Update: Numero Dos

Can you believe it? Two posts. One week. Has to be a new record.

This post is devoted entirely to the babies, who are no longer babies,  but will always be "the babies" in my eyes.
I love them. And I would pack them all up with me and bring them home in about two seconds if I could. If being the operative word. I was cuddling Jacob a few days ago and as I looked into his adorably huge eyes, I could only wonder if it would be possible to sedate him, pack him in a bag, and sneak him into the States. Still working on the logical aspect of that.
Now that that's clear, here goes.

Ladies first.
Rebecca Mercedes: a.ka. Mercedes, Mercy, Merci beaucoup, and Mercedes Benz (very creative, yes?)
She's a handful. And a drama queen. And so precious it about makes my heart hurt. Her favorite pastime is following the boys all around the room and grabbing their toys, picking squabbles. She has just recently started walking confidently; I could watch her toddle around all day long. It's that cute.

And she loves Josh.

Next, we have Boy #1. Isaac Roberto: a.k.a. Krunk, Krunkies, and Caveman (for his frequent grunting noises) Not lying.
This chunky little guy is also walking quite well. I almost get tears when I see him walking around--we about despaired of him ever walking! He used to scream when we sat him up, scream even louder when we stood him up, and when we tried to stand him and let go, oh, that was real bad. Now he is so pleased with himself and almost always walks around with a huge grin on his face! He's started to shake his head yes and no appropriately and everything is "muuuum."

Boy #2. Josue Antonio: a.k.a. Jeshua and Little Joshua
This little one is as cute as ever. He's been walking now for awhile and is quite confident in escaping through the gate in the living room. He just recently started to say Josh's name, and yes, its quite precious. He hates to eat chicken and vegetables and has a pleasant little habit of stuffing his mouth with food and then launching it out later. Josue is a little bit smaller than the other boys and frequently resorts to biting to get his way.

No fruits and veggies for this guy. He prefers dirt. 

Boy #3. Jacobo Daniel: a.k.a. Jakers
Jacob is starting to talk more and more. I am officially "na-na". He manages to get the "d" in every so often, but mostly it's just "na-na". When he sees Josh, he holds his hands up like asking where and says "na-na." And yes, it officially melts my heart. He also wails quite loudly if Josh leaves the room. He eats faster, drinks faster, runs faster, walks faster than all the other babies. He's definitely an on-the-go type. He routinely pulls off his socks so that we can play This Little Piggy and claps enthusiastically when we sing.

This picture is dark, but that smile is worth it. 

Boy #4. Mynor (I can't remember his middle name). He used to be called Mynor the Whiner but not so much anymore and I am glad for that. It just wasn't pleasant.
Mynor and I love to sing together. He is learning how to do the motions and even to sing/hum/make noise along with me. When we sing My God is So Big, he cups his hands to his mouth and shouts BIG and it just melts my heart. He loves to read books and would be happy if stay in the library all day long. He loves when Josh and the older boys wrestle and tries to jump right in and help Josh. He is a smart little guy and I love to watch his knowledge expand!

Don't be deceived. A very loud yell can come out of this sweet little guy. 

Josh and I don't spend as much time with the babies since we moved to the other house, but we babysit every Wednesday and any nights when everyone else goes to church. I miss not seeing them as much, but the time we have with them now is so much more precious.

You can pray with us for the babies as they grow:
-that their development would progress well
-that the laws would change and they could be adopted (this just about goes without saying, but I'll keep reminding you in case you forget)
-that they would grow into children who love Jesus and know His love for them
-that they would be protected from any spiritual, physical, or emotional abuse.


Thank you to each of you who prays for us and these precious children. It means so much.
p.s. Photo credits to Katie and Emily, the superbly awesome volunteers.

Update: Numero Uno

My excuses sound good in my brain, but that's just what they are....excuses.

It's been too long. I'm sorry for not updating sooner.
I'll do a few shorter updates instead of one looooong rambling one.
Here goes.

The biggest change since the last post is that Josh and I have moved out of the orphanage house where Dave and Deborah and all the kids live and into the house across the lane. The house we're living in now, which is called the "other house", was actually built for Deborah's parents, but it has been empty (except for teams) since they moved back to the States.
We have lots of space for just the two of us. Feel free to come visit.

