At Last

At last I have received a marriage proposal from someone I actually want to marry and I know that God is fine with me marrying this person. I've had others that I knew were not the ones. Thank you God for patience and wisdom! So on September 30, 2007, David Trules asked me to marry him and I excepted his proposal. We have decided on May 3, 2008 here in Ensenada. One thing, though, about getting married in Mexico is that the woman's last name does not change. Don't get me wrong Dad, I love the last name you gave me, but I'm ready to change it for the purpose of marriage. So we're hoping that David will be able to get his visa and we can have a civil ceremony in California and then a church wedding in Ensenada. Yesterday we went to look at a prospective wedding and reception site. We did like it, but we are going to check out a few more that we know of. One of the great things about weddings in Mexico is that they have what they call "Padrinos". What the padrinos do is pretty much pay for the wedding. So we made a list of things that we need, i.e. a place, food, decorations, etc... and we divided it up. So he has things that he has to find padrinos for and I have the other part of the list that I have to find padrinos for. I guess we might call them sponsors. So, God willing, on May 3, 2008, I will become Mrs. David Trules. At last.

Brighter is Better

Well, now that the busy season is over Mardy Barnes, one of the full-time missionaries here, has been hard at work sprucing up the dorms. He has taken down the blinds, ripped out the carpet, put in tile flooring, made twin beds into queen-size beds, and added bright colors to the walls and beds. Looks great Mardy!




What do you think?

Rest for the Weary

Our summer season is officially over. I'm not saying that we are weary, but at times during the summer I'm sure we were. Last week and this week we have been on vacation. It's so quiet around here. Once again I am the only one in the house. This summer I shared the house with six other girls. Though the most we had at one time was five. When I get the stats on the number of houses, meals, clinics, and such I will share them with you.

I do, however, have stats on me. So I'll let you know......I am now dating a man that I met this summer. His name is David and he is a great guy. The past two Sundays I have attended his church with him. I really like it though the worship is rather lengthy, but that's typical of Mexican churches. He's very courteous and mannerable and he takes good care of me. He never walks in front of me, he opens doors for me, pulls out my chair, and he even pours my drink from my individual bottle into my cup. One really rare thing about him is that he carries my purse wherever we go. The first time he did it I had several things that I was carrying so that was understandable, but he has done it every time even if I do not have other things to carry. My father is not too crazy about that idea, but I think it is so sweet. Well that's all for now. I will gladly keep you posted on que pasa with our relationship. Please pray for us.

Belen

Yesterday was a tough day. A few of us attended the funeral of an eleven year old girl who drowned. I have heard different stories of how she actually ended up in the water. Her name was Belen. She was the only girl of eight children. I first met Belen a few years ago when I lived in the village of Maneadero where she lived. She and her brothers would attend the feeding program and various VBS's that were held there in the clinic in that village. She would often be left in charge of caring for her brothers. Several months ago she helped Kayleigh and I move several boxes and things out of the clinic.

We showed up at 10 a.m. for the funeral, but the pastor told us that it had been pushed back a few hours and told us to join everyone up at the house where they had the wake the day before. There was her small casket with many flowers and candles surrounding it. An hour or so later some of us helped carry the flowers as we walked behind the casket down the hill to the church where the service would be held. There were many family and friends there. Half of them were the children that Belen had attended school with, befriended, played with, and gone to church with. Toward the end of the service the pastor asked all of the children to stand at the front and asked myself and my fellow missionaries to come and pray for the children since we had been active in that community. Some of us taught at the school there, cooked and served food for the feeding program, interpreted for VBS, and cared for the children in the daycare that we ran. During that prayer many tears started to flow. Then Belen's father, through tears, managed to say a few words to the attenders and to his beloved daughter. Though it was very sad I'm glad that I was able to attend and say goodbye to Belen until I see her in Heaven.