Christmas at the Hogar...

So the last week and a half...

SORRY I have been totally out of the loop on my blog...

I don't have a ton of time but in a nutshell... here are some pictures of the last few days...

Parties thrown by wealthy families, some of the orphanage staff giving gifts... Christmas day was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was so wonderful seeing all of the children opening tons of presents and enjoying a day of Christ's birth. They really know what they are doing here at the Hogar and I am convinced of this more and more as time passes...

Here is a picture from the back of the church of the girls... plaid really must be in this year... ;)

This Christmas was so happy for me... I got to see all of the children here at the Hogar opening presents and seeing their faces was just priceless. They all really are blessed with so many things, materialistically and especially SPIRITUALLY! I am even MORE blessed to be able to share in these events with them... Thank you, GOD!

Here are a few more pictures of me with some of the girls, Madre Ivon and new-missionary for two weeks, Annie from Australia. She's wonderful...

Karen, Sara, Jody, Elisa and Lupe on Christmas morning after Liturgy... I love these girls!

Annie, Madre Ivonne and myself... After Liturgy on Christmas morning... (note: NO SNOW!)

So the Hogar takes a Christmas picture for the website every Christmas and WHAT A PROCEDURE... Who knew trying to get nearly 80 people to take a picture would be so difficult... probably more than 80 actually... Haha but what a BEAUTIFUL turnout.

Christ is Born!! Glorify HIM!!

So the Christmas day went sort of like this:

10:00am - Akathist

10:30 am - Divine Liturgy - Christ is Born!

12:00pm - pictures

1:00pm - Christmas feast! breaking the fast was a wonderful experience here. Pork of all kinds, fruit and marshmallow salad, cole-slaw with pecans, candy and cookies of all sorts and especially the "Kid Wine" (as we called it in my house...) oh and Coca Cola!

AKA - LOTS OF SUGAR! You'd think the children would have crashed from their sugar high but not these little ones... haha it was nice!

3:00pm - Santa showed up and brought lots of presents for all of the children... it was quite an emotional sight to see because of the lack of family but NOT the lack of love. No one said you had to have a family (blood family) to have lots of love, because this Hogar Family has got it!

This was so fun to see - all of these huge rice sacks just filled with clothes, candy, shoes, swimsuits, hats, water bottles, toys, and the like... just beautiful!

It was a joyous day, to say the least!

Yesterday and today Madre Ivonne and Father Matias from New York (who arrived on Tuesday to spend Nativity here...) headed to the Monastery. They will spend 2 nights there until Tuesday. Then Father Matias leaves on Wednesday and the Minneapolis team comes on FRIDAY!!! I can't believe they are coming already... I feel like I just got here... 9 weeks ago... :)

So, with Madre Ivonne being gone, Ericka on vacation until the 4th of January, who's in charge??? Good questions... I've been curious to see how wild the days will be until Tuesday... I'll report back with that... :)

This week the children are off of school. They will just hang out, play outside, and enjoy each other's company (and mine considering it's my last week here without a team...) Today we celebrated liturgy and watched The Bee Movie! It was nice!

I am starting to get more and more sad everyday to be leaving the Hogar but I am so excited to see family and friends!! I really miss everyone!

I love you all and am keeping you all in special prayer!!

xoxo

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Celebration of Nativity...

We have had an exciting last few days...

The weekend was kicked off with a movie on Friday night that the girls invited me to, that's always fun to get in PJ's and just sit and eat popcorn and watch a movie... I don't know the movie we watched but it was somewhat related to "Annie"... Orphan story, she gets adopted to a family and then hates her family so she tries to run away but in the end she loves the fam. It was alright... :) Just to spend time with my girls was nice!

On Saturday we went to the mall. Mother Ivonne said about 12 girls needed to get out... so we went to Oakland Mall... I did a little Christmas shopping for some special people back home and then we all enjoyed a little BK (St. George's treat - thanks for supporting this outing)... We all had BK Big Fish sandwiches and Coke... it was yummy!

