Freshly made tamales stuffed with spicy beef, menudo steaming on the back stove, too many kids running underfoot shouting and playing, an excited air of anticipation to the house. You wouldn’t guess it’s an apartment in northern Sonora, Mexico – it’s just Abuelita’s house to us. Warmth, joy and family was what Christmas in Mexico was about this year. A last-minute excursion all the way from Houston, Texas – we drove fifteen hours in one day to save time and money – we spent precious time with the family we left in the southwest when we migrated to Texas sixteen months ago. After building more memories, eating way too much delicious holiday food Mexican style, and visiting Nana Antonia’s gravesite, we headed back home. Another fifteen-hour drive straight through.
It was on that drive home that I realized how hard this trip had really been. Not for the kids, they had the usual “too much fun, candy and fireworks!” But for Juan. And his siblings. And Zenon (Abuelito), and everyone else who loves Kikey (Abuelita) and her family. This was the first family Christmas in Mexico in twenty-two years.
She lives in that apartment now, located just a few yards from the fence that towers over the border between Mexico and Arizona. Just a few miles on the other side of the fence sits her ghost-like house, empty of her matronly spirit, no mouth-watering smells in her kitchen. No more sitting under the cool, expansive porch next to the rosebushes, watching the kids play baseball. There is no one swinging quietly on the porch swing, spitting out sunflower seed shells while the bees cruise the garden.
I realize that this is a familiar story for too many in this country now. There are far more tragic stories out there, children separated from their families, spouses forced apart by the law. But when it happens to your own, and you live a moment in their struggle, and experience just a glimpse of their pain, it changes perspective a bit. Just a bit.
So we accept this new trial; anyway, what can be done? We stand by our Abuelita and try to give her enough hugs, enough love, to last until the next visit. She does have family there, thank God. They take good care of her and are truly holding down the fort. So we pray for them all; for strength to get through this, creativity to find a better way if there is one, and most of all, that God keep everyone safe and healthy, as He so graciously does.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Our Journey to Bethlehem
This weekend, the Blanco family experienced Christmas in a new way. We went to Current Church on Saturday night, which hosted a live Biblical experience, called “Journey to Bethlehem.” From the time we entered that church, we were treated like part of the production, and we loved it! We were placed in the “Abraham family,” and ushered outside into the frigid air after refreshments and a brief overview. Soon, the reality of what Mary and Joseph and all the other Israelites experienced on their way to be “counted” in Bethlehem, began to sink in! The girls and I held hands nervously, but with a twinge of excitement, as we experienced firsthand the evening of a traveling Jew from our various hometowns to Roman-led Bethlehem!
Everyone was dressed in the garb of that day, complete with beards and sandals, and though we were “tourists,” we were participants in the adventure! As we followed our guide, Benjamin, and his wife, Hannah, we not only met horses, sheep, camels, donkeys, and goats along the way, but we also began hearing the word of the coming Messiah. Not only was He prophesied to come to earth, but He was going to save us from Roman rule. As we were stopped along the way and checked by the dreaded Roman soldiers, we began to see why relief from their cruel rule would be miraculous! Later on, we came upon the traveling Maggi, who graciously showed us the gifts they were bringing the new King – they were so elegant and royal in their wealthy robes and headpieces!
We passed shepherds in the field, who spoke excitedly of the rumored Messiah. Just then, angels appeared in the far field and in the incredible glow of light, prophesied the coming King! Moving on, we shivered in the cold, and at another checkpoint, our money was taken for “taxes.” Benjamin was livid, as we were told about the census, but not about more taxes! There was just enough money to find a place for the family to stay somewhere in Bethlehem, and to give each child a shekel to spend at the town market! The kids excitedly held their shiny coins, and as we entered the market, vendors began their sales pitches, “Ten shekels for this plump chicken!”
From the marketplace, the kids left with wooden tops, handmade necklaces and other goodies. We moved on to find a place to stay, and soon realized there was no more room! The man at the inn told us about the stable around back that maybe had a little room left, but to keep quiet, as a young woman had just given birth to a baby boy there earlier that night. As we rounded the corner, a trio of village worshippers sang greetings to us. And there, in the back of that humble shanty, a young mother held the Savior in her arms, gently rocking him as her husband looked lovingly on. A donkey stood just feet from them, calmly chewing. Tears came to my eyes as this experience came to a close, and I realized that we had lived just a moment in the real experience of Jesus’ first night here on earth.
