The Vacas

Waiting for Santa

2012-01-04T10:35:00.001-08:00

Before we passed out presents, we had to take pictures of the girls. They were pretty patient while Paul read the Christmas story from the Bible.

The Nieces

2012-01-04T10:06:00.001-08:00

Jorge's nieces Brenda and Nicole met us for lunch at Betty's. We had sopa de mani and saltenas. Hmmmm. It was good.

Salpicon

2012-01-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

I made salpicon, a Bolivian potato salad, for New Year's Eve get-to-gether at church. I think it tasted pretty good.

Christmas Cookies

2012-01-04T09:33:00.001-08:00

Lynnea and her girls made sugar cookies before we arrived. They were waiting for our girls to help decorate them. The girls did a beautiful job decorating, and the cookies tasted delicious.

Christmas Tree in Virginia

2012-01-04T08:25:00.001-08:00

We were blessed to spend Christmas this year with my sister's family in Herndon, VA. The 5 girls had an awesome time together. The tree out front was a favorite spot for the girls and the neighborhood children. Even Moose got to climb up the tree.

Christmas Moose

2012-01-03T18:54:00.001-08:00

Water!

2011-12-14T08:22:00.001-08:00

A water main out on the highway broke Friday night. Two water towers emptied into the river. The pipe was fixed Saturday morning. However, the water towers had to be refilled. We waited and waited and waited for water. Finally, the water came back on Tuesday afternoon around 3:15 pm.

We learned how important water is in our lives. We use water to flush toilets. It takes 5-7 gallons of water to flush the toilet. Jorge brought in rusty well water in a 5 gallon bucket to flush the toilets.

We had a hard time cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes. Rusty well water was heated in order to wash our dirty dishes. This brought back memories for Jorge who grew up heating water to wash dishes.

No showers without water. Of course, rusty, cold well water works to wash your hair. I gasped every time I poured the cold water over my head (Laura).

Papaw brought drinking water from KMBC for us to use. We learned to conserve it carefully.

Advent Calendar

2011-12-12T17:29:00.001-08:00

When we left McAllen so quickly in March to come to Kentucky, I packed the Advent Calendar that we have used for years with the girls. I'm glad that I packed it because it adds some stability to this HMA year of our lives.

Thanksgiving Target Practice

2011-12-04T13:54:00.001-08:00

My sister's family came home for Thanksgiving. They brought their guns to practice shooting off our deck. The girls enjoyed it a lot. I shot about 4 rounds and had enough.

My Biker

2011-12-04T13:48:00.001-08:00

Jorge loves to ride his motorcycle on the curvy mountain roads. He rides Saturday afternoons with some guys from KMBC.

Taylor Christian School Faculty

2011-11-21T12:02:00.001-08:00

Ric Cantu and John Wright are two incredible teachers. Their teaching gifts complement each others so well. They facilitate the learning of the high school students.

Gianetta Wright volunteers, along with her husband John, at Taylor Christian School. She teaches 5th and 6th grades. The Wrights graciously moved into our house when we left so quickly last March.

Happy Birthday Ariela

2011-11-21T08:55:00.001-08:00

Ariela celebrated her 9th birthday by inviting her friends Brianna and Cora for a sleepover. They had a fashion show and played Princess Pegasus.

Skeletons

2011-11-15T17:38:00.001-08:00

Ariana has been studying body systems. We took a day to copy, color, cut, and paste together skeletons. We all learned a lot.

Moose Vaca 3

2011-11-15T17:28:00.001-08:00

Moose has stolen our hearts. He is so adorable. The kittens aren't sure if they like him yet. If only he were potty trained!

Moose Vaca 2

2011-11-15T17:24:00.001-08:00

Moose rode in the truck between the girls. He is used to riding with Myrna in her taxicab. The girls had a hard time concentrating on their schoolwork. It was so much more fun to play with Moose.

Moose Vaca 1

2011-11-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

We have been given the cutest little puppy whose name is Moose. Myrna Bedelton and her nephew Raymond drove down from Michigan to meet us in Ohio to bring Moose to us. He is a miniature Shih-Tzu. We are in love with him

Library Internet

2011-11-15T13:26:00.001-08:00

We are blessed to have access to high speed Internet at our local library in Jackson. When we need to download anything big, we leave the hollow and hit town. McDonalds also has Internet that we use sometimes.

Ariana Vaca

2011-11-15T13:14:00.001-08:00

Ariana is in the 6th grade this year. She loves her kitten Cookie.
She really misses her friends from McAllen and can't wait to get back to Texas.

