Memorable Day

So yesterday was my birthday, and I am not a big fan. I do not like the fact that I am now 24 one year closer to a quarter of a century. And for 2 years in a row my parents forgot that my birthday existed. So anyway, yesterday was great I stayed in bed till 11, had a delicious meal with the community. And then my boys came back to me. In the night we had a little fiesta in their dorm. And the kids all sang to me in English and it was so beautiful, I almost started crying. And all day long I was being told, "feliz cumple" it was just so comforting. And then I checked my facebook and I had like 50 "happy birthdays" and that is so nice and I received some great emails from the family. Although it is just a post on facebook, it really means a lot, because sometimes I feel so disconnected from the entire world here. And it is not that I am in some hut in Mexico it is just I am surrounded by kids all the time and they are my top priority now in my life.
I try to keep up with the news, but time is limited here and I would rather be reading in my room than reading about universal heathcare. And since none of what is going on in the U.S. is really affecting me I have just been really disconnected. But it has actually been really nice. I have no money, no car, and no worries here. My only responsibility is my 10 boys. And they are all being on their best behavior because we have posadas which are Christmas Fiestas. So starting tomorrow the kids have a different posada each night for the 2 weeks. It should be really fun. So me preparing for Christmas this year is making sure my boys don´t eat too much junk food and sugar and actually going to bed. I am looking more and more forward to it. And although I am going home for two weeks, I am going to deeply miss my kids. I see them 6 days a week and they are my everything right now. I worry that some will not return after Christmas, like Luis and this is week 3 without him here. And we have no way of getting in touch with him, because the phone numbers are all turned off. So I have given him to God and I pray that he is being taken care of. And I hope he returns after the Holidays.
So this week started off beautifully with my birthday party in the dorms and 4 posadas to look forward to.

Spirtual High Part 2

So if you have been following you will know that I am on a Spiritual High. And each and every day just get better and better. I have never been this happy and full of life. And my boys for the most part are being awesome. There are posadas coming up which are just a bunch of Christmas parties for the kids. And the boys must be on their best behavior if they want to attend. So they have been great and even going the extra mile to help in the dorm. It has been really nice.

They are waiting for Christmas just as we all are, but this year is different for me. I do not have the stress of buying presents because I am poor, and my family gets to see me for Christmas, (which I think is a great present hahaha). All I have for Christmas is my 10 beautiful boys, and I could not ask for anything else. They truly are the best present and this experience as well is the be present in my life. And they have taught me more about myself in 4 months that I have learned in 24 years. I have more patience with them than any other person I have encountered. And that is one of my flaws my short patience. But with them it is totally different. I feel like I have the patience of JOB. Now not all the time because sometimes I find myself praying for patience when they are in line and Martín and Daniel are constantly playing. But they wait for me and my Spanish to come out, and I know that they know how much I love them. God is truly working miracles in my life more and more every day. And my kids just put a smile on my face all the time. Especially the other night when we were in prayer in the dorm and Elizabeth takes one dorm and I have the other, and I have had the little kids lately, and Josué was singing "Navidad Navidad, Navi, Navi-dad es un dia de alegría y felicidad" oh and it is their version of Jingle Bells so try and imagine. So then I got all excited and wanted to learn and the next thing I know we are all huddled around singing "Navidad, Navidad" it was so cute. Those little moments here in Casa Hogar are what makes the biggest impact to me.

Spirtual High

So can I just say I have been on a Spirtual High since my last bad Monday. It seems that everything happen for a reason. And I have figured out a lot of things in the month of November. I finally got the reason why God wanted me to be here. And so much more. My relationship with God has definently changed this past month. At one point I was down because I was searching and I was not getting answers, but this past week and the week before it is like everything is just all working out. I have learned I can take care of the kids all by myself, and it has been really rewarding to have 12 kids calling my name all the time needing shampoo, gel, toothpaste, etc. I ahve gotten closer to the kids in this past week then I have the past 4 months I have been here with them. God does not give us more than we can handle. I have a great person working by side, I have 10 beautiful boys (we lost 2 last week :( I`ll get to that) I have an amazing relationship with God, and I have made some really amazing friends here who are like my family. I really have no complaints, minus the food. Oh and I did prayer all by myself in the Chapel with all the volunteers and it was as if God has speaking through me. For the first time I was able to explain my story to the volunteers and why I am here. My Spanish was perfect the prayer was perfect, the whole moment was perfect.

Then two days later it was Thanksgiving, well we do not have it here obviously, and I was a little down. But in the night Elizabeth and I explained Thanksgiving to the kids, and my little Alejandro wanted to give thanks for ME. It is a Thanksgiving moment I will never forget, and it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you God for the little moments like that.

Life is such a learning experience

So each day I am learning more and more about myself. And my kids are learning more and more how to work with me and me with them. Although I have had my problems with the kids this month has been somewhat easy. Alejandro and Josuè are getting along beautifully. And Alejandro is learning how to control his anger more and more. Instead of running out or Casa Hogar ans down the street or banging on the door of his closet or the dorm he is taking the time to quiet himself down and think instead of just exploding. Last week he was just having a bad day not that he was doing anything wrong, everything was just going wrong for him. So I held him in his bed for 10 minutes and he just cried in my arms. It was a great bonding moment for he and me. I am looking foward to many more this year with him. As for Josuè I have figured out that him recieving a tiny cookie does the trick for getting him to get the job done. He is even doing better in estudios. And he is learning how Casa Hogar works, (it only took 3 months) he figured out that there are consequences for everything good and bad. So this week has been a huge learning experience for the kids.



