Torreon Days 5 & 6

Thursday brought more sewing and another trip out to the job site.  The men had finished the job up on Wednesday and stayed around the mission Thursday making a new cover for the well pump, cleaning out Paul & Sarah's drain pipe and doing odd jobs around the mission.  Paul and Jason are more than capable of doing all these jobs themselves but after teaching and tending to the children's needs all day...you know how the cobbler's children have no shoes? 

Friday morning we got packed up to go.  After a quick lunch we headed into Albuquerque where we were to meet Paul and all the sisters for dinner.  They had been at a teaching conference all day.  Since the teachers were gone, the students didn't have school and it was too quiet around the mission!  We stopped along the way every mile to take a picture.  We just couldn't get enough of the scenery.

 This was a "camp" on the way to the mission.  The Navajo are matriarchal and live in clans.  I still do not quite understand the clans but Paul told us you don't ever leave your clan, even when you marry you are still a part of that clan and that clans come before family.  You cannot intermarry in your clan though.  Clear as mud?  You can see, if you click on the picture, the wide variety of houses, from mobile homes to the traditional hogan.  Sometimes we saw a travel trailer as the original basis of the house and then they added on to that.  Some homes were just OSB stood up on end with no roof and seemingly no foundation.

 Ranchers taking care of their animals.  You could see flocks of sheep and groups of ponies or cows just roaming around.  The roads had cattle guards so they wouldn't go into the intersections but basically, out there, the animals rule the roads.  We had a very "Wild West" moment when a wrangler was gathering his ponies.  They were running like the wind - gorgeous sight!

 We met everyone for dinner at Outback Steakhouse, a bittersweet end to a wonderful week!  That is L-R: Jason and Sheena Carpenter and Paul and Sarah Skiles.  Jason has served at the mission for 9 years, Sheena is part Navajo and went to the mission school.  I don't remember how long they've been married.  Paul moved onto the mission with his parents when he was 7.  Sarah and he have served there since they got married.  Thank you, Paul and Sarah, and Jason and Sheena for your tireless commitment to the work of God going on at Torreon Navajo Mission!  You truly are the hands and feet of Jesus to each student who crosses the threshold of your doors!

 These are the teachers, Abbey Hawbaker, Grace Meyers and Candy Carley (Candy is currently pursuing a degree in nursing and therefore isn't teaching this year).  These sisters have committed a year or more (Laura has been there several years and two different periods of time) and put in long hours.  These ladies are almost like homeschooling momma, in that they are the teacher, the lunch lady, the cleaning lady, and even in some cases, the laundry mistress!  Bless you for your commitment and service, sisters!

We didn't get a group picture, which I was so saddened about and the goodbyes were bittersweet.  The boys were already talking about when we can go back before we were out of New Mexico and it has been the topic of conversation at least once a day since! 

Yes, Satan is at work in Torreon, New Mexico.  Jobs are scarce, immorality is high, and alcoholism abounds.  But the teachers and staff at Torreon Christian School infuse Jesus into each one of those students every day.  And the fruit is unmistakable.

Torreon Days 3 & 4

Tuesday morning we sat in on devotions, the children say a pledge to the Christian flag, sing 2 songs and read Isaiah 9, then either Paul or Jason gives a devotion.  The children all stand in front of their desks with the utmost respect.  

 Tuesday we sewed, sewed, and sewed some more.  Here is Sheena's new dress.

Then in the late afternoon we took dinner over to the job site and fed children and adults out of the trunk of the car - whoever came, so long as there was food. We served hot dogs, potato chips, Kool-Aid, and candy. Pretty kid-friendly fare!

 This little guy wanted to make sure The Thinker took his picture "with the hot dog!"

 This is the house across the road from the work project.  This is one of the nicest houses that we saw in the area (save for AJ's).  Sadly though the mom has to work full time and the dad works for the railroad and is gone long stints at a time.  See the horse in the front yard?  Just roaming around!

 This is the project house - the part that was usable.

 Here you can see the guys have finished the outside of the project already.  I don't know about the roof at this point.

 Mr. Steady helping to finish the inside.

 Wednesday morning Karen stepped out of our door, looked down and very calmly said "Oh, there's a snake".  By the time I got my camera it had wriggled back out into the sun.  I think it was a garter but am not sure.  It definitely didn't have a rattle! :o)

 Janell helped the students make caramel apples and my boys got in on the fun as well.  Who wouldn't love an apple dipped in caramel and peanuts then drizzled with chocolate?

Wednesday night we got to walk to church again!  Praise the Lord!

 Another precious baby, I think he is about 4 months old.  We asked his momma to show us how the cradle boards stand up - he never woke up once!   Here he's just propped up against the wall.  The part by his feet can come untied and somehow the board can be made longer.  His momma offered to show us how but we wouldn't let her take the chance of waking him up.  They said the children can stay on these boards until they are 18 months and their feet will just be hanging off!

His mom had great black and white pictures for him to look at inside his head board.  I thought it was quite humorous to see this beautiful traditional Navajo cradle board with something so modern tucked inside.  The best of both worlds.

