Capturing December: Day 30 (A New Newsletter!)

Today I'm simply going to share with you the link to our Year-In-Review newsletter that we just sent out to our supporters.  Whether for yourself or your church, feel free to view, download, print, or share!  It's always encouraging to look back through the year and see how the Lord has helped and blessed in so many different ways!

Also, we are adding a new tab to the blog where you will be able to see all of our (past, current, and future) newsletters.  Check it out above!  We're really hoping to do better with our newsletter writing!  Michael and I periodically look at each other, shake our heads, and declare, "We must be the worst missionaries in history when it comes to writing timely newsletters!"  Seriously!  =)  Oh well, we are most definitely human!

Capturing December: Day 29

{ Bedroom Makeover }

After my quick trip to PA in October, I came home to our bedroom that had everything taken out of it and the walls primed!  And I guess since I was home now, Michael decided he could get back to his busy ministry schedule...leaving me to finish the paint job!  Okay, so he did help me some!  =)

If you remember our upstairs house tour post, we went from this...

...to this!

We are loving the new gray wall color and the cooler feel to the room!  Our boys keep saying it looks like a hotel!

We added blinds and curtains to the window instead of the foil we had to block the sun out!  Of course, we're famous for strange window treatments!  We did something similar when we lived in Guanajuato.

And since we were on a painting streak...I decided to paint the headboards, doors, and trim an antique white!

Now I need some ideas for decorations!  The wall behind our bed is very large/tall and looks very blank at the present moment!  There are no Hobby Lobby's here  =)  so it would need to be something I could make (reasonably) with limited resources.  Any ideas?

*******

An update on my sister:  after several ups and downs she finally seems to be taking a turn for the better!  Thanks for your continued prayers...they're greatly appreciated

Capturing December: Day 28 (Fall Review 2013)

Fall 2013 Review

I will actually be posting our year-in-review newsletter here in a few days, but until then, here is the blog version of our fall 2013.

We started off September with a brand new homeschooling year.  Kyle began 3rd grade and Taylor started 1st grade.  This year, instead of me "teaching" everything, we decided to try the abeka dvd's.  We like them very much and our school year seems to be moving along much smoother!

Jacinda turned 1 in September - which I did actually manage to blog about here!  =)

October was a busy and interesting month.  I (Crystal), along with Parker and Jacinda, took a trip back home to PA for a surprise anniversary party for my parents.  They were quite surprised about the party and then were doubly surprised when I walked through the door!  It's a wonder my poor parents aren't totally gray because my sister and I sure do like to surprise them!!

(Jacinda enjoying the plane ride!)

It was also nice to spend time with other family members and friends.

(Trying to hold my wiggly nephew Wyatt for a quick photo!)

While I was gone, Michael was kept busy here in Mexico.  Besides the daily supervision of the boys' schooling and also preparing meals, they held a wedding here at our church in Tapachula in which Michael officiated.

In November, we held our annual camp meeting.  I blogged about that here if you want to read more information and see pictures.

I had a birthday in November too, but it's okay if we just skip right over that!  =)  I still feel young, so I guess it doesn't matter what my numerical age is, right?!

In December, Michael went to Guatemala City to attend the H.I.M. pastor's retreat.  He took along with him two of our men from Tapachula (who are acting as assistant pastors) and also our pastor in Santo Domingo.  Bro. Glenn Reiff was the retreat speaker.  Michael reported that they had a wonderful time together!

Two weekends after the pastor's retreat, Michael made another trip to Guatemala.  This time, he went to Tacaná to give the special music at their weekend revival.  The Lord helped in a gracious way even though the trip involved some pretty harrowing mountain roads!

And now my blog friends, I think we're all caught up to date on all the happening 'round our place!  whew!  Onward and forward towards the new year!

Capturing December: Day 27

So today, I started a new quilt blog!  Yeah, I know...I have a hard enough time keeping up with this one, but I decided I wanted this family/ministry blog to be separate from all my quilting/crafty posts.

Did I mention I'm very excited about this new venture?!  It's really just a small part of my dream to some day own some type of quilt business.

Feel free to click on the picture below to go check it out!  The link will also be in the sidebar for future reference.

Capturing December: Day 26

{ Daily Life }

For most of you, Christmas is over.  Don't you hate how the anticipation of Christmas, which seems to build over several months, ends in one day?  Well, I seem to be running out of "Christmasy" posts anyway, so I'm just going to show you this little creature we found out by our water pump!  Frog legs for dinner anyone?  =)

Capturing December: Day 25

Merry Christmas

to one and all!!

Above is our Christmas card.  To our family and supporters, you should be receiving one shortly!

 And then below, we have the annual Christmas-morning-in-front-of-the-tree picture.  Notice, we don't do the fuzzy Christmasy pajamas around here!  Our goal each day is to try and stay as cool as possible!

We trust you all will have an enjoyable day spent with family and friends.  And don't forget: Jesus is the reason for the season!

Capturing December: Day 24

{ Christmas Eve Activities }

I spent half of the day yesterday and all day today preparing an American Christmas meal for our church people.  I made two turkeys, lots of mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed veggies, and apple crisp.

We had a very special Christmas Eve service tonight complete with communion here at our church in Tapachula.  Afterwards, we served this delicious meal to everyone!

Our Christmas packages still have not arrived, so we are looking forward to having a low key day of rest tomorrow!  And since we ate our "big" Christmas meal tonight, we'll just have chili tomorrow to keep things nice and simple!

(Please excuse this unflattering photo of Yours Truly...

but Michael and I were trying to dish out the food as fast we we could!)