On a sad note, this Monday was probably the hardest day for me here in Casa Hogar. One of my children in Chicos B has been the victim of abuse from his step-father. And for the first time since I have been here in 5 months I had to face that reality. I knew these children have been abused in the past, but I ahd to deal with it with the Psychologist, Hno. Julian, and the mother. It was a very emotional day for me. All day I cried for my child. And the system here in Mexico is very different. Which is another thing I have been having to accept the differences between the U.S. and here. But I have had so much support from Hno. Julian and the volunteers. Although my Spanish is not that great the other volunteers knew something was wrong, and they were all very understanding. Not only did I get words of wisdom, but also I received hugs all day. It was just very difficult to know that one of my kids is deeply sad at home and does not even want to go home on the weekends. But we are all working directly with the family and hopefully there will be a good outcome. And then to top it all off Luis Gerardo has not come back from home this week and we cannot get in touch with his family. He had minor problems last week and Elizabeth and I have yet to meet his parents each week either his brother or sister come to pick him up. Or he goes home with another child in Chicos B. And when Elizabeth and I told his brother we cannot recieve him without talking to his mother he never came back. And I highly doubt he will be back tomorrow since the boys go home on Friday.

This week has been challenging because I have had to deal with thier problems outside of Casa Hogar. That is the hardest part we are so sheltered and protected here the kids and the volunteers we do not have to face outside problems. I have very little problems in my life here, but I find myself stressed when I talk to people form the States or I have to deal with the kids and their homelife. These boys are just so fun loving and full of life. Many have been delt a really hard and rough life, but at least here they have an opprotunity at life and they all deserve the dignity that Casa Hogar gives them. Since I have been alone in Chicos B with the boys, but I have had help from Majo and Gorretti, but it is just not the same. They have been wonderful offereing themselves to help out in Chicos B, but the boys now rely on me for everything. If they need anything it is Kat-er-in this and Kat-er-in that. Yes that is how they say my name and I love it so much. I have grown closer and closer to them this week it is really amazing. When one is sad I am sad, when they are worried because they got a report in school and have to face Hno. Julian I worry with them. When they are all smiles I am too. It has been a great experience working so closely with them, and them coming to me when they have problems.

On a totally different subject we have partners for prayer and we all take turns with payer throughout the months. So every 5 weeks we are in charge of a week. So last time I had it with Nestor and he went out of town, so I had it all by myself, which was really difficult. And then this week Elizabeth and I have prayer, well she is recovering from surgery. But she did find me prayers to use, but I have had to present them. Thank God for the other volunteers because they have all really pulled through and helped me with prayer. But today I had a prayer and reflection picked out and ready to print. Well there was not ink in the printer. So I had to find something else. So I went to the bible, and found an amazing verse. And Chio read it for me, but for the first time I opened up to the other volunteers and I was able to use my awsesome Spanish, and for the first time I actually felt like I was part of this group. I told part of my story about how I came to be in Casa Hogar, and my Spanish was not so bad. Again I am learning more and more about myself and I have been forced to do it on my own, without help. All I really need is the help from God (and he is always there) and I can get through anything.

Reflection

Why is it when I have no desire to go to church is when I get the most out of the mass. So I have been struggling with the whole I have to go to mass everyday thing. And it is not easy for me. For starters it is all in Spanish, and the priest rushes through the Eucharist which is the most important part for me. Well if you have been following my blog we attend two churches one on Wed and Mon and the other on Tues and Thurs. So today at mass that I had to force myself to go to again I was listening to the reading and not really paying attention but just having prayer time with God. And literally the reading was so long and then there was the responsorial psalm. But I had yet another moment with God and I truly felt his presence and it was just he and I in the Church. As I am faced with the challenges here it amazes me how God has been working with me. I am the type of person who enjoys my alone time, which is a hard concept for many to understand here. But the times I have been in church and I have been in the presence of God I have been able to shut out everything that is going on and just listen to what he wants me to do.

The other day my mother asked me if I was going back to school. And I told her I do´t even know what I am doing tomorrow. I have had to just take things as they come here I. I have no time to worry about the future, I can only focus on the presence. And it is such a wonderful gift I have been giving. We ofter worry about so much that is not in our control, and I have learned to just take one day at a time. And the days here have flown by. And my worries are very few here I am excited to see what is in store for my next chapter in life. Because if it is anything like this experience I am having now I invite it with open arms.

Oh Spanish

So this weekend was a three day weekend because their is a national holiday here in Mexico. Which means the kids go home for three days. It is always nice to have one extra day off. But I had to go to a retreat with all the ex-volunteers from the DeLasalle program. And for the first time since I have been here in 5 months Spanish was a real challenge for me. First off my Spanish has improved immensely and I am understanding more and more. And the kids understand me more and more each day. But this past weekend I was almost on the verge of tears. I had to sit in a room for 14 hours and listen to talk after talk. I finally told Hno. Julian my head felt as if it was going to explode. And so he made me go run errands with Goretti to go buy bus tickets and toiletries for the people who were at the retreat. And first off I had to drive the Eurovan which I have only driven twice in the colonia. But it was a great adventure for the two of us. We laughed the whole time and she told me how to shift and use the clutch. And for the two of us Spanish was not a problem. So I am looking forward having more and more practice with the Eurovan. And once we returned 4 hours later I was feeling much better. And the mass we had was beautiful, the music was breath taking. We do not have anyone this year with musical talent, well we do but they do not have their instruments. So every Sunday our music is pretty much as off key as it can be. So last night with at least 10 guitars and everyone knew how to use it. It was pretty amazing.

But now I get to spend my day doing laundry and relaxing till the kids come at 5:30.

Some Pictures

This is Noé and I. He is one of my lovely boys in Chicos B. One day he absolutely loves me and the next day everytime he gets in trouble somehow it is all my fault. I am learning the ins and outs of parenthood each day with him and the others. His favorite toy right now is POGS which let me just tell you are the most annoying things in the world, and they have gotten him in trouble on many occastions, but he has my heart, and I love him to death.

This is what I look like on a daily basis when I have kids.. Below is a picture of the community when we went to dinner for Nestor´s Bday. And we actually look like people.

