Dead Bread

“Hey Mom, I need to bring some dead bread to school.”

“Huh? Oh  you mean pan de muertos  (translation: bread of the dead!)  ”

I guess dead bread was a pretty good translation.

November 2 is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).   It sounds like a spooky, horribly evil day, but I have come to realize that for most people it is simply a day to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.  Last year I went to the graveyard to see for myself.

This year Kayden had to do a lot of different crafts and activities related to this holiday in school.  We were invited to his class where he had to recite a rhyme we (Saul) had to help him make up about a skeleton. For those who speak spanish…

Fuera, fuera calabera, no me asustes en ese manera,

Dormire tranquilo esta noche, agarra tus llaves y be te en tu coche!

Then he did a dance with his home-made maracas and skull (turned spider man) mask with his classmates.He rocked it!

My favorite part of the holiday is that for over a week you can buy flowers for really cheap.  They are supposed to be for graves, but I buy them for my house.  Why not take advantage of a great deal!  I love seeing them on every street corner.  

Oh and the “dead bread” is often eaten at the gravesite.

I am sure there are a lot of not so good things about this day  that I might not know about but I choose to focus on the good and learn what I can about the culture!

DIY Teen Birthday Party

Without really meaning to, I  made Gloria a diy  (do it yourself) themed party for her and her friends.

Meaning, everything her and her friends did at the party they did themselves.  Does that make sense?

Let me get to the details…

They started with a flag bunting craft.  We cut out triangles with thick, white, denim  fabric, beforehand.  The girls were given permanent markers to write messages or draw pictures on the flags for Gloria. Then they could use a little dropper with what was supposed to rubbing alcohol to make the colors blur a bit.   I didn’t have rubbing alcohol on hand so we used nail polish remover and it worked the same.  The girls stayed occupied doing this for a long time.  I am going to sew the flags together so Gloria can hang it in her room.  I found the idea on pinterest (of course) but it is orginally found here.

Then the girls got to make their own pizza’s.  I had made the dough beforehand, and put the sauce, cheese and all the different toppings in different bowls. The girls rolled out their own dough and put whatever they wanted on their pizza’s.  I just had to pop it in the oven for them!Super easy, for me at least,  plus they really seemed to enjoy it!.  There was a lot of giggling.

The only set back was some of them had to wait a bit to get their pizza, since I could only fit 3 on a baking pan at a time.  

They finished off  with decorating the cake.

To be honest, I kind of ran out of time, and didn’t get to finish decorating the cake.  Weeks before I had thought of doing a graffiti type cake like my friend Denna did with her daughter but since I had no way of getting edible markers I had given up on the idea…  but that is the idea I came back to a few minutes before the party, as  stared at the white, boring cake.  I ended up making some “paint” colors.  I mixed gel food coloring with a little bit of water, corn syrup, and cherry extract (a random combination I came up with after a quick google search}. I wish I had had the time to play with the “paint” a bit more to get the right consistency but I  didn’t, so the colors ended up being a little runny and didn’t paint as thick as I would have liked.  The girls didn’t seem to care though.  They started painting dots but ended up just splattering the whole thing with the different colors.  Turned out pretty cute!

So that was my first time planning a teen girl birthday party, it was pretty fun!  The birthday girl was happy, and that’s what mattered most!

Proof of Beauty

 

 

The season we are in right now is a little (maybe a lot?) challenging.   The month of September was full of change and adjustments as I got used to having 3 kids in school.  We were well into October when I realized that I had hardly taken any photo’s. Normally my camera is practically attached to me, so the lack of photo’s was evidence of how busy things had gotten!  I think I got so caught up in my stress that I forgot to take the time to see the beauty in the every day normal stuff.   The beauty is always there, we just need to take the time to stop and see it.  I’m doing that a lot more now!  I am so glad that I have proof of beauty, especially when the days are often long and hard!

