"Downtown"

This is a very ornate  cathedral downtown.

My classmate bought us birdseed so we could feed the pigeons.  

We saw a lady...kissing?...resuscitating?...one of the pigeons. 

That was new!

Monday I made a cake for my grandpa's birthday.  It looks a little sad, 

because I gave half away--I didn't think he'd mind since he's in Pennsylvania!

Casa de Pancho Villa

This is our class at the Pancho Villa Museum:

 

The rest is architecture from Pancho Villa's actual house, and a little green!  Don't get to see too much green here in the desert.  :-)

Did you know...

Did you know that by clicking on the "Comment" link at the bottom of each post, you can leave a comment?  Let me know what you think about the posts & pictures I put up, and you can make requests of what you would like to see or know about life in Chihuahua, Mexico.  

Do you wonder when I've update my blog?  You can click on the "Follow this blog" on the right sidebar to sign up to receive updates when I update my blog.  No more checking back when there is no update!

This blog is to serve you and keep you informed about my life and progress here, and I want to do the best I can to make it work for YOU!

Gracias!

Carrie

"Lookin' Out My Front Door"

More Downtown Pictures:

Oh The Things You Will See

Things I saw on the way to Wal-Mart yesterday:

-Home Depot

-Office Depot

-Applebee's

-Chilis

-Sam's Club

-Dominos

-Subway

-Wendy's

-McDonald's

-Burger King

"And to think that I saw them..." in Mexico! 

Learning a Language...

...is a lot like filling up a Tonka truck with a shovel!  

During the past two weeks, I have had many people ask, "How is your Spanish?"  Well.  My Spanish has not improved much--but my comprehension has!  By learning through immersion, I am learning much like a child does.  I am hearing everything, and very slowly learning the words I am hearing.  Think about a child you've seen grow up; he did not speak immediately!   Babies listen for around a year before beginning to speak.  Thankfully, I will not have to wait that long.  In the next few weeks I will begin learning more words--and their meanings--and gaining the ability to form these new sounds with my mouth.  Please pray for me during this time, that I will be patient: "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).  This time can be frustrating because I don't know what is going on around me, and it is difficult to communicate.  Pray that I will quickly comprehend and gain the ability to speak Spanish fluently and correctly!

Downtown Chihuahua

Today, Louisa, Tanya, Jason, and I went on a trolley tour to see the history of Chihuahua.  Louisa, as a Chihuahuense, was our official tour guide for the day.

First we went through all the stores.

Then we saw a musical group.

This cathedral took 96 years to build!

This "angel" behind us is like our Statue of Liberty to Chihuahua.

This is inside the building where Hidalgo was killed, 

and a flame shines in memory of him.

More pictures to come of our special "downtown Chihuahua" food, that you have to eat when you go downtown.

Mi Casa

Here's the promised picture of my house!  The white door is where a family lives.  To the left of that door is a staircase that takes us up to our apartment.  The guys live down in the basement.  

Announcing:

...I am an "auntie" again!  My very good friends Geoff and Melissa were blessed with Ethan Daniel Gill last night at 11 PM.  Congratulations dear friends!

Roommates

Sylvia, Tanya, Carrie, y Nazareth

Step 1: Warm-Up

This week & next, we are officially in "warm-up" stage.  This means that we're not speaking very much Spanish right now--mostly listening.  This is not difficult, as I am in a dorm with three Spanish speakers!  Our class schedule is sort of on a daily basis right now, so each day we figure out what the next will look like.  Warm-up is a time to become accustomed to new sounds and culture aspects, and to be willing to make mistakes.  (Email if you'd like to hear some fun mistakes...)  One student today said, "The peace of God has fried my brain!"  This is so true!!  My "normal" is to have my life planned out to the nth degree, yet this week, God has provided the peace to be in "warm-up."  Praise Him with me this week for His peace which DOES pass all understanding, continued good health, and good relationships with my dorm mates.  

For His glory,

Carrie

Some Pictures

This is the view from the front of my house

The kitchen: my room is on the other side of the wall.

And fireworks in Shreveport.  We even got to do "sparklies" for Zoe!

