Pig Out

This month I was able to fly to Sacramento CA and participate in a missions conference at Valley Springs church in Roseville. It was a three day event that started on Friday night. There were several missionary speakers. Some from Africa, one preparing to pastor in Tijuana, Mexico, and others. There was another room set up with tables where we set up our displays and greeted people as they passed by. We were able to give them pamphlets, business cards, prayer cards, verbal information, and some showed videos. On Sunday, the last day, they brought in a whole roasted pig. The body of the pig was cut into little chunks and we were provided with toothpicks to sample the swine's carcass. It was quite yummy!

I had the privilege of staying with former Ensenada Outreach Center missionaries, Barney and Sally Jones, whom I had not seen since the summer of 2005. It was great to get to spend time with them. On Saturday night I was kidnapped by two former interns Kayleigh and Brittney, both from the Sacramento area. It was fun seeing them and hanging out.

My flight there and back was open seating. When I boarded to come back home there was an open seat about four rows from the front that had two women in both the window and aisle seats. I was going to go further back, but thought better of it. So once I was seated I whipped out my "Brides" magazine and started flipping through the pages. The lady in the window seat took out a small pad and a pen and started to write something. She wrote a question asking me if I was getting married. So that started a conversation between us. It turns out that she and her husband are missionaries for Silent Word Ministries. She is my age and her name is Kim. Oh! That reminds me. I met a girl at Valley Springs named Kimiko. Cool, eh? Anyway, I really enjoyed chatting with Kim on the plane. I felt a connection between us and kind of hated that the flight had to end. We exchanged information and have been in contact since our returning home. She's from Nashville, TN. Hi Kim.

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.