I went to Whittier for a day last weekend and say my extended family, church family, YMCA family, and even my mama flew down from Idaho for a surprise Christmas gift. I love Whittier and the support this city has shared with me when I was living their 3 years ago and how everyone is continuing to support me and my endeavours as a missionary in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico at Rancho Sordo Mudo (www.ranchosordomudo.org). My day trip was jammed packed with the Whittier Christmas Parade, breakfast with Papa and my mom, Aunt Terry's 4th annual Christmas Cookie Party, Inouye Family, Caver Family, Edmaru Street. It was such a joy to have time to share with my other home away from home and let everyone know that I am well and God's work is fruitful at Rancho Sordo Mudo.
May you all be blessed this Christmas as you spend time with your families and enjoying some of your favorite traditions. Thank you everyone for all of your continued support. A special thanks for the Plymouth Whittier Handbell Choir, who I played with (LOW DING ZONE for 2 years) for preparing gifts for all of the staff, as well as the YMCA Spin class, who I would spin with at 6am Mon-Wed-Friday...you all have made myself and all of the staff feel very loved and appreciated. We are truly blessed for your friendship and support. Thanks for thinking about us all down here in Mexico. I am so happy to share this experience with you all and I look forward to hearing more from you this year and next year!
Keep Smiling :) Erin "Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:8
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas
Every year Christmas comes and I look forward to sharing with others the traditions that make this month special. A few traditions shared around the Ranch are: playing games, cards, exchanging gifts, preparing tamales, eating sweet bread with cocoa Christmas morning, and anticipating the arrival of many parents and families for our Christmas Program.
This year we changed our typical tradition of one drama with song, and dance and handed over most of the responsibilities to the kids. Since Thanksgiving the kids have been busy creating art pieces that represented images of the CROSS, BETHLEHEM, HEAVEN, and JESUS'S RESURRECTION. The paintings, drawings, aluminum art, and scratch art all turned out amazing. The art was displayed in a maze which was constructed on the lower level of the gym. In the middle of this maze is a door to our TV/Movie room where the parents entered to see a mini stage set up for a black light performance of Jesus' life story. Again all done by the kids with some direction of course, but the kids did it all.
While some of the families were viewing the art 2 other groups of families were busy either visiting the classrooms or listening to testimonies shared by some of our older students. The tour of the classrooms gave the parents an opportunity to learn about the different things their sons or daughter are being taught in school. The entire day was full of sharing, joy, peace, love, and laughter. All of the kids did a wonderful job leading their families around the Ranch and showing them pictures of the true meaning in which we celebrate Christmas. We even had a few kids dressed up for our live nativity scene.
We may not have snow down here at the Ranch, but in exchange we have lots of glitter, love, and of course chili peppers!
Have a wondeful Christmas and New Year's! Hugs from Mexico!
This year we changed our typical tradition of one drama with song, and dance and handed over most of the responsibilities to the kids. Since Thanksgiving the kids have been busy creating art pieces that represented images of the CROSS, BETHLEHEM, HEAVEN, and JESUS'S RESURRECTION. The paintings, drawings, aluminum art, and scratch art all turned out amazing. The art was displayed in a maze which was constructed on the lower level of the gym. In the middle of this maze is a door to our TV/Movie room where the parents entered to see a mini stage set up for a black light performance of Jesus' life story. Again all done by the kids with some direction of course, but the kids did it all.
While some of the families were viewing the art 2 other groups of families were busy either visiting the classrooms or listening to testimonies shared by some of our older students. The tour of the classrooms gave the parents an opportunity to learn about the different things their sons or daughter are being taught in school. The entire day was full of sharing, joy, peace, love, and laughter. All of the kids did a wonderful job leading their families around the Ranch and showing them pictures of the true meaning in which we celebrate Christmas. We even had a few kids dressed up for our live nativity scene.
We may not have snow down here at the Ranch, but in exchange we have lots of glitter, love, and of course chili peppers!
Have a wondeful Christmas and New Year's! Hugs from Mexico!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Psalm 23 : Salmos 23
A challenge to memorize Psalm 23 : Salmos 23 for the year was proposed to all the staff and kids at the Ranch by Dennis Sheritt from Rancho Del Ray. And...as I listened to Dennis share God's word I understood that this verse is talking about how Jesus is in our heart, and he is our shield, protector, our Superhero. Verse 4: "I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me," we are like sheep following our shepherd (LORD) and when we need some guidance he will use his staff and rod to direct us. He wants us to learn how to love others and serve others with love. It is great to have be reminded that we are loved so much by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and that he is with us always.
Psalm 23 : Salmos 23 A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Salmos 23
1 El Señor es mi *pastor, nada me falta;
2 en verdes pastos me hace descansar.
Junto a tranquilas aguas me conduce;
3 me infunde nuevas *fuerzas.
Me guía por sendas de *justicia
por amor a su *nombre.
4 Aun si voy por valles tenebrosos,
no temo peligro alguno
porque tú estás a mi lado;
tu vara de pastor me reconforta.
5 Dispones ante mí un banquete
en presencia de mis enemigos.
Has ungido con perfume mi cabeza;
has llenado mi copa a rebosar.
6 La bondad y el amor me seguirán
todos los días de mi vida;
y en la casa del Señor
habitaré para siempre.
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