It´s been awhile

Well it has been way too long since I have written on here. First and foremost my 10k was amazing and so much fun. But today I went with Goretti, Cecy and Néstor to help register the poor of Saltillo for free health care. Every year the major cities in Mexico along with other organizations give free health care. It is really amazing to see a never ending line of people needing and wanting health care. It also saddens me that we do not even offer this type of service for the people in our own country. I am happy to have given a leanding hand to the people of Saltillo, even though it was frustrating at times it was well worth it. I am looking forward to it again on Thrusday.

Well in Chicos A another child has decided to leave, but we got a new grande the same day. I have a feeling Casa Hogar will be fill all year long. As one child leaves another child arrives. Chicos B is doing well we have our moments but for the most part the kids have been great this past week. But today is Tuesday and this is usually our hardest day of the week. So I will let you know. But fortuantely our children´s parents are really helping us with discipling the children at home. Elizabeth and I put up a chart so the kids will keep their space cleaning and it is truly working well. The boys have been working really hard to keep everything in order. I am looking foward to giving out prizes at the end of the week for their spaces. Well I need to eat I am starving and I have to be creative there is literally no food in our kitchen. For the first time we do not even have queso so I will be eating tortillas. Peace and God Bless.

It has been awhile since I have been on here. But it just seems that there is very little time to sit and reflect on the day. First off Elizabeth and I have come to realize that Tuesdays are going to be the toughest day of the week for us. And we thought Thursdays were weird, but no it is definetly Tuesdays. So yesterday 3 boys came home from school with reports, and after 3 reports the children are suspended or asked to leave the school. If the kids cannot got to our school they cannot live here in Casa Hogar or something close to that. It all just depends on the child. But it was a really bad thing that all the kids got reports. Then we have our new child Alejandro, and man is he a pistol. His answer to just about everything is a cuss word or NO. Hopefully his attitude will change because not only is he rude to Elizabeth and I but also the Brothers, which is not acceptable. So anyway Elizabeth and I have to remind ourselves of all the wonderful things we have in our lives here to get through our Tuesdays, and we just laugh ourselves till we hurt.

On another note Elizabeth and I had to do a presentation to a school and tell them about being Missioners. Well first off I have a hard time with the word missioner, because I see myself as a volunteer and not so much a missioner. But anyway it was a great experience to talk about what has brought me to this part of my life, and how my faith has grown. And of course the first questions out of the kids mouths were, "Tienes novio?" Elizabeth and got a huge laugh yet again. But it really was a new experience because I usually do not go around telling people my story about my life and especially not in Español, but I am happy I went and shared the a part of my life with others.

Today we had our first futbol game here in Casa Hogar with the Grandes and it is very exciting. To see them play in a field of rocks and tall grass I remember watching the guys at St. Stanislaus play and how amazing they were, but they have nothing compared to the boys of Casa Hogar. For staters the boys here do not use shin guards or cleets. And like I sid they are in a field of dust, dirt, rocks, and really tall grass. They are all very talented players and could take on any high school futbol team in the US. But now I am off for a nap I have had a long day, and another tomorrow, because I am going to Monterrey to get my stuff for the race on Sat. Yes I am running a 10k on Sat please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

More Things I love about Mexico

11. When it rains there is no Internet, and not just in Casa Hogar I mean the whole city.
12. While driving I have noticed there are NO lanes, people just go where they want.
13. Walmart is NOT the same as the Walmart in the States.
14. Hamburgers always, always come with Ham on top.
15. Work out clothes are an anomaly.
16. Roosters live next door, and we are in the middle of the city.
17. Oh when it rains here no one goes outside, the city becomes a ghost town.
18. There are only 6 radio stations the perfect number for Presets in the car.
19. There is no Pepper on the table ever, only Salt (which is essential in my diet now).
20. The fruit and vegetables taste delicious because they are without pesticides.
21. Everyone here seems to know everyone else or they are all kin.
22. We have the most beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets, it really looks as if God is breathing life onto the Earth each morning as the sun comes over the Mountains. And at night there is a blanket of pastel colors he uses to protect us from harm, they are breathtaking.

As the years go on I will continue with more updates but for now I am sure you have the idea of how much I love Mexico and all its little quirks.

Viva Mexico

There are just some things about Mexico that I am learning to love so here they are and in no particular order...

1. Every three or four days I have no water.
2. All sliced meet is jamòn.
3. Laundry detergent is used as hand soap, dish soap, and cleaning soap.
4. Pinol can probably cure cancer they live by it.
5. There are about 10 numbers needed to place a phone call depending on who and how you are calling.
6. Every grocery store also sells Televisions.
7. There are millions of speed bumps.
8. It is perfectly acceptable to have 9 people in a VW Golf.
9. The refrigerater is not for food just a place to put magnets.
10. Time does not exist here.

I have a lot more to share but right now I am off to la lavanderìa.

Tears and Most Importantly Laughter

OK so this week is off to a great start as usual. Oh wait let me back up. So I was really emotional on Sunday with things going on with my family and just overwhelmed. And so after I got off the phone with my dad, I could not stop crying and I walk into the kitchen to talk to Elizabeth. We decide to eat some Ice Cream and I just let it all out. But the funny thing was I was crying over every little thing. So I am crying Elizabeth is making me laugh, and I am shoving Ice Cream down my throat. The other volunteers said we looked like we were straight out of a movie. And then I cried and laughed some more. Man I love being a women!



Enough about me, I want to talk about our new boy Alejandro. We were told on Wednesday Charli would move up to Medianos, and Alejanrdo would be a new member of Chicos B. When we asked when he would be here, our reply was in 2 hours. So we were excited. And then we were told that he will have to attend the public school across the street, and they get out at 1:00 and not 2:00 like all the other boys. But he is a fun loving child with lots and lots of energy here. Elizabeth and I walked him over to his first day of school. On Friday when we went to pick him up, we stood behind this concrete thing and jumped out at him, he was so scared and excited we all walked away laughing. And he told us all about his day and his new friends. So now Elizabeth and I take turns walking him across the street. It was so beautiful to see him all smiles and happy I felt like a proud mom.



