When I was about 14 and my great grandmother 90, she taught me how to crochet. Wow how I have used that talent these 20 years later. I am so thankful to her for teaching me that. There is nothing better than to give a handmade gift to someone!
I now have a new project going that I'm excited about that relates to her teaching. As anyone knows who has visited Mexico, it's not the cleanest place in the world (a lot of countries aren't) and of course like all humans we are very wasteful here too. I found an idea on the internet. It's crocheting with plastic bags! It's a novel idea using things we usually throw away. Anyway I have made some and I am teaching some of the struggling christian women to make these market bags out of them. San Cristobal is a tourist area and there are so many vendors here so there are TONS of plastic bags all in the streets. I have an American friend who owns a shop downtown and she is collecting bags and then selling the finished products for us. Some have already sold! I am excited about being able to teach my sisters something that they can make money with. There's also no expenses involved in making the product. I have even told the children at church that I will pay them to find bags. It's a project that I am really excited about! Hopefully it will be a success not only in helping the women to make money for their families but also to clean up this environment. I added some pics of the bags and different things I've made with them so far. I am also teaching a single mother (Lupita, for those who have met her) how to make amish friendship bread to sell. The bread here is very different, very hard. The friendship bread is selling very well and she should be able to make a great profit on it.
As far as the work here. There have been several baptisms lately that we are excited about. Jeb, the kids and I are also planning to travel to Tuxtla, about an hours drive, each month to start children's classes at the church there. They have never had children's classes and they want in depth preaching as well so that will be a good work as well.
I am adding some pics of the kids in their school uniforms. They are in their second week and are doing well. There's also a picture of the girls' friends and one of our golden retriever. She was actually missing for a month. Someone had tied her up and kept her. She had a tight collar mark on her. We are glad to have her back. Unfortunately her street habits are still around. So far in 2 weeks she has stolen a pound of meat, 2 loaves of bread, and 2 pies out of my kitchen.
What a great idea... crocheting with plastic bags. I am glad you included the pictures! You are doing a wonderful thing in helping the women learn something they can use their to make money. And you are helping the environment!!
Very Cool! You know, it's funny, when Kay and I were in Chicago, we walked into a purse store (of course) and there were these really great purses, made weaved together of bar codes, food lables, detergent labels, etc. Of course, all selling for at least $75! I love your creations even better!!! I also have to say that I am snuggling under the blanket that you made us for our wedding gift! It's one of my favorites, it is always out on the arm of our sofa!!!
I realized how boring I've seemed lately with no blogs and all. I guess I'm becoming a little numb to my surroundings and I just don't realize how different they are???????
I guess the donkeys kicking and blocking the traffic entrance to Molly's school this morning is an unusual thing, huh?
sounds fun!! One day she will write a "report" on "unusual things in her life", except like you say, right now that's not unusual to her!! What a funny sight!! How about an update on the shepardess.. do you still see her on your street? Love to the Fab 5!
Right now a donkey sounds pretty interesting. We're trying to keep from drowning here. If a donkey came by, he would be floating or swept away by the storm. And I've made so many trips up and down Dad's basement soaking up the leak that I feel like I 've had a workout. It's been one of those days! Then at the supper table eating bircher meusli, Mom asked "What time is it?" Wonders never cease. Gave us a good laugh.
My katie just said, "At Mexico we ate chocolate chips. With miss shayla. And I was taking a loooooong siesta". Guess she mixed up your name with the name of our city.... Xela :) Girls still name their Polly dolls Molly and Sarah when playing ;)
Hey, are you interested in some visuals and extra stuff from our resource room? Of course anything with words is all in English, but we have a good sized box we are willing to send to you to see if you can make use of any of it.
It's Monday morning so to start off my week right, I had to come see the picture again!! :) The Arrelanos popped in yest. for services and stayed for lunch and visited. I had to show them pics of the kids. Miss you all.
Back to school they go on Monday! Have they enjoyed their 5 days oops 5 weeks off? I still can't get over how little time off they get!! Hope all your babies have a wonderful first day "back to the grind!"
We compromised. She really wanted to get out and socialize with other kids (totally understandable) and this was the perfect option! Its their first year as a school - hope they do well so we can continue! How are you guys doin? How is your dad?
You are so right about your comment. Stuff creates selfish hearts. Looking upward, unhappy with what we have and wanting more. And less happy when we do get more compared to the joy we had with what we had originally received. Instead we need to live and teach our children to look downward toward thanksgiving of what we do have and what we didn't have before that we do have now. Quite a challenge. (and a challenge to even understand what I just wrote!) And living in countries that have so little around us surely does make the teaching chore easier!
Yep, understanding true poverty cannot be by those who have food on the table. We can only reach out to help -- and help in such a way to help themselves. Sheila, it is good to share thoughts. Thank you.
