Terry Crockett Esquivel

Terry was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1958. She has three sisters and one brother all born in various locations throughout Latin America and the USA.  Their dad was a diplomat in the US Foreign Service and served specifically in Latin America. Terry is an experienced expat who cherishes all that she learned from her dad. She recalls that her dad would destress in nature and that the family would take off in a 4 wheel drive through the rain forest. "On one escapade, dad drove past these enormous trees and stopped at a narrow wooden bridge that crossed over a very deep ravine. Dad tested the bridge for safety by  jumping up and down on it, then we crossed!"  Terry and her sister have almost completed the publishing of their father's memoir. As a result of his different assignments, over the years, the family lived in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the USA. From age 6-8 Terry lived in Costa Rica, and also in Nicaragua for 10 years. "The family never discussed religion, but our mother and father taught us to always tell the truth, to be kind and other Biblical basics.  We did have a bible in the house."  During an RV trip across the Southwest when Terry was eleven years old she remembers being involved in the decision as to where the family would land after their dad retired. "I voted we move back to Nicaragua because it was lovely and I had horses. It was a peaceful country and safe at the time." When the family returned to Nicaragua her dad purchased and cultivated land for a cattle ranch."

A major turning point occurred when Terry was 14 years old. After a series of earthquakes that destroyed the city of Managua where the family was living, she recounts "We had 48 hours to pack up what we could to move to San Juan del Sur." From the age of 14-18 we lived in the remote town of Rivas.  Because of the devastation of the earth quake Terry missed one year of school. At the age of 17, during the 2 years that Terry attended high school in San Antonio, Texas her mom died of complications during her treatment for cancer. After many bad decisions and poor choices, at the age of 18 Terry had met and married a man that her dad did not approve of. It was very painful for Terry to be cut off from her dad. At the age of 20 she gave birth to her son Jonathan in Panama City, Panama. Times were rough and Terry was taught how to bake cakes and sell them for 25 cents each.  Terry was living off the grace of a God that she did not know...yet. The room in which she lived as an expectant mom was adjacent to a Christian Church. "There was not enough money to pay the rent and when the landlord came by to collect, out of her compassion she allowed me to stay.  It was comforting to hear people singing through our thin adjoining walls." Long story shortened, the first time Terry entered that church

and heard the Gospel "I felt a physical Presence.  I went forward and I was overtaken. The congregation surrounded me, laid hands on me and audibly prayed over me. My eyes were opened and I thought 'what am I doing here?' Terry ended up calling her uncle Jack who agreed to advance her the annual portion of a small inheritance. It was exactly the amount needed to purchase tickets to San Diego.  Jonathan was 7 months old when she landed back in the USA with $100 dollars and a suitcase. In 1980, her first job was scooping ice cream at Savon Drugs for minimum wage.  Her manager was Gene, the man she eventually ended up marrying. Once Terry decided to take charge of her life, her dad resumed his full support and helped his daughter make a budget to live on food stamps while honestly reporting every cent of help from dad. While living on food stamps, and working at Savon, her dad paid the tuition to attend a Trade School. Persistent in her quest to improve her living conditions, Terry eventually got her Master's degree.  In 1987 she married Gene. Forming a family together with their combined children, Jonathan and Duana, they have now enjoyed 31 years together.   In their first year of marriage they also bought their first home in Lemon Grove. Within a few years they both began attending the Christian Church of Lemon Grove. They both worked in corporate America with increasing responsibility and pressure that would eventually threaten their health and happiness.

