It was brought to my attention that I did not have a picture of my Dad on my website...so for those of you who don't know him...this is Ed Gonzalez (a.k.a. Dad or El Capitan).



Here is El Captain in action in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Caleb and my dad are exploring the possibilities of Mission Discovery starting some projects in Ecuador.

I have often struggled with doing the mission work that we do in Mexico and then coming back to a privileged American middle class life. I am constantly waring between two worlds and trying to reconcile them. How do I leave people with dirt floors and walk on polished tile floors in my home and not have a heart that is changed? I must be filled with compassion to act on their behalf and more than just three months out of the year. How come I have what I have? I can only know that it truly is not mine and what God has given me...I pray I can turn it into a blessing for someone else.

I came to the conclusion that I am Paris Hilton... a rich girl who spent some time in the slammer who is vowing to prove that her time in jail has changed her. I cannot judge her...I just want what I think she wants now...to make a difference in someone's life.

Caleb and I keep thinking of a quote from a really bad movie "The Day After Tomorrow"...

"What can we do?"

"Save as many as you can..."

Although from what I have experienced, the poor are not begging to be rescued from poverty, though yes, they need help... in a very strange way we are saving each other... and helping each other have a better life.

The wonderful game of musical chairs surpasses all language barriers. This game was part tof VBS in the colonia. It was so much fun to watch! We had an awesome week 2 in Reynosa...12 families got new homes, Brandon traded a hammock for a bed (see pictures in album), and I got the amazing opportunity to wash the feet of three Mexican women. In the past I though that washing someone's feet was something beautiful that Jesus did as a symbol of His love and service...and it really served a purpose because the disciples feet were actually dirty. It always kind of irritated me when Christians today did this. What sacrifice is it to wash a clean middle class foot? Is it really necessary or dirty from wearing Nikes? What did it benefit? Well, I got the real deal last week. It was one of the muddiest weeks in the colonia and our feet were covered in mud. This was especially true fo the Mexican women who primariliy wear sandals. It was an amazing opportunity that blessed me more than it blessed these women and I will truly never read John 13 the same way again. In a small way I was able to experience the humility of Jesus...and it blew me away.

What is Mission Discovery? This picture answers part of that. It is people building small homes (casitas) for the poor and through this act sharing the love of God. The purpose is to be the Gospel in action to people in desperate need. Mission Discovery facilitates for families and youth groups to participate in building houses and churches, helping orphanages, and a variety of other things. Serving with Mission Discovery is our passion and definitely the highlight of our year. I will be posting albums from each week.

One more thing...this week it was family camp. Each home was built not by youth groups, but by families. It was so awesome to see them grow and work together. The children were awesome and it neat to see them interact with the Mexican children. I hope and pray that next year the Carruth and the Gonzalez family will also be building a house. Let me know if you're interested and we can mark our calendars. It is the experience of a lifetime!

June 11th was the four month anniversary of my Nana's passing. I just needed to say that I really miss her. I wish that we could meet for coffee and watch the Today show. I wish I could sit with her at Luck Snapper and watch the sun set in Destin. I wish that we could lay by her pool together and drink Fresca. I wish I could tell her about my classes and the good sale that Nordstrom was having. I wish I for so many things...but mostly just to be with her. Time is such a strange thing. How can it seem as though it were yesterday when we were at Ella's first birthday together and yet seem so long ago when died of cancer? But still God holds time in His hands...

My poor little niece...she is so dejected, but she did say "sorry" immediately upon her release from timeout.

Caleb & I at our favorite place to take a picture. -Grayton Beach, Florida


Favorite picture from the week. Ella and I found a dolphin. -Destin Harbor

I am giving this website a try as a way to share pictures from our travels. Click on Destin Album to see more pictures.