Did someone mention GRADUATE?!?!?!

May is absolutely flying... where has the time gone?!  Actually that is how I feel about the past 4 years as my little sis GRADUATES.....wait yes for real she is GRADUATING!!!!   It feels like yesterday I was the big "senior" sister she was looking up to and I was the one standing up and stepping in for her.  Now as I have been blessed to watch her grow and blossom into a lovely young woman; I am proud!  We have spent so much time bonding and no one quite understands me like she does.  We never really fight, yes we disagree from time to time but a heart beat later we are joking and going to Walmart together.  She is the one I can always count on for a funny Pinterest joke or a goofy text to cheer up any bad day I might be having.  It is crazy how different we are but yet we tolerate and love each other in a weird but totally normal way!  I remember all the teasing and deep talks we have shared throughout the years, moments I will always treasure and cherish.  And yes all those crushes I would tease you about or how much better my driving skills will always be compared to yours.. simply because I am older!  It feels like yesterday I was looking for you in the hallway, coaching you thru basketball practice, or getting ticked at you for ALWAYS making me late for school (which we never really were).  It has been fun working in the Pet Lodge together and always getting into trouble for being the "naughty two".  The trouble we got in was minimal but the memories monumental.  All those pranks or silly nights of sparkling grape juice need to always be a part of our routine together no matter how old we become!  I will always be the proudest big sister of you no matter how old we get!!

Jules I am proud how you have been the Senior sister standing up and stepping in for Em!  I have enjoyed this year watching you two bond and grow closer as the year is almost over cherish and treasure the last few days you have in school together because it won't ever quite be the same!  I love you and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you in the future

Where is HOME?

I was asked this question by a team member and have been wrestling with it for  oh almost a month I suppose... too long.   I have been praying so much about where the next step with Jesus will be and how I can work with him.  Whether it be in Sioux Center or some other part of the world (I just hope not anywhere cold because I have definitely become a wimp).  As I seek his direction I am learning to be patient in this whorl wind of life America wants us to have.  Standing still is where I am today just waiting while gazing at Jesus knowing he will reveal himself to me in the perfect time:  HIS TIME.

My heart hurts with the loss of a family I grew to love in Guatemala.  My heart feels like it has been ripped out, stomped on and now I am allowing Jesus to piece it back together in a new way.  But healing takes time.  I won't be the person to put on a fake facade of "Life is Perfect" because it isn't.  I miss those kids and CONSTANTLY find myself there instead of here.  If anyone asks,"Are you happy to be home?" I have to be 100% honest and say no.  Yes I have been loving seeing everyone and sharing about how I feel in love with Jesus in a new and beautiful way but I am now fighting to keep my head a float by adjusting back to the American way of life.  And it is hard because unless you have walked this path it is hard for me to put into words my emotions.

A few huge adjustments are understanding EVERY conversation in a room again, being short and not seeing over a crowd of people, and having my own schedule not the kid's or group's schedule.  I know crazy right?! But it just takes time to process it all and take the right next step thru the right door.  I now need to allow my experience to be shared with others and I love being able to share what I did and how I learned to rely on God in so many incredible new ways.  My prayer is for you to realize how much God loves you and desires for you to love him with your life back!  I desire to continue to search out where God is calling and want to be an encouragement to others who are searching or just trying to stay afloat in our busy lives.  Remember God is crazy about you and all he desires is to be in a relationship with you, no matter the church walls you worship inside God wants even more to walk with you out the doors and into every part of your week... He wants to be your everything; to take away the stress, worry, fear, anxiety, and restlessness in your heart.  He is crazy about you and as we go into this Easter weekend fall on your knees and love him, thank him for what it is that he did for you on that old rugged cross.  He is waiting for you as he has been since the day he witnessed and smiled as you breathed your first breath!  Your life is a celebration of the amazing God who created you to bring him glory.  Life is a gift, how have you used it today?

Family Time!