Everyone was dressed in the garb of that day, complete with beards and sandals, and though we were “tourists,” we were participants in the adventure! As we followed our guide, Benjamin, and his wife, Hannah, we not only met horses, sheep, camels, donkeys, and goats along the way, but we also began hearing the word of the coming Messiah. Not only was He prophesied to come to earth, but He was going to save us from Roman rule. As we were stopped along the way and checked by the dreaded Roman soldiers, we began to see why relief from their cruel rule would be miraculous! Later on, we came upon the traveling Maggi, who graciously showed us the gifts they were bringing the new King – they were so elegant and royal in their wealthy robes and headpieces!
We passed shepherds in the field, who spoke excitedly of the rumored Messiah. Just then, angels appeared in the far field and in the incredible glow of light, prophesied the coming King! Moving on, we shivered in the cold, and at another checkpoint, our money was taken for “taxes.” Benjamin was livid, as we were told about the census, but not about more taxes! There was just enough money to find a place for the family to stay somewhere in Bethlehem, and to give each child a shekel to spend at the town market! The kids excitedly held their shiny coins, and as we entered the market, vendors began their sales pitches, “Ten shekels for this plump chicken!”
From the marketplace, the kids left with wooden tops, handmade necklaces and other goodies. We moved on to find a place to stay, and soon realized there was no more room! The man at the inn told us about the stable around back that maybe had a little room left, but to keep quiet, as a young woman had just given birth to a baby boy there earlier that night. As we rounded the corner, a trio of village worshippers sang greetings to us. And there, in the back of that humble shanty, a young mother held the Savior in her arms, gently rocking him as her husband looked lovingly on. A donkey stood just feet from them, calmly chewing. Tears came to my eyes as this experience came to a close, and I realized that we had lived just a moment in the real experience of Jesus’ first night here on earth.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Did You Know?
DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... The one in the middle is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see on the wall right above where the Supreme Court Judges sit, is a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
James Madison, the fourth president, known as 'The Father of Our Constitution' made the following statement:
'We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for Self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to The Ten Commandments of God.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777. Fifty-two of the fifty-five founders of the Constitution were members of the established Orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of merely interpreting the law, would begin making law an oligarchy, which is the rule of a few over many.
How then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this Country is now suddenly wrong and Unconstitutional?
(This is borrowed from a mass mailing, and I would give credit to the author, but no author was stated.)
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... The one in the middle is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see on the wall right above where the Supreme Court Judges sit, is a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
James Madison, the fourth president, known as 'The Father of Our Constitution' made the following statement:
'We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for Self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to The Ten Commandments of God.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777. Fifty-two of the fifty-five founders of the Constitution were members of the established Orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of merely interpreting the law, would begin making law an oligarchy, which is the rule of a few over many.
How then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this Country is now suddenly wrong and Unconstitutional?
(This is borrowed from a mass mailing, and I would give credit to the author, but no author was stated.)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
25 Things the Blanco Family Experienced After One Whole Year in Texas…
1. Camped with the alligators in the rain (almost!)
2. Accidently picked up a baby water moccasin (viper) in the backyard
3. Seen too many dead armadillos to count, but no living ones
4. Bumped into an opossum with the van (Daddy!), and knocked it silly (it’s alive!)
5. Rode a camel – Jovanni , Bess and Gavin
6. Drove through fog so thick you can’t see the car in front of you
7. Swam in the ocean with jumping fish and diving birds (which were eating the jumping fish!) One fish slapped Bess in the face with its tail before it fell back into the water!
8. Fell in love with Texas Land and Cattle Restaurant (best chicken fried chicken in the state!)
9. Drove back to AZ to visit family and friends, then drove back home to Texas (You ever driven across the entire state of Texas?! Oh yeah? With two vehicles, six kids, two dogs and three semi-grumpy adults?!)
10. Picked bluebonnets near Brenham (which we later found out was totally illegal!)
11. Learned the Texas state pledge
12. Lived first in an apartment, then in our dream two-story home – now the kids have to help us clean, but they really don’t mind!
13. Played on the beach of South Padre Island, Texas, with Tio Byron and Tia Illiana, where we truly enjoyed the sun-drenched island and all there was to do there.