Ariela's Birthday

2011-11-15T13:00:00.001-08:00

Ariela will turn nine on November 20. It doesn't seem possible. She is planning a sleepover Friday night with a few girlfriends. She is a happy girl who loves to cook and help out in the kitchen. What a blessing she is to us.

Ariela's Kindergarden Graduation

2008-08-31T14:59:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Bocanegra talked to the graduates.

Ariela is receiving her diploma.

The three graduates and their diplomas

Aaron, Ariela, and Ashley in front of their cake

The Little Turtle

2008-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ariela's kindergarden teacher, Elizabeth Bocanegra, taught the class to sign the poem The Little Turtle. They performed it at their graduation.

Mexico Field Retreat 3

2008-08-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

shots from our hotel in Tampico, Mexico

Mexico Field Retreat 2

2008-08-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Ariela Vaca

Ariana Vaca

Ariela's braids

Two ladies approached us on the beach at Tampico, wanting to braid the girls' hair for $10 a piece. We figured that was a bargain. The girls really enjoyed their braided hair. A week later when we took the braids out, we worked for two hours to undo what the ladies did in one hour.

Mexico Field Retreat

2008-08-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to go to Tampico, Mexico, the first week of June for our field retreat. What a special time we had together. Dennis and Twana Johnson came down from headquarters to be with us. Dennis spoke at our morning sessions.

Bill and Lydia Allshouse with Luke and Ariel. Jorge and Laura Vaca with Ariana and Ariela. Chrissy Greenwell. Twana and Dennis Johnson

the Vacas

Twana came prepared for afternoon teas. She brought with her a matching set of tea cups and plates. After we enjoyed delicious cookies and different flavors of teas, Twana spoke to us about olive oil and connected that with the oil of the Spirit.

We adults had a special meal together at a beautiful restaurant.

Slumber Party

2008-08-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

My friend Laura and her girls invited us to end the summer with a slumber party at their house. They also invited Jimena and Nancy who are the children of our friends Hector and Lupita. We made and ate pizzas, went for a long walk in the neighborhood, ate popcorn, watched a movie, built a tent in the TV room, ate ice cream, watched another movie, and finally went to bed around 2:00 a.m.

Ariana, Jimena, and Sidney are getting ready to make their pizza.

Ariela, Chloe, and Nancy are getting ready to fix theirs.

That pizza is looking good!

A little cheese ended up on the pizza, more on the table and floor, and a lot more in their mouths.

Hurricane Dolly

2008-08-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

While Linda's team was here in July, Hurricane Dolly blew in. Team members helped shovel sand into bags and then placed them in front of the doors at Taylor Christian School and the community center.

The tornado brought heavy rain and strong winds of about 75 to 80 miles per hour. Our banana trees were blown down.

The neighbors lost some trees. The team members voluntarily went to different neighbors and helped them clean up their yards from fallen tree branches.

This Burger King sign was blow down. We did lose electricity for almost 24 hours, but we had very little damage compared to others whose homes were flooded. I know many people were praying for us. Thank you!

Linda Rodgers Work Team 5

2008-08-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

Christina with her puppet friends

Even Linda got to ride a horse.

Ride 'em cowboy!

A reluctant rider

Linda Rodgers Work Team 4

2008-08-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

VBS Faces

Linda Rodgers Work Team 3

2008-08-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

The team walked through the neighborhood inviting children to VBS.

The puppets were a big hit!

Ariela helped with the pledge to the Christian flag.

Alicia told the story with the puppets help.

Linda Rodgers Work Team 2

2008-08-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

They came and made friends!

Linda Rodgers Work Team

2008-08-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Linda Rodgers brought down a team from Ohio. You all were awesome. We look forward to your visit next year.

They did get a chance to visit South Padre Island before the hurricane hit. Some of us stayed in the shade. Danny is leaning on his faithful crutch. Not many people would have come on a work team with a badly injured knee. Thank you, Danny, for enduring the pain.

We appreciate the work that Bruce did checking out the computers in the community center.

Our girls just loved hanging out with the team members.

John Moon Work Team

2008-08-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

John and Jan Moon brought down a family team from Paris, Texas. They taught a 3 day VBS for the children in our neighborhood. Jan is teaching the lesson.

The children are lining up to say their verse.

VBS children and parents

The smallest VBS attendee

2008-08-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

Jorge saw these flowers in Mexico and thought they were beautiful.