Last week Tuesday was the LOONNNNNGGESSSTTT day.  The team was suppose to arrive at 11:20 AM.  We left around 10:20 ish but the few hours before then were filled with anticipation.  I was so excited to see Maria, Michael, Ali, and the rest of the Iowa team!  Once we were finally on the road it was the longest ride to the airport I have ever had!  Anya dropped me off to sit and wait for the team to arrive!  I was watching and watching, there was a group of people gathering and I assumed they were the half of the Michigan team but I still hadn't seen any Iowa faces... Finally I saw a little blonde walking out of the airport!  I took off running and screaming her name and thru my arms around her!!  It was the best hug I have ever received!  I was shaking and crying simply because I had been so anxious to see her and Michael!  And of course Ali, an amazing girlfriend of mine!   So fun to see them all but even funnier was the faces of the Michigan team members at the sight of this crazy girl who just sorta showed up and started giving out orders!  But they listened and we were able to get them loaded up in no time!  Off we went to San Ramon!! The van ride was filled with laughs and lots of catching up!  Anya and I tend to start to make up silly unbelievable answers to peoples questions because we have answered them so many times and people don't expect it from us at all.  I told my van the reason the bottom of the trees were painted white was calcium licks.  To which Maria called me out on but not after everyone in the van believed me first!   The real reason is it is to prevent termites and it is easier to see at night.  We were just nearing San Ramon when Daniel's van had a flat tire but much better than last time because it was day light not nighttime.   We arrived around 3 PM.  I took a group down to the river and then took Maria and Michael to my first house I built that was down near the river.  It was so much fun to be able to share and show them were I have been.  It rained right before devotions.  So loud in fact we just sang and sang praising our Lord for "Grace Like Rain."  A powerful way to start out the week ahead just adoring our Lord for who He is and getting our focus on Him.  It also made for a muddy first day of building but the cloud cover was so welcome no one bothered to complain!

Our house was built for a widowed Mother, Marta, and her 3 children Ana 16, Miguel 18, and Juana 21.  Marta's son Carlos, his wife Rosa, and their 3 young children were also there to help.  It is always fun to get to know more family!  I have to say every family I have built for God has brought "extras" we did not know about to be there.  But He knew they needed to be there to experience and build relationships with us as well.

I did handpick my building team because I wanted my sister on my team!  We had 3 from Iowa: Maria, Terri, and John, and 3 from Michigan: Albie, Jesse, and Jessica.  The best part was 2 had been there before and one was my sister!  I will admit it was nice to be the one telling her what to do and teasing her along the way!  I loved it and so did she makes up for the lost time over the past few months!  We had our house up in no time and I loved how hard working and respectful my team was.  We all bonded instantly; Jessica was a hairdresser so the bond was instant :)  I enjoy getting to know my teams and also going house to house this week seeing how everyone was bonding was so neat.  Not every team bonds as quickly as this team!   Everyone just had a desire to meet and get to know everyone on the other team.   They were willing to help out in any way! In fact Dan decided that just to try to stress me out he sent over his team because they were finished and mine wasn't quite there.  The help was appreciated and I can easily handle giving instructions to 12 people no problem :)  Devo's were set for 7 PM and it rained again.   It has been so interesting because it is the dry season but it has rained so much!   We all just gathered in close and worshiped louder than the rain on our tin roof!  God knew we needed to be close and

Stucco day went so quickly!  I ended up way to full of stucco for my liking but oh well it all washes off in the end anyway!   I told them I don't care just not in my hair!  They listened but I still looked like I bathed in it!   Painting was a Sea Foam Green affair and in no time we had a beautiful canvas to decorate for the family.  I told my group, "Make it personal".  I had other work to go do so It is always a surprise the next day to see what they have done with the house!  Finally we were able to start a fire and do devotions out under the stars to sing for all the world to hear!   It was a night of preparation as tomorrow we enter battle.  I can't describe how encouraged I was by the focus of this team.  We prayed by name for each family member in our house before heading to bed.  It was a beautiful picture to see each building group gathered, heads down, pouring their hearts out for people they barely knew but yet had formed a relationship with.

