The Onion Park

It's not really an onion park. However, it is a park, and it is located in the town of "La Cebolla" (the Onion)... hence, the title. So for all who were misled into thinking this blog would actually involve onions in a park... I'm sorry? :)

Pictured above (l-r): Jose, Mario, Poncho, Candi, Julissa, Ramses, Nereida, and Diego on a bench at the park.

A few weeks ago, I wanted to take my six kids to the playground in La Cebolla, and invited Jenna's kids to come... it ended up being nine kidlets and I cruising down the highway, headed to the playground -- which, I feel is rather a misnomer in Mexico, because I am pretty sure that 85% of the playground equipment (at least around here) falls under the category of "death trap."

"Haha," you chuckle. "What an imagination she has!"

True... but seriously.

And the fact that they're shaky, spiky, broken, way too tall without safety guards, etc. probably makes them all-the-more enjoyable for the kids... ;)

One of the aforementioned death traps... :)

This slide is super-tall, and Aaron (middle) was actually really nervous to go down it. He finally did after making me promise that I would catch him. He went down at a rate of about 1 foot per 5 seconds -- more of a "scoot" actually -- so there was really no danger that he was going to sail off the end... lol.

In the background: Mario and Ramses wait their turn...

Ramses was definitely (as the oldest) the most adventurous, and kept doing "tricks" that enticed the little kids to try... and fail. :)

Poncho is sometimes... expressive. :)

This is one of his favorite faces to make, and I finally got it on camera. I will save it, print it off, show it to him one day, and try to reinforce the message that God loves us no matter what we look like... lol.

After the kids got tired of playing on the death traps, they decided to play soccer. The park area is actually pretty fun, because it has this neat cement pit area, and even benches and an overlook that are great for running around.

I... don't know exactly what this is.

Maybe it used to be a water fountain??? I don't know, but... regardless... it became Diego's favorite spot to jump up and spin around on... :)

We had taken fruit snacks with us, and we had one extra. There was a little girl from across the street that had been watching us the whole time, and so I told Ramses to go offer the girl a fruit snack. All the kids went over to call her over, ask her if she wanted it, and -- well, stare. She stared right back, and then very politely told them, "No, gracias" -- and haughtily walked away.

It was a huge rejection.

However, the kids got over it, and we had a great time anyway... :)

Land of 1000 Motos...

A few Sundays ago The Nogales Riders came down and gave Christmas gifts to the kids. This is always a fun time, and the kids love... love the motorcycles! It's also funny just to walk through and listen to all the Spanish/English that's being used so interchangeably... lol. This year they brought new clothes for the kids, shoes, a couple boxes of books, and... of course... soda and Zebra cakes... ;)

Above: Diego, Aaron, Nere, Candi, and Ponch with their (and my) favorite moto.

One of the guys let Candi sit atop his motorcycle... which she had been wanting to do all along... and then she just kind of sat there looking sorta-scared-but-not-really-and-why-are-all-these-people-looking-at-me?-ish.


Aaron, on the other hand, thought it was super-cool... and posed with the owner of the moto. This gentleman actually let several of the kids sit on his [cough] slightly expensive bike... :)


I was really, really hoping that none of the kids spazzed out and scratched it or something... lol.


One of the rider couples had a little boy, decked out in his motorcycle-rider bandana... a rocker from the crib, this one... :)

Above: Lupita and the little biker-dude...


And so... they left as quickly (and roaring-ly) as they had come... disappearing one at a time through the arched gate, and over the railroad tracks on the long, super-windy journey home.

It truly was a blessing, and I know the kids - as well as the adults - look forward to them coming back in the future! :)

I've decided I don't like gathering eggs.
I feel like a thief.
It doesn't matter that I'm grateful for them...
Or that we use them well...
Or that chickens have brains the size of a pinprick [slight exaggeration], and probably don't know the difference anyway when we steal away their unhatched young...
I still feel like a thief.

Home, Home on the... Desert

... where it's frying hot, and then freaking cold.

All in less than 24 hours.

Come to think of it, that's a lot like Kansas, so I guess I haven't become too removed from the natural environment I sweated and then froze in... :)

It's good to be back -- I definitely missed the kids (yes... admittedly there was a point about two days before leaving to go home when I didn't think that was possible).

It's weird that I go home now and talk about -- kids. Seriously. All my stories (not all, but lots) are connected with them... and so I end up talking about them constantly even when I'm not with them... lol.

The photo above was the night I got back... I slathered lotion all over their faces, and so we por supuesto needed a picture... :)

Candi and Gloria -- hangin' out on the couch and "reading."

