IHC is underway

This promises to be another very full day now that the Central Mexico IHC is underway but I want to take a few minutes this morning to update you on what's happening here.

First of all, my husband arrived back home safely after his States trip with Dolores Hernandez to attend the Missions Board Meeting. The Lord helped Marc translate in the board meetings on Monday, as well the 2 services they attended on Sunday. He arrived home Tuesday night, very tired. I was so glad to have him back.





On Wednesday evening, we welcomed my inlaws, Leonard and Janet Sankey. We picked them up at the airport, we were hungry and you know where we took them - to eat tacos! We were joined by the Planks and the Burches.








Last night was the first night of the IHC and what a wonderful service we had! The Lord's presence was there throughout the songs, testimonies, and then my father-in-law preached a great message to "kick things off". I'm constantly amazed at his Spanish. What he has retained from so many years ago is just amazing. And my mother in law, too...after the service she's talking to people, interacting....it's just wonderful to have them here in our home and in the IHC.

Of course, Grandma brought LOTS of great things for the boys (and for Marc and me): clothes, shoes, candy, books, and much more! Thanks!

Today's a full day as I mentioned at the top - thank you for praying for our family and for the Convention this week. Many of our Bible Methodist pastors and people are still arriving from different places in Mexico. We're excited to be with them again!

More pics later when Blogger will cooperate.

Pretty Cool Connection

The boys and I enjoyed a very special thing tonight - we saw our husband and father from thousands of miles away! He and Bro. Dolores Hernandez attended the evening service at our church in Franklin, Ohio tonight and I watched and listened to him speak, translate from Spanish to English for Bro. Dolores, sing in Spanish and English - and guess what he said first? "Hi, honey!" - he knew I was planning to log in. So sweet, huh? Yes!!

He's staying in the home of our good friends, Shane and Tamra Craycraft - I'm kinda jealous...would love to be seeing them right now.

I would like to ask prayer for him and for Bro. Dolores tomorrow afternoon as they attend and participate in the Bible Methodist Missions Board Meeting in Findlay, OH. This is a first - to invite the Mexican Bible Methodist leadership (National President) to participate in the state-side board meeting. Marc will of course be not only addressing the board as Superintendent but also translating so Bro. Dolores can address the board and be part of the discussions, etc. For a first year missionary learning a foreign language, this is a tall order! Right, missionaries?

He'll be returning home Tuesday evening, in time to welcome his parents on Wednesday evening and the IHC begins on Thursday evening. We are so excited about the special events of this week! But......If there ever were a week when our family needs extra strength, it's this one. We would appreciate your prayers.

Let me leave you with a pretty awesome (at least I think so) picture of Logan and a couple Mexican buddies, Irving and Josias. They're great friends!

Hope your week is blessed!

Visiting Cuchicuato

I love this pic of Missy and all the kids in front of our house.

On the second Sunday night of Missy and Gerald's visit, we all went out to visit our Bible Methodist church in the village of Cuchicuato. The pastor and people there are so precious - we always enjoy when we can go for a service and love taking family/visitors with us.

Marc preached in the service and did a great job. It's cool to hear your husband preach in 2 different languages. Anyway, I was called on to stand and pray for the offering (again, Beth!!) and I stammered through. Bro. Jose Cruz sang a special song, playing his guitar and it was hauntingly beautiful. Hard to explain unless you were there.

After church, Missy and I handed out over 100 of our homemade chocolate chip cookies to the people there - they loved them! I've done this a couple times before and you'd think I was handing out gold nuggets.

The people just LOVED Caden - he's not shy and let them all hold him and make over him.

I got to meet Graciela, Bro. Jose's wife and their children for the first time. They used to pastor the Bible Meth. Church in Oaxaca City and are now assisting in the Cuchicuato church. She was so precious and their children are just adorable.

Eating Tacos al Pastor

Here we are eating those famous tacos al pastor - Gerald and Missy also liked the quesadillas de pollo (chicken quesadillas). We ate at this restaurant twice while they were here - that's how much they liked it. This time we were enjoying it with Philip Burch and a visiting preacher, Hermano Saul.