Buckets of Water

I’ve been carrying a lot of buckets lately.  Buckets of water.  There is a water shortage in our area.  I don’t really know or understand the logistics of it all but what I do know is that on most days there is no water coming out of my taps.  Every 3 or 4 days the water is turned on for about 4 or 5 hours and then turned off again.  In the much-anticipated “water on” time we do as much laundry as possible  but our cistern is small and our family is big so we usually only have running water for 24 hours at a time.  So for only two separate days in a week there is water in our house and rest of the days we use buckets.  Thankfully we have access to a separate water supply on the property so on waterless days we go back and forth filling buckets full of water.  I wish I could tell you that I am thankful that we have any water at all and that I can stay positive about it, but that would be a lie.  The truth is that it drives me crazy!.  We need buckets to wash dishes, flush toilets and take “showers”.  More buckets to wash vegetables, small children and dirty floors.  So back and forth we go every day, trying to be as carefull as possible to not waste it  so that we don’t have to make extra trips back for more.  It’s not fun.  I want this to end.  As I use all that precious time carrying those heavy buckets every day,  I have time to think.

I think about water.

How wonderful it is.

How much we need it and how hard life becomes without it.

I’m blessed.  I have a plan B, a place nearby to go get the water I need.  Sure, it’s annoying and inconvenient, but it’s there.

I decided to do a little research about water as I know that most, if not all, third world countries have some water problems.  Did you know that…

1 Billion people in our world do not have safe drinking water. charity:water

Globally, diarrhea is the leading cause of illness and death, and 88 per cent of diarrhea deaths are due to a lack of access to sanitation facilities. –  UN water statistics

Today 2.5 billion people, including almost one billion children, live without even basic sanitation. –  UN water statistics

Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of poor sanitation. That’s 1.5 million preventable deaths each year.  –  UN water statistics

Diarrhea diseases can be reduced by more than 40 percent through the simple practice of washing hands with soap and water.  compassion

The average person in the developing world uses a little more than 2.5 gallons of water each day for drinking, washing and cooking. Whereas the average person in the developed world uses 13 gallons per day only for toilet flushing. compassion

Worldwide, approximately 425 million children under 18 do not have safe water. compassion

Aren’t those statistics crazy!  The fact that most people in Northern America waste more water in flushing toilets than most kids use in their entire day makes me so sad and mad at the injustice of it all.

Some times the statistics just remain numbers and we forget about the people.

Meet my friends in the community of Las Aves.  They have no running water in their community.  A truck comes every once in a while (some times once a week but other times every 2 or 3 weeks) to fill barrels of water.  The water is contaminated to begin with, and not suitable to drink.    On top of that the water is left uncovered where children with filthy hands often play.  The water is used for everything.  Bathing, cleaning, washing clothes, and cooking.  When is runs out they have to wait.  Some times they go an entire week or more without taking a shower  or washing dishes.  These are real people.  I have visited their homes.  They are not just numbers, or a percentage.

Good news is that you can help!

I found a few organizations who are committed to help people in poverty get the water they need…

Compassion’s Water of Life system – safe water for life (over 1 million gallons) for a child and their family in developing countries.  $79 to give a family clean water for life.    Consider raising money as a family, so that your kids can be aware of the problem and can be part of the solution

Or sponsor a compassion child, where giving clean water is included with your sponsorship.  Change the life of a child in poverty.  It will change you too!

Or check out Charity:Water where they are committed to giving 100% of donations to give people in need clean water. Watch this video for more info, or consider giving your birthday  to raise money or simply donate here.

So now that you know of this reality, will you do something to help those who live every day life carrying buckets of water?

I hope so.

DIY – Fall Paper Bunting and Pinwheels

 

 

 

On my recent trip to San Diego I didn’t have a lot of $ to spend but I had a lot of extra time and I found myself drawn into Michael’s.   All that sweet craft staff was calling my name!  So I splurged, a little.  On this…

yes 2 sheets of scrapbook paper and some denim patterned duck tape (that was on sale for 30% off ).  I learned this summer that patterned duct tape is “in” these days, and since then I’ve been wanting to get some of my own.  It’s funny how something so small and simple can bring such joy.   A few days later I got to work.  I started with this fall/thanksgiving banner.  Cut out flags. Stamp on letters.  Cut strips of duck tape to stick the flags onto string.  Easy.

