My Kroger Trip

I did make it to Kroger on Saturday.  I got there about 9:00 in the morning.  It was not too crowded when I got there, but most of those who were there had coupon binders--(I just can not bring myself to carry a binder around with me, I have one at home to see an organize them, but I take a little accordion file that a got a yard sale for a quarter  to the actual store) There were even a couple of men there with wads of coupon who did not appear to be trailing a lady.  How did I do?  I know I did not do as well as some, but I am happy with it.  It's not how much you spend right?? It's how much you save! If you ever look at a receipt it gives you totals at the bottom that say manufacturers coupons--my equaled $29.15 and then bonus which is the the doubled which was $29.15, so the total in coupons that handed was $58.30.  Then it tells you Kroger plus saving--using the card-- which was 24.78.  The last thing is the total savings, coupons, doubling, using the card--for a total savings of $83.08.  My total out of pocket was $56.58 AND plus I am getting a ten dollar rebate for some things that I got for a total out of pocket of 46.58 or 68%.  I really get a kick out of seeing a total and watching it go down, down, down!!! Just because some of you asked, there it is!!!

I'll Be at Kroger Saturday!!

So I think few people know this, but I am a couponer. (LAME, but what can I say, I've gotten kinda addicted!!) I have been clipping them for while and have a couple of websites that I go to that help with matching them up with sales and getting the best deals and I even get some things for free. This idea had been in my head for a while because one of my coworkers would talk about couponing nonstop to a honestly obnoxious, almost annoying way daily!! I know she was trying to be helpful and inform, but I would think really is that all you have to talk about??? Then I started it around Thanksgiving after seeing a news story about how this lady had brought Thanksgiving meal for under $10. I started slowly by reading her website and then finding another website that I heard on Oprah. Then it just rolled. I love going to the grocery store and the cashier ringing everything up and then handing the cashier my card and watching the price go down and then the coupons and then I get to see it go down even more. Last week when I went to Kroger my savings at the bottom was 66%!!! There are lots of ladies around who are tons better than me, but I do what I can. That all said, I am going to be at Kroger this Saturday with every other couponer in the North Texas area---and those poor people who have no idea what is going in a line a mile long--- because Kroger is doubling coupons up to $1.00 that day only. They usually triple up to 39 and double only up to 50!!! Can't wait!!! Maybe one day I will show my binder, but then you would really think I'm nutso!!!!

3804 Cliffside Dr.

Well I have done it, am doing it, and I'm reminding myself that is not a done deal. I signed papers last Sunday to build a house and payed my earnest. Not kidding!!! I looked at many homes that we already built. I had my mind set on one in Corinth and my realtor and I were driving along and saw a sign for new homes in Denton. I will admit, I decided to go over there less than thrilled and almost pouted walking through and listening to the guy. I was upset because I thought my time and this guys time was being wasted because in the end, I was not going to be able to build a home unless it was like 1200 sq feet and I really liked that house in Corinth and I ticked because I knew if we didn't jump on the house, I would lose because homes in my price range that are decent are not staying on the market. After looking at numbers and discussing the options with (ok maybe complaining or whining about the options) I decided to go with the new home build and think I have gotten past the feeling of dread, what the heck am I doing, to being really excited about. Thrilled about the upgrade I choose to do---fighting my very opinionated but great realtor with what he thought was best---can't wait to see the process start and finish. I'm prepared to give more of my money for this new adventure of home ownership. It is on the books to be ready end of October/early November. Picture of dirt coming soon!!!

My design in a little different, but this is basically it!!

On the Road to Mexico Again

That's right. Tomorrow morning we leave for another trip to San Miguel, the little village in Mexico that I have grown to love. I go to refresh myself, to give me a chance to slow down and enjoy simple things, to show people God's love, and most importantly for myself to grown closer to Him. We go with several purposes---finish the playground and plaza that we started in March by adding a 20 by 20 shelter and 4 picnic tables, we are delivering school supplies, having a VBS for the kids, facilitating a women's bible study, supporting the local pastors, and just loving on the people in this tiny village underneath the most beautiful night sky with millions of stars.

OUR TEAM: Steven, Sherry, Alanna, and Ethan Keithly, Jay, Kathy, Sydney, and Jason Robertson, Jenn and Seth Rochelle, and Me.