School is also in session and this is now my main responsibility. I only cook one day a week now and the rest of my time is spent teaching, directing, correcting, preparing for tests, giving tests, and finishing report cards to be submitted to the school. It's pretty stretching. Especially teaching Spanish grammar. But it definitely has happy moments. The kids have reached the 50 mark for good grades; 50 test scores above an 80%; it's a big achievement. This coming Tuesday we're gonna have a par-tay to celebrate. I really want to stalk Pinterest for party ideas, but the Internet is too low. That's probably a good thing though. And that's kinda off subject, too.

Jeamy (6th grade)

 Angelito (2nd grade)

Saul and Angel (5th grade)

Lucia, Vidalia, Maria, and Jhostin (4th grade)

My brain is tuckered out. Enjoy the pixerrrs.
Please keep us in your prayers.
It hasn't been easy lately; alot of days we just want to pack up and go home.
Pray that as we rest in the peace and quiet of this house that we would be filled, overflowing with Jesus, so that we can pour more love, more Jesus into these children.
Pray that we would let Jesus press us, break us, mold us, refine us into what He wants us to be.
Pray for humility to be servants, from the heart.

And as always, pray for these precious children.
That their hearts would be soft and open to Jesus.
That they could begin to find healing for their pain.
That the laws of Guatemala would change.
That each one could have his very own family.

One more thing:
Adoption. Just think about it.

There are way too many abandoned and orphaned kids in this world.
God might ask you to be the answer to one (or two or three or more) child's dream; to be a physical example of His adopting us into his family, of belonging.
He might ask you to be the support team for families who adopt.
Let's be willing.

Yea, it's been awhile.

And now we're already halfway through the second month of 2012.
wow.

We've been incredibly busy, like just-keeping-my-head-above-water busy.
 Josh and I were soloing from December 15 through January 17; and then again from February 2-9.
School is also back in session and behind schedule since the curriculum came late; we're doing almost double time for the first three months to stay up to date.
I've been sick with a cold/cough for almost four weeks now and am learning how to be grateful for health.

It's rather difficult to put words to the busyness of the past two months.
This feels like an appropriate description: The Trenches (said in an ominous voice)
Physically exhausted. Emotionally exhausted. Spiritually exhausted.
I say with renewed conviction that it is the intercession of others on our behalf before God's throne that enables us to keep getting up and keep going, keep giving, keep loving.
And our Father always sends good gifts to us:

Like a kindred spirit... 

Great volunteers.... 

Isaac walking!!! .... 

A sunny, beautiful day off... 

Freshly roasted coffee... 

Sweet babies, now toddlers... 

And countless other gifts that I don't have pictures of...
Emails that make us laugh,
MAIL! with pictures!,
homemade granola packed in a suitcase,
a book!,
laughter and tears and prayers with friends,
hammocks,
the countless baby hugs waiting for me,
Mynor understanding "potty and poop!",
a walk with Josh,
a moto ride, fast,
.... so much to be grateful for.

I'll be honest. I started this post feeling whiny and tired; but now, reflecting on and writing down the good gifts the Father has given us in the middle of the chaos and busyness, I'm still tired, but grateful now. Not so whiny.

Josh and I are anticipating a weekend getaway to the beach, leaving Thursday morning and coming home Sunday. We are quite excited to say the least. This too is a good gift; we are anticipating a time of rest, renewal, refreshment. And good food.

We hope you and yours are all having a healthy and profitable New Year so far. I probably made some random New Years resolution, but I can't even remember by now. oops. My brain is starting to fog; it is almost ten after all.
Yea, that's probably all.

Goodnight.

Merry Christmas to all! 


I am currently guarding the babies and the house, accompanied by a shotgun (Mom, don't freak out!), while Josh is taking the older kids to town to watch the midnight fireworks. 


We celebrated "fake Christmas", as the kids called it, with presents and such on the 14th of December (about 8 hours after we got home) before Dave and Deborah left the next day to visit their families in the States. So Josh and I are holding down the fort and trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive even though we kinda celebrated already. The kids are seriously enjoying staying up late, movies, popcorn, lots of Wii time, and just a general party atmosphere, mixed in with a few chores of course. Ha. 

Happy 13th Birthday, Jeamy!

And Jhostin wins the Saturday morning lottery pancake with a fabulous [random] guess!

