Somethin's gotta give

This is something we just had to share with you today - We love Mexico but sometimes things happen here that warrant even two blogs in one day.

We live on a street that connects two main roads in Mexico. There is always traffic on our road but what makes it worse is that the road is through a residental neighborhood with lots of apartments and so on. Because of this, on this two lane road, there are always cars parked on the street on both sides. Well, tonight about 6:30, we started hearing continuous honking on the street below our apartment ( nothing abnormal) but as it kept getting louder and louder I looked outside to see if there was anything going on or if it was just the normal traffic. Now, let me preface what I am about to say with telling you that when it comes to traffic in Mexico City it is literally every man for himself and Mexicans are notoriously stubborn about letting anyone over or giving up their spot. Well, on our street tonight, there was a huge fuss because two cars had met coming in opposite directions. There were so many cars on the street that they both couldn't pass through at the same time - one of them would have to let the other over. Well, each car refused! They sat outside in the street for a good twenty minutes not budging while traffic continued to back up and people started driving down the sidewalks! You can't tell that great in the picture but the taxi and the Explorer were the ones causing the commotion. Welcome to Mexico, my friends. Welcome to Mexico.

15 weeks and counting

We are cruising along here in Mexico - loving the new HOT summer weather (This prego sleeps with 4 fans at night) and loving life. We are officially 15 weeks into ths pregnancy and so far Mom and baby are doing well. Our original plan with this little one was not to find out the sex until he or she arrived however, the other day, Travis went out to run a few errands and came home with these adorable little things (definitely wins the cutest hubby award for the week). However, he was frustrated because he says yellow is not for his baby - it needs blue for a boy and pink for a girl and so he needs to know what it is going to be! Since I just can't resist him, we are most likely finding out at our next doctor's appointment in another few weeks - Vote in the poll on our sidebar what YOU think our little one will be.

I am only 15 weeks but at this point I already feel like I am about to burst my stomach is so huge! My mom says because I am short there is no where for the baby to go - I don't know but I am thinking by week 30 I won't be able to fit behind the steering wheel of our car anymore. I have been especially craving lots of things this week - ALL THINGS I CAN'T GET!

Like O'Charley's loaded potato soup, one of those yummy paninis from Panera bread, and a Chick fil a chicken biscuit - mmmm yeah! This is probably a good thing I can't give into my cravings. However, I am just putting this out there - if you can figure out how to get me a Chick fil a chicken biscuit BEFORE I return to the United States I will be your friend for life. LIFE - I mean - babysit your kids for free, help you sort junk for yard sales, and stuff dirty clothes under your couch when unexpected company is coming kind of friend. These kinds of relationships take a lifetime to develop but I am offering it up in an instant for the person who can make this dream come true. Just think on it. I am posting a picture for motivation. I am a FAN I mean, HUGE FAN of Chick fil a.

In ministry news . . . .

We have now had 3 English Clubs and they have all gone really well. This week there were 5 students there. We have enjoyed hanging out and getting to know the kids in hopes that they will come to the gatherings the "BSU" has weekly to hear about Christ.

Tonight I have another English club with my ladies, they are all so sweet and have proven to be faithful members most coming every week. My next door neighbor who is Jehovah's witness was one that I had really hoped would be able to come but has yet to show up. Please pray especially for her this week that the Lord would work in her life.

Saturday, we pick up yet another team this time from Gray Gables Baptist Church in Florida. Please pray for this group as we will be working with 2 mission churches next week spreading the gospel and reaching the community for Jesus Christ.

Prayer requests this week:

- Travis has a midterm on Sunday - please pray for him as he studies

- the team coming in on Saturday

- as Travis is searching for a job in the States

- health of Danielle and baby

We appreciate everyone's prayers and support so much!

Love,

Travis, Danielle, and Baby

I never imagined

I never imagined you could love a person so much that you had never even met. I never thought seeing our little bit squirm and kick around on a black and white ultrasound screen would bring tears to my eyes. I never dreamed my heart would fiercely long to protect this little one all the days of his or her life and would already have so many things running through my mind that I want to teach this precious gift about life so that he or she can stay away from hurt and harm. I never fathomed that seeing my husband’s eyes light up and a smile cover his face when he talks about this baby would make me fall even deeper in love with him than I already am. I never imagined I would already be so fiercely protective, so utterly captivated, and so head over heels in love with someone I have never touched or seen other than on a camera – but I am.
Today, we went to the doctor and saw our little one jump and squirm all over the ultrasound screen. We heard the beautiful heartbeat – saw a mouth open and close and little legs kick up and down. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and I haven’t even held him or her in my arms yet.
We still have a long way to go before we meet this baby face to face but I already can better understand a parent’s love for their child and more specifically the Father’s love for us. Already thinking about the things I want to tell my children, how I want to save them from doing things that will cause them harm – it puts into so much better perspective of my parents love for me, the discipline I received throughout the years and the pain in their eyes when I disobeyed. I can see my heavenly Father and understand His hurt over our sin that He knows can only bring us harm and the amazingly great sacrifice He gave in His Son to give us freedom from that sin. I never before could imagine – thank you, Lord for this precious, amazing gift and responsibility.