Saturday, June 28, 2008

Fernando




This is one of my kids, Fernando. (He really can smile normally, and it's gosh darn cute. I'll try to get a picture of it before I leave.) He's five years old and has three sisters who live at Casa, too; Doris, Monica and Katty. He's a really sweet kid and loves to just be near you. He's always wanting one of us to sit next to him when it's time to eat, or play with him. The other morning, Delaney and I were walking some of the kids to school, and he was holding my hand. When we finally made it to the school, he looked at me and said "Bye Mommy! Salud!" And that's when I decided I would in fact keep that child. (Like I thought I wouldn't before) So, he was officially the first child to call me Mommy, and I don't mind that they're calling me that one bit :)

Yesterday, we took the kids to Casitas Kennedy for visitation with some of the parents. Brayan's mom and Cindy and Maryuri's mom showed up. Fernando had been looking forward to seeing his mom. But his mom didn't come and he kept on asking where his mom was. It was hard to see him sad like that. Sam told mewhen we all piled back in the van, Fernando was sitting on her lap and said "My mommy really does love me." If that doesn't break your heart, I don't know what will. After we went out to eat, he ended up sitting with me again and fell asleep on my lap holding onto my arm. It was precious.. I love this kid to pieces, and am so thankful he's in my life.

Please, be praying for him. I know he had a rough time yesterday.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Visiting the Boys









Last Saturday, all eleven kids and nine interns piled into the van with Jen. We were headed to visit the five boys who used to live at Casa, but we were surprising both the kids at Casa and the five boys. So, after a long two and a half hour ride, we finally got to see the boys. I could not wait to see my Mario. (He's the boy in the third picture) He absolutely stole my heart last year, and I was so upset when I heard he wouldn't be at Casa while I'm here. Those boys were the start of Casa, and they have gotten close to so many people's hearts over the past two years. We were all happy we were able to love on our boys again, and the kids were so excited to see their friends. It was so cute. But after two hours of playing, eating and just having a good time, we had to go our seperate ways. Our meeting was definitely bittersweet. After we said our goodbyes and hugged those boys' necks and told them we loved them, we piled back in the van and let it all out. I don't know when I'll see those five precious boys again, but I could never forget them. They are going to do amazing things when they grow up, and I can't wait to hear or witness it.
Keep these boys in your prayers. And keep everyone here in your prayers. There's something missing without them here.
Much Love

Friday, June 20, 2008

Precious Moments

(I just realized the title of my blog is that one brand of dolls and all that jazz. This is not what my post is about! Oh, and I'll update about the group soon.. if you're really impatient go look at the group blog.)

While I've been at Casa for the past five days, I have seen some of the sweetest moments. These kids are ornery and crazy at time.. oh, are they crazy, but then they can be the most adorable kids in the world.

Johnny is a new boy who came from off the streets. It's been interesting to see how he's been adjusting, but I think he's doing pretty well. The other day the kids sat down for dinner and Brayan and Johnny hadn't prayed for their food yet. So, Brayan would say a line of a prayer and then Johnny would repeat what he said. It was precious.. made this girl's heart very happy.

Every morning the kids have devo together after they wake up. They start off with a prayer, and then sing songs in both Spanish and English. My favorite song that they sing is "Father, God". I love hearing them sing it in their little Spanish voices. Then Pamela (and some of the younger ones attempt it) say the memory verse. It's just so stinking cute! That's one of my favorite parts of the day.

Wednesday, I was supposed to help put the girls for their nap. Cindy wouldn't be quiet and I was trying to be patient with her :) And finally, I just got in bed with her and she put her arm around me and went right to sleep. Who knew it was that easy? I'm glad I know for future reference!

Finally, the girl that stole my heart, Katty was being ornery today. She's four years old and a little chubster. She's the little dinosaur of the group. Seriously, I know that sounds mean, but if you saw her you would understand. Anyway.. she was being bad today. She pushed Maryuri down and was in the crib I don't know how many times in just a few hours. I laid down with her because she wouldn't stay in her bed for naptime. So after she kept poking me and touching my nose, eyes, mouth, oh and farting, she curled up by me and laid her head on my arm and rubbed my arm. Oh, and twitched in her sleep. Which I used to rub my mom's arms when I was little and I still twitch in my sleep, so I think it's just adorable. Anyway.. she and I fell asleep finally. So, hopefully when we wakes up from her nap in an hour, she won't be a little cranky butt.

That's all my moments right now. I'm sure there will be more to come.

Much love

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppressions, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to al our children and the poor.

Amen

Grace Still Amazes Me

You're probably wanting an update on the group trip (ok, most of you probably don't care, but let me think that anyway), but I'm still trying to process is all. I will say it was an amazing week, and that I was blessed to serve among the people from our team. They were awesome. I saw Jesus in every single one of them. I'm here in Honduras until July 3rd, so I'll try to blog regularly and tell ya'll what's going on at Casa.

Anyway.. I just wanted to post this song. I've listened to it a few times since the group left and just love it even more now.

Much Love

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
Than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me ‘
Cause Your grace still amazes me

Friday, June 6, 2008

This Is It!

Sunday morning at around 3 o'clock, the GC team will be on their way to the Columbus airport for our long awaited trip to Honduras. I've been planning for this trip for almost a year now.. I was actually talking about how long I'd be staying at Casa after the first couple days of the trip last year. I can't believe it's here already.
We've had troubles with traveling and such (since there was a plane crash where we had planned on landing). But everything has worked out. We're now flying into San Salvador, El Salvador and driving to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Yes, it'll be an adventure, for sure. And another stamp in the good ole' passport. It'll be an interesting trip.. much different than last year. The parents aren't going, so Donna is my keeper? I guess you could call her that. Apparently we're going to be like "peanut butter and jelly" according to her. All I know is that she's definitely not the peanut butter. ;) I just can't wait to see some of my kids again and hug them until their little heads fall off. Ok, not literally.. but close enough. And I can't wait to see our team be Jesus to the people in Honduras.

Anyway... It'll be fun. Very crazy at times, but fun none the less. So please keep us in your prayers. We'd appreciate it so much. And check out our blog. It's the first one on my sidebar deal with all the blogs. Leave us comments, too. :) I'll hopefully start blogging after the group leaves, that is if the internet is working at Casa. So, as for now -- I hope you all have a great week! And as for me, I need to get packing!

Much Love

Monday, June 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Sam!


























My dear friend and sister, Sam, turns eighteen today! Now she can go buy a lottery ticket, cigarettes, or other things.. :)

Anyway, yay for her! Be sure to get ahold of her somehow and wish her a very happy birthday! Oh, and wish her well and keep her in your prayers about her trip to Honduras until October. (We're leaving Sunday, by the way) I know she'd appreciate it a lot.


I love you Sam! Happy Birthday! My little girl is all grown up. :P

Much Love