Cheers to 2026!

Happy New Year!

The holiday season flew by in a blink. Christmas in Mexico was beautifully, unexpectedly different—rich with color, rhythm, and reverence.

We loved seeing the season through another culture’s eyes, though the biggest difference this year was a tender one: we weren’t with our family, and that absence was deeply felt. Still, Puebla held us in its joy. From celebrating the coming of Christ, through the twelve days of Christmas, and all the way to Día de los Reyes, we were reminded that even when traditions shift and settings change, the heart of the story never does.

We even attended our first Mexican Methodist potluck. Let me just say: Yum. Loaves and fishes have nothing on this crowd.  I would add this experience as a few of my top favorite gastronomical feasts in Puebla!

Christmas Eve services were especially beautiful. Imagine singing all the hymns you know and love—in Spanish. It was powerful and joyful, ending with “Silent Night,” just like many churches around the world. One cultural detail made us smile: the candles were small, colorful, and handed out in birthday cake candle boxes. How perfect for celebrating Jesus’ birthday!  There were no wax catchers, no repeated safety warnings, and even the kids held real candles—no battery-operated substitutes. Amazingly, there were no injuries or fires! Just light, joy, and a shared sense of peace. 

After the service, we went to a co-worker’s home for a traditional Mexican Christmas dinner that began at 9 p.m. and stretched well into the night, ending with sparklers and a brightly colored piñata. (We made it until about midnight—victory!) We also had fun making cinnamon rolls to share, blending traditions and creating something new together.  It was so wonderful to celebrate and be included as family with Cata and Mirna’s extended family. Back to the pinata… has anyone else ever attempted to whack a piñata with such enthusiasm that they dislodged a rib near their sternum? No? Just me? My athletic prowess continues to amaze! So off to the chiropractor I went. He was very interested in how I injured myself and was absolutely fascinated by the details—especially the color of the piñata and what kind of candy was inside. Clearly, all the important diagnostic questions!

Pat continues to recover from his discectomy and is getting around quite well. In fact, he’s doing so well that he even survived a Walmart, Costco, and Home Depot shopping trip—clearly proof that miracles still happen. In reality, his surgeon recommended walking in malls and large stores because they have smooth, predictable surfaces. Mexico, however, is not particularly sentimental about sidewalks. Cracks, potholes, and surprise elevation changes are everywhere, making daily walks feel less like physical therapy and more like an obstacle course designed by Ninja Warrior. So off to big-box stores we go—prescribed shopping as part of the healing journey.

A friend from the U.S. asked how we manage healthcare with such limited Spanish. Around the same time, a friend here in Mexico said, “Thank you for believing in Mexico and trusting us with your healthcare.” Somewhere between hand gestures, smiles, and prayer, we discovered that connection doesn’t require perfect grammar—just humility and trust.

Once Pat had his stitches removed and was officially cleared by the surgeon, we escaped to the ranch to quietly ring in the New Year. (He does have 2 months of PT ahead of him!)

One of my favorite moments was seeing Pat pick up the guitar again—it felt like a small but meaningful return to normal.

Being at the ranch was good for the soul. It was also a joy to see Capuline—one of the ranch dogs who was injured in a dog attack in early December—back to his old self and thriving again with his pals.

We took some time to explore a nearby village and couldn’t help but smile when we passed a pharmacy with a sign that felt especially fitting. It seemed to declare that all we really need for a successful future is the love and medicine of Jesus.

On New Year’s Eve, we wandered through the local mercado. The food, as always, was incredible and never fails to amaze us.

Back at the ranch, we continued the ongoing project of cleaning up the house—and evicting the bugs. This time, I tried my own homemade snake and bug repellent: steel wool infused with cloves, rolled into screen material, and stuffed into every crack we could find. Fingers crossed this remedy does the trick.

One evening, while visiting outside the house with a ranch co-worker named Joel, I commented on a quirky bug crawling past us. He casually said, “That’s a chinche.” I had no idea what that was, so thank goodness for Google Translate…

They grow 'em big in Mexico!

