Pray4MeBri

So sorry for the long wait! I’m pretty far behind so I’ll start with my last week in Mexico.

Monday morning was busy. I baked granola and made a last batch of peanut butter. Rach went trhrough clothes for several of the children… not a small feat… We were both doing other things so lunch was a bit scattered but it came together. After lunch I did language and wrote out some things and wrapped Chuy’s birthday gift. I started packing on my time off and got a bit of phone time in. Supper. I gave Chuy a bath and put the kids to bed. Rach and I did an avacado facial… rather green…

 Tuesday morning God decided I need some exitement before I leave. I was doing laundry and Rach was making lunch. It rained. And since it doesn’t rain here this time of year I did laundry anyway expecting it to stop anytime. It didn’t. I had all the laundry washed and was beginning to despair a bit since it was noon. Rach calmly suggested that I pray about it. I did. As we were going through the line for food Rach told me to look out the window. The sun was shining!! Thanks Lord! I did language after lunch and made cakes for Chuys birthday. Had my time off then folded laundry. Supper. Goofed around with the children until bedtime. I iced Chuys cakes and showered and went to bed.

 Chuy decided that he couldn’t sleep and gave a concert instead so Roxina and I slept in Wednesday morning.. oops. We decided that he wanted to welcome his birthday with style. I stayed in my room and enjoyed my last day off until it was time to go in for phone. I got to meet Tricia’s family. I got a ride back to the orphanage with Lenn and Garrison for Chuy’s birthday lunch. His grandma and uncle came and brought a cake for him to smash which he did with pleasure, but in the end it was too much and he just cried. Poor guy but it was so cute. I put him to bed then headed out to the budega. I took a walk out on the property in the afternoon then headed into town again for internet. We had prayer meeting and a lound ride home.

 On Thursday I made scalloped potatoes for lunch ( isn’t it funny how they just never quite taste like mom’s) I didn’t have to make dessert since we had leftover cake so it wasn’t that busy of a morning. I rested and got things together and packed. I showered and got ready to head into town for a night out with Rach. We went out to eat at the nicest restaurant in Choix. It had more American food and we both had Pollo con queso de crema, which was fabulous. We walked back to Loren’s and tried to avoid the “happy” people along the way. Once we got to Loren’s we sat there a bit then realized that we needed to get inside to use the phone to let Lenn know we were ready to go and that was a problem because no one  was home. We met up with Tricia and her family who were on their way to eat chocolate cake but also needed in the house. We decided that Loren’s were up town at the basketball game to Rach and I walked up there and fetched the keys… =) It was fun… We got back and put the kids to bed. I had my last monthly meeting with Debbie which was good.

 On Friday Tricia’s family came out to the orphanage to help out. The guys fixed fence and the ladies did some mending and cleaning. It was so nice of them to do it. I did laundry and Rach made Taco Salad for everyone. We had lunch outside in the beautiful sunshine. Put Chuy down for his nap and sent all the children up on the hill for school and Rach and I folded laundry. I biked to town and called home. Biked back up those hills one last time and got ready for our ’singles’ activity. We went to Choix and met Tricia and her family for Mexican Hot Dogs. I think the vendor was a bit overwhelmed. We went back to the orphanage and played Snitch… a mean game… well not really.

 Saturday morning the children were all in a goofy mood before Saturday class. We got back from class late and quickly did the cleaning and lunch. Things settled down a bit after lunch. I took the ‘first’ shift and played snakes and ladders with the children.  I did a lot of packing on my time off. We had supper, and then they had a surprise farewell for me, complete with cake and ice cream. Everyone prayed for me and thanked me and made me cry. I had an icing fight with Rach and Maria, who, of course ganged up on me. =) I bathed Chuy and put children to bed. Rach and I stayed up a bit and talked.

