A Christmas Eve I will soon not forget. Today Buck and I, along with our dear friends Brian and Claudia Mosher were able to participate in the Christmas Eve service at the church in Mexico. Now I have been to numerous Christmas Eve services that were extraordinary--Healing Place has had beautiful music along with a dynamic Pastor; St Mark's has always been filled with many warm and friendly people whom we consider family; we have spend Christmas in San Antonio in a small somewhat country church near Buck's parents home; we have spent Christmas Eve in numerous churches with all different styles of worship--however, today I felt the presence of the Lord so great --that as I sit here and recall the days events my eyes are welling up with tears. We spent Christmas Eve in the back of an eighteen-wheeler, with a portable heater and small wooden chairs. We gathered into the Lord's House with about 30-40 other believers and worshiped HIM with one old guitar and children playing on the floor. BUT the presence of the Lord was there. They didn't speak English and my Spanish was a little rusty, but when I closed my eyes during the music the sounds of their voices sounded angelic. The four of us went person to person and prayed over their needs and as the tears streamed down their faces I saw Jesus in their expressions. Buck spoke a word of Hope to them of what is to come in their community and I translated. They stood up and shared testimonies of what God has done in their lives and they were truly grateful. We ended the service by sharing communion together. Like I said it was a simple service, but God took the time to swing by and share Christmas Eve in this small community neslted in the back of some mountains in Mexico. God is working a great miracle--right there in the middle of poverty, in an area where the people have been taken advantage of by evil drug cartels--Jesus is shining his light. Psalms 92:15 They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my Rock! There is no evil in him!" Merry Christmas.

We (as a family) all went back out to Mexico today. Elise and Avery were little missionaries again. Both of them helped to pass out the presents to the children from the colonia. I think they are getting the BIGGEST gifts this Christmas season. They are being taught the gift of giving. They are starting to realize that we are so blessed and that we must be the example of Christ to those less fortunate than ourselves. For those who are not familiar with this area or what a colonia is, basically, it’s about the poorest of the poor in Mexico. The area is filled with little dilapidated houses that are constructed of cider block, cardboard and wood. Many of the families have no electricity, and most have no form of transportation. I, myself, was taken aback with their living conditions. Now don’t get me wrong, they are VERY clean and tidy people. They were also very gracious and thankful of everything they are given. I just felt as though I was being taught a lesson on being grateful for the blessings that are in my life. They were all very happy and many know and love the Lord with all their heart. I spoke with one woman who told me that she has to walk (which seemed like a pretty far journey from her home) to church—which is held outside on the dirt, each Sunday morning to hear the word of God. By the way, Elise wanted to know why Santa Claus was looking a little different today. I had to tell her that actually—the jolly ol’ hombre that was out serving with us today was “Santos Claus Chavez” --who, of course everyone knows is Santa Claus’s cousin from Mexico!!! Anyway, we will be back out there Christmas Eve, and I know God has many blessings in store that day. Buck will be preaching that morning and I will be translating… We ask you to be in prayer for us that day. Not only are we their to restore and bring personal necessities we are there for something far more important than any material possession we could bring them—and that is a relationship with Christ—Our Savior.

Elise and I went to our Christmas outreach today in Mexico. In the semi-trailers you see in the background is where we hold our church services and school. This was Elise’s first international mission trip. (30 minutes from our house!) She did a great job serving God and being the hands and feet of Christ to our brothers and sisters across the border. We just got a deed to 6 acres where we are going to build a 12,000 sq. foot church/school/community center. The new building will be a beacon of hope for the people in the community of Acuna. God is so faithful and we are blessed to be in ministry!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas... Wow! Having three kids during the holidays takes on a whole new meaning. We have had several Christmas performances and of course a visit with Santa! Here are a couple of pictures of some of the events from the last couple of day:

Sometimes I just marvel at how "ON TIME" God is!! The other day, as I was coming home from the grocery store, I was thinking in my head about how in the world we were going to buy Christmas Presents this year. I was actually praying that somehow money would just come in the mail from somewhere. As I walking into the house, I caught a glimpse out the back window of the view from our backyard. I felt this immediate sense of guilt when I looked at just how blessed my life is. I attached a picture of what I was looking at. How could I fathom asking God for money when he has given us so much? Well, after putting the groceries away I went to check the mail--and to make a long story short, somehow Buck managed to not cash three small checks from when he worked at West and we "fell into" $1000.00 dlrs of unclaimed money!!!! Even when I realized what God has done for us, undeservedly, he always seems to be there even when its a selfish request! It just amazes me, I am blown away... He is just so faithful. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.