Playing Wii with the Angelito, Vidalia, and Isai. This is not my forte. 

:) 

Lettuce salad snacks! No complaints here. 

Warm and sunny days here! 

Today we slept in as long as the babies/toddlers would allow us! We had a lazy breakfast, a lazy lunch, and a cross cultural Christmas eve supper(s) of tamales (thanks to Jose and his wife and family!) and pizza! 

Tomorrow, which is almost here, will probably consist of more sleeping in and relaxation! And possibly Skype calls with family! Fun! 


I would be lying to pretend we're not homesick at all, but in the same breath I am so privileged to be here and help make Christmas special for these children. To help give them their very own Christmas traditions; to help give them family. Words don't quite describe how special family truly is, and far, far too often we callously forget that. I could probably rant awhile about what family means to me and what I think family should look like and such, but since it's Christmas Eve...I'll spare you. :) 


Do you think Jesus was homesick during His time on Earth? 
That was random, I know. 


My prayer this Christmas is that my heart's focus would be Jesus. That in all my ways, He would be glorified. I get so busy that I forget. I think about the next meal and who needs to go to the potty next and how to refocus the toddlers away from the tree and how to make everyone sit quietly to watch a nice family movie and I just lose it. I get grinch-like. And I don't like grinches. 
I want Jesus to be everything. Every moment, every day. 
Not just at Christmas. 
But I'm thankful that the chaos and commotion of a house with 21 people, two cats, and a Christmas tree helps to nicely strip away my "perfect Christmas" ideals and reveals my desperate need for Jesus. 




We wish you all a blessed, Jesus-in-everything Christmas this year! 
And every day, for that matter. 

Goodnight. 
P.S. While the photos were uploading, the troops have returned from the fireworks! The big house can be spooky when one is all alone. 

Stateside

Today is the day. The last day. 
Before we go home. 
Leave home-home to go home. 


If that doesn't make sense, let me know. 
It makes perfect sense in my brain. 


It's been just lovely being here. Wonderful, fantastic, awesome, and all those other out of control adjectives. But mostly, its been plain good. Like the good-that-hurts-my-heart kind of good. 


It's been good to relax and spend lots of time with our families. We are blessed. 
It's been good to be in church and hear the Gospel in our language, surrounded by people who love us, support us, and challenge us. We are super blessed, really. 


I'm sad to leave here. Goodbyes don't get easier, in my opinion. 
But I'm really, really excited to see the kiddos. I MISS them. 


I'm thankful that we are returning feeling refreshed, recharged, restored. I'm thankful for family, church and friends here who challenge, love, pray us through. We could not make it without you. I told Josh that I feel incredibly sad for people who come home from foreign missions and don't have the support and love that we have. Super, super blessed. 


People have asked us "So are you going to be lifetime missionaries?"
 "Where are you going to missionary next?" 
The answers are "yes" and "wherever we live". 
I am learning this: I am called to be a missionary for the rest of my life, wherever I live. 
If you are a believer, the calling is for you too. 
Maybe God won't call you to Guatemala or any other foreign place, but central Pennsylvania has a whole lot of needs too. A whole lot of people need Jesus here too. 
Look around. Ask God to show you a need. Be willing. And obey. 


And being a missionary doesn't mean a person has it all together. 
Cause people call me a missionary and you know, I'm not even close to having life together. Moving to Guatemala did not magically move me beyond materialism or move me to a higher plain of prayer and devotional life. 
I get angry. 
I say mean words. 
I think horrid thoughts. 
I am selfish. proud. arrogant. ignorant. 


But I thank God for Jesus Christ! 
I know God is refining me, us in our time in Guatemala. It's hard and it's not all its cracked up to be. [Being a missionary, that is] Or all I imagined it to be. 
I want to live all about Jesus, all about HIS Gospel. And right now, I'm called to Guatemala. 


So I'm excited to fly south tomorrow, to continue the refining process, to learn better how to live everyday for Jesus, for His Gospel, giving His love to those around me. 


Feel free to ask me in about three weeks or so if I'm living what I say. Cause I'll need to hear it. Lots. 


And so ends my random collection of thoughts on my mind. There is plenty floating around in my brain, but this is all for now. 


Thank you to each one who made our trip home so special and relaxing and good. 
We love you! 


p.s. There is entirely too much food in this country. really. 

