Man In The Middle of the Road

  It is not an uncommon sight to have peddlers standing off to the side of the road. Sometimes, they will do juggling acts to earn a few Quetzales. (local currency)

 However, take a look at this Guatemalan.  He is sitting in the middle of 3 lanes of traffic (much like Northwest Highway in Dallas, TX) begging...begging for a piece of bread, or lucky enough to get some money. Take a closer look.  He has no legs.

It's a Girl

Ellen and Luke announced last week, that they will be having a Baby Girl in March, 2013

Ellen had an unusual birthday cake for Luke last Friday. 
This was her creative way to make the announcement official to the youth group they work with at NCA.

A Boy and His GrandDad

David Helping GrandDad Walk

An Earful of Nonsense

David's First Driver's Education Course

Baby David - Through the Lens of Thanksgiving

 I'm thankful for 

Baby David

~Grammie

Divine Appointment

Glenn and I had recently showed the Tarwater and Alexander families the fun activity of Letter Boxing.

As we were driving back North on I-45 heading to Dallas, we decided to pull over and do a quick letter box located at the newly refurbished Rest Stop just north of Huntsville, TX.

As I read the clues on my smart phone, we noticed a couple sitting on the nearby park bench.  They could see we were looking for something.  They spoke up, saying, "I think we have what you are looking for."  They had found the "hidden clue" and were filling out their log books and were recording their findings.

We struck up a nice conversation with the newlyweds.  We both exchanged comments on how we enjoy doing this "letter boxing thing".

Then Glenn made a comment about Jessica's purse/bag as it looked very similar to the Mazahua's weaving in Mexico.  We learned that Jessica had done some medical work in Bolivia.  Just hearing the word "Bolivia" made our ears perk up more.

I asked her what her name was, and then what her maiden name was.  Come to find out, her dad is Nathan. No way!! Her uncle Tim served with us in Bolivia back in the 80's and 90's.  

Yes, another God thing:).

We quickly talked about her father, her uncle, her grandparents (whom we knew very well while living in Bolivia).   

It's times like these, when it is fun to see how God gives us "appointed times" to connect with folks in the most unusual ways.

I mean, what are the odds? We were just driving down the interstate and taking a quick break.

Surfside Beach

Thank you Maribel and Dwight!

I just happened to share with the ladies in the small group Bible Study about our itinerary and how we would be sharing at FBCLJ on Sunday.  We were sharing about our need for children workers for the upcoming Camino Guatemala Conference in April 2013.  When Maribel heard we would be in Lake Jackson, she offered a beach house that we could use.

Wow, we were not even looking for a place to stay, knowing we could "crash" at the Alexanders.

What a neat way to share in our lives.  And God put it on her heart to openly share with us.  Thank you Lord.  And it was God that had our paths cross at the right time.  It was a Divine appointment.

Letter Boxing AAA

After sharing about our Letter Boxing experiences with the Tarwater family in McAllen, we decided to share this fun experience with Ashley, Austin and Ashton.

The short walk turned about to be 3 miles round trip at the McLean park in Lake Jackson.  Although we didn't find the box, we enjoyed experiencing the challenges of reading the clues and following them.

Haven River Inn

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Haven River Inn

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Blue Bell

Best Ice Cream in the Country!

(do you notice anything unusual?)

Glenn and I took a quick tour of the Blue Bell Ice Cream facility just 1 hour outside of College Station, on our way to Fredricksburg and points South.

Best Ice Cream in the Country.

Anybody else agree?

~J

George Bush Library

George Bush Library

and Museum

Glenn and I had a free afternoon off and enjoyed re-living the history of George Bush, his vice-presidency and then his presidency back in the 90's.

Then when we were viewing the section about the Desert Storm battle in Iraq back in 1990's, we came across a wall where you can rub the pencil and highlight one of the veterans who was killed.  The nephew of our special friend, Virginia, lost his life during one of the last days of battle.

Friends Along the Way

Well, I am playing "catch-up" now.

Molly and Joe have been long time friends of ours.  They have a precious 6 month old and Molly is pregnant again - due in several months.

Pat and Terry.  

Pat was one of my bridesmaids.  We haven't seen each other in like 20 years.  Way too long.  We enjoyed getting reacquainted and vowed to see each other more often.  Our quick 3 hour lunch date was wonderful.

Joseph family

We've known this sweet family for years and years.  They have visited us in Bolivia and now in Guatemala too.  We are so proud of their teenage kids.

Marshall family

It was also fun to interact with my sister and her family.  Glenn and I made our Mexican casserole dinner for them to help Michelle celebrate her birthday.

Joan
Joan and her husband served with Glenn and me on the Parent Council at John Brown University several years ago.  It was great to re-connect with her also.

John
We enjoyed 2 days with the Tarwater family.  John shared his testimony in Spanish during the chapel at RGBI.  Way to go John, bien hecho!
We also introduced the Tarwater kids to letterboxing at a local state park.
  Fun Times.

Finally, we had a great visit with the Camino family that lives down in South Texas.  Thank you, Arlene, for opening your home.

Alexanders
We had the wonderful experience to share our ministry and also promote our upcoming Conference in April 2013, the need for workers to help with the 20+ Camino children.

 Kristen
4 years ago, Kristen and her husband came to Guatemala to help with the children's program during conference.  Now she has 2 kids of her own, and is trusting the Lord to direct her to join the team again in 2013.

Aunt Hattie
Finally, we stopped by to see Aunt Hattie (my mother's aunt).  And of course I asked for several of her hand crochet dishrags.  Thanks for lunch.