14. Worked at a nursing home with wonderful Grandpa’s and Grandma’s who have Alzheimer’s – where there is NEVER a dull moment! (Bess)
15. Drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit Grandpa Corky and family. Took six kids, three adults and two rambunctious puppies (Cagney and Lacey!)
16. Rescued a tiny baby kitty, then promptly gave it away – NO CATS!!!
17. Went to the Houston Zoo, where the kids were prairie dogs for a moment!
18. Swam and played at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunsfels (with Tio And Tia again!), the largest water park in the world. (Mom stayed in the kiddie section with Sophie – we burnt up, but loved it!)
19. Went to Dallas for a whole week without ANY family (Jovanni)– Youth For the Nations Camp – Jovanni hated the food, but will be forever impacted by the worship, fellowship and training he received there!
20. Mom and Dad flew to Alabama (gorgeous state – at least northern AL, which is in the Tennessee River Valley.)
21. Made some really good friends who have helped us feel at home here!
22. Ate at Cheddar’s for the first time. We really enjoyed the nachos (Jovanni) and crescent rolls (Bess).
23. Got promoted for a long-worked-for position, Project Manager! (Juan)
24. Found a church where “Everyone is a minister!” and settled into the church family
25. Missed our friends and family back in sunny AZ – Have a wonderful holiday season and joyous new year!!!
This countdown's purpose is to generate questions! Ask us anything about these fun stories, we'd love to tell you!
1. Camped with the alligators in the rain (almost!)
2. Accidently picked up a baby water moccasin (viper) in the backyard
3. Seen too many dead armadillos to count, but no living ones
4. Bumped into an opossum with the van (Daddy!), and knocked it silly (it’s alive!)
5. Rode a camel – Jovanni , Bess and Gavin
6. Drove through fog so thick you can’t see the car in front of you
7. Swam in the ocean with jumping fish and diving birds (which were eating the jumping fish!) One fish slapped Bess in the face with its tail before it fell back into the water!
8. Fell in love with Texas Land and Cattle Restaurant (best chicken fried chicken in the state!)
9. Drove back to AZ to visit family and friends, then drove back home to Texas (You ever driven across the entire state of Texas?! Oh yeah? With two vehicles, six kids, two dogs and three semi-grumpy adults?!)
10. Picked bluebonnets near Brenham (which we later found out was totally illegal!)
11. Learned the Texas state pledge
12. Lived first in an apartment, then in our dream two-story home – now the kids have to help us clean, but they really don’t mind!
13. Played on the beach of South Padre Island, Texas, with Tio Byron and Tia Illiana, where we truly enjoyed the sun-drenched island and all there was to do there.
14. Worked at a nursing home with wonderful Grandpa’s and Grandma’s who have Alzheimer’s – where there is NEVER a dull moment! (Bess)
15. Drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit Grandpa Corky and family. Took six kids, three adults and two rambunctious puppies (Cagney and Lacey!)
16. Rescued a tiny baby kitty, then promptly gave it away – NO CATS!!!
17. Went to the Houston Zoo, where the kids were prairie dogs for a moment!
18. Swam and played at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunsfels (with Tio And Tia again!), the largest water park in the world. (Mom stayed in the kiddie section with Sophie – we burnt up, but loved it!)
19. Went to Dallas for a whole week without ANY family (Jovanni)– Youth For the Nations Camp – Jovanni hated the food, but will be forever impacted by the worship, fellowship and training he received there!
20. Mom and Dad flew to Alabama (gorgeous state – at least northern AL, which is in the Tennessee River Valley.)
21. Made some really good friends who have helped us feel at home here!
22. Ate at Cheddar’s for the first time. We really enjoyed the nachos (Jovanni) and crescent rolls (Bess).
23. Got promoted for a long-worked-for position, Project Manager! (Juan)
24. Found a church where “Everyone is a minister!” and settled into the church family
25. Missed our friends and family back in sunny AZ – Have a wonderful holiday season and joyous new year!!!
This countdown's purpose is to generate questions! Ask us anything about these fun stories, we'd love to tell you!
Monday, November 22, 2010
What Do You Have To Be Thankful For?
