Elotes - Yum!

Ok - gotta introduce you to this wonderful Mexican snack called Elotes. When Rita Tomes first told me about this in the market in Progreso, I thought it sounded gross - until I tried it. Thanks, Sis. Rita! It is simply delicious! (Although my dad would disagree)

Here's what it is: Whole kernel corn (they use field corn down here), topped with mayonnaise, then Parmesan cheese and chile en polvo (chili powder). Then squeeze a liberal amount of lime juice over it, salt it good and enjoy!

Last night I had a craving for this snack and they make and sell them in the plaza (town square) here in Salamanca. Since there is basically no parking place to be had, we switched drivers - in the middle of the street; I drove around the block until Marc had time to run over to the vendor, order, pay and run back to the same spot to be picked up. I know - he's pretty great, isn't he?

Got an idea - Anthony and Marci and kids are arriving today and while they're here, we'll be sure to introduce them to this snack! What do you think - think they'll like it? Let me know. (I suppose Anthony's out - he hates mayonnaise)

Think Beth likes it? She tried it in San Miguel...

Have a great day ~ que tenga un buen dia ~

Connection

To connect with these people has to be one of our greatest joys as missionaries. Some of them are a little reticent until we show the desire to converse and connect in their language - their response is always warm, always. They are very patient and seem to enjoy helping us - supplying words, phrases, going far beyond the 2nd mile to understand and assist us.

Here are Marc and Logan - just connecting.....

Visit with Stetlers and Our Trip

Hi - I'm back after a wonderful weekend and a very profitable visit in our home with our new missionaries, Steve and Beth Stetler (brother and sister in law) and Maria and Kent. We felt the Lord's presence with us as we talked and planned and witnessed Him opening doors and answering prayer in the work here in Mexico.

Here we are enjoying those awesome tacos al pastor.

Sunday found us ministering in the HIM church here in Salamanca (Steve preached with Philip Burch translating; Marc, Beth, and I sang) and ministering in our Bible Methodist church in Cuchicuato Sunday evening (Marc preached and he, Beth and I sang) As Marc started to preach, a sudden rainstorm on the tin roof threatened to disrupt things, but he just upped the volume and preached through it.

We were so privileged to present Pastor Refugio Sanchez with a beautiful Spanish Thompson Chain Reference Bible with his name engraved on the front. Thanks, President Sams and Pastor Durr, who made this gift possible for their Mexican brother. He was so very happy to receive it.


On Monday and Tuesday we enjoyed visiting a volcano and San Miguel de Allende with Stetlers.

Ducking down to get through the tunnel leading into the volcano

Yes, those 4 specks on the crater floor are really people!

Our Trip

As I said, it spanned 5,750 miles, 13 states and of course, Mexico. We had a great time, as we had anticipated.

A familiar scene during many of those miles...

First week: The Lord really helped Marc preach at the Alabama Bible Methodist Camp in Pell City. I always love to hear my husband preach, but it had been awhile since I'd heard him preach in English - that was a special treat. I heard him reach for the word in English a few times, as the Spanish equivalent was what his mouth was more used to forming. A highlight of the camp was the Thursday Missions Service and Commissioning for the Stetlers.



Marc had his first experience translating - for Bro. Santiago Hernandez who was present for this service and gave words of greeting from Mexico. His first time and in front of hundreds of people...smiles...He did great!

Jordan and Cameron having fun with Jesse Keep

And of course, getting to be with my parents, my sister and family, aunt, uncle, and cousins and the wonderful Alabama people was wonderful!

Second week: We took several days to relax and have fun with my two younger sisters and their families. The weekend was spent in Franklin with Shane and Tamra Craycraft and kids (thanks for everything!) and lots of special friends there. Please check Tamra and Janella's blogs for pics of our time together. Sunday dinner at the Snellings was amazing, as always. Lots of scrumptious food and great fellowship!

My wonderful friend, Tamra and I

Cute kids or what?

Third week: Marc gave a Mexico update and preached at his dad's church in Bedford, Indiana on Sunday night of the second week, then we spent a few days with Marc's parents, had some dental appointments, and a great picnic at Spring Mill State Park. We enjoyed some special request, "homemade by Grandma" meals while we were in Indiana - so delicious! We headed for the border on Thursday morning, joined forces with Stetlers and headed for Salamanca Saturday morning, making 3 weeks to the day that we had been gone.

We are happy to be back home and back into the work God has called us to do. We thank Him for His protection over the many miles driven - certainly His hand kept us safe and we thank Him.

Melodie

Home Again!

Wow - it feels like forever since I've blogged and let me tell you, I've experienced withdrawals. I guess I hadn't realized how much I enjoyed doing this.

I cannot post what I want to right now - we're in the middle of our very busy Sunday, but I promise a "report" and pics of our 13-state, 1 foreign country, 5,750 mile trip very soon. Actually I don't know how many pics I can post because my camera officially died during our trip. Thanks to the generous gift of a friend, we were able to purchase a new camera - it is so necessary in our line of work - to help make the connection visually between our churches and pastors here in Mexico and our churches in the States.

Besides that, how can you truly blog without a great camera, right?

Steve, Beth and kids are with us for a few days and we're having a great time. Right now we're preparing to drive out to our village church in Cuchicuato to attend the evening service....and lots more plans for the next few days.

I loved checking everyone's blogs and getting reconnected with your lives.

I cannot say adequately what a wonderful time we had at Pell City and spending time with family and friends. But now we're glad to be back in Mexico, where God has called us to serve Him.

More later.....

Melodie

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!

______________________________________

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