PIctures

So these pictures are not in order, I uploaded them in order but they did not post in order, so sorry. They aren't that easy to move around but you should be able to figure it out. They date back to before Christmas to the recent and then you can also look at some of the same and more on my facebook by clicking on this link. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2475777&id=29627113&l=e768296328

Jason pushing the kids on the swing. 

We took the kids to the beach and played in the waves.

Right after the beach .

Cajamarca

On our hike to Cumbemayo

Some Pre Incan writings

Jason fit through the tunnel a professional caveman.

Me and the kid in the mountains.

Mom did pretty good on our hike. 

Our bus.

Me- "Here hole the baby"
Jason- "What? I don't know how to hold a baby!"

At the chili's in Lima there was a sign for a chili Cook off in San Marcos I never heard of.

He had the chicken pox. It went around.

Kevin bet the boys if the could run to Hequetepeque and back- about 7 miles- they could take their mattresses out and watch movies for a week. They made it the second time- first time was cut short cause of an emergency.

He was our emergency. Got burnt with water on his head. Don't worry he is better. But it isn't easy hearing on the phone that your baby got burnt and have to wait to come home and see it.

Birthday cakes!!! Made in ice cream cones!

Proof for Jason that I made fortune cookies.

Christmas party.

Christmas Day

Christmas Tamales 

Keili got a pool from Steve so we got to swim Christmas day!

Lima

Jason and his new best friend.

They found me out

           Well, since it is summer I have been getting pretty tan in my arms, face, legs as I usually do. And yes I am still way whiter than most people, but a few times I have been mistaken for a Peruvian. For example, at the bank the teller asked me if I was someone's daughter, kind of funny, so I told her that I was from America and she seemed surprised. I guess she didn't realize how tall I was and the lighting must have been off and here ears clogged when I spoke.  But now there is no mistaking that I am truly a very white kid underneath- my watch broke. It had a good five year run, and finally died after surfing Friday. It is really sad, I don't know if I will be able to find a suitable replacement that meets my watch standards, so for now there is an empty white spot in between all the tan on my wrist. I just hope that it doesn't cause me to become Peruvian and be late for everything cause I cannot efficiently keep time, and I don't always remember to keep my phone on me. We will see.

         Other than the untimely death of my watch, things have been going pretty well here with the kids. I am still staying in the girls house as the mom on the night shift, which means I get to care for my baby again, I love it except waking up to his poop. That is what wakes him up every morning without fail. However this morning he had a little that was late and I was feeding him his cereal on my bed and that little extra came right out of his diaper and hit my feet. A quite disgusting way to start your day, but he just looked at me with that charming sweet smile and laughed. I am glad Antonia was there to help me clean up considering I couldn't really walk my way anywhere without making a bigger mess.

         I figured I could post some pictures today and update some things that have been going on in visuals for you, since I haven't uploaded pictures in a while. So I hope you enjoy them and enjoyed the snow I am bummed I missed it, seems like it was a long while since we had any. 

         It is now Friday I originally attempted to post this on Sunday, but after I captioned all 37 pictures there was an error in saving and it was all gone, kind of annoying. So out of frustration I gave up and quit. And it is getting really close to dinner time so the next time I get to use the internet I will post them so be on the look out.

         Today was good though, the kids went swimming for the first time in their new pool that Bruce bought them. I would have swam to but today was a cool day not the normal hot. Today I also got to talk to my Grandparents today so that was wonderful, they called me on my skpye number which for you if you forgot is (512) 686.2284. You can call me anytime I am online it is best to sent me an email with a time, but it is normal charges for you calling a Georgetown, TX number and free for me. So, send me an email and I would love to talk with you.

         Like I said it is getting close to dinner so I should be going but I plan on coming to town, writing more, and posting those pictures so don't worry!

The Waves of Summer

Summer, Summer, Summer! I have to throw out an apology because it is summer, because I haven't been very consistent in dropping updates to anyone. My excuse for you is that is is summer, there is no schedule, and I get easily distracted doing all sorts of things.

But as far as summer is going, it is pretty fun. I started staying in the girl's house on the night shift, which means I again have the baby at night. The baby has caught up physically and developmentally rather well, and is starting to eat food- he loves rice cereal! The girls are always asking me to stay up later, but because someone wakes me up early everyone goes to bed at 10. At least I am not in the boys house, because Kevin gets a pouncing 5 year old on his stomach every morning. But I am really enjoying it, when I was in Lima with Mom and Jason I found some Disney story books in Spanish and so the girls demand stories every night, and I am working on reading with prosody in Spanish (not completely skilled yet but getting there). It is fun and interesting being the mom of 18 girls and a baby all by yourself.