In 2010 they decided to retire early.  It took 5 years to execute their plan. In 2014 they visited Ajijic and in 2015 they sold their house and gave away most of its contents. "I had underestimated the work effort and sheer determination required to move from 2500 sq ft into 1058 sq ft then eventually into the 340 sq ft of a motorhome. With great excitement we drove to Miami and along the way the RV life gave way to a costly reality of repairs etc. Homesick, they sold the RV and moved to Modesto, California. They planned their relocation to Mexico, and in January 2018 they drove across the border and settled in San Antonio Tlayacapan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11  Over the years Terry and Gene have held bible studies in their homes and while at Lakeside they have contributed greatly in their community. Terry has taught a group of Expats to sing Spanish praise songs.  After a fabulous career, Terry retired well out of a managers position. We are blessed to have her as a "Temporary Resident" in Mexico. Among her many wonderful gifts, the one I admire the most is how she swiftly engages everyone she meets with a genuine love that flows through her from above.  What perseverance and faith it took to be such a victorious "overcomer".  This Woman of Value is a tremendous asset to wherever God may take her!

Heidi Lane

Heidi Lane is a thrilling newcomer to Lakeside. God has shown much to this fearless flower as she faced many things while travelling in various different countries on assignment!  “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8.  This short summary gives the reader only a glimpse into the life of Heidi and her fascinating career in the competitive world of fashion. Most importantly, we get a deep peek into the heart of an innocent woman blindsided by deception. Heidi was born in 1954 in the small town of St Petersburg, Florida. Her dad John was a violinist who worked as a salesman when he left the military. Her mother Carole founded a dance studio in Wisconsin where little Heidi learned to dance and to perform. Heidi and her mom attended an Episcopalian church while dad claimed he found God in nature.  When Heidi was 19 years old she courageously moved to New York to pursue her acting and modeling career. Her only sibling, Marita also moved to New York and while Heidi moved into Saint Catherine’s Residence for girls in New York City, Marita moved into the dark world of drugs and she died of an overdose of heroine at the age of 26. God’s hand was on Heidi as she pursued her dream career path. While many young hopefuls spend years to get hired in the world of modeling, Heidi was immediately contracted to be a model for JC Penny and Montgomery Ward catalogs. She was a runway model of fashion in Europe with shoots in Milan, Rome, Tokyo, and Paris. Modeling for Armani and other well known designers, she was featured in TV Commercials and in People magazine.  At the age of 29 Heidi got behind the camera and learned all she could about photography. For five years she owned and operated “Studio Elle”,  a training center in Sarasota, Florida  for models. While she was encouraging young models with her extensive experience,  she spent a lot of time in Miami shooting for various agencies. While in Miami she met Gustavo Menendez, an aspiring musician. After dating for 5 years,  at the age of 40, they were married in 1994. Gustavo was from Argentina and he traveled within Heidi's "Who’s Who" circle.

In 2013, while Heidi was on a business trip to London and Paris, she got a call that her dad died of a sudden heart attack. This news brought Heidi back home to comfort her mother. Looking back Heidi admits that Gustavo had zero interest in God, therefore there were lonely dark days, as they never had anything more than a physical connection.  Heidi and Gustavo purchased and fully remodeled their home in Miami Shores.  Gustavo traveled on location with Heidi to Fiji, Hawaii, and the Bahamas while their home was being remodeled. He met Ellen, the President of Warner Chapelle Publishing in Miami and got hired in 2014.  Soon after he landed a solid job in the music industry, in 2014 Gustavo told Heidi that he could no longer be married to her because he had fallen in love with a younger model from Argentina.  Heidi was devastated as the truth about her husband’s infidelity sunk in. Heidi attended bible studies in Florida and she wrote several soul fortifying scriptures in the back of her Bible. “You are more than a conqueror, victory is in store for the upright, be relentless in the pursuit of God’s promises, God will restore what has been stolen, the Lord’s purpose will prevail, God is faithful.” A picture of Heidi's worn "Jesus is Calling Bible" demonstrates her desire to know Jesus and become more like Him. While reading  Philippians 4:8-13 God has renewed her faith in Him, and in His ways. She soon realized the Truth. There had always been an emptiness in her that no amount of fame, fortune or man could fill. When Gustavo left her to process his shocking choice, Heidi stepped outside and looked up. Just then a plane was painting this message across the sky “JESUS LOVES YOU”. Heidi’s heart embraced this as a sign from God.  She was forced to sell their home in Miami, and their cottage in Mount Dora, Florida. After the hard task of liquidating all her assets, in 2015, Heidi and her mom decided to live together. They purchased a condo in Bradenton, Florida and they chose to travel and see what new country they might live in.  These two brave women investigated