God- I pray that you would be glorified in the trip. I pray that is done would show your love to other people. I pray that we would be a blessing to other because you have blessed us. God help this trip to be totally led by you. God would you please go before us a lead the way. I pray for safe travels, direction for what to do and how to do things to bring your glory, I pray that we would all have good attitudes and that we would be flexible. Thank you for San Miguel.

Verses for San Miguel---

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly asking the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you spiritual wisdom and insight that you might grow in the knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

ESPHESIANS 1:16-18

Pictures for last trip during spring break.

My New Look

Thanks Carrie for the website info....what do you think? What I really don't like is the header. I cannot figure out how to change it though. Other than that, I think it is totally me at least for now. Maybe it will keep blogging for a little bit.

Cute Blog

Can anyone help me with how t make my blog cuter??? Do I have to pay for that?? I do not have any pictures to put in some a really creative title way, I was just thinking some kinda outside border thingy. Make sense? Send me to a sight, call me on the phone, send me a message on facebook, email me whatever. Can you help? PLEASE. Maybe it would make me want to open this computer up more often an write about myself. Maybe, you never know. I am super tired, had a busy day, will write more tomorrow. 11:24 still today like I promised earlier.

Anyone in Shock????

So now that summer is here for me, and after today I may have nothing much to do for a while, I will attempt for at least the summer to make a "blog recommitment." ( I think I may have posted more last summer in a couple of months than I did the entire school year) Today is the last day of summer school (or summer hell as I prefer to call it) and I think I have some stuff to write about. Topics could include, but are not limited to....... end of yet another school year, back on the hunt, Nash, running???, help me change my boring blog look, leaving the country again, tribute to my Papike, Ranger games, ect, ect, ect. So stay tuned. There will be an entry tonight unless somet hing really weird happens.

Things I Love about Mexico and Things I Love About the USA

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT GOING TO MEXICO
*Time seems to kinda stop…no body is in a hurry to do anything…no cell phones, computers, televisions, email, no bills for me to pay officially….The sea of countless stars above me at night….Ladies who willingly to a great job of fixing my hair….Just a seemingly simplier way of life. I always “reconnect” with God when I go there. How someone be there and not see his majesty between the mountains and the stars above you. When I am there this verse repeats over and over in my head. The way of life there gives you time to reflect and be still and look at good.
Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10 (Message—just because I enjoy reading this version A LOT--- it amuses me!!!)
8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything."

Of course the Message reminds me on one I thing I love the best about Mexico…NO TRAFFIC!!!!

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE USA
*Flushing toilets….(no out houses or bucket flushing)
*Putting toilet paper in toilet papers not trash cans
*Lights on the street to see where you are going at night.
*Being closer to my family and being able to talk them on when I want to.
*Being able to talk to and communicate with almost anyone I want to. I GOTTA LEARN SOME SPANISH!!!

Opportunity to Make Fun of Me!! (with a good purpose)

Mark your calendars!! Saturday March 7, 2009, I will be working at Sonic as a carhop--the Sonic by Lewisville High School.  We are doing a fund raiser for the park in San Miguel.  (On a side note--I totally hate when I pull into Sonic on a Saturday to get my medium unsweet with extra ice and that sign accepting donations for_________ in on the push button thing.... Now I get to be those people that I hate!!! HA!!!)It is really kinda awesome how God is putting this plaza together.  Just listening to the story you know God's hand is in it and I am totally excited about it!!! We attend a rather large church...easily 6000 people attend... and Steven and Sherry just happened to meet the one person in our church who installs playgounds for a living.  Not just your run of the mill backyard swing set, but the kind you see at schools and city playground.  This guys name is Jay.  He has recently started a non profit organization called Playgrounds with a Purpose that he envisions putting in playgrounds all over the world with the purpose of spreading the gospel and he wants to come with us and install brand new great awesome stuff that we could have never imagined possible, but of course with God all things are possible.  The minimum plans we have now is a 6 swing swing set, merry-go-round, this climbing thing, seesaws, a tunnel to crawl through, and a pavilion.  Can you imagine the blessing to humble San Miguel?  I cannot wait to go!!!! The fundraiser will be to help with the cement and to also contribute money directly to Playgrounds with a Purpose so they can continue their work so......

