the new "normal"

I am failing in my pledge to blog more in 2008.

As I was thinking about why, I realized that early on things were so different and strange that every day created exciting stories to share. Lately, however, we have felt very much at home here. Over time, you adapt to a new environment and create new routines and a new "normal" for your family. I believe that has been God blessing us and helping us feel at home here where he has placed us for the time being.

So, in short, here are a few updates as part of our new "normal".
1) we have now had three weeks of video messages with Marco and my fourth week of preaching in the english services. Both have been well received, we have continued to add people each week. This weekend, we had around 280 adults between the three services...including 40 in the english service.
2) As a language update, I have now completed the rosetta stone program and can follow a conversation pretty well. I am also trying to force myself into situations of having to speak the language more...that is usually the last piece that comes. Kaycee is sometimes a little too busy for formal lessons with two little kids right now, but she is learning and practicing with our helper Wendy who now lives with us. Emmy just yesterday spit out her first few un-prompted spanish words that I have heard. She spouted "hola" to Wendy as she saw her in the morning, and was telling me "Ven daddy" to get me to come follow her. The latter of which was not taught by us. Amazing how sharp the 2-year-old mind is.
3) Our message series are now in sync with Community of Faith - Houston and so we are set to begin a series called "One Month to Live" on Feb 16/17 here in Cancun. We are working on marketing the church through this series and hope to bring in new people who are un-churched and do not know Christ. Also, we are planning on new service time schedule starting that weekend to hopefully spread out the crowds a little better between the services and to accommodate growth. We will have a Saturday night spanish service at 7:30, Sunday morning at 9:30 (english), 11:00 (spanish), and 12:30 (spanish). The good thing about our Spanish preacher is he doesn't get tired no matter how many services we do. Please pray that God will bring people to hear His word and experience Him.
4) We are excited to be hosting my mom for a long weekend coming up. "Grammy" is coming to see the grandbabies primarily (without a doubt), but is also bringing a gift for Emmy and the family...a 6-week-old, white, bishon-mix, puppy. We are planning to call him Morpheus since he fits the image so well.

Well, we hope to hear more from you guys as well...we covet your continued prayers.

-NW