Everyone was up early for dedication day and as I headed to the bathroom seeing everyone digging into the word and focusing on the battle ahead was moving.  It is encouraging to know how seriously the matter at hand was.  They grasped it and were going to be fully ready for the enemies attacks!  As we began dedicating, prayers were being lifted up, songs were sung, and words from God's word were pouring out of the lips of team members.  God was surrounding us and his Spirit was on us.  I had a peace that today was the Lord's and nothing was going to go wrong.  I was encouraged by the team to pour myself out fully and watch them stay focused thru the entire dedication time.   It gives me goosebumps to talk about how focused and intent they were praying for the souls of the people.  My house was going to be dedicated last which is what I like best.  At the third house the group outside was singing "Amazing Grace" and just as they were singing the line - How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed- the father of the house was answering yes to accept Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.  It was a powerful moment!  I love when the spirit moves and then being able to share later makes it even better!!  For our house we gave the gifts, exchanged words, and began.   As we shared our words the mother and daughters began to weep.  It was evident the pain they were carrying at the loss of a father and husband.  The son soon realized that he didn't have to be the leader alone but God would do it with him.  Our family all accepted Christ as well as the "extras" that helped all week!  God blessed us with more than we were anticipating!!  He is so good!!

The first Medical clinic we were going to has never been visited before.  It is a new region but steeped in years of religion and tradition not a personal relationship with a living Savior.  The name of the village was Los Cerditos meaning the Closed off ones.  We were ready with lots of ice breakers, coloring, nail painting, jump roping, and my personal favorite, Soccer!   They had a huge dirt field with no ravines on the edges!  I enjoyed our girls vs boys game.  I needed a break so I headed back to see how Maria was doing in the clinic!  At that time a mom with her 22 day old baby boy was about to sit down to have her med's explained to her.  I of course couldn't resist putting my arms out and taking her baby for a few minutes!  She was a beautiful mom and her baby was strong and healthy!  She was laid on my heart during the Jesus film but it was time for singing and testimonies so I could only pray now that she would stay and not leave because it was getting cooler outside.  After powerful testimonies and singing we dispersed among the crowd!  I saw my mom was still there but as the gospel was being presented she turned as if to leave.  I stepped in to block her path and offered to hold her baby once again.  She allowed me to hold her baby while she listened and I prayed the Lord would move her and keep the baby quiet!  As the invitation was extended she had tears rolling down her face but was hesitant to go forward.  As soon as Johanna came and asked her if she wanted to go she immediately grabbed her other young son's hand and headed forward.  At that point the baby began to cry, I knew he was hungry but tried to keep him quiet even though he was hungry.  It was a beautiful thing to watch everyone falling on their knees and accepting Jesus for the very first time!  It gets everyone excited for the next clinic and the chance to do it again!

Our second village, Chacanun, was special for 2 reasons.  We were able to commission Acedro as a Lay Pastor in the village.  But also they built houses in the village 3 1/2 years ago.  Tonight was not so much about first time dedication but more recommitting and reconnecting with Christ.  I prayed for the Lord to lay someone on my heart and right when we made it down the big hill into the village I saw him.  A little boy in a dark green hoodie but I was going to be in the clinic doing glasses.  Terri offered to do it instead because she knew I wanted to be out with the kids.   I made her a Spanish Script and took off.  I wandered up the hill and saw my little guy sitting there so I motioned to him and his eyes lit up when I did the Frisbee motion.  I noticed right away the other boys were picking on him and he was protective of his Frisbee and soccer ball.  Finally I was asking him his name, Israel and he was 9 years old.  I asked him how many siblings he had and he said only one brother, Jose 12 years old.  For some odd reason I also asked if his parents were here.  Instantly his head went down and he said they were both dead.  Boy I took a shot to the heart on that.  He said him and his brother live alone in a pink house, meaning one that the team had built.  He told me his grandparents lived a few houses down but they didn't live with them.  I sat on the grass and slowly he kept getting closer and soon couldn't cuddle into me any closer.  His brother joined us on the grass to.  He really didn't care about playing Frisbee instead he wanted love.  I just sat and held him all night long!  After the invitation he tugged me up and took me to the front where his brother was.  I knelt down put my arms around both of them and cried with them.  Hearing Jose cry out to Jesus was a moment I will never forget.  The sadness and burden he felt was being released as he cried out to Jesus.  I had packed a bag of food, candy, and extra granola bars from various team members to give him.  He was grinning ear to ear as he had his bag in one hand, bible in the other, and another bag on his back.  He was so cold so I gave him my sweatshirt as well.  I couldn't help but just want to bless him with everything I had!  We were able to pray once again for the missionary and safe travels home before leaving!  A powerful night!