I loved having the time to take long walks and soak up the beauty of the ranch, especially around sunrise.  

I love cuddling the newborn baby goats. Two were born while we were there, with six more mamas still waiting—so the baby boom is far from over. Cuddling baby goats ranks just below puppies in my book, which is saying a lot.

The last male goat arrived on New Year’s Eve, so we named him Ultimo. A female followed on January 1st, and we called her Beni (BNY = Baby New Year). We’re especially fond of her tiny black socks.

The next baby will be named Jet—because apparently we’re channeling a bit of Elton John with our goat names for 2026. Our Mexican co-workers don’t quite get it, but it makes us ridiculously happy.  

We also checked on the progress of a low-income cob style home being built for Francisco and his family of five. After the 2017 earthquake caused half of their home to fall down the mountainside, they’ve spent eight years living under tarps and makeshift walls—holding onto hope and trusting that God would one day provide a safe home again.

Though the progress may look small, we've cleared off what remained of the original home and we’re nearly ready to pour the foundation, preparing for a U.S. mission team to build the walls and second story. Set on a steep mountainside, every piece of material must be carried up by hand—each step a reminder that God often builds His miracles slowly, through faithful hands and willing hearts.

One of our greatest honors was being invited to a co-worker’s English language graduation ceremony. It was incredibly inspiring. Each graduate delivered a 2–3-minute speech about their goals and dreams. For anyone who has ever tried to learn a second language (and felt their brain melt), you know what a huge accomplishment this is. Clara and her classmates were amazing reminders that perseverance pays off—and that God delights in courage and growth.

Then we watched two other co-workers shine at church. Ivonne led our church’s youth Christmas program, and she was amazing. 

Cata inspired us with his singing with the Men's Group. Watching people lead with confidence and faith is one of those moments that makes you quietly whisper, “Thank you, God, for letting us witness this.”

We’re still happily wearing our tourist hats and soaking up the rich history of Puebla. One afternoon, we explored the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the first public library in the Americas, tucked inside Puebla’s House of Culture. Surrounded by soaring 18th-century baroque shelves and more than 45,000 rare books, it felt like stepping into another time—quiet, reverent, and awe-inspiring.

We also enjoyed a visit to Aviario ArboTerra for some birdwatching in Parque Ecológico. It was a peaceful reminder that healing comes in many forms: slow steps, shared meals, laughter, and moments of quiet wonder beneath the trees.

Another day, we stopped by our favorite Talavera pottery shop and were unexpectedly treated to something truly special—a Catholic priest arrived with members of his congregation to bless the family business. Not exactly an everyday shopping experience, but a beautiful glimpse into faith woven into daily life.

And speaking of small-village charm… this is how receipts are sometimes done around here!

Nearly every evening after work, you’ll find us lingering over Puebla’s breathtaking sunsets. Our “Rooftop of Rejuvenation,” as we’ve come to call it, offers a full 360-degree view of the city—with the volcano standing watch in the distance. It’s our favorite place to slow down, breathe deeply, and quietly commune with God as the day fades into night.

Puebla just earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for creating the longest Rosca de Reyes ever! This super-yummy bread is traditionally shared on January 6 for Three Kings’ Day and is rich with symbolism.

Fun facts: the oval shape represents a crown, the candied fruits symbolize jewels, and hidden inside is a small baby figurine. This monumental Rosca was made up of 19,010 pieces of bread, forming a continuous line nearly four miles long. And yes—we received our very own piece of history… which we happily ate.

We also experienced our first Mexico earthquake--nothing like a 6.5 rating to jolt us out of bed!  The house at the ranch didn't sustain any major damage--we lost one roof tile and gained a couple of new stuccos cracks--adding to the charm of the original mission home.  

Through it all, we are continually reminded that God is present—in recovery, in community, in cracked sidewalks, and even in flying piñata sticks. And for that, we are deeply grateful.