La Hacienda

This past Monday, after our conference, we had a lot of running around to do.

Beau had worms. And we needed to get him some pills for 'em. We also needed to go grocery shopping. But before we left we had to run by Armando's house. 

This is a little hard to explain, but I'll try. Armando and Israel are brothers. They are the ones that built our house. They, and their sister, live on the same piece of property. Right down the street lives their other sister and her husband. So between these four families, they make up half of our youth group and about 1/3 of our Sunday school. And in Mexico, what do we do when we get together? Play soccer! (minus Bethany...sports and I don't mix).

Anyways, we went around to each families' house gathering their kids to form 2 teams. In the end, we rounded up most of our youth group and some of their friends. We had just gotten started playing when out come Bro. and Sis. Our Parents waving and saying, "Time to get going." What should we do?! Hmm...grocery shopping or hanging out with da peeps? So we decided that we'd meet up with el Daddy-o later.  

After they left, someone mentioned going to 'La Hacienda'. Looong story short...we FINALLY all got in the back of their truck and headed over to this place. 

I was super surprised when we got there. It was so gorgeous! Huge trees everywhere, green grass. We don't see a lot of that here.

First we went to Eduardo's house (which is behind him...really!)

On to the next house!

Waiting, again...

We got some players!

In the truck, about to leave for La Hacienda.

Wait! One more passenger...

Israel carrying his sister, Rocio. 

Hortencia (Israel's wife), Fernando, Israel, Miguel, and Alejandro.

Alejandro...

...and Miguel putting up the swing. 

Maribel, Jazmin, Veronica, Daniela, and Alejandra.

The kids were SO nervous about going into the cemetery and 'disturbing the dead'. The Catholic church here is all about death. Jesus' death, what to do for your family members when they die, how to save them from hell after they die...and the number one thing we know the Catholics for is DEAD church!! So we had a good talk about how Jesus is all about LIFE (and once your dead...your dead!) 

The cemetery.

Maribel, Veronica, and me. 

'They' say that years and years and years ago when this man and woman died, every time someone would go and visit their grave a hand or a foot would be sticking out. Thus the chains--to keep 'em down. 

The girls.

Nicole on the swing.

Me. 

Maribel. 

Everyone got a turn. 

Even the adults. 

Israel and Armando tormenting Miguel. 

Another game of soccer. 

When we got back to the house it was about 9:30. Nicole and I were getting ready to say our adios-es when Israel said, "Can you guys eat with us?" 

Us- "Uhhh...sure!" (We knew this would be an experience). 

So we all hopped back into the truck and through the forest and rivers we went. Literally. 

I'm glad this all happened though. Now we have another place to take the Americans that come and visit us. :)

They bought a bunch of meat and stuff to make salsa. It was really interesting, going to the grocery store with them. When WE go, we get in there, get what we need, then get out. But for them...goodness gracious! We wandered through that store for about an hour. (We could've been out of there in 10 minutes). 

Then, back to the house. 

Israel put on some music and we sat around waiting for food, went to sleep, and/or 'helped' make the food. 

Anahi and Nicole

Bethany and Maribel

Adriana making green salsa in the molcajete, which is a stone bowl and its smasher-thingy. 

They tried to teach me how to do this, but it just turned into one big laugh fest. 

My wrist/arm muscles were quivering and I was thinking, "Don't these people just have a blender?!"

But no-o-o. Armando says he doesn't like salsa made in a blender because "it has foam. With the molcajete there is no foam." Thank God his wife is so sweet (and has wrist muscles). 

Then we finally ate. 

The salsa was so delicious, but so stinkin' spicy that it made me want to rip my gums out. But after all the trouble they went to to make it, what was I gonna say? "I prefer foamy salsa?"