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.

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with Thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalms 95:1-2 Well, here we are on the day before Thanksgiving, and I am reflecting on the last couple of months. We have had some major changes and challanges AND we have had some wonderful blessings! So here is my list of some of the things I am thankful for: My Salvation My Family My Church My Home My Health Simple, I know, but really that is what matters the most to me! I can catch myself complaining about the most trivial things, but what I have is worth more than GOLD! We have had plenty and we have had little--going into full time ministry wasn't for the money! However the family time has been incredible. Even when I wonder how we will pay our bills the next month, God has been faithful. So here I am on my knees and I thank you Lord. Through the trials and the triumphs I thank you for mercy, grace and wisdom. Oh, and for the three best looking children in the world... Here is a picture we took today... Aren't they just precious!

Being the mother of three small children under the age of 6, I seem to always make a grand entrance into grocery stores and shopping malls. I usually get the pitiful looks from women whose comments go something like this: “Oh bless your heart! I am sure you have your hands full!” or “Do you and your husband own a T.V?” I usually laugh it off and wonder what all the fuss is about. However, this week has been a challenge. In the course of a couple of days I have been in the doctors office twice, several late night episodes of crying, whining and the like, and well not to get too graphic, enough uncontrollable stomach ailments— that I am starting to think that my choice of carpet colors was not the best! I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, not to mention a little envious of my husband’s life. Why should he get all the glamorous jobs? Preaching, retreats, luncheons, seminars – while I am changing pull-ups, cleaning up spit up, and doing the never ending pile of laundry? Where is the justice in that? I thought God was no respecter of persons?? I mean I was called into this life of ministry too, right? Well into my pity party God showed up. “Believe me, I understand, I am daily cleaning up my children from the dirtiness of this world, and they too whine and complain while I pick up the pieces of their lives!” Ouch, am I one of those children? Party over! Philippains 4:11-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. So I am back to enjoying my season of life, I know that God has something big in store for our family. If all I was put on this earth to do is to see that my children become doers of the word and to help my husband be the leader that he was called to be, then so be it. I am here to serve him- not my pride. Plus, watching my kids from the rear view mirror raising their hands and singing at the top of their lungs to Jesus is pretty cool—in fact its down right awesome.

We just had our men’s retreat at Bonita Camp in the Mountains of New Mexico. God showed up big as we bonded as a group of men committed to have Christ at the center of our lives! Some of the things we did were a low ropes challenge course in the forest, many chapel events, watched part of the Passion of Christ, taught the plan of salvation, and then symbolically burned our sin in a campfire at an outdoor amphitheatre. On the last day we covered the lessons that were learned over the weekend and James 1:22. “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers of the word who delude themselves.” Each man responded with what he was going to do when he comes off the mountain. Finally, we celebrated communion together and then headed back into the world with a renewed sense of direction and strength for our lives, knowing that we have brothers in Christ to help us along the way.

Promise Keepers I’m late on this blog entry as we did this last month. However, Promise Keepers was a great time of fellowship with the men of our church. We went to Phoenix, Arizona and worshipped with 18,000 other men. It was a great event as we were unleashed as mighty men of God!

I preached at our last men’s gathering about King Asa. God is building a great core of men for our church. Pray that revival sweeps through our church and ignites passion that our men can use for His Kingdom!

Why do so many people believe that when you decide to become a Christian that fun just goes out the window? Prior to being saved, Buck and I thought having fun always included "substances." But the truth of the matter is, we had no real joy or substance in our life. We were blessed last night with tickets to the Mercy Me/Audio Adrenaline Concert. WE HAD A BLAST!! It was the first real Chrisitan concert that I had ever attended--and let me tell you that there is something awesome about worshiping the Lord with 6,000 other believers! I know the Angels were rocking out in heaven! To top it all off, we went to the soundcheck and were able to have dinner with Mercy Me!! Buck and Bart (the lead singer of Mercy Me) were even sharing sob stories about how awful the Cowboys played Monday night!! Hahaha... Seriously though, it was so cool to sit and talk to those guys about each of our testimonies--they were really down to earth guys who love the Lord. Here are some pics we took with the the guys from Audio Adrenaline and Mercy Me. OK, So now I am hooked--I am looking to see when the next band comes into town!

