I present you...

...my lovely family! Don't ask how I fit in with them - me being the blondish curly-haired, blue-eyed one. - Oh yes, Justin and I could be related (except for his pin-straight hair). HA! - Waaahhh...I actually miss them! (Strange, I know - I'm not the type.)

Please keep them all in your prayers - there are some things going on in their lives that I won't get into, but that each one needs prayer for, so please do include them in your prayer vigil lists. Thanks so much!

Christmas Day!

It was a sweet day - we had a lunch/Christmas dinner at 1:30 in the main hall and ended up enjoying it with another lady and her son. I don't think I've ever had a smaller Christmas meal than I did yesterday. Ha! (I wasn't hungry, go figure!) Who says you get fat in the US? Hmmm....

Anyways, here are a couple pics - the first is me with my grandma, and the second is a pic I took of us all conferencing. My aunt (in Florida) is in the middle, my mom (in Romania) to the left, and my grandma and I (in Maryland) to the right. - It was fun! (Though having to guide them through the installation and fix-its of the webcam was a challenge in itself.) And the background pic is of all my family in Europe (dad/mom/bro/sis-in-law/nephews).

Still alive!

Nope, I don't have the "its been busy" excuse this time - I just haven't been at my computer. ;) - How fun is that?

Well, actually it turns out that my Home gave me a list of things they'd like me to get and bring back, so my grandma and I have been involved in the Christmas shopping rush. Oh dear... Actually, we've had it easy. My grandma's recently gone through back surgery so she can't get around much, so she's had me run around for stuff while she waits in the car. She's a Quaker and very much into the environment, human rights, peace, etc. so is totally and completely against Walmart (and McDonals - but so am I - ICK!). - She's never been in one, so though she usually doesn't like anyone shopping there I was able to convince her that as missionaries we really can't be that picky and have to work with what we have, so she understood. Whew! - But she sat in the car while I ran in. HA!

I have a couple more stops to go before its all over but I've been balancing it out with spending quality time with Grams - so that's been nice. There isn't much trouble to be had in a retirement community, but I have been able to go jogging two days in a row. Oh yeah! I miss the fresh air and ability to run through the roads and woods. - Put on a nice beat on the MP3 and you're set. Fun! The closest to that in Mexico City is the CTC - which gave a wee bit of that, but going around in circles isn't my favorite, so I didn't get into it at the CTC. But yes, its been nice here!

Today is Christmas and my grandma doesn't know I'm up yet - I've been having Word time, sending out Christmas cards, etc. - Fun! I'll leave you with some pics of the nice little flat I'm in, along with a nice dinner (more like afternoon dinner - we ate at 2:30 and that was lunch and dinner), my grandma's interactive cat, etc..

Ciao for now - and Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!

I finally worked on my Christmas card, and though I thought of all these cool things I could do, I did not have time. – I feel sorry for myself; I wish I could get into making my pictures look better but alas the thought of sitting at a computer in order to do something that’s not work doesn’t come very easily. If this one isn’t very good quality I apologize, but it’s the best I could do for now.

So without further ado, Merry Christmas everyone - and may this coming year be better, happier, sweeter and all around grander than any year yet.

(Note the pic on my display is not photo-shopped – I get lucky sometimes. HA!)

Traveling - yet again! :)

The last few days have been a bit tiring – I usually fall into bed and sleep so well (one thing I’m very thankful for is that I sleep well – TTL), but these last days have been all the more tiring for some reason. (Well, I know why, but still.)

This morning was D-Day for my take off and trip to see my grandma. I put my alarm for 5:30am hoping to have plenty of time to shower, enjoy my cup of coffee, have some breakfast, wrap up last minute details, etc. but I guess after pulling another late-nighter in prep for leaving, I either didn’t hear the clock (which would be strange as I’m a light sleeper) or perhaps when I awoke at 3:50am thinking it was time to wake up, I must have hit something on the alarm clock to where it didn’t go off. Either way, P. came to see if I was ready at 6:50am – and we were meant to leave at 7:00am. Yikes! I jumped out of bed and was actually ready and in the car by 7:20am which was pretty impressive, but I didn’t get coffee, nor breakfast, and…well, let’s just say I don’t like starting the day like that. Thankfully we had prayer vigil on the way to the airport and made it in 20 minutes – record timing really. So I’m grateful for that!