Saturday night we went to a "Lights Show"... it is a fireworks show put on by Pollo Campero (the popular fast food chain in Guatemala - mainly chicken) to say "THANKS" for all of the support throughout the year... It was beautiful - here's a few fireworks pictures the girls took on my camera! - Oh, we went to Mother Ivonne's brother's house, Ricky. He lives in a penthouse (basically) above some office buildings and it's tradition for him to have the girls over for fireworks, snacks and after; pizza! It was awesome... :)

Sunday was fun too, haha does the fun ever stop when I am with children?? NO WAY! We went to a Christmas parade in the city. It was basically all of the marching bands, and dancers from all of the high schools/ middle schools in Guatemala. They were fabulous! I only took a few pictures because my battery died. :( But here is at least one!

After the parade we went on a 4 mile walk down the "Americas". It's an avenue in the city that is super long and along the way there are things dedicated to the Americas... Didn't see anything I recognized... but I am sure there was a small rendition of the Mall of America somewhere in there... :) haha (kidding)...

We stopped at a little ice cream shop "Rich's" for a treat and then walked back to the microbus. (the van) and hopped in, back to the Hogar.

Me, thinking this was our "fun activity" for the day, showered and jumped right onto my bed. I was exhausted but it was only about 2:00pm by this point. I opened my eyes to hear the girls pounding on my door saying "Jody, vamos a mirar una pelicula!!!" (We're going to watch a movie!) I was like... Uhh... but then realizing I am 3 weeks away from being in MN with nothing to do, I got up and went with them to watch a movie and spend time with them!

What can I say, I can't get enough of them!

Well, I suppose that's all for now...

Sending LOVE AND PRAYERS as always...

xoxo

The 4th to last week... :(

Well... the team left yesterday and what a BEAUTIFUL week it's been... Thank you, God!

Sunday: we celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the morning, and then enjoyed a nice Tilapia lunch together... Also some popcorn and Coca Cola, while watching Kung Fu Panda. What a TREAT!

Monday: was my favorite day... We left early in the morning and rode in the cars/ van to open the day with a beautiful breakfast at "El Capitan" a nice restaurant, literally RIGHT on the Pacific Ocean coast. It was so beautiful...

Here is a picture of "El Capitan"...

After the beautiful breakfast we drove to a safe area where we could walk the beach for a little while with the 10 girls we brought and the team. It was a GORGEOUS day so we rolled up our pants and walked into the luke warm Pacific. It was basically what I would call, Paradise.

Here we are encountered by a big wave that left us with a wet ride home...

Driving back up the mountain to the Hogar we passed a lot of Sugarcane fields that were being harvested. It was like they were lighting a jungle on fire. They light the grass on fire to get rid of the snakes, and then harvest, and then light it on fire again to clear snakes again. Quite the hard labor. (At least from what I saw...)

Tuesday: was another BEAUTIFUL day in Antigua. The team invited me along to enjoy a day at the Jade factory, again (I swear I should get a part time job there giving tours, since I could give it myself now, that being the 8th time I was there...) and then the market, and to lunch. We went to this 5 start hotel for lunch - Casa Santo Domingo. It was like a Rainforest Cafe setting with a Bonfire ambiance and quality of food. It was beautiful.

Here's a picture of us walking to our table...

Here is a picture of me with Presbytera Faith from Boston, MA. We took this in the market while getting some goodies! (you can see by my bags, I did well...) :)

Wednesday: This was the team's last full day so they did some art projects, make some skirts with Presbytera Sandy Chakos and a few other fun things. It was low key but very enjoyable for all...

Thursday: The team left and the children and I were a little down - Mother Ivonne could tell. We needed a little pick-me-up so we headed to where?? The mall of course, it was fabulous. 10 of the older girls and I hopped into the van and Mother Ivonne hauled us all away to a day of Christmas shopping, lunch in the food court, and (what I would call, Target) Hiper Pais. It was exactly what we needed. I treated us all to lunch in the food court - and for 10 girls, Mother Ivonne and myself to eat, it was less than $40. (Gotta love that!)