We make it through the weekend! Elise had a blast at her party. Her Strawberry Shortcake pinata was bigger than Avery~ it was a hoot. They also went to a costume party (the same day as her party) and needless to say all three--well actually, all five of us crashed out hard when we got home! Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year--it was a lots of fun but Elise is already planning for next year!

This past weekend was Elise's 5th birday! Wow, she is growing so fast. She shares my mother's birthday--so we all went to dinner to celebrate the bithday girl's. Elise will have her birthday party this Saturday--pray that we live through the chaos of about 20 five year olds and Bob'O Fun Center... Anyhow, Buck and I just so blessed to have three great children. I think above all else my call is to raise these three beautiful gifts from God to come to know christ and then serve him with all their hearts~ If I can do that (through God) then I have accomplished much more and anything else... As parents we must pray for our children daily, because if we don't then who will? Psalms 127 ...Children are a reward from him (The Lord).

Well we have had a pretty busy week! Buck taught a Connections 101 class at the church on Wednesday night, then he spoke at the Men's Ministry Friday night. He asked if I would sing that evening and I agreed (although I was pretty nervous--I have never sang solo, much less acapella... But I did it!!) Finally, we dedicated Isaiah at church on Sunday morning. Buck's brother and parents were in town, and a bunch of my family members were there. Pastor Kurt did an amazing job tying in my Jewish heratige into the ceremony, in fact he anoited Isaiah with oil. My father and grandmother were pleased with the ceremony--both of whom are still Jewish. Seeing both sides of our family from such different backgrounds come together to witness Isaiah's dedication made me stop and praise God for his goodness and mercy... That Jew and Gentile could come together and worship him and glorify his name. "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods . . . 0 come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker" (Psalms 95:1-3, 6).

We finally had our first small group bible study this weekend! After having to reschedule several times, we got together this past Sunday. It was worth the wait. We did a small study on The Five Love Languages and I really feel that we connected as a group. We look forward to spending more time together, strengthening our marriages--and oh yeah... The desserts were awesome--hope not to grow the midsection while we are at it!!

I just got back from a small group conference at Willow Creek Community Church. It was incredible! We learned a great deal about small groups and neighborhood community. The original church in Acts was, in large part, centered in people’s homes around a meal. So the focus was on building a community in your home where you could fellowship with each other and learn about Christ and our Father. We found some time to go to downtown Chicago for some authentic deep dish pizza…my mouth is watering again so I’d better stop! We truly enjoyed our time of fellowship, learning, and worship with the small group leaders of our church. Acts 2: 46-47 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

"And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him'" (Gen. 2:18)."Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my boneAnd flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen. 2:22-24) Wednesday was our 9th anniversary! Buck suprised me with a beautiful dinner and a romantic night's stay at a bed and breakfast in Old Mesilla. What a night! My parents kept the 3 kids and we were able to just have a date. God is so good, we are blessed with a great marriage and love for one another. I think as the parents of three small children we can forget the romance sometimes and this was a chance to focus on each other.

HI all!! It has been a while since our last post, however we have been staying busy with the kids and church. Buck has just relaunched the men's ministry at the church. He preached at the kick off the other night and had 50 men at the first bible study. This is wonderful, considering most event will have about 10 -12 men in attendance! They followed that up with a tailgate at the UTEP football game where they had 100 in attendance! GOD IS GOOD! We are having our first Young Married Bible study in our home this Friday and we are excited about what God is about to do.

School started this week for the girls. They are attending the private school through the church. Elise tested into Kindergarden and Avery is in the Early Education program--both are loving it! Isaiah is doing great--he is such a sweet baby with a sweet spirit. Buck and I are about to launch a small group in our home dedicated to young Married Couples. We will be studying the Song of Solomn. We know that God will meet us in this place to stregthen some marriages and bring more laborers into the Kindgom. We miss Baton Rouge very much, but we know that God has here in El Paso for "such a time as this." We are so excited about what God is about to do in this community and will be sharing with you as we move forth through the battle. "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over and the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light..." Romans 13:11-13

Hello everyone! We pray all is well with all of you. Love, The Zengerles