Monday morning I woke up to discover my sister had gotten sick in the middle of the night.  She stayed in my room with me and we enjoyed quality sister bonding time!  She decided not to go to Antigua so instead I had to help Michael shop for her!  I can say we bonded and had a great time trying to barter together!  It was a day I won't to quickly forget!  I was so blessed to spent time with family and share in the experience with them.  It was a gift and something I will cherish forever!  Saying good bye was a happy occasion!  I didn't shed any tears but rather couldn't stop smiling at the week we shared together!  As I struggle to get excited about leaving it did help to see them and know that in just 2 weeks I will see them again!   Now comes packing as I sent one bag back with them.  I look forward to one more week and a last build in San Ramon!  Please continue to pray for us for strength and patience!  We can't say enough how your prayers help us thru the week!   Only 13 more days and I will get to see you all again!

Beauty in LITTLE things

A new tooth... Jumping in a water puddle...  Listening to the crickets after all the kids are in bed and it is quiet... Crayons all over the floor... Nails painted hot pink... The content baby sigh...  Another empty bottle...  Giggles when swinging because I am tickling Evonne...  The kisses that we exchange before bed... My 3 favorite words I love you being yelled under my bathroom door while I try to quick shower.... A content heart basking in the love the Father has for me in HIS perfect plan!

What a wonderful crazy week!  I am tired but yet I can't get enough of all the new babies!  I just go round and round... feeding, changing, burping, feeding again!!  Bounce, bounce, bounce!  Rosa is not sure how much she likes her "mom" holding other babies while she has to sit and watch :)  But she is now big enough to hold her own bottle and put herself to sleep, which makes me sad but God blessed me with 4 other babies to rock every night!  I did have one fantastic afternoon because all the kids went for their monthly doctor visit so I did laundry, cleaned, and enjoyed my quiet!  But everyone came back and back to the hustle and bustle!

Please be in prayer for Dulce.  She was recast on Tuesday and when they went to the doctor on Wednesday she went to the hospital.  She was throwing up due to her spine adjusting to the recast but she is doing better it is just taking a little time.  Please pray that her little precious body becomes adjusted to her new position and keeps healing.  She is strong and has a fighting spirit but her body now needs to heal!

Today Anya and I were able to take a hike as a little break in the action!  We took a hike to the bottom of the valley behind the base to see the waterfall and river below.  Nothing is more moving than God's creation to show how powerful and amazing HE is.  I can't say it was relaxing but it was a few hours of quiet and laughter was refreshing!  The waterfall was about 20 feet and coming down the mountian I could hear the rushing water!  Wow breathtaking for sure!  But I made sure I was back in time to love my kiddos for a few extra hours filled with laughter and kisses!

I am also getting excited to see my sister and brother-in-law on Tuesday!  It feels like yesterday I stepped off that plane and now we have only two teams left!  It has been a humbling experience to watch others lives change and still others come to know Christ as their personal Savior for the first time!  A powerful event that never ever gets old and continues to bring me to tears everytime I am amidst it!  It is a humble experience to be a part of the Lord's work when He really doesn't need me to be but yet it is a gift He allows us to experience!  Please pray for the last two remaining teams and strength as we finish out the season strong for the LORD!  

Two hands to build, Two arms to hold, One Life to Live

What a week it has been!  I am sorry I wasn't able to post sooner but I am experiencing computer and internet difficulties.. Just wonderful since I was not gifted in the area of technology to begin with!  I spent the week in San Ramon building!  I was put half, well mostly in charge of a house with Hermano Jesus, the pastor but he doesn't speak English so well so I played leader and yet co-leader!  The team is made up of 26 people, the norm is 30. Lots of young kids and an elderly couple who was not able to help us build.  This meant our numbers were going to be done already. 