It's 2010, and it's Thanksgiving Day again this Thursday. I'm so excited, the turkey is thawing, the pie ingredients sitting in my pantry, ready to be beaten, tossed, rolled and baked into scrumptious goods for our bellies, devoured with family and friends around a warm, cozy kitchen.
Thanksgiving Day is my absolute favorite holiday, hands down. Especially since about three years ago, when our life as the Blanco family was looking up again after the hardest time of our lives! Anyone who doubts God's goodness and provision should just let Juan and I tell you even ten minutes of our story, and you will know, by the gleam in our eyes and the wide smiles on our faces, how good our God is! Life can be tough, and unfair, and flat out miserable sometimes. God knows that, and He always give enough grace and love and strength to get us through. And not just through it, but better for it!
So I have ALOT to be thankful for this holiday. My handsome, godly man and the integrity he lives every day by. The way he holds me every day, kisses me every night, and values me as his wife and mother of his children. My strapping young son and his tender heart, the way he cares for his sisters, even when the estrogen levels reach "overboard" in this house! At twelve, he has a sense of God's call on his life, and holds an incredible heart for God. My oldest daughter and lifesaver, Isabella. At nine, she is "little mama," nurturer, family cheerleader, Sophie's life teacher, and everybody's friend. Gigi, in her six year old innocence, is very wise, too loud and wonderfully humerous! She lights up any room she enters, and her charm is endearing, even right after she's made you steaming mad! Sophie, our "baby" at two, (almost three) is gorgeous, delightfully stubborn, and never boring! She has the voice of an angel, and is painfully shy outside of the house. She has many admirers, as she sports the favor of the Lord on her and her life!
You see, the most important things in my life are not things at all. I know what it is like to lose those most precious to you. I've lost them before. God in His mercy saw fit to restore me my family and future. And I'm so very, very grateful for that.
I'm thankful for the family of God, His people who embrace eachother, share in life with eachother, correct eachother and cheer for eachother. Without them, we would be weak warriors in this battle we are in! No one in the body is perfect, or should pretend to be. We're meant to be different, to complete eachother and strengthen eachother for this walk.
I'm thankful for you, my readers, as I tred this troubled ground of being a wordsmith for the Lord. It is not ever easy, not always rewarding, but so necessary. He has put me here, at this time and in this place to wield the Sword, His word, and do battle for His kingdom. I am so thankful that He gives me the testimony, the words, and the stubborness to fulfill His call on my life in this ministry of writing.
So I just have one question for you, my friend, what do YOU have to be thankful for this year? God bless you as you take inventory of all His blessings in your life!
Thanksgiving Day is my absolute favorite holiday, hands down. Especially since about three years ago, when our life as the Blanco family was looking up again after the hardest time of our lives! Anyone who doubts God's goodness and provision should just let Juan and I tell you even ten minutes of our story, and you will know, by the gleam in our eyes and the wide smiles on our faces, how good our God is! Life can be tough, and unfair, and flat out miserable sometimes. God knows that, and He always give enough grace and love and strength to get us through. And not just through it, but better for it!
So I have ALOT to be thankful for this holiday. My handsome, godly man and the integrity he lives every day by. The way he holds me every day, kisses me every night, and values me as his wife and mother of his children. My strapping young son and his tender heart, the way he cares for his sisters, even when the estrogen levels reach "overboard" in this house! At twelve, he has a sense of God's call on his life, and holds an incredible heart for God. My oldest daughter and lifesaver, Isabella. At nine, she is "little mama," nurturer, family cheerleader, Sophie's life teacher, and everybody's friend. Gigi, in her six year old innocence, is very wise, too loud and wonderfully humerous! She lights up any room she enters, and her charm is endearing, even right after she's made you steaming mad! Sophie, our "baby" at two, (almost three) is gorgeous, delightfully stubborn, and never boring! She has the voice of an angel, and is painfully shy outside of the house. She has many admirers, as she sports the favor of the Lord on her and her life!
You see, the most important things in my life are not things at all. I know what it is like to lose those most precious to you. I've lost them before. God in His mercy saw fit to restore me my family and future. And I'm so very, very grateful for that.
I'm thankful for the family of God, His people who embrace eachother, share in life with eachother, correct eachother and cheer for eachother. Without them, we would be weak warriors in this battle we are in! No one in the body is perfect, or should pretend to be. We're meant to be different, to complete eachother and strengthen eachother for this walk.
