Truck Repair Video

Okay!  So I have the video on youtube, let's see if I can upload it here now!

Well I don't want to upload to my google, so I embedded it.  I am slowly getting better at this whole internet / blog thing!

If you want to hear what exactly Hayden  had to do, listen to Matt's explanation in the video.  And you can see how dark it actually was outside.  The flash on the camera made the pictures appear much brighter.

A Common Sight at the Ranch

... is a broken down car or truck.  My favorite experience (not) was receiving an email from my husband (he went down a week early) saying, "I am here, the truck is being held together by duct tape, but still running."  What the heck is a wife supposed to think about that?  Needless to say, before I arrived I found out that he was fine and the being held together was mostly cosmetic stuff (like the window latches in the back wont work so he had to tape them shut).   But I did find the truck on the side of the road on day 1, his response - well it died so I had to switch vehicles in the middle of feeding the animals.  Now I'm still not sure if  "it" was the quad (which had a habit of dieing) or the truck, but I'm hopin it was the quad. 

Another likely issues with vehicles down there -- flat tires.  People do not clean their worksites properly and leave nails on the ground, which have a sneaky habit of getting stuck in tires.  That and the whole 9 mile unpaved, rocky dirt road that you have to travel may have something to do with it...  Anywho, we got a flat on Caity & Hayden's first night.  It was about 8 pm and really dark.  Caity was still in a swimsuit, I was sick, and the tools for changing the tire - with a random guy that Matt had been nice to (in the states) and loaned them and never returned them.  We used the jack for my car to jack up the truck. 

That's really cold Caity wrapped up in a blanket as Hayden takes off the lugnuts and Matt adjusts the jack. 

The boys are hard at work and Caity is shining a light so they can see what they are doing... I have a video taken at some point during this adventure, I just need to figure out how to post it to the blog!

This is when Hayden finally got the seal of approval to date Caity (because really, this was just a rouse to test out his manliness) haha  He managed to get the spare tire out with a nail punch.  See, you need special tools to take the tire off of a Tundra, they are up under the bed.  He and I were under the truck (I was holding the maglight, of course) and he had to figure out a way to maneuver around and get it out.  Major props to him.  And Caity is wearing my beach coverup as a scarf.  (I hada already changed because of the sick thing, I ran into a bathroom -- and changed while I tried not to hurl, I expected everyone else to change while I was, but they were being nice and waiting to see if I was okay).

This was our last night in Mexico, talk about going out with a bang, right? haha

Hot Springs

Remember when we tried to find those Hot Springs awhile back?  Well we finally found them!  We actually went twice during our month in Mexico.  Okay,  I went twice, Matt only went once.  The first time we went to the beach it was miserably hot at the Ranch and we needed to get to cooler weather.  Sarah Lee too Jen & I, so that we could see the actual existence of the hot springs. We spent fun times playing in the waves first, about 40 yards away from dolphins!

I digress.  The whole point of this beach expedition was to find the hot springs and see if they really do exist.  Sarah Lee showed Jen & I where they were on Wednesday and we went back on Friday and found them again with no problems!  The key is to dig nearer to the water (we dug way up high before).  Some of the water is so hot that you cannot touch it.  Seriously.  It's crazy.  After checking out La Bufadora (those were yesterdays pics), we headed over to this beach to find the springs. 

My sis with a very Megan expression (or is it a Caity expression??)

Our hot tub was heart shaped -- for awhile!

The boys did some digging too -- see how moist the sand is?

There you have it, photographic evidence that the hot springs do exist!  We had a wonderful time soaking up the hot water and enjoying each other's company.  Thanks to Sarah Lee for showing us where they were, and to the random Romanian Baptist student pastor from Fresno who first told us about their existence!

More of our August Trip to Mexico

Before too many more months go by, here are some pictures of the rest of our time in Mexico.  We spent a lot of time puttering around the Ranch.  Well, Matt spent a lot of time doing repairs and working hard, while I spent a lot of time seeking the Lord and what his plan was for me.  IT was not the easiest of times, but I did learn a lot.  I also got pretty sick during our last week, I think Satan was trying to keep my spirits down.  It was wonderful, however, to spend time with Jen and for our sister Caity & her boyfriend Hayden and our good friend Darren to join us for the last weekend that we were there.  We were sad to leave a little earlier than them, but apparently Matt had been told to get me home on Saturday so I had a day to recuperate. 

Enjoying some delicious tacos after church on Sunday

One of the meals at the Ranch, I leftover something that we turned into enchiladas.

Matt's guitar and music book on the Dining Hall porch

Cute little animal cubs at la Bufadora 

Hayden & Matt checking out the Buf (first timers)

Gorgeous sister Caity -- we were missing Lisa!