I suppose that's my weekly update! I hope family and friends are doing well!

Keeping you all in prayer, especially as Nativity approaches!

xoxo

Hello Pittsburgh...

The team arrived on Thursday - I thought they were coming Friday (thanks Jorge for telling me the wrong day...) No big deal though, it was a nice surprise to see them arrive on Thursday...

They are a team of 8 - 7 females and Father John Chakos. Father John and his wife, Presbytera (sorry if I butchered the spelling on that, Greeky Greeks...) Sandy are two amazing people! They adopted an 12 year old, Jenny about 9 years ago from the Hogar. She is now 21, staying with me in my living quarters, and she is very sweet! It's so fun hearing her stories about living here, coming back to see the children, and how much she loves them all. Very inspirational... I will post pictures later next week when I actually take some of their family.

Today we went to the monastery for the morning and walked around, I had the tour for about the 5th time in 7 weeks... it's always good to refresh the following; how the coffee is made, what the plans are with the orphanage there, and the most interesting part to me: how much longer until they're there... It's beautiful though - here's a few pictures of the progress there...

Nothing too much else is new, I am going with the team and all of the "Senoritas" (teenage girls) on Monday to the ocean for the whole day... I am looking forward to this because it's been about 10 days since I've gotten to go out of the orphanage (besides the monastery today...which was wonderful) but it will be nice to go somewhere new... :)

I suppose that's it for now... Keeping all of my family and friends in prayer!!!

xoxo

Happy December...

How can a smile like that not say "Happy December..."?? :) This is little Dora from the nursery - she is my Sweet Pea!!

I have been having a very nice week - not too much new is happening. Working on my computer when I can in the mornings, and spending time with the little ones in the nursery. It's so lovely to have their little giggles begin my day. I try to take them outside everyday and run them around, or do they run me around?? :) It's fun to play with them - reminds me of daycare...

I met/finally talked to the long-LONG term missionary that lives in Guatemala. His name is Tim, he looks about 18, but I think he's in his 30's. I have learned that he and his wife both come from missionary families, they have 5 children together (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10), with the ages, we know he and his wife are consistent. Haha... seriously though... wow!! They are all home-schooled and they don't have any income other than donations. He is a very nice guy! The girls at the orphanage have been teasing me that I have a crush on him....FAR from it.

Anyways, the Pittsburg team comes Friday, and I am super glad! They are, apparently, a "difficult" team but very nice. There is a girl on that team (daughter of the priest who comes), who was adopted many years ago from the Hogar and she is coming, too. I am looking forward to seeing her and spending time with her. Mother Ivonne says she is "Wild in her American ways..." ((seems like my kinda girl...))

I suppose that's it for today... God's blessings on Mother Ivonne, 6 years ago she was "married to the church" apparently that's how they say... I will get more details on that soon and share...

Love and prayers to you all...

Here is little David with his 'tude... He makes me smile!!!

xoxo

I want to be 15 again... in Guatemala...

On Friday we had Barbara's Quince party. It was AWESOME.

It's a celebration of when a girl becomes a "woman" and she is treated more like an adult.

It was a wonderful day - here's how the day played out...

12:30pm Ceremony for Quincenera - Barbara enters the church while all of us were dressed up in her BEAUTIFUL dress... (see picture below)

1:00pm We all headed to the park to take some pictures with/of Barbara. EVERYONE from the orphanage was there taking pictures with/of her. It was beautiful.

1:30pm We started to eat the DELICIOUS food; guacamole, beans in "salsa" form, fruit cab-bobs, lime rice, and much more! It was wonderful. Mother Ivonne told me that usually they have a Mariachi band come and play in the morning to wake the birthday girl up and then all through the meal and for a little dancing after that, but because Barbara has been harsh with the teachers, she didn't get that. Sad, but she'll learn.