Name that flower???

El Tunal Camp 3

2008-08-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Campers from the Wesleyana Church in Abasolo, Mexico

Campers from the church in Aguascalientes, Mexico

Campers from the church in Saltillo, Mexico

Campers from another church in Saltillo

El Tunal Camp 2

2008-08-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

The evening camp service

The worship team

The youth prayed to commit themselves to follow the Lord.

Another evening camp service

El Tunal Mountain Climb

2008-08-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

The campers take an annual hike up this mountain. It is a hard 45 minute climb.

They are about half way up.

This shot is about half way up looking back at the camp.

From the top of the mountain looking down at the farms on the other side.

El Tunal Camp

2008-08-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Jorge had the privilege of going to camp this summer at El Tunal, Mexico. The Allshouse family were also there from Irapuato.

This is a group shot of all those who attended from the different WGM churches throughout Mexico.

The campers stayed in these two dormitory buildings. The men stayed in the right building.

Men With Vision teams built these wooden bunk beds. The campers were very grateful to have them to sleep on. They don't have mattresses yet so Jorge took an air mattress and sleeping bag.

2008-08-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

Phyllis blessed us this summer with a puppy named Nicky. The girls have been thrilled with the new addition to the family. She has adjusted to Texas. We have to make sure the gates are closed or she will follow us to school.

August 2008 Field Meeting

2008-08-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

This was my first field meeting as secretary, a job I have never wanted to tackle, but I am the only one to do it until Chrissy Greenwell gets back from HMA in 2009. Everyone was very patient with me as I took down the notes of the meeting.

Present were Bill and Lydia Allshouse, Bill and Helen Moon, and Laura and Jorge Vaca.

TCS Christmas Program

2007-12-20T20:05:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Bocanegra welcomed all the parents and family members who came this evening.

The little ones did their best to spell out the meaning of Christmas!

The older students presented 'Twas the Night before Christ's Birth.

Perry Johnson was one of the narrators. He spoke so well!

Christmas Program Continued

2007-12-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

"Twas the night before Christmas, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! William Cantu did an awesome job playing Mr. Mouse.

The angel choir sang Silent Night.

The shepherds were watching their flocks by night.

The first and second graders quoted Luke 2:8-14. It was beautiful.

Grandma and Grampa Moon were at home hoping that their grandchildren would come for Christmas. They had a live manger scene made up of preschoolers and Kindergartners.

They were so happy to see their grandchildren arrive. Grandma Moon told them the Christmas story and fed them cookies.

Blanca's Birthday

2007-12-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Rosalinda's sister Blanca invited us to her home in Reynosa, Mexico, for her birthday party. This is a family that we have really enjoyed getting to know. Rosalinda and her brother Julio and his family attend our church in McAllen.

This is my friend Rosalinda and her two granddaughters Melanie and Alisa. Aren't they beautiful!

Field Conference

2007-12-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

In October we had our annual field conference here in McAllen. Bill and Lydia Allshouse and Chrissy Greenwell came up from Irapuato, Mexico for the meetings. Tim and Sharon Hawk flew down from Marion, IN, to be with us. This was David and Angie Yoder's last week here before returning to Kentucky to start their HMA year. Bill and Helen Moon are in the picture along with Carolina Bocanegra, director of TCS.

Fire Department Visits TCS

2007-12-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

The students at Taylor Christian School listened attentively as the firemen from the local fire station shared stories and explained their training and responsibilities. Several students got to try on the equipment.

The men explained about the equipment on their fire truck. The students were allowed to walk through the truck's cab.

We took this picture after the presentation while we watched the fire truck shoot water high in the sky. Two ladies waiting for the bus in the church parking lot across the street got a little wet from the shower.

South Padre Island

2007-12-04T17:22:00.001-08:00

We drove over to South Padre Island for the day. We took the opportunity to go on a dolphin watch cruise. We did see several dolphins, but it was hard to get a good picture of them.

Ariana and Ariela enjoyed "walking on the plank."

Ariana is posing.

The cruise captain pulled up a net and showed us different types of sea creatures. One very interesting catch was called the bugger of the sea.

We can't remember what this was. Ariana thinks it was something spiny. I thought it was called a porcupine. If you know what it is, tell us.

This is a sea pickle.

Ariela says that this is a puff fish.

Ariela is holding a star fish.

Birthday Celebration

2007-12-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Ariela and Chloe both celebrated their fifth birthdays in November. We planned their party for November 10th, but they came down with the flu. We had it a week later. The two girls enjoyed dressing up for their party.

