habit- 17 november

baking pies is never a chore. never.

habit- 16 november

I really don't know why anyone would have cranberries out of a can...

habit- 15 november

we cheered and the time went by in a flash. it seemed like a good hurdle to get past.

habit- 13 november

being a soccer mom, well, it can be complicated, as much because of the parents as the girls...

habit- 12 november

I think we'd all be as happy if our best buddies came over for to spend the night.

habit- 11 november

shhh... don't tell. It was medicinal. :-)

habit- 10 november

It takes a while, doesn't it?

habit- 9 november

sometimes it is hard to know the right thing to do.
sometimes, though, it is not hard at all.

habit- 8 november

the musty, dusty smell of fall arrived in an envelope in the mailbox and we all smiled. thanks, friend.

habit- 7 november

a thorn in the flesh- the only consolation is listening to the sermon while folding.

Puente Internacional

It takes about 10 miles and 15 minutes to cross the Rio Grande River and be in Reynosa, Mexico from where we live. Going to Mexico is fast. It takes about 10 miles and a minimum of one hour to cross the Rio Grande River and be back in Texas. Crossing the bridge back into the US is slow.

We pay the toll on the Mexican side of the bridge, 24 pesos or $2 and immediately choose a lane. My husband swears the far right lane moves the most quickly, because at the other side of the bridge, the lanes fan out and traffic disperses more efficiently. I like the right lane because we can see over the bridge. On a Sunday afternoon, traffic moves at a slow crawl, if at all.

There is a sign on the bridge that says in Spanish and in English,
No Loitering

Sale or Purchase of Items is Prohibited

Penalties/Fines
No Pedestrian Traffic Allowed

That sign makes me laugh.

We haven't finished paying the toll before the first guy wants to wash our windshield. Before we cross the bridge we will be asked to

have our windshield and windows washed,

and have the car buffed.

We will have the opportunity to buy

chicharrones (fried pork rinds),

sunscreens for the windows,

water,

jewelry,

popsicles,
stuffed dolls,
garden statues,

pumpkin seeds and peanuts,

cell phone holders,

fresh fruit cups,

hammocks,

crucifixes,

hats,

candy and gum,

Mary statues,

bread,

and Smurf dolls.

And a blind man led by a lady,

two different men with only one leg,

a man in a wheelchair,

and a lady with a baby

will have asked us for money.

I smiled at one man, and he relentlessly followed us, convinced we needed him to wash our windows.

We leave the windows up, or the products come in. We shake our head "no" incessantly.

And we inch our way back to the crossing and back into the US.

habit- 6 november

The sweet man complimented me on my singing. I had to confess. I am quite sure that it wasn't my voice he was enjoying.

Advent calendar give away!

Go over and look what they are giving away over at Amoretti! It's an advent calendar from the shop at the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

No Santas, no snowmen for me.
I'll choose an advent calendar or a nativity scene every time. :-)

habit- 5 november

"Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"

I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country."
Psalm 57:8-9 (The Message)

habit- 4 november

at the end of the week, all I really wanted to do was rest.

habit- 3 november

so many nice things about the day, but really, the biggest laugh came when I saw my friend's head dash in front of the camera...
:-)

habit- 2 november

they were the nicest surprise of fall yet.
(although finding clearance candy was pretty good too...)

habit- 1 November

I have a habit, of daily checking in at Habit. And this month, in recognizing their 1000th post, they are encouraging others to participate also. So, I just might...

1 November 2011

They won their first game, but overall the day never had a good rhythm.

a few more colonia shots

Border Witness Experience

"to connect the reality that people are living with those who do not know or understand it; to assist in understanding the reality of the border through personal contact; to give voice to those who struggle to surmount oppression and assert their dignity; to service as an educational resource..."
- the goals of the ARISE Border Witness Experience

Listening. Learning. Observing.
We spent Monday with Ramona at ARISE, a local non-profit agency helping immigrants to the United States, focusing on programs in Early Childhood education, English language training, and cultural and creative activities. Our primary focus was to learn more about colonias, among the poorest of neighborhoods here along the border, and indeed, among the poorest of communities in the United States.

We had the privilege of sitting in a neighbor's living room and hearing her story of immigration and the difficulty of everyday life in the United States (while only being somewhat distracted by her two very cute kids). We heard the testimony of women who are working with ARISE, and how the experience impacts their lives. We listened to a Sister of Mercy tell of what she learned while serving in an immigrant shelter in Reynosa, Mexico. We were fed exceedingly well, both academically and with tasty Mexican food!

And then we spent time driving through nearby colonias, and witnessing first hand some of the conditions these people experience. We saw tiny, postage stamp sized apartments, that rent for more than seems possible or equitable, and houses constructed from shipping palettes. We heard how in these neighborhoods plagued with gang activity, there are yet no street lights to illuminate the neighborhoods after dark. We saw fire hydrants painted red, to signify that they do not work. We were told of the potential perils of living next to irrigation ditches, and the very real possibility of annual flooding in these low lying areas.

We also heard stories of hope, of community organic gardens being established, of solar water heaters being installed to save money. We saw homes where neighbors gather to learn and share talents and gifts. We witnessed evidence of small businesses growing up, and entrepreneurship alive and well. We saw that crazy mix of culture so unique to this area, of horseback riders talking on cell phones and cornfields next to palm trees and taquerias alongside Subways.

Overall, we left blessed, encouraged and inspired by the experience, while yet sobered by the realities of the communities so geographically close.There are so very many Scripture mandates, requiring us to love our neighbors, to show compassion to the aliens in our land, to fight for justice, to show hospitality to all.  How ARISE serves the community, not doing that which people can do for themselves, developing relationships and knowing people well, meeting in neighborhood homes, patiently growing and developing new roles after 25 years of service,  is a great model for me as we continue to move forward. Thanks to Ramona and all the ladies at ARISE for a great Border Witness Experience.