There you have it, a few more pictures from our time in Mexico.  I have more to share, so hopefully I will get them up tomorrow!

Mexico Update

It is high time for a second update from the Ranch.  Things are going well here.  We are still alive and well.  I experienced the joy of life last night as I watched kittens being born.  Seemed much easier than having a child.  Life was really nice when we had power (from a generator) and running water (from water tanks up the hill) at the Johnsons.  Now we are facing reality as we come home to a lofthouse each night.  The Lord has totally been stretching us.  Our late night talks have been challenging, but wonderful.  Matthew and I are learning new things about each other, and I am excited to see how the Lord is going to grow us.  Please pray for continued wisdom and guidance and that we can be of great support to the missionaries down here.  Also, that we have fun!

Also, to my Beth Moore bible study ladies, I really missed you this week! but Jen & I watched the dvd and are looking forward to 2 more lessons together.  Can't wait til I am together with you all again soon.

Parents & siblings - we miss you all and wish you were here with us.  Hopefully we can do another family build next year!

The Johnson's house, where we spent our first 2 nights

Rick's lofthouse, where we will spend the remainder of our month.

The dining hall, where we do most of our cooking.

Playing Settler's, a game that can last hours

I saw some of these kittens being born... how often can you say that?

Matt & Jen trying to turn on the generator at the Van Nes.
This is right before Matt & I hoofed it up the hill to turn on the water.

These little guys helped me out with my journaling &
bible study at the Johnson's.

Jen & I with Shaina, the cake covered birthday girl

One happy six year old!

She's all smiles!

We're here!

Hey everyone!  I just wanted to put up a quick post to say that we have both made it safely to the Ranch in Mexico.  When I arrived today, Matt was hard at work on the coffeehouse with the McCoys.  Jen and I just finished up our workout and are now headed over to the McCoy's for Shaina's birthday dinner.  I will try to keep you all updated as to how our month is going.  Love to all!  -M & M

Mexico in May

I realized that I never shared pictures from our last trip to Mexico.  And thanks to Darren for all of these.  There are many many more.  But I don't have the stamina to sort through them now!  I think this trip was back in May... it was with our church, Go.

With my best co-worker :)  Doing what we love together!

Our little church (or at least those of us who came to Mexico)

A few lofthouses, including part of one that we built.  And Geeski's truck

Putting on the roofcap, Matt & Lonnie directing me from below (I had to use my nail starter to quickly get the nails through the cap)

Hopefully I will be able to update while we are down there during these next few weeks.  Love you all!

Mornings in Mexico

When in Mexico, I somehow manage to get up early on Saturday and have an incredibly pleasant attitude. I am up at the dining hall around 5:30 or 5:45 to help cook breakfast and I greet everyone with a smile. I should really try and get a picture of this (because those who know me, know I am NOT a morning person!). Then we all go about our days, usually building a lofthouse.

But Sunday mornings. Those are a different story entirely. Last Sunday-in-Mexico (or SIM, as I call it), we left the Ranch at 4:30 am. I didn't sleep well the night before, so I was nauseus from the lack of sleep. Needless to say, I was probably a bit cranky until I got some sleep in the car. Usually on a Sunday we just kinda pack up and leave. If we do hang around, I usually look a little something like this:


Hmmm. I have a feeling that I am going to need an attitude check before August.

Mexico in August

This post has been a long time coming. In fact, the first draft is from June 13th -- which I am leaving below. Matt and I will be living in Mexico for the month of August. My company has graciously given me the time off, and not fired me! Praise the Lord. But yet, pretty intense, I know. What will we be doing? Well we are staying at the Hands of Mercy Ranch outside of Ensenada. [Oh yeah and if you are a creepy house break-in-er stalker, we have people staying at our house --- so don't even think about it] Anywho. We will be living in the Van Nesses house, but possibly in a lofthouse for part of the time.

This will let us know what they do down there during the week and how things work. Matt will probably be doing construction type things around the ranch and I am not entirely sure what I will do. I know I will be hanging out with Jen (she's the full time teacher down there) and Sue and Sara Lee (when they get back). I will probably get some crocheting done and work on my Spanish (looks like it is time for me to create a username on Matthew's Rosetta Stone... ugh!). I also want to do some other things that we have not had time to do when we only go during weekends. I am in need of some yummy ice cream! And I hope we can find those natural hot springs at the beach!

Please be praying for us during August. We are looking for wisdom about the future as well!