Tell Elver he needs to join pleo so we can all keep up with him and talk, etc... They emailed me a book cover and it's well done--sharp. Is Molly still loving her new haircut? How is Rosie doing. Guess they are all back in school. We have stayed busy working on Dad's basement. Brownie put a wall up so the queen bedroom is private now. Looks good. Miss you girl. :)
Hey Sheila~tell Jeb that Shawn preached his 1st lesson today. We had a day of preaching and singing today. The ones who did the preaching are the ones who have been doing a preacher training class our preacher has been doing with them. When I get the link I will email it to y'all so you could hear it. I knew Jeb would be proud of Shawn for doing that and Shawn did a great job! I was so proud of him!
I got it. Will go shop today. Dad's basement flooded from the horrible rains we've had the past 2 days. I'm running down there with all our towels, etc.. and Brownie has gone to get a shop vac. Two problems in the course of 2 or 3 weeks and we can't claim for this one as it is below our deductible. And it continues to rain and come in and the weather is so bad no one can work outside to fix it. Frustrating! We were just saying that to deal with a real flood would be horrible. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we can get this fixed soon as Faith is suppose to move in this weekend! The expression "When it rains, it pours" Is very appropriate right now!
I have really been enjoying the weather here lately. For the last 2 weeks or so the rain has subsided and I have really enjoyed being out in the garden. The highs here are only about 75 and the lows in the 50s, so it's really pleasant.
I decided to share with you my surroundings outside and it turned into a before and after project! I know that you have seen some of these pics of the house but I'm adding more. It's been fun and continues to be. People live outside more than in here and the outdoors penetrates the house. We really enjoy working outside when we have time and the plants here grow like they are in a rain forest (huh?). My veggie garden is almost gone, only the parsley and corn is left. I threw in a pic of the rooster for my father in law. I know how you miss him Brownie!
My how the Lord takes care of our "blues"! Remember about a month ago when you were feeling low because of the rain and such....well see now! You have done such a great job with your home, I love the new paint color on the street side of the wall, although I do miss the chalk drawings of all of you
BTW, the pics are great and they only partially show the warmth that is felt in your home. You have really made it very warm and welcoming! Love to the fab 5
Wow! Made me homesick for ya'll again! The sun/moon looks great on the back wall. You've created your own Mexican haven. Glad you are enjoying the sunnier weather. Hope the girls are feeling better and Jeb too. Brownie still sounds croakie like a frog, but is mending. I'll makr certain he sees the rooster. Miss you and love to you.
Ok, I'll submit some recipes. How about the chicken soup with the avocado on top. Glad you put in the bircher meusli recipe. I'll have to think of another one, maybe my chile or veggie lasagna.
Sheila, please give the rooster a big hug for me. He didn't like my imitating him, he always shook his head like he didn't want another challenger. We enjoyed our stay. Sorry Jeb and grandchildren got sick. Today is Monday and I think I am coming out of the difficult days. God has made us wonderfully well! Enjoy the
Sheila I thought a couple of hose translators were in the package, but maybe not. I think all 3 were new, any way I was short of funds at the time so Brownie took $28 for all of them out of Jeb's account. I told Jeb and I think he had noticed the transaction. Let me know if you lose any and I will repay you. Hopefully you can get that much. If it would help a brother, I will buy them. Glad you like the food. Hope there were some Reeses in there for Will. Glad the clothes will be helpful to someone. I thanked Sierra for thinking of others. Hope Will got the 4 pair of jeans in there for him--think they were Jeremy's. Hope those sweet girls have their energy back. Hope Sarah got the beads. We'll have to make more necklaces next visit. I'll have to go bead shopping again. I miss you all.
What a fun house you all have!! I love your decorating and work on it:) It has such personality!:) So glad you shared the pictures! It is fun to imagine you all there:)
Very nice home! Sounds like you are doing well, I am glad to know people like you are doing God's work. Do you have a big group? Many baptisms? Your children are beautiful.
That is a fabulous house, inside and out. You have some really great natural light coming in through those cool windows. I love big windows. I don't know if you guys remember us, but I'm married to Todd Snapp. I stop by every now and then to see how people's ministries are going. We live in the opposite of Mexico...Tampa, FL...with 4 small kids. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your input! We definitely want less people around. But since we're going in September, it shouldn't be TOO crowded anywhere. (At least that's what we've been told, and what we're hoping for!)
Hola Miss Shelia, Thank you so much for your hospitality and for showing us Mexico. I hope I can come back soon to see more of it. P.S. Say hi to Will, Sarah, and "MOLLY" and ask them to write a little message for me if they wany to. P.S.S Give Molly a big hug and tell her I miss her. Again Thank you very much.
For those of you who haven't, help out the FCParents group on pleonast by submitting a recipe for their new cookbook. I would love to see all my friends names in there when I buy one!!! Look on my groups list and you will see the FCParents group. There are instructions there on how to add a recipe to the book. Thanks!
Create your o