 

My house family was Mario, Rosinda, 5 year old Jade, 3 year old Diego, and a baby 6 months along.  But also God gifted us with Mario's 2 cousins Fosto and Elvia.  They were visiting Rosinda for the first time and had never been that far out to visit ever!  Elvia was 21 and Fosto was 19!  They were excited to be able to help do the detail work on the second day!  One unique detail is Mario works at a school 8 hours away and will not be home until November.  And with mom being 6 months pregnant this house was so so much more to them then just a house.  It was a mircle!  I loved getting to know our mom and the cousins but the youngsters were pretty timid!

 

My team was a dad, Jeff, his 5th grade son, Mason, a 17 year old boy, Austin, and an 8th grade girl, Tanya... And me!  It had its moments of trying times but we made it thru!  I didn't tell them I am actually a trained hairdresser until over halfway thru the day!  They could hardly believe it!  Thank you dad for teaching me awesome carpentry skills! Thank goodness with this team we built fairly close to base and not far up the mountain.  One of our cement board pieces was cracked so we had to carry one from base to our house without cracking it but Jeff and I did it!  It was a long first day but we made it before the rain started... Yes rain in the dry season and lots of it!  We were forced to sit under the patio with little room and gather close for devos in order to hear Dan.  It was crazy because you never get rain but even crazier is the next night it rained even more!

 

Day 2 started out nice and muggy!  What a great thing Iowa has humidity so I had no problem adjusting or feeling anywhere but home working in it!  Stucco went on with extra to spare and I managed to stay a little cleaner than last time!  Not that I don't like getting dirty but scrubbing stucco off for over 15 minutes in a cold shower is a little to refreshing for me!  We were slowed down and sat and watched mud dry for a while... Which is ironic because with the last team I was out with I was teasing a group for watching mud dry when now here I sat doing the same!  Gotta love God's sense of humor!  I helped get the detail work done after dinner but told my team I had complete faith in them, make it special, and form a relationship with the family!  The cousins loved decorating and that was a huge bonding point as well!  We were able to get all our staff jobs done and finished up during the afternoon which was perfect because down came the rain and washed the spider out!  ... Not quite but its a good visual picture!  We were once again under the patio but this time we had so many more kids with us for devos, including my twin boys from the previous house I built!  The snuggle one under each arm and I was loving every minute of it!  Made me miss my little ones even more!  And also on day 2 Milton returned to family but Layla who is 40 days old joined our Open Doors family!  So now there is 8 kids!  We went from majority older kids to 3 under age 1!  And today I was told there is a posiblity of 3 more little ones! Wow I need more arms for sure!!  But we rotate kids around so everyone gets a turn with a crying child :)

 

Okay now back to San Ramon!  Day 3 Dedication day.. my favorite day!  But of course we had to wait for the mud to dry up in order to make it to our houses up the steep hills.  And also we would be dedicating a house from last week because the family was not present.  So not only did we get a later start we also had double overtime for dedications! (meaning 6 houses if you aren't into sports)  My house was in line for the second quarter!  The first house went fairly quick and the whole family accepted Jesus!  Alright great start!  Our house was awesome!  I pulled the cousins into the house too because the Lord had laid Elvia on my heart before I fell asleep the night before.  They came in but seemed a little hesitant.  I was praying my heart out that they would understand that the gospel we were presenting was a relationship not just head knowledge of the gospel. When the time came for the question they all accepted!  I was on my knees praying over them afterwords!  My heart was overflowing with joy knowing I had 2 more siblings in Christ!  I gave Fosto a big hug after and told him I am your sister in Christ!  He smiled huge and gave me a hug!  What an uplifter and encourager for the next 4 houses to come!

 

The third house everyone anticipated going well simply because of how much knowledge the father had all week about the bible but what he didn't have was the relationship.  Everyone had their guard down just enough to let distracions happen but once we refocused after Dan came out to tell us to pray harder, once again they immediately acceptted and more hearts were won for Christ!  The 4th house went well also!  We were nearing lunch time so once The house was finished we broke for lunch and encouraged the team to stay focused because we still had 2 houses to go!  And so far the harvest was fantastic!

