LOVING LIFE in MEXICO

Our first anniversary trip to Loreto, Baja to visit my brother Ben at Casa Benito was fabulous!  Just one hour prior to picking Mike and I up at the airport, Ben and Eric had just returned ALIVE and SAFE from six days at Sea!  A solo swim from mainland Mexico to Loreto was attempted when the Sea of Cortez suddenly raged with 25 foot waves that nearly capsized the Alleycat!  Captain Benito returned to the Sea the following day to take Mike and I and the professional photographer Scott to Honeymoon Cove to snorkel. Mike snorkeled for the first time and cruised around with Ben in the dingy.  Saturday night we attended a fund raiser that benefits the youth of Loreto.  A grand five star hotel called La Mision is just two blocks from Casa Benito.  We dined with the crew of the solo swimmer and celebrated life with good food, fantastic music and dancing! Mike and I walked the stretch of the Sea on the new malecon and watched the sunrise and sunset on the Sea.  We laughed much and ate well with surpirse guests.  Norma and Ajay, Dena and Dale, Steven the Chaplain and Medic from San Francisco.  We will arrive in Chapala on Jan 1, 2014! 

Habla Espanol?

Taking beginner Spanish lessons at the Lake Chapala Society using the Warren Hardy (WH) method is for English majors, or teachers in general.  For Mike and I, the foundation course by Warren Hardy proved to be too difficult to grasp.  My FAITH in God makes my task of learning a new language after the age of 60 entirely possible!  The right teacher and the right

method are critical to our success! In our initial six week class using the WH method, the course began with ten students, five of which were there to repeat the beginning course for the second and third time. Our goal

remains to speak Spanish conversationally with the service staff at the cafe, the gas station attendant and with our maid.  We have found that if we SMILE while speaking what vocabulary we do know, our audience is most gracious, and they never try and correct our

grammar, they simply smile and nod with respect as they are thankful that we are trying. One Spanish teacher from the states reminded us to consider how we all learned English as a baby?

We mimicked our parents and siblings.  We learned a few words like ball, water, milk, etc. before we ever learned how to speak sentences properly. So the overwhelming amount of vocabulary

and advanced use of verbs and nouns will come later.  So what words are most useful?  LEARN these: Por favor, muchas gracias, Adios, Buenas Dias, como esta, quanto questa, and la quenta por favor. TRANSLATION: Please, thank you, good-bye, good morning, how are you, how much is it, check please!  READ COMMENTS below for more important vocabulary.

ASK for FAVOR

Ask for WISDOM, FAVOR and ANNOINTING.  Our reverence, our enraptured AWE, our distilled awareness of His power ~ "being still, and knowing that Jesus is God" is how we experience His favor. Christmas time at Lakeside is magical!  My weak knees buckle and fall to the ground as I honor WHO God is, and His lavish favor for selecting Chapala, Jalisco Mexico as the place He wanted me to live as I continue to work for Him!   Seek God with ALL your heart, and with eager anticipation, expect His favor to delight you in surprising ways.   Having enthusiasm or dwelling in another word, ENTHEOS, is to be in the presence of God ~ Feel His silent, invisible holy presence and smile wide! Where can we go were He is not?  Go to the place WHERE God Almighty, Yaweh, Yashua, the rock of ages hangs out....in your very midst, His Holy Spirit dwells right where you are.  Our Father Who art in heaven, holy is Thy Name, that Your kingdom is within, and that You take great pleasure in filling Your chosen beloved with FAVOR ~ HALLELUIA!  GO ahead and shout AMEN and give Him praise for His plan for those who actually ask ~ RECEIVE! ~ WHY? Because God is blessed by our consistent pursuit of His words, will and ways! Wisdom is supremely satisfying and our response to the call He placed on our souls, is His blessing, wisdom, and His annointing! Because of our passion for more of Christ, greater wisdom and certain understanding is poured into us. When we CLAIM the most prized treasure in the universe, we receive our reward in that instant! Holy insights, a word of knowledge, and pure revelation of His holy character keeps Him on the rightful throne of our hearts. Our God gives unmerited, unwarranted and unfathomable FAVOR to those who seek Him. SO SEEK and ASK and HE WILL DELIVER as He expands your capacity to receive all that He has planned to bless you with! AMEN ~

Mazatlan Beach Hotel

For special occasions we will return to this PGA grand Hotel on the beach of Mazatlan, five minutes from the airport. The drive to Mazatlan is on a brand new highway with 3 lanes going each direction.  No dangerous curves like the drive to Puerto Vallarta. This luxury hotel is situated in the middle of the golf course and it has its own private beach.  On the grounds you can ride a golf cart over to the turtle sanctuary. Each room has granite in the bathrooms and you can drink the water off the tap because the hotel employs USA standards. We stayed here in May 2015 and it was not hot...and a very short drive to downtown Mazatlan. Departing from the state of Jalisco, it is about a six hour drive to the state of Sinaloa where Mazatlan is located.  Book your reservation through HOTEL.COM for the best rate and earn points towards a FREE night at the Estrella del Mar Hotel.  GPS ADDRESS: Camino Isla de la Piedra KM 10, 82043 - Isla de la Piedra, Sinaloa

