23 February 2010
Feb Update
Posted by Chad under: Chad's .
Hello Everyone,
Well 2010 is well underway. If you are like me then you have watched far more Winter Olympics than is really healthy, but fun none-the-less. It is fun cheering on the athletes, occasionally trying to encourage them with my voice despite the 2500 mile separation.
Life for Alise and I is beginning to become a bit more routine. Makaila is sleeping a little better through the night. We are learning that the more consistent that we keep her daily eating schedule, the better she sleeps and the more consistent our days. We are so blessed by her, and daily noticing her changes. She is not even two months, but she is maturing daily. Now she is smiling at our silly faces, following us with her eyes as we move around. She can stand on her back legs if we support her well, and she is supporting her head almost all of the time now (yeah if you didn’t know me before, you might not realize how new all of these proud moments are to me. 6 Weeks ago I would have never have talked about any of those things, talk about flipping your life upside down).
In Mexico things are going well. Alise and I are in regular communication with the Staff at Vida Nueva. They are continuing to pursue a second location. We have run into ownership paper problems with the woman who was going to sell us the property that we have talked about to many of you and showed pictures of here on this website. The last time I talked to the owner she said that she did not have a timeline of when she might be able to sell the property. All of this after she was willing to accept money, when we requested her ownership papers, she suddenly decided to tell us the truth. So it was and continues to be quite frustrating. Praise God that no funds had exchanged hands before we discovered the problem. Pray that God would resolve the papers issue or lead us to a property that may better meet our needs.
One huge answer to prayer, was the recent donation of a gas powered generator for Lourdes, Karina, and Juanito’s family. If you remember their father Juan passed away this last June. It was a very difficult thing for them (Juan and Lourdes Family is pictured on the left. From the left it is Glenda, Jorge, Lourdes, Betin, Karina, and Juanito). One of the things that Juan worked very hard to do for his family was to work towards developing a piece of property that he had inherited for potential future pecan farm. Juan applied for and received a government grant that helped to pay for the well drilling that started the development. Once the well was drilled the next hold up was buying the pump and generator needed to water the future plants. Two weeks before Juan passed away the well was completed. Since then we have talked to many folks about helping with the eventual purchase or donation of items that could help make this dream of Juan’s a reality. At Christmas a man from Texas named Clint came down to help me drive Christmas Presents down. He heard about their need for a generator and offered to donate his. Praise God he followed through, I was able to deliver that generator in Jan, and two weeks ago they were able to purchase the pump. Rejoice with us as God answered our prayers and the needs of Juan Manuel’s family. This last weekend they pumped water from their new well and at this time have just over 20 pecan trees that they are watering. They hope to have 50 by the end of March.
Also in March, Alise, Makaila, and I will be returning to Mexico for about a two weeks stay. This will be our first time visiting with the baby, and we are very excited to get to introduce her to the staff and children at Vida Nueva. At this time we are planning to drive down on about March 10 and returning around March 24. During that time we will be helping to host a small construction team from Wichita, Kansas. We are going to work with them to replace one of the worst roofs in the house.
Thank you all for your gracious support and your many gifts and email congratulating us about Makaila. We are so very proud and constantly thanking God for all that he has given to us. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek God’s direction for us in the coming months. At this time we are planning to return to Mexico after the kids Easter break around April 10th.
We love and miss you all. God bless! Chad, Alise, & Makaila. (This is a video of Makaila playing on the floor here in Texas. I hope you enjoy.)
7 Comments so far...
Mike Tufts Says:
24 February 2010 at 12:33 am.
Makaila looks so healthy and happy, that is awesome! Congratulations to you and Alise!
Jose Zapata Says:
24 February 2010 at 9:07 am.
Les esperamos con gusto,
Griffin Says:
24 February 2010 at 9:23 am.
Sweet video; Makaila is getting quite cute. Also, it looks like she likes the camera (perhaps a future actress?)
Marlys Christensen Says:
24 February 2010 at 10:32 am.
Chad, We miss you. We thank God with you for the blessings to Juanito’s family. And, as a new granma myself, I also marvel at the small, but significant markers of health and happiness in Makaila’s life. God is amazing!! Treasure the moments. -marlys
Casey Says:
24 February 2010 at 8:40 pm.
She’s so cute! Yay for Bumpo Seats, btw. They get really cool when she starts eating solid foods because she’ll be able to sit up straight! Thanks so much for the video, that was wonderful. Miss you guys!
Janette & Randy Says:
25 February 2010 at 12:30 pm.
Check out those “long” toes and fingers…she is sooo cute…you guys are truly blessed w/that little one…
Bill Flansburg Says:
26 February 2010 at 4:23 pm.
Obtaining clear legal land titles are a PROBLEM throughout much of Latin America and a source of many protracted and CORRUPT court battles, yes for years and years, unfortunately often settled by evil bribes. In Heaven our places won’t be contested! Here, it is still a spiritual battle all the way to the finish line!
In Jesus,
Bill NCC & ACTION