 Sunday was laid back, I cut up veggies for lunch and played more Snakes and Ladders. I tried to finish packing and remember anything I had forgotten… dunno if it helped or not. Lunch was a bit sad, yet not. We had Garrison’s birthday dessert. Champange Salad. (good choice Garri) I helped with the dishes and then Rox and I had our naps on the van benches. Church was good. Lenn had asked for a few of my favorite songs and we sang those. I said good-bye to all the people in town and then Rach, Jesse and I walked home. (Jesse decided to protect us, and gather bottles while he was at it=) I had my last supper and said good-bye to the boys. Did I mention that I don’t like good-byes. I got everything out of my room before bed.

 Monday morning started too early. I showered and squashed everything into my suitcases. I had Chocolate cake and cornflakes for breakfast with Rach. I said good-bye to Lenn’s family and the children and at 6:45 Loren’s came to pick me up. That was a not so fun moment. Loren’s whole family went to take me, Donna’s parents and Janessa to the bus station. We stopped and bought tickets first thing, and then went to Wal Mart. We had lunch at Soriana and then went to the Mochis Park and walked around until it was time to go to the bus station. Our bus was on time and we left at 3:00. From then on it was a lot of sitting. I didn’t sleep all that much but I did manage to sleep through our only military checkpoint. =) Or at least that’s what they told me, I don’t exactly remember.

 I don’t know what time exactly I figured out it was Tuesday.. way too early. At 4:00 am we finally crossed the border into the USA. We all had to get off of the bus and get our luggage and go through security and then we got back on the bus again and waited for those that had to get visas and stuff. I slept some more before we got to Pheonix. Some friends of Ernie and Fay picked us up and took us to thier house for breakfast. It was wonderful to just wash my face and feel like a person again. They took us to the airport around 10;00 and I got an earlier flight home!!! PTL! I thought I’d be on a plane or in an airport for forever but alas at 8:40pm I got to hug my family!! It was so good to see them again! We stopped at Steak-n-shake for milkshakes on the way home. YUM! =) I finally got to take an incredibly HOT shower and fall into my soft bed.

 Thank you all so much for praying for me, especially as I traveled. God blessed me in so many little ways on the way home that it was just wonderful.

I just wanted to let you all know that I got home safe and sound! Thank you all for your prayers!! The Lord was good and I even got an early flight. I’m planning on updating on the last 2 weeks when I get my brain back together… Thanks again for your prayers!!

 yes.. they let us work here..=)

 the cool river bed

 lovely cactus.. if you look closely you’ll notice we’re holding our breath.. something stank… bad…

 smile you’re on camera…

On my day off this past week I read a book about Chinese Christians and the persecution that they face. It really made me think about freedom we enjoy and how I would react to persecution. Could I persevere? Would I remain faithful? It was also a good reminder to pray for my brothers and sisters all around the world who are dying for thier faith.

 Monday was spent trying to get everything and everyone back to “normal”. Rach and Fernando went with DIF to Ahome to have a speech therapist look at his tongue. The therapist confirmed what we had originaly thought and said that his tongue is attached too far foreward and that it needs to be clipped. With them gone I was in charge of lunch and such. I made spagetti and baked granola ( a seemingly forever present job) The twins were helping me and both of them could compete with Anne Shirly when it comes to talking
non-stop so finally I asked for a tiempo de silencio… ahh silence IS golden. =) After lunch I got some computer things together and typed out my blog and headed into town for phone and internet. I got a ride back with Loren who was coming out for soccer. It’s always nice not to have to bike up those hills. Supper. Rach and Fernando finally came back. I gave Chuy a bath and put my children to bed.