Ecuador, Bali, Portugal, Guatemala, and finally Nicaragua as potential home countries. Just as the government of Nicaragua began to crumble, Heidi and Carol wisely chose to check out Mexico and ended up in Puerto Vallarta in 2018. “They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.” 2 Kings 17:12 Within the world of fashion and Hollywood it is easy to get caught up in idol worship. Heidi was quick to share how “Christ in me, is His hope for glory.” Remembering the day that she was baptized in the pool of her pastor in Puerto Vallarta in August 2018.  “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6 Like we all are, Heidi is being changed into the image of Christ. Surrendering all of who she ever has been, she emerged a new creation in Christ. The resume of Heidi includes writing a script for a T.V pilot called   “Away We Grow” and like a prophecy being fulfilled, Heidi is away from a life of glamor, living at Lakeside and willing to grow “in Christ”.   “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or ever heard, but must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller.  Heidi was written up in People Magazine for her “Crazi Net”. A fashion bag filled with ways that caused women to get creative in their fashion.  Macy’s department store in San Francisco hired her to design windows and she was also featured in Seventeen and in fashion spreads for Mademoiselle Magazines. Her face also graced Italian and Vogue catalogs. Heidi’s joy

has lit up many prints, and T.V. commercials. Today Heidi lives in Chapala with her precious performing pooch “LuLu Ball”.  Heidi is no longer acting or performing, she has placed Jesus on the throne of her heart and it is her desire to bring Him glory. She has been wired by God to encourage others and she does this very well!   With a brief introduction at a purse party, I was led to have Heidi use her talent and take a publicity shot needed for one of my projects. Since she joined Abundant Life Church at Lakeside her photos have been featured in the local OJO Magazine and several families have contracted her for reunions, anniversaries and weddings. This extraordinary woman has the talent to make everyone smile, even our fur babies! Do not hesitate to contact her by email for an appointment for a personal photo shoot. EMAIL: lanehp7@gmail.com

Angie Miller

A woman of great value is a woman who values life. 

Angie Miller, a mom, daughter, grandma, a loyal friend, a neighbor and a military veteran who served as an MP and cook during the Iraq war,   Angie is an animal lover who lived across the road from us for almost three years. She built a condo for her beloved horse "Guapo" and delighted in the rural landscape of San Nicolas de Ibarra. Her passion for making the best out of every situation is to be admired. Her character grew strong in the soil of experience. She faced the terrifying reality of war and has managed unimaginable hardships. The war caused PTSD and God provided a safe place for her to meet His peace on the raw banks of Lake Chapala. Her grateful landlord Nicolas allowed her to experience nature at its very finest. Within the canvas in which she lived, Angie was able to assist in the birthing and naming of several thoroughbred horses. In 2021 she was ambulanced to a hospital to have one kidney removed and woke up alone in a dark room. Her PTSD kicked in and she remembers being tied down to a bed with tubes and unable to move. It was a nightmare that most us will never truly fathom. After two months of doctor visits in the USA and dialysis, Angie was happy to return to her personal ponderosa in San Nicolas. Within a few days she got the hard news that it was necessary for her to return to the USA for ongoing dialysis. After that devastating email, she gave herself a day to recoup, then she made a list of what needed to be done. God flung open the doors and within a day her Jeep was traded for an economical car to drive back to the USA. With ferocious determination she sold her furnishings at a fire sale Bazaar the following week. The American Legion hauled away all that was not sold to raise money at its annual "Garage Sale". Her health battle is all uphill, but Angie hopes to enter a Veterans Treatment Facility for some trial drugs. With the help of God Almighty, the funds also became available to transport Guapo back to Kansas where she will live with her daughter Monique on a chicken ranch. 

