Happy Christmas

What a fun Christmas! We spent 10 fun-filled days in Tulsa with family and friends. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. Santa was good to all and so was mom's cooking. She just kept finding more and more cookies in the freezer. Don't know how she does it.

Quincy had his first trip to the dentist. That is now his favorite place to go in Tulsa... seriously.

Papa Terry gave tractor rides. And the cousins (all 9 of them) played together beautifully. Speaking of the 9, each time we talk about the cousins we think of baby Ana. Check out my brother-in-law's blog remembering her. http://chrischapel.blogspot.com/ He makes a point that is important to remember during the holidays.

The 10 crazy days were much fuller than we expected. We couldn't fit it all in... though we gave it a great effort. From late night and early morning coffee with friends to PF Chang with enemies. (Ok, the Mayes aren't enemies, but Shawn is a Cubs fan.)

On another note... how about them Red Raiders! For once, we set a record that is good and has nothing to do with Bobby Night. The largest comeback in bowl history. You can read all about it at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/specials/bowls/2006/12/29/ttech.minnesota.ap/index.html

Merry Christmas

We leave for Tulsa in just a few hours. I really ought to be packing I guess.

A few years ago, before opening presents on Christmas, my dad asked us to go around the room and tell our favorite Christmas memory. It was really a neat experience... except that everyone's favorite memory involved the one Christmas I was in Portugal. (Who'd have thunk?) After a bit, it got just a bit awkward.

But here's hoping that you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with many favorite memories.

Go Retro in 07

I don't know about you, but I usually get excited about seeing a movie re-make of an old t.v. show. Some end up being good, others... not so much.

But why haven't they re-made Gilligan's Island or CHiPs?

In traffic today I was pondering such deep questions as these and even came up with an interesting cast for Gilligan's Island. Why not use the cast from That 70's Show? Kelso as Gilligan, the girls as Mary Anne and Ginger, the mom and dad as Mr. and Mrs. Howell. The son, (Eric, I think) as the Professor, and the red haired girl's dad as the Skipper.

I'm really surprised no one is doing Gilligan yet. With the success of Survivor and Lost, you'd think you could make G. a bit more edgy and it would score big time... though perhaps not with my cast.

And who wouldn't pay to see a spoof of CHiPs?

And while we're at it, how about Ron Howard re-doing The Andy Griffith Show or Happy Days?

I've heard Tom Hanks has been approached about another Bossom Buddies but he wouldn't do it without his original cast-mate. And I wasn't a big fan of Three's Company, but I'm thinking it would sell. Love Boat anyone?

Other ideas? Who would you cast as the lead?

One more idea, why not go ahead and spoof a curent show... like CSI? Or does CSI Miami qualify?

Vivan las Chivas! (Long live the Goats!)

The Guadalajara Chivas won Mexico's version of the Super Bowl yesterday afternoon. The Chivas are the pride of Mexican Soccer once again. (So weird though... I could have sworn I saw my dad and brother sitting on the 4th row.)

The Chivas are one of the more popular teams as they have a special place in Mexican pride. They have a tradition that no foreigner is allowed to play for the Chivas. Thus, Quincy will never play for them though Clark could one day. (I'm not being sexist towards Karsyn. It's just that their team colors are not pink. She is already opinionated about that.)

Can you imagine a team in the states signing players based on their race?

In other news... I got to see the Cowboy game last night. Ouch!

Listening to God

So what do you know about listening, and I mean really listening to God?

I'm learning two things... it helps if you DESIRE it. You can read and pray all day, but unless you are expecting to hear God speak to you, you won't hear it.

And second... you have to say YES to what you are hearing. If he's calling you to change, confess, give... if you don't do it, it seems to clog the pipes of communication. He needs you to say YES so he can say more.

That is my 2 cents. And seriously, that is all that I know.

What's been helping you listen? What can you teach me?

One Great Idea!

Please go to this post http://shanecoffman.blogspot.com/ by Shane Coffman, the praise leader at Memorial Drive and read about what they did with their Wednesday night this week.

You'll be encouraged.

Rush Family Update

This is a little long, but I've blogged our November Newsletter if you are interested in reading it.

(Alejandro's about to be baptized by family)

Monday, December 4, 2006

A Day at the Waterfalls
The Month of November started off with a huge splash! It seems that God had been bringing different ones from different churches to a decision about baptism. So the churches met together the first Sunday in November to witness the baptisms together. Five in all were baptized, but not necessarily the five we had expected. We believe God is moving in the hearts of many more that just weren’t to that point on that given Sunday.

(Angeles is between 70 and 80... she doesn't know.)