Candi really does do a great job of pretending that she knows what she's reading... she'll sit and "read" to her dolls or stuffed animals with all kinds of gestures, voices, and - occasionally - reprimands that they're not poner-ing attention ("paying attention")... lol.

I was so relieved when I got back to see that the kids have yet to lose their ability to put on the strangest "uniforms" and then run around "shooting" one another -- admittedly, we (mainly... "I") try to hold more passive ideals for playtime, but there are just moments when little boys need to play rough -- and apparently shooting at people with finger guns and then jumping on them, doing "Chuck Norris" or "Jackie Chan" moves, and then running away and hiding behind the nearest adult fulfills that urge... ;)

All of that to say that Aaron - pictured above - is just too cute. I know he wants to look manly and tough, but he's just... cute. :)

When the other kids go to school, Candi has a great time pulling out their hats, costumes, masks, etc. that they've made in school and modeling them all for the camera...

I was trying to get a good picture of Ponch because I haven't been able to take one for awhile, and this is what happened -- he refused!

Not that surprising, really... I mean, it's not like these kids ever get pictures taken of them [cough, cough].

Ponch is really doing well -- he has his moments, but I love the responsibility he's taking with his other siblings, and how his attitude has improved. Today as the older kids got back from school, Candi ran out to meet them and Ponch was the first name she yelled, and the first one she gave a hug to -- and he just opened his arms, and wrapped her up in a big bear hug! :)

Every night before bed I usually turn on music for the kids, and light a votive candle in their room. Well... I ran out of votives, but they still want candles!

Admittedly, these are not a necessity, but it was like the opening of a Christmas gift when we put new candles on the mantle in the living room... ;)

Above... Candi and Aaron and the new candles they oohed and aahed over...

Admittedly, this was just kind of a random post to get some pictures of the kids up since I've been back for... ahem... how many weeks? Two? Three? Well, anyway... so I felt I should get some photos up of the kidlets!

But now... on to another beautiful thing that has recently come into my life: Crunchy peanut butter on whole wheat toast with a chocolate on top, and coffee on the side. Does one really need more explanation for why this is defined as "euphoric experience"???

Seriously. It's really good. Ask Jenna.

And finally -- on a more serious note -- thank you so much for all the prayers for the work here. It's amazing how much grace God gives every day to just take another step, and I know that our strength is multiplied through your prayers for us. We certainly need them... :)

Cruising Colorado - Part 2

I love my sisters so much -- they are just incredible women, and though I am biased (surprise, surprise!) I truly believe that they continually show me how God is working and transforming their lives. What a blessing to watch them grow... and learn from them! ;)

The end of my time at home I was able to spend in Aurora, Colorado with Tif & Chel. Saturday, we decided that it was more important to hang around with one another and chat than to do anything else... lol.

However, since we were going to make a super-special dinner for Single Awareness Day, we had to make a trip for food supplies... and we had some interesting photo ops along the way! ;)

Our Single Awareness Day dinner... ;)
Seated left to right: Stefany Edelman, Chel, and Tif
We made Rosemary Lemon Chicken, new potatoes with butter and dill/paprika, and a Spinach Fruit & Walnut salad with Raspberry vinaigrette dressing and Gorgonzola cheese... good times!

Sunday afternoon we decided to take photos outside the Denver church, since we had (inadvertently) worn matching outfits...
What you don't see is the cat that walked along the fence above us, and kept reaching out to snag our hair/head-coverings... lol.
That is such an AC sentence, isn't it?!? ;)

Sunday night Jake Leman and Jared Stoller invited us over for hamburgers at Mike & Deb's house -- while Mike & Deb weren't there... lol.
Thanks for loaning us your space, Mike & Deb!!!
This photo was taken right before heading to the dinner -- Tif was running down the stairs that lead to her apartment yelling, "Food!!!" while waving the bag of chips in the air... :)

The Dinner group -- (l-r) Tif, Kristi Schmidt, Stef, Chel, Jared, and Jake.

Tif said it well the night before I left -- she doesn't take our sister relationship for granted, and she is so right; it's an incredibly special friendship and... support system that cannot be described sufficiently in words. There is a communication with my sisters that I don't share with anyone else... and I'm sure there are many people who will read this and feel the same way about their sibling relationships! They are my best friends, and bring joy to my life... as well as complete and utter honesty (sometimes devastatingly so... lol).

Thank You, Lord, for my sisters!

I love you guys... :)

Cruising Kansas - Part 1

The past couple weeks I was home visiting Kansas and all its attractions -- always a beautiful time... :)

I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to travel back and be with our friends and family a couple times a year, and as I looked through the photos that I wanted to post, I was reminded again of how it's the people wherever you go that make a "home."