Speaking of laughing, I have come to realize how absolutely medicating it can be. I have never laughed as much in my life as I have here with Elizabeth. She and I sometimes just have to give one another the look and we bust out laughing. We laugh so much sometimes we end up in tears or running to the bathroom. It has been the perfect cure for everything. For instance one of our kids wanted water, so he was pouring it out of the pitcher. Well I guess he poured it too fast but the whole pitcher of water ended up all over him and our floor. He looked at us with a deer-in-the-headlights look and I looked at Elizabeth and we all started to bust out laughing. I think he thought he was going to get in trouble, but instead we all just laughed it off. And then when Emilio eats so slow and will not finish his breakfast, we have to save it for lunch to give him. Well the food in Casa Hogar is Mexican Cafeteria food if that gives you any idea what it would look like. So our poor child is looking at the food and Elizabeth feel so bad, but then it just leads to us laughing. Our kids do the funnniest things all the time, leaving Elizabeth and I in laughing fits. So I strongly suggest to allow laughter to be a constant in our lives. Path Adams said "Laughter is the Perfect medicine." And I must say I agree to the fullest.

Just another day in Paradise

This week is off to a great start, the kids have been great with very little problems. Each day I am falling more and more in love with the kids. By FRiday I am ready for the kids to go home, but by Sunday I am in so happy to see their smiling faces knocing at my door, Emilio is the always the first one banging on the door at 4:15 even though they are supposed to be here at 4:30. But it is ok.

So while the kids where at school yesterday and in the past few weeks I have been running in the little pueblo behind Casa Hogar, adn each day I usually get lost but then I eventually find my way home. I was never much of a runner, but my whole life here has changed and running has been a great decision on my part.

Well back to yesterday Elizabeth and I after she went for her run and I woke up from a nap we decided to lay out on the roof while the kids were away and we needed some peace and quiet. Little did we know the UV Rays were probably in full blast, needless to say Elizabeth and I are a nice shade of pink today. But it was worth it, and we get a good laugh at it each time we look at one another.

On a more serious note, I truly felt the presence of God in Church. Sometimes it is very hard to go to Church each and everyday, but today I know why I need to be there everyday. While I was kneeling and praying I felt the presence of God, and it was just the two of us. I felt as if I had an outer body experience, and there was no one else present in the Cuhrch. It was so relaxing and peaceful. God spoke to me this morning reassuring my time here, and the importance of this trip and experience in my life.

Finally Home

Well I made it through another week. I celebrated the 15 & 16 of September here, and it was a blast. Tuesday night we had a carnival for our kids. Where they played games, ate tostados, and danced to music. We all had a great night and our kids were well behaved. Each day I am here, I am learning more and more how to be a mother to these children. After having to deal with Josuè our dear child who is always the last for EVERYTHING, his homework is always copied wrong, he is a year behind in school, and for some reason he is just not getting it. Elizabeth even wrote in detail everything he has to do in his dorm, but he still does not understand. We have been trying to work very hard with him. But he is not doing his work at all, I even sat down with him to teach him math one on one, but he cannot seem to understand how things work in Casa Hogar. Elizabeth and I had to discipline him the only way we knew how, and I swear it was one of the hardest things to do. It made me not want to have kids for a long time to know that I made a child cry through discipline. I do not know how my father raised 5 kids. Because I don`t want to have to discipline them, but I know that it is necessary.

Then an hour later our kids who we thought were asleep we found 3 in a bed with a nightstand on top and they were trying to change the light bulb. Again we had to discipline, and it was not fun. But the good thing is I have the support of Elizabeth, and as this week has gone on we have learned the importance of discipline, and it is getting easier. But I now know how much I do not want kids of my own for a long time.

This experience is still the best decision I could have made. Although this is my "job" to take care of all these kids, I do not see it as a job. It is just a part of my life, and I enjoy every moment here in Mexico, even thought it seems like everything is more difficult to do, it is still the be decision I could have made here. I am happy to have allowed God really guide me to where I am in my life, because nothing has been this easy for me. I just allowed him to take over, and my life here is as perfect as it can get. I am finally HOME.

Week 3

One more week down, and with very little problems. We had a great week, the kids were exceptional, and Elizabeth celebrated her 22nd birthday. Although I was down with a cold, Elizabeth and I managed to get our kids to school on time, to estudios and everything else. I hate being sick in Mexico, I am never sick in Florida, but for some reason, Mexico is not liking me right now. But After much sleep this week, and Penicilin I am starting to feel better. Although I had a cold, with a slight fever, it felt as though my throat was being ripped out of my neck. But I resorted to my dad´s cure of gargling salt water. And it already feels better, thank you Dad. After gargling the water for 1 day my throat is healing.

Our kids went all week with out fighting which we were very proud, and then today two were in the dorm fighting over nothing. But we still had a great week. I got to teach Josué his times table and it was very rewarding. He is in Third grade, and I am not too sure how he got there. He is my biggest challenge, he is constantly talking in school, forgetting everything, not doing his homework, and we are constantly having to go back to the dorm for him. But hopefully he will get the hang of it. On a good note he did finally understand his multiplication facts after me working with him for an hour.

In celebration of Elizabeth´s Birthday we had cake and Coke for the kids and let them stay up a little late to watch a movie. They thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was worth it, even though it took them 30 minutes to fall asleep. The more time I spend here in Mexico the less I miss home. Even though I was sick, I still loved every minute of being here with my boys. Each day I learn more and more about myself and these kids. I do not consider this my job, I just believe it is apart of my everyday life. These kids are absolutely wonderful, and they are changing my life, one day at a time.

Back to Yesterday

Ok so yesterday was crazy if you read my blog I must continue with what happened becuase it was quite comical. Ok so Elizabeth, Julio, and I went for a run and I wanted to lead the way. Well about 10 minutes into it we ended up in a ditch/canal of trash and of course we wanted to keep going so we did, and laughed the whole way.