I then stood in line for an hour and a half waiting to check in (sigh) and didn’t get breakfast till 9:30. – I kept praying my hypoglycemic tendencies wouldn’t kick in, but other than some shaky hands I did okay. Whew! The comical part was that the plane was delayed an hour – I wish I had known that sooner as then I would have gotten up “slower”. But PTL, I’m thankful it was delayed as it gave me time to eat something. The rest of the trip has been smooth sailing (other than the choppiness – which gets me so sick, but I’m trying to be brave as I distract myself typing this).

Update: I got to D.C. and successfully made my way through the metro system to my grandma's place! I ended up waiting for her to come get me at the metro station for almost an hour due to a misunderstanding - HA! What a day! I'm in a nice flat though, and its nice and cozy - and quiet. I'm sure it'll be a nice visit.

A little prayer request!

Please pray that the various packages I'm expecting arrive Monday!!! I'm expecting the Activated mags in Croatian and Italian so I can send off my Christmas mailing, but the postal system is taking its time. - Please claim the keys of speedy delivery and that they arrive, intact, and safely, Monday! Thank you so much!

Of muscles and the likes...

The guys in our Home here are really into my muscles - it's quite funny! We have a mini-gym downstairs and almost nightly a couple of our YA guys will be pumping iron. - They say they're trying to become like me. :D - Such funny boys!

Several months ago, while still at the CTC (where the guys were also into my muscles - mainly the biceps I seem to have) one of the little 5 year old boys was of the mindset that muscles equaled strength. He was telling me all about it one night at the dinner table, when he noticed, I guess, that I had muscles. - John Paone comes over and confirms that "yes, muscles mean you're strong", and I thought that was the end of it. Until the 5 year old's dad came back from a trip and was telling his dad, all excitedly, about his time, and mentioning about muscles and the likes (of course). He then tells his dad that John must be super strong, stronger than dad (does that really happen?) 'cause he's got bigger muscles than him. HA! His dad humbly agreed (such modesty - too funny), that "yes, he probably is stronger than me", when the 5 year old pipes in with "well, Celeste must be the strongest, 'cause she's got the biggest muscles of all". LOL! I thought that was hilarious!

Anyways, its the joke around here (it had better be a joke) but seeing as they were so into it the other day I showed them a pic taken of me like 5 years ago. For some reason I look extremely toned and muscular in this pic, I even scare myself - though supposedly its not meant to be bad to be like this...I don't know, I'm already taller, I think it makes me look scary and intimidating.

What is it with women? We're never happy with ourselves! I'm thinner now than in this pic, and more toned actually, though not muscular! - Oh, and my hair is longer (ha). I get comments about my muscles all the time though...and I'm actually embarassed. - I don't try to gain muscles, I just have them. Argh!!!!

At any rate, thought to share the pic. :)

This is beautiful!

I found this on Juliet's blog - which lead me to a couple more clips. - Its so touching!

Really puts to light how true it is that "impossible" is a word only found in the book of fools!

Does anyone have...

...a good copy (resolution) of this pic? Or know someone who does? Please let me know! Thanks!

Plants like sun/water...wow!

I have good news!!!

My plants are actually alive and flourishing! :D Mic and Phoebe are so surprized, even M. is - HA! Who knows, maybe my thumb is turning somewhat green. - And my theory is being debunked. - Or not, har-har! (I just can't think of plants without thinking of that metaphor.)

Either way, I thought I'd share that happy news! (Incredible what some sun, and water, yes peoples, water, can do.)

I love this one!

"The Prayer" the way it should be!

It's Christmas!!!

Yeigh - it's that time of year again!!! That means we get to enjoy Jesus' birth, and share that happy thought and event with others. - I love it!

I'm going to work on my Christmas mailing and get it off ASAP (thanks to all those who are sending me the Activated mags in all the different languages - please pray the Mexican postal system delivers it punctually and even today).

I got into looking at the Christmas cards I threw together the last few years - I think I need to do something different this year - HA!

Christmas 2003

Christmas 2004

Christmas 2005

Either way, Merry Christmas to you all!

It was COOOOOL!!!

