JULIO AND TANIA

Julio and Tania celebrated their marriage last night. It wasn't their actual marriage ceremony, as they were already married. Here in Mexico the only ceremony that counts or is required is the civil ceremony, which took place about 2 weeks ago. Last night was their celebration with family and friends. And what a party it was!

It began with a short ceremony where several friends and relatives gave the traditional wedding gifts: a Bible, the arras (thirteen pieces of money, given to the bride and groom, that symbolize prosperity in their marriage), the beautiful decorated pillows on which they kneel as the preacher prays, the lazo (a cord - again, beautifully crafted - that goes around the couple to symbolize union in their marriage), and the union candles. Usually there is then a long sermon by the preacher, but the couple decided not to do that, since most of their family would not have stayed if it had happened! They were then introduced as husband and wife.


And THEN the party REALLY began! They had a coffee table, a candy/chocolate fountain table, a fun MC who led in some fun games with prizes, an ice cream cart, a magician and of course a big delicious meal. Bethie and I did the candy/chocolate fountain table - we had NEVER done this, so our learning curve was high! And it started out well - it began raining so we quickly took our table into the eating area, where it was SUPER crowded! And then when people started through the line, we couldn't keep up with putting the fruit on the sticks! Marta helped by doing the chocolate fountain (it was a very small one - like, for 25 people - we had 300!!), Bethie doled out candy, which ran out before the people did, and three teen age boys, Luis, Luis Angel and Victor came along and helped us put the fruit on the sticks! MUCHAS GRACIAS, jovenes! So, we survived! But it definitely was one crazy party! Toward the end of the line, people started asking for special favors, "Could you make one without the marshmallow?" "No, the sticks are already made up." But I don't like marshmallows." "Then, eat everything but the marshmallow!" "No, I guess I don't want one." Ah well! We decided unanimously (Bethie and I, that is) that if anyone else asks us to do this, the answer, without a moment's hesitation, will be N - O !! 


But the guests were happy, the bride was thrilled, the mother of the bride was beaming, so we were happy too!


Here are some snapshots of our crazy party!

Getting ready outside before it started raining!

Here comes the bride - with her parents. And yes, her mom Monica, is crying!!

We moved inside right by the food line. It was extremely crowded and very crazy! But people told me later that the table looked so pretty!

We're RIGHT behind these folks - can you see us back there? BTW, the food was delicious! We didn't eat till we'd served all our guests their chocolate goodies, and even though the food was a little cold by then, it was luscious!

The magician was one of "our" young people from our Queretaro days (back in the 90's!), Adrian Gonzalez. It was a pleasure to see him again and be able to greet him. Here he performs a "magic" trick for the bride and groom.

For those of you who remember Adrian, here's a little better shot of him - sorry, it's all I got. I didn't actually see the performance - I was busy serving chocolate messes!! Someone else was kind enough to get some pictures for me! Thanks Paul!!

Felix and his daughter Lucero brought their ice cream cart and served ice cream as part of the festivities. Bethie and I got in on a vanilla treat that was luscious!

Tania and Julio Cesar

A nasty custom here is to have the one celebrating either a birthday or wedding, take a bite of the cake, and while biting, his/her face is pushed into the cake. Ugly, huh? Julio's family can be mean at times, and here's a good example of it. I couldn't believe they did this to him.

Actually, I can believe it. Here's the proof. Thanks to friend Victor, Julio was able to 'sort of' clean up. Bethie and I headed home while the loooong line formed to get a piece of cake.

It WAS a lovely wedding. And it WAS fun. Yes, it was crazy. We knew it would be! Now the young couple is gone - somewhere - on their honeymoon and hopefully we won't see them for a few days! But we look forward to continued ministry with them at Iglesia Biblica Vida Abundante.

Pillows for a good cause

I just finished making 16 pillows. Now, I don't mean the pretty, frilly, fancy, decorative ones something like these.

I mean small, simple, quick, easy, sometimes silly ones like these.

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And I didn't make them just for fun, no, it was for a good cause. Two years ago at our women's retreat, someone suggested we make pillows as one of our crafts, again, not just for fun, but for a good cause - our comfort! Our Camp Koinonia is quite rustic and for our sessions we sit on cold, hard stone! Yes, stone! So pillows it was! In just one day we made 57 pillows. But of course that wasn't enough! We had 100 ladies last year. Those that were lucky enough to get a pillow, were grateful, but what about those who didn't get one? 

So, I made 16 more today. 57 + 16 = 73. My friend Heather said she'd make 16.

73 + 15 = 88. Getting there! I have 19 more already cut out.

88 + 19 = 107! But of course they're not made yet! Maybe next month I'll make them.

We decided not to have this as a craft this year, because we have so many other fun ideas! But the ladies will be so happy to see lots more pillows for their comfort on May 18, 19 and 20!