Then we came back and stretched, and Elizabeth got in the shower only to find that half way through we ran out of water. And we are still without water today. So we got to take showers in the boy´s dorm which are not so clean. Then after school we had two kids get reports from school for fighting one of which is suspended for today. And he is now sitting in a room doing work all day. And the kids from the morning fight one of them got into more trouble so I made him hold my hand all day for everything, he hated it.



But on a good note I got to eat Subway and I learned how to drive the Eurovan, which was an adventure. I had Elizabeth telling me to clutch and Julio shifting for me. But I got a hang of it rather quickly. And today is Friday so after 6:00 we will no longer have kids till Sunday, and tomorrow we get to ride horses. Yay for the weekends!

This post was from yesterday, but it rained and our Internet went out, Man I love Mexico!!

Another day in Casa Hogar

So my 12 boys have been great they listen as any 8-11 year old would, they do their homework, and are good in school. So this morning we took the kids down to go to school and we were a tad early. So I went to make 8 copies for my morning prayer, and Elizabeth was eating cereal. As I come out of the office I am summoned by Chio with boys yealling at one another and 1 kid crying with a ripped backpack. Yes, there was a fight in Chicos B so I took all the fighthing kids to the side listened to what happened. And so I was stuck with a kid who had no backpack, and school was about to start in 5 minutes and two kids who I had to discipline. And of course we only had girl backpacks. So as punishment I made the two kids who ripped the other kid backpack the girl ones to use for the rest of the week, found a new one for the ripped one. And let Elizabeth handle the rest. All of this at 7:40 a.m. this is why I love it here, everyday there is something new and exciting going on.

Then I got to go to Church across the street Elizabeth and I refer to it as "The Ole Biddy Church." So our homily today was 35 seconds long. But there is still always a message to be learned in it. But the women in the mass, is why we call it "The Ole Biddy" Church. Every Tuesday and Thursday we attend mass there, and the same women are there as well. And every mass they sing really loud and over one another. And then when it is time for Intentions they just yell out what they feel needs to be prayed for, and every day it is the same Intentions, and they are always praying for Priests and the sick. And They also cut one another off. It is funny to hear them just jump in on someone else´s Intention. They also say all the prayers really fast, as if it is a race with the other Ole Biddys. The mass always puts me in a good mood, sometimes when I cannot understand what is going on (or there is a fight at 7:40 a.m.), I know I can always count on the Ole Biddys to put a smile on my face. And so it begins my Thursday in Casa Hogar.

Sad day in Casa Hogar

This is us in Durango on our first long hike, where we all ended getting drenched by the storm, that quickly turned into hail. But it was worth it and I got to enjoy my first waterfall, which litterally took my breath away.

Durango will always hold a special place in my heart it is where I got to litterally walk in the clouds, visit a Mexican Hospital, play two on two soccer, and loose miserably to two 16 year old boys, and see God in the faces of 28 boys.

On a sad note, Yako our faithful watch dog passed away. He made sure every stranger who walked into the gates of Casa Hogar was barked at. After being a faithful dog of Hno. Genaro he is now watching over us in heaven, may he rest in peace.

First Week of School

Well I survived my first week of Casa Hogar with the kids. I have 12 beautiful young boys who are hilarious. Last week was rather tough Elizabeth was deathly ill and I was alone with the kids. The good thing though was the kids all understood me and for the most part we had a very successful week. The boys listen well and in the morning it only takes about 20 minutes for them to all shower, dress, and head down to the comedor for breakfast. And last night the kids were all asleep within 10 minutes. They listen well and are all very respectful, I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them more and more. I cannot get over how well behaved these kids are they all listen so well, and there is not much discipline needed on our end (which is awesome because it allows the boys to just be boys). Each one has their own distinct personality as well.

Elizabeth and I have a locker that needs to be put in our room, we just have to figure out how and where to put it. Anyway each day the boys have been scrunching up and squeezing into the locker, I captured one on my camera peeking out of the door it is quite hilarious. Each day the kids do something funny to put a smile on my face. And I know this is going to be an amazing year with Noé. Andrés, Roberto de Jesús, Roberto Luis, Armando, Josué, Emilio, Martín, Charli, Daniel, Luis, and Gabriel. I promise pictures will be coming soon.

A Day in the Life of Casa Hogar

6:00 Rise and Shine
6:15 Wake the kids, they take showers and wash their socks
7:00 Breakfast
7:30 The boys brush their teeth
7:45 The boys go to school which is connected to Casa Hogar
8:00 Morning Prayer
8:30 Daily Mass
9:30 Sometimes we have community meetings
11:30 Shower
Lesson Plans for my English Class
Cleaning the Papelería
2:00 Boys get home from school and change out of their uniforms
2:20 Lunch
3:00 The boys do their chores/Brush their teeth
3:30 The boys go to Estudios and I am in the Papelería incase supplies is needed
4:30 English Class
5:15 Papelería again (it was left a mess)
6:30 Lavandaría to make sure the boys have their clean clothes especially uniformes
6:45 Boys shower
7:30 Dinner
8:00 Recess
8:45 Prayer
9:30 Kids go to bed
10:00 My dinner
11:00 Bedtime & Prayer time for myself which is always needed

Durango

Well we made it to Mexico safely and I have been going nonstop since. Right after I got back to Saltillo we headed to Durango with the older kids for 10 days. Our adventure started on a schoolbus for 10 hours and then a hike in the dark to a condemned house where we told ghost stories to the kids. Then we went on hikes for the next 8 days. It was amazing, and on our second hike we were so high in the mountains I was litterally walking in the clouds. And then we walked in tunnels through the mountain in water and it was so much fun I felt like I was in The Goonies. The older boys took care of Elizabeth and I. On our walk back to the bus I got completely drenched by the rain that then turned into hail, it was AN experience!

