Holy Mole! Let’s Taco ’Bout our Mission in Mexico!

  Enjoy Pat's recent vlog of inspiration -  When You Feel Alone

Our recent week-long trip back to the U.S. was a whirlwind of both work and family joy. The main task: securing our official Menaje (Household Goods Import Certificate) from the Mexico Consulate in Phoenix. Mission accomplished!  From there, we soaked up some poolside moments and sweet visits with Kim’s family before heading to Wyoming. In Wyoming, we rolled up our sleeves to sort through our household goods for their second journey south. It’s funny what three months of distance can do—suddenly, three bags of “essentials” didn’t seem so essential after all! We also had the blessing of celebrating with the Lewis family at our niece Whitney’s beautiful wedding to Kasey—a true highlight of the trip. Back in Puebla, we arrived just in time for the vibrant festivities of Mexico’s Independence Day. Participating in the traditional Grito de Dolores —the powerful cry of “¡Viva!”—was unforgettable. The night pulsed with joy, music, and the colors of freedom and unity. Then came a rain...

We officially wrapped up our Spanish classes last week! Each day we get a little braver with rolling our R’s and untangling verb conjugations. If we really concentrate (and maybe squint a little), we can carry on a conversation and understand most of what’s being said. My co-worker assures me that in six months we’ll be pros—which I think means we’ll at least stop accidentally asking for “soap” when we meant “soup.” Faith, patience, and a good Spanish translator are our daily companions! To celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary, we took a quick trip to the beaches of Veracruz.  It was four hours each way on a bus, but every bumpy mile was worth it. My favorite café had a delightful system: you clank your fork against your glass to summon hot milk for your coffee, while a mariachi band plays just steps away.  Toes in the sand, mariachi in the air, food that tasted like heaven—it was our littl...