Fred and Barb are here!!! And more are on the way!!!

Another beautiful sunset...




The heavens declare the glory of the Lord!




A tuckered out Andrea after preschool.




Barb carrying a tired Karelly




Abuelardo and his brother Julio




Elveda, Juanita and Mireya love their headbands!




Silvia and crazy Marcos modeling the pretty headbands donated by Karen!




Cielo, Esmirelda and Briza showing off their new headbands!




Johana left her tag on for school. This really pulled at my heart. I don't know if she loved the headband or the tag on it to show it was new the most. They are used to used things...and cherish new things!!!




No...Nico really doesn't drive. No worries!!!




Gary and Brenda...




always blaming eachother!




!




Bean sorting by Jazmine!!!




It's a lot of work...but many hands make make it go faster!!!




Lauren and Andrea...




Snuggling is so much fun!!!




It's Johana!!!




Jackie and Karelly...they are sure cute!




4 on 1...and Mary Ellen didn't win




Mary Ellen and Andrea




Vito and the twins...




always brings double smiles!!!




Nico and Silvia...just acting like a brother and sister!




Vito and Karla...a special duo!




Tonio at the feet of Vito...a very common sight!




Leslie...I'm sure she's dreaming of Michigan!




Margarita and Lorena...homework again




Lorena's homework...I worked with her for over an hour on this paper...it made no sense to me!




Jazmine is a sweetie pie!


The last couple of months, the kids have been lavished with gifts and trinkets. So, I waited until today to hand out some awesome headbands to the girls. It made a very fun morning...there was so much excitement. Silvia was in charge of distributing them to the girls who don't usually get pretty things and I let Silvia choose her favorite one first. Well, her very favorite color is fushia and there was a beautiful headband with that color on it. You would have thought she was given a gift worth millions by the smile on her face. She carefully put it on her head and ran to look in a mirror. It looked so pretty on her. Well, Barb and I rode on the bus to pick the kids up from school...and I noticed it was gone. I didn't want to ask and waited until dinner for her conversation. She has a best friend at school (I have met her at school a couple of weeks ago) and she is a very well-to-do girl from Aldama. Silvia and her are the best of friends. Apparently this friend of Silvia commented on how pretty this headband was. So, Silvia took it off her head and gave it to her friend. If you could have seen the joy in Silvia's eyes...to think she gave her friend something that was so beautiful. I am ashamed that my first reaction was....WHY did you do that, Silvia???? Luckily I just 'thought it' and didn't show my selfishness. These kids have hearts of gold. If they see someone who needs or wants something...they are quick to give all they have. I'm sure her friend could buy several of those from her allowance but Silvia was thrilled to give her best away. Another example of this selflessness was taught to me by Nohema. Earlier in the evening, Brenda and Nohema appeared in the cafeteria with a SALAD! A real salad. My mouth watered just thinking about it. They had saved up their money and bought all the makings for a salad and spent quite a bit of time preparing it. I was cleaning up in the kitchen after making a huge batch of cinnamon rolls for the children in the morning. After going to our house and catching up on last minute e-mail there was a knock on the door. Well, guess who???? Nohema with a big bowl of salad for me. I wanted to say "No, it cost too much...you eat it yourself." But, she was so excited to share it with me...her eyes were dancing with delight! I humbly took the salad from her outstretched arms and confessed to Jesus that I am so ashamed and not worthy of their big hearts. I came down here to help them...and I am the one blessed. Father, help me to let go of everything I have and jump into Your arms. Jesus, You are all I need.

Hey, something funny. You know you're a full-timer at Lily when you forget to change your clothes from the day before...when you automatically try to open the vehicle door from the inside handle (because the outside one is broke off), and when you eat the rice...protein and all with a smile. Maybe I'll love tuna in my eggs next week!!! :)

Hey, this last blog posting has taken over 4 hours and I've about pulled my hair out...(what hair I have left). Anyway...Fred said that since he's here...I don't have to post the blog anymore. Is this true???

MARTA AND RAMON UPDATE: Both passports are now in their hands and they will be flying to Juarez tomorrow morning at 11:30. Thank you, Jesus!!! They have their first appointment in Juarez Monday morning at 8:00. If all goes well, they should be on American soil by Monday evening. God is bigger than governmental protests! Praise the Lord!!!

The dark veil...

Pablo and a new puppy who wandered here. Silly puppy...