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Original Post from June 14th:

So the Van Nesses will possibly be gone for the month of August. Hands of Mercy is thinking about having us move down there for the month. That's huge. And exciting. It would most likely require me leaving my job. That is a major change. I am praying. Trying to hear the Lord. Matt wants to go. I want to go. But is it for selfish reasons? Is it just so that I can get away from my job -- which I do not like at times?

Mexico: March 26-28

It seems as if this is the year of Mexico for the Nadalets. We have been down almost every month, it seems, and have no plan of quitting anytime soon. This particular trip was not for any particular "reason," other than Caitlin needed a ride back to the States (she had gone down the week before with another church, and spent a week of her spring break on the ranch). This trip definitely taught us about how Mexico = Flexico. We ended up driving Scott out to the hotel where Praxis was staying on Friday night, before we even made it to the Ranch. We stayed in Carter's lofthouse, near Jen's lofthouse. It was fun to stay down there and feel like "staff."

Saturday morning came and I helped with breakfast and then Matt & I helped lead different builds. I had never led a build in any sort of capacity before, so this was a challenge for me (even though Steve was really leading, Jen was second in command, and then Caitlin and I were kinda helping out where needed). Also, we had 35 people at our site, so it was a bit like herding cats. Matt led with Evan, and they had only 10 people. I know, we should have sent people over, but our group of 35 were all newbies who wanted to stick together. So we finally finished the build around 4 and went into town (the 5 of us) for tacos and ice cream.

Below you can see Evan running down the "sidewalk" to get Danny's attention, as he drove by. He did it and Danny came by to say hi.

Some very inappropriate bunny cookies.

So we met this guy who was building a house with his Romanian Baptist Church from Fresno. He told us about these natural hot springs on the beach and "all you have to do is dig down and hot water flows up and fills the holw." We had a shovel, got some shorts from the Segundas, and went down to the beach. We dug 3 different holes (the last one was like 4 feet deep) and no hot water. I'm sure the locals were laughing at us gringos going on a Mexican snipe hunt. But we got back to the Ranch and the Johnsons and Van Nesses said it was a true story and they are really there. We will have to go back another time, when we have more time and it isn't getting dark soon!

I think this next picture was right after Caitlin accidentally threw sand at Evan.

This picture kind of encapsulates the night. Chaos. And laughing. And I think Evan jumped on Jen's foot. haha

We ran some errands on our way out of town on Sunday, getting cheap medicine, sodas for Jason -- you know, the usual. And ended with Horchata and ice cream!

Another fun weekend. Another good time getting to know Jen better. Another really long drive, for one weekend. But still, ever so worth it!

Mexico Feb 5 - 7

Last weekend we went to Mexico. Or Flexico, as Sue likes to call it. We had a wonderful weekend and it was really hard to go home! Of course, on such wonderful weekends, you forget to take pictures of everything. But basically, I spent the weekend with a new missionary named Jen. She's right around my age and awesome. On Friday we built the back walls to 5 outhouses. And I used power tools, that's right. Power tools. First a drill and second a skilsaw. :) It was about time for me to use those, I've seen them in use for YEARS! haha Anywho, Saturday we went to Home Depot and Costco. Trying to find stuff at Home Depot where everything is in Spanish & 99% of the employees speak Spanish is a challenge. But we used our limited Spanish to find an English speaking employee who let us know that they do not have sheet metal. Ah well. Costco was easier - and Emily, you can use your US Costco card in Mexico. Thought you might appreciate that! That afternoon, Jen took me around the camp to see all of the missionaries homes, and I finished the day with braiding the hair of 3 girls. After dinner, Matt & I played Nertz with Jen & Jason until very very late. It was fun giggling in the lofthouse after dark. Sunday we took Matt on a tour, walked to an abandoned corral (built out of stones!) and then helped Carter finish the outhouses. It was a great weekend, and I miss the Ranch & the missionaries already. We plan to go back very soon!

Matt made me drive the Ranch road. This is my patronizing him with a picture (seriously, he grabbed the camera and said, we need a pic of this!)

But I really loved driving, and had a hard time giving the keys back!

Right before we left, I thought to get some pics of our lofthouse. Those curtains - chess sets. Made by me!

The sweet plaque on the door. Papa's legacy of service & giving lives on.

Hope. A fitting name for one of his memorial lofthouses (oh yeah, and we stayed in it). I just realized how neat this shot is, with the reflections of the lofthouse in the background! And it's Fe - the other lofthouse in his memory (and the showerhouse haha)!

Me & Jen. There are a million ways that I want to critique myself in this picture, but I won't. Jen is awesome, can't you tell by her big smile? She's the teacher down there. And I just sent off a TON of art supplies for her - very exciting!