Torreon Days 1 & 2

After 2 1/2 long days in the car, we were greeted by one the most glorious sights in the world (that we've seen) - New Mexico.  It is absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous there!  We arrived Saturday evening and were greeted by Jason and Sheena who gave us the keys to the Indian House and we settled in.  We went for a short tour of the mission and rested.

Sunday morning we walked (!!!) to church.  For a family who is used to a 45 minute drive, this was a real luxury.  Mr. Steady remarked that is was the most calm and relaxed Sunday morning we've ever had!  We sang hymns in English and then Sarah led 2, maybe 3, hymns in Navajo.  The tunes were familiar and the language was beautiful.  It was not hard to follow along in the Navajo hymnal, although some blends were pronounced differently that I would have expected. 

We were treated to Sunday lunch by the missionaries and had a nice time of fellowship.  We rested in the afternoon and then Paul took us to see the job site - I regret that I don't have any pictures....there was a group of children swinging so Mary Elaine, the boys, and I went to go meet the children and talk to them.  After looking at the job site Paul took us around the immediate area and behind the mission.  It was a lot of fun to learn about the origins of the mission and see the area.

Sunday evening we went by bus to David and Mildred's for services in Rio Rancho.  We traveled with A.J's and that was fun to get to know them a little better.  It was a great time for our children to get to know each other as well.  Fellowship is always sweet, whether with brothers and sisters you have known for years or ones you've just met!

 We also got to see our first cradle board in use.  Paul makes cradle boards but I am not sure which ones he has made.  The babies ride in these cradle boards in the cars and sleep on them at home.  They feel very secure on them!  The curve up by their head is so you can place a blanket over them and the headboard will keep the blanket off of their face.  This little guy was 3 months old, I believe. 

 Monday my boys realized AJ's younger two boys were outside playing while their mom was in the school helping so the boys came over to our house and played - this became their morning routine for the rest of the week!

 Shirley, Karen and I set up a sewing shop in our kitchenette and pretty much settled in there for most of the days.  I wasn't much help with the sewing but I can get drink refills! :o)  I learned a lot of tips and tricks over the week and I think I sewed or cut one part of every dress.  I lost track but I think these ladies sewed up 7 dresses that week!

 Every night we had supper together as a "family" and it was a blessed time.  We got to sit by or close to most everybody before the week was up and it was such a fun time to get know each of them a little better. (This is the rec room of the school where the children do some of their gym class and roller skate!)

 After dinner on Monday some local artisans came over.  This is Lorraine, the sand artist.  She showed us how she makes her art - one painstaking layer at a time!  This is original sand art, she makes her own sand by grinding local rocks.  She told Shirley she still has some of her mother and grandmother's turquoise!

 The Reader snatched up on of the little coyote pictures there on the left and I brought home the bowl of Indian corn (third from the left of small pieces with the turquoise in it). 

 This is Lorraine's husband, Gilbert (thanks Mary Elaine!).  He was stringing up hot chiles, he said he eats hot chiles and corn in some form or another every day.  He was humorous! (This is in the kitchen of the school)

These next two ladies brought in their beadwork - it was gorgeous as well.  Teeny tiny, very tight rows of beads.  Sarah has a keychain that she was given several years ago and said it has held up very well.  I wish I would have bought some of the beadwork!

Getting There

Originally we were going to try to make the 1300 mile trip in two days but after some thinking and planning and sweet deal making on Priceline we decided to stay overnight two nights on the way out. 

 This sign was so appropriate because the phrase "...or bust" originated from Okies leaving the Dust Bowl for California.

 Three boys at the beginning of the trip, so excited and happy to be going.  I didn't get a picture when we got back home but suffice it to say not many of us  them were wearing such big grins.

 Stopped off the the Archway to the West just after crossing the Great Mississippi river into St. Louis, Missouri.

 The museum was absolutely fascinating!

 "I don't want you touching me or breathing on me in the car but come a little closer and pretend to be happy for the camera!"

 Lambert's Cafe in Springfield, Missouri - "home of the throwed rolls"

 Lambert's "kids meal"!  I don't think they know how to do anything small!

That guy in the bow tie was the "roll thrower" and he would walk around yelling "fresh, hot rolls!" and then lob them to you! 

We stopped off at Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries, visited the Stations of the Cross bronze statues as well as several other Old and New Testament statues and marveled at the 19-story cross.  Truly a must see if you are driving on I-40 in Texas!

I won't bore you with the pictures of the gorgeous scenery we saw on our way, particularly when we got into Texas but suffice it to say, we thought it was the most breath taking scenery we'd ever seen...that is, until we got into New Mexico!

First Time Obedience

We have really been working with the boys lately on first-time obedience.  It means being told once and no more.  Our mantra is "all the way, right away, the first time."  I'm sure the boys are sick of hearing that.  I'm sick of saying it.

Late last winter a sign-up sheet was posted at church for a mission trip to Torreon, New Mexico.  We signed up to go but then the trip got postponed and assigned a new project.  We signed up again for the second trip.  Not much prayer went into it, we just thought it sounded like a good opportunity to visit our church's mission and expose our boys to a little bit more of the world.

