A Great Day at Lily!

We're praying she'll have a mommy to tuck her into bed soon.




The farmer gave these horns to Berto...his newest treasure!!!




Nicko the unicorn.






Manuel has a tender heart who soaks up every ounce of love you give him. Today while I was riding on the bus to the farm, I was watching him look at my fingernails and touching my hands. He didn't know I was watching. There was a longing in his eyes...and my heart melted. God, all these kids want is a mom and dad. Please, Father, give them a forever home.




Ramon and Boni checking out the herd.




These little guys are always a hit with the kids.




I wonder what this Ramon is thinking about. Owning a farm someday...or wondering why he is at an orphanage...?




Even the girls love the animals.




Gabby and Cielo




Ramon and Boni...the big boys in the back of the bus...




Alondra & Tio Santo's daughter




Karely...a little girl who desperately wants to be loved on.




Sweet Leticia...I love you.




Josmar rigging together a fishing pole. I love to see them use their imaginations!




It will take a big sucker.... :)




"If you're going on the milk run, you have to sit down." (english translation)




Nancy, are you dreaming about a forever mommy?




...someone to brush your hair, take you shopping and someone to snuggle with at the end of the day? I am dreaming that for you, my Princess.




Lorena and Rebekka




Briza, you are too cute!!!



It's really quite easy to tell them apart...Briza - 1 tooth




Cielo - no teeth (in front)




The smiling Lupita



The ride into church...




Yazmine and Gabby...just having fun!




Katie...a volunteer from Michigan for 3 months. She is trying to unplug the drain after the big cleaning day.




Lorena, Johana and David



Irela, her cousin and Lorena



We had a great service this morning...the songs and message. The text was from Matthew 6...the Lord's prayer. Before the pastor began his message, he asked if anyone would like to stand up and recite the Lord's Prayer. An older man on the other side of the auditorium stood up and recited it, but then the pastor asked for another from our side. Well, Marta (Chad & Christi's new daughter) stood up. The pastor then asked her to come to the stage and recite it to everyone. She went right up there...of course smiling all the way...and recited the prayer. We were so proud of her. You should have heard Rosa cheering for her. The Pastor announced she was from the orphanage and yet she knew the prayer perfectly. We all cheered again. It was a proud moment for us! Then, after the service, she was given a CD to listen to. From what I understand, the service is also televised. So, when you Michigan people finally get to meet Marta...you might want to ask for her autograph!!!! :)

Tomorrow there is no school because it's "Constitution Day". I love it when the children are home all day. We've got some special work projects ready for them and hopefully we'll have time for some fun things too.

A few minutes ago, Rebecca and Irela left with their aunt...for good. It was a bittersweet moment. I love those girls but I know that their aunt loves them too. She seems like she has made provision for them to come and live with her. Apparently she lives in Juarez so we won't see them for awhile...if at all. They both ran up to me and wept in my arms. They were excited about their new future, but they were afraid at the same time. Please pray for them and all the adjustments they will be making. I asked them to keep God first place in their hearts...no matter what. I will miss their precious smiles.


Irela and Rebecca...we'll miss you!!!




Good-byes sometimes hurt.




Last minute hugs




Friends forever!!!


Even though it is our day off...I couldn't pass up the weekly trip to the dairy farm. The kids are so excited to see the cows. You'd think we were going to Disney World! My heart was touched to see how the bigger boys lift up Ramon (who has cerebral palsy) and carry him on the bus so he can go too. Ramon drools sometimes and his hands are often wet from it, but Olvier, who is a real prince of a kid, let Ramon touch his face and then Oliver just casually wiped off his face with his shirt. No big deal. He was just sitting next to and caring for a brother of his and wasn't grossed out with drool. If someone has a runny nose...they just wipe it off with their own shirt. Oliver is a great athlete, very handsome and has a servant's heart. This kind of love is foreign, yet refreshing.

Ramon, Nicko and Prince Oliver

It was warm today...blue sky, refreshing breeze...in the 70's. No one was shivering, just having fun outside! Today was the major cleaning day. Everything is torn down, scrubbed and thoroughly cleaned. I might say...it smells a lot better!!! :)

I want you to know, when we hug these kids...it's you hugging them! Actually we get to see their eyes twinkle, but they know that you have made it possible for us to come. Today as I was kissing on some of the little girls and listening the them squeel with delight, I said, this is from _____ and this is from ________ and this is from_____. They don't know all your names, but God does. Gary and I are just the delivery people...and it's an honor to represent you. Maybe if you listen really hard, you will hear the giggles and know you've blessed these kids. Thanks for making it possible for us to be here. We are humbled.