Well a few days later of walking everyday we were going on our short walk, and I was climbing over a barbwire fence, and talking at the same time so of course I fell and cut my finger. But the cut was not so bad it was the fence that was completely rusted. Needless to say I was in the hospital for a tetnus shot. And the tetnus shots or any shots for that matter are not the same. Lets just say it was not in my arm, and I had 3 more hikes to go. But Elizabeth and I got a good laugh about it. Oh and I get to enjoy another one in one month. And finally on the last hike I fell down the hill and busted my knee, but I was fine. But Elizabeth, Hno. Genaro, Durango, Pachuko, and myself went on our own hike and it was amazing. We walked down train tracks and on bridges that was half burnt. And then we were on top of the mountain and Hno. started beating the ground with a stick with every step he took. Apparently he was looking out for Rattlesnakes. As we started to descend I got the feeling we were lost. And I was right, I aksed Elizabeth what Hno. said and he said he knew the way back to the highway and we could just walk back to the cabin and be there safely by night, (it was 1:30 p.m.) Well we made it back to the bus, and the next day we headed home. It was an amazing 10 days, but also long and tiring.

Elizabeth and I took a nice vacation from Casa Hogar for a few hours without the kids. We had a fun night with Julio (the guy whose family I had to stay with in July) and his cousin. Elizabeth and I danced all night.It was a great way to end our vacation And Sunday started our first week as vonunteers with the kids...

No Turning Back

These past two weeks in back in the States has gone by rather quickly. I will officially be leaving the country tonight at 11:30, and will be at the border around 3:30 a.m. I am very anxious and ready to go. But I know I need patience. God has spoken to me several times throughout this retreat and preparation time. I have been given the tools I will need to get through this next year. I have no doubt in my mind that this is where I am supposed to be. God called me to do His work, and it was through His will that I was placed in Casa Hogar so I know I will be well taken care of through Him. Sometimes it is hard to let go of complete control, but I have learned through my own past life lessons and this past 6 weeks in Mexico how much easier life can be if I do just let go.

As I face my final hours in the U.S. a huge sense of calmness comes over me. I am just ready to get to my new home and get settled for the next year serving God and His children.

Out with the Old and in with the New

As many of you know, I have been in Texas for a week now. Visiting with the family was extremely exciting it is always a pleasure to see familiar faces. On Wednesday, Derek was kind enough to drive me to San Antonio where I would finally meet Rick who is the founder of Mi Casa, Elizabeth, and the other volunteers who I had not had the chance to meet. When I arrived to the Rectory where I would be staying for the next 10 days, I did not know what to expect. I just knew I would be sharing house with a bunch of Retired Priests in a not so great part of San Antonio. But it has been great I have met Elizabeth, and she is everything I expected and more.

I know over the next year we will share many fond memories with one another. It will be an enlightening experience living, working, eating, and praying with her. She is an amazing woman with many beautiful gifts to share. And she is a newbie Catholic which makes her awesome, I love to meet Catholics who converted, as a lifelong Catholic I see things in a very different light. But that is the beauty of it, because sometimes I find myself taking my Catholicism for granted, because it has been with me all my life. Anyway we talked about what we like, dislike, and our past, how we got to San Antonio, and the life we will be living in Saltillo. We compliment each other very well. This upcoming year will be filled with surprises and many adventures. I am so happy God has placed her in my life and to be sharing this amazing experience.

This weeke we will get a chance to hear from the other volunteers and their journey in Mexico over this past year. I am looking forward to hearing their stories and hopefully some advice, which I know will be much needed and used probably on a daily basis. As the old volunteers make their transition back into America and the way of life here. Elizabeth and I will be making our transition to the life in Mexico. Which I have found to not be so difficult thus far, but I will keep you all posted on that when I am actually in charge of the kids. But as for right now I am just living in San Antonio enjoying the peace and quiet in a Rectory, (it really does not get any more peaceful than that). But I am ready to get back to my home in Saltillo.

Weekend of relaxation

This past weekend was wonderful. I got to enjoy my family who I will not be seeing until Christmas. It was hard to have a weekend of fun, because I miss the kids. But I needed to see my family, and my Orientation will begin on Wednesday. I am looking forward to meeting Elizabeth who will be my roommate for the next year in Saltillo.

It has been weird to be back in the States, I have all of my freedom back now which I am not use to. I have been able to sleep late, I have enjoyed great food, and there have not been any kids needing my attention. I miss the kids and their smiling faces. Before I left I had 3 conversations with 3 different kids. And it was so exciting to have a conversation with the kids. For the first time I was able to hold a conversation with them. It was such a great accomplishment, and I had a great sense of fulfillment. I know all the Spanish classes, the homework, and the time spent diligently listening to the people to figure out what they needed finally paid off. I am learning everyday a little more Spanish, but it is coming along greatly. And hopefully in another few months it will be even better.

Hope everyone enjoys the pictures, there will be many more to come.

Week 6

Well this has definitely been a challenging week. I went from being completely alone to having 25 volunteers, and 87 boys. But this week I have really connected with the kids here, and they know that I will be the only familiar face to them when they return for school in August. I have helped more in this past week than ever, and it has been very tiring. We are testing out the potential new boys for the year, and it has been hard. They do not know any rules, and so it has been challenging. But the kids who were a challenge are now seen as Saints. It is really interesting to see how the new kids are interacting with the old ones. And I am now able to understand about 50% of what is being said even by the kids which is a huge improvement than when I first arrived. As my Spanish improves my English is getting worse. Because I am trying to simplify everything I say when I speak in Spanish my English is suffering, but I guess that is good because my Spanish is improving.

My last day of class was today, and tomorrow I will head back to the States for two weeks. I am very excited to see my family, and then I will participate in a ten day retreat with Mi Casa before returning to Saltillo. I am happy to have two weeks of relaxation, but a part of me feels guilty leaving the kids. Each day with them I feel like I want to do so much more for them, but there are just not enough hours in the day. And to see them smile is the most rewarding gift I have ever received. I have seen God in action here more in these six weeks than I have ever experienced in my life. I have learned how to listen and truly listen, because of my Spanish all I can do is listen really hard. I am anxious to see what this year will bring.