Come, laugh at me, eat some cheddar peppers, drink a lemon berry slush, and help make this trip totally possible with you generous tips because of the awesome service you will receive, and donate to a great cause, Playgrounds with a Purpose.....

Just in case you are wondering...... No I will not be wearing roller skates!

Maribel's Kids

This is Katie--She totally captured my heart before I even realized who she was. She would just talk, talk, talk to me like I totally understood what she was saying. She hugged me from the start and would do this sweet little kiss on the cheek when we would depart company. She is a total angel. LOVE THIS GIRL!!!!!

Then I learned who she was. She was the granddaughter of Chila. The lady that lived behind the mission house. My friend from years ago, Maribel had lived there. The last time I was there Maribel had gotten married and moved away. I went with someone else to see Chila who told me what had happened to Maribel before we arrived. Boy, was Chila sad when I went to see her. She immediately started to cry and tried to explain by demonstrating, what had happened to Maribel. The pain that was on her face and inside her was hard to witness. Apparently, Maribel's husband stabbed her fourteen times and then decapitated her. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is the reality. Her mother, her children, and those who love Maribel will not see her on this side of heaven and that breaks my heart that this person made that decision for all those people. It honestly makes me angry that he chose that for this children. Seriously, what kinda man is that? I will tell you that the as far as I know the police have not found him and he apparently has one of their other kids with him still. I do not even know the best way to pray for them. I know that the burden of caring for the young children have fallen on this sweet, but little old lady. I would also imagine a fear not knowing where this guy is and not know what has happened to the other little girl. The oldest boy, Juan, from what the area pastor's family told us, has been having a lot of behavior problems. (The pastor's family has been doing a great job of caring for and supporting this family and have kinda taken this oldest child during the day to help Chila.) When we left we asked how we could support and help her since we are so far away. She is worried about being able to cloth the kids. Her husband is unable to work because of a back injury. Imagine not being able to clothe your children. It is Biblical to care for the orphans and I want to take that seriously.

Carlos-Maribel's 2nd boy-11. The whole time I was there I thought there was just a sadness in his eyes (wonder why)

Manuel-Maribel's baby boy-2

Isn't this picture fun!! I just pointed

the camera at him, called his name,

pointed it and he looked up and screamed.

LOVE IT!!!

I was not able to get a picture with the older boy Juan-13.

Mission Trip to Mexico

OK so I know it is a month later, but honestly I have found little time to do this and totally want to give the trip justice to what it meant to me. I am never been accused of being a great or creative author. I hope that as you read you can see my heart.

December 26 we loaded the truck and headed south. I road with Steven and Sherry and road the whole way down there in the backseat with their 3 and 6 year old, Alana and Ethan, in the backseat. Riding with the kids was not nearly as bad as it sounded or that I thought it would be to be honest. They are good kids and their parents are not that bad either. About 7 seven hours into the trip we crossed the border with no problem and then after about 5 more hours were in Musquiz where we were greeted by a wonderful family who had dinner ready and waiting for us when we arrived about 9:00 and it was wonderful!! Then they allowed us to take over their hours to sleep for the night. I am not sure where they went, but when we awoke they had breakfast ready for us. Such hospitality, such humility towards us, such kindness, such grace, so much like Jesus.