It is interesting and beautiful how the Lord works. I came to Peru with the understanding that God wanted me to teach English and work with the orphanage kids, but recently I found that he is turning my direction a little. A few months ago I knew God did not want me to teach English in the school this coming round- for many reasons some with the school and some with struggles within the ministry, and for the time being He had me doing as much as I could in the houses with the kids, and now I have a shift. A few weeks ago I was really battling with what God wanted me to do come the start of school in March. Unfortunately I was allowing myself to be swept away with other people's ideas and I found myself planning and adjusting myself to what other people thought would be good for me to do or continue. However, I took some time with God to find out He wanted. He told me to clear my mind of everything, to take people's ideas as they are, look at them, and set them aside to wait for God's idea, His plan. So, I did, which is tough for me because I can take an idea and plan it to it's fullest potential and develop something great out of it, it might just not be what God had in mind.

So, I would like to share with you what God has in mind for me in my time in Peru. I have mentioned several times my friends, Wendy and Auden, to you. They are currently starting a ministry in Trujillo- a city about and hour and half from Pacasmayo. There plans are to have start a chruch, and a missionary school- training program for young adults in the areas to go back to their towns and churches working in the ministry as missionaries to their own people. One other thing they wanted to do is la Programma de PEPE, which is a preschool program for the kids that can't afford to go to preschool. The program is set up where church members support a student for their tuition- which is books, supplies,and uniform,and brings them their lunchera daily. As well as teaching the kids the required preschool curriculum, they teach the children about God, and there are frequent home visits where the Pastor of the church- and sometimes the teacher- go and make sure the family is doing well, offer some helpful advice, etc, with the hopes to help the family sustain themselves and come to know Jesus as their Saviour as well. With that said that is the direction God is sending me.

I am going to be the PEPE teacher for their new ministry. Until the buildings are all build- with the housing facilities, they will be renting a house in Trujillo where I will be able to live with a monthly food stipen. Having the food money will allow me to at least twice a month go and visit my kids in Pacasmayo and do some fun things with my kiddos.

So, my life in Peru is taking turns that I never expected to happen- I wasn't expecting any turns, but I know it is what God wants. It is a little hard because I am having to leave the kids and it is hard for them to understand, but at least I have the rest of the summer to hang out with them.

But I will continue to try and keep you all updated at a more consistent pace, but you will have to forgive me during the summer because I tend to side on spontaniety and my days change 16 times in an hour and then I am somewhere else.

Who knew it is 2011!

Well the New Year got here quickly! It didn't really click that it was 2011 until today, so I am a little slow, we did sparklers and everything the wheels in my head just didn't make the full turn in time. It may have been because I had just gotten off a 12 hour bus ride after doing an unexpected Lima trip to pick up my Mom and kid brother, Jason. Who knew that when my mom said midnight of the 30th she was talking about the turning of midnight from the 29th to the 30th. I was mistaken and thought I did good getting them a day bus on the 31st and Gaby could just take them straight to the station because she was going to be in Lima anyways for the holidays and I was saving myself sitting on a bus an extra time. Well I failed. So, as my mom was walking out the door to go to the airport I called her to settle out all the wrinkles and tell her every detail that would go down, when we both figured out we were thinking different days! Well, God was able to set me straight and work things out, and he blessed me with some good friends who also have good friends in Lima. So, I worried my mom and made her more nervous than she was to begin with, but it worked out. Since Gaby was leaving that night to Lima I was able to get a ticket beside her. My mom and Jason were picked up by Wendy's friend's son and taken to the hotel he owns. I got a taxi to their hotel and woke them up early Thursday morning. I forgot how tall Jason was, I have not been accustomed to anyone towering that high over me these past six months! But we had a fun day in Lima, I took them on a crazy detoured taxi drive (cause the straight shot highway is under construction), to the plaza de armas- which is where the presidents house is and the national catholic church (which is also an art museum when mass isn't in session), the Archbishop's palace is there, and so are a bunch of other legislative type buildings. So we went in the Catholic church and saw some amazing wood carvings and mosaics, and we walked around and they had their first meal in Peru- Pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken), ensalada (salad), and papas fritas (french fries). It was a good ease into the other things they get to eat. We also went behind the main part of the plaza to the building full of artisans from around the country and mom did a little shopping- she even bought beads for her baskets!!!!!
The next day we got on our bus to go to my home and they enjoyed breakfast, lunch and five movies in Spanish along with some cool senery for 12 hours to Pacasmayo.  We got to celebrate the New Years with the kids but to be honest we didn't mke it to midnight- to tired. But the next day we played with the kids. They all just love Jason they can't believe how tall he is and his red hair. On of the little girls who is 4 was quite frightened of him but then when colring with them yesterday she colored the boy in the picture with red hair and then his chin red and slowly moved toward Jason and leaned up against him as she finished, now when his lap is free she tries to take it. But she has some competition they all want to be held by him espectially on of the little boys who while Jason was eating the first night was just rubbing the hairs under his chin as he ate, it was cute and he came knocking on the door today wanting to play with them.
Needless to say they re enjoying their visit and I am enjoying them too, the kids love mom too, and want her to play jacks or push them on the swings. We are going to do a quick vacation to Cajamarca, a little mountain town with ruins and Incan hot baths on Tuesday.
Just thought I would let everyone know they indeed arrived safely and made it to my house and are having a good time they just want to go to bed early every night cause the kids wear them out! Hope you are all enjoying your new year!