2:00pm- 4:00pm We danced and sang to High School Musical and Camp Rock (I have to learn the words, is what I learned) - it was very fun!!

After that we took some more pictures in the park (see funny picture below)... The rest of the night was pretty much hanging out with the teenage girls and Ericka. It was SO much fun!! I had the best time - we sat around (of course listening to HSM and CR), drinking some wine and beer and just chatting. It was a great night... a night that made this thought run through my head, "I should stay here forever..." BUT then time went on, and they started getting crazy around 9pm and I was like - OK - goodnight! haha it was so much fun...

This was what made my day so fun... :)

Just another cute one of Barbara in her dress...

That's it for today... I am exhausted... Love and prayers!!!

xoxo

Just a note...

So this morning in Matins, Mother Ivonne got talking on a random note about the Holidays coming up. I think she said (from my translation) that one of the children asked her about birthdays being Holidays... and here is what I gathered from that...

Mother Ivonne:

"Sometime we get confused with the holidays. Why are there so many? When will we know what holidays are the right ones to celebrate?

Let's think about this is English; they say, "Merry Christmas" - The first part of the word Christmas is clear "Christ", but what is the second part? "Mas" in Spanish means "more" so we are saying Merry: Happy, Christmas: More Christ! How beautiful is that?

Ok, how about if they don't say Merry Christmas, people say Happy Holidays. Break that down... Happy: Wishing you, Holidays: Days that are HOLY! It all translates to be the same.

Big is God."

xoxo

No Thanksgiving in Guatemala...

So I have been, in my mind, getting excited to celebrate Thanksgiving but in reality, I know it's just going to be another day here, at the Hogar. Still a blessed one, but it's kind of sad thinking of family and friends getting together tonight and tomorrow, and I won't be involved. Oh well, God' will was for me to be here.

Mother Ivonne is at the monastery now for the week. She will be back on Friday, I think. I have finished all of the work she has given me throughout the past 4 weeks. There were about 4 big project and some little side jobs too. It feels good being done with them.

In the mornings, for the past week, I have been playing with the babies. I have so much fun with them. They always giggle, and run around. (When I say babies, I mean Ana, David and Dora - all about 16-20 months.) It reminds me of my daycare job. - Here is a picture of my 3 bundles of joy from last Sunday right after Communion. They were looking so sweet.

Who knew it could be so hard to have 3 little tykes line up for a picture. Oh they make me smile though! :)

I am missing the Baltimore team - my "Harpoon" Chrisoula and I have been e-mailing back and forth for the past 2 days - since they left. She misses the Hogar so much, and wants me to visit Baltimore. I'm not opposed. Here is a picture of us on the last day of their trip. (Sunday 11/22/09)

Nothing else I suppose for now... Just thank God for everything; blessings.

Also, wishing ALL of my family and friends a very, VERY Happy Thanksgiving!!

I love you all so much and am very thankful for you!!

xoxo

Another Monday...

Hello Family and Friends... :)

Monday sure does roll around quickly here - and I actually enjoy them. The hype of the weekend is gone and the children are back to their routine today... It's kind of nice.

I have been printing about 50 pages a day for Mother Ivonne on different things; prayers, instructions for building things, lists of things. It's been fun because I get to read everything - very beneficial.

This week she is leaving tomorrow for the Monastery for a week. She needs a break and she can breathe there without 60 children around her... (more like 61, since I am here).

I think the next team comes on the 3rd. They are a group of older ladies from Pennsylvania. Should be... interesting...? :) haha

This week we have Katherine's 12th birthday party on Wednesday - should be fun.

Friday we have Barbara's 15th birthday (Quincenera)... this is a BIG birthday in the Hispanic culture. It defines the point in a young lady's life that she is a "woman" and can be treated as one. (Whatever that means...) I will post pictures of her this weekend after the big party. I am looking forward to it, I can't imagine what SHE is feeling! haha

Well, that's all for now... Here are a few favorite pictures from the last few weeks.