Gorgeous Guaymas

On the shores of Sonora, Mexico you can find much sun and fun!  Trek the hills, scuba, kayak, fish the sea, or ride a horse along the sandy beaches! The cool weather months of Nov thru March is when the gray whale arrives!  Come

witness the majesty while enjoying cooler temps! The whales get so close to the boats that people can almost touch them. These mammals attract worldwide news, it is a reoccuring natural event of great significance for the study of how to preserve this species.  Sonora Dolphinarium is a first class spectacle which allows interactive Dolphin touching. This unique activity helps kids with Down syndrome, Brain paralysis and other disabilities.  San Francisco Beach is one of the most visited and extensive areas, its gentle waves are perfect for

families to enjoy the water with boat trips, snorkeling and kayaking.  San Pedro Nolasco Island is located 45 minutes from the bay. It is considered a grand sanctuary for California sea lions and thousands of birds. The brown bobo and the pelican mingle with the scuba divers and snorkelers. The Tetakawi hill: is an emblem of San

Carlos. It is here that the Yaquis and Seri Indians survived.  Nuevo Guaymas is located 120 kilometers from Hermosillo and 390 kilometers from the border of the United States.  San Carlos is full of contrasts with beautiful landscapes that create a desire to linger, explore, and do some fishing or simply indulge in water and mountain sports. Ahhh, the healing powers of nature! BOOK online thru HOTELS.COM and get best deal.  American Express accepted.  View hotel: San Carlos Plaza Hotel GPS ADDRESS: Paseo Mar Bermejo Norte No4 | Los Algodones, San Carlos 85506, Mexico 

BUY car in Mexico

After much research on the COST to keep cars from the USA, we chose to sell cars in USA and then buy new car here at Lakeside.  We are happy with the car we chose and the service that we got from Spencer. He drove us into Guad and took us to various auto dealers. Spencer has been in business for over 15 years and his reputation is fantastic.  We wired money from the states and our banker at Bancomer has Spencer on speed dial. S & S Auto is located on the Carretera in Riberas.  Call  Spencer for appointment (331) 765-4800. 

Best B & B in Chapala

Oh my, oh my! Mucho gusto! Many of our local dog walking friends directed us to the "Q" a boutique hotel right off the malecon in central Chapala.  Officially named "Quintzalcoati" the "Q" offers glorious interior grounds with a cooling pool, lush tropical gardens and private balconies.  The peso cost per night for a couple is 800 pesos, and at our current exchange rate that is only $58.00 USA per night.  If you reserve a room for more than 8 days you receive a 10% discount.

Mike and I were given a tender private tour by the lovely Senora Margarita. Each room is mucho romantica.  The room we were shown has a walk in closet, and a small fridge for storing food items for longer stays. It is right off Zaragoza, right around the corner from the Hotel San Francisco, where a continental breakfast is served in a garden setting for only 55 pesos.  The "Q" a Deluxe Bed and Breakfast in Chapala

is only a short 8 block walk to our casa in Chapala. To plan a visit in the month of November, before Thanksgiving, you will enjoy not only our best weather, but many local events. Delight yourself in a stroll through the best Tiange (a private street fair of the very best artisans from Guad, Tonala, and surrounding villages). This major annual ART show is held at the Yacht Club. Also enjoy the colorful costumes and parade for the annual Fiesta for the Mexican Revolution!  Click links provided! Buen Provecho! "Feria Maestros del Arte" with Senora Donna.

HELPING HANDS FOR CASA

Steve Warwick is the Lakeside guy to lean on for all your remodeling or repairs. Our patio BEFORE Steve's magic, and below the AFTER Steve's improvements.  Tiling the back sun baked wall will prevent future maintenance.  The water fall works, and the entire patio was artfully screened in. Steve has built homes in Guadalajara, and remodeled in Cosala at the Racket Club. We contracted Steve to upgrade, remodel and design. CLICK into his website here: Steve Warwick and get a quote.  He keeps pretty busy, so call him in advance to get on his calendar.  General Construction, electrical, plumbing, custom iron work, swimming pools, septic. Steve honors his guaranty on all work and systems installed. STEVE CELL: 045-331-135-0763

Steve customized security screens on back patio, installed front door screen, installed ceiling fans, built a fireplace, built a custom hall closet, installed a water pressure system,  installed two air conditioning units, repaired roof leaks, painted the interior and exterior of our casa and installed a carport cover. We were referred to ABE to steam clean our tenaco and ajibe. Every six months one should have water tanks STEAM cleaned if you live in Chapala.  Abe's fee is only 1,500 pesos or $102 USA. CALL for Steve and Abe's great helping hands. ABE cell 331-480-6028

