Happy Birthday!!

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliciton, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

This morning we walked to the orphanage gate, rang and waited..... the tia said, Good morning  I laughed, Good morning  She said, Who is? lol It's Brianna! :) I love them! They knew it was going to be us, and they want to make us feel at home.

We spent our morning as usual, feeding toddlers, giving bottles to baby's, dressing children, practicing Spanish, cleaning up after little ones......but it is such a joy!

We loaded 5 babies in one wagon, 3 toddlers in the other wagon, two toddling along behind and the littlest princess in my arms! We headed across the street to play and go swimming. Natasha and I have as much fun as the toddlers! :)

Today is this little guy's 2nd Birthday, so we put up some decorations this morning and had a little party for him this afternoon.

His sister was so happy to be celebrating with him!!

His "apple pie" birthday cake

She looks like a princess on her throne!

 I love these faces!

This one too!

O yes, our amazing decorating skills! :)

My spoon was about 5 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, it was interesting trying to eat jello..but hey we hang out with children all the time! We can do it!

I love watching them enjoy each other!

This evening Natasha and I were a bit restless, so after doing our "123" push-ups and our "ABC" sit-ups we headed outside to find some adventure!!!

We stared at the mountains, and we found a soccer ball to play basketball with!

I found a fire to warm me up in the "freezing cold" Ecuadorian winter evening.

 O yes, and this tree! I think they are so beautful! I call them the pineapple trees, but nobody ever knows what I am talking about! 

just because..

I just love these trees!

Notice the resemblance?????

So after a good walk and talk we were able to settle down for the night! Well sort of...

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Last night I had a good Spanish lesson! I watch The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in Spanish! It was really great! It was easier to understand then real life, so I picked up on a lot of words, I spent a lot of time on Google translate and writing things down in my notebook! People have told me that watching TV is a really good way to learn a language and its definitely a good idea!

 My studious little work station....

O these children....

There is so many needs around the world, where do we start? where do we end? Well we better start in God's will and end in God's will. God's will won't always be the same in your life as it may be in the live's of those around you. Are you willing to be faithful in what God has for you today? Will you serve God in the area He has for you, without excuse? I am so blessed when I see others serving in the way's that they can faithfully serve. It may not seem big, but nothing is small in the will of God.

 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast recieved in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1 Timothy 2:1

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

://www.gfa.org/news/articles/from-praise-to-slavery

Cursed to Live Forever - Gospel for Asia

another BEAUTIFUL day with the children......

We spent the morning with the baby's, then Natasha and I took the toddlers for a walk! It was so nice outside, I enjoyed the sun! It was a sad morning as well, as one little boy was suppose to go home with his mom tomorrow, but now that isn't going to happen. As I look around at these children, their smiles, their laughter, their tears, their joys, I only think of all the blessings that their parents are missing out on! Do they have any idea what they have given up? Do they think about them? Miss them? Regret their decision? I'm so blessed to know these children!

Taking a long walk!

These big ugly bugs were everywhere on the ground. They are all dead though.

I love all the flowers and greenery! It is so beautiful!

Enjoying our sunny day!

Testing out my reading skills......but this one was in English!! yah

We spent a lovely afternoon with Tanya! I had some amazing waffles with berry's, whip cream and ice cream! I really wanted some sausage, it seems like I haven't had meat for a long time but I did have some on Sunday..... I'm getting ready for a big greasy hamburger with bacon! It may even be from McDonald's! and some of you know how I feel about that! :)

New uniforms for the tias??? haha

We were able to skype Kaleigh this afternoon too! It was so good to talk to her!! It was great to share all the news from here with her and to again see her love for the orphanage and these children! We miss you Kaleigh!!

I can't even explain what it is like to be here, to hold these children, to love them, to see how God is providing for and caring for these children in a extravagant way! Its so exciting to be a part of this, even in a very small way! These children have more than stolen my heart! I don't know how I will be able to leave them! They are such a joy!

This little guy has more than stolen my heart!

Big eyes!!

 Don't forget this little princess!

O my goodness, there is mr. flexible! He is practically doing the splits!

Busy as play......

This amazing girl is busy at work!

And now I am busy at work with my Spanish....but its so worth it!

Only a sinner saved by Grace

Twas I that shed the sacred Blood, I nailed Him to the tree, I crucified the Christ of God; I joined the mockery. And of that shouting multitude I feel that I am one; And in that din of voices rude I recognized my own. Around the Cross the throng I see, That mocked the Sufferer's groan; Yet still my voice it seems to be, As if I mocked alone. -Horatius Bonar

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven; Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

I love to reflect on how God has changed me, what He has done in me, or through me. But most of all I love to remember the price that God paid for me. His own Son, He sent to die in my place, that I might be made sinless before Christ.

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

I love the little way's God has been reminding me of the gospel, and what He has done for me, in things I see and feel through these children.

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Today we headed for Maria Campi again, we got there about 8 am. But we had to wait outside until the director arrived, but after about 20 minuets of waiting they called her.... thank you!

So we were able to go in and everyone was busy eating breakfast! It was great to recognize faces and names from last week! Everything went a little better this time! We helped them ride bikes for awhile, I just enjoyed my time with them. There sweet faces will never fade from my mind. Its hard to walk in on a situation and see all the need and know that you can't fill all the needs, in fact you can do very little! Or I can do something for them today, but what about tomorrow? next week? But I have been praying that God will just show me the little needs, the little ways, I can share with them of the love I have received. Today I had two very special moments. The first would be when I had three little boys climbing on my lap, laughing and smiling! Then when a little boy was going down the slide and he asked me to hold his hand, and I understood! I know to them I am just another face, someone that can barely communicate with them. They will forget me, but maybe these moments that they knew someone cared, will make a difference in the lives of these precious children. We spent most of the morning outside in the warm sun, it was a beautiful day! Thank you God, for the little things!!

This evening when the tia pulled out the bible story book to read to the children, I jokingly said to Natasha, maybe I should read it! Well the tia understood, so guess what?? Yes, I had to read the bible story! Natasha helped me out, but it was hard! I don't think the children got to much out of it either....but it was good practice!

We came home and had an amazing supper! With lots of leftovers!! We plan it that way, so we don't have to cook very much. :)

Painting day!!

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

 Today was a painting day!! I rather enjoyed it! but then again, I love to paint!

We sanded all that dust off by hand!

haha, ok give her a break! She is new at this thing! She was holding it upside down in one hand and sanding with the other, but I helped her get it straightened out! :)

So to make her feel better I grabbed the bottom of the baby swing leg and gave her a hand! :)

Ok, we were bored.....

So they put me to work, but really? This isn't work!

 Finally painting....everything here takes longer, its like running on Laredo time... but we are learning to be flexible, it seems that has been Gods lesson for us this week. We are trying to hurry up and learn it because its a little painful!

I love the sight of freshly painted walls!

While painting I was practicing my letters and numbers, and Natasha offered to do the sit-ups/push-ups for me! It was sweet! So I counted to 49 and I did my letters to n. Yah! Ok, I did them too! She makes me practice a lot, but its good for me!

The view from our house is amazing! We never get tired of it!

So after cleanup and supper, Natasha and I went back to the baby house to spend the evening with the tias. We gave some bottles, then showed them pictures of our family's  and I showed them pictures of things I have sewn. So they said they are going to get some fabric and materials for me to make them something!! I'm excited! I hope they do, I would love to make them something! We has such a fun time with them! I love being able to tell them things in Spanish, and understand them! They are so encouraging, and I love hearing them trying to learn English, it definitely makes me feel better!

Here is the little princess!