Christmas in the Summer

       I have to admit I have not been doing a very fine job of keeping everyone up to date lately. I missed several calls lately, I finally was able to open my email today and found 22 emails awaiting-not all from my mother either :) , and I obviously haven't updated here recently either. So I thought I would send everyone a Christmas note.
      As many of you know this is my first Christmas away from home, I have spent much of my Christmas breaks in San Marcos before but have always made it home form Christmas, but this year I am a little far away for the quick drive home. It is a little sad, for one this December has been an eventful one, I missed my little (giant) brother's 20th birthday- so officially now mom has no teenagers left, Sean was commissioned and graduated a few days ago, and in a few short days it will be Christmas eve and day.            
      One thing I have missed about the Christmases I am used to is singing the Christmas carols and hymns at church, and it being cold for Christmas- despite living in Texas the last ten years this is the hottest Christmas I have ever had, but all of those things aside Peru has its Christmas traditions and the reason for Christmas never changes no matter what continent, country, hemisphere or season you find yourself in, the celebration of Christ Jesus our Savior. So along with the giant Christmas trees at the malls, or the scarcely lit town squares you find in the middle of them all the scene of the nativity of Christ's birth. I was at the mall in Trujillo with Auden and Wendy about a month ago and I was standing with there almost 3 year old daughter in front of the 2 1/2 story Christmas tree and the 4 foot tall Mary ad Joseph and the empty manger, I asked her if she wanted to go stand with daddy or stay here, and she says. "No, stay Jesus." So we stayed with Jesus while we waited for her mom to finish. She was your Linus from a Charlie Brown's Christmas who knows what Christmas is all about after you sort through the cloud of Christmas commercialism and our 2 1/2 story Christmas trees.
     Christmas here brings lots of mixed emotions for different kids at the house. Some remember what Christmas was like last year and all the years before with their family, and they suddenly find themselves not having a chocolatada with them. Others are tired of being pitied at Christmas time, and I can see where they are coming from. It is nice to have people do things for you, especially if you are in need, and it is nice to get a toy rather than socks and underwear every once in a while, but it is also nice for people to care more than once a year. There are a bunch of schools, banks, and other organizations that want to do things for the kids this time of year, and it is good and following Christ's commands to care for his kiddos, but He calls us to care for them year round, ever year, to form relationships with them, to teach and guide them. So, I want to encourage you if there is something you do this Christmas season as a volunteer or charitable giving, I challenge you to continue, get involved with the organization year round and show the people you love that Christ loves them all year long not just for a season.
     As for the mixed emotions of the kids a lot of them are truly joyful too.  I mean who doesn't love getting to drink chocolate and eat cakes and candies every other day? Which is the tradition here. If you are going to celebrate Christmas you have a Chocolatada. Which is drinking hot chocolate, eating Panneton, and most of the time presents are involved somehow whether it be a raffle or everyone gets one. So far the kids have had four and there is one tomorrow and of course there will be one on Christmas eve at all the houses. Today was mine- which was different than most. Over the last month I have been compiling gifts for the kids in my house. I pulled out some of my money from my bank account- my first time to use the ATM here, and I did some shopping! I just really wanted to do something for the kids and wanted to get them something that they truly want but don't necessarily need, cause getting gifts is cool but getting something you actually wanted is even better. So today we gathered in the comedor and I told them how my family does Christmas, but since I wasn't with my family they could step in. So the kids took turns picking a gift, reading the name and passing them out, and one by one they opened them showed everyone sometimes there was shouting and a few pictures may have been taken. But it was fun, and yes Christmas is about Jesus but the suspense of what is in those packages and finally getting to open them is a gift from God too :).  Bruce (who had also contributed funds to my gift fund) told me after that I was like a super shopper and did really well. I replied agreeing with my skills and then he told me, "one day you are going to make a man very happy but very broke." After dinner we watched a movie and had hot chocolate and oreos to end the night with a bang.
      As far as the real Christmas eve and day, the kids are getting split up into different houses of the staff and such after lunch on the 24th and spend the night at the houses and spend Christmas day there as well. I will be at Wendy's house helping there and I am excited about all the food talk, but we have decided that we are not going to hold to Peruvian tradition and wait until midnight to eat dinner cause that is just crazy, but we will watch Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown's Christmas!
     So for all of you I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, please sing some Christmas carols for me, eat all the amazing goodies for me, and share the love of Jesus with someone this Christmas, and the following year. You can be praying for our kids for peace in their little hearts this Christmas, and for the coming summer. For a lot of the kids the official time they were supposed to stay here is over, but it has been on hold for the sake of their school year, because here to get credit for the year you have to have started from the very beginning at that school which eliminates the ability to transfer kids out in the middle of the year. So, in the new year there should be a lot of court  happenings with the kids and decisions being made etc, which will be complicated and confusing, and difficult for some of the kids. So have a Merry Christmas and I cannot wait to ring in the New Year with my mom and my little brother cause they will be here in PERU!!!!!