SPA DAY

The pleassure of a luxury spa day in an expensive spa does not last. The cost does nothing to purify and cleanse the soul. We were chosen by God and regarded as His treasure, not for our exterior appearance, but because our interior soul is His precious dwelling place. Going to His word, is to take a free trip to God's spa. Last night I watched "One night with the King" A movie that vividly brings the story of Queen Esther alive. Esther was required to stay in a spa for an entire year before she was chosen. She was bathed for six months with oils of myrrh and another six months with perfumes(Esther 2:12). Preparing her to come into the presence of the King, she was made to wait an entire year while seven ministering attendants took care of her every need. Over a year Esther had time to think of what whe would say, and what she would wear when she was called before the King. In the movie it was clear that the King found her mind, body and soul attractive. Her true beauty, her captivating essence was deeper than her appearance. Esther was a Jew that recited God's word to the King and His choosing of her as his queen was a testimony to what she treasured most, her relationship with God. Becoming the beauty that God recognizes as a personal treasure is to discover the hidden treasures of His word. Inner beauty glistens in the presence of the Holy Spirit, who delights to find a soul willing to seek God's word as if it were rubies and gold. God chooses us as we were found, covered in fear, doubt, shame and He makes us new creatures in Christ. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (she) is a new creation," Paul wrote, "the old is gone, and the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Amazing Makeovers occur when we choose to spend a spa day with the indwelt Master makeover artist, the Holy Spirit - the one sent by our Father, as Jesus promised. Open 24 hours a day, the price of admission has been paid in full. Thank you Father! AMEN

A CLEAN 2015 CHOICE

First year as Expats

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FELIZ ANO NUEVO = HAPPY NEW YEAR

Our 1st Christmas in Chapala

Our casa was filled with the laughter of new friends on December 5, 2014. What a joy to be entertained by our neighbors with jovial music, authentically prepared foods and intriguing conversations, at home. Our calendar bulges with invitations to Guadalajara, Ajijic, LaMision, Hope House, Love in Action and up in San Juan Cosala.  Lake Chapala Baptist Church hosted their traditional Christmas Choir and Soup Buffet on December 14th.  What a marvelous gathering of talent!

The LCBC choir also featured solos by three elementary aged saints and a compelling performance by Patrick! Four of our neighbors attended and they each remarked how blessed and touched they were by the opportunity to sing old fashioned Christmas carols and fellowship with refreshing, lit up people of God. Halleluiah and Merry Christmas!

Turkey at the RIU in PV

WOW we took a luxury ETN bus from Ajijic to Puerto Vallarta for Thanksgiving! Talk about comfort, it was like sitting in first class on a plane.  Travel time about 3.5 hours with two stops along the toll road.  There were five giant bus loads departing at the same time, each bus destined to a different hotel in PV.  This

year we stayed at the RIU Vallarta, just down the beach from the RIU Palace.  We purchased the all inclusive package.  The cost for the hotel, food and round trip bus for two people for 4 nites was only $800 USA. The unlimited food buffets and drinks at 4 different restaurants on the property included burgers at

the beach, Texas sized filet steaks, Japanese sushi, Designer Omelets, Fresh fruits, a dazzling array of yummy Deserts after each meal, Italian pasta,  German goulash, American meatloaf and a tantalizing turkey dinner shared with a festive group of 12 friends from Lakeside. On our first day we took a half

hour walk up the beach to get a one hour pampering massage for only $20 USA. The second day Barb rented a power packed jet ski for a half hour for $35 USA and jettisoned up and down the bay of Puerto...and for a time she was gleefully LOST at SEA with tales to tell.  On the third day Barb got her hair braided to keep her bangs under control while powering the Harley across the pillowy soft blue waters.

Senor Miguel enjoyed the buoyancy of the salt water, gently lifting him above the waves destined to crash on shore. What a delight to be drenched in the blazing glory of the most awesome sunsets we have ever witnessed! All in all we felt God's omnipresence as we tread joyfully about the hotel bumping into our church group and our gaggle of dog walking friends from the Chapala malecon.

VALUE at Villa Santa Paula

VIVA Chapala ~ What a gift! To be led by God to move to a new country and have all your needs met. Mike and Barb moved from gorgeous Galt to Lake Chapala in June 2014! We we delighted to give family and friends dishes, Christmas decorations, tools, linens, clothing, shoes, and garage items that are not needed in Mexico. We were able to be a blessing to others in our process of sizing down.  By not being attached to things, we were able to pass on our faith and our trust in God, by letting go of things that He may enrich us with the most valued possession of all....RELATIONSHIPS!