 Tuesday was normal. Rach did laundry and I fried fish for lunch and made granola. Lunch. I started Rosetta Stone 3 but I doubt I’ll get very far in it. I folded laundry until my time off. After supper I goofed off with Rach and ate some of Miguel’s un-ripe papaya.. its wierd but the ripe ones smell nasty so I’ll take wierd. I sang with Roxina and tucked them into bed. Rach and I hung out and talked until late…

 I woke Wednesday to the sound of birds through the open window. Remind me again why I’m leaving this weather?? I hung out in my room for the morning then headed into town. I went to the bank and arrived at the same town as the army truck… guess they have to use the bank too but I’m still a bit un-nerved with sitting in the same room as a bunch of guys with machine guns. I paid for my visa, which took a while then went to Loren’s for phone. Then I went shopping for Chuy’s birthday, which is the 11th. I got my favorite drink here, jugo de durazno (peach juice). I walked to the plaza and sat and read for a while. Went back to Loren’s for internet and had supper with them befoe prayer meeting. Came back and put the children to bed and had prayer with Rach.

 Thursday was a slow day. I made potatoe bar for lunch and pumpkin cake. Carol was my helper with bread, which always makes it fun and extra interesting. =) Did language adn had my time off. I helped Debbie with supper and played outside with the girls. Had supper and tore around with the girls before bed. They have this thing with trying to pull me apart…

 I did laundry on Friday and finished early. Had lunch and Rach’s yummy Revel Bars. The computer wouldn’t work for language so I worked on writing a card for Roxina in Spanish… that was harder than Rosetta Stone. I folded laundry then headed into town for phone and internet. Everyone came out for fun night -my last one-. Tricia, Rach and I spent the whole night just talking and hanging out. It waslate until everyone left so it was late to bed. Had prayer with Rach and hit the sack.

 It was hard to get out of bed Saturday morning. We went to Sat. School. Came badk and made lunch. It was Lenn’s family’s day off so Rach and I split the time up and each had time off and then a shift watching the kids. I started reading Fox’s book of Martyrs… the things that people do to each other is absolutely horrible! Supper was sopa fria.. for some reason it went down a little hard. The girls went to a Quincinera (a 15th birthday party) which is almost as big as a wedding around here. They got back around 9. Got everyone unwound and put to bed.

 I actually got to sleep in on Sunday morning… not earth shatteringly long but hey I’ll take what I can get. =) I was in charge of breakfast cleanup and played with the children in the morning. Rach and I covered for each other and had some time off. Lunch and clean up. We put the children down for naps then Rach and I went out and had a photo shoot.. Suzanne took the pictures.. we had so much fun just goofing off. Came back and got ready for church. Rach, Maria, Rosalina and I walked back from church. Supper was loud and fun.

 You can all pray for me as this is my last week in Mexico. I don’t know if I’ll update again before I leave or not so if I don’t please pray that everying goes smoothly and for safety as I travel. I’ll be taking a bus on Monday afternoon (the 16th) and my flight leaves Pheonix around noon on Tuesday. I will be going with Donna’s parents and Janessa on the bus so that’s a blessing not to have to go it by myself.

 Monday morning I felt much better but poor Rach still wasn’t feeling that good. I made lunch and peanut butter and helped Regina and Maria make granola. I did language then finished making peanut butter. On my time off I biked into town and used the phone and internet. I felt the after-effects of being sick biking up the hills on the way back.. and I think winter has left us. It was a bit warm. Supper went well but it felt like the children all decided to be bad together. =)

 On Tuesday Rach was feeling better and did our laundry while I made lunch and finished baking granola. Suzanne was making muffins and with the children in and out it felt like a rather busy morning. After lunch I diligently did my language then folded laundry and deboned chicken for tomorrow’s lunch. I had my time off, then we had supper. After we were all in bed the Allen Roth and Bob and Donna Kauffman arrived. Allan stayed here and the Kauffmans with their daughter Krista and her family.

 Wednesday morning started early for all of us. The children were all excited to meet Allan especially because they knew he could speak fluent Spanish. I had my day off so I spent the morning relaxing in my room then headed into town for phone time. I rode back to the orphanage with Rods and the whole mexico team had lunch there. I rode back into town with Rods then walked to the Plaza to read. By the way if any of you want to read a good book try ‘Same kind of different as me’ its really good. I got a rather talkative visitor so I headed back to Lorens for internet. I made the rather WARM bike ride back. I got there in time for the last of the beans. =) Everyone went to San Pedro for the service that Allan had there except Debbie and her younger children, Rach, Fernando, Chuy and I so it was a quiet evening (except for the fact that Chuy decided to be a grouch).

