From Mexico

I would like to calm your fears about what you may be hearing in the news!   

Mexico City has been in the news lately due to the recent H1N1 flu outbreak. The country of Mexico has closed schools and large events through Wednesday, May 6th. As of today, Thursday, my classes are not cancelled, because we are a very small program.  Because we work mainly on a one-on-one basis, we as students are given the right to cancel our own classes or language helper sessions at any time.  For now, I am continuing most of my classes and sessions, as I and the ladies I work with are healthy.   The leadership of the mission here in Mexico are monitoring the situation very closely, and will make any necessary moves to protect us. I know many of you are concerned about me being in Mexico during this time.  A reminder, I am in Chihuahua City, approximately a 24 hour drive from Mexico City.  This is like the difference between Dallas and Washington D.C.  

I say all this to calm your fears, but I do not want you to stop praying for the situation here!  Pray also for the fears of the Mexican people.  Many are very afraid of getting this flu.  I have plans to travel to El Paso in a few weeks because my 6-month visa will be expiring soon.  (I can hardly believe I've been here that long already!  Time flies...)  Please pray for this upcoming trip.  More details and dates to follow!  I thank you for your prayers during this time! 

Healthy and washing my hands,

Carrie :-)

(Map is from LonelyPlanet.com)

8 Things for Melissa

My friend Melissa tagged me to make a list of "8s":

8 Things I Look Forward To
1. Holding Cooper David
2. Being fluent in Spanish
3. A tonsillectomy
4. My birthday week
5. My (almost) daily avocado
6. Talking to my best friend
7. Getting to Paraguay
8. Cream of Wheat

8 Things I Did Yesterday 
1. Wore my guachos
2. Had a language session with Luisa
3. Went to my Esther Bible study
4. Took a nap
5. Walked to Green Gate for a Coke
6. Went to a Hawaiian party
7. Ate shishkabobs
8. Went to bed

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Skydive
2. Go to Ireland
3. Go snorkeling
4. Be in all 50 states at least once
5. Walk a log bridge without falling
6. Swim well
7. Go on a roadtrip
8. Explain the love of Christ in another language

8 Shows I Watch:
I don't really watch too many TV shows, so this doesn't count...but I do follow Lost.

Living The Great Life

I have been going through Beth Moore's new Bible study "Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman".  This week the focus has been on chapter seven of Esther, when Esther reveals to Xerxes Haman's plans for killing the Jewish race (including herself).  As a result, the king is angered and has Haman hung on the very gallows that he had built for Esther's Jewish uncle Mordecai.  

So, why am I telling you this?  Today's lesson was very encouraging, and I wanted to share some of Beth's thoughts.  The lesson title was "A Hung-up Life".  We all desire for our lives to mean something.  So often it is easy to get "hung-up" on what we do.  It may be today's immediate to-do list or future goals in our lives.  We sometimes just sit and "wait" for ministry opportunities to come along, but I want to challenge you about your daily "doings".  Can this be your ministry?  Does God have certain things in your life today?  A certain route you walk or run when you pass the same people?  Does God place the same people with you at your work place?  Can making a meal be a ministry?  What about cleaning a toilet?  

Those are all my thoughts...here are some of Beth Moore's thoughts:

"The thought occurs to me afresh that great lives don't always seem great while we're living them.  They may seem embarrassingly regular."

"The thought that you might produce something mediocre can be devastating."  (This is a quote from a self-proclaimed perfectionist.  Does mediocrity scare you?  It does me!)

"Everyone of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things.  His holy hand resting on the least act renders the ordinary extraordinary.  Spooning soup into the mouth of the weak or manning the nursery so a tired mom can go to church are acts of high worship when offered in the name of Christ.  He beholds the sight like a breathtaking work of art, tilting His head to study each subtle detail.  "She has done a beautiful thing to me" (Mark 14:6). [Italics mine]

"To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life."

Oh, to hear, "Well done."

The "Jump"...

While we were in Monterrey, we took Monday to do a zip-line and bungee jump...

First, we did the zip-line through the forest.

I didn't have the nerve to jump forwards, so I tried to fall backwards.  But I couldn't fall either!  I ended up being "released" after I leaned backwards, so I wasn't really in control of my "jump".

Back from MonteRRey

I made it back from Monterrey Wednesday morning around 7am mountain time.  We had a great trip, enjoyed visiting with our friends, and we were able to see a lot of great things in Monterrey.  Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Monterrey is famous for the nearby mountain in the shape of a horse saddle

Saturday we visited "Bird World" (loose translation!)  This particular bird is the only one we found native to Paraguay.

This waterfall is the "Horsetail Falls"

This is the Steel Factory Museum.  We were able to ride to the top to an observation deck.

The "elevator" went at an angle up to the top

I'll have a few more pictures up soon of things we did and saw in Monterrey!  Thank you for your prayers for a good safe trip.

Grutas de Garcia: Caves

I was able to spend Easter Sunday in a much better way than last year.  Those of you who have been with me a while may remember that this time last year I was battling pneumonia.  This year I was able to hike up a mountain to go look at caves!

These caves were found in the 1800s by a Jesuit priest.  They are a main attraction for anyone visiting Monterrey.

The vertical climb here was nearlyl 1/2 mile.  You can see the trail doing switchbacks the entire way up the mountain.

This is the first room we walked into, after hiking in 90 degree weather, we welcomed the cool air of the caves!

A close-up of the stalagmites

Stalagmites and stalactites: met in the middle

This formation was covered in Christmas lights and called the Christmas tree

The "Hand of Death"

It was great to be able to spend the afternoon among God's handiwork.  Though many would say it took millions of years to create these formations, I couldn't help but wonder if they were quick formations from the flood.  I have no sure way of knowing this side of eternity, but I can't help but wonder!

Creative shots of Monterrey

The Governor's Palace (offices now)

All of the Governor's Palace at night

Side doors to the Palace

Inside the Governor's Palace at night; the courtyard area

Down the hallway at the Governor's Palace

A cathedral

A different cathedral

A bridge of the Santa Lucia Riverwalk

Guest Post

Greetings and Salutations! This post is coming to you courtesy of Carrie's downstairs neighbor, Becky, special guest blogger of the day...just letting you know that Carrie arrived safe and sound in Monterrey this morning after a short flight from Chihuahua. She is looking forward to spending time with her friends and hopes to conquer that pesky trilled "rr" in Monterrey while she is there! That's it for now...perhaps there will be more news later, so stay tuned!

Preparing for a trip...

This week I am heading to Monterrey, Mexico to meet up with friends who have come down for a missions trip.  I'll be joining their work team of 25 during the construction phase of their trip.  They have come down from central Pennsylvania (I'm not disappointed I missed that drive!) :-)  I will be flying from Chihuahua to Monterrey on Tuesday, and I'll fly back next Wednesday.  Please pray for safe flights, and for safety while touring the city.  Thanks!  

A Few More Creel Photos

Like always, babies get buckled in, too!

 Looking at items a Tarahumara lady is selling.

A better look at the goods for sale:bracelets, rosaries, flutes, shawls, and a lot of baskets.

If you kiss a frog...

 

...your prince will come!