Starting Over

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE OF MEL

I have begun in earnest to clear out the apartment for the big move. We are selling, throwing, or giving away nearly all of our belongings in order to reduce the load and possible complications of taking a household into southern Mexico. We plan to start fresh once we get down there.

Moving Day #1 will be the week of May 28th. This is when we will be leaving our apartment and moving in with my uncle and aunt for the summer. Our lease was up at the end of May, and rather than spending even MORE on rent this summer (because of the month-by-month cost increase) we decided to save the money. We'll also do some traveling to visit family and friends before we go.

Moving Day #2 will come sometime in September - either the beginning or end. We're trying to figure out the vaccination schedule for Kaitlyn. If we can get them done in Mexico then we'll leave in early Sept. But if we have to get them here we'll leave at the end of the month.

Thanks to our church family at Hosanna, and our families' churches (New Life Outreach and Iglesia Del Pueblo) for helping us with the purchase of the camper for our truck. Hosanna will be pulling together a dynamite BBQ plate fundraiser the first Sunday of June (Thanks for grilling, Brother Juan!) and we're scheduled to speak and minister at Iglesia Del Pueblo on the last Sunday of July. Of course, we'll be popping in to my parents' church New Life Outreach throughout the summer. What a blessing to have so many friends and family supporting us in our ministry and this call. We love you guys!

"Back to Work"

I've returned to work this week. Kaitlyn has been doing really well - gaining weight, going potty, eating well...doing everything she should be. For those of you who were not filled in, she was born at 35 weeks and had to spend two weeks in the Neonatal ICU for oxygen, feeding, and jaundice problems. Thank God she was off the oxygen in about 3 or 4 days. Her little lungs started working full speed on their own. Her sucking reflex, however, took a while to kick in. Her inability to eat well caused her to lose weight (which I know is a normal occurance in any newborn), but it also produced some higher levels of jaundice. There were IV's and feeding tubes being put in and taken out in cycles as she was able or unable to eat on her own.

But she's been home for three weeks and has really gotten the hang of it all! We are so thankful that she had very minor issues compared with so many other premature children. I've been asking God to give me a greater compassion for people. I realized towards the end of Kaitlyn's hospital stay how God had used this situation to do just that. Walking through a Neonatal ICU can be heartbreaking as you see parents coming in and out - sometimes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months - to see their baby who in some cases is struggling to just survive. It was so difficult for me to turn Kaitlyn over ENTIRELY to the One who created her, and my heart went out to the parents and children who had their own wrenching struggle. As I began to be familiar with some of the babies and parents we saw there on a regular basis I began praying for them and their battle. My eyes were opened to the plight of so many - those who are bedridden or homebound, those endlessly confined to hospital beds, the families of those who are ill ... I have realized due to personal experience why the church must reach out to these. They need special grace and strength to fight and endure. They need the encouragement and support of those whose faith is strong and ready to stand with them in battle. I pray that God continues to open my heart towards others in new ways.

I'm going to try AGAIN to get a picture up of Kaitlyn. For some reason my photos are not uploading to the site. If anyone has any suggestions please share!

Love to all

Kaitlyn Rose Rodriguez

Our new baby girl has arrived! Kaitlyn Rose Rodriguez was born on March 27, 2007. Yes, she came quite early - three weeks premature. I'll post again a bit later with details. But for now, here's a picture of our girl...

Praise

Well, God has already answered one of our highest-priority requests: We have a buyer for one of our cars!! After service Wednesday night, Abner spoke with one of the members of our church about selling the Malibu (which he was driving that night). She looked it over and said, "I'll buy it - and pay cash." Short and simple. Holy-moley!!

Things have been a little tense at times about the car situation. We're trying to walk in faith, and not try to force things ourselves. This was certainly a God-ordained answer to prayer, and we're so thankful that He moves at just the right moment.

In the personal arena, Melodee has finally recovered from a long fever/coughing/runny nose marathon - and now Mommy has it. The yucky, achey part is over, but the wrenching cough is in full swing. Not much fun hacking around all day, making my very-pregnant tummy very sore. BUT - at least I'm not puking or having fever/chills issues! Praise the Lord! Should be back to normal in a day or two.

Interesting quote to leave you with:
"Thinking is what a great many people think they are doing when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." - William James

The Mexico Move

Preparations continue for the Mexico move. We are working on Abner and Melodee's passports, since the new travel laws for land/sea border-crossing will take affect 1/1/08. We are also praying that God will show us what to do about our two cars. We need to get rid of the two payments, and want to buy a used truck that will be more appropriate for the travel and conditions of Mexico. We will certainly need supernatural intervention in this area, since we've had our Honda CR-V for only a year. Kinda' hard to sell directly to a third party.

We're also getting ready to welcome Baby 2. The sonogram at the doctor's on Wednesday seems to indicate that it will be another girl. The sonographer didn't seem totally sure, though, so we'll be prepared either way. Now to come up with a girl's name that is as wonderful as "Melodee Joy"! What a challenge. We have until April to work on the possibilities, though. So if you have any suggestions, feel free to drop a line.

Abner will be performing his senior recital sometime in late June or early July. He has been finished with his classes since this summer, and began working for Harlingen CISD as the choir accompanist for two of the middle schools. He's excited about finally completing the requirements for his Piano Performance degree. He's certainly worked hard for it.

Melodee is going to be two and a half at the end of February, and seems ready to be a big sister, as well as a missionary. Lately she's started saying "I wanna go t' Mexcio!" Last week she even began crying that she wanted to go. I'm not sure if she's thinking it's a store or restaurant to go to, or if there is some deeper spiritual thing going on. It's really sweet, though, to hear her talk about it.

As for our mission: We are going as missionaries, and though we don't know where all of this will lead, we are open to a short or long term calling. We will be moving to Comalcalco where Abner's brother has started a church, and begin assisting him in developing a worship team and musicians to lead in services and outreaches. We are also expecting God to move us out of our comfort zone as far as ministry opportunities - moving us beyond music into other areas. We are planning to be in full time ministry, although we are both open to supplementing our income with teaching, recording, etc. I am excited about eventually starting free ESL classes through the church for its own members as well as an outreach for the community. Abner also plans to continue working on recording projects. I'm sure we'll be busy, busy, busy!

Though we have our plans, we know that God's Will will be done . We trust that He'll show us our next steps more clearly as we get closer to the day! Thanks for your prayers and for sharing in this exciting journey. God bless!