It was very encouraging to see over 100 people there representing at least 4 of the churches we are currently working with. When the churches multiplied into two about a year and a half ago, we numbered less than 50. We did have many guests and visitors that were with us for the first time, but it was still easy to see that God has added to our numbers in a huge way.


(Joe with Morgan and Natelie after their baptism... Luis was also baptized but is not pictured.)

The Church in Jocotan
We aren’t exaggerating when we say that we are always encouraged when we spend time with the family in Jocotan. They come from such a rough background that is so far beyond our own experiences. But they are always eager to talk about Jesus and stories from the Bible. They love sharing what they’ve read and how it has inspired and encouraged them.

The matriarch of the group, Lucia, has been back with us for the last couple of Sundays. She was baptized a few years ago but hasn’t been heard from much in the last couple of years. It has been interesting, and even sad, to see her children grow past her in their devotion to God. So please keep her in your prayers, that she would take life with Christ seriously.

And could you also pray for Omar. His job has him living 2 hours away during the week and home only on weekends. He seems to be doing well, but this past Sunday there were signs of the world getting its grip on him and tugging. He has talked a lot about being baptized when his brothers are here in December. We are certain that Satan wants to derail this new relationship with Jesus. Please pray with us that Satan not come between Omar and his Father.

Visit from Malissa
A former missionary to Guadalajara, Malissa Sheafer came down for a brief visit just before Thanksgiving. We all enjoyed visiting and catching up, but the missionary wives were especially encouraged. They were able to leave the kids with dads and get together for a girl’s night out which really isn’t as common as it should be. I (Tim) am so thankful for Malissa’s coming and offering such a special ministry to Kim. She is always such a blessing.

(Some of the kids at the Missionary Retreat)
Missionary Retreat
Though Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated here in Mexico as a national holiday, many of the Mexico missionaries were able to get away from their respective cities and meet for a 3 night stay in the mountains located two hours outside of Guadalajara. The weather was cold, the food was hot and the friendships renewed! It was such a blast. I heard that there were upwards of 80 in attendance from Mexico City, Toluca, Cuernavaca, Morelia, Leon, Lazaro Cardanas and Guadalajara. The majority of those in attendance were old friends from our days in Lubbock so that made it even more special.
(Thanksgiving meal in the Mountains)
As you may remember us mentioning, it was our team’s turn to host the retreat so we had a blast planning the sessions, speakers, food and game times. Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. Everyone that we talked to felt renewed and we think it was a neat time for unifying the efforts of the Kingdom here in Mexico. Plus, we all had a lot of fun. Kent and Karen Smith, from Abilene, TX were generous enough to spend their Thanksgiving with us and lead our discussions of Christ centered life and ministry. God was really powerful throughout the time.

Coming to Tulsa!
On December the 18th we will be FLYING into Tulsa. We want to say thanks again to our family at Memorial for flying us home. We are still in a blessed state of shock that we won’t be racking up the mileage in the old Ford. This will be our first Rush Family Christmas in five years. (I can’t believe it has been that long.) Since our last Christmas together 6 new Rush grandkiddies have been born. That house is going to be a-rock’n!

Support
The bad news: As most of you know we are losing $875 of monthly support beginning in January.
The good news: God has already supplied us with $650 of that amount. (We just found out about a large chunk of that this morning.)

We want to say thank you for all of your help. So many of you have done much more than we’d ever imagined. Thank you.

Editor’s Note: More Good News… since writing this newsletter 2 days ago, we have found out the final $225 has been pledged. You guys are too good to us. Thank you again, so much.

Merry Christmas!

We just got off the phone with Santa Clause (a.k.a. Papa Terry). Too fun! For the second night in a row we watched an old v.c.r. copy of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. And afterward we decided to call the North Poll to make sure Santa knew we would be in Tulsa this year for Christmas. Each of the kids took turns telling Santa what they want in varying degrees of verbality. (I think I made that word up.) I didn’t think the kids would ever get to sleep after the call. We are all too excited.

So, will you be opening gifts on Christmas morning? Eve? Every night the week before? Besides the Cowboy game, is there anything particular you will be doing on Christmas? Family traditions? Early morning golf outings to public courses that are left open?

Go Cowboys!

How about that game. I actually got to see most of it today... except for my brief nap to start the 3rd quarter. How fun. So, do you think Romo is for real? I would love to see the game in English and hear what Troy Aikman et. all are saying about him.

Most are sick in our home. Clark and I are almost over it. Karsyn is in the middle of it. And Kim is just getting started. So far, Quincy's the only one spared.

I don't know about your house, but ours goes on like normal until Kim gets sick. Then it is as if the fabric of society has torn in two.

The pictures above were taken almost a year and a half ago when all were sick.