Our 2020 Holiday Season

Each year is another testimony of God’s faithfulness. This year was not the exception. We have much to be grateful. As it’s almost always the case, the holidays began and went by too fast. Though we are blessed to have more people to interact with than a regular household, it was a welcomed change to have a few visitors in the past few weeks. The kids fully enjoyed seeing different faces and more so have time with them.

Although this ministry is in Mexico, it continues to have an American influence, which is one of the things I like. So we celebrated Thanksgiving, a holiday that has become one of my favorites. It was a joy to be able to continue to celebrate it.

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Our menu was quite traditional, except we did not have cranberry sauce. Apparently, we all still struggle to understand that concept. I include myself in that… somehow I have not taken a liking to it, at least not with the salty food. It was a good time of games, laughter, chasing toddlers, and good food. The older girls and a few of us ladies made some empanadas and pumpkin pies for the dinner.

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I had bought a pumpkin, and the kids kept asking what I was going to do with it. Actually at first they didn’t think it was real. Some had never seen one in real life. Since I told them I was going to bake it later, they kept asking when. So it was after the holiday that made the time to baked it and decided this time it would be nice to do it with the older boys. We made more pumpkin pie and empanadas.

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Unlike the years prior, this year none of the kids left to be with family. As a result, we tried to make it as memorable as possible for them. Mid-December we had a few visitors that were such a blessing to have. The kids finally got to play with new people and do different things. It was a good break for me too. Though I love that the kids come by my house often, it was nice not having knocks at my door every 30 minutes…yes I’m exaggerating a little, but it sometimes feels that way. 😀

This Christmas, my dad was able to make it. He was only able to come for a couple of days, before heading back to my hometown due to work, but it was so good to have him over. The boys were quite taken with him. It was sweet to see him enjoy them as well. My dad has longed for grandkids for a LONG time, so now I tell him he has about 40. He loved it so much, he promised he’d be here every Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to have much alone time with him, but it touched my heart to see him enjoying the kids.

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Christmas day and new years is quite the handful since only the staff that lives on the Ranch works. This means we all have to pitch in with meals and childcare. We are blessed to have a few additional staff members, but seeing that all the 40 or so of the kids were here, we had our hands full. I may end up mega tired but I would not change it for anything.

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As I close the chapter of 2020, I want to thank you all my dear friends for your moral, economical, and spiritual support. We would not be able to care for these children if it were not for you. I would not be able to keep going without your constant encouragement. So thank you for always being readily available to hear me out (or should I say read me out) and for your prayers. God is continually answering those prayers that are aligned to His purposes for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I pray God’s blessing over you and your loved ones. May this 2021 be a year that you encounter our Savior more intimately so that you would come to see what He is doing among you and join Him by praising and serving Him to the best of you abilities. Happy new year!