Head'n to Honduras

THIS IS THE FACE OF A BLESSED WOMAN!

I experience many blessings as we live and serve in our little corner of the world: We are victorious, no matter our lot in life, through Jesus, the One who restores our souls. I share my life and passions with a wonderful, godly man who rises up to be a loving spiritual leader for his family. We have been blessed with three wonderful children who continue on the process of being spiritually transformed. We serve along side amazing team mates, working in unison, according to each one's talents and passions. We have been given the humbling honour to represent our Master through the sacrificial gifts of our supporting congregations and individual friends. We enjoy the privilege of watching God transform those with whom we are forming relationships. How did I get to be so blessed???

I'm looking forward to another blessing coming up for me March 14-18. Come Before Winter Women's Renewals is planning a retreat for those of us serving in Latin America. Being held in Honduras, I really didn't think it would be a possibility for me. Months have passed with the renewal in the back of my mind. Air tickets aren't cheap, nor could I find a frequent traveller who could donate 70,000 Continental AirPass points. After much prayer and contemplation, I have decided that the blessings that I will receive from the renewal far outweigh the cost of the airplane ticket (even with having to sleep in the Houston airport two nights!!). THEN I was extra blessed to have one of my dear supporters and friends, Gail Lawson, plan to come along with me!

Truly, it's blessing upon blessing!

We look forward to sitting at the feet of godly women like Jeanen Reese, Danita Jackson, and so many others. I am extremely grateful to the many who donate toward the ministry of Come Before Winter to cover the cost of lodging and food while we are there. WHAT a blessing!! If you have never heard of CbW, I invite you to check out their website at: http://www.comebeforewinter.org/

Will March EVER get here?

Until the next blog,

Alicia

On the Other Side of the Boxes

After the extensive Mexican holiday season, lives are SLOWLY getting back to normal. Things were pretty sluggish the first few weeks, but the momentum is picking up now in the third week after the holidays. It's almost like people just don't want to get back to the "grind" of life. I was more than ready--three weeks was plenty of down-time for me.

We had a fun experience on Sunday. Our dear friend, Blanca, leads the orphanage ministry at Casa Hogar each Wednesday morning. She and three other friends from various churches spend a few hours with the boys, teaching them about God. Blanca invited La Comunidad de Cristo to the Three Kings Fiesta that the team had planned for the orphans. What a party if was!! Two clowns (and one clown in training) spoke of the importance of listening to God's voice rather than the enemy's voice. Of course there were pinatas and food. The most wonderful part, for me, was the gifts.


While living in Canada, I can't count the number of shoe boxes our family filled with goodies to be sent to children in all parts of the world. It was always fun to wonder what a child in India or Africa would like to play with. After carefully choosing just the right toys and necessities, we often took our boxes to the front of the auditorium, prayed that the boxes would bless precious children's lives, then shipped them off, hardly to be thought of again. Well, I tell you, it was a humbling experience to see those boxes opened from this side of the shipment!! After a prayer of thanksgiving for every family that filled the boxes, the boys could hardly wait to break the tape and plunder through their goodies. Eyes were huge and smiles were wide. Squeals and giggles were rampant. If you filled a box this Christmas you blessed a child beyond your imagination!!! Thank you for spending a bit of money and time--Thank you for giving me the opportunity to witness the excitement. I encourage everyone reading this blog to make sure your church participates in programs like The Samaritans Purse and Operation Christmas Child next Christmas.

Logan also had a great time checking out the kids' boxes and explaining what some things were. It was pretty amazing to see a child put a little sponge in water and watch it grow!!! Good thing Logan was there to explain it to him. I don't think the little boy would have ever figured out what to do with that package of sponges!! Sunglasses were a big hit. One little boy got a whistle. I think he's still blowing it!! I got the biggest kick out of one little boy who was ecstatic over having his VERY OWN tube of toothpaste---TOOTHPASTE...Can you imagine our Canadian kids being ecstatic over toothpaste? How blessed we are!! I am thankful to have been part of the Samaritan's Purse boxes. Bless these programs with your participation in many Christmases to come!

My heart overflowed with gratitude as the clowns asked the children questions concerning various lessons from the Bible. One little boy in the back row seemed to know all the answers. Finally,with hands on his hips, the clown asked, "How is it that you know so much about the Bible?" The little boy replied, "Me regalaron mi propia Biblia!" It brought tears to my eyes to realize some of YOU who are the reason he knows so much about God. His answer was: "Some people gave me my very own Bible." Those were the Bibles that Moose Mountain Church and others gave us to distribute. We have given about 40 Easy to Read Spanish Bibles to the orphans. We just never know what will result from our giving hearts. Thank you for blessing this child's heart and life.