Sheona Mackie

Meet the ever elegant Sheona Mackie!  This lovely lady was born in Helensburgh, Scotland on June 29, 1966. Her father Joe was a plumber and her mum Margaret was a housewife. Friends from around the globe refer to her by the sweet nickname of 'Shoggy' which her beloved dad gave her. Growing up Sheona and her younger siblings, Hazel and Stuart were taken to the United Reform Church by their mum.  The family moved to England when Shoggy was just three years old and she was first christened at the age of six.  At the age of 17 Sheona became a Christian and was baptized. " The day of my baptism, a prophet gave me a word of knowledge. God had chosen for me a husband and that I would be travelling to the ends of the earth."  After high school Sheona studied at the Bromley College of Technology and received her diplomas in French, Spanish and Italian from the Royal Society of Arts in London.  In 1988 Sheona was engaged to a man that she felt strongly attached to. She discovered that he was unfaithful and so she opted to travel to New Zealand and Australia in 1989. While in New Zealand Shoggy attended a church service and received another word of knowledge. Sheona would marry a man in Mexico! She had time to process her feelings and agree with God. It was a heart wrenching decision to 'wait for the husband' that God had promised. Shoggy remembers "I cried for weeks". When she returned to England she obediently broke off her engagement and trusted God ever more completely.

 "1990 was a year of great change for me. I was offered three separate opportunities. 1) The United Nations in Rome extended an administrative position.  2) The Director General of 'Coates Lorilleux' offered me a position as his personal bilingual secretary. 3) My pastor in England suggested a missionary job in Mexico working as an aide to Pastor John Evans and his wife Flor in Guadalajara.  Boldly and full of faith, at the age of 24 Sheona relocated to Guadalajara to work with Pastor Evans at El Camino Comunidad Christiana.  "Living in Mexico I wore several hats over the next 5 years. I worked as a nanny for the pastor's kids, I sang in the choir and I taught English."

At a spiritual retreat in 1992 while in Chapala, Shoggy met her future husband Carlos Marquez.  In 1994 Carlos graduated as an Architect and immediately proposed that Sheona become 'his girl and his wife'!   She accepted his proposal and in 1996 they got married. Their first child Anna was born in 1997 and her son Samuel was born in 2000. Altogether Sheona taught English for 27 years and for 13 of those years she also sold insurance. Her life scripture " I will go before you and will level the mountains' I will break down gates of bronze an cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3  In addition to selling insurance, after some dramatic positive changes in her health, Sheona recently began to distribute nutritional products on a part-time basis. "The VIVRI products have completely changed the health of my son and myself."  It is with great pleasure that I introduce this wonderful woman! If you ever get the chance to meet her, ask Miss Shoggy about how God answered her prayers for a stranger in the hospital. Sheona continues to pray for God's best for the woman that He brought back from the brink of death. All glory to God as He continues to work miracles today! I have been blessed in

countless ways for having Shoggy as a dear sister in Christ since a Wellspring conference in 2016. She lives and breathes these words " And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, for ever and ever! AMEN." Ephesians 3:17-20.  For more info about the VIVRI products contact Sheona on her cell 331-281-6643 via SMS messages or on WhatsApp. Sheona will gladly meet with you at Lakeside.