Of course Caden was just the star of the show....everyone was watching him, smiling at him, etc. and he was loving the attention!

It's Monday

Well, it's Monday again. I know most people dislike Mondays, but I love them. A new start to a new week - Monday's encourage me to make my to-do list (which I'm rarely without), straighten up the house, light some candles, and get on with it....I know...sounds a little strange.

This week will be full of preparations for the coming Central Mexico IHC next Thursday - Sunday. We will be continuing work at the HIM building, plus getting ready to receive guests - from the US and from all over Mexico. We know many of our Bible Methodist pastors and people are planning to attend, and we're so excited to get to be with them again. Also, to meet new ones that are also making their plans to attend.

Marc and our Bible Meth. National President Dolores Hernandez will be flying into Indianapolis this Saturday, attending a couple of our churches on Sunday, and be participating in the Missions Board Meeting on Monday. It is so exciting to be able to take Bro. Dolores "up north". I'm sure Marc will bring back pics of this trip that I can post.

Then my in-laws, Leonard and Janet Sankey are arriving on Wednesday, the 17th - yay! My boys are so excited (and so are we) My father in law is one of the special speakers for the Convention, as well as James Plank from Pennsylvania. His wife, Marie and children are accompanying him. We can't wait to see our good friends again.

So as you can see, a busy week, well 2 weeks actually - but full of wonderful things.

I want to take a couple posts this week to share some photos of my sister Missy and family when they came to visit recently.

Getting ready to board the bus in Reynosa, MX for Salamanca

Braxton playing with our boys' friend, Jose

Caden getting his first haircut on my kitchen counter

Gifts, gifts and more gifts

What a blessed missionary family we are!

We have recently been happy recipients of 2 wonderful care packages sent from 2 of our Heartland Bible Methodist churches: Port Clinton and Salem.

When Pastor Fourman came to participate in the work project here in Salamanca, he brought our family a care package from the dear people in Port Clinton: wristwatches for the boys, books for Marc and I, and more...Thank you so much, Deron and Kim and the people at Port Clinton!

Then this afternoon, our family opened a HUGE box of gifts from the Salem Bible Methodist Church. Thanks to Missionary President Leah we knew this was on the way, but we never dreamed to this magnitude....as you can see from the photo, there are so many special things that they're too numerous to mention. As you can also see, we have 3 happy boys!

Thank you, Sis. Leah, and the wonderful people at Salem for blessing us with these gifts.

Days 8 - 10

These were very full and very busy days....lots of people coming and going, lots of workers present to lend a hand, lots of meals to be served - most of all, lots of progress being made on the project - thank you to everyone!

My sister, Missy, has been a tremendous help to me, with preparing and serving meals, cleaning, organizing, and much more. Besides all that, we've had a great time together. I am so blessed to have her here this week.

We're leaving in the morning to make the long trek back to the border so Missy and Gerald can fly home to Ohio on Wednesday morning. We'll be able to pick up our mail, do some business, then head back home in a couple days.

A few more photos to share:

Beautiful new tile in the student lounge/ library area

Bro. Craig and Philip, discussing very important matters (I'm sure)

And what would we have done without the back-breaking work that 2 of our Bible Methodist pastors have done - here are Bro. Sanchez and Bro. Jose, taking a break.

There is more work to be done, but we are so grateful to all those who took time to come and help us for these past 2 weeks - may God bless you for your contribution to His work here in Salamanca, Gto, Mexico!

The Sankeys

ok...ok...I'm Tagged!

Thanks to everyone who has tagged me - just haven't had time to sit down and write.

I would say that there are many things that you can find out about me by reading my blog, but maybe these would be a few "lesser known" facts - who knows.....

1. I am the oldest of 4 children born to parents who were told they could never have children. Guess that makes me a miracle...smiles...