I'm thankful for you, my readers, as I tred this troubled ground of being a wordsmith for the Lord. It is not ever easy, not always rewarding, but so necessary. He has put me here, at this time and in this place to wield the Sword, His word, and do battle for His kingdom. I am so thankful that He gives me the testimony, the words, and the stubborness to fulfill His call on my life in this ministry of writing.
So I just have one question for you, my friend, what do YOU have to be thankful for this year? God bless you as you take inventory of all His blessings in your life!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thanksgiving is coming!
Turkey in the oven, something boiling on the stove.
Cranberry sauce shining bright red, the scents through the whole house rove.
There’s dressing, and sweet potatoes, rolls and pecan pie on the side,
Gravy’s smellin’ good now, let’s take a crisp fall ride -
To Mom’s house on Thanksgiving Day, flavors plenty we’ll enjoy.
We’ll eat too much and fellowship, we’ll drink a little, oh boy!
We never tire of this holiday, for the warmth and friendship fill –
Our house with bodies, big and small, and laughter; until –
We can’t move off the couch ‘cuz we ate and ate and ate.
Cuz the turkey is all gone now, and the pie was so darn great!
by
Bess Blanco
Cranberry sauce shining bright red, the scents through the whole house rove.
There’s dressing, and sweet potatoes, rolls and pecan pie on the side,
Gravy’s smellin’ good now, let’s take a crisp fall ride -
To Mom’s house on Thanksgiving Day, flavors plenty we’ll enjoy.
We’ll eat too much and fellowship, we’ll drink a little, oh boy!
We never tire of this holiday, for the warmth and friendship fill –
Our house with bodies, big and small, and laughter; until –
We can’t move off the couch ‘cuz we ate and ate and ate.
Cuz the turkey is all gone now, and the pie was so darn great!
by
Bess Blanco
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I’m loving my life today. Not that today is any different than other days. I’m just feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness today. I am so blessed. Sitting here in my beautiful, safe home at my awesome computer working on a book that is glorifying God here on earth. This project has been incubating inside of me for a long time now, and the urge to tell this story has risen up in me like a flood. I’m ready to bare open my heart and soul for the sake of other Christians who are looking for hope and Word knowledge on who they really are and why they are here.
I am so blessed with the family I have; my healthy, beautiful kids and their incredible daddy. Jovanni is my little man, loving, tender and on fire for the kingdom. Isabella and her thoughtful ways, Gigi and her contagious joy, and AnaSophia and her energy, spark and delightful hugs and kisses every day.
Juan is the best man I could have ever asked for. I wouldn’t have thought to ask for someone like him, and I’m so glad I was young and stupid when I said yes! He loves me and these kids with agape love, and he teaches me every day. By his example of faithfulness, and constancy, he teaches me. He is my rock.
Do you ever get a little scared when life is really, really, good – almost like in a “I don’t deserve this” kind of way. I used to feel that way, until I realized that this is the life our Father wants for us, the good life. When we are healthy and balanced, we can give to and do for others. We can disciple the nations, just like He told us to do.
Life isn’t perfect, that wouldn’t be realistic, but I have joy. I’m not “happy,” I just have a joy because of Christ. Thank you Lord, for Who you are – make us more like you!!!
I am so blessed with the family I have; my healthy, beautiful kids and their incredible daddy. Jovanni is my little man, loving, tender and on fire for the kingdom. Isabella and her thoughtful ways, Gigi and her contagious joy, and AnaSophia and her energy, spark and delightful hugs and kisses every day.
Juan is the best man I could have ever asked for. I wouldn’t have thought to ask for someone like him, and I’m so glad I was young and stupid when I said yes! He loves me and these kids with agape love, and he teaches me every day. By his example of faithfulness, and constancy, he teaches me. He is my rock.
Do you ever get a little scared when life is really, really, good – almost like in a “I don’t deserve this” kind of way. I used to feel that way, until I realized that this is the life our Father wants for us, the good life. When we are healthy and balanced, we can give to and do for others. We can disciple the nations, just like He told us to do.
Life isn’t perfect, that wouldn’t be realistic, but I have joy. I’m not “happy,” I just have a joy because of Christ. Thank you Lord, for Who you are – make us more like you!!!
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