ENJOY!

This is little Daniel when we (Baltimore Team) took the little ones to the park and had pizza and chips for a treat.

This is something a little "artsy" I did while having lunch with Mother Ivonne and the Wisconsin Team.

This is from when I took little Ana to Holy Communion while the Wisconsin Team was here. (Early November)

That's all for now...

xoxo

A little stressed....

Well, I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now with work, but it's good for me...

Mother Ivonne has given me a lot of work right now - and the team is still here. I have some "deadlines" but I think it should be ok...

I am missing home LOTS... and wish I could have gone to see New Moon. SUP Jacob? :) For those Twilight fans out there.

I am really getting to the "end of camp" mode right now - for those who know what that is like, the team leaves on Sunday so I am feeling exhausted, sad, and going to miss them. It's going to be sad when they leave. (Yes, Father Chris, I miss you more than I will ever miss a team, don't worry)...

Anyways, tomorrow should be ok - we celebrate a liturgy in the morning and Mother Ines will be here.

Sending my love and prayers, especially to Resa!

xoxo

Baltimore is in Guatemala...

Well, the team arrived yesterday - a fun bunch. They got here around 3ish and let's just say they're a "mature" bunch. Youngest member is about 30 - I would estimate and they are very nice!

I guess I expected nice since we are ALL Christians... :)

They are a driven group to make a different and make their mark on the Hogar. They've been busy wire brushing, priming, and painting the M4 living quarters. (Where the female missionaries stay.)

I have been adjusting to them very well - I see some of my friends' and family in their personalities, so that's always nice.

I am ABOUT finished with my 2nd big project that Mother Ivonne has given me - THANK GOD! So, when I am done with this, on to the next, I suppose. :)

The team has invited me to go to Antigua this Thursday with them and spend the day there, market, and such. A day out will be nice, I think I am due for some red wine. (and when I say "some" I mean about 3 glasses.) .... :)

What else?? - That might be it for now...

Oh - those of you that haven't heard, the Choir Director at St. Mary's Cathedral in Minneapolis is very, very sick. Her name is Resa Ellison. She and I have known each other for about 3 years now. She developed the H1N1 at the beginning of this month and it has progressed dramatically. She was admitted into the hospital on Nov. 9th, and it has now developed into H1N1 and pneumonia. Her story just brings me to tears... As of right now she is in an induced coma (from a paralytic drug of some sort - you can tell I'm not cut out to be a nurse) but anyways, I will put the link to her Caring Bridge on the bottom of this post. PLEASE, PLEASE, everyone keep Resa in your prayers! I heard from the last weekend that she was just holding on by a thread through the last Sat/Sunday.

Thank you - with love and prayers for ALL from the Hogar!

xoxo

Resa's Link: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/resaellison/journal/1

No Wash on Sunday. . .

So today is Sunday - the team from Baltimore comes tomorrow.

I am looking forward to that. It should be fun meeting a new group.

Who knows what to expect when a new group shows up...??

It will be blessed... :)

Today is Gloria's birthday. She is one of the girls

I am closest with - she is 13 today. I can't wait to give her the

card I made her. :) Pray for her - she is very special!

I was about to do some laundry this morning before church, thinking

that the team comes tomorrow, I should have some clean clothes, right?

Well, I passed Mother Ivonne's office on the way to wash come clothes

with my laundry basket and she says, "Um...Seno Jody??

Were you going to do wash today?" I said, "Well, I was going to maybe

after church, if that's alright...?" She politely replied,

"Today is Sunday, it's a monastic practice that we don't do

any wash on Sunday's because it's the Lord's day." I thought to myself,

I for SURE am keeping this is my back pocket when Sue tells me to

throw in laundry on Sunday's... Haha ((Kidding Mom!!))

Anyways, I agreed to get up early and do it in the

morning before the team gets here!