After breakfast, we shopped at the local grocery store. We got beans, rice, tortilla mix, eggs, oil, water bottles, cakes for a ladies bible study. Some little kids helped us take out our purchases and then proceeded to help themselves to a thing of our chicken spaghetti when we were not looking. I am sure they needed it more than we did and hope they were able to enjoy it. We then loaded up for last four hours of trip with the Keithlys again. It was truly a beautiful ride into the mountains of Mexico. It was majestic and awe-taking. We then pulled into tiny humble San Miguel. Now remember I had been there several times 10 plus years ago plus. As we pulled in I honestly wanted to cry and did get a little teary eyed because I didn't remember it. I could not find the mission house, the little church, or even the school. This place is not big and I could not remember it. I only remember the mountain in the background with the cross on top of it. I was happy to remember that. I told Sherry I was kinda sad because I could not remember it, and she said not to worry that I would it come back quickly. Maybe the surrounding did not come back quickly, but the love for the people did return fast. We were quickly welcomed by the people who live there and even took over their homes. We stayed in the home of Fele and Pepe and their son Nester and his wife. 6 of the people on our trip stayed in their home. Their hospitality was amazing. Fele cooked for us, Pepe walked with us or drove us around if it was dark, they fellowshipped with us, laughed with us, prayed with, and cared for us like we were family. Funny thing about remembering the place is that when we walked in their house the son Nester, who was a young boy, maybe 10 or 11 the last time I was there said he remembered me from years ago. As the week went on, I heard that several times. Really, people remember me????? Later in the week there was another girl (young lady) who had some of the children that were running around with us. She said she remember chasing me around and following me when she was a little girl and now she see her kids doing the same thing. Then there was Chila. A grandmother who remembered me. She is probably 60, but seriously looks like she could easily be in her 80s. She lives behind the mission house with her grand children. I used to run around with her daughter Maribel when I was a youth. I was able to meet Maribel's children Juan, Carlos, Katie, and Manuel. Because of a sad, painful story I was unable to see Maribel and will not see again this side of heaven. (I will tell that story in another post to come with stories of some of the families.) The week consisted of us helping to produce a nativity scene program with the kids at the local church, giving toys to the kids, giving clothes to the people of the San Miguel, having a ladies Bible study/luncheon, and just hanging out loving on the people.

This trip was different than past ones for me though. I think I had always gone thinking that our group was able to do really nice things for people, it was good to give them things, it was good to bring smiles to their faces, it was good to run around and play with the kids. Never before, though, did I really think lasting relationships were possible for a number of reasons. We live 18 hours apart, we do not speak the same language, our lives are completely different.... How do I relate? I left though knowing and believing that relationships are possible, if not just a simply necessity of mission work. Gosh, just the fact that people remember me after ten years, there must have been some type of relationship there. Our mission cannot be strictly humanitarian, the main reason to go is to bring people to acknowledge His glory and if showing humanitarian work is a by-product that's great, but the main purpose must be Christ glorified. The main complete reason to go to San Miguel and return in the future is to build up the saints for Mexico, to team with Pepe to disciple people in San Miguel and other little villages he ministers to.

I told people there that I would be returning in March. I want to build those relationships. God has called me to do that. He has called us to minister to Maribel's children, the orphans of San Miguel, He has called us to walk along side the ministers of San Miguel and live life with them even if we are 18 hours apart.

I will return in March. The hope is that we will build a new, SAFE, playground/plaza for the children and families of San Miguel. I know most who read this have never been, but we need people to partner with us. First, of course, partner with us in prayer. Pray for the people in San Miguel, pray for people to go with us, pray for safety and strong tires, pray that we remember God's glory and His name being know is the reason that we go. Second, we need monetarily help. If you go to the website on the side (keithlyfamilymissions.com) you can donate if you would feel led to do so.

I am also planning on returning this summer for 3 weeks. I am praying for wisdom on how to conduct some VBS with the kids while I am there even with the language barrier. Some ideas of been popping into my head, but please help me pray for wisdom and that adventure.

Thanks so much for praying and reading. I will be adding picture SOON!! PROMISE

Death Row Doggy

Since I have not gotten pictures from the trip downloaded yet, I am going to tell a quick story about my trip. First of all to let you know I had a wonderful time. I can not wait to go back. If I could have, I would have stayed there longer. But, anyways back to death row doggy. Sherry and her family stayed at a families house while the rest of us stayed at another house. Now to preface this story our friend Brent, who will tell you how much he enjoys eating, said that if he did not get enough to eat, there would be a chicken missing. Sherry reminded him how the chickens are such a vital part of the people existence and eating one would be taking away one of their food supplies. Well, one morning when I walked over to where Sherry was staying one of her kids let me know that the black dog was tied up. Sherry then told me that dog was probably not going to be here our next trip, in fact it would probably be gone as soon as we left. That night the dog had killed two of the families chickens. It is said that as soon as a dog gets a taste of chicken it needs that taste again. The sweet family wanted to wait until we had left so the kids with us did not get upset. So the black doggy may not be alive any longer, it should not have eaten the chicken. In Mexico you can get the death penalty for killing chickens!!