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