I have now been in Mexico for over a month and a half and over that time I have been blessed to watch many incredible sunsets. However what I did not expect in coming here was how bright the nights are. Because of the light pollution, during the night there is a perpetual feeling that the sun is always about to rise.
In the past couple weeks the gardens have come into full bloom so with the kids we have gone to pick some of the fruits. We have watermelons, figs, zucchinis and many other fruits and vegetables.
Many people know that Mexico is a poor country and that some regions (including the one I happen to be in) have an unprecedented amount of people living in poverty however for whatever reason among the shacks and makeshift cars there are many coffee shops each unique and tastefully decorated. They open early and often close late at 10 pm. The coffee shops are where people, especially the young people, gather to spend time together.
Sunset on the RanchA sunset out of the back of a pickup truck on the way to the beachA sunset at the church in Rosereto Another spectacular sunset on the RanchThe bright nights The view of the city from the Ranch at nightThe kids with the watermellonInside of a coffee shop on RoseretoInside another coffee shop
One of the sister ministries of Saint Innocents Orphanage and Casa Cuna Infant Orphanage is called Project Mexico Homebuilding. In this ministry volunteers come down for a week and in that time they build a house for an impoverished family living in Mexico.
On my days off from the Casa Cuna Orphanage I have been able to join one of the construction teams and assist in building a home. It would take many words to describe the struggles and joys of the days of labor.
Upon beginning the work day, we would gather and say the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish and pray for the Lord’s blessing on our work. The family that we built for would often join us for the prayer. After the long day of hauling rocks, sand, concrete, and lyme, mixing concrete and stucco, and putting in the walls and ceiling would begin. In the afternoon we would break for a lunch of PB and J and even though weary from the morning we stubbornly would finish the days of work. Glory to God for the dignity of man’s labor! Glory to God for the concrete burns and blisters! Glory to God for the strength to serve one another!
It’s 2 am and the ranch is finally still after a long day, the babies are sleeping peacefully in their cribs, the toddlers are splayed out on their beds, some upside down, some sideways, but all fast asleep. The night was filled with typical household chores; cleaning, laundry, dishes, but for what feels like a quick moment, everything is calm, til’ in the blink of an eye the chaos of running after 12 kids will start once again as the sun makes its return. Any minute I will hear little feet patter on the floor proclaiming their need for the “baño” and “agua”. And so the day begins in Tijuana Mexico at the Casa Cuna orphanage. But for now I sit on the couch and enjoy my moment of rest and calm.
It has been a crazy week full of interacting with black widow spiders, walking over the US/Mexico border to go to Walmart, and attending a very patriotic watch party of the soccer game between Mexico and South Africa.
There is always something happening and its constant chaos, however before it all starts there is a calmness that prepares for the storm. And if we prepare wisely for the storm it will pass with little damage. Glory to God for all things; the storms and the calm.
Outside my window on the Ranch (where the orphanages are located) The border between Mexico and the USWatching the FIFA soccer game between Mexico and South Africa. Viva Mexico! Out the window on our way to MexicoThe Casa Cuna Orphanage when all are asleepThe toys all finally put away
Don’t feel like you belong? Well, that’s probably because you are not of this world… Through all the brokenness, longing, and ravishing, a silent figure approaches but keeps silent, he knocks but does not enter. He too is not of this world even though he entered it. He created it in perfection, and it will one day be refined to perfection but right now we are in a cosmic drama of having the choice of which side to join: life or death.
There is a piece of art that adorns the walls of Keble College, Oxford in their side chapel called The Light of the World. It pictures Christ wearing a crown of thorns, holding a lantern that is shedding light on the dark scene, and knocking on a door. Painted by William Holmen Hunt in 1853, this icon is hauntingly beautiful in its use of light. And while much can be said about the brilliant workmanship of the masterpiece perhaps what is most remarkable about the painting is what is missing; the doorknob. The door on the outside lacks a doorknob. He knocks but we must answer.
