This Morning

This morning, like every other morning, I woke up scratching new mosquito bites. I looked for my shoes to go outside because the bathroom inside was being used, but one shoe was missing. I looked under my bed and found my flip-flops.

I stepped outside and saw the chewed-up garbage the dogs had played with during the night all over the yard. There was my chewed-up shoe, too, in the middle of the mess. I had left it inside by the door, so they must have reached it through the door at night (our door doesn’t close all the way, which is why mosquitoes get inside).

I went to the kitchen to get a cup for water, but all the dishes were dirty. Dallin is in charge of dishes, but he was working at the ropes course most of the day yesterday, and he didn’t get them done.

I thought that maybe I could help him with a few… but then I found we had no water. I went outside to turn on the pump and heard water running off the ceiling. The hose had come off the water tank.

Bill had already left to go help at the ropes course, so I went inside to get my phone to ask our neighbor if we could borrow a ladder to fix the hose. But the internet was not working, and I didn’t have cell access on my phone (because I can’t get the phone company to accept my credit card, even though I have paid them with it in the past).

This reminded me that I needed to ask my mom to borrow money again to pay the workers today who are building the house and for the rest of the material. I prayed we would find a way to make money with the ropes course, in addition to using it for the school, since we didn't get enough people enrolled in English classes to make the finances work.

For now, we needed water though, but instead of going to knock on my neighbor's door (since it was too early in the morning for me to socialize), I decided to start cleaning my room, hoping the internet would turn back on soon.

Joy came in and asked me again when our house would be finished because she did not want to take another cold shower this morning.

I heard a crash. I went outside and saw the dog got on the table and knocked over a glass vase and a carton of milk. Glass and milk were everywhere, so I tried to find a broom, but as I was searching, I heard a message on my phone, which meant the internet was back on. I texted my neighbor. He brought over a ladder.

Now, I am waiting for Dallin to wake up so he can get on the roof and fix the leak.

Sources of Courage and Strength

Life in Mexico hasn’t been easy, but there are some sweet moments and incredible people who give us the strength and courage we need to find joy in it all.

The fact that Benjamin Allen (from CLAS ropes) drove to us from Utah has inspired many people here. Our super kind building manager (and friend) said he was inspired to donate 2 weeks of his time to the project, too. He said, “If Benjamin is willing to do so much, I want to do my part too.”

Another man is helping us with the carpentry. We are paying him, but the fact that he came out of his house to help is the real miracle. He is an anti-social artist and leaves his home about 2 times a month just to get groceries. He says he is enjoying working with Benjamin and has also donated tools and other things to help. We are so blessed to have his skills and talents!

Plus, we are super grateful that some of you have also donated so much to help us get started. We could not have gotten this far without you.

Then there is our Heavenly Father.

Yesterday, I was driving to Solferino for an interview for KSL with Ben. It had been another hectic morning, and I felt rushed and stressed. I prayed for help with the interview: that I would know the right words to say, for the internet to work, and for peace in my heart. Then I turned on some peaceful music.

It’s a 25-minute drive, and as I talked to Heavenly Father on the way there, I felt His love and peace so strongly. As I pulled into town and saw the people, I felt so much love for each of them; I could see my dad or my brothers in each of their faces. I also felt love for the person who would be interviewing us (even though I hadn’t met her). I was no longer nervous.

I knew that this feeling was beyond my capacity, and it helped me to remember that God is with us in this work. That is the courage I need in order to do anything hard worth doing.

So for now, I will go clean up the glass and go get Dallin to get on the roof (sometimes I just have to write in order to get perspective, so I stepped away to write this before cleaning up the glass 😂)

It’s a crazy life, but it’s a blessed one ❤️