 Thursday was a bit diverse but it went well. I made soup and cake for lunch and then I had my meeting with the board. (they had a meeting with each worker while they were here) After that I came in and quickly finished lunch. After lunch I finished Rosetta Stone Spanish level 2!!! Horray for me!! During my time off I was looking for something in my suitcase when I opened it and there sat this ugly little mouse perched on my things looking at me. I quickly closed the lid and went for some ‘help’. Ian had the brilliant idea to
zip it in the suitcase and take it outside to let Pepper kill it. So we did and his plan worked quite well… whew. Needless to say thatthe rest of my time off was spent cleaning out my suitcases… I can stand Sebastian (the little lizard in my room) because he kills bugs and scorpions but I do NOT like mice. We had supper and I did dishes because most of the children were at the service again. Before
bed Chuy took his first steps alone. It was so much fun to see him do it. Rach and I stayed up a while. It was good to get to bed though, it had been a rather eventful day!

 Chuy woke up early and cranky Friday morning .. not sure why. I did laundry and Rach made lunch. She had her meeting so I finished making lunch. I had a short nap then gathered the laundry off of the lines before our staff meeting. The ‘adults’ and the board had a meeting and then Tricia and I biked into town. I called home and used the internet then I went along to the San Pedro service. They have church there every Sunday morning but I had never actually been there so I figured I’d better do it soon. Allan preached
on a Godly Family. After the service Francisca served us all SWEET coffee and animal crackers(isn’t it great when you find that one of your favorite snacks is multi-cultural?=) The ride back was a bit crowded and everyone was sleepy. I was glad for my bed.

 I woke up Saturday morning with a stuffy nose, probably because I forgot a jacket the night before. S. School went well. On the way back we crammed 36 people in the van..I believe the record is 39. Rach made lunch and I made pizza crust for supper. After lunch I made pizza sauce and then we all had naps. Rach and I put the pizzas together for supper. Showered the children and put them to bed early.

 Sunday I woke with the realization that I only have 16 more days here in Mexico! Its rather hard to believe. We loaded everyone and everything up by 9 and headed to El Cerito Resort for the day. Everyone from the Choix and San Pedro services came and we invited the church from Ahome. The first service was at 10:00am. Chuy did really good during it, all of you mothers will apreciate that along with me =) We served everyone lunch, which was really good. We had Barbacoa (a soup) and some kind of beans that the ladies from Mochiki made that were wonderful, sopa fria (noodle salad) and lots of suko and water. one of the cabins of the resort was open so I found a bed for Chuy and he slept for most of the second service. Everyone had coffee and sweet bread and then we cleaned up while Rod, Loren and Lenn
took everyone from the villages home. We were a rather raggedy looking bunch when we got back in the evening. Everyone showered off several layers of sweat and Mexico dust before supper. It was later than usual before supper was cleaned up and everyone was in bed. I think its safe to say we all slept good. =)

Fernando pulling Chuy in the wagon with a trail of puppies following.

 one of the cute puppies

 His cute little smile.

 don’t for a minute think those puppies have it rough =)

 poor little guy!!

 yard blitz (or rather concha blitz)

 we rather filled up the restaurant..

 the birthday boys

 Dietch was a little tired

 Rach (no she doesn’t play a chord =)

 American History… ha ha

 The guys being nice and cleaning up

 fun fun fun

 JUMP

 The Mochiki band

 Poor Chuy and his chicken pox

being sick didn’t keep him out of trouble

 cutie

 The whole gang

 Dear Rachie

 the plaza at dusk

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a gift of grace.                 Thomas Merton

This week started out crazy and pretty much stayed that way. I figure I may as well enjoy it because it looks like next week will be just as interesting. We decided to have the anual workers retreat this week, and since there are quite a few of us to move they decided to have it here at the orphanage from Tuesday morning to Friday morning.