Leslie is a good friend. She is the granddaughter of our neighbors from last term.

Ariela enjoyed hitting the pinata.

She also celebrated her birthday at school with a pinata.

Ariela is the youngest of the five Kindergartners. One classmate was home sick.

Chloe is here with her sister Sidney, her parents Mario and Laura Ribera, and grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Long.

Ariela, Ariana, Jorge, and Laura

Two proud fathers and one proud grandfather

Thanksgiving with the Guajardos

2007-12-04T16:04:00.001-08:00

The Guajardo family lived across the street from us last term. They are very special friends of ours. We were invited to their family Thanksgiving meal. Dona Maria and Don Eloy are the ages of our parents. They have four children, two son and two daughters. Their daughters Sonya and Yanet are elementary teachers in the McAllen school system. We always have lots to talk about.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-04T15:53:00.001-08:00

Taylor Christian School students and teachers posed for a picture before eating a delicious Thanksgiving meal on Tuesday prepared by Mrs. Pena. Then we began our Thanksgiving break!

Mrs. Long and the 1st and 2nd graders worked hard on their costumes. They looked so cute!

They even made placemats for their Thanksgiving meal.

Ariana enjoyed dressing up in her Pilgrim costume.

Ariela had to try it on, too.

Taylor Cleanup

2007-09-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

We took the girls over to the school during the cleanup to give them an idea of what was going on. They enjoyed trying on the masks. We had to use them because the fire extinguisher chemicals were very irritating.

I (Laura) worked all day Monday, September 24, at the school. That night I had trouble breathing. By Tuesday I had a lung and sinus infection and decided to stay at home with the girls. I used the time to write a prayer letter that was a little overdue. After a round of antibiotics, my cold and cough are pretty much gone.

Jorge worked the rest of the week at school with the other teachers. The professional cleaning crew began working on Tuesday, September 25. They started in the library. Every book had to be taken down from the shelf, vacuumed, and boxed up.

Each teacher had to go through their classrooms, itemizing every thing that had to be thrown out. It was not a fun process! I had to throw out several text books that were thoroughly covered with chemicals. One of my 7th grade boys has asthma, and I didn't want him to have an asthma attack from using contaminated materials.

Each classroom was completely emptied. Everything had to be cleaned. All the books dusted off. Each desk and all the shelves were washed. It was a hot job out in the sun and 95 degree weather. Once the rooms were emptied, the windows were washed and floors cleaned and waxed.

Joe was the supervisor from the cleaning company. We really appreciate their help. On Friday there were 15 people on the crew. We were a little worried that we couldn't get everything done by Monday evening, but God gave us all strength.

I fixed lunch for everyone on Friday. We ate sopa de mani which is peanut soup from Bolivia. Everyone came over to WGM's guesthouse to eat.

The rooms were ready to move back into by Monday. We had to bring in all the cleaned furniture: teacher's desk, students' desks, shelves, tables, etc. Then we had to unpack all the boxes of books and classroom materials. My room had fewer things than some of the others. Jorge and the girls helped me all day Monday. We finished around 5:00 p.m. I believe the other teachers worked much later in the evening.

Tuesday, the students were back in school. It has been a good week altogether. I did find it a little frustrating to teach without some of the texts. This afternoon, the A Beka shipment arrived. We should have all our books for class tomorrow.

Thank you to each one who has prayed for us. We have felt your prayers. God has given us grace and strength to clean and clean and clean some more. I appreciate all the staff who have worked so hard. God has unified us in a beautiful way.

Thank you also to those who have sent in donations to the school. I'm sure there are some things that the insurance won't cover. Your donation will be put to good use to help the school and students.

Taylor Cleanup

2007-09-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

We have talked to the insurance company. An adjuster is here now taking pictures and looking at all the damage. The insurance company gave us permission to call in a professional cleaning company. Just walking through the classrooms has irritated our throats and lungs and given us headaches.

We have called in a professional cleaning company. They have been to the school and know what they need to clean. They suggested that we close school for the entire week because they do not know how long it will take to clean everything. Most of our books and paper products will have to be thrown out. The cost of cleaning books page by page would be more expensive than re-ordering everything. We will inventory everything that they throw away and reorder from A Beka. After we pay a $500 deductible, the insurance should cover everything that has to be replaced.

A lock smith has been called in to change all the locks on the doors of the school and community center.

