Going!

My husband found out yesterday that his grandfather died suddenly on Sunday, and we are headed out today to be able to attend the funeral later this week. We're praying for his wife, and his children. My mother-in-law is particularly on my heart today. Mom, if you see this, know I'm praying for you, for God's comfort and peace to come to you! I love you, and we will see you in just a few days.

Soap Soup!

The last time I did this I told my innocent children that I was making soap soup. We all tease each other all the time, but they didn't get worried until I grated zote soap and began cooking it in a pan with water. Then they started getting worried.

"Mom? I'm sure I don't like soap soup!"

"Mom? Are you teasing me?"

"Mom? Are we really having soap soup? Mom???"

I just replied that they always say that with new things, and you never know if you don't like something until you try it, without actually telling them they were having it for dinner.

They believed me all the way until I put the new laundry soap in the washing machine to wash a load of clothes. I must be an awful, terrible mom, because I love messing with my kids minds! Bwahahahaha!

Here are some pictures of this time around.


1/3 bar of zote soap.
1/2 cup of Borox
1/2 cup of washing soda


My soap!


My assistant!



Soap in the pan of water.


What happens if you ignore the instructions to heat on low.


My assistant found that amusing.


Stir!


Ready for the next step!


1/2 cup of each.


Getting thick.


A two-gallon bucket half filled with hot water.


One more step!


Filling it up the rest of the way with hot water.


Done!

And all while these were cooking!

If you can't tell, it's cupcakes decorated with marshmallows and candy.

He's a hard sleeper

Just to encourage!

The church we work with has an orphanage that began last year. The first picture is the building the older boys are in now. The others are in dormatories and an apartment like the one we live in. The next picture is the building that God is providing the Iglesia Bautista el Camino to build for the orphans. It's always amazing to me to see the real spiritual battle that goes on during a time that God wants to do something! God is blessing, and yes, that ol' stinky devil, he's a fighting. He goes after each of us all the time, but there is something special in his attack when God is moving in our lives. I've never seen a church go through a step of faith without strange, seemingly unrelated trials coming up left and right.

Isn't the Lord good?

All Is Forgiven!

David's banishment is not for life, and is he ever pleased!

The Throne Defiled

My son loves to sit with his daddy in his "throne" at the computer. (Copilot at the helm, I guess.)

Well today he broke the worst of the three "P"s. No Peeing, no Puking, and most of all, NO POOPING!

He busted out his diaper all over the seat of power itself. I don't know when he will get his job back, but he's pretty sad that he can't sit with Daddy anymore.



A little story to hold you all over while I get my computer fixed! The camera works now, but my computer is on strike. Oh well! I'll be back.

There have been no fresh pictures because our camera is temporarily on the blink. Here is one from Christmas Eve.

Clod moment:

I now understand that is it proper to put coffee in one's coffee cup before attempting to drink coffee. I was rather fuzzy this morning, as I had not, actually had any coffee yet, and for some reason I forgot to add the coffee, as I took a long sip of nothing.

My daughter was watching, and she got a kick out of my trying to down a cup of air. We laughed about it, then I poured my cup, lifted it to my lips, and promptly dumped half of it on my shirt.

It only gets better from here on out!
_________________

Looking for someone? I am!!!

Psalms 15:1-5
(1) A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
(2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
(3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.
(4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
(5) He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Just a little encouragement to other Christians who are as concerned as I am about the state of American politics and social justice. Our first calling, and our first responsibility is to our fear of God, not of men. Because I fear God, I will not choose the "lesser of two evils" when the "lesser" is for abortion. Where is the fear of God if Christians choose such a wicked (I mean that word too, it's a good word!) man to protect them from terrorists? Do they think that man is going to protect them more than God will?

On the other hand, I've been very hesitant and mistrustful of everyone this election cycle. While Huckabee said things I like, I've waited before supporting him to see if he remains consistent. He seems to have fallen apart in that area. I know of no one who behaves as if he actually believes the words in Psalm 15.

People talk about a vacuum. Really, it's a lack of people in public service who are not compromised in some way in their convictions. We are looking for someone who is what he says he is no matter who he is speaking to. I think we need to be cautious with our loyalty and our faith. Where is there a just man? I don't know.

I do know this. All these things that are tearing the nation apart from the inside; abortion, corruption, vulnerability to terrorism, the border situation, taxes, etc-these are not things that God will judge the United States for. They are God's judgment on His people, the natural consequences of Christians walking around serving themselves and not being the light He intended. We will not be saved from these things by electing a liar who throws us a bone every now and then to keep us voting for his party. (I'm speaking of politicians in general.) We will be saved from these things when God has mercy on us and grants a revival of repentance.

Well I don't know how much sense I'm making. Just thought I'd put some of my thoughts out there. Whatever we do, as Christians, we need to place our trust in God. He is our hope, and if we put our hope in a political victory, we are ripe to be deceived by someone looking to fill a vacuum. I want to be in that "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." category.

If you want to chime in, please do so; I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I will post an opinion that disagrees with mine as long at it's decent and lacking in vitriol and/or insults. And I'm not into an extended debate. It's fun, but there are other people in my life who need my attention too...

Random

I'm trying to get some pictures from Christmas Eve here in Mexico. Blogger is not cooperating with pictures or video. I think I might not be the only one trying to post pictures or something.

There are few pictures from Christmas Day, because the resident Space Case (me) forgot to buy batteries. (DUH!) The pictures I did get were powered by batteries I stole from my children's most annoying toys. They didn't last too long. (The batteries, that is.)

We did have a wonderful Christmas. This is the first time I made a Christmas feast all by myself, since we've been visiting folks every year so far. Our feast was quite simple, but I ate way too much of it, and enjoyed it immensely. I'm making much use of my Christmas present, which I actually got several weeks ago. A roaster! Yay! I can bake now!

Well that's it for my scattered bits of news. I do plan to post pictures as soon as I can get a web host to do it before 2008.