The pictures are backwards, but it works! :-)

Chihuahua

We made it safely into Chihuahua around 1PM mountain time Saturday.  I am living in the Mexican Bible school dorm with 2 Spanish-speakers & 1 English-speaker.  I am finding my Spanish-English dictionary very helpful; I was able to have a slow "conversation" with one of my roommates this morning over breakfast.  She is 23, is from Chihuahua, & likes tea.  I'll post pictures soon of my view & house.  :-) 

El Paso

We arrived tonight after 12 hours of driving today--27 hours total for me, 35 hours for Jason.  Needless to say, we're ready to be out of the truck for a while!  

Shreveport...Check!

Well, we've had a great time in Shreveport--all 12 hours of it. We'll be back on the road shortly, for another 12 hours of driving. We've been able to rest up here & get good sleep--while spending time with great friends, eating great food, and shooting off fireworks! We covet your prayers as we get back into the truck to continue driving to El Paso. More later!

Love Carrie

And So It Begins

Today is my final day of "finishing up."  The packing needs to be finished: Callahan hasn't helped too much! :-)  When I began packing, I thought, "There is no possible way I can fit everything for 10 months into two duffle bags & one Rubbermaid tote (plus a laptop bag & pillow)."  Well, I am happy to say--it's going to fit!  I'll be leaving North Carolina very early Wednesday morning, and arriving in Louisiana during the evening.  Please pray for safe travels, a "healthy" truck, and alert drivers--us and the other people on the road!  I update you along the way as I have access to the internet.  

Thanks for your prayers!

Coming Soon...

Christmas...

and my baby brother!

Tim will be driving down from Virginia Christmas Eve, and will drive to Illinois to be with his wife Dec. 27th.  Please pray that he will have two safe trips.  He'll be switching out cars here--I'll be saying farewell to my first car a week earlier than planned.  Tim will be getting the Saturn, and trading his car in.  

Two Weeks From Today

"Fire and Ice"

As many of you know, there is only one week before Christmas, which means two weeks before New Year's Eve--my departure date!  Over the next two weeks, I will be finishing up the dreaded to-do list, visiting with family and friends, and saying bittersweet goodbyes.  I am sad to be leaving my family & the friends I have made here in North Carolina, but I am so excited to get to Mexico!  

4 weeks out...

Cotton Harvest

Today is December 1st, leaving me only 4 weeks before I leave for Mexico.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and during all your preparations and worries for the materialism of Christmas--please, remember Christ this year, Who He is, what He has done for us, and His coming again!  

Back in NC

New great-grandbaby Caleb

Born Nov. 13

I am now back in North Carolina, having finally finished my two months of traveling.  During the two months I visited in 6 states, stayed with 15 friends and family, and was able to share with 6 churches.  Thank you so much for your prayers as I traveled!

In Him--Carrie

Portraits by Will (More from Saturday)

Cousin Elliott taking pictures

"Pappy" massaging Mommy's pregnant feet

"Pappy Roy" in the kitchen

"Pappy Roy's" sister Rosie & friend Pauline

If you ever want to experience a new point-of-view, give a six-year old a disposable camera! :-)

Family Time!

With Mini-Me: Abby & Carrie

Abby & Will flying through the air!

"Andrew, are you cold?"

"No, the leaves are keeping me warm!"

Andrew didn't have good "playground" shoes

Toucan Sam hasn't changed much in 20 years!

Les & Elliott, Mark & Charlotte, Rob, Kris, & Me

Myrtle, Keith, Joel, Nikki, Rob

With Charlotte--the baby "great" for 5 more days!

Abby on the banister

One last picture with my mini!

A Few More Travels

I've had the chance to see a lot more of my family!  Here are a few more pictures of my travels:

This was my first view when I pulled into Pappy's:

Last year's gourd crop!

I always try to go to PenMar Park with Pappy when I'm here. 

We were looking for places in town that we recognized.

Sandwich anyone?

Pap's neighbor asked if I would help with her Christmas trees

for the Christmas parade.

This Saturday I'll get to see most of the local extended family.  I can't wait to see everyone!