How Firm a Foundation

" How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word. What more can he say, than to you he hath said; To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid. I strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to His foes. That soul, though all Hell should endeavor to shake I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

Andy and I spent a week in Magdalena, MX just recently. It was good to go and see and feel and experience CVE and the town with "fresh eyes". Our kids were finishing up school here and Gma and Gpa Ott flew up to take care of them for us. {Thanks Mom and Dad!}

Our house closing is scheduled for June 21st. The business sale is going really well.

People ask all the time how I'm doing and I really don't know what to say. "Good" slips out so easy but the truth is I don't really know if I'm feeling anything yet. I thought I would be more sad to see the house change owners or to say goodbye to loyal customers.

But I'm finding out that God is good at holding me in His hand. When people come into Hillside and ask why we're selling out, the typical response is, "Well, we're moving." "Moving? Where?"

"To Mexico."

"Mexico??"

"Yes, for mission work."

And then their faces usually break out in a smile and say something along the lines of "Bless you." "Best wishes on your journey". "I could never do that." "I have a relative serving here or here..." "My friends just got back from Haiti."

"Oh really! Who was that?"

"The Plattner's, Kurt and Joan, I used to babysit for them."

That particular conversation just happened this week. Small world. I see how God is using even the closing of a business to bring us encouragement. She went on to say that she was home schooled and lived near the Plattner's when their kids were young. Turns out, she is my age but we'd never met before because her family home schooled. Her dad is a pastor in Washington, IL. She assured me of her prayers before leaving.

And that hasn't been the only conversation like that.

Sometimes, its over the phone. Sometimes its in person. But it always leaves a spring in my step.

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But on to our trip.

After a hectic day of travel, we arrived at CVE around 8:30 at night. This is 10:30 Illinois Time and we'd been up since 4 am. We were ready for bed.

Wednesday morning, we met with Keith (the administrator) and went over all the changes in staff and kids since our trip there a year ago. Went to choir practice that evening. Laura Avina is teaching the kids music theory and we each got to compose a song. Adults were in the next room over having a Bible Study.

We stayed in the newly remodeled Grandparent's House. Andy tried his best to get blinds hung, bath hardware up, mirrors installed, etc. as guests were coming in the next week for Jason and Geo's wedding.

Thursday evening was the Graduation Party for one of the CVE kids. She graduated High School!

Her CVE father figure gives a speech about raising her. I wish I knew Spanish and what he was saying. Tears were happening.

Friday we had Amanda McClure over for steaks. She was leaving the next day for Illinois for some vacation time. Always good to catch up with her and see what God is doing in and through her. She had some stories to tell...

Saturday, Hartzell and Denise Kaeb and Adam and Belinda Kaeb were cleaning out the dorms and I talked with them for quite a while and did a little work. Kudos to them for cleaning out the dorms!!!! Also, for anyone who cares....the dorms now have air conditioning!!!

Andy and I decided to take ourselves on a tour around Magdalena once we got off "work". Irrigating some pasture and tackling little projects, pretty simple:) So we went out to eat and drove around, even passed Keith taking Addison out for driving lessons! Found a grocery store, went to Cafe Sed, read some books etc. Then drove over to Santa Ana, which is a town close by.

I also went up to Casa Paloma (our someday house?) and helped Pau get beds ready for more wedding guests. Her twin sister, Geo, was getting married the weekend after we left.

Always good to chat with her, she's hilarious and supremely sweet.

Sunday was church and something I looked forward to. I enjoy stumbling through the Spanish songs. It sounds so beautiful to me in Spanish. Adam Kaeb translated for us and his parents in English, so that was exciting! Great job Adam! Him and Belinda had just got back from 6 months at language school. It gives me hope for Andy and I:)

Sunday night, Adam and Jenna Leman had us over for a burger cookout with Kaebs, Hartzell and Denise, Kendra and her girls, Laura and Miguel and Carissa. Had a great evening bonding with our future co-workers and the kids. As a side note, most of the kids speak fluent English so it's not hard to build relationships with them. Our language training to come will benefit us when we are trying to build relationships with those who are unable to speak English.

My memory is starting to fade as to what we did on Monday. I know we ate at a new to us restaurant called Las Chicas, with Daton and Kathy. Hmmmm were those shrimp tacos delish!! And a cold Fresca, nothing better! Kups let us in on some tips where to go to relax and rest. Told us what they wish they would've done or brought, etc. It was their last week in Magdalena, as they are moved back to Illinois now. We've appreciated their open communication and willingness to answer any questions.

Casa Paloma

While not 100% sure, we are excited to feel somewhat attached to the house we may live in when we move down. It's a great house that I feel will meet our family of 6 needs. 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, large front porch and back porch for plenty of shade!

We're glad we went!

Next big thing, moving to Costa Rica! August 28 is the departure date.