 Monday morning was busy with the usual things plus making extra for the retreat. Rach did laundry in the morning and I made pizza and lemon bars for Fernando’s birthday. Rach made her fabulous flan. Lenn and Debbie went to El Fuerte with Rosalina to have her DNC, and
when I went into town for internet I found out that they had to take her to Los Mochis and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday sometime. I biked back to find Chuy very miserable with his chicken pox. I gave him a soda bath and finally tylenol for his fever. Poor guy.

 Tuesday we got the house and ‘grounds’ ready for everyone to come. I made a pumpkin pie for Debbie since it’s her birthday. Lorens and Rods came around 10:00 am. The great thing about this retreat is that the guys and kids do all the cooking and cleanup so we all watced
Rod make spagetti, cucumber salad and garlic bread for lunch. Chuy was a mess. I kept him on tylenol all day but he just laid around and wouldn’t eat.(he had chicken pox in his mouth too) Lenn, Debbie and Rosalina got back around 6:00pm and then everyone went out to the
Taquerilla for supper. I stayed with Chuy and gave him another soda bath and put him to bed early. They brought a mixta back for me(yum) and then we had cake, ice cream and lemon bars for Debbie, Kedric and Fernando’s birthdays.

 Wednesday started groggily for me. I was up several times with Chuy during the night. (to all you mothers that have nursed your kids through various ailments… you have my deepest admiration) Somewhere along the line I cought a horrible sore throught, so that didn’t add any cheerfulness. =( We had a wonderful breakfast of potatoes, eggs and toast then the men and children went hiking. We all went to Pollos Mayos for lunch which was interesting since we took up the whole restaurant =) You really can’t beat they’re chicken though. We had flan for dessert since it was Sam’s birthday. I went on a walk with Tricia before a supper of Mexican Hotdogs. I put Chuy to bed and then we all sat outside and froze and watched the first half of Mary Poppins… Did you know that when the Americans threw the tea overboard during the Boston Tea Party it made the tea un-suitable for drinking? Even for Americans. =)

 Thursday started out much better thanks to a full nights sleep. Chuy was also feeling much better which was very nice. I think we all decided we’ve never seen someone that small get chicken pox that bad. We had oatmeal and cereal for breakfast and then had a track and field day for the children. We had races, hurdles, a high jump, softball throw, jump rope competition and a tire toss. They thoroughly enjoyed it and it was fun to watch. We had fish, rice and beans for lunch and then I had a nap. Tricia, Rach and I watched the guys race
and see who could jump over the most banquitos. We played several games of Dutch Blitz and then everyone went to the Taquerilla for supper. I stayed back with Chuy again. When everyone came back we watched the rest of Mary Poppins…

 Friday morning was the ending of our retreat. After breakfast everyone started packing and cleaning up. We also took a group picture…quite the undertaking being that our group is rather large and 3/4 of us are children. Everyone left and we started getting ready for
lunch and the special activity for saturday school(yep they all came back again =-) I did some cleaning while Rach supervised lunch. I did language for the first time in days then biked into town for phone and internet. Caught a ride back with Rods and helped make more
Mexican Hotdogs for everyone. We also had smores…extra yumminess thanks to my secret stash of snickers… thats not a secret anymore

 I stayed back from Saturday Class to do some much needed laundry. We had lunch and I put Chuy to bed and folded laundry. Lenns very generously gave Rach and I the afternoon off since we didn’t get our days off this week. We walked into town and met Tricia coming from
Loren’s. The three of us went shopping and Rach and I bought skirts. We hung out at the plaza till Tricia had to go home. Rach and I sat for a while then went to Oxxo for icecream bars. We goofed around then went to Pollo’s Mayos for supper. (I know we’re very mature
eating our ice cream first =) Hung around the plaza until dark then got a ride back to the orphanage. I bathed Chuy and put children to bed.

