Guatemala... Maddie and Dad

A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Guatemala with my dad on a business trip. It was such a blessing to get to spend time with dad and to meet some of his co-workers also! I had such a blast! There were a lot of things that reminded me of Mexico; like the people, the food, the city in general, and the culture. 

Here we are in one of the most popular old villages in Guatemala called Antigua.
We are standing underneath a beautiful 
and well-known bridge covering the cobblestone streets. 

The food was really great.
 It was like a mixture of Mexican and Costa Rican 
when it came to the flavor (both spicy and mild).

This is a beautiful little area where we stopped to eat lunch.
Dad and I were able to walk around and get to know it pretty well. 

I felt all "Christmasy" every where I went.
It was all decked out in trees and lights.

Here we are with some dear friends of ours in Antigua.
It was great to see them again! We got to know them through the Enfoque church 
in Indianapolis. They moved back home to Guatemala a few years ago. 

It was a very wonderful time! I loved being in a whole different country and it was a great time to spend with dad, old friends, and dad's co-workers. It was such a blessing!

Missionary Retreat in Mexico City - Part 3 by Ethan

I really felt at home in Mexico for sure. It was a great experience being in another culture- especially since that is what we are studying in school this year. Mexico City was really different than anywhere I have ever been. I didn't remember very much. It had been three years since we visited. The food was delicious. After spending a week in Mexico, I really grew to love the country. I want to go back. 

For part of our trip, we participated in the OMS Missionary retreat in a city called Valle de Bravo. I loved the city. The roads were narrow and filled with lots of stores. We were there during the weekend of the Day of the Dead. We got to see a parade called Carnival... and learn about some of the traditions in Mexico.  I really loved being with the missionaries and getting to know them better. I learned a lot from the sessions at the retreat. 

In Valle de Bravo

A market in Valle de Bravo

Ice cream!

The church in the city square

The city square is filled with bright colors and lots of people.

We got to go boating/tubing with the missionaries on the large lake in Valle de Bravo.

This is a picture of Dad tubing with Amelia on his back.... 

Our hotel was right on the lake. It was so pretty and fun.

We played A LOT of soccer! All of the Dads played as well. I loved playing soccer! 

Maddie led worship for the missionary retreat. She did an awesome job!
Joshua played a song as well.  He is really learning a lot on the guitar!

Mr. Skinner from OMS was the teacher of the sessions.

My favorite session was the last one... It taught be about how we are
fighting against a defeated enemy as followers of Jesus. 

Time with our friends in Mexico... Part 2 by Joshua

The minute we walked out of the airport into Mexico City, I felt right at home. It was so fun seeing our friends again and getting to play with them. I love so many things about Mexico, the food, the country, the language, but most of all, I love the people. 

When we returned to Costa Rica from Mexico I really felt God put Mexico on my heart. I really saw how big Mexico City was and it made me so sad to think that so many there don't know Jesus. There is something so special about the Mexican people. They are so kind, very fun, generous, and loving. Please pray with me for the people of Mexico. 

"Pan" from our favorite bread shop La Era. I was so happy to real conchas!

We had a great lunch at the Saucedo's house. I loved the chiliquiles.
I would have been in trouble if I was still a picky eater, but I really
loved everything.

Andrea and Amelia have been friends since they were born.

Amelia, Andrea, Valeria and Joy together. 

On Sunday night, we held a family talent show/ pizza party and invited lots of our friends to come and participate. It was so much fun! We laughed so hard... After we had a time of sharing prayer requests with each other and praying over each other. Then we sang worship songs. It was an awesome night.

Our welcome sign to the talent show. 

Dad performs the disappearing foot trick.. learned from Mr. Paul!

Ethan shows off his new juggling skills.

Maddie and Mr. Willie had a small act....
'There she goes, she's a walkin away."

The Saucedo family performed several songs.

Alicia facilitated a really funny name game.

We had a lot of fun staying at the seminary. There is a playground next to the seminary... The same one that was there when we lived here. 

A view from the seminary of the street outside.
We lived right down the street from here.

On Monday morning, Mom had a breakfast with some of the women who started MOPS with her in Mexico City. They were the original leadership team. They all brought food for breakfast... and we got to eat it too! The tamales were delicious. 

Mom and the ladies from the MOPS leadership team.

Our Family Mission trip to Mexico City.... Part 1 By Maddie

A few weeks ago, we had the amazing privilege taking a family mission trip to Mexico City. We arrived on dad's birthday and enjoyed a week spending time catching up with people. During our time, we also went to a OMS Mexico missionary retreat with all of the faithful missionaries serving the Lord in Mexico. 

I loved being in Mexico- I totally felt like I was at home! I couldn't have asked for anything better than being able to go back and visit everybody! I miss it already. Even in the short period of time we were there I felt like I was able to rebuild sibling like relationships with all of the kids! I am truly super grateful for our time there- I think it really helped to improve my spanish too!:) I will never forget this visit... Mexico is in my heart forever.

These are our dear friends Mrs. Yadira, and her two sons Edgar and Misael. 
It was really nice being able to visit with them! 

A special delicacy that Josh and Ethan love- Chicken feet! 

Natalia and Amelia! 

Natalia, the Mackinnon kids and the Saucedo kids-together again! 
It was truly a blessing for me to see them again. 
The last time I was there was two years ago, 
and I can really tell that all of the kids have grown a ton!

Food in Mexico for me is impossible to refuse! Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!
This was dad's birthday meal.

Dad- after being pushed into the cake while taking a bite.
The mordida is a common birthday tradition in Mexico. 
I loved watching the whole mordida scene!

All of us girls together! They are all super sweet and a joy to be around!

Dad and his good friends Mr. Raymundo and Pastor Alexis. 

Mom with Mrs. Yadira and Mrs. Alicia.

Parque de diversiones.. by Joshua and Ethan

Last Saturday we went to the Parque de Diversiones (FUN PARK) in San Jose. The Lord spoke to us that day! Mom and Dad surprised us and didn't tell us where we were going. We thought we were going somewhere to hike, where there were no trees and that we would be hiking for lots of hours. We (Josh and Ethan) were a little sad because we wanted to go to the beach, but we never told our parents. When we got to the amusement park, we were so surprised, happy and excited! We couldn't believe the awesome surprise! We had the most amazing day. It was so much fun! 

In the same way, God has good and special plans for us. Sometimes we think we have a better plan and we want to do what we want to do. We can even be disappointed, but God knows the special plans He has for us and they are always perfect and better than what we have planned... Just like mom and dad had a super special plan for us last week.

And..... God give us more than we can ask or imagine. We thought the perfect day was to go to the beach, we didn't even know about the amusement park. 

The roller coasters were a huge hit with the big kids!

Mason loved his first roller coaster ride! 

Amelia is a thrill seeker...