We staff met this morning and had a time of prayer together in the computer room. Mrs. Bocanegra encouraged us to fix our eyes on Jesus. She quoted from Jeremiah 29:11 and reminded us that God has a plan for our school, not to harm us but to give us hope. Mrs. Long, the first and second grade teacher, encouraged us to persevere. We are fighting a spiritual battle. We want the Lord to use us in this neighborhood to touch the lives of the children and families who live here. We prayed specifically for those who broke into the school and for our students and their families.

TAYLOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VANDALISM

2007-09-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Taylor Christian School was vandalized Saturday night. The pre-kinder room was hit hard. The water was left on in the sink and over flowed on the floor. Glue was poured on the tables. All the wipes were pulled out and thrown on the floor and tables, as well as, the construction paper. The fire extinguisher was sprayed, leaving a film of chemical on everything.

The office was also a mess. The files were pulled out and thrown around on the desk and floor. There are snacks on the floor with pencils and other office supplies. The fire extinguishers were also sprayed in the offices, library, kitchen, and chapel room. There is a strong chemical odor in every room.

The director's office was thoroughly ransacked. The desk drawers were opened and emptied. They tried to get in the safe with a hammer, scissors, and a knife, but failed. Praise the Lord! Only a few things were stolen that we could tell (telephone and DVD player).

All the classrooms, except the computer and kindergarten rooms, were sprayed with the fire extinguishers. We called the fire department and were told that the chemical is an irritant. It will bother our lungs. Just from being there for an hour this afternoon, my throat and lungs are bothering me. We will have to wear masks and gloves when we clean up everything.

Mrs. Bocanegra, the school's director, called the police. They investigated and found lots of fingerprints. We called our insurance company and will wait for them to call tomorrow. We cannot start to clean up the mess until they see it and take pictures. School is canceled until we clean up the school.

We feel that Satan is unhappy with the ministry of the school because we have opened up 7th grade this year, the first time in several years. Mr. Cantu is our new teacher. He attended the school himself as a child. He has taught in public schools for many years. We are blessed to have him at the school.

Pray that God will bring good out of this. He has promised to do so.

Birthday

2007-09-09T20:38:00.001-07:00

Laura celebrated her 46th birthday on August 20! Jorge brought roses to school. That was a nice surprise. One of her students, Clarissa, had the same birthday. Her mom brought pizza and cupcakes to school for lunch.

Taylor Christian School

2007-09-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Taylor Christian School began on August 20. Our enrollment is at 39 students. We would like to have at least 50 students. Jorge took this picture on Friday during chapel.

Laura is teaching Language Arts to the 5th and 6th grades in the morning. In the afternoon, she teaches Language Arts to the 7th grade. Mr. Cantu is team teaching with Laura. What a blessing! He has always taught the math and science classes.

Jorge is coaching the PE classes for the school. He also monitors all the recesses. That is a hot job here in south Texas! He is usually soaking wet when he finishes because the temperature is still in the high 90's here.

First Day of School

2007-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

School began on August 20 at Taylor Christian School. This was the girls first time to attend school because I (Laura) have home schooled them up to this point. They looked so cute in their school uniforms. They were excited and apprehensive the first day. The second day, neither one wanted to return. There were lots of tears. Attending school all day long was a big change for them. After the first week, they have pretty much adjusted to school life.

Ariana is in the second grade. She loves her teacher Mrs. Long. She is doing very well and comes home with lots of 100's.

Ariela is in Kindergarten. Her grades are also very good. I have noticed her coloring and writing are improving. She won the good behavior award this week.

Soccer Ministry

2007-09-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 30 we were thrilled to see 8 of our soccer boys show up to play. The word had gotten out that Jorge, el Coach Boliviano, had returned to McAllen. The boys played for a couple of hours with Jorge on our little soccer field here at the mission. Because McAllen has had so much rain this summer, the field is covered with green grass instead of dust and dirt.

The next Sunday afternoon, two teens from the neighborhood, Juan and Gilbert, came knocking at the door. They wanted Jorge to come out and play with them. Jorge was able to spend a couple of hours kicking the ball and sharing the Gospel with them. He told them that he also grew up in a Catholic home, but when he gave his heart to the Lord, God changed his life and his family as well. Juan seemed especially open as Jorge shared his testimony with them. Later that evening they returned and asked Jorge to come play with them in an in-door soccer league. He agreed to go with them. When he arrived, he found 8 of his soccer boys playing on the team. He played with them, and they won their game.

