YUGO Retreat and Dentistry

           This past Monday and Tuesday we went to a YUGO Ministries retreat. My parents had meetings all day and so my friend and I helped in childcare. The property was amazing! It had a beautiful view of the islands that are off the coast, and the sunsets were incredible. Even though all I did all day was pretty much take care of little kids, I had a good time seeing people I had only seen in pictures in the YUGO office. It was amazing to see so many people who have left their lives in the States or Canada or wherever they lived, to come down to Mexico to serve. I wonder how God worked in that many people’s hearts to get them to come down here. I’m sure they all have their own story just like we do.

            On Wednesday I went to the orthodontist. I thought I might get my braces off, but they said I am going to get them off on March 16! My grandpa is a dentist, so whenever I go to see him I brush my teeth extra. He comes down to Mexico to do kids teeth sometimes. When he comes down I am his translator. As I watch him I think, “I could never be a dentist.” This past time that he came down, he had to take some teeth out of some kids. I thought I was going to throw up from all the blood I saw! Luckily all I did was start translating for someone else and forgot all about the blood.    

            I know you all have things to do, but thank you for taking the time to check out what’s going on in my life. You are all in my prayers.

Leidy

           Now that I am not in school anymore, I don’t really have as many friends. I have one really special friend who lives at GCH because her mom works there. Her name is Leidy. Leidy is the same age as me and she is a great friend. I don’t really get to see her that often, but I do see her at church on Sundays and on weekends when she spends the night at our house. That is when we catch up on things.

            Leidy’s mom is working on getting their passports so they can cross the border. I pray that this happens someday. Every time I experience something in the States, like being at my grandparent’s cabin in the snow, I think of how I wish Leidy could be there. One day I want to share that part of my life with her. I would love to just see the look on her face.

            I think Leidy is a great example for everybody of how Christians should be. I love spending time with her. I would write more about her, but she is not the kind of person who would want people reading about her, that’s just how she is (not that she can read my English).

My Christmas

        I had a wonderful Christmas this year. The Sunday before Christmas we celebrated with my dad’s dad, Grandpa Manny, and his family. It was raining so we mostly stayed inside and played. We decorated gingerbread houses and made friendship bracelets. We also played a really fun dice game with wrapped gifts as prizes.

       Three days before Christmas we headed out to my Grandma Bonnie’s (my dad’s mom) house to celebrate with her family. We stayed two nights and saw the new Narnia movie there. I especially loved playing with my newest cousin, Jackie. She is so cute!

       On Christmas Eve we left and went to Mamaw and Papa’s (my mom’s parents) house in the desert. I woke up that night like five times thinking it was morning. The bad thing though was that I was not feeling good at all Christmas morning. My stomach and my head hurt. We started the morning off with my dad reading the story of when Jesus was born. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and ate birthday cake for breakfast. Then we opened presents. My parents gave me clothes. From my grandparents I got a pair of flip-flops and two beads for my bracelet that they got me last year.

       Two days after Christmas we headed up to my grandparent’s cabin in the mountains. There was so much snow and the icicles were huge! We had a great time, but I missed my dad. I am glad to be home now. I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were as fun as mine! 

My Neighbors

           Two Jehovah Witness ladies usually come on Saturday mornings to give my neighbor, Jamili, classes. The next day our family takes her to our Christian church. I feel like we are in a battle for her soul. I’m always looking for new verses to show her that Jesus is God. I think we are winning because she’s the one who actually invited my other neighbor, Rodolfo, this past Sunday.

            For her birthday this year we gave Jamili a new Bible because the only one she had was the one from her Jehovah Witness teachers. She was very excited. After that I invited her to church to use it. She had a wonderful time and she has been coming ever since.

            Rodolfo’s a really great friend most of the time, so I thought he was a Christian. Then Saturday when Jamili brought up the subject, he didn’t quite know if he was a Christian or Catholic or anything at all. So Jamili and I suggested that he come with us to church the next day. He asked his mom and she said it was ok. At 9:45 the next morning, we all hopped in the car and were on our way. I am pretty sure he had a good time.

            The other lady in the car is Tia Susy. She is my Spanish teacher and lives right around the corner. We ride together to church a lot.

            I guess I am getting the hang of being a missionary to kids just around my neighborhood. I am glad God put us in this neighborhood. We are going to church next Sunday and I hope we will be just as crowed in our car.  

I'm Back!

Hi everybody! My mom said it might be a good idea to start up my blog again as a home school writing project.

Last night I was thinking about what I might be doing if we still lived in our house in San Diego. Although I still miss my friends, I am really glad that God called my family to come down here to Mexico. I really can’t wait until the Baby Home is done and has babies in it.

I don’t know about where you guys live, but down here in Mexico the temperature is in the 50s. Our house is made of cement blocks. In the summertime it gets so hot and in the evening our house just keeps all the hot air in, like an oven. Right now it’s the opposite. It is warmer outside than it is inside; our house is like a freezer. We have to put little heaters in all the rooms at night.

Well, I am glad to be able to write about what is going on in my life. Even if no one reads it, I will come back and read it someday. Make sure to check out the Baby Home blog as well! God bless, Lucy

Saying Good-Bye to Everybody

Today was the last day of Spanish school.  I already miss everybody.  We spent my last day at school going to the Plaza, which is like a big soccer field.  We played with a kite, played soccer and had sack races.  Afterwards we stopped by the super market for snacks. After school we ate lunch and had a surprise party.  The kids hit a pinata.

I spent my last afternoon in Tuis playing Mono en la Media with Macha and her grandchildren. 

I spent my last evening in Tuis dancing in the rain with Joe.

I miss you all and I can't wait to be home.  Please pray that we will have a safe trip home.

Turning 10 in Costa Rica

We celebrated my birthday early because my Mamaw, Papa, &  Auntie Lynn were here.  We went to a restaurant and I opened my presents there.  I got binoculars and a bird book from my Mamaw and Papa and a video camera from my Auntie Lynn.  I took some video from our balcony so you could see the view.  When we got home we had cake and I had "girls night" with my Auntie Lynn. Girls Night is when Lily sleeps upstairs and my Auntie Lynn sleeps with me. My Auntie Lynn is afraid of bugs so we moved her net to my bed.  We stayed up late looking at my new book and laughing. I already love being 10 years old!

I am leaving Costa Rica in two weeks.  I miss you all a lot.  You are all in my prayers.