Obedience really IS everything! And I thought I was just doing the

team a favor ;) haha

Well, I miss my brother a lot today... for some unknown reason...

maybe just his hugs and attitude...

Love to ALL who are reading...

xoxo

People come, and people go. . .

Well, another 1/2 of week has gone by...

It's been a good one to say the least.

Wednesday and Thursday I took "off" and just

walked around, did what I could where I could.

It wasn't much at all - that's for sure.

Today, Friday, we had a couple from Indianapolis

come to the Hogar.
They are a very nice (older - maybe 60's) couple and

carried themselves very well. Mother Ivonne had mentioned to me

on Wednesday that they were coming and they are a couple

who were very close with Mother Ines' father. "They do well"

is all she told me... So, being the person I am, I introduced

myself to them just as I would any other American that comes

through the gates here. They were nice, and very friendly with me.

So last night I was talking with the lady, Christina, and she was

telling me how they are going to take the Senoritas out to dinner

and spend the evening with them.
I thought - gee, that's very kind! After breakfast this morning I
noticed on all of those girls' belt loops a little pink case was hanging
from them. I asked Mother Ivonne, what do all of the girls have on
their belts?? She said - "Oh, Jody, when I said 'they do well'

I meant it. They bought and brought 11 Sony digital cameras

for the girls HOT PINK! and a 10.1 megapixels, he is the CEO and

President of Liberty Fund." ((I think at this point I almost wet my pants))...
I said (calmly) "Well, God sure does provide!" When really I wanted
to say..."OHHH MYYY GOSSSHHHH!!!!!" - It's awesome to see
that even the most well-off have a heart for this beautiful place.
Anyways, this afternoon, they had a group of about 8 women, that
work for Liberty Fund, come and work with the older girls on
some project in the Wood Shop. They made coasters from old
coffee trees and sanded them down, they made some name
plaques for the ladies that came, and a few other goodies.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I think it was enjoyed by all. :)

Tomorrow, SLEEP IN DAY!!! :) haha I think we don't have breakfast
until 9:00 am which will be very nice! I am tired from the week full
of emotions with the Team leaving on Tuesday...
Oh - WISCONSIN TEAM: I LOVE YOU!!! :)

Hopefully the next few days go fast because there is another team from
Baltimore coming in on Monday...

I am looking forward to that.

Ok - God bless you ALL!

xoxo

Lord have MERCY!

Ohhh.... WHAT A BEAUTFIL WEEK!!!

It's been so much fun having the Wisconsin team here for the last week.

They left this morning - yes, there were tears.

I have a new found respect for Wisconsin, the state, not the Packers.

That state holds at LEAST 6, and one in Iowa, Orthodox Christians who

have each gotten a piece of my heart throughout the last 6 days.

Where have I been?? (Some of you have been asking...)

Well, they got here last week on Wednesday and the first few

days were shared with the children and were just spending

loving them and hugging them. The team had a mission project

of priming and painting some walls in the M4 building
(where the short-term female missionaries usually stay).

They did a beautiful job with that and have left it

beautifully clean in here!

I think it was on Friday, we took about 20 of the "ninos grandes" to the
Military Museum here in Guatemala City. It was so much fun, and a

blessing for us to be able to take them on an outing. Father Chris' church

in Clayton had sent a donation with him to treat the children to this outing,

God sure does work in mysterious ways. We got to the museum and told

the guards where we were from (the Hogar) and all the sudden we know it,

there is a guard on the phone talking - VERY rapidly. He then told the

teacher that we brought with us, "no nesesitas apagar."

Which translates to "it's not necessary for you to pay".

They let us ALL in for no charge.

What a blessing!

We then took them on a (VERY SCARY) walk about

5 blocks to Pollo Compero(their fast food chain here) and treated

them all to french fries and Coca Cola!

It was wonderful and they really had a good time! :)

Saturday was spent sharing with the children at the Hogar,

finishing the painting in the dorm and such.