 We must have eaten something because Rach and I both woke up not feeling well on Sunday morning. Rach had a fever and the works but mine was mostly a horrible headach and not so happy stomach. Chuy wasn’t all that happy so after I fed him lunch we both had a good long
nap. We stayed home from church and I pretty much slept all afternoon and evening thanks to Debbie taking care of Chuy.
 

Teach me thy way, O Lord; and I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.    Psalm 87:11     

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.      John 17:17

I’ve been thinking a lot about truth the last week. Seeing the misconceptions that some of these children have of God, family and life make me wonder how I can show them the Truth. It also makes me wonder and search to see if I have misconceptions and opinions that are not the truth….     

It was hard to get going Monday morning but when we did things went fast. I made 120 cups of granola! Rach did lunch. I did language then folded laundry until my time off. Biked into town and back. Supper. Rach, Carol, Maria and I goofed off outside a while on the
swing and Teo’s old wheelchair..(for those of you who want to know, don’t let Rach give you a ride on a wheelchair I think I have grey hair =)

 Tuesday was cold. I made lunch and Rach did laundry. I made oatmeal cake for dessert which was good but I feel like I make the same things over and over, so if any of you have some different yet fairly basic recipes… On my time off I walked back on the property and sat there for a while. The mountains were beautiful! The herd of goats that nearly ran over me were not. =) Supper and put the kids to bed. I thought I was going to freeze in the shower!!

 It was still cold Wednesday morning. I got the kids up and ready then spent the morning in my room. Went into town and used the phone, then I walked up town and sat on(in??) the clock tower for several hours. It was great, almost no one came up there and I read and ate my very un-healthy lunch. I walked to Oxxo and being the tightwad that I am, dumped out all my change and bought what I could with that. I walked back to Lorens for Internet. I ate supper with Lorens and then we had prayer meeting.

 Thursday morning went really well. I made potato soup for lunch (since we’ve all been cold this whole week) The girls all helped really nicely. I did language and had my time off. Helped Debbie make supper. Chuy wasn’t very happy in the evening so that wasn’t all that fun. Was glad when it was time to put him to bed.

 Friday the 13th didn’t prove to be in the least bit unlucky. It was Suzanne’s 15th birthday as well. I did lots of laundry in the morning. Language and folded laundry. Ran to town for a bit. We had fun night and a special meal for Suzanne’s birthday. We had tostados which I had never had before, they were very good. We spent the evening singing and playing Dutch Blitz.

 Happy Valentines Day. Tricia made cute heart cookies for Saturday school that were very yummy. I walked to the store to get some things before we left town. Came back and made lunch and some extra things for the ‘party’ Rach and I planned. Rach made chocolate cake for dessert for supper. When I gave Chuy a bath I discovered he has the chicken pox… horray??? We put the kids to bed early then Rach and I hauled a table and chairs and food and such up on the budega roof. We sat up there and ate and laughed and looked at the fabulousn stars… (no we are not crazy) it was sooo much fun =) We sat up there until we were too cold then came in… Stayed up too late but was it ever fun!!!

 Chuy didn’t seem to care what time I got to bed, he was up early and not inerested in staying in bed.=(  The morning was pretty laid back and I stayed home from church with Chuy, Fernando and Rosalina. The boys both have chicken pox and were a bit cranky but we played outside with the puppies and had wagon rides and had fun.

 You can all pray for Rosalina. On Friday she started spotting a bit so we kept her in bed and it stopped. She stayed in bed all day Saturday and was fine, then it started up again Sunday morning and Lenn and Debbie took her in to the hospital. The Doctor that her baby hasn’t been alive for a little while, he wasn’t sure how long. She’s going in on Monday to have a DNC and make sure everything is ok. She seems to be taking it all in stride but I’m sure this is a very scary thing for anyone, much less someone so young.

