Duck tacos, anyone?

Something silly I miss about Mexico are my ducks.

Nacho and Nacha.

I think about those ducks a lot because here at my mom's house, there are a bunch of ducks that live on the lake out back. They come up from the lake to my mom's back yard to eat whatever they eat from the grass. It makes me smile. To know someday those ducks in Mexico will look like them. If Perla doesn't kill them before they grow up. Which, if I'm honest, I wouldn't be too surprised by.

Maybe one day I'll see them again in Mexico. Or in Duck Heaven.


Amendment: Funny, but not really...Immediately after writing this, I checked my email to find this..."la nacha se murio el isai la piso solo queda nacho." Translation: "Nacha died. Isai stepped on her. It's just Nacho left." Sad news. But, like I said, I'm not surprised. Maybe they'll make duck tacos.

A Midwest Beauty

It's beautiful here at my mom's in Minnesota. Fall is starting to come around and I love the crunching and shuffling of the dry leaves under my feet.

These are some pics I took around the lake. I've had run ins with all sorts of creatures. Caterpillars, snakes, raspberries, dead mice and more. But all along I've enjoyed being surrounded by God's creations. It's something you don't get much of in Vegas. So enjoy.

And let me know what you think.

An American Girl Trying to Cook Mexican Food

For those who don't know, I'm staying with my mom in Rochester, Minnesota for the next few weeks. Not really sure how long. Time will tell. For now, I will share my adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes...

My plan was to put my cooking skills to use and make an authentic Mexican meal for Mom. I planned to find the local Mexican market (even Rochester has one. actually more than one!). I knew they'd have all the ingredients I needed.

After walking in the glass doors, immediately I saw labels and foods that are so familiar. But I had no idea where anything was. It wasn't at all like Fernando's--the little market downstairs from where we lived in Mexico. In Fernando's I know exactly where the eggs, Arizona iced tea, and tomato puree are. This store in Rochester was familiar but so different. After circling the small store a few times, it was time to check out. I thought to myself, "Do I speak English? Spanish? Does she speak Spanish?" I chose English. And walked out to the parking lot hoping never to go in there again. It was just too akward.

Well, besides burning the hot peppers for the salsa, it turned out pretty well. Like always, I made WAY too much. What can I say? I'm used to cooking for 50. Not 2. But I don't think I should ever cook Mexican food for Mexicans. My cooking is just not the same. I would need a bit more training.

Goldilocks...Just Right

This was my home.

With children I love.

This is a beautiful picture.

I spent so many mornings, afternoons and evenings in this neighborhood. Got to know so many people. Who know how to give and know how to receive. There's a balance.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,

so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.

Then there will be equality, as it is written:

"He who gathered much did not have too much,

and he who gathered little did not have too little."

I have always been the one with plenty ready to supply the need. Will I ever be in need? Then again, there were so many people who supplied what I needed to be in Mexico. Their plenty supplied for my need. It's true.

The church is supposed to be like Goldilocks.

No one has too much.

No one has too little.

They're all juuust riiight.

Look at the world you live in...Where do you stand?

Love Art

This is Natasha Wescoat.



I think her art is beautiful.



The colors and swirls and depth.

And thought maybe you'd like it, too.

Home Again

Here are some pics of my last day in Mexico. It was a Sunday. In church that day, they surprised me by calling me up front. Almost every person in the church, including my dad, came up and said a few words to me as a going away thing. It made me cry a bunch!! Then, after, they had a little party for me with lunch and a cake. My dad was there because he picked me up in Ensenada and brought me back to Vegas.

It's almost like I never left. Falling right back into the life I left a year and a half ago. Everything here is the same but I'm different. I know I'm different but I think it will take me a while to see how. I mean, how could I not be different after a year and a half in Mexico?

My beautiful friends have allowed me to stay with them this week. I'm staying in a friend's room while she's actually in Mexico! She's attending a wedding in Cabo. Then Friday, I'll be going to Minnesota to visit my mom. I'll be with her a couple weeks visiting family and just hanging out. I haven't seen them since Christmas so it will be good to be up there.

I think I need to give myself some more time to reflect on my time in Mexico. I think Minnesota will give me some good time for that. Here in Vegas, there are so many people I want to see and catch up with so I keep myself pretty busy. I just want to make sure I get time to look back.

Baby Ducks in Our House

So these are our baby ducks.



Nacho and Nacha are their names.



They enjoy swimming, lettuce, and flies.



And they poop everywhere.



I love them.

Attention All Supporters

As of September 1st (2 days ago), I will no longer be an intern with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Really, the only change this will make for me is that I no longer receive financial support from the C&MA. That means that if you are one of my monthly financial supporters, the last month I need support is August. Which is quickly coming to a close.

I will still be in Mexico for a few weeks to come. Some of that time I'll be here at the ministry base and some I'll be living with one of the pastor's families.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me financially. I reached my full fundraising goal and God gets all the glory. It's only through Him that I was able to raise over $10,000 for this year of ministry here in Ensenada.

And if you're wondering, I'll be home Monday, September 7th! This time has gone by so fast here!