Gaby's Quince
I wasn't just wearing a dress in the previous post for a random photo shoot with my "little" sister that's taller than me; I had just returned from Panchis's daughter Gaby's quinceanera at San Lucas with Chris and Chris's parents, who were the padrinos (sponsors) of the cake. Chris and I were the padrinos of Gaby's dress, which means we paid for it--finding sponsors for various components of the celebration is very common among Hispanic families who can't afford to go all out for the big day. It also meant that we had a special role to play during the ceremony though since the word "padrino" also means "godparent" and bears much more significance in Hispanic culture than in ours. All of us had to process in behind Gaby, the pastors, and her family, we had to sit in the front row, and we were called up along with Gaby's parents during one portion of the service.
We told Panchis straight-up when we got there that we had to leave by 8:00 pm when it started to get dark, knowing that we could really stay about 45 min. longer than that and still be OK. The thing was that we were driving a mission vehicle, and we can't tell groups with integrity that they have to be at least in line by dark and then be over there partying until 1:00 am. So after the service, we had a fantastic meal, and then Panchis kept promising that the traditions of the father-daughter waltz, the father giving the girl her last doll, the father removing the girl's flats and replacing them with heels, the toast, and the cutting of the cake were right around the corner. It kept getting later and later though, and pretty soon we realized that we HAD to leave, so we said our goodbyes just as the DJ was arriving. Panchis was in tears and it was heartbreaking, but we headed back to the mission. The leader of the servant event that was stayng in the dorms there at the time said everything didn't get underway until 9:35. He also said the cake wasn't anything special, but maybe he was just trying to make us feel better or make up for not saving us any ;) All in all it was a fun albeit disappointing evening. I wish it could have ended differently, but I am thankful that I was able to be a part of something so monumental in the life of a beautiful young lady, and I pray all the best for her over her next 15 years and more.
The multi-purpose room, decorated pink like everything else.
I barely recognized these two!
Thanks to all the groups who helped make sure this floor was ready in time!
La quinceanera.
Reaffirming her baptismal vows with Pastor Hernandez.
Panchis, Gaby's chambelan (escort) Abram, Gaby, and Gaby's dad Armando.
Pastor Hernandez, Pastor Heimer, Javier, and Gaby.
Me holding Panchis's granddaughter/Gaby's niece Luna Garcia, born around 4:00 pm on May 31, Memorial Day. I feel a special kinship with this baby since I drove Panchis and her daughter-in-law Pati, Luna's mother, to the ER at 3:30 am. They had been staying in the dorms here in El Paso for a few days so that the baby would be born a U.S. citizen, which I think speaks volumes.
15 more years until hers...
The really elaborate cake that we didn't get any of :(
Until next time, blessings!
P.S. My goddaughter is walking! Just 2-3 steps at a time, but STILL!
We told Panchis straight-up when we got there that we had to leave by 8:00 pm when it started to get dark, knowing that we could really stay about 45 min. longer than that and still be OK. The thing was that we were driving a mission vehicle, and we can't tell groups with integrity that they have to be at least in line by dark and then be over there partying until 1:00 am. So after the service, we had a fantastic meal, and then Panchis kept promising that the traditions of the father-daughter waltz, the father giving the girl her last doll, the father removing the girl's flats and replacing them with heels, the toast, and the cutting of the cake were right around the corner. It kept getting later and later though, and pretty soon we realized that we HAD to leave, so we said our goodbyes just as the DJ was arriving. Panchis was in tears and it was heartbreaking, but we headed back to the mission. The leader of the servant event that was stayng in the dorms there at the time said everything didn't get underway until 9:35. He also said the cake wasn't anything special, but maybe he was just trying to make us feel better or make up for not saving us any ;) All in all it was a fun albeit disappointing evening. I wish it could have ended differently, but I am thankful that I was able to be a part of something so monumental in the life of a beautiful young lady, and I pray all the best for her over her next 15 years and more.
The multi-purpose room, decorated pink like everything else.
I barely recognized these two!
Thanks to all the groups who helped make sure this floor was ready in time!
La quinceanera.
Reaffirming her baptismal vows with Pastor Hernandez.
Panchis, Gaby's chambelan (escort) Abram, Gaby, and Gaby's dad Armando.
Pastor Hernandez, Pastor Heimer, Javier, and Gaby.
Me holding Panchis's granddaughter/Gaby's niece Luna Garcia, born around 4:00 pm on May 31, Memorial Day. I feel a special kinship with this baby since I drove Panchis and her daughter-in-law Pati, Luna's mother, to the ER at 3:30 am. They had been staying in the dorms here in El Paso for a few days so that the baby would be born a U.S. citizen, which I think speaks volumes.
15 more years until hers...
The really elaborate cake that we didn't get any of :(P.S. My goddaughter is walking! Just 2-3 steps at a time, but STILL!
Comments
You and Chris have had so many wonderful things happen to you there -- you have life long connections with these families! God has blessed you and them through your work and these relationships.