2. I grew up with only sisters, and now am raising only boys - 3 of them.

3. I thank God every day for the amazing husband He gave me and for 3 healthy children - I am so blessed.

4. Although I am almost ready to complete 2 years (in January) of my quest to learn Spanish, I have so much more to learn. Fluency seems a long way off.

5. I absolutely adore Orville Redenbacher Kettle Korn, icy frappucinos, and that "famous" Mexican snack called elotes. Check older posts to find out what it is.

6. I learned to swim as an adult, although it has not completely taken away my fear of water.

7. I am striving to become more like Jesus, in my public and private life - to show Him to others, to live surrendered and committed every single day, to resist temptation to be discontented, and to embrace what He's doing in my life. That is my desire.

Ok - let's see. Who hasn't been tagged?

Sarah Holden, Julie Millard, Tamra Craycraft and Stephanie Phillips......if you've been tagged more than once, I know how you feel...smiles...

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Work Days 6 & 7

....And the work goes on. So much is being accomplished and we thank the Lord for His help. We also thank Him for His hand on Philip Burch yesterday. He cut his hand badly requiring 10 - 12 stitches, but it could have been a lot worse. Of course, it didn't really slow him down - he came straight back from getting it stitched up and was right back to work.

Here's a few pictures of the guys working and of the delicious lunch the HIM church ladies fixed for everyone - enchiladas rojas (red enchiladas). They were fantastic!

Marc and Deron

Deron and Gerald

Mike

Aaron

But the guys aren't the only ones working. Here's Missy making great use of my clotheslines.

Caden loves everyone....and they love him!

Now we're just relaxing.....

Logan having fun with cousins, Braxton and Caden

Work Days 4 & 5 and the Weekend

Work Days 4 and 5 went great and much has already been accomplished. An extra pair of hands was available during those days - Jonathan and Renee Springer and children arrived late Thursday night and Jonathan added his skills to the work on those days. Renee and I had a great time visiting, preparing food, caring for children, etc. Our family fell in love with their adorable kids, Kylie and Korey! Thanks, Jonathan and Renee for taking time out of your schedule to come down and help us - we really appreciate it. And thanks, Jonathan for helping us sing on Sunday morning - that was fun.

On Saturday evening, 3 more pairs of willing hands have joined the team: Pastor Deron Fourman, Mike Butcher and Craig McLaughlin. They arrived at the building about 6:00 and literally minutes later, were assisting in the clean-up for Sunday. We all went to eat tacos al pastor together - I must say, they loved them!

Yesterday was a great day. The day started off in a fantastic way for me - my sister and family arrived!! Gerald and Missy, Braxton and Caden arrived on the bus from Reynosa, Mexico - an all-night ride, after having flown to McAllen, TX from Columbus, OH - and we were SOO happy to see them! It is quite an accomplishment to ride a night bus 12 hours with 2 little ones, but Missy and Gerald are troopers and they did great. Thanks, Steve and Beth, for your help on that end, helping them get across the border, get tourist papers, and on the right bus! Missy and Gerald will be staying through this weekend and of course, Gerald will be giving a full week of work at the project.

Pastor Fourman preached through an translator(Philip Burch, one of the best, by the way) at the HIM church in the morning, then Craig McLaughlin preached in our Bible Methodist Church in Cuchicuato last night (how great that he needs no translator!).

The ladies of the HIM church fixed us a meal yesterday - a soup called pozole. They eat it with tostadas spread with mayonnaise, lettuce, lime, etc. It was spicy, to say the least - but very tasty. Thank you, ladies.

Now it's Monday and work is in full swing. Our Bible Methodist pastor and assistant pastor, Bro. Sanchez and Bro. Cruz have arrived at the building and are spending this day working as well. We are so thankful for the great cooperative spirit that is being manifested in this endeavor.

It's time for homeschool for the boys and then Jordan will be spending his second afternoon working at the project today. The boys have taken turns assisting - thanks, guys!

Happy Monday!

