Tuesdays :)

Our first Tuesday meeting. Do you see our littlest Avancista?
(Hint she's hard at work next to Erik)

Just thought I would share this photo from our first team meeting last Tuesday. Every Tuesday morning we meet as an Avance team to give trainings (in this photo Paul is sharing a talk about ministering effectively in Mexico), and we discuss assigned reading books (we are currently reading this one), as well as check in and pray for one another. Thankfully most meetings happen at our house, and generally coincide with Owen's napping schedule. This way Kevin and I are both able to participate instead of "tag-teaming it". Looking forward to seeing our Avancistas tomorrow!

Pray for Mexico!

Some of you may know, and others may not, but Mexico has been hard hit by flooding as a result of Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel. All of Mexico is mobilizing to reach the affected, but recovery will not be easy and the loss is great. Here are some of the statistics:

* 139 deaths
* 1.8 million people affected by flooding and heavy rains
* More than 58 thousand people have been evacuated
* 12 states and 830,406 people have been affected by loss of power
* 43,000 schools damaged
* National highways closed in five states (in the State of Guerrero 50% of their highways have been damaged)
* There are still some towns that have not received any aid because transportation to these affected zones is impossible

It has rained more this September than it has for 125 years. While we are cushioned from much of the devastation here in Mexico City, my heart is breaking for the thousands who have lost loved ones, homes, and their livelihood.

Introducing...

On Tuesday afternoon we welcomed our four new YearOuters! I am pleased to introduce you to Erik, Elizabeth, Amanda and Robin (pictured below).

A few words I would use to describe this year's group are: energetic, outgoing, Southern (all three are from the South), motivated, and caring. The start of this year's YearOut program really snuck up on me, and I feel as if I hadn't spent as much time thinking and dreaming of what our team might be like. It was wonderful to start to get to know each person this past week during orientation, it excited me to begin to think of how God is going to work in and through each one. :)

Viva México!

Yesterday we celebrated Mexico's Independence Day. (Here is a flashback to our first Independence Day, complete with Eliana's own "grito"). This is now our third Independence Day. Last year was very low-key as I had just given birth to Owen. This year we actually celebrated with our church on Saturday. It was a very fun party with crafts for the kids, a dancing competition, good friends and delicious food.

A couple of common patriotic dishes are chiles en nogada...

...and pozole.

Usually pozole is made with pork meat, so when pozole time comes around (though people enjoy it all year long) this is not an uncommon sight in most supermarkets:

In case you are wondering what exactly is displayed in these pictures, they are various cuts of pig heads! You will notice a large ear in the bottom right hand corner of the first picture. This isn't something you commonly find in most supermarkets in the States! ;)

All in all we had a wonderful, albeit very busy, weekend. Qué viva México!

He's One!

It hardly seems possible that a year ago this happened! I feel so privileged to be Owen's mom. One of my favorite moments from the early days was the day we brought him home from the hospital and Eliana met him for the first time! It is fun to watch as their relationship continues to develop, each day they love to be with one another more and more. I treasure my sibling relationships so much and I look forward to seeing Eliana and Owen grow in theirs.

Owen continues to be a happy, smiley boy. Everywhere I bring him people comment on what a happy baby he is, that and his blue eyes! He loves animals with a passion, especially dogs. His one very clear word at this point is, in fact, "dog." He is on the brink of really taking off with his walking, but for now is content to hold our hands or cling to the wall as he maneuvers his way around our apartment. Here are a few of my favorite Owen pictures from the past year:

Happy birthday sweet boy!!