Behind Every Great Man is a Great Woman (Part 2)

Check out this great article about the story of Juan Diego and some amazing facts about the Tilma. This is a great refresher on the story and you'll learn some really amazing things too! 

Our family walked up Tepeyac Hill with
special prayer intentions
from family, friends and benefactors.

Even our littlest one walked some of the way!

A view of the old Basilica completed in 1709 (left)
and new Basilica completed in 1976 (right)
from Tepeyac Hill. 

On the stairs leading to the Chapel
on the top of Tepeyac Hill.

We enjoyed the various fountains on the walk down Tepeyac Hill.

At the base of the Hill are beautiful gardens and green grass.

A view of another chapel at the base of Tepeyac Hill.

Bringing gifts to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Inside the old Basilica.

We were able to participate in Adoration inside
the old Basilica.

A bomb went off in the old Basilica when it still housed the
Tilma. The Tilma was unharmed but a crucifix nearby
was damaged. Learn more about this and other miracles
in the article I mentioned above.

We stayed at the Obras Misionales Pontificio
Episcopales de México. The sisters took such good care
 of us and served us delicous food! 

The kids enjoyed the garden and play area.

Donovan had 2 open seats next to him on the way
home. Gabriel enjoyed his free seat!

After the trip back to Costa Rica Felicity was
tuckered out!

We stopped for lunch at Burger King in San Jose
before heading back to Coopevega.

On our drive up the mountain there were lots of beautiful views.
We drove next to the clouds!

Back home in Costa Rica and visiting Pablo's house.
He sang us songs while we ate his
famous pancakes and fresh squeezed lemonade!

The entire trip was blessed and gave our family a great retreat. We were able to visit with other missionaries from Mexico and the U.S. Again we were reminded of the joy of surrender to the Lord. This is something that continues to challenge us. This is something we must do each day. It's not a one time thing. We gave a great surrender when we first became missionaries, but now the Lord challenges us to deepen that surrender! As we deepen our prayer life and grow in holiness and virtue we are better able to say yes to the Lord each day. Our perspective, when guided by the Holy Spirit, changes. We are able to see with the eyes of faith and notice things we never would have seen before. We see the little gifts and blessings in the good things and in the suffering.

Behind Every Great Man is a Great Woman (Part 1)

Not just great, but the greatest!

The Our Lady of Guadalupe tilma 

is framed inside the Basilica.

Our family was greatly blessed to be able to attend the Mexico Summit this year at the beginning of September. The Summits are once a year in different parts of the world for our missionaries to gather together for formation, fellowship and prayer. We were able to attend the Asia Summit last year while in the Philippines and both times have been wonderful blessings for our family. This year we gathered with other missionaries from Mexico in Mexico City.

We drove from our house to San Jose to catch a flight to
Mexico City. This drive is about 4 1/2 hours and
down a mountain. We drove past a lot of
beautiful scenery. It's always green in Costa Rica!

A view of what we saw shortly before landing in Mexico City.

We arrived one day early and we took an unexpected tour
of the city plaza. Here we are in front of the
 Cathedral (not the Basilica).

A gigantic Mexican flag in the center of the plaza.

A John Paul II and Our Lady of Guadalupe
statue in front of the Cathedral.

When the statue was made they asked people
from all over Mexico to send keys. The statue
was full of these keys and reminded us of the
passage from Matthew 16:9
"I will give you the keys of
the kingdom of heaven"

Inside the Cathedral it was so beautiful!
It reminded me of the churches I had visited
in Italy with my Mom.

The main altar.

My Grace Maria in front of Mary Full of Grace!

Hannah & Catherine in front of one of the
 many side altars. Before Vatican II priests
fulfilled their daily obligation to say mass
in a side altar (there was no concelebration).

Felicity in front of an old confessional.

The priest who gave us the tour found a mariachi band
to play for us. What a treat!

Our Summit took place very close to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our family was able to visit four times during our stay in Mexico. This was so special for our family because we experienced a healing miracle fifteen years ago when the Bishop of Wichita dedicated Donovan's sister (who had been in a horrible car accident) to the intercession of Juan Diego.

My two guys in front of the old Basilica
(where the Tilma used to be displayed).

On the grounds near where Juan Diego lived
after speaking with Our Lady.

There are many roses growing on and
around Tepeyac Hill. This is my little Rose!

To be continued...