Yes, yesterday was the 5th of December, and sure enough, I got to go to the Andrea Bocelli concert! :D

It was cool - I honestly don't care for opera, but Andrea Bocelli makes it just awesome, not to mention that his many other songs are beautiful. - I find him to be a truly gifted man, a male version of "Fanny Crosby"; not having his sight hasn't hindered him from using his gift.

As for the details of the event, there are plenty!!! First of all I was waiting to be picked up for like, ummm...about 3 hours! We had plans to have dinner first, hoping to make it to the auditorium by 8:30...yeah right! Genai, Adolfo and Jorge got stuck in traffic (of course! - we live in Mexico City after all!!!), and they didn't get to my place till 8:20!! Everyone kept worrying for me when they saw me still home. Ha! When they finally arrived we literally flew down the Periferico! Thang God the traffic wasn't that bad for that stretch (other than getting into the auditorium parking), but yes, needless to say I ended up strapping myself in (I was in the back) and holding on for dear life. :D

There was talk of whether it would start with Mexican punctuality (seeing as we are in Mexico), Italian punctuality (considering Andrea Bocelli IS Italian after all), or US punctuality (don't ask me why they came into the picture), as if it started with US punctuality we would possibly miss a bit of it, if it started with Italian punctuality we had like 5 or 10 minutes to spare, and if it started with Mexican...well, let's just say we'd be TOTALLY fine. Ha! We made it 2 minutes before 9:00 (after looking for parking, and the right seating door) and in the end they started with Italian punctuality - so we were able to find our seats, get comfortable, and not miss a thing! YEIGH!

Turns out they do not allow you to take your camera in (sniff) so though I still snuck it in (you didn't think I'd really not take it, did you?) I didn't take any pictures during the show as I did NOT want to be dragged out nor have the camera confiscated. I did manage a couple shots during the half-time interval, but they're not the greatest. SUPER SORRY!

It was a great show though, and I have to say, after Andrea himself, my favorite was the Orchestra director (whose name I can't remember or find at the moment), who was all together lively, entertaining, and even humorous!

The best part of the show was when Andrea changed his smoking to a white one (rather than the black one), announcing he changed in order to change the mood as well. He then went on to sing some songs from his album "Amore", most of which are songs in Spanish, so that was a HUGE hit with the Mexican public. He also sang some of his good ol' songs, such as "The Prayer" (though the American woman singing with him really didn't do the song the subject justice), and others, finally ending with "Time to say goodbye", sung with the soprano Aylin Perez, who actually did a fairly good job.

After the show Genai and I tried to get back-stage, but they wouldn't let us. Sniff! I think I disappointed Genai, she wanted to distract the guard so I could run in, but yeah, they were filming and all, I don't think I'd want to be on the news for doing something like that. :D Genai's other plot was to perhaps fling herself in front of the car to get the chaffeur to stop so we could give him the CD "Huellas", but that was also dropped, so we ended up passing it on to one of his staff members. - I sure pray he gets it and listens to it.

It was midnight by then, and we were STARVING! (Remember? We didn't eat before going as we were late...) so we went to a good Taco place (something to do with 2 frogs, I forget) and had a good dinner - though I'm not sure that's really what you call a meal at 1:00 am. :D

And finally Home sweet Home at 1:30...

It was a memorable event though, I'm so happy I was able to benefit of such coolness. Yeigh! Jesus is so good to me!

I think I was wrong... :(

I had a theory - you see, at the CTC we'd all come down with coughs, colds, soar throats, etc. on a regular basis. - Obviously the temperatures are special, and the "inter-house" running did a lot for that.

While living there I'd hear of folks in the "big city" that would come down with tummy bugs regularly. - Something I get like once a year at most (TG!). So my theory was that the fresh air (and freezing cold air) would keep the tummy bugs dormant (well, most of the time), whereas the polluted Mexico City air doesn't have those benefits and rather than the freezing issues (seeing as its usually one house) you get the tummy bugs.

On the other hand I just got over a cough/cold/soar throat last week, and I'm recovering today from a tummy bug (which landed 6 of us in bed so far - please pray there are no more), so perhaps the big city just gives you everything it has to offer. YUCK!

Joking aside, please keep our health in your prayers. TX!