Then made a mini one to add some color to my picture frame.Really simple and easy to make.

Then I made some pinwheels to add to my fall table decorations.  On a side note, my older children were freaked out that I had bought a “halloween” pumpkin.  They were very confused as pumpkins here are a symbol of the darkness that takes place on halloween.  I simply explained that it is a vegetable that can be used for decoration and later for pies, and that we wouldn’t do anything “crazy” like carve it.  Interesting how christians in different cultures see things so differently.

I finished off the rest of the paper making a few pinwheels.  I found a tutorial here.  I hot glued mine together though (surprise, surprise).  

 

So those were my quick little fall crafts.  Well, they would have been quick if I hadn’t been interrupted 20 times by little people…  ha ha.  That’s life with kids!

Gloria

The past few days have been a whirlwind of celebrations as both Gloria and Saul had birthdays this past week.  This was the first birthday Gloria has ever celebrated in our home.  The first of many.  I don’t talk about her on here as much as I do the other kids, since she is a bit older and I want to respect her need for privacy.  We are very thankful to have Gloria as  part of our family.  She is a gem.  Very sweet, compassionate, hard-working, responsible, and fun to be around.  Not to mention gorgeous!I am so proud of her, she is growing into a beautiful young women who loves Jesus.  We are honoured that we get to be her parents.

A friend recently asked me how long our commitment to her is for and I quickly answered “forever”.   She’s not just using a room in our house, she is our daughter and we love her so much!  Happy Birthday Gowia (as Brielle says)!

Freedom

I got away this past weekend.

4 days of freedom.

Don’t get me wrong….. I love my family, but as all Mom’s know, breaks are good.

Really good!

My break consisted of a women’s retreat, where I was with old friends and made some new ones.  It was so nice to be with others moms in ministry, with ladies that really understand and “get” the way life is for us.

Then I headed to San Diego to drive my friend to the airport.  It was so strange and wonderful to be alone in the city for 2 days.  It was so quiet.

Every one should drive with a bag of chocolates at their side, especially when you don’t have to share.

I did a little shopping, stayed with a friend, and enjoyed the long, beautiful drive home… alone.  

Good times.

I’m thinking I should do this more often….

Thankful

I love fall.  The beauty of leaves changing, cooler days, more tea, Thanksgiving…. all of it.  Sadly it’s  a season that almost doesn’t exist here…  Not outside, in stores, the weather, or a special holiday spent with family.

It’s sad.

Especially since I know exactly what I am missing back in Canada.  I was tempted to ignore Thanksgiving all together but was reminded that if I want my kids to grow up with such fond memories of special holidays, such as Thanksgiving, it’s up to me to make it happen.

I decided to make the best of it.

As a family we cut out leaves and wrote things we were thankful for on them.

When I stop and count my blessings I feel so grateful for all that I have.  God has blessed me with so much and I am truly thankful.

Today we will celebrate, and I will cook my first Thanksgiving meal ever!  I had to buy chickens.  They laughed at me at the store, when I asked if they had turkey, hee hee.  It won’t be the same, but it will be special.

Life is what you make is.

I choose to be thankful!

My House and thoughts on design….

I love creating, making things with my hands, designing something old to look like new.

It brings me great joy!

A few years ago I realized I could put all those loves into use as I decorated and designed things for my home.

I want my home to be place that reflects my family, make outsiders feel welcome, and can be a creative outlet for all of us.

