"American Night."

It was "American Night" at youth group on the Loma Libre campus. What does that mean? That means playing ultimate frisbee and teaching the students how to make a proper "PB&J" sandwich. (And telling them the story of how the LORD got me to Mexico.) Success? I'd say so. Thank you for inviting me! 

La Mariposa Monarcha. (The Monarch Butterfly.)

Every year between 60 million and 1 billion (woah!) Monarch butterflies migrate from Canada to south-central Mexico. (So, then, what is one to do while staying in south-central Mexico? How about visit the "El Rosario" butterfly sanctuary...)

14th of February.

Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad, todos!

(Happy Day of Love and Friendship, everyone!)

Gerardo and Luis Alberto (and Erick)

(Context: Here in Mexico, "Valentine's Day" actually has a large focus on friendship, which is so cool because that means EVERYBODY can participate. To celebrate our friendships, NOE held a Valentine's Banquet.)

Asked and Received. (A Status Update.)

Before I moved here, I asked for 2 things: prayer and funding.
(See "A Very, Merry, Not-Quite-Christmas Letter".)

Thank you for your giving of these.
(Either or both. If neither, then thank you for following along. : ))

So, a much-do update:

The Prayer Part:
Prayer is an interesting thing because it is not tangible.
With the funding, I can SEE the numbers in my bank account. But with prayer, outside of being told directly that you and GOD are talking about me, there isn't really any way to see it, or that anything is happening.
That is, until you see the RESULTS.
I have been sustained on impossible days and I have connected with people over an impossible language/cultural barrier. Thank you for praying. (And please continue to do so.)

The Funding Part:
My goal was $7,000.
I was not fully funded when I moved here in September.
Since then, I have been extra-funded! (Over by about 20%.)
Thank you for very tangibly providing for me to be here.
What you gave may very well be the reason we have platanos (bananas) on the counter and drinking water and gas running to the stove.

I asked. You gave. I have received and we have been BLESSED.
Gracias. Muchas, muchas gracias.

A Warm-Up from Winter (Ex. #3)

January (in Mexico): 

The return.

Harder than anticipated. 

...

After being SO comfortable at home, and leaving, AGAIN, I really felt like a crazy person.

It’s the struggle of ease versus sacrifice and natural human tendencies and fears and trusting if/that GOD really does know what HE is doing.

It hurts so much to have your heart stretched between different places. And to attempt living in them both is nearly impossible (and certainly not healthy). But I am glad I came back. (See "Yesterday.") And now that I am settling in again—“finding my footing”-- I am REALLY glad I came back. 

Thank you for being "here". --Lainie

photo credit: gera

acesoria ("homework-help") teachers
photo borrowed from clau

A Warm-Up from Winter (Ex. #2)

December & January (USA): 

Home (for nearly 30 days!)
Renewed my visa. 

Being with mom and dad and sister.
(Being with some of YOU!) 

Surprise adventures and parties and weddings : ).

(Hip-hip-hurray for the Klassens and Cavanaughs!)

The Ducks winning. (And losing...)

Busy and good. : )

... and received : )

photo borrowed from jonah

A Warm-Up from Winter (Ex. #1)

Well, what can I say about these last months?

It's been cold. (Ha! Even on a Mexican-sunshine standard.)

Time for a few "Warm-Ups" : ).

December (in Mexico): 

Finishing curriculum. 

Taking tests. 

(Grading tests.) 

Christmas parties. 

Parties. Parties. Parties. A “party every day” (to quote the Black Eyed Peas : ))!

decorating with host family : )

"posada" style christmas party

sent...

Hoy. (Today.)

El primero "bien bien" dia.
The very first, very good day.

*no pictures to show. they were taken on a film camera.