 

The 5 house it was getting hot!  I stand in the back of the house by the window so I can see what is going on inside the house and know how to tell the team how to specifically pray for the people inside.  It was so hot inside the house I could feel it radiating out of the window like crazy!  I knew they were warm so I sent the message around to pray for air... No longer than 1 minute passed when a breeze came from both sides of the house and instantly cool air flowed out of th window; afterward the team thanked us for praying because they needed it!  We also prayed against distractions inside the house with 4 young children it was a challenge to keep the focus.  I also passed around a notecard with a verse that read, "Keep your focus on Jesus Christ" because I was sensing the restlessness and tiredness of house number 5.  Unless you have went into a Spiritual battle you will never understand how exhausting it is for you in every way.  I also knew we had a special gift of house number 6 coming up next!  For the first time in all of PBM history we were dedicating and presenting the gospel to a family whose house was built the week before but who were not present when the dedication was to take place.  It had a special place in my heart because I had gotten to know last weeks team so well and I didn't want to give half of what I have to fight for their eternal salvation.  But once again I serve an incredible God and the harvest was incredible.  All 6 houses, every single person accepted Jesus into their hearts!  We knew God had incredible things planned for this team!!

 

I was blessed and able to stay home from both the medical clinics but I love hearing about how lives were changed amongst team members and how Christ was accepted with open hearts in the villages!  I was able to get some awesome quility time with the new little ones and spoil my favorites once again!   We made popcorn, played play dough, chased each other on the playground, and drew sidewalk chalk- well I drew the kids thought it was great to draw on their hands and rub each others faces but in the end the smiles and giggles were so worth it!  I also was lucky enough to have my little baby Rosa sleep in her crib for one night in my room.  She was still awake when I was going to bed so I asked if we could pull a crib in my room and have a sleepover.  :)  I am not attached one bit am I?!  She was awesome and only woke up once at 1:49 for a bottle!  It was fun and might be happening again because yesterday as we were about ready to leave for Antigua with the team the ambulance pulled up.. I had been told of possible new babies coming but I just never know how soon it might actually happen.  Out stepped not one nurse holding a baby but two!  Now our kid count doubled in a week and also all of a sudden we had more in diapers than in panties!  YIKES!!  I do not have enough arms to hold them all!  Juan Carlos was just 10 days old and Josue Alejandro was 23 days old. It was a neat experience for the team to witness these precious new gifts coming to us here!  I was lucky enough to be the first one to recieve a baby boy from the nurses!  What sweet little children for sure!  It also helps that they are all very content babies and cry a minimal amount well accept for Layla but she is the only little girl so how else is she suppose to get attention right?!

 

I am so blessed to help raise up God's precious gifts and I am excited to see what God has planned for each special child I get to love and hold.  I know he has everything worked out for their good but as much as my heart breaks for when a child leaves, I have comfort knowing that at least for a season I was God's hands and feet in their life.  Please pray for all of our staff, new babies, and myself.  It is a beautiful thing to see each woman bouncing a bundle around!!

New Kids and Crazy Days!

After the first clinic Friday night, I was exhausted from pouring myself out spiritually during the clinic praying for others and holding 3 of the cutest 7-8 year old little girls as they pulled me forward and wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts.  They were crying and I was just weeping.  No matter how many times it happens little kids move me to tears of joy quicker than anyone.  Then hearing them personally ask Jesus into their hearts is a moment I will never forget; the angels in Heaven rejoiced that night!  I was also able to run around and play some soccer but boy did those little boys show us how its done!  Nothing like a huge ravine behind the field either where I seemed to always kick the ball and someone would have to go and get it!   But in the end it was great!