I love the land, too... but it would not hold the same appeal without the voices - present and past - that whisper their observations, their dreams, and their lives in my inner ear.

Thank You, Lord, for this time.

Above, leaving Hazelton and a view of the storm clouds in the East...

Here are some photos of the visit...

Chel and I were able to spend some quality time together during my time at home... quality time like jumping around Dad in a circle and letting our arms flop around and hit him... ;)

Saturday morning down-time; Mom chilled on the big tire/flower-bed while Chel and I took up seats on the four-wheeler and bags of... dog food? I don't remember what it was... lol.

And present -- of course -- was the other grand-child: Dumb Dog Diesel (as he is commonly referred to by Grandpa Bahr). He really is a beautiful dog, and great companion for Chelsie, Mom, and the cats. In fact, I hear he believes he really is a feline... :)

Mom and Chel during our bonfire... we had to move the vehicle two or three times because it was so hot! Thanks Dad for your super-duper-fire-starting skills... you weren't even a Boy Scout, were you?!? :)

Visiting Grandpa and Grandma Frieden in Kiowa -- Grandma makes the most amazing rolls ever, and those alone would be reason to go visit... but it's great being with the people, too... :)

I love going to their house and watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? because every time I answer a question correctly, they both tell me I should go on the show -- "You'd just be so great!"

I don't know that I've admitted yet that "educated" guesses have always been my forte! (Guffaw, anyone? Anyone?)

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for everything -- I appreciate you so much!

I was also able to do a roundabout tour of Kansas... starting by going to Gridley and visiting my Grandma Bahr. At the end of the visit, it was a great moment to realize we hadn't really done anything except sit and chat... and it was totally worth it! Thanks, Grandma... especially for the pumpkin bread pudding. :)

(Do we notice a pattern here of great food and grandmothers?!?)

I was sad that I didn't get a photo of my friend Sarah and I... or my cousin Vanndy and I... or of my friend Alan and I... lol. However, I got to visit all of them during my time in Kansas City, and I enjoyed every minute! Thanks to each of you for taking the time...!

After KC, I headed down to Lindsborg; the world of academia, good coffee, and great conversation... ;) This photo is atop Coronado Heights -- a favorite spot for me during my college years, and a great view of the surrounding countryside.

Below, all of we friends got together after the college's Interterm musical production.

Good times... thanks guys!

While home, there were also some neat opportunities for community service. The Kiowa Young Group (this consists of my sister Chelsie... cough), the Stewart family (this makes up almost the entire Sunday school... cough, cough), and the rest of us all headed to Cherokee, Oklahoma to work at an organization called Kids Against Hunger. We measured, sacked, and boxed meals for low-income families... what a blessing to work together!

Above, left -- Chel and Dad. Two peas in a pod... :)

Above, right -- Allyson Stewart. As Mom says, "Just a doll!!!" And she rivals Candi for personality... ;)

Above -- Kaleigh Stewart; I love this photo, because her expression is AMAZING. She was concentrating really, really hard! :)

After looking at this photo of Staci Stewart, Chel and I, my adoringly tactful sister decided that we should never ever have white hair... or look forward to it. I told her... "Too late."

About 8 years too late, in reality.

Sheesh.

The whole group at Kids Against Hunger.

We (true to good Apostolic Christian form) went out to eat afterward... ;)

At Pizza Hut -- which did make me excited, since it's not everyday that I eat there.

Above -- Mom and Grandma walking to the Pizza Hut entrance; when Tif saw this picture she said, "Oh! Our cute little German grandma!" ;)

I don't know what's happening with this formatting (I'm sure I messed it up somehow)... but we'll just go with it! These two pics are from when Dad and I went to Newton, KS for a workday at the Mennonite Center with other AC church volunteers. At left, Dad and I took a picture with "Grandma Greiner"... my great-Aunt, but certainly a "grandma" to anyone who needs one... ;)

At left (below?) again, Dad and I working on the assembly line. If you notice, I am concentrating really hard to put the box in the exact spot so it hits Dad's hand at the right point. "What dedication to her job!" you exclaim... or... it could be that my immediate superior (a.k.a. Dad) instructed me to put the boxes three inches closer and I then knew that I had entered the danger zone of assembly line perfectionism... ;)

I love the Stewart kids... I really do! They brighten the church in Kiowa and bring a lot of joy to the older folks! Above, we were... well, I told them to look like we were facing a firing squad, but we didn't exactly get there. :)

Left to right: Staci, Carter, me, Ali, Sterling, Josh, Kaleigh, and Gabe

We decided to take a "normal" shot -- which ended up being super-hilarious because the kids thought it would be super-funny to try tipping me over during the photo... and they came pretty darn close to it! I think I had... maybe one boot heel on the ground? Something like that... :)