Until the next blog,

Alicia, for the Krogsgaards

Reflections of Christmas 2010

The living room is back to normal with the Christmas tree snug in its box, waiting to be pulled out again in eleven months. The small pinata that Logan had made in Bible class has been taken down from the front door frame and smashed to smithereens. Josh Groban's Christmas CD has been returned to its case (much to Bernard's relief). Another Christmas on the Mexican Pacific Coast is recorded in our minds and in my computer picture library. The three of us enjoyed an intimate holiday season. We had big plans of making visits that get overlooked during the regular weekly busy schedules, but alas, many people were away visiting family in other parts of Mexico. After the last of our "pre-holiday" activities: visiting with our elderly and hosting a Christmas posada with our grupo de siervos, we finally packed up our week's supply of food and necessities and headed for our beach retreat at Memaw's Manor at Miramar. We enjoyed various activities that were not interrupted by TV, telephone or internet tyrannies. We enjoyed the solace offered to us by the crashing waves and clear, star-filled night skies--far removed from the barking dogs, crowing roosters, heart-thumping car stereo woofers, and the constant noise of the tortilla factory that characterize the sights and sounds of Lazaro Cardenas.

For the first few days, Dad and Logan worked steadily on Mom's Christmas present: the second addition to the birdhouse collection springing up all around the Manor's yard. This, however, is no ordinary birdhouse. This is the deluxe bird mansion version. The thoughtfulness and love that went into this precious gift brings a smile to my face every time we drive up to Memaw's Manor. Thank you, boys!!

We splurged at Thanksgiving with a family-sized turkey that fed eleven of us, so for Christmas Eve, we decided to adopt the Mexican tradition of a Noche Buena Asada. We lit the grill and enjoyed a lovely supper of grilled beef with all the "fix'ns": guacamole, tortillas, and grilled veggies. Satisfied, we sat back in our chairs enjoying the signature sunset of our God declaring that all is well, as He has sent His Son for Peace and Good-Will to all men.

The peace and tranquility were soon interrupted by cracks, pops and booms from Logan's favourite gift: a whack of fireworks. The truth be told, this is the primary reason Logan loves living in Mexico: Fireworks are "somewhat legal" during the holiday season. Logan saves his allowance all year just to blow it up during firework season! Knowing his love for these dangerous toys, against our better judgement, we made his Christmas memorable by buying him a cache of loot he'd never forget. They were gone in two days!! But he sure had lots of fun.

Christmas Day was spent in a lazy, relaxed way. We discovered a GREAT secret to have that yummy holiday ham without all the fuss: Soriana, our local grocery store bakes a great pineapple/cherry/pecan stuffed ham. I added the baked sweet potatoes and green beans, and Voila! Christmas Dinner!!! The rest of the day was spent reading in the sun, cat-napping in the hammock, and playing table games. The only thing that would have made the Christmas 100% perfect would have been having our extended family with us!!!

After spending two Christmases without our twins and extended family, I have come to the conclusion: no matter that the plane tickets are at their highest cost, no matter who's left to attend any "emergency" in the church back in Lazaro, Christmas is meant to be spent with our extended family back "home"!!! As wonderful as our little piece of heaven was at Memaw's Manor during the holidays, I sure missed being with our twins and other family members in Canada. We have enjoyed new traditions and a new kind of Christmas on the Mexican Coast, but Christmas just isn't Christmas without the whole family. Christmas 2011 will be in Canada. (Book our reservations at the Krogsgaard Bed and Breakfast, Dad!)

We were blessed to have Bryan and Angela Gately visiting Miramar. We haven't seen them since they left Mexico 15 months ago. It was wonderful catching up on their lives. Few people stimulate and encourage me as Angela does when she shares the many things her great God does in her life. We love and appreciate them deeply!!

The Sunday Celebrations have been small these last three weeks because of the holidays. With Ivan and Stef in Texas, it has afforded the opportunity for a few others to spread their wings with some of the preaching. Rigo, Francisco and Bernard have blessed us tremendously with their study of God's Word. Logan had the idea that he would like to lead the Lord's Supper. He did his own study and organized his thoughts. He even invited Ikel to participate with him. My heart was full!! The break in schedule also gives us a reality check that we are so very blessed to have Ivan bring us messages from God each week. Bernard and I both look forward to getting back to our "regular schedules" next week!! I think Logan's about ready to get back to school.

I love the sentiments that the Mexicans verbalize as they wish you the best in the coming year. I leave you with a few of their thoughts: !Que Dios te bendiga en el anyo nuevo con buena salud, buenas amistades, y la felicidad! (May God bless you in the new year with good health, good friendships and happiness.) I'll add to that: May 2011 be a year of the realization of Romans 12:2: that God will transform our thinking from the ways of the world to His ways by the renewing of our minds through the reading of His Word and falling in love with HIS Son and HIS ways. May 2011 be a year of TRANSFORMATION for us all!!
Blessings Abound,

Until the next blog,

Alicia for the Krogsgaards