|
Carolyn's Blog |
|
Mothering and Ministering in Mexico
|
|
-
A Kid Eatin' Corn on the Cob!!!
-
May Missions Update
If you are not in our email address book, here is our Missions Update.....
Hi from Mexico City!
We are excited to share lots of news and prayer requests with you. Thank you for taking the time to stay connected with us through these updates - it is important to us that you know how much we appreciate your love, support, and especially your prayers. Thank you for the part you play in our partnership together. Your involvement in our lives is directly affecting His kingdom in Mexico!
Fruit in Apoxco!
We were thankful to hear of growth and commitment in the lives of two young people in the Apoxco church. Omar and his sister Nataly were baptized 3 weeks ago and will continue on in their journey with Christ. Please pray for them and for the group that meets together in Ruben and Viki's home. Please see the attached picture and notice the joy on their faces!
Changes in Our Team!
The month of May will bring some big changes to our lives and work here. Our dear friends and co-workers, James, Erin, Kate & Caleb Henderson (see picture) will be returning to Texas for an 8 month - 1 year furlough time. They will return in 2009 and until then they will rest, renew, and reconnect with their families and partnering congregations. Their departure will create a change in our lives. We highly value their friendship, support, and encouragement as we work together. Their kids are our kids' best friends. We will miss them and ask that you pray for them as they transition in these upcoming weeks. We also ask that you pray for us - that we will use this time to depend on the Lord and trust Him to grow and use us in different roles and with new opportunities.
As we say good-bye to the Hendersons we prepare for the arrival of our new Adventures in Missions (AIM) apprentices. Cairen Wealend and Ashley Marler will arrive on May 23 to begin an 18 month commitment to work with us. Pray for them as they prepare to study, learn and grow alongside us. We are excited for their arrival!
Leaders Retreat!
This upcoming weekend we will be joining a group to share in a retreat time with several leaders from various house churches from Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Apoxco. We will be 'camping' together and sharing, fellowshipping, and worshipping together. Although there will be several missionary families there, we are especially looking forward to the opportunity for several of the Mexican leaders to build relationships and encourage one another. Please pray for God to guide this weekend!
Upcoming Events & Requests!
Please remember to pray for these upcoming events and specific requests:
*leaders retreat May 2-5
*the Hendersons departure May 19
*the AIM students arrival May 23
*'think tank' retreat with other missionaries June 2-6
*summer group from Westport Road Church of Christ (they will operate an eye clinic and various other service works) June 12-19
*summer group from North Atlanta Church of Christ (they will serve in a number of different projects ) July
*missionaries, Mexican leaders, church plantings and ministries across Mexico
*transformation in the lives of disciples
*more people who are seeking Christ
*safety and health for our family
Again, thank you. Please keep in touch with us - we would to hear from you!
In Christ,
Benjy, Carolyn, Reece, Chase & Pierce Brednich
-
Celebrating Dia del Nino
April always ends with a bang here in Mexico....with Kid's Day or Dia del Nino! My kids are definitely worth celebrating so we took them to a little fair where they each got to choose a ride or two. They had lots of fun!
And what better way for the parents to get in on the celebration....a special trip to "Coldstone Creamery"!! We just found out there is one in Mexico City (I LOVE this place) so we were looking for an excuse to go! All of us loved it. Reece and Chase couldn't believe they got to add marshmellows to their ice cream. And Piersen, well he got quite upset if I took a pause to eat some of my own!
-
An Obvious Difference
I think that sometimes, as parents, we are around our own kids so much that we don't notice how much they have grown or how their "looks" have changed because it happens so gradually. Others are often the ones who comment on the differences.
Just last week - Thursday to be exact - Chase woke up pronouncing words (specifically his "s" with a consonant) correctly. He tip toed into my room early in the morning and said, "let's go downSTairs for breakfast". For some reason it was very evident to me that he prounounced it correctly (since for months he has been saying "downTairs") I sat up and asked him to say it again. He repeated it and so I made a BIG deal about how he had said it right. He laughed and, I could tell, felt proud of himself. So I began to question and prompt him to say other "s-consonant combination" words. He correctly said SPoon, STop it, STay there. It just came together for him - he got it!!! It was fun. We laughed and shared the milestone with the rest of the family. I felt it a little odd, and yet, neat, that I noticed his change overnight.
Upon reflection, I wonder if God sees that kind of change in us. Sure, I believe that He sees our spiritual growth as a process. He is incredibley patient with us and watches our transformation that must, at times, seem to take a long time! But I would like to think that He is so attentive to me that He smiles and laughs and takes joy in the morning that we wake up finally having conquered a struggle, a sin or a doubt. When we finally accept what He has been trying to teach us all along.
That picture motivates me to tune in to where I am at. Am I growing? Am I farther along than I was a few years ago? Sometimes I am not sure, but it makes me want to grow and be transformed into a more Christ-like image. For all of the patience He has extended my way....I would like to gift Him with an obvious change - even if it is only seen gradually. After all, transformation is the point isn't it! I pray that the fruit of Him at work in my life produces an obvious transformation.
-
Princes and Princesses
We do not have much talk or any princess parafanelia in a home full of boys. But listen to this sweet compliment that was paid to me the other day....
Chase: (running towards me to share a warm hug)"Mommy, you're my princess"
Me: "Awwwww, Chaser, that is sooooo sweet. Thank you. And you are my little prince."
A few hours later....we are all in the van and I am recounting this special moment to Benjy.
Reece: (obviously listening from the backseat)"eeeewwww, princes and princesses kiss....that's gross!"
Yep, he is 5!
|
|