Saturday nights medical clinic was also memorable because we came to the village and were told they did not want to host a clinic anymore... now what?  We all gathered around and began to pray Guatemalan style of course (Everyone prays all together at once)  for this village and also where we were to go from here.  We all loaded up into the vans and headed for a village that was close to the base.  Only 2.3 miles as the crow flies but 45 minutes to drive it.  It was a beaututiful village and we ended up serving almost 60 families at the end of the night.  Their was a woman who was more ahead of the village and I was able to pray the salvation prayer with her!  I was also able to tell her she reminded me of my mama grizzly bear at home.  She was in charge and had a heart of love!  She gave me 2 awesome mom hugs after I explained that I was here for 3 months and missed my mom!  She was wonderful.                                                                      

On Saturday night around 10:45 pm after our second medical clinic.  I was informed we had 2 siblings coming sisters. The older was 5, Evonne, the younger was 2, Sophia.  They arrived around 3 AM.  They were rescued from domestic abuse.  Their parents were drunk.  It was heart breaking hearing a little girl cry out for her mom when I can do nothing but hold her close with tears streaming down my face crying out to the Lord to give me strength and wisdom.  I just wanted to tell her everything will be alright.  She calmed down with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a book.  By now it is 4:50 AM Rosa hasn't slept since 1 with all the excitement and I can't sleep either.  I finally got up at 5 and took my baby Rosa got her to fall asleep and she laid in my bed because it was the quietest.  Meanwhile it was Jose who broke the ice.  They pushed his crib next to Evonne and she was giggling at this silly boy.   She was coming around and having the team here and come down to meet both little girls was special.  They had her giggling and cuddling.  She was loving it and is the most polite 5 year old ever.  A beautiful smile and wonderful shining eyes.  Evonne told me she loves Jesus and brought tears to my eyes with how brave and strong she is!  It was a night that made me grateful once again but also changed my heart forever.

Sunday was spent in Antigua and of course I was able to video chat with my family!  It was wonderful to see them and catch up on all the things that were happening.  I was tired because once I knew the kids were coming I slept but I was on edge.  Final devotion night with the team is one of my favorite nights.  It is where you see hearts and lives transformed for Christ and where we are able to really bond as a group.  Watching hearts heal, lives change, and yet others accept and begin their own personal relationship with Christ is a beautiful thing.  Praying with people and having others pray for me is a humbling experience.  I have never felt so blessed and I am always renewed in a new way after every team.  One wise team member told me to "Keep adventuring for God".  I love that saying and can't wait to keep on keeping on with God as my guide and source of strength in everything.

Yesterday it was up at 3 and off to the airport!  Not much sleep once again but I just didn't tell myself that.  The team left on time and arrived home safely!  We got our shopping all finished up and back home we went again.  I was able to finally get to bed at 8 PM!   Nice and early.  I was trying to check emails but of course our power went off so I could have gone to bed earlier but never the less still was able to get a great 10 hours of sleep!

Today makes 8 children as a new baby just arrived.  His name is Oscar Tommy and he was born January 28, 2014.  He is very very very little and I would say around 6 pounds if even that big.  I was the first one to hold and marvel at this beautiful new baby.  My heart melted in a pool on the floor for sure.  My arms are just not large enough to hold all the kids but my heart has plenty of love in it for all of them for sure!  He is absolutely precious and has a sweet little cry since he did not like getting his hand and foot prints done :)  Now it is time to pack the van, do laundry, clean my room, pack my own cloths, and love the kids enough that they won't miss me as I head out once again for construction at San Ramon.  Please pray for the team that arrives tonight.  We are anxious but yet also need continued prayers for strength as we as a staff continue to pour ourselves out.  I can honestly not believe that Febuary is almost over and we will have 2 teams left after this week!  Wow times goes fast when you are content and doing what God called you to do.  I thank you all for your support!

What it's Thursday already?!

Where did the time go this week?!  It has gone so fast; I have been busy chasing rambunctious little boys, rocking a precious baby, and walking Miss Dulce around the base to give her fresh air!  I have loved it so much in fact that i have began to wear my favorite Chaco sandals out.  Good thing they have a lifetime warranty!  I wanted to share some pictures from the past week but with slow internet it hasn't worked so instead I will share some humorous stories!