My last day in Kansas, I went up to this place we farm called "The Top of the World" -- yes, we name our pieces of ground, our vehicles, and our medical difficulties... ;)

It's a nifty little spot that has a great view of the surrounding countryside. I was thinking... "peaceful, fantabulous hour or two sitting atop a terrace and praising God." Instead, I found "freezing, windy five minutes hurrying out to the terrace for a photo, and praising God that I could go climb back into a warm vehicle"... :)

However, I took this photo, and as I look at it now, I realize how much of a "horizon" photo it is. I've had many conversations lately about the uncertainties, the unknowns, the what's-next?s... the distant horizon, basically. And I have no idea. And I am perfectly content not knowing. Does that sound insane? Compared to my past assumptions about where my life would go, it does... but more and more it makes no sense to me to detail a plan for my future that God hasn't specified. I want to live deliberately for Him... but I don't believe that presupposes a life map drawn out, duly noted, and then stored away... :)

Dad always says that it doesn't hurt to plan, as long as you are open to changing those plans and doing what God directs -- I agree; but I don't even have a plan, now!

But I'm thankful that He does... and I will keep following His row to the next field, through the next harvest, through the life and death of every season; not blindly... but trustingly.

Waiting on Him... and for Him!

Part 2: Cruising Colorado coming soon... ;)

Title Change...

Sometimes there's need for change.

I know... I'm saying that.
Me.
Is that even possible? :)

This post isn't referring to a shift that is always visible, tangible, readily grasped by even my own mind -- but He is changing me.

Has changed me.
I pray will continue to change me.
Will continue to change each of us.

It's not just about "Serving my Father in Heaven," but about the journey through which we learn what it truly means to be a servant; a servant to a loving Master here on this earth. A journey that can't be undertaken, trodden upon, or continued without Faith.

And I am humbled that this Faith is only made possible through His Spirit -- because on my own, I cannot understand, comprehend, even faintly grasp His majesty, His mercy, His awesome grace, His Holiness... and I am lost in seeking His face.

But His Spirit guides these battered, twisted, pain-filled bodies to communion with HIM.
By Faith.

So this post is praise -- praise for His ability to change, to work, to break even the most stubborn -- persistent?!? -- objects, and show His perfect will.

Thank You, Lord... thank You, my Savior.
For being my Strength when I am weak.
For knowing my thoughts before I can even speak.

Help Thou my unbelief.

And with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength... teach me to love.
And to love passionately.
To praise passionately.
To live passionately -- for You.

So... this blog title has changed to "Walking by Faith."

An eternal journey.
A constant Companion.
A journey of praise.

We praise You, Father, Comforter, Friend, Almighty God...
that even these names will never capture all You are, have been, and will always Be.

You spread out the skies over empty space
Said, let there be light
To a dark and formless world
Your light was born
You spread out your arms over empty hearts
Said, let there be light
To a dark and hopeless world
Your son was born

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent your only son, for you are good

What a wonderful maker
What a wonderful savior
How majestic your whispers
And how humble your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a father
How majestic your whispers
What a wonderful God

No eye has fully seen
how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard
the faintest whispers
Of how great you are

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent your only son, for you are good

What a wonderful maker
What a wonderful savior
How majestic your whispers
And how humble your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a father
How majestic your whispers
What a wonderful God

"Wonderful Maker" - as performed by Jeremy Camp

What a wonderful, amazing God.
And You are worthy of our praise.

I'm Not Quite Dead Yet...

... but the bird was.

Still is, most likely.

I was inside the kitchen the other day when Diego came running across campus, arms and legs flailing, as a plastic carton tied to a string bounced and jounced and jolted across the ground behind him.

"Esteph! Esteph! Mira! A DEAD BIRD!"

And indeed it was.

As dead as it could be.

In all its bacteria-infested greatness.

So, what else could we do but call in the Great Bird Burier???

The funeral party.

(notice Jose IN the plastic hearse that had just "housed" the dead bird... did I already use the line, "in its bacteria-infested greatness"???)

Director of the Dead Bird Society, Dead Dog Society, Dead... well, Any Dead Animal Society.

And Master of Ceremonies for this special event... :)

The solemn onlookers... torn by grief.

We sang bits and pieces of "Las Estrellitas" and then separated to walk our separate ways home... contemplating the inexplicable complexity of life, and its innumerable sadnesses.

Diego was... well, inconsolable. See the video below.

Okay... I want to sleep tonight...

the video's a fake!

Diego had just taken a hard tumble onto the ground right after the funeral... but it looked really funny... ;)