Wonderful neighbors surround us inside the security gates of Villa Santa Paula.  Albert, Jack, Virginia, Sergio and Cindy, Gary and Mila, Amy, Dan and Lynette, Maria, and Ricardo.  A grand shopping experience is just up Zaragoza off Pepe Guizar at the new Soriano Market.  The bus station that

takes us to Guadalaraja with friends is only 5 blocks at the corner of Calle Miguel Martinez and Francisco Ignacio.  We are also blessed with a bevy of friends at Lake Chapala Baptist Church in Riberas. A link to this church is found to the right on this blog, listen to Pastor Bob's sermons and feel renewed!  A short walk down ZARAGOZA and you arrive at the Malecon, the boardwalk that surrounds Lake Chapala. Retired from working for income, we now enjoy working full time for the Lord.  Living without financial concerns, we are living the abundant life, enabled to

be generous towards the needs of  others.  Our desire is to be a blessing, to be a difference maker, to shine a light where it is dark. Our souls have been conquered in Christ, chained to His chariot and He drives us safely over the cobblestones. We thank God for His plan and purpose for our lives. The airport in Guadalajara is only a 45 minute drive down a lovely road that swirls about the low ridge of mountains that surround the lake.

The city of Chapala is within 5 miles of Riberas, San Antonio, Chula Vista, La Floresta, Ajijic, and San Juan Cosala, in the State of Jalisco. Each town was built along the shores of Mexico's second largest lake. Mike and I are thrilled to learn more about the culture and be of service. What a blessing it is to live here as

a dual citizen of Mexico and the USA. God answered my hearts desire to where I could live and serve on a minimal retirement income.  In 1998, my brother's friends in Loreto directed me to check out Lake Chapala. Relying on the strength and courage of God going before me, I landed in Chapala on Christmas morning 1998.  I spent Christmas day with a family I had never met and it was

fantastically insightful and FUN! Trusting that God opened the door for me in Chapala, I arrived as a permanent resident in June 2014.  God is faithful and His provision of more than I need is marvelous!  He immediately arranged a ministry for me, in my home with women who live in my neighborhood.  He gave me new relationships at a new church, at Hope House, at Love in Action, and on the malecon. Mike and I lived at the RACQUET CLUB in January and February 2014 because our casa was rented out. We got to learn the city by taking the bus.  Hmmm, how does one say I am very happy? Mui Feliz! or to say I am very emotionally joyful. Estoy mui emotionada! 

God is full of surprises and as guests for two months, we joined Lake Chapala Baptist Church, and explored the entire lakeside area by foot and bus. Soul filling vistas all around, dotted with colorful people and tasty food. Our home is in the center of town and very near the old train station which has been restored to be used as a museum of fine art.

We celebrate and pray for our friends Eddie and Betty, Charles and Ruthie, Greg, Albert, Ron and Bobbi, Donna, Bernie, Gary and Mila, Dan and Joy, Lucy, Gary and Mila, Virginia, Amy, Dan and Lynette. Chapala is the place where God continues to stretch us, amaze us, bless us, grow us and use us. Casa De La Luz is a place where family and friends may rest safely in a happy environment of beauty. God went before me and opened doors and hearts to buy a casa with a surprise inheritance. God's plan to bless, not harm us...is entirely true! CLICK this: BELIEVE, PRAY, RECEIVE

POWER WORDS in Spanish

In November we enrolled in a beginner Spanish class through the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic. Necesito estudiar mi Espanol = I need to study my Spanish. Necesito deposito. I need to make deposit. Mi gusta! I like. Quiero ( kee air o ) I want. Porque = Why. Quiero comida sin picante = I want lunch without hot/spicy. Aqui = Here. Que = What. Donde = Where is. Como = How do you say. Con = With. Pero = But. Mas = More. Menos = Less. Todo = All. Nada = Nothing. Mi = My. Tus = Yours. Hoy = Today. Mas tardes = Later. Quanto Questa? How much is it? Donde es basura? Where is the trash? Donde es bano? Where is the bathroom? Peligro = Danger. Llenar tanque con Magna, por favor. Fill my tank with unleaded please. Como say yama? What is your name? Mucho Gusto = My pleasure. Necesito comprar regalo. I need to purchase gift. Si Senor = Yes sir. Vamanos = Lets go. Necesito pensar = I need to think. Quien = who. Y = and. Quiero pedir = I want to order. Un regalo para mi espouso = a gift for my spouse. Quiero invitarios a la iglesia = I want to invite you to church. Tengo que limpiar mi casa = I have to clean my house. Necesito ayuda con el neumatico desiflado = I need help with flat tire. Arriba = Up. Adios = good-bye. TORTE DE CUMPLEANOS = BIRTHDAY CAKE. Feliz ano nuevo = Happy new year. Egualamente = same to you. Gracias = thanks.