“Lord I freely yield all my freedom to You… You have given me anything I am or have; I give it all back to You to stand under Your will alone. Your love and Your grace are enough for me; I shall ask for nothing more.”                                                                                        Ignatius of Loyola

This week started out busy. Monday I made granola and peanut butter while Rach made lunch. I like those mornings when its busy yet not hectic… I did language  then cut up some things for supper. I went to town for my time off and went to the bank. I had to wait 10 minutes for the ATM, thought I was in the States again. =)  In the evening we were going to have verb class but had a surprise going away party for Stacey. We all crammed into the budega and tried to be quiet, quite a challenge when you have 25 children and 7 adults in such a small space. Debbie kept the children occupied by telling stories. We all had cake and ice cream in the kitchen and spent some time thanking Stacey and praying for her. We got to be late but it was fun!

Tuesday was another good and busy day. Rach did laundry and I made lunch. I got 2 letters in the mail which was fun!! I folded laundry then had my time off. Supper. Sam shot a jack-rabbit with his BB gun so the boys were all excited. Rach and I got the brainstorm to cook it.. =) Chuy got into a container of Unkers Salve, I’m pretty sure he ate some but it didn’t seem to hurt him. He did get it all over the floor and himself so we got to smell it for a while. Roxina wanted to arm wrestle again before bed (its becoming a nightly ritual =) Rach and I searched cookbooks for a rabbit recipe before bed and we actually found one.

Wednesdays are my new day off so I got to relax in the morning. I hung out in the budega and in town. Called home and caught up on some emails and stuff. Uploaded pictures. I stayed in town until Prayer Meeting. Came back and put the kids to bed. I cleaned up the rabbit and stuck it in the crockpot for the night.

Thursday is Rach’s day off so I was on my own with Mr. Rabbit.. =) It actually turned out pretty good if you like rabbit. (and NO it did not taste like chicken )  I made mashed potatoes and made a gravy with the rabbit broth and  meat. Maria made our dessert. I did language then made peanut butter for my puppy chow for Friday night. I had a good time off then helped Debbie with supper. We played Dutch Blitz until it was time to put the children to bed. I stayed up with Rach and ‘helped’ her make layered jello for Friday night. I got hungry so I made myself coffee soup for the first time in 4 months! (for those of you who don’t know what that is…ask me later =)

Friday was another busy day. I did laundry and made punch and puppy chow in the morning. After lunch Rach and I went to Loren and Donna’s house to decorate for the Girls Party that they have every year for girls ages 12 and up. We decorated and cut the jello into hearts. I took time out for internet and phone. At 5:30pm the party started. Rach, Tricia and I did the food while the ladies organized the games and talked. We had chicken salad sandwiches, bean dip, veggie pizza, jello, and pumpkin roll. The girls seemed to enjoy it. After they left we cleaned everything up and headed back to the orphanage. Put things away and girls to bed. Ahh bed felt good.

Saturday morning Rach stayed home from Saturday school with Rosalina because she has the chicken pox now. We came back a bit late and made lunch and did the normal cleaning. I kept falling asleep during language. I slept too much on my time off. Chuy had a huge mess so I gave him his bath before supper. It was beautiful outside… the clouds played tag with the moon and it was cool enough for a sweatshirt but not too cold. Had  prayer with Rach before bed.

Sunday was laid back. Just spent time with the children and got lunch ready in the morning. Maria’s family came to visit so Roxina and I had our naps in the playroom. Church.  Supper. Goofed off with the kids. Roxina found a helmet of the boys’ so her, Fernando and I played American Football in the kitchen with a flip-flop for a football… it was hysterical! After we put the children to bed Rach and I sat outside under a beautifully bright moon and talked.

Hey guys I’m experiencing some bloops with the memory stick that I saved my blog entry on but here are some pictures that I will explain in my upcoming blog….sometime….

 Roxina and the ‘football’ helmet

 The whole crew as we were for the few days that Scott and Stacey were both here.

 The orphanage workers

 Me and Chuy

 Ok so he wouldn’t smile… but he can really

 Fernando playing football