New News!

So much has taken place this past month. I turned another year older and Ryan and I celebrate 12 years of marriage. We have some new members in the congregation and we even have a new name!

For my 33rd birthday we had the opportunity to go to Puerto Vallarta to meet up with our friends, the Pilgrims. They are members at our supporting congregation in Newnan, GA. However, they are far beyond that. They are good friends that we have remained close and in contact with since our return to Mexico. This is a BIG DEAL! Often with moving away, let alone to another country, friendships seem to fall by the wayside. However, the Pilgrims are “good folk” as they say. They are even organizing and bringing a group down this summer from the congregation there in Newnan. In fact, although you DID read correctly that we went to meet them in Puerto Vallarta…I still claim that it was a “business trip.” Hahahaha. Nah, we had tons of fun but we did have “business” talk. This summer the Newnan church is sending down about 35 people to help our congregation and some other congregations in pulling off a VBS. They brought us materials and such for our congregation to get prepared and learn everything that they are learning back in Georgia. We are super excited and working hard down here to get everything prepared for their arrival. Please pray for this group coming on the 23rd of July!

At the beginning of May we sat down with the leaders of the congregation and planned out a calendar for the next three months. We just held an all-night prayer service this past weekend and it was highly attended and needed. We have a lot of people that needs prayers, both here and scattered around. We focused mainly on our personal burdens and church growth. God is working! We see it in the lives of the members here and within ourselves. We are deeply blessed to be among the believers here in Mexico.

The Benito Juarez congregation has a NEW NAME! This has been in the works since the beginning of the year. Our logo came first and then the name. Our name mostly came about from a verse that we all love. We felt like giving our congregation a name would help inspire purpose and outreach. Its funny how God works because since all the planning and voting of the new name and logo we’ve had several people just stop by the house to ask if there is a church that meets here and what we believe. In fact one of our newest members comes from Venezuela. Her name is Ada and she’s become a good friend to me. She has lived here in Mexico for about 2 years but only in Mexico City for about 3 months. Her boyfriend, Miguel also attends regularly. You might also remember Raul who was baptized not too long ago. We’ve been praying constantly for his work hours to change so that he can join us on Sundays! Well, last week we got news those things are a changin’. Raul now comes at least twice a month and is even working on changing some other things around so that he can bring his daughter! I am proud that the leaders commissioned me to design the logo and create a website for the congregation. The website it still a work in progress and I hope to have it finished soon. However, our name is in place. I will now refer to our congregation as, Nueva Creación! New Creation! Please continue to pray for our congregation as we grow individually and as a body of Christ.

Ryan and I celebrated our 12th anniversary on May 22nd! CRAZY! I f we were celebrities in Hollywood, we’d be known as the old married couple. Funny thing about that is that we’ve been married a tad bit longer than most of our friends! I have to say that being married to Ryan is NEVER dull! If you know Ryan, then you know this is true. He’s an incredible man that seeks the depth of God’s love and has a heart to be more like Christ. He’s a great example to me and to many he knows. He’s a wonderful father to Jax…who becomes like Ryan more every day!
Speaking of Jaxon…he’s a TRIP! He wants to do EVERYTHING that Ryan does. He sits like Ryan and laughs at the things he sees Ryan laughing at. He’s constantly doing new things and really talking up a storm! He’s big into music and everything about it. He’s taking a music class every week. We often have to remind him to not try and take the instruments away from the teacher. However, the teacher is convinced that Jax has natural talent when it comes to music. Jax has responded to music ever since he was a TINY and I mean TINY, baby. Jax is a joy, even when he’s testing the boundaries with his parents. He’s often running around pretending that he’s a lion or a monster and making all those cool “boy” sounds. Jax truly makes our family complete. I can’t believe that he will soon be turning 3! We have some party planning ideas in the works for this upcoming celebration! WOO HOO! I love a reason for a party.

Well, I will close for now by saying thank you to the Monterey and Newnan congregations for their continued support. We love you all and cherish you even more. Plus a big thank you to all my dear friends that make being away from them easier with their messages and emails. You know who you are! Plus, although late…a big shout out to my in-laws, Bourley and Rita Gray who just celebrated 46 years of marriage. I love you guys!