Just an anecdote about our pillows: Another group was renting the camp for their weekend retreat and asked about "those pillows" that we had made. Could they borrow them? At that moment, the pillows were safely hidden on the stop shelf of my closet. As hidden as 57 pillows can be! Nope, they weren't available to borrow! Can you imagine how long our precious pillows would last if we loaned them out to other groups?? We're not being greedy (I don't think!), just careful of our hard-earned property! If other groups want pillows, they're easy to make - we'll gladly give them lessons if they'd like! Monica is giving sewing lessons at our community outreach center and the cost is minimal!

The Wanderer

Yesterday Dayton told me he had to write a book report on The Wanderer, by Sharon Creech. I don't know what he wrote in his report, but he did let me borrow the book, since he'd already read it! What a fun read! It's "an adventure-filled story of a courageous girl's journey across the ocean and into the memories of her past." Enjoyed it! I'm sure if you have a 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 year old in your house, they'd enjoy it as well!

CUNERO CLASS OVERFLOW

At my church each month a different person is in charge of the Cunero Class. That is the class for 0-5 year olds that meets while someone is up front preaching. We meet in a small room off to the side of the "sanctuary" - our church is very rustic, so I use that word loosely! (Cuna means crib and stands for the very little kiddos.)

Today there were 16 wigglers in my class.The small room suddenly became smaller!! 4 of them were OVER 5, but that's beside the point - I really, really can't chase them out - especially if they're visitors! Yolanda helps me and is wonderful with the very little ones while I try to teach. Teen ager Briana is supposed to be my helper, but doesn't do a lot, although she's good with the kids when it comes to the handwork time.

Class was short and sweet, then we did handwork - my "handwork" is a page to color! It has the subject of the lesson, plus the verse we're learning this month. That's my BEST handwork, trust me! The kids seem to enjoy it, so guess I'll keep doing it! Then we have animal crackers and juice - they of course love that! The little ones meantime, are playing with Play Dough with Yolanda, making a huge mess. Ah well!

Tell the truth, we had fun this morning! The kids are SOOOOOO cute! One more week, then it's someone else's turn!

SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN

 
Mary Higgins Clark has had me riveted to a book AGAIN! "The Anastasia Syndrome and other stories" isn't a new book, and the first story was somehow familiar (I think it was made into a movie or I read it somewhere else). But wow! She can weave a good tale!! The story called The Lucky Day reminded me so much of O'Henry. It begins with a premonition of imminent danger and ends with....well, you'll have to read it! The book has been around awhile (1989), so you could probably find it at a Resale - at least that's where I found it!

AND SUDDENLY IT'S SUMMER

It's definitely summer here in San Juan del Rio - as of a couple days ago! You'd think I'd get used to it going from winter to summer overnight, but I never do! Three days ago I was wearing three layers (especially at the REFRIGERATOR office where I work) and today I'm wearing T-shirt and pedal pushers (or whatever you call them), two nights ago I was snuggled under a thick wooly Mexican blanket and a thick comforter and last night I threw both of them off. I'm not complaining, understand! This hot weather is great! We get pretty warm walking though. But I make sure to walk on the "hombra" (sombra in Nicaraguan) side of the street instead on the "hol" (sol in Nicaraguan) side. Works pretty good, except between 12 and 3 when the "hol" is everywhere!

Am enjoying this beautiful weather and I hope wherever you are, it's nice weather too!

CAMP!

Last week about 38 of us celebrated a wonderful camp with MK's plus a few non-MK's. It was a great three days! I went along to help out in the kitchen and with crafts. Our chief cook, Heather, did a great job and is fun to work with. As the pictures show, others sneaked into the kitchen to help us and we're very grateful for their servant attitude! The teens enjoyed studying with Miguel and Becky Aguirre and the little ones were very attentive to Chuck and Karla Topp. The pictures tell more than words possibly could.

The kitchen was very popular at mealtime!

A favorite spot at camp - the Snack Shack!

 One of our kitchen helpers! Miguel also is amazing at washing dishes!

Thanks, Miguel!

For more fun pictures, go to http://abcdmcmanus.wordpress.com/

When I had finished reading Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink, I took it back to the shelf in our fantastical library. And there I found another book by Carol! Wow! It's a VERY OLD book, yes, older than me! Written in 1937 - and I believe the book Alan and Beth have in the library is probably one of the earliest printings. The cover looks NOTHING like the picture above! And it definitely is not paperback! It's a cute story of two girls who are shipwrecked with four young charges - completely unrealistic, but cute nonetheless! So old fashioned! So proper!! It was a fun read!

School is fun!

I'm not exactly sure what they're studying, but they're sure having fun at it! 

Cameron and his friend Ivan first MADE the catapults and then had to try them out. But what to use for ammunition that won't hurt anyone??

Why, yes!! Marshmallows! But keep them away from Justin - age 5 - because he'll gladly get rid of them for you! It was obvious that the boys had a blast with this school project!

Caddie

Caddie and I spent some time together this week. What a great book! Winner of the Newbery Medal, it has survived many, many years - I believe it was first printed in 1935! One author has described it like this: "You take Little House on the Prairie; I'll take Caddie Woodlawn."

Check it out! You'll be glad you did!