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What a big name for such a little bundle! He gave us a scare, arriving a little too early, however, he is just fine. He can be heard when he is hungry, his lungs work just fine! His Mommy is doing better than anyone expected. Stitches will be removed tomorrow from the cesearean surgery.
All the children love to watch him and take turns holding him.
Thank you for your prayers.
Lauren's family left Guatemala City today returning to the USA. Gwen's leaves Chihuahua City tomorrow returning to the USA. I know both families have enjoyed having parents (and grandparents for Lauren) visit. Family encourages us. Family listens to us, cares for us, shares with us...prays for us.
The gift of family is a precious one. I praise God for the family He chose for me. I loved to have them visit us on the field. My Mom and Dad visited us when we were in El Barrial and when we moved to Cd. Jimenez. Once when they visited us, Bro. Carlos Demarest was there with a group. We had such a good time. At the end of the week, we received a phone call that my niece, Tammy, was very, very ill. I remember asking Bro. Demarest to pray for her to recover. He prayed a very sweet prayer for my family and for Tammy and he prayed that God's will be done. He prayed that God would give us strength in whatever we faced. I remember wishing he would have just prayed that God would heal her. I knew that whatever Bro. Demarest would ask, God would do it. And I was right. God's will was to take Tammy home to Heaven and God gave the strength to bear the loss.
Once, my dad came and went fishing with Lanny. They were gone for days. He had the time of his life! His happiest days were fishing. I don't understand why, but I know his mother was exactly the same way and I know that his baby sister; Aunt Clessie, is over 80 years old and still goes fishing every chance she gets!
My dad came when Rhyan hurt his head, he was there just when I needed him, to care for the family. My mom made clothes for all three of them, she quilted to give them quilts to keep them warm. Beverly was there with open arms (and a tongue lashing) when I felt I could not go on. Mary stepped in as 'Mother' to all three of my children when they came to the USA.
How I love Mom and Pop Ashcraft. I love them as I love my very own parents!
I cannot hope to fill the shoes of those before me. I can only ask that God will provide for those He has put in my path. That He will help me to be just exactly what He would have me be. My prayer is that through my weakness, He can be strong in my life.
I pray, one day, Lauren and Rhyan, Gwen and Randy, Rebecca and Jeff will have the opportunity to teach the next generations the value of family. The love of family, the strength of family, a Christ centered family.
As Dr. Wolfenbarger said tonight in his sermon; "Standing Firm on the Gospel", we stand firm because the Gospel has the power to make sons out of sinners; servants out of sons; students out of servants and saints out of students.
I woke this morning thinking about the death of a tiny saint this morning. Little Roxana was a precious gift from God. I cannot number the people who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ because of Roxana. Never saying a word, never walking, never attending school, she affected the lives of all those around her; in Mexico and in the United States. I pray God will comfort her family. I thank God for allowing her to be part of my life.
Bro. Jose Luis read a letter from Lanny, then preached a salvation message, before asking for a show of hands for those who would like to be saved. Randy said he saw five hands go up in front of him. Bro. Jose Luis told him later that the hands looked like the hands you would see at a village service, there were so many behind Randy! What a glorious memory.
Pray for the family and for the souls saved.
Heading to Texas to get a new puppy! Madison is so excited! I hope she is still excited in a week!Lanny is, once again, on his way to Guatemala. Jason, I think he has a package for you. Rhyan, I know he has groceries for you!
Pray for him as he travels.
Yea! We are in Antigua, Guatemala! We arrived last night. The traffic was terrible from the border, it rained HARD, roads were under construction... typical problems. The computers were down at the border, so dad stayed with the bus, we went on with tourist papers in the car. He arrived this morning.
I'm not sure about Antartica . . . but Southern Mexico is not internet friendly. Rhyan tried in two different places, but could not get online. Here in Antigua, the main plaza is Wi-Fi!
I love everyone!
MOM
We should be past Tampico by nightfall! IF we ever get our papers and "green light"!
Rhyan and Lauren are putting their prayer letter in the mail before we cross, that is the last item to be completed.
Vera Cruz had a terrible rain storm; electricity out, roads flooded along with a lot of damage to the city. Hopefully, things will be back to normal by the time we reach there tomorrow. Except the roads will be a little worse for wear!
Randy and Gwen should make it to Jimenez, today.
Texas border crossing reached today! Now we have to do all the paperwork, Yuk! Minor problems with bus batteries, though irritating, have been the only trouble, so far.
Tango likes to travel, I think. He loves to explore when we stop and he is funny to watch when he smells a new odor as we travel down the road.
Thanks for your prayers.
Tuesday Morning - Lanny is under Rhyan's car, working to hook it to the big yellow bus, we are so close to 'hitting' the road! Everything is packed, paperwork is done! Pray as we cross Texas, then Mexico! 
