Changes?

We have tickets to fly home on July 16 at 9:10 a.m. So things are getting a little crazy around here!
Half packed suitcases, last time things, cleaning, visiting, sewing, and you can imagine...
It's exciting to go back to Missouri but so hard to leave here. We are leaving our mission house here and the native brethren and fellow missionaries are coming here every week or two until we get back. So a night or two every once in a while is better than sitting empty. But I'm feeling pessimistic or something. As most of you know we lost all our belongings in a fire back in Mo. So now about that pessimistic feeling, what if our "stuff" here would get stolen? I know God will not give us more than we can handle but will you help me pray that everything here will be fine? Or is that selfish?

I have this chokey sensation in my throat when I think of going home. Is it excitement or a little fear? What will people think when Corbin pees outside? Its just what boys do here... After all big grown men out right beside their vehicle very close to the road do it. You just look the other way:) And he talks Spanglish.... He says he'll just stay here with Filimom in Raices. He says I not be sad you leave me con Filimon. Vamos a morales con la moto a ver las vacas. (with Filemon. We are going to Morales with the moto and see the cows)

Megan, 6 years old only remembers Papa's bunk bed and the other Grandpa's sand box. She was 3 when we came.... She has been crying very easily and the other day said she didn't want to go to first grade in Mo.
They don't know what carpet is or padded church benches??

Shakara also says she'll just stay in Raices but with Salomons and their 18 year old Louis says he'd like to go to the states. So his sister Ruth says we can just trade children! Shakara was 5 when we came so I like to think she will remember at least most of the people back home...

I'm looking forward to coffee parties, lots of talking, some sewing, picnics, and just spending some good times with all my friends and family!!!

But, my hubby might work a few days a week and we've been together 24/7 for 2 and 1/2 years. So there will be a few ajustments to put it mildly. He's probably ready for a break but am I? Scary...

So if you think of us sigh a prayer or two if you would. Lots of other missionaries have done this and before we know it we'll be back here in Mexico!

Hand Rolled Flour Tortillas

Have I finally learned to make flour torts like the Mexican ladies? Good question...

It has been a long battle  with lots of weird textured, cloud shaped tortillas

But maybe finally, finally they turned out and I've learned a thing or two

Or have I? Will they always turn out the same?

Oh well, do you all want to struggle along with me?

Here is what I've come up with

500 grams of flour, 1/2 kilo, or approx 4 cups (That is all the same measurement so take yer pick:)

100 grams of Inca (mexican crisco or lard) or 1/2 cup

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder or try less like 1/4 tsp

1 1/2 tsp salt (taste the flour mixture and see if it needs more salt is what they do here, MMmm)

1 1/8 - 1 1/4 cups hot water

First mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then work in the shortening or lard in with your hands like pie dough. Then this is what the ladies tell me, put your water on the stove to heat and just when it has tiny little bubbles, just before it boils make a little well in the center and add it to your flour mixture. Stir it in with a spoon and as soon as your hands can abide (was going to use the word bear, bare but this Spanish has messed with my English) the heat, knead the dough with your hands. BUT I LEARNED THAT YOU CAN'T ADD WATER IF IT IS TOO DRY. Rather add oil :(  So just mix it in parts and add water to the dry flour mixture rather than the dough part if that makes sense, sence, cents, centz. Did you know English is muy dificil??? Anyhoo knead the dough and if it is at all sticky add a little flour.

Then leave the covered dough to rest for 5-20 minutes and then make little bolitos, about 20 of em! Cover them with a towel.

 Then comes the fun part:

 Rolling them out!

Dip them in a little flour and place the bolito on a wooden cutting board or the counter. And give a roll up then down, then give it a quarter turn and keep rotating and rolling again and again until you have a roundish shape. Some flip them so just figure out what is the best for you.

Then to fry, make sure the griddle is HOT, throw on the tort and just as soon as it moves freely flip it over, then when it has some nice little brown spots on the bottom side, flip it ONE more time and watch it poof up beatifully. Then take it off the comal (griddle) and put it on a servietta or tea towel to cool. Of course one must sample to make sure they are turning out okay!

Okay, so how many of you are hungry for a fresh, hot flour tortilla?