Too Much, Too Fast

We made about fifteen Let's Start Talking summer project trips before we moved to Mexico in 2008. One of the most difficult tasks in returning to Canada was deciding how to respond when people asked,"How was your six weeks in _________ (fill in the country)?" LST training taught us to capsulize the summer in a 15-20 second answer. How do you sum up 6 weeks into 20 seconds? That's a bit of my challenge as I sit at my computer and read over the last blog. I wrote it AGES ago. So much has happened since then. Where do I start? How do I summarize all the wonderful, sad, exciting, heart-wrenching, and God-orchestrated things that have happened in our lives in the last six weeks? (I don't think I'll get it down to 20 seconds!)...

Logan and I visited my sister in Alabama for two weeks. It was a bitter-sweet experience. Not having seen Bonnie and her family for three years, it was a joy to reacquaint myself with my nephews. Matthew, Stephen and Seth are growing into fine (and EXTREMELY handsome) young men. I'm especially proud of the two older boys who are beginning to make their way in a big, big world. Seth is no longer a little boy, but a tall fourteen year old. Of course, it was wonderful visiting with Bonnie and Tim. My niece lives in Philadelphia, so I missed not being with her and her sweet Gabe and Abigail. The bittersweet part was the sadness in not heading straight to 602 Roxbury Rd. where my mother lived. It was the first time being back in Dothan without having the "old homestead" as my home base. Everywhere I went triggered memories of past times with my sweet mama. I realized "home" just isn't "home" anymore without Mother. But, between the times of reminiscing, I enjoyed folks from the Westgate Church who have been our loyal friends and supporters for years. Thanks, Joe and Gail Clements, for a lovely meal and visit in your home. Logan loved playing in the pool with Dr. Joe! I loved Miss Gail's southern cooking!! Logan even got to take in three days of Westgate's VBS. We also enjoyed two family reunions. My cousin, Beverly Dowdey, organized an impromptu Chambers reunion. I got to see cousins I haven't seen in decades, and got to meet others that I had only heard about. The Dowdey's really know how to "do" a party. We had T-bone steaks (which wouldn't even fit on our plates) that could be cut with our forks!! Hats off to chef John! The dessert prize goes to the best banana pudding I've EVER eaten. (It's a guarded Chambers family secret recipe, so I'm proud to now have in my possession one of the few copies!!!--Thanks, Kelly!) Entertainment-wise, Logan especially enjoyed Mr. John's collection of antique pinball and arcade machines (all in working order, mind you!) Logan won "big-time" on the slot machine. After a few days of being spoiled at the Dowdeys with old fashion root beer, a closet full of candy, the pool, the snow cone and popcorn machines, big screen TV, Wii, Konect, and three freezers full of Blue Bell ice cream, who needs Disney World!!!! We basked in the love with which my cousin, Beverly, lavished upon us.

The next week-end, Bonnie had organized the Arnold reunion. We gathered at Lake Eufala, which holds many memories of summer camping, boating and skiing from my childhood. I was able to connect with my one remaining uncle (Dorsey) and aunt (Betty), as well as several cousins and their families. Logan, along with several family members, celebrated birthdays in June, so we enjoyed birthday cake together. A highlight was meeting my cousin, Hal, and his wife, Paula in a nearby town and sharing in a lovely southern-cooked meal at Hugg'n Molly's. Fried pickles anyone?

At the beginning and ending of our trip, we were able to visit with some dear friends. In Guadalajara we were housed and shuttled to/from the bus station and airport by Tim and Kim Rush. Being with them and their kids is ALWAYS good for me. They are on my list of very favourite folks! It was a bonus to spend time with Jordan Pointon, our team mates' son who just moved to Guadalajara as an AIMer. Tears were ever present when Logan had to say good-bye all too soon.

During an overnight lay-over in Atlanta, we took advantage of renting a car and traveling an hour to visit our dear friend, Esther, who just moved from Lazaro to right outside Atlanta. The evening hours ticked by quickly, but we had a great visit and saw that she is doing great in her adjustment from Mexican life to the "American Dream". It was interesting hearing her perspective of that "dream". I look forward to welcoming her back to Mexico after she completes her year in the States.

As always, it's good to get back home where our family has meaning and purpose. I realized how much I missed my life, friends and family here in Mexico. People were so good to Bernard while we were gone: inviting him over for meals, passing by to visit him at home,and joining him in fellowship at Memaw's Manor. We have a wonderful life full of rich relationships. That was demonstrated fully when my dear friend, Rosy, orchestrated a full-blown Surprise Mexican Fiesta for Logan's 10th birthday. Between the church, our friends, and folks from our community, eighty plus kids and parents gathered to shout "SOPRESA" to Logan when he, unsuspectingly, walked through the church building doors last Tuesday evening. His expression was priceless. He could hardly believe it was all for him. Through the welcoming of his guests, the games, the pozole, the FOUR pinatas, the face in the cake 'mordita', and the gift opening, Logan showed his graciousness and appreciation with hugs and thank yous. The six hours of partying was a display of how blessed and privileged we are to be chosen to serve in Lazaro Cardenas. It was a good lesson to me in giving those whom I have come to serve, the opportunity to serve my family and me--very humbling, indeed. I have come to bless, but I find that I am many times more blessed. More pictures of the fiesta can be viewed from my Facebook page.

Until the next blog,

Alicia, for the Krogsgaards