The new puppy quickly found Gary's lap. That might be the eye problem...





Armondo found a new friend!!!




FBC group...get ready for this fun place to eat!!! The food is great!




More Fruit!!! Melons...




apples...




cactus...it's yummy!




and tangerines. Enough for everyone to have fruit all week. This donation from a Michigan church has been wonderful. The children love the fruit!!! We were also able to buy more bananas!




Both Maria Elenas enjoying a water fight!!!





Katy gathering cups.




Jackie and Mary Ellen




Johana soaking in Tio Gary's hugs! When he was gone at the men's conference...she kept track of the hours until he would be back!




Saying goodbye to these boys was hard. I told them that I wanted them to remember Jesus and all that they've learned about Him. And I also said that if they become a Christian, we will be together again someday...forever! They promised me that they would remember my words.




My last kiss from them...it will never be forgotten! They are going to live with their grandmother in southern Mexico who is a believer. That made it easier to let go.




Lupita and Nico...sister and brother.




Vito and his smallest shadow...Antonio.




Lupita and tio Gary




Mareyla and Brenda




Juanita and Luce




Vito and one of his fans...taking a break.




Pre-kin enjoying an ice cream snack after school. We were lucky enough to have tio Gary with us...and he always has money for ice cream!!! The crazy...or should I say smart vendors always stand outside the school entrance.




Marcella and Ruby




Karelly shoing off her schoolwork!




Alondra and her new haircut. She likes it...I'm glad. We have been battling more lice and ringworms lately. It makes me itch just to think about it!



There is a darkness here in Mexico that is very obvious. Some days you encounter it's ugliness only 1 or 2 times throughout the day and other days it is continual. We have gotten used to that. But, the last two days have been darker than normal. Yesterday, Gary and Vito were driving to Chihuahua in seperate vehicles. Gary, who was in the lead heard gun shots go off (about 5). Vito who was right behind Gary saw the car next to him pull out a rifle and shoot a police officer in a parking lot by a building that looked like a government building. At the time, Vito did not know it was a police officer (which would have shook him even more, since he is one himself). The vehicle then quickly sped off on a side road. There is some type of a protest that is going on in governmental buildings where people aren't allowed in or out of the buildings and we can't seem to find out any info about this. If any of you can find out any information...please let us know. There is a spiritual warfare going on and we are feeling the ripples. It is especially obvious when I am working on adoption information. The internet is always interupted several times when I'm trying to get crucial information to people. My 2-way phone somehow loses service during those times as well. Gary and I just shake our heads...it is so obvious. Satan does not want these kids adopted...but we are determined...with the Lord's help and protection. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world!

I just talked with Christi and she said things are going great. The passport for Ramon is not going to be a one day ordeal like we originally thought. I don't know if it is because of the protest or not. So, they are meeting with officials today and tomorrow to see what can be done to expedite this process. Our faithful God has provided a safe place for them during this waiting period. It is with the Naverrete family who are missionaries in Mexico City. They are great servants of God and they have opened their home to them. Their children are teenagers and they have been so good with Marta and Ramon...telling them about all the cool things to expect in Michigan. Thank you, Jesus!

Please pray for Gary as he gives the Wednesday evening devotional. This morning he woke up with his left eye swollen shut. We ended up taking him to the 'rich peoples hospital' in Chihuahua this early morning to the E.R. room. They gave us excellent service and Gary is now on antibiotics by pill and eye drops...along with some eye washes. Anyway, to make a long story short...the whole thing cost only $80.00...which included all the medicine since we had it filled in their pharmacy. You can afford medical treatment down here! Apparently he has a severe eye infection...who knows how it happened...but thank the Lord, he's on the road to recovery.

We have a group from our church coming down this Friday evening. The kids are so excited whenever people come. Also, I believe there is a group of 3 from Mass. coming on Sunday. If the Mass. group knows their arrival time, please let me know. Will you need picked up at the airport or are you renting a car?

It is windy and cooler today...right around 70 degrees. The rest of the week it is supposed to warm up again to the 80's. Don't I sound spoiled?!!!

Gary and I are trying to focus our attention on the 'bad' boys and girls and give them more positive attention. Sometimes it is hard to love the naughty kids...just more work...but they need even more hugs and kisses than the good kids. I am glad that Jesus has shown His love to me all the time...and I've never deserved any of His love. It's just grace. We want to share this grace.