I cannot wait to go back to the U.S. for a brief vacation, before this next year. Because I know how hard it will be, but it will be worth the hardships because I will gain a lot more . The other day in the Chapel, we were asked what we had to give up to come here, and most of the volunteers are only here for 2 weeks, but I did not feel as though I gave up anything to come here. This is where God has placed me, and it feels do right to be here.

Week 5

Well week 5 was quite interesting. After a very eventful weekend, Monday and Tuesday was very calm, and I enjoyed it a lot. It has been very quiet around here, but now it is very different. On Thursday afternoon I got to participate in the Saltillo Parade to promote the Saltillo Fair with Yayo, Packo, and Juan Pablo. It was a lot different than any other parade I have seen. We were on a flatbed of a truck with about 30 kids, and no rails. It was very Mexican, and a lot of fun. Except we all got sunburned. Then I went to see Harry Potter, which was o.k., we go to a lot of movies here on our time off. And the movies are very cheap as well about $3.50 a movie.

After a long night with Harry Potter, about 25 volunteers arrived on Friday. After being in a community of about 9 for 3 weeks, and then I have been alone for a 10 days, it is a huge adjustment. The volunteers are from all over Mexico to help with our summer program. They are all very friendly, but I am not use to being around this many people in Casa Hogar. Today along with all the volunteers, we will have 87 boys. Many of the boys are from this past year, but we have about 25 new boys testing out Casa Hogar. If they like it they will stay for the year starting August 24. I am excited to see the kids again I miss them.

On another note, I have taken on the streets of Mexico. Yayo taught me to drive the Eurovan in our neighborhood, the first time was not so great, but the second time I did much better. Driving a standard Eurovan was a challenge. But in the night I got to drive to the fair, which was quite an adventure. I drove all the male volunteers in huge Suburban, I felt like a Soccer Mom. But they were all very helpful, and the fair was very much like the fairs in the states. Rides, cotton candy, and food. The difference is that they last almost all night, when we were leaving around 11 the majority of the crowds started to come in.

Today we are all just anxiously awaiting for the kids, to have a fun week of classes, then field trips in the afternoon. I too have class in the morning, but this is my last week. I will be finished with my class on Thursday, but I will continue with them in September. My teacher is a very delightful woman, and every Friday she takes me out and shows me the city. It will be strange not to see her on a daily basis, but once my year of Volunteering starts, I will only have one morning to myself, which I will be spending in class. My Spanish is still coming along nicely, but slowly I am still praying each day to learn a little bit more.

Each day I thank God for this opportunity. It has truly been a blessing, and I cannot imagine my life any other way. The people of Mexico are very giving, and unlike anything I have ever experienced in the States. I think they would give me the shirt off their back if they knew I needed it. They have taught me what it is really like to be Christlike. And I hope to one day be as giving as they have been to me.

On Friday I am very excited, my wonderful family has decided to meet me in Austin, Texas where I will spend a few days relaxing before heading down to San Antonio for orientation with Mi Casa Foundation for 10 days. On August 8th my year in Saltillo, Mexico will officially begin!

Week 4 & Wonderful Weekend

This past week, it has been very quite around Casa Hogar. With the boys on summer vacation, and all of the volunteers now at home, it is different around here. But I have been continuing with my classes which are going rather well. I am starting to enjoy them more and more as the am able to understand my teacher more. Every Friday my teacher has taken me out into the city. So far I have seen all of the major universities here, and they are beautiful. I have been downtown where I saw the cathedral, the government offices, and the many tourists shops. It was interesting, but on my previous trips to Saltillo we would visit the downtown area. I also have been to two museums with my teacher. She really is a wonderful lady. All of the people who I have met here have tried to make me feel as comfortable and at home as possible.

This past weekend I was going to be left alone at Casa Hogar. And not that it is not safe here, but the front gates are always open and just about anyone who wants to get onto the grounds is welcome. I was a tad nervous, but I knew I would be fine. With Brother Carlos in Gomez and Brother Genaro in Rome, Brother Julián did not want me here alone. So he asked a family if I could stay with them and they offered me to stay as long as I wanted. I have never felt so welcome in a place where I knew no one, and I did not fully understand them because on account that I am still working on my Spanish. But they were very friendly, and it was nice to have a different surrounding than Casa Hogar.

While at their house I felt at home, on Friday night I got to enjoy a Fiesta with their oldest son, Julio and we had very good time. All of his friends accepted me with open arms. And the language barrier was not too bad. Well we stayed out way later than I am use to, but I had a wonderful time. Then on Saturday we went downtown to get Marí Jose´s school supplies, and that was quite interesting. Downtown on a Saturday is very busy with lots and lots of people. Oh and I got to experience my first bus ride in Mexico which was interesting. I have never been on a bus before that is used for public transportation. But it was amusing to see all the different people get on and off the bus. After the school supplies we enjoyed corn, cream, and cheese, (no wonder all the volunteers gain at least 10 lbs. here). But it was delicious and worth it. Saturday night I got to experience a Quinceañera, which was amazing! I unfortunately had nothing to wear, so I borrowed a dress and shoes from Marí Jose´s sister. I had so much fun, the food was excellent, Martha´s dress was exquisite, and I learned how to dance to traditional Mexican music. I have never danced so much in my life, but it was well worth it, because I had such a great time, and I will never forget line dancing to "Achy Breaky Heart" in Spanish. The song is huge here, and the dance is great! But again we did not get home till 2:30, which was so late for me because since I have gotten here by usual bed time had been 10:00.