It's Time

We're still alive.
Growing, stretching, transforming. God is good.

Ever feel on the brink of exciting heart and soul change? It's a swelling, popping, straining to be free feeling. The anticipation is exhilarating.
But I have to jump.
And jumping, well, I'm not the best at that.
And it's a wee bit scary, to be honest.
But I'm learning.
To JUMP and thank God for whatever comes.
So here's to exciting discoveries and living in gratitude and seeing God, knowing joy.

Here is a sure way to entertain the babies. Soon I'm going to have to stop saying "the babies" and start saying "the toddlers." Ack.

Happy 14th Birthday, Lucia! 

Food shopping! We were trying to stock up for Thanksgiving. Three full carts and LOTS of stares.

Happy 11th Birthday, Saul! 

 Trampoline with Josh. Adults have to play too. 

Beach trip October 4-6. That's Gabriel and Rosa. Gabriel was here with us for 3 weeks after an incident with an abusive stepfather. His mom kicked the stepfather out so the courts deemed her stable enough to have him back. Pray that he will remember what he learned about Jesus in his short time here. 

 Beautiful view along the Pacific Coast. 

We've found at least 3 snakes around here lately. Entirely too many. 

Here is Mynor. He's still refusing to be potty trained but gets very upset when his diaper is not clean. 

Go figure. 

 And here is little Karina, who sadly, is no longer at the home with us. We were not expecting her to be taken at her audience, but an aunt wanted to have her. We were all sad that she left and often the kids say "I wonder what Karina is doing!" We pray that her aunt will be good to her and most of all, that she will know Jesus someday.

 The weather here now is perfect campfire weather.

 Josh loves to make fires and the kids love to play outside with Mr. Josh. 

In other news, elections are finally over here. Otto Perez Molina was elected. He is an ex-general that apparently has some ties to the last dictatorship and the civil war that lasted a very long time. His election is a little disturbing because he sounds like a perfect candidate for another dictator. We don't know what his views on children and adoption are, but we are praying that the adoption laws would change and these kids could have their own families! 

Josh and I are anticipating a visit home next week! We fly home Tuesday, November 15 and will be there for a month. We're very excited to see our families and friends and be with our church again! BUT...here's the catch, we don't have our passports. Our paperwork to set up temporary residency has just been chaotic. Our current lawyer is hoping to submit paperwork on Thursday or Friday. She only needs our original passports to submit the papers and then we can have them back! We have to pay a fine before we leave the country because our paperwork has been delayed, but we don't know what the fine is. Go figure that too. So yea, we're praying lots about this. Please feel free to join us. 

The sun is starting to shine through the windows. It's time to get moving and start the day. Have a blessed and happy day, everyone! And to some of you....SEE YOU SOON!  

Un-Inspiration.

Thanks for reading. Or starting to read this post.
Tonight, I feel very un-inspired to write. But I will. Its 9:30 and Maria has just finished her last test for this school year. (School runs from January-October here.)

Excuse me. Cheese and crackers are calling my name. Don't judge.

I'm not the only one. Josh is enjoying his Coke and Swiss cheese. (Sent ALLL the way from Pennsylvania.) Thank you, familia.

And he's having great fun sharpening knives.

The bread is rising in the oven. I shall stick it in to bake just soon. I'm not sure what possessed me to bake bread at such a late hour. (Mom, be proud.)

Dave and Deborah are getting steak and other yummies ready for tomorrow. We're having company!

Jen (3 month volunteer from PA) is hanging out in the kitchen too. The kitchen is the place to be tonight. She is an awesome help around the house and she even took one of my cooking days!! (Awesomeness!)

The kids were busy painting tonight. This is Saul's gift to us.  If I tried hard enough, I could probably rotate the picture but I'm just done for the day.

Today, Honda broke her leg. We're all really sad and praying for a good recovery for her.

And today, we ate the last of the Sour Patch gummies. I felt almost sad, but thats quite ridiculous.

My un-inspiring train of thought has come to an end. I'll try to post again soon. We're going on a family vacation to the beach this coming week! Only one of the kids has been to the ocean and most of them have a really hard time with the concept of such huge amounts of water. And one said "What are waves?" So this will be fun and exciting for all of us!

The end.

P.S. Once again, its almost 24 hours later and I'm just now posting this.