Wow! It was ten years ago today that we have the privilege of spending some time in the great outdoors of Canada with Shari’s parents and some cousins. That was a great time! And here’s proof. We’ll even include the illustrious dog Sniper in the picture.
(And by the way – I love this picture from 20 years ago too!)
I know, I often post about birthdays in the May edition of “retro”. But, of course, there is a reason.
So this year I’m just going all out. Here are some pictures from 2015 of the cakes – and piñatas!
Hannah had absolute chocolate overkill in her cake, and a giant “Hershey Kiss” for a piñata.
Nathanael had an “under the sea” theme for his cake, and a shark for a piñata.
Don’t get too excited – he’s already gone again. 🙁 However, we enjoyed having Nathanael here for a few days at the end of February to the beginning of March! 🙂
There were some odd adventures along the way. We had decided to meet Nathanael at the airport and have some breakfast together there, before doing a few things in the city.
After waiting for I don’t know how long to get into the parking garage, I let Shari off to go and greet Nathanael, while I continued to wait. Finally I got in, only to drive around for over an hour trying to find a parking spot. I never did – but of course I still had to pay for my time in the parking area. So . . . let’s just say I missed breakfast!
And on the way home, Nathanael’s flight was not on time, and he ended up on a later flight, doing another all-nighter with an extra leg of flying that he wasn’t expecting.
But, in between, we had a good time! There was, of course, lots of Mexican food and friends, including time at our Sunday service, and the youth/young adults weekly event . . .
Nathanael made us some tea and some salsa (no, not mixed together) . . .
And I’m sure there were some board games in there somewhere.
And Shari added some cheesecake to the celebration . . .
So, in spite of some sickness which may have been going around the family, it was great to have Nathanael home in Mexico for a few days! We hope that we can see Nathanael – and Hannah – again soon!
Today I’m remembering so many people who are no longer here in Mexico. This picture is from a team meeting that we had in Puebla ten years ago today. One has gone on to be with the Lord. Three of our younger members went on to other things in other countries. Some were short or mid-term missionaries, who returned home. Some simply went on to other ministries.
So – we miss them! But we’re happy that some are still here as well, although we don’t see them as much as we would like.
Here we were in 2014, standing in front of the Estrella de Puebla (Star of Puebla), a ferris wheel with a Guinness Record (2013) for “the world’s largest portable observation wheel”. (Portable?? Apparently, yes – it can be taken apart and put into a 40×20 foot container. Who knew? But it’s huge-gantic, 80 metres high.)
Anyway, we rode on it, and took a picture in front of it. Just click on the picture below for a larger version.
Ten years ago today, we were having a kids’ club in the community of Las Palmas. This special outreach was in partnership with some friends from the church in the community of Santa Barbara, the “first” Path of Life Bible Church in Ixtapaluca.
That’s pretty cool, but there’s something else cool about this picture. Two of the little kids that you see here learning about the Lord Jesus are now in our youth group. They were helping me last month to teach songs to the kids at our vacation Bible school at the Path of Life. They are now reaching other kids with the gospel!
And you’ll also spot Nathanael in this shot, who is now serving the Lord in Canada. Hannah was old enough to help with the kids, but she’s not in this picture.
Choosing a photo from ten years ago was hard – July 2014 was a very photogenic month. I guess that’s because we travelled all across Canada and the USA, visiting family and friends. Lots of great memories!
After a breakdown in the USA (which led to more time with some friends there!), and an equally disastrous “repair”, we drove madly on to Ontario where we were finally able to enjoy a break at Fair Havens. I’m not sure it ever lived up to its name more.
So this is a shot of Hannah and Nathanael from a day of fun family games – 10 years ago today.
I can’t help a bonus – strolling with the Canada geese down one of my favourite roads in the world, also at Fair Havens:
