He is Risen!!

And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus of Nazareth The King Of The Jews. John 19:19

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I think this may have been my favorite moment in Ecuador....climbing and panting my way up this mountain, coming over the hardest stretch, looking up and my face just lit up with a huge smile! I had made it, I had made it to the cross...it was pure joy.

Today was a beautiful day! It dawned warm and sunny, church was wonderful, we sang many old and familiar hymns that are dear to my heart. The pastor had everyone that spoke a different language stand up and say, He is Risen, in their language  It was so neat and there were so many languages, it made me realize how many people and tongues were confessing today that Christ is indeed risen from the dead and is there Lord and Saviour!  There was a baptism and a lady that has traveled around the world in a ship doing mission work, shared with us about what Christ mean to her. After church we had a dinner and ate outside. It felt like a church picnic! With the sun beaming down...it was a beautiful time to celebrate and marvel in the sacrifice that Christ has made for us. On the way home from church we all joined in singing....I love singing!

When I got home I ate my chocolate egg that Natasha gave me just before she left! Its the oddest egg I have even seen...nothing like you would find in the states, but its chocolate and its delicious! Thank you Natasha! I could go for some marshmallow peeps though....or malt ball eggs....or...well anyway, Easter isn't celebrated to much in Ecuador, beyond black Friday, they have a parade with Jesus figures and crosses and things, I've heard its pretty intense. They have a traditional soup they eat here at this time called Fanesca, made from a lot of fresh grains, different kinds of beans, potatoes, salty cod, onions, milk, squash, tomatoes, peas, peanuts, cheese, spices...anyway its a lot going on and everyone makes it different, but it is quite a topic of discussion! They only make it once a year though. I have enjoyed not seeing all the other things that surround Easter in the states. It has been easier to forget about all the party things and remember the cross alone. I was not really looking forward to this weekend, being away from my family and with Natasha just leaving, but it has been very special, I felt so loved by so many people even though I am far from home. It has been such a sweet and precious time...making it harder to leave...just what I wanted! But what a blessing!

For even hereunto we are called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His footsteps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose striped ye were healed. For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-251

I am so blessed!

Today I feel like a princess!
My alarm went off but I hit the snooze and awhile later I woke up and thought, it's been more than 5 minuets? Yep, it had been half an hour, apparently I missed the snooze but I made it in time anyway! You know how tight of a schedule Ecuador runs on...haha ...

It was a nice relaxing Saturday, I had no plans so I spent my morning with the babies...I fed a hundred bottles before lunch I think! But we had music class with all of them, unusually we just have it with the older toddlers. It was great to see the music teacher again, it seems like so long since I have talked with her! She is such an amazing and sweet person!

A tia asked me if I had any plans for today or tomorrow, I told her no. So she said she would call me later...so I had strict orders to be by the phone at 1 p.m. I had a lot of Spanish lessons today, it was really good! I talked with one tia for such a long time, its just amazes me! Its not easy to talk to me, they have to change words and rephrase things and motion and all but they are so patient and helpful! I can't believe how much I can understand! If I had a couple more months I would have this!

The large group of volunteers came and hosted a Easter party for the older children, so I stayed behind in the baby house... after we had all the babies in bed, and lunch cleaned up I started getting ready to leave but the tias asked me to stay and have some corn on the cob, well once I sat down, they kept bringing all this food! So I had corn on the cob, cheese, aji, fried bread with banana on the inside, and some other fried bananas. It was so delicious and so thoughtful of them! I think they are all worried about me....

So I headed home for just a bit then went back to make it in time for my phone call...but I had missed it.....so the guard came and told me the message...I was suppose to meet the tia in 15 minuets...then I went in the baby house and the tias gave me the message and asked where I was going to be...I told them I just had to run down to the other house, then back home but I would be back! So after all my running I ran back into the baby house and they asked if the guard knew where I was?? I said, yes! and at 15 after I went to wait by the gate and the guard let me out then told me stand right there...it just amazed me up how much they all cared and wanted to make sure I got off ok!

So I went with the tia and her husband that we have spent time with before, it was such a blessing to spend time with them again! Her husband knows quite a bit of English, and his wife and I both had our dictionary's with so we were prepared! She was showing off my Spanish skills to her husband! But we were able to do a lot of talking and visiting...its amazing how much my Spanish had improved!

So they took me out for dinner, and for a milkshake, then we stopped at a store to buy jeans for her son, but I think it was an excuse to get me in the store because she picked out a shirt for me, and insisted I try it on...but I told her not to get it because it was way to much money! But her and her husband insisted! They wanted to do it, and they want it to be something for me to remember them by. It was so humbling, its easy to give, but its harder to humbly accept. They are such a sweet couple! Definitely a gift from God for today!

So as I considered the cross of Christ and what difference it has made in my life, its amazing to realize how my life revolves around it! If it were not for Christ I wouldn't be here, if it were not for the cross, I wouldn't know this couple, they wouldn't be sharing in my life and blessing me! First of all the cross has brought me salvation but all these other things are outpouring of the cross....the cross has changed the world, and my life. I am so thankful for the cross and my Saviour!

Today I was overwhelmed by the blessing bestowed upon me by my Saviour, I don't deserve a relationship with Him, or eternal life and He has freely given to me! He has forgiven me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness, even though I daily fail and fall, He forgives me over and over again. Then He bestows all of these blessing on me, that I don't begin to deserve! !Gracias Senior Jesus por la Cruz!

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1 :18

A very Good Friday

There are an estimated 143 million orphans in the developing world. 

It's a gross understatement to say there are more children than adoptive families. Statistics from the US State Department show that in 2009 there were a total of less than 13,000 international adoptions completed in the US.

The numbers are crushing:
* 15 million children have lost both mother and father.
* Tens of millions more are fatherless.
In the U.S. alone 514,000 children live in our foster care system, and approximately 115,000 of them are waiting to be adopted right now.
*There are 18 million street children in India alone.

But a single statistic matters more than any other:

---It only takes one caring individual to make a life-long difference for an orphan.

Today Gods presence was so real to me, He was walking with me every step of the way. It was so amazing and peaceful. He truly is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother...

I spent the morning with the babies...Since its good Friday, there were no other volunteers. So it was a quiet peaceful day. I rather enjoyed it!

I forgot my camera card in my computer last night...(I'm sure that will surprise Natasha!)
But my little guy was wearing "the shirt" and he had on little shoes, he was so handsome!

I decided it should be a crime to put "mommy loves me", "daddy's princess", "50% mommy & 50% daddy", "I melt daddy's heart", "mommy's angel" and other such saying on orphans clothing. Every time I see them wearing something like that, I just want to break down and start crying!

I took one little guy swimming, and when he was done all the older children got in, so I stayed and helped with them. It was a lot of fun, they definitely wore me out, they have so much energy! They are like fish! I had three little girls climbing all over me and I was expected to swim....but it was so worth it! I was rewarded with hugs and kisses!

This afternoon when I was walking back to the orphanage, I thought about the street that I was walking on... I have been walking this street almost every day for the past two months, I have so many memories just on this street! I got pushed down it in a wheelbarrow, more than one espuma war started here, I have laughed down this street, cried down this street, ate down this street, sang down this street, ran down, walked down, and dragged myself down this street at times.....but it had all been so worth it and I wouldn't take any of it back! One lesson God had taught me is to be thankful for everything...I'm not always successful, but He was showing me ways to be thankful that it was time for Natasha to go home...I will always be thankful for the time I had here with her, and I'm thankful for all the memories.

I stopped in to give the tias a note, which of course need to be translated...so between my notes, my brain and my dictionary I got it pretty good I think! The tia was laughing at me, but said, she was thankful that I knew more Spanish then she knew English, which is funny because that's what I always think when people are speaking to me in broken English, sounds good to me! It's better than my Spanish! Of course I couldn't leave when babies were crying for their bottles so after a couple bottles I went to help with the egg dying...

We did the children in groups, but it still got a little messy...but they had fun! They each died an egg, multiple colors!

Then this evening I was able to meet a few girls that were staying a few days with the people that live about us, it was pretty neat. I was able to get better acquainted with a few volunteers from Boise, Idaho. One couple is in the process of adoption and the other couple has two daughters that are in the process of adoption. I was able to share my whole story with them! It was just amazing to hear what God is doing in these lives! It's such a blessing and encouragement!! Then we went to a good Friday service at a little church. It was all in Spanish, but I enjoyed listing to the singing and music...It felt so nice to be in a little church too!

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better day. God is so gracious!

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

Can it be?

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what men shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5 & 6

Well I have to say that after a long day yesterday, a late night (early morning), and all the excitment and high emotions, morning came way to fast!! But we pulled out of bed determined not to miss a moment of Natasha's last day.....I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday, I met her and she said, I will be here for 2 1/2 months...and yet, it seems so long ago! But believe it or not, its here. So I can cry about it later.....

I tried to make her a nice breakfast so she would forget about all of my cooking disasters and think of me as a good cook after she leaves....:) I think it worked!

So we walked to the baby house....

Hungry children were waiting to be fed!

Babies waiting to be cuddled....ok they were waiting for bottles, but we cuddled anyway!

After breakfast the house was filled with volunteers so we went down to see the other children.....

We danced and sang....

But with sadness in our hearts because we are all going to miss her......

We love you Natasha!!

This cute little girl had to get in on the fun too!

So after our time with the children, we went back to the house and Natasha packed up all her things....made me realize how much I was not looking forward to that! This afternoon they had a birthday party for a little boy that was adopted this last summer.  So all the children got together....its always fun! But it brought back a lot of memories at not so perfect timing.....

This little boy is doing amazing! He just got his little stand, and he does great in it! He loved being able to watch and play with the other children!

Everyone waiting....

The loved gathering around him to play!

Way to cute!

His family brought, snacks, cake, party hats, balloons and everything!

Here is the little guy, he turned two today!

Its so amazing watching him walk around and play. He had so much fun chasing the balloon around squealing and laughing! He can't see real well but it has made such a huge difference! He is a different boy from when I first met him.

So then the goodbyes started at Natasha said goodbye to the tias as they got off shift...I was trying not to cry, but it was to hard! Realizing how much she has come to mean to all of us! We went back home, had a good cry then brought her luggage back to the orphange and continued the goodbyes...I couldn't even understand what all the tias were saying as each one said goodbye to her, but I was still crying....I realized that she has made such a huge difference in their lives and that is exactly what she came here to do, she just never realized how much. She is going to be missed by so many!

When I first landed in Ecuador I was greeted by Natasha at the airport, and tonight I had to watch her get in a van and drive away....Ecuador sure wouldn't have been the same without her!

As I walked back home, all I could think of was "your gonna miss this....your gonna want this back.....your gonna wish these day's, hadn't gone by so fast". We enjoyed them while we had them, but now God is sending her back with all the memories, experiences, and heartaches and joys she had here. To made a difference where He wants her now.....

She surprised me with some junk food to help me get through the next couple of day's! :)

I'm gonna miss you Natasha, and so is Ecuador......

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Philippians 1:2-7

Please keep Natasha in prayer as she has a long night of traveling ahead of her, and pray for her adjustment as she settles back in at home. She is very excited to see her family and to be back home, but she is also going to miss all the children and tias and way of life here in Ecuador.  I know it will be difficult for her.

saying goodbye...

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down a the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 & 2

What a friend we have in Jesus.....this is the song that greeted us this morning and I think it gave us both strength for the day. We are parting ways, but Jesus is staying with us and He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He cares about our pain and hurt and He has a plan.

Today was filled with a lot of goodbyes and lasts for us...but it still doesn't feel real...

 Of course we spent our morning with these smiling faces! Its so bittersweet, knowing that our time is limited and coming to a close. We have watched them change, grow and develop over the last couple months, their victories were our victories!

Enjoying every moment she has...

We have spent countless hours sitting in this room, fed countless bottles and gave countless hugs and kisses to these babies.

After breakfast and baths, I walked down the hill to see the older children...they were busy and full of energy and smiles!

This little girl was playing her drum...

She was braiding hair...she is very good at it too!

I love this smiling face!

This little girl is a sweetheart but she was having a rough morning...

I can't believe how big this little girl has grown and how long her hair is!

Then the tias asked us to take the toddlers into the swimming pool so we had to stop for a snack at the little "corner" store, one of our favorite places to get our favorite snacks!

Cheesy empanada's with sugar on top!

and cheese bread! Warning: its very addictive! but we had to do it one last time....Its so hard to believe!

When we stopped at the fruit market, they had a chopped melon just sitting on the shelf....I guess you can just get a slice!

Then we took our little friends across the street to play in the lawn, while we took the older ones swimming.

We had a good swim that left us rather exhausted....

After running to our favorite place to shop and picking up a few things, we headed to the office and Natasha finished up a project she had started and I worked on files....but it went much better than yesterday! I made a lot of progress and was greatly encouraged!

This evening we had a going away party for Natasha....I knew the time would come but I didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye....This morning as I was braiding one of the tias hair and I looked around me at all these Spanish speaking, Ecuadorian ladies and I thought, "when did I start loving them all?" I started realizing even more all the things I would miss about life here, and Natasha leaving is just the start of it all...

It was a group effort, everyone pitched in on the tacos and they were delicious!

She is not going to miss me taking pictures.....the brownies, strawberries and ice cream were amazing too!

 We enjoyed the evening playing games and visiting with a few of our friends...

Robbie was suppose to be taking a group picture and he zoomed in on Natasha's face, it was so hilarious.....we were all smiling and waiting....

Natasha is all smiles!

It's amazing how close you can get to people in such a short time!

So we are the type that go to bed and get up early everyday...but the one night we are up late.....

We go home and the inside bolt on the door is locked, Natasha scans the house to try to find a way to brake in but everything is barred up around here! So we decide we are just going to have to wake them up so they can let us in, so Natasha runs around the front to ding the doorbell...again and again...finally our landlady comes out half asleep and unlocks the door. We felt so bad, but apparently they thought we were already in bed for the night...O well, it just wouldn't have been right if something didn't happen to us...one last time....

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28 & 29