Valentine's Day was wonderful!  The kids, nineras, and myself made a bunch of Valentine's together.  I just sorted about 5 in a pile put a ribbon around it with a Reese's Peanut Butter cup on it and everyone received Valentines before dinner!  The kids were thrilled and just keep looking at all the painted pictures we made.  It was nothing fancy but you could feel the love in the room so neat!

This week we discovered a cart on the patio normally used for hauling medicine boxes after medical clinics but a little let over plywood later we made ourselves a wagon!  Cristian could have pushed that thing all day long around and around even if no one was riding!  Everyone took a turn getting a ride or pushing so cute!  We all love to be outside and enjoying the nice warm sunshine, me more then them but everyone is happy and it tires those energy filled boys right out!

On Monday I built Jose a fort out of blankets and chairs.  He thought it was so cool and played all day in his castle :)  Every time he would take the blankets down just so I had to help him put it all back together!  This morning he was trying to build his own fort in the toy room and he kept on saying all he needed was more cloths because his pillows and pillow cases were not working too well.

Yesterday Jose managed to lock me and the other ninera outside with Rosa, Dulce, and Milton.  And he proceeded to laugh at us and shake his hips as if he was dancing.  Cristian was stuck inside with him so we went up to the top in order to get him to open up the door and let us back in.  What a little smarty pants but that's not all!  I came back from eating lunch and doing some things up in the main base and was going to grab something out of my room but he had locked the door.  And he knew it because I went to find him he just giggled and said, "I love you!"  His famous line for when he is naughty!  Luckily there is windows that I put him thru to unlock the door and allow me to get into my room.  We all share a good laugh at how he keeps us on our toes!

Everyday this week I have taken Dulce for about a 30 - 45 minute walk around the base.  She is a little heavy simply because her cast but she loves being outside and getting fresh air is important.  My arms are tired but her smile and bright eyes are so worth it!  The other boys love to be companions on our walks but they can get into more because they know I only have one hand to grab them or save them from falling.

We have made it a week sitting at the big table in booster seats.  Jose made it one day and he fell off his chair but he figured out you have to sit nice or else that is what happens.  Milton is doing awesome and doesn't throw his food around!  Yay for the small things!!  The ladies agreed that we are more like a family when everyone can sit around the table together.  And we just enjoy sitting around the table longer simply because it gives us a chance to all connect and take a quick breath.

I have remained healthy and really sound like a mom when I say I am tired and the hour from 5-6 PM sometimes seems to take forever with a crabby baby, tired boys, and hungry tummies.  But oh about 3 -4 times a day now we take all our chairs down and sit and color pictures.  It is fun to see how they improve from just wanting to watch to actually coloring an object even if it is outside the lines.  Every little bit counts!!

The team arrives tonight so I will be surrounded by English speakers but I am excited to hear that my Spanish is way better then when I came.   Having to be alone on base has allowed complete emersian and I never thought I would be glad about that!  I learn so much more everyday and can have better more in depth conversations to get to know everyone better.  To them I will always be the crazy American who likes to sing, dance, and is for sure the biggest kid they have to take care of.  A couple of times this week someone would end up crying because we were playing to rough or doing things that were probably not the wisest but I can't help myself!  I will do almost anything to see a smile hear a giggle that means they are happy.  Don't get me wrong they know when I mean business or when they have pushed it to far but we have a great time most moments.

One last thing I can't forget to mention is how wonderful nap time is.  I get to go sit high up on the water tower lookout and daily do my devotions.  Nothing better then a great view, warm sunshine, and the Lord.  I enjoy my quiet moments to draw myself near to him without distractions and gazing at his beautiful creation.  I had an emotional devotion Monday and struggle to learn to trust his promise of holding tomorrow in his hands.  I was walking with Dulce all around the inside of the Orphanage because it was cold and cloudy outside.  I had praise music blaring, singing to it, and dancing to see Dulce smile.  I walked outside and there it was.  A beautiful rainbow.  His promise; a kiss from my Lord; just when I needed it.  Wow what a moment of sheer worship and thanksgiving!  And the best part is there was not a drop of rain anywhere!  Remarkable how if we are aware how he is right there with beautiful signs for us!  Keep your eyes open and your heart ready because he loves us and desires for us to let him bless us!