Sunday we celebrated a BEAUTIFUL liturgy at the Monastery on

the mountain! (pictures on facebook)

Father Chris and his wonderful team treated Jorge, 2 of the Senoritas,

Maria Cielo and Silvia, and myself to dinner at Portal del Angel. This is an

incredible restaurant that overlooks the entire city of Guatemala.

It was wonderful!

Monday morning was the Feast of St. Nektarios and we celebrated liturgy

again at the Hogar in the morning and then had brunch at the orphanage.

After that, we had a wonderful "touristy" day in Antigua, another major city

in Guatemala about 45 minutes from the orphanage. We went to the

Jade factory,saw some historic ruins and had a beautiful

Guatemalan lunch out in the city. We then headed to the market where

they could do some shopping.

It was a beautiful day! Glory to God!

This morning (Tuesday) we had a beautiful Farewell Ceremony with

the children as they lined up for all the hugging and loving before
they headed to school. It was really nice. :) Some more packing, sharing

memorable moments and hugging was done, and then off to the

airport they went. Mother Ines came from the monastery to see them off.

Like I said, I send a little piece of my heart with each of them.

I miss them a lot already. It's kind of funny to hear Mother Ivonne tell

the team "Yes, the children get very sad when the teams physically leave,

but it teaches them to know people come in and out of our lives

all the time, but never out spiritually."

(Something I think she may have said just so I could hear it

as well...and need to keep telling myself!)

It's going to be a hard afternoon, but I will keep praying for them,

especially Father Chris. Thank you ALL for a wonderful week!

LOVE you all so much!

I am ex-haust-ed! I wish I could explain the feeling - I suppose it's a LOT

like the day or two after Summer Camp when we just feel drained!
It's ok - I will sleep and get up tomorrow and

thank God yet again, for another day!

How are YOU ALL?? It was so busy this weekend/week that I haven't

really talked with anyone. I miss my friends and family lots!!

LOVE YOU ALL!! xoxo

Lord have mercy upon us all!!

The Team is Here!

Sorry it's been a few days since I have last blogged..

The mission team is here from Wisconsin and I am so happy to see them! - Many of you know Father Chris from Clayton, Wisconsin. He is here and I am SO thankful!

I have been busy doing some more computer work for Madre - burning some CD's for her, making some checks on the "Missionary List" (some Americans have e-mailed their new addresses to the orphanage, and they need to be put into their document), making copies and the like.

It's been so fun this past 24 hours - I think I am going to have a great week - Thank you, Lord!

I hope all of my friends and family are doing well :) I miss you all and love you very much!
xoxo

Kier Eleison

Water??

Ok, so today was pretty laid back.. I didn't do any work really. I played with David in the nursery, sang songs to Renee and pretty much just read - yes, mom, READ A BOOK.. haha :)

Madre Ivonne still isn't feeling well (pray for her) so she was in her apartment all day. Jorge wasn't really around either - for those that don't know, Jorge is Mother Ivonne's brother. He works for the orphanage. So I just sort of did my own thing, and when I saw the kids -

I would talk with them and play with them.

So water... It's been raining here for the past 4 days on and off and

ODDLY enough, Ericka (she lives with the teenage girls "Las Senoritas")

tells me there is no running water, and it could be DAYS before we get any.

I do my cross and say "Thank God I got up and showered this morning!"

- days...?? DAYS...?? There is a mission team coming from Wisconsin

(Fr. Chris Wojick) and I will get to say

"Welcome to the Hogar, hope you showered today!"

Goodness, God sure does teach you things

when you're least expecting it! :)

Anyways, tomorrow should be nice. I am going to put together the booklets

for the mission team so when they get here they know some of the rules and the schedule.

It will be nice to see them on Wednesday.

That's all for now, I suppose.

Oh the places you will go...

