Always Thinking

Mommy: "See Maggie, 6 is greater than 4. Do you understand?"
Maggie: "No, I don't understand... why is 6 better than 4?"

From Justin Taylor's Blog- Offspring of Pride

Joe Thorn points to Puritan Richard Mayo's sermon on The Prevention and Cure of Spiritual Pride. Mayo says: “It is a big-bellied sin; most of the sins that are in the world are the offspring and issue of pride.” Joe summarizes some of the sins that pride gives birth to:

1. Covetousness - because you believe you deserve something more than others.
2. Ungodly ambition - because you believe that you are most qualified, and the idea of someone else being preferred over you is an insult to your perceived worth.
3. Boasting - because everyone should know who you are and what you have accomplished.
4. Contention - because in picking fights you feel a sense of superiority over those who may (or may not) be in error.
5. Unthankfulness - because you deserve everything you get!
6. Selfishness - because others do not!
7. Self-deceit - because it’s easier to believe you are something, when in fact you are nothing.
8. A judgmental attitude - because you believe the errors of others are much more serious than your own.
9. Gossip - because you look so much better when telling others how awful someone else is. Mayo said that the proud “endeavor to build their own praise upon the ruins of others’ reputation.”
10. Complaining - because God should have consulted you before orchestrating the events of your day/life.
11. Hypocrisy - because you must hide the truth, your own failures, in order to avoid shame and accumulate praise.

See Justin Taylor's Blog: Between Two Worlds; He has another great article on handling criticism.

Switching to Home

Well after much prayer, counsel and consideration, our family has decided to homeschool this year. I am very excited about the opportunity to pour into my children's heads and hearts. I know at the very least the Lord will use this time to grow me and draw me closer to Him. But I also pray that the girls will grow in knowledge and wisdom - true wisdom- fear of the Lord! They are sponges with an incessant desire to learn new things! I think we're going to have lots of fun. They are very excited too! We haven't officially begun since the girls' last day of school was July 2nd, but I've had to give them "work" since they couldn't wait! We are going to be using the Sonlight Curriculum. Please pray for us as we make this transition. And if you have any tips, book recommendations, suggestions, etc. please post 'em!!!!

A little more Xalapa

So this turned out to not be a zoo, but it was by far the LUSHEST park I've ever been to.

The girls and I with the lovely Lupita Bigurra!

Anna & Claire chilling at the Villa's home

Miguel (missionary to Spain from Monterrey) & Chuck (associate pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas) blessed IBUC with some evangelistic training, a men's retreat & some preaching! The Villa's blessed all of us with an incredible lunch.

Our final Sunday in Xalapa we invited the church over for lunch. It was so well attended we ran out of food :)! Here the jovenes are trying out Extreme Jenga! We miss you all!!!

We had a busy, but somehow wonderfully refreshing 6 weeks in Xalapa. These posts do not do our trip justice because so many people and places are missing (because we are horrible at remembering to take pictures!!!). We praise the Lord for loving us so tangibly throughout the entire trip! The sweet body of believers at IBUC, the Moody's, the Brooks', the College Life Dudes, Torie, Miguel & Chuck, the Bigurra Families, Sra. Francis - thank you all for loving us, encouraging us, praying for us and mostly for glorifying God through your humble lives of love and service. May His grace continue to shine through all of us!

La Hacienda de Santa Ana

The ceiling of the church right next to Santa Ana's house

The church

Maggie with Bates Moody! We miss you (and the rest of the Moody family:)!

Though you might not see Jono peering out at you from Santa Ana's house, it's still worth the trip.

Elaine

More Xalapa

Elaine with Daddy at the beach in Casitas.

The family that lent us the house in Xalapa also invited us to join them at their beach house!

Our friends the Moody's joined us for several weeks in Xalapa. Marcus led an outreach to a local village. He and a team of local doctors provided medical consulations for the community. Here he is sharing about everyone's need for the only true Savior - Jesus!

Faithful servants from IBUC Xalapa & DBC led a time with the children at the village.

Sunday at IBUC Xalapa - a sweet and faithful group of believers that we love dearly!!!

A little glimpse of our 6 weeks in Xalapa, Veracruz

This is the house we were lent for our stay in Xalapa. It was perfect! Thanks Lupita!!!

Check out this yard! Our kids enjoyed many many hours playing here!

Just beautiful!

Here was our view from the living room balcony.

Our picnic with the Hernandez family at the Botanical Gardens. Very fun & beautiful!