Melodie

Work Day # 3

This is the third day of some pretty back-breaking, sledge hammer swinging, work going on at the HIM building that we will be utilizing for our Bible Institute until our permanent Bible Methodist campus is built.

John Dykes has arrived and he, Marc, and Philip Burch haven't wasted any time getting going - along with the great help of some boys who are just having too much fun to know it's work.

Looking forward to reinforcements arriving soon: Jonathan Springer (and family) sometime this evening, and others are on the way: My brother in law, sister and kids, Gerald and Missy Miller, Craig McLaughlin, Deron Fourman and Mike Butcher.

Nice chair, Marc

Think Logan's scared?

Mexican Flan...and Friends

On Sunday, we invited some of our friends from the church here in Salamanca, Tino and Yanet and their adorable very blonde little boy, "Faustinito" over for Sunday dinner. I served them roast beef, potatoes, and carrots, green beans, rolls.....the typical "Sunday dinner". I wasn't sure what they'd think but they loved it. I didn't take pics of what I cooked, but I had to take some of the dessert that Yanet brought to share with us - Mexican flan.

So beautifully done and "garnished", and it tasted delicious. I will say, I have had flan in the past that I didn't care for. This was different - very rich and creamy with a delicious caramel sauce over it. Yum!

Yanet helping me serve the Flan.

We had fun eating and visiting with our friends. They are so very kind to us, patient with our Spanish, and most of all, they both really love the Lord and their lives exhibit that love. When I was gone recently from Salamanca, Yanet helped me so much by teaching my Sunday School class for me and did a great job. The Lord is helping them grow in grace, and we are really thankful to have them as our friends.

Tino

What a cutie!

Dessert, anyone?

Work Weeks

Well, here I am, blogging a week later. Where did last week go?

This is an exciting day because it begins the 2 (or 3) work weeks that we are assisting with here at the HIM church/future Institute building here in Salamanca. We have a wonderful crew of workers on their way to help - they'll be arriving at different times throughout the 2 weeks and staying to work as their schedules allow them.

I'm really looking forward to fellowshipping with them and helping host/entertain/provide meals, etc. Collette Burch and I are working together to see everyone has a good bed and some good food to keep them going...smiles...

The workers I'm MOST excited about seeing are my brother in law and sister, Gerald and Missy Miller and my 2 little nephews: Braxton and Caden. They'll be staying a little more than a week to help work in the building and spend some time with us. I can't wait to see them!

Well, the homeschool duties are calling, so I better wrap this up.

Happy Monday to you all!

Melodie

Happy Grandparents Day

Happy Grandparents Day....a day late. My boys are so blessed with wonderful grandparents, because Marc and I have such great parents! Here's a photo of all of us taken last fall at the Language School Campus.

"We did tell our grandparents Happy Grandparents Day yesterday but my mom is just getting around to posting about it today. We love you, Papaw and Grandma Sankey and Papaw and Mamoo Miller!" - Jordan, Cameron, and Logan

Yesterday was a sad day in a way for me - it was the first Grandparents Day that I have not had a living grandparent. My Grandpa Miller passed away in the month of May, making the complete set of my grandparents to safely make it to their home and reward in Heaven. I miss you, Granny and Grandaddy Agan, and Grandpa and Grandma Miller but I know I'll see you in Heaven. I love you all!

Marc is blessed to still have one grandparent living: his Grandma Ferguson, and what a special lady she is! We love you, Grandma!

The Quiet Place

It's much sought after, isn't it? I know for me it is. And sometimes hard to find. Raising 3 boys doesn't allow for much quiet. I have to be purposeful about finding that quiet place, and how it calms me when I do. I remember one particular finding of that place this summer as we traveled. I found it walking the quiet country road that winds past the home of my in-laws. God's whisper made it's way to me through the breeze in the tall trees surrounding their home and I felt Him so close to me. Maybe one of these days the quiet place will be easier to find - right now, I'll enjoy it when I can.

(Pictured: my in-law's deck and back yard)