I have been kind of busy the last few days... (sorry the posts haven't been everyday)

I have started to make booklets for the missionaries when they come of the Vespers and Matins services. It's been easy, and I get to work on my computer, so that is nice.

Playing with the children, all ages. I love going to the Nursery and holding the 4 toddlers there are in there. They are so fun - although they have attitudes, still so funny to see them and talk to them!

Madre Ivonne is sick right now - please say a prayer for her. She also broke her "little finger on her foot" (baby toe) and is hopping around here with a cane.

There is another missionary here for 4 days. He is from New York/Russia. He is working on painting the icons at the monastery for 2 weeks. He is at the orphanage because he is taking video of the children to put together a fundraising video. He will edit and make the video when he returns to New York. He's a film major, and a very nice guy! We've gotten to bond a bit, both being "Americans" and sitting at the Missionary table together.

Praying you are all well! Missing home a bit today :)
xoxo

Un Raton...

Today was a good day...

Although I didn't get to play with the kids too much, I spent a lot of time on my computer typing and translating the Vespers service to English.

I am working on a project for Madre Ivonne to make books for missionaries when they come here. I typed the service up, and Psalms and tomorrow afternoon Madre will proofread them and let me know of my mistakes and then we will print them and make booklets.

Las Senoritas (girls ranging in age from 7-16) went to see "Lluvias los hamburguesas" (It's raining Hamburgers)... they asked me to go but I declined because of the work I had, and because I wouldn't understand a whole lot of fast speaking Spanish cartoons. :)

I did get to see Edgar, he is a favorite of mine. Very cute, and small and has a bright smile.

First day down...the

So...

Where do I start?

First day and already so much has happened...

I wasn't expecting to see Mother Ines (head nun) until later in my stay, but she showed up at the Hogar unexpected today. She came in sort of frantic - she was coming from the bank with her driver, when in the parking lot, her driver was mugged and robbed. He had some money on him, and that was stolen, I think maybe his knife or some sort of weapon as well... scary! He was not hurt, though.

I spent my morning in the nursery with:

David

and a few others - he is one of the few babies left in the nursery.

(and quite a looker!)

Other than that, I had a pretty relaxing day - played with some of the toddlers, and the Senoritas wanted to practice their English with me this evening, so we got to chat. They are such wonderful young ladies, and very inspiring, might I add!

God is showing me a beautiful light! Glory to Him!

I will keep the posts coming!

xoxo

Safe and sound... :)

Dear Diary, (is that tacky?)

I made it to the Hogar this afternoon - after my flight being delayed about 40 minutes, seeing someone throw up on BOTH my flights sure was gettin' me excited to travel!

I have stories galore already and it was only a day of travel! Those are not worth your time to read, or mine to write so anyways...

I made it, thank you God, and I am loving every bit of the noise, rain, and of course beautiful smiles from the children here. Madre welcomed me with open arms as soon as I stepped foot on the Hogar grounds, what a joy!

Tonight I am just settling in, and getting the layout memorized, cell phone set up, clothes unpacked, all of that good stuff!

Keep this Holy place in your prayers, and myself please!

I miss home a little bit, but I am so excited to be here at the Hogar!

xoxo from Guatemala!

3 days and COUNTING...

I started the packing process... and WOW it's getting tough to squeeze three months of life's necessities into 2 - 50 lb bags. :) What do you do...

Today's the last day I will see a lot of my friends before I leave... I am looking forward to going to lunch with them!

Then, home, more packing, Target, and the like...

It's going to be a long 3 days of goodbye's and "I still need this"...

Couldn't be more excited to be at the Hogar though - God is going to work so wonderfully there and open my eyes to His creations.

Until next time...

xoxo

The Week of Packing...

Well, I guess my trip hasn't officially started yet, however, I am getting ready to pack my bags. It has been a long day already of running errands and trip #2 to Target already THIS WEEK! :) It's going to be a long hall to get all of my things in order in just 8 short days before I head off to Guatemala.

Cannot wait. 

Lord have mercy!

xoxo