Though the curse has long been broken Adam’s sons are still the prisoners of their fears Rushing helter-skelter To destruction with their fingers in their ears While the Father’s voice is calling With an urgency I’ve never heard before To come in from the darkness now Before it’s time to finally close the door
Adam, Adam, where are you?
Don Francisco
Though we resist it, our very being is crying out to answer the one who gives us life. The angels and the saints are praying for us to finally give ourselves wholly to our creator; not just our good parts but the broken, and the hurting parts. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)
November 28-29, 2025 Beginning of Advent in the Orthodox Church
Revived a recent tradition this afternoon as my oldest bought me a ticket to the yearly Messiah performance at Boston Symphony Orchestra by the Handel and Hayden Society. I cannot think of a better birthday gift. It is simultaneously a way to remember my departed mother whose repose began this tradition two years ago and to inaugurate the Advent season of preparation for our Lord’s coming in the flesh.
Drum roll please… The results are in for the 2024: Best of the Best in all the respective media categories. Please see below and also the archives for previous years. Happy viewing and reading everyone, and as always, we would love to know what you think in the comment section below. Separate reviews are linked on the underlined titles. Enjoy!
This is a paper that I wrote for my class about the Boston Massacre.
It was a weirdly chilly night in March 1770, in Boston. A soldier, a red coat was guarding King Street. His name was Private Hugh White. Private White was bored. It was peaceful at first but then Private White became distressed and jittery. He skittishly watched the street. He knew that there were scary and spooky colonists out that night, some of them were patriots: Patriots that were going insanely berserk about King George and his unfair laws and taxes.
Boston is truly a world class city. I was able to make it downtown tonight with my three oldest daughters and one of their friends. Have only done this late night trip into Boston 2-3 other times for fourth of July fireworks. When Tchaikovsky’s beautiful 1812 Overture begins (as I hear it now), the moment is beyond poignant.
Meow! I am an adorable, lovable, cute kitten named Myoky in ancient Egypt. People in Egypt love cats so much that they worship them. Some cats even get to wear hoop earrings like me. In this story, my owner Cleopatra falls in love with two emperors, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 69 B.C. She was queen more than 2,000 years ago. But before she was queen, a man named Ptolemy, a general, became king after Alexander the Great died.
Cleopatra is very smart, charming, and kind, and this is how she won back her kingdom from her brother and fell in love with an important Roman General. In 51 B.C. her father died, and that left the throne to Cleopatra and her younger brother. Her younger brother was Ptolemy the 13th, and he was not interested in being king so that left Cleopatra to the throne. But Ptolemy the 13th’s advisors did not want Cleopatra to be queen, so they kicked her and me out of Alexandria. Cleopatra went into Syria. Suddenly, a Roman general named Julius Caesar suspiciously entered into Alexandria. When Cleopatra found out that Caesar was in Alexandria, she returned to Alexandria. At Alexandria, Cleopatra decided to visit Julius Caesar. But how would she get to the castle to talk to Julius Caesar? Then I Myoky, gave her an idea because of course I am the smartest, cutest, and most sneaky cat in all of Egypt. That night a friend that Cleopatra trusted rolled her up into a rug and got into Alexandria as if the rug was a gift to Caesar. Cleopatra and Caesar had a whole night to talk. Caesar understood Cleopatra’s situation and he decided to help her. He wanted to end the fight and make Cleopatra and her brother co rulers again. Caesar and Cleopatra went into war with Ptolemy. After a dreadful, downer, and defective fight, Caesar and Cleopatra defeated Ptolemy’s army and drowned Ptolemy in the Nile River. Sadly, a Roman Senate stabbed Caesar at a meeting on March 15th,44 BC and Cleopatra was heartbroken.
Drum roll please… The results are in for the 2022: Best of the Best in all the respective media categories. Please see below and also the archives for previous years. Happy viewing and reading everyone, and as always, we would love to know what you think in the comment section below. Separate reviews are linked on the underlined titles. Enjoy!
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