We set aside money from our tax return for the trip but one of our vans needed work and then the electric bill was higher than we planned for and then work was scarce and hours were short and on and on until our nice chunk of money was nearly gone.

As we sat back and looked at finances, it didn't seem like it would ever happen.  We did the math and crunched the numbers...we would never be able to afford it.  We decided to take what money was left and donate it to the expenses of the project and just stay home.  Thankfully we were told to just hang tight and the money for our family would be there.

I would be lying if I said I was doubtful.  I was highly doubtful.  I planned a garage sale but a series of events kept that from happening.  Someone gave us a very generous donation with the instructions to pay-it-forward the next year.  Could this really happen?  We stepped forward in faith and rented a car. 

I scheduled a Zumbathon to raise money for the trip.  11 people showed up.  God, are you trying to tell us not to go?  If this was meant to be wouldn't the people show up?  11 people, $15 per person....miraculously the dollar amount taken in was over $400.  Thank you God!

The next day at church we are abundantly and generously gifted more than a sufficient amount to make the trip and cover the time off of work.  Confirmation.  Confirmation that this is really His will, His desire.  He took what we could do out of our hands, for the van, for the bills, and showed us what He was able to do.  The money He gave us was more than what we had originally set aside! 

As Mr. Steady and I laid our hands on that gift and prayed, I asked God's forgiveness for never seeking His will and then questioning whether we were really supposed to go, was this really His will?  We are spreading His gospel, showing His love with a family of unbelievers, who are closely related to the tribes medicine man, a family in bondage who needs to see God's love.  He told us "Go into the all the world and preach the Good news". 

He told us once.  Why do we think He has to confirm it for us over and over and over again?

Let's take this first-time obedience and turn back to our children...can you imagine this conversation?

"Son, please wash the dishes."

"Me?  But I'm not qualified, I don't know how to do it, I don't have the tools I need."

I give him a dishcloth, a towel, and soap and lovingly show my son how to wash the dishes.

"Son, the dishes aren't washed,"

"Oh, I didn't know you wanted me to wash the dishes, I thought my brother would be better suited to do that job.  I don't feel called to do the dishes.  I feel called to only minister on the couch.  There are lots of needs right here within my reach, see I could hold the remote, and I could even watch a movie.  Movies have feelings and needs too, you know.  How come everyone wants to talk about the dishes when there are needs right here in this room?  In fact, I have needs and they aren't being met.  I really need to just fill my own love-tank up.  I need to be ministered to.  I'm not really ready yet to do the dishes, I know you trained me already but I just feel like maybe I should practice here on the couch before I actually do real dishes, you know?  Maybe I might mess them up somehow and then that would be bad.  You wouldn't want me to damage the dishes would you?"

How do you think that would go over with a child who is supposed to be practicing first-time obedience?  God is long-suffering and patient but that doesn't mean we need to be disrespectful and disobedient. 

I was waiting on a personal invitation.  A physical confirmation.  Lightning bolts and a booming voice from above would have been really great.  How would I feel if my child, after being told to do something said "Oh, I was waiting on a lightning bolt or some real, true confirmation that you actually wanted me to do the dishes." 

I wonder how many times I say "All the way, right away, the first time" and God says "Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?"

What are you waiting for?  Are you practicing first-time obedience?  Are you following God all the way, right away, the first time?

Eating Local

Our family has decided to not eat at any chain restaurants through the end of the year.  This came about for many reasons.  The biggest reason being we eat out WAY too much and the places we migrate to are known for quick-service, drive-thrus!  I absolutely love McDonald's Coke.  Don't know if I've mentioned it before but I'm pretty sure they put crack cocaine in the Coca-Cola.

So our little family sat around the dinner table one night....okay, it was at a pizza place but it was the table where we were having dinner...and defined what exactly Mom-and-Pop, local eating would look like.  We have encouraged our children to always support local businesses their whole lives but we weren't living that out very well.  We decided (some of us, reluctantly) that in order to get our moola a business has to have three or less locations.  This took out my beloved Marion's pizza (aka the aforementioned "dinner table" we were sitting around) and also my bestie Super Subby's. 

The incentive?  Well, we knew we needed to tempt ourselves with something big so we decided at night away at a hotel (with a pool, of course) would be in order.  Everytime we have a real urge to go to a chain, we'll throw the money we would have spent in a jar and use that money to pay for the hotel.  If we can go the whole 5 months without cheating, we'll spend two nights.

Daddy gets to cheat occassionally when the office goes out to eat together and we also had to give Daddy a grace week while he "remembers" our plan. 

Never fear, we are not going to starve.  We live in an area with so many great, locally owned, restaurants, some that we are super duper fond of.  The thing is, we are so interested in quick, cheap, what great coupons we have, etc. that we neglect eating at those great places.  Sounds kind of like our relationship with Christ....He has the best of the best to offer us, but we get so wrapped up in quick fixes for our troubles, we turn to what is quick and cheap - food, drugs, alcohol, sex, work, our homes - instead of seeking Him out and finding His best.

Can't wait to share this journey with you!  We've already remembered our own hometown ice cream place that we've been neglecting for a while.  Poor thing!