fun in chapala

Today was our first day to play "tourist"! We went on a boat ride and saw some sights, lots of fun!!!!!! We miss all of you. This place is wonderful!

LIMITED CONTACT

WE ARE SORRY FOR NOT KEEPING THE BLOG UPDATED MORE OFTEN! WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH INTERNET OR PHONE ACCESS. WE ARE HAPPY TO FINALLY HAVE HOT WATER IN HALF OF THE HOUSE AND ELECTRCITY IF WE ONLY RUN ONE APPLIANCE AT A TIME. MY HOW WE TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED. WEN IS USING MY CELLPHONE AS A FLSHLIGHT IN THE BATHROOM RIGHT NOW, AS WE USE THE COMPUTERS HERE IN SPANISH WITH DIFFERNT KEYBEAORDS! WE ARE LOVING IT!!!

ARE WE MOVING TO MEXICO?

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE BIGGEST QUESTION WE ARE GETTING ASKED FROM OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ALL THE PEOPLE WE HAVE MET HERE! WELL, THE ANSWER IS "WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT!" I AM BUSY CONVINCING MY DAD TO COME ALONG. OUR TIME HERE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, THE KIDS LOVE IT AND HAVE GROWN TREMENDOUSLY IN THE HUMANITARIAN DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH 3 LITTLE BOYS NAMED JOSE, NOE AND ANTONIO, AGES 2,4, AND 6. IMAGINE ME WITH 5 KIDS! WE LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH THEM AND JOSE, THE LITTLEST CALLS ME "MAMA". THAT´S A SURE TICKET TO MY HEART!!!! WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY GETTING THE NEW CENTER READY, WORKING ON ADOPTIONS AND WRITING THE NEW BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE NEW FACILITY. STEPHANIE, THE THERAPY BOOKS ARE GREAT AND WE HAVE ALREADY PUT THEM TO GOOD USE! WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NUMEROUS TIMES THAT WE CAN'T GO HOME! THE WORK DOWN HERE IS VERY HARD AND TIRING, BUT THE REWARDS ARE AMAZING. THE PEOPLE ARE SO KIND AND LOVING HERE, WE HAVE MADE SOME LIFE-LONG FRIENDS. EVAN EVEN HAS A NEW FRIEND NAMED ANA, SHE IS A SWEET GIRL AND LOVES HIS BLUE EYES! EVAN HAS ALSO BEEN PLAYING A LOT OF SOCCER. WEN HAS MADE A TON OF FRIENDS TOO, SHE IS ALSO A VERY GOOD LITTLE MAMA. THERE ARE 4 YEAR OLD TWINS THAT SHE ADORES! I´M NOT SURE WHERE THIS PATH WILL LEAD US, BUT I KNOW FOR SURE THAT OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH LOVE!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wow! Christmas still holds it's true meaning in Mexico. We celebrated at the Children's Center, and what a joy it was! No gifts for anyone, and it didn't matter. The main part of the celebration was lots of pinatas and smiles. We will post pictures next time. We love all the kids and of course want to bring them all home! We have really had a true journey of love! We are working very hard on the new center that the kids will be moving into. Evan and Wen have both learned the new meaning of "hard work"! I am very proud of them! Both are ready to move here, and keep wanting to look for a house! I think the kids love the fact that hoildays are celebrated throughout the night and the New Year is celebrated into the morning! Wishing you a blessed New Year!

We are here and loving it!

We finally arrived in Chapala at 11pm on Saturday night. This has been a wonderful experience so far. We are staying in what will be the "new orphanage" or Children's Center, as they call it. The buildings are over 100 years old, need alot of love and are beautiful. We finally got hot water last night, boy those showers felt good. The streets are cobble stone, the people are very kind and everyone rides a horse around town. We have already fallen in love with the kids and want to take them all home. This will be an experience that will never be forgotten. We are so blessed to be here. We will post pictures soon. We have very limited phone and online access. Love all of you guys!

Notes from Wen: Hi every body, I love it here! we are working hard and I am learning how to garden.

Off to Mexico....

We are ready for our big trip! Off to the airport we go. I'll update you guys when we have internet access.

Bags are packed, and ready to travel...

Today we heard from the staff at Love in Action. We will be met at the airport, and we have a confirmed place to stay. Two more huge things accomplished! The reality of the trip is setting in with the kids. They are excited, but apprehensive, as they are aware of the numerous kidnappings in Mexico. We have strong rules of safety established and they are ready to follow them. No one is allowed to go outside without me, except on the property of the Center.
Our bags are almost packed, and the dog knows we are leaving. He doesn't like suitcases because he knows exactly what that means. Max will have a lot of fun playing at Margot's house with her 3 pups while we are away. The Huffmans will be taking us to the airport with our 5206 bags of supplies and clothing (just kidding). We may have to ride on the roof! Only 3 days to go!