They played again a couple of days later, but the game was a disaster. The boys didn't want to take turns playing. No one was coaching the team. Jorge didn't feel free to coach them because two of the older teens were in charge. The team lost the game.

On Thursday, September 6, the boys again showed up for soccer practice. This time there were 22 boys! I (Laura) had forgotten to prepare a snack for them. I got home from school around 5:00 p.m. Jorge reminded me that the boys would be coming at 6:00 p.m. I checked the fridge for food and found oranges. I cut them into slices and then started our supper. The girls and I ate supper while Jorge played with the guys. I noticed that there were lots of guys and realized that I needed more snacks. I searched the fridge again and pulled out tortillas and cheese to make quesadillas. I also popped two bags of popcorn for them. Around 8:00 p.m. Jorge brought 12 of the guys in for snacks. We didn't even have enough chairs for all of them. He told me that the new boys left after the game. They didn't know to expect snacks. It was just as well because the ones that stayed ate up everything!

They had an hour meeting about their in-door soccer team. Jorge told them that they needed to share the time on the floor and their behavior needed to improve. They all agreed to let el Senor Boliviano coach them in their games. He also explained to them again that we are missionaries. He wanted to spend time with them to teach them about the Bible and how to have a relationship with God. He shared a short devotional with them.

The team played again on Saturday, September 8. They followed Jorge's coaching without any problems. Their behavior improved drastically. They won 6 to 2!

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray that their hearts will be open to God's Word.
2. Pray for Jorge to have wisdom and energy to coach them.
3. Pray that Laura will have strength to prepare enough snacks for them every Thursday.

The Joys of Moving

2007-08-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

We were "released" from Home Ministry Assignment on Thursday, July 27! The responsibility of raising our support was finally over. God had answered prayer. Many of our partners renewed and increased their support in us. Thank you so much. You are making it possible for us to obey the call that God has placed on our lives.

We began the process of packing and packing and packing. Then the good-byes... to friends and family which are very hard to make.

Dad bought a used trailer and painted it. We loaded it up and headed out August 4, Sunday morning at 3:45 a.m. We spent Sunday night in Harrisville, Mississippi with Rev. Joe and Doreen Moore.

Monday we again left around 4:15 a.m. We were so excited when we crossed the Texas state line. Of course, we still had many hours left to travel. After a 15 hour drive, we arrived in McAllen, Texas around 7:00 p.m.

Now the unpacking begins! All the furniture has to be brought out of storage, dusted off, and put in place. Decisions after decisions! Boxes have to be opened and unpacked. More decisions about where to put things. Everything is dusty. There is evidence left by roaches. Yuck! Hopefully we aren't bringing any lives ones into the house. Of course the temperature of 103 degrees doesn't help the process. The airconditioning in the house does work well.

The kids get to choose their own bedrooms. They do NOT want to live together! Their rooms are set up and organized, pets and all. Our neighbors David and Angie Yoder have a swimming pool. Ariana especially loves that. She gets to swim several times a day. That has helped keep the girls occupied while Mom and Dad sweat through the unpacking process.

Ariana's 7th Birthday

2007-08-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ariana celebrated her 7th birthday in Kentucky on June 27. I can hardly believe she is so big. She has learned to swim really well this summer. We are so proud of her.

Pets

2007-08-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

We promised the girls during our furlough year that on our return to McAllen we would buy them a pet. They dreamed and planned about what they each wanted. Ariana decided that she wanted a turtle. Since we had a fish tank already, we thought that was a great idea. We bought a bird cage at a flea market for Ariela early last year. She was set on having some kind of bird. I suggested the finch because it sings less than other birds.

Light Family Reunion

2007-08-12T15:26:00.001-07:00

The first Saturday of every August, the Light family gets together to eat and visit. Rachel and Jimmy Light open up their home and beautiful yard near Goshen, Ohio, for this event. We were able to attend the reunion this year before we finished HMA and returned for another term on the Mexican border.

What a blessing to be a part of a family with a Christian heritage. Many of Dad's family have been pastors and missionaries. We really enjoyed seeing relatives. Our girls loved playing with some of their second cousins and riding their bicycles.

Laura secretly invited David and Barbara Wilson to surprise Jorge. They have been good friends of Jorge's since the Wilsons were missionaries in Bolivia and Argentina.

Laura's brother Tim Light and his son Chris came to the reunion on their motorcycles. We were glad for the opportunity to spend just a little more time with them before heading back to Texas.