A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a blog that totally changed my view of how I set up my home.  The house I saw was so unlike any home I had ever seen before.  Ashley Anne’s house is not only beautiful but it displays her love for her family, and her desire to create.    I was inspired.  From then on I decided to let go of what I thought my house was supposed to look like and just be me.  Little by little I have worked on things here and there with what I had on hand to make my home a special place for my family.  I spent a very small amount of money, using second-hand furniture, spray pain, craft stuff I already had and a few little globos (market) treasures to bring life and color inside.  The job will probably never be complete, and I am more than ok with that.  My fried Claudine asked me a few months ago if she could take pictures of the main floor of my house.  I was pretty surprised.  I think most people must think my decorating is so weird.  Nothing is off-limits to me… yogurt containers, a log from my yard, car tires( in my dining room brought in after these photos were taken), anything can be beautiful if you want it too!   I try not to let myself to get too distracted by the projects I want to do.  My time with my kids is short.  At the end of the day what matters most is not the look, but how we as family live life together.

Decorating is a hobby for me. It is fun but not the most important.

I try not to spend too much time on it.  It’s what’s on the inside, between the walls and thrifted items, that really counts.

So those are my thoughts on decorating and design.  Oh and for the record my house is NEVER this clean!Please check out my friend Claudine’s blog.  You can see her post of the photos on her blog here.  She is a fantastic photographer, and is super creative.  (You can google translate her blog into English, that’s what I do)

One

Belinda

When we first moved back to Mexico I worked in a daycare.  There were 30 kids in the daycare program from the community who came from many difficult living situations.  The more I got to know each one, the more overwhelmed I became.  Each child had a sad story that included poverty, a broken family and more often than not neglect and abuse.  I had no idea how I could possibly make a difference in so much brokenness.  I did not have the time or resources to help or “save” every child.  It seemed so hopeless.  But…

I could help with one.

Belinda, captured my heart.  I am not sure what it was about her…. maybe her sweet cheerful smile, or how she proudly wore her favorite fancy, button up shirt every single day, or that she was always so quick to give me a hug.

She was special.

The more I talked to her, the more I found out about her life.

She would ask me to pray for her Mama, who was often sick and  for her step dad who was doing drugs and would hurt her mom.

Her stories of her home life would bring me to tears.  I could not imagine that life could be so horrible for a 4-year-old girl.

Belinda looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes and asked me to help her.  I had no idea how.

So I prayed.

Then without really realizing, it I became a part of the answer to her prayers.

I started to visit them.  I got to know her Mom and siblings.  I helped them with what little I could.

When they didn’t have food I brought them some.  When her mom was sick, I prayed.  I asked for help from other ministries and friends back home, to help with school, and uniforms.  I did the little I could.

I told them the truth.  I could help with a little but Jesus loved them and could help with it all.

It started with one.

One little girl.

One little girl became one little family.  

A single mom with 4 kids, trying to survive.  They needed a house.  God provided one.  They moved to a new community called Las Aves.  As we built the house, I fell in love with an entire community.

By now, this family is thriving.  They don’t depend on me.  They depend on Jesus.  They have taught me more about faith then I could ever teach them.  I have heard and seen there bold prayers answered over and over again.  Alta Gracia has experienced the love of Jesus, her life and family has been transformed.  She is a light in an entire community of darkness, where many are quick to receive free handouts but few receive the love and hope of Jesus.

You can see the light in her eyes.  Her smile alone testifies to what God has done in her life.  She dreams of going home to her birth town (down south, in a remote and mountainous area) and telling her family, and community about Jesus and all that He has done for her.

“They don’t know about Jesus,” she tells me, “I have to tell my people!”

“Her people” are known to persecute christians and being closed to foreigners.  They are one of the hardest people groups to reach in Mexico.

It would be nearly impossible for me to reach out to them if I wanted to.

But she can.  This is only the beginning.

One girl….

One family..

One community…

One town….

One people group….

I can not take any credit for what God has done and continues to do in Belinda’s families life.  Jesus is the only one who can restore and transform lives. I was only one of many people who have reached out to love and help this family when they needed it.  But my point is…

It started with one.