So this year Hannah designed her own birthday party. And we didn’t get to be there (although we at least spent some time together virtually!). 🙁
However, it sounds like she had a good time! Check out her awesome work on Instagram. 🙂
But we were able to celebrate with Nathanael! Although it was a fairly simple party, we did still have a theme – The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit)!
Feeling particularly ambitious, Shari created two cakes – a chocolate cake (left) and an orange creamsicle cheesecake (right). Click on the image to see a larger version.
Some friends from church and from the neighbourhood came over for hot dogs and hamburgers (very traditional party food around here!), and cake. And they played some games, such as Flick ’em Up, chess, and crokinole.
Ten years ago today, first thing on a Monday morning, Shari went with Hannah to her school, where they both did a special presentation to the class about – chocolate!
It’s been a whirlwind of activity around here – and it’s continuing, actually! But finally I decided I’d better write something here to update you all. 🙂
Holy week began with Palm Sunday, and I was preaching. It was very interesting, I’ve never specifically preached on a Palm Sunday theme, so I learned a lot. For example, do you remember that verse that talks about the people waving palm branches as Jesus rode by? I don’t think you do, actually, because there’s no such verse. How about that? (For the record, I think there’s good biblical evidence that the people did wave palm branches – but there’s no one verse specifically saying so. In fact, only one Gospel actually mentions palms.)
During the week we went up north of Mexico City to the ranch where our friends the Howers live, for a missionary kid camp. It was designed for the kids and teens, but lots of adults (many MKs themselves, but not all) came as well. It was a great time of sharing and learning and fun and fellowship.
Ice breaker
Group Photo
Ok, who said it?
Back we came to Ixtapaluca, in time for a Good Friday service, led by our friend Edgar, in which Ezequiel led us through a meditation on the meaning of Christ’s death.
And then, of course, Resurrection Sunday! Oscar preached on – well, the resurrection, of course! And I led a game of “Who said it? Resurrection Sunday edition”.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of quotes in the resurrection story – and it’s not always so easy to remember who said it!
Today I’m getting ready for this coming Sunday, when we’ll be continuing our study of biblical anthropology. We’ve been doing it the first Sunday of each month, but we made an exception because of Holy Week. I don’t know how it’s going for everyone else, but I’ve been learning a lot from our study!
Enjoying some time together!
On Saturday we have our institute class – and in our New Testament Survey we’re finally arriving at the last book of the Bible! So that should be fun.
So it has been busy. Nathanael is starting to head into the home stretch for school, so that will be a little crazy over the next few weeks.
But Lord willing we will be able to get away for a few days next week and have a break, before diving back in again.
There’s a lot coming up, including the usually very busy month I lovingly call Manic May. Lots of decisions to be made. May we be faithful in service to our Lord as we take each step!
10 years ago today (and tomorrow, to be precise) we were having a lot of fun taking a holiday in Mexico City! So here are 4 photos for the price of one.
Top left – Hannah and Albert Einstein (well, a wax figure of Einstein) Top right – Jim and Cantinflas (Mario Moreno) (again, in wax. Moreno was famous comedian from Mexico City) Bottom left – Shari and Hannah in the pool Bottom right – Nathanael outside Chapultepec Castle
For his physical education class, Nathanael had to put together an activity using “SMART goals” (goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound). So he decided to do an Ixtapaluca hike.
So, yesterday after our main meal of the day we set out to fulfill the goals. He had mapped out a route (which we ended up adjusting somewhat en route), which included climbing up to two archaeological sites on two sides of town.
I took some pictures as we went, so I thought you might enjoy this mini-tour. I’ve linked to each picture in our Photo Gallery so that you can see the full-resolution version (you will want to actually download the photo from the gallery if you want the full-res version).
Typical Street
Street market – socks on the right, makeup on the left, and vegetables ahead.
The “Stairway of Doom” (yeah, we just made that up). And when we got to the top, there was another one.
A path in the hills of Ixtapaluca
A view of Ixtapaluca from the first hill we climbed.
On top of an unexcavated pyramid in Ixtapaluca, looking down over the city.
Dumped garbage
Cacti along the road
Street and sewer, with little bridges over the canal.
Tlapacoya Archaeological Site, from a culture that flourished hundreds of years before Christ.
Late to graduate, that is! Through no fault of their own!
Yes, Hannah finally “officially” graduated from high school!
We’re so proud of all her hard work for so many years! Way to go, Hannah!
Speaking of late, I’m late posting this too! But the good folks at Prairie Christian Academy decided to do an outdoor graduation on the 26th of September. So we all sat out in the parking lot on a beautiful sunny day.
Hannah graduated with honours, and was nominated for the Timothy Award. Her tribute was read by her art teacher.
And it was very cool that Hannah’s Grandpa and Grandma Winger and Grandma Cottrill were all able to be there for the big event.
And we were able to be there! Because there were times when we thought it might not work out.
I’m sure I’ll post some better pictures in our gallery eventually, but I wanted to make sure I had something here on our blog for this big event. 🙂
