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.

I believe in Miracles!

Silvia...the milk lady...



Lovely Lupita




David & Ramon




Yazmine, Tio Gary & Armondo hanging out...




ahhh...Marta...




Samuel and his music. Hey Fred, his amplifier is ruined. Can you help him out???




Cecilia, Johana and Esalla



Jackie & Andrea




Johana...what a beautiful girl you are!!!




Briza...I think!




Fabiolo & Ramon...buds!




Me with an 18 year old bundle of sweetness.




Marta...the homeless girl...but not for long!!!




Marta and the cute Armondo




Javier, Armondo & Daniel




Gary & Silvia




Javier & Tia Celsa




Sisters! Brenda and Karen




Alveda giving Ramon writing lessons. How patient she is!!!




Peek-A-Boo Andrea!!!




It's COOKIE time!!!




It's never hard to find cookie assistants...



or cookie tasters!




A sweet temptation for Tia Celsa!



Karla with a dusting of flour on her cheek. The mark of a true chef!



This evening we (Gary and I) were sent to Chihuahua to pick up a 'few things'. Rosa knew we didn't know where the stores were...so she sent an older teenager and an older young adult who is a deaf mute. Well, the older teenager ( I won't mention her name) couldn't remember where the stores were...and the deaf mute wasn't really any help. :) So, we drove around Chihuahua and saw many sights. Finally we stopped and asked for directions...and we made it to our destination. Since we took the scenic route to the store...we didn't have much hope of a speedy return. It was now night...even more intimidating for a gringo. We toured several residential subdivisions in the richer section and then, yes, the poorer section. Eventually we made it back home...only 2 hours longer than we anticipated. But we are in Mexico...everything is later. So maybe we were on time, I don't know. When we finally drove in, Rosa was glad to see us because she said she was starting to worry. Well, I was too...about 3 hours earlier. On our way home, in the dark, we were driving the white van and it started to make me chuckle. This is such a miracle of God. The van Gary was driving had headlights that droop, the severely cracked windshield had so much dust and grime on it that it was impossible to see out when headlights came towards us. Everything rattles and you don't know if you'll loose anything over the speed bumps. This van hesitates and needs some major tuning...maybe even a plugged catalytic converter. It is totally filthy inside and I won't mention the odors. Anyway, you get the picture. The ironic thing is...this vehicle is totally an UN-Gary vehicle. All of our vehicles were in tip top shape. Here my husband, who has immaculate vehicles, is bouncing down the road in this crazy van and he is OK with it...even has a smile on his face. I know the parting of the red sea was a huge miracle...and turning the water into wine...but this miracle that I witnessed tonight ranks right up there. If you don't believe me...ask our kids. :)

During the past few weeks, I have lived with these precious children and can easily see their potential. But, my heart is broken because they are here since they have no 'family'. Yes, they are a family here...but you know what I mean. No mom and dad just for them. No one to tuck them in at night. No one to hold them when they are hurt. No one to bake cookies with them. Why? I think it is because people are just too comfortable where they are at. Adopting is a lot of work, and let's face it, raising a child is a lot of work. It is full of risks. But when I read God's Word...Jesus was a risk taker...and He loved children. Who are we supposed to pattern our lives after??? I really don't think we're supposed to sit back and build more barns. We have just a few years down here on this earth...let's make them count...for everyone!!!

The other day in my devotions, I came across this: "My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner being, and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head. "This is MY doing." Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns me too? For whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye? You are precious and honored in my sight. Therefore it is my special delight to teach you. I want you to learn when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in "like a pent-up flood", that "this is my doing" and that your weakness needs My strength, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you. Are you in difficult circumstances? "This is my doing." I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident--you are exactly where I meant for you to be. Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands. Use it freely, My child. Anoint with it every new circumstance, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient, and every weakness you have. The pain will leave as you learn to see Me in all things. --Laura A. Barter Snow

The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love. -C.A. Fox

Hey, I don't have time to edit this...hope it's OK. It's way past my bedtime! Love ya!