You gotta see the huge motorcycle we saw in San Miguel de Allende. My brothers and I climbed up on it and my dad took a picture (I'm in the middle). It was pretty cool! It was made out of all kinds of different parts. Tell me what you think of it.


Guess what? My 10th birthday is in just 12 more days. Double digits!

Hasta luego,
Cameron

Visit from our Mission Board

We have just enjoyed a wonderful visit from our Missions Director, John Parker, and 4 of the other Board Members: Walt Hedstrom, Clair Sams, Bennie Durr, and Monte Stetler. They arrived last Saturday and just boarded their planes in Mexico City to return home yesterday. Victor Maldonado, a member of our church in Rio Bravo, also arrived on Saturday - to help with translating.

We all visited our church in Cuchicuato on Sunday morning, enjoyed a delicious meal with Pastor Sanchez and family and visited our church in Pedgregales in the evening.

John Parker preaching in Cuchicuato; Victor - interpreting

Special Song (Sankeys and Monte Stetler - His Name is Wonderful, sung in Spanish)

Ben Durr with the pastor's daughter, Marisa

Delicious Mexican Meal in the Pastor's home in Cuchicuato

Walt Hedstrom preaching in Pedregales

Clair Sams bringing greetings in Pedregales

Monday was spent meeting with a lawyer here in Salamanca, getting some legal questions answered, and viewing some potential Institute properties here in town.

Tuesday was the day of the Board Meetings, combining our US BMMissions board and the National Bible Methodist Board here in Mexico. The Lord's help and presence was felt in the meetings, as the future was discussed and plans made - the entire group also went to view the potential property site for the Institute here in Salamanca. Thanks so much to Pastor Philip Burch and the HIM church here for allowing us to use their beautiful facility for these meetings and to provide accomodations for our Mexican brethren. Also to Isela Balderas and Collette Burch for their wonderful help in providing accomodations and food preparation.

On Wednesday we took a great trip to San Miguel de Allende -about an hour and a half from Salamanca. This town is just beautiful and Marc and I fall in love with it more each time we visit. We shopped, ate authentic food, visited huge ornate churches, and just enjoyed walking the streets of this old town.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Bro. Parker and each of the Board Members who took time out of their schedule to come and visit with us, meet with the National Board, bring candy and treats for our family, and encourage us with their presence.

But next time, the wives have to come, too!

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Group picture of US and Mexican Boards

Back row (l to r) Marc Sankey, John Parker, Walt Hedstrom, Clair Sams, Bennie Durr, Monte Stetler

Front row (l to r) Alejandro Cedillo, Enrique Braulius, Homero Luna, Refugio Sanchez, Jose Cruz, Dolores Hernandez