Carol Ronning

Just spend an hour with Carol Ronning, and you will be energetically uplifted by the Love spilling out of this stunning Woman of Value. This Southern lady was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1945. Carol’s daddy Raymond was also born in a small town in Arkansas and he worked for the City as a heavy equipment operator.  Carol’s momma Maddie was a happy homemaker who did her best to keep Carol and her elder sister Bonnie dressed to shine no matter their income status.  Carol twinkled “When I was just 3 years old my daddy got saved and our family home literally changed into a “home sweet home”.   For two short years this Christian family lived in a state of bliss. Then just after her sister Bonnie got married and left home, tragedy struck. It was very traumatic for five year old Carol when her papa died.  “Home alone with momma, I remember that my heart would whimper when I overheard women whispering as I passed by ‘that’s the little girl who lost her dad”.  A short time later her mother remarried and her hard working momma began cleaning homes so that she could provide the best she could for her young daughter. Carol shared that she and her mom attended an extremely legalistic church. It was in this congregation that a bond of friendship grew between six people her own age.  Transparently Carol shared ‘I never ever wanted to disappoint my momma, but even though I attended church, I did not hear God's voice, or feel a personal connection with Jesus. “  At age 16 Carol  began dating Jerry. Before they both went off to separate colleges,  they opted to get engaged.  Carol attended “Ouachita Baptist College” and due to lack of funds, she dropped out after her first year.  Laughing Carol giggled “Jerry and I were both emotionally immature when we got married, but who isn’t at age 18”.  Carol recalls that the best thing that came out of her thirteen year marriage to Jerry was their two daughters, Kristen and Stephanie.   After six brief months of marriage, Carol began to experience regular verbal and physical abuse. Her husband’s job kept them on the move and the family ended up in Chicago. Jerry left Carol and the girls so after 13 years of torment,  in 1976 she got a divorce.  Her family wooed her back to Little Rock where she delighted in working for a great Law Firm. When the girls were age 13 and 11, their dad coached them to return to Chicago.  Carol beamed “It was a gift from God to be employed for a Transportation Company. I was the first female employed 

in Chicago for local and national sales. It boosted my confidence as I excelled in my career.”  Through work, Carol met Joseph Sutor and in 1981 they got married and they thrived together in Chicago. After four years of marriage, in 1985 Carol recalls that in the midst of a family crisis, she was home alone, on her knees crying out with her bible open to Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” After all the years of feeling that she could never measure up to the legal definition of being a good Christian, this verse hugged her heart! “While in tears, the Holy Spirit sealed my heart and I wept in the holy Presence of God as His love poured into my soul.”  As empty nesters, in 1999 Joe and Carol moved to Florida and they worked as a team in real estate. “I would get the listings and Joe would find the buyers, but I preferred my career in Transportation.”  Carol’s beloved momma went home to Jesus in 2004 and in her grief she sought and received counseling from Joy Poteet.  “God has never left me, He has been faithful to place the right person in my life to speak Truth when I desperately needed it.”  After living in Florida for eleven years, and for their 25^th wedding anniversary, Joe and Carol came to Lake Chapala to check it out.  The pace of Lakeside refreshed and encouraged them both. They returned to Florida to make arrangements for a major move. While living in Florida Carol read a series of six books by Neta Jackson. Based 

on "The Yada Yada Prayer Group”, Carol was led to begin the first Yada Yada group in Mexico. They quickly sold their home and in 2007 they moved to Ajijic. With her God given gift of hospitality, God brought women from all walks of life to attend monthly meetings in her home.  “God is always at work preparing us in advance for a future we may not have invited. In book one the group gets down, in book 2 they get real, in book  3 they learn tough love, by book 4 they get caught up, an in book 5 they get rolling in their own God ordained ministries. Little did I know how the women in my group would become pillars of faith for me to lean on.” In 2009 Carol’s husband Joe was diagnosed with cancer. After 30 years of marriage, in 2012 Joe went home to Jesus. God is faithful and He knows what we need before we ask, AMEN. “An extraordinary woman from the Yada Yada group stepped into my grief and lifted me up.”  Her sister-in-Christ Amy drove Carol and her dog Stosh to Colorado to be near her daughter Stephanie. “I bought a condo in Colorado, but I missed my life in Mexico.

My daughter was convinced that I needed to join EHarmony and  meet someone.”  With reluctance, Carol joined EHarmony and in 2013 she met Dan Ronning, her current husband. Hallelujah, we are all blessed that this amazing couple trusted God, sold their properties and moved back to Lakeside in 2015.Carol’s life reflects the heart of Jesus for all people.  Her Yada Yada Ministry has been re-established and women from every denomination now meet in her home every 2^nd Wednesday at noon. One scripture that particularly speaks to Carol is “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 During this interview we read “ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corin 9:19-22.  Aug 14, 2019 was the final YADA YADA meeting hosted by Carol.