FELIZ NAVIDAD!  Last Friday, I spent my entire day selling retail clothing at a women's christmas bazaar for english speaking women in the monterrey area in a beautiful mansion that raised about $10,000 (we think) for Casa Hogar Douglas.  They'd like to buy Casa Hogar Douglas a vehicle.  We sold jewelry, artwork, christmas ornaments, food, books, clothes and other fun things and raised a TON of money-  Pretty amazing if you ask me.  The home where this fundraiser was held had the most beautiful views of this city- looking out ANY of this homes many windows took your breath away.  I had a lot of fun meeting women from all over the world who have managed to find themselves living here in Mexico.  Many of these women have more money and wealth than I've been exposed to or could ever imagine.  As thankful as I am for what these women do for our kids, I think it's far too easy to put God in a box when I see wealth like that - I expect God to provide for the kids through them and then I get mad at God if they don't give me as much money as I think they are capable of- but often, support for kids here comes from people who don't really have all that much.  They give out of sacrifice and not out of excess.  I love people like that.  As I drove home with my roomie Becca, we both said that it felt like we went to the states that day or maybe even another country because all these women spoke english and it was such a nice part of town but that it felt good to go back to our humble neighborhood and tiny apartment.  And after spending an entire day with very wealthy women, I realized that I was comparing myself and my life to theirs.  I was questioning what I do for "a living" and the choices that I've made.  I was jealous of their lifestyle.  Frustrated, I spent the first hour after I got home conversing with God about what is important, what I really need as opposed to what I desire or think I want, why I feel like I can't afford to cut and highlight my hair..... this went on and on and then God spoke with extreme clarity and got my attention when I remembered that unlike many of those women- I've encountered the living God, He has interrupted my life and I have JOY in the Lord.  I'm SO thankful for that! No amount of money, nothing in this world can compare to joy that can only be found in knowing him, serving him, loving him.  In HIM, I'm the wealthiest person I know.   And honestly... not to brag or anything... but I love my job.  I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to fight for these kids everyday.  

Close to 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul had this to say, "nothing compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord." - Phil 3:8   It's true.  I needed that reminder because it is all too easy to believe the lie that he who dies with the most stuff is the greatest.  He who dies with the most stuff needs a really big storage garage and several garage sales.  He who lives pursuing the most stuff can never have enough- it's an endless cycle and it's not a cycle that I enjoy being caught up in.  Unfortunately, this desire for more stuff is ingrained in my mind- maybe I need more afternoons in the squatters villages we serve.  

Greg Huffer who is on staff with Back2Back, gave the sermon at church this past Sunday.  God really spoke through him and he delivered a powerful message.  Greg asked the following question which I think is one that we should all ask ourselves:  If you were doomed to live the same life over and over again for all of eternity, would you choose to live the life you are living now?  If your answer is no, why are you living the life you are living now?  We have got to wake up and live a life we can be proud of- live a life of purpose and passion.  He also said that "The LORD is my shepherd' is written on more tombstones than it is on the story of people's lives."  No wonder so many people in our world, our neighborhoods, where we work, in our Sunday school classes, etc aren't happy.  We just haven't figured it out yet.  

On another note, my heart has broken all over agin for the kids we serve here in Monterrey.  They are defenseless little kids.  and I love them. 

And last but definitely not least:  Go gators!  Florida State this weekend.... Alabama next weekend.  It's always great to be a Florida Gator! 

"Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are- face-to-face!  They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence... Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face.  And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him."  -  2 Corinthians 3:16-18

God is good all the time!  In so so many ways I can see so clearly what He is doing here on behalf of these children and it blows my mind.  He is not a God who only moved in the past but He is alive and active in the world today.  Some days when I see others working and fighting for these kids, I can do nothing but stand back in awe and feel completely humbled and inadequate because God doesn't need me here- He will take care of these kids through whomever He wants.  He is able.  The past 2 weeks have been really busy with groups here working, playing with kids, and spending seemingly endless hours on buses all over this huge city.  I got to go to my first ever Mexican professional soccer game - quite different than american football but fun nonetheless.  I'm beginning to feel more comfortable and useful working with groups and my ability to translate spanish for the groups has been pretty good lately.  I get paid to spend my days with some of the cutest kids ever and I love that.  God has not forgotten them and is in the process of restoring their innocence.  After all, they are just kids.  They want to have fun and be goofy.  They want to sit on your lap.  They want someone to hold them when they are sick and feel bad.  And there are millions of kids just like these in foster care in the states waiting and hoping for a family and a permanent home.  Would you consider adoption?  Would you consider becoming a foster parent?  Some beautiful little child could call you mom or dad - think about it, but more importantly... pray about it.