So we were all late for mass the next day, but I got to go to a Youth Mass. Which I thoroughly enjoyed. It reminded me of going to church as a teenager and how I ended up in Saltillo many many years ago. And now I am back for this new adventure in my life. I was talking to my mother the other day, and told her how happy I am here. I am still adjusting to this lifestyle, the food, and the long days, but it really feels like home to me. This past weekend I was invited to stay with a family who did not even know me, and they treated me as their daughter. I truly saw Christ working in that household, they took me in without even knowing me. I do not know many people who would do the same. I met them at 3:00 on Friday, and by 5:30 I was living with them for the weekend. It is so beautiful to me, I cried when I had to leave on Sunday, but I know I am always welcome in their home.

This is how the people are here, really open and loving. And I am starting to fall in love with this culture. Sunday afternoon, Brother Carlos and Genaro returned and we got to go eat a nice restaurant, and all we did was laugh, and I got to hear all about Brother Genaro´s trip all over Europe. Some of the kids returned briefly last night to head off to camp today. It was nice to hear children´s voices back in Casa Hogar. But they are now gone for the week of fun and games. For now it is just Brother Carlos, Brother Genaro, and me at Casa Hogar. By Friday this place will be packed with volunteer for two weeks for the summer program, and I am looking forward to seeing the kids back here in less than a week. I miss them and it is just too quiet around here without them.

For now I will just have to continue on with my studies, which includes lots of music and television the more I listen to and respond the more I will learn. God Bless!

Week 3

This weekend three more volunteers have gone home. Two will return breifly, but I miss them terribly. But come August I will be with the voluteers who I will be sharing this wonderful experience with for the next year. Altogether there will be 7 girls, one boy, and three brothers. I am looking foward to meeting with them.



The kids will be here in the morning to have their closing ceremony at school, and then I will not see them for a week. It is really hard to not have the kids around, and the day is not the same without seeing their smiling faces. Ans it is just too quiet without them. But while the kids are away I will be able to focus more on my studies.



We all went to Church to day, and it was an intersting experience, because there are no kids we do not have our evening mass. But the church we went to is about 10 minutes away, and it always amazes me how much I enjoy Catholism. Since we go to mass 3 times a week, I am startig to pick up on the songs and prayers. It is very comforting though to be in a different country, but the mass is still the same. Even in Spanish I knew what was to come next. While in Church I saw a teenager fix her mother´s hair and it made me smile, because it remined me of me and my mother, who I greatly miss. After mass we had lunch, and after 3 weeks I have mastered the art of doing laundry here. I am quite proud of myself. We just finished watching the Mexico Soccer game and I was suprised how much I enjoyed it. I am quickly becoming a fan.

Hopefully my Spanish will continue to come along, I can understand but I for some reason have a hard time speaking it. But even with the language barrier I have been able to communicate with the kids. I know in my heart this is where I am supposed to be, and the language will come eventually I have to just practice, and continue to pray, which I have been doing in Spanish every night, and I am quickly learning the Our Father and Hail Mary. But it makes me happy to be here, and the smiles on the kids faces is worth it to me.

No More Kids

This week I have delt with no running water, a cricket who kept me up all night, and now the kids will be going home tonight for two weeks. It is not the same when the kids are not here. The is an errie silence in the air. We love Fridays because we are not responsible for the boys, but then by the end of the night we find ourselves missing them.

This is a sad weekend for me as well, the volunteers who have become my family are all leaving this weekend because their year of service is finished. I will miss them dearly and even though I have only know them for three weeks, they are the ones who I have relied on for everything. But I am anxious to meet the new vounteers in August. And they will be my new family who I will rely on for the next year.

I have grown to love the ninos more and more each day. But it has been challenging because I want so badly to help them anyway I can. And as the current volunteers leave they share their experiences with me, and how our sole purpose to be here is to be a teacher to these boys. We take the role of their parents during the week, and it will be hard to separate what it means to be a parent and to be a friend. Because I know I can talk to my parents about anything, but growing up they were my parents and not my friends, because they had the authority. And soon enough I will have that authority over 20 boys, and it will be hard for me to separate the teaching and the fun side of being a volunteer. But the other volunteers claim that after several months when the boys get use to their routine and the rules, it will change. I am still very grateful God presented this opprotunity to me, because I have learned some very important things about myself through the kids and my experience thus far.

I have completed week 3 of my Spanish Classes, and I am becoming more and more confident each day. We go to mass 3 times a week so my prayers and order of the mass is coming quickly to me. My prayer life is still growing here with the walks to and from español classes, the morning and night prayers, and the multiple trips to Church. We have a visiting preist at our church because ours is in France. But Hermono Julian told me he wish he was in my shoes and could not understand the homily becuase apparently the Priest just tells stories from his past, and they are in no relevance to the Gospel. I got a good laugh out of that one, plus he makes all the volunteers laugh including the Hermanos, which I get a kick out of seeing them laugh threw the Homliy. The Hermanos are wonderful here and I think I would consider being a Brother if I were a man and got to do the wonderful things they do everyday. On Fridays we say the Rosary and it is a real eye opening experience, and I enjoy it. I am quickly learning the Hail Mary.

I wish everyone a Happy 4th of July, and be safe. Gladys, Sandi, and I will be celebrating the 4th of July with hamburgers and a Mexican driving lesson. So keep me in your prayers as I take on the streets of Mexico!

Week 2

As I sit here and relfect on the past week I think about the boys who live here, and the lifestyle they are living at home, and I wonder what they are doing. The must be back in time for church at 5:00, but many of them are often late. This past week the children have been bouncing off the walls ready for school to be over.

On Monday I got to visit my first Mexican Health Clinic, and no it was not for me. I wanted to go with Alejandro to get his stiches removed from his eyebrow, (he fell on the corner of a step at school, because he was not lisenting to the teacher, when she told him to stop playing in the line) and just to get out of the house for an hour or two. And so Sandi, Alejandro, and I made the trek to the Clinic. Of course we had to wait two hours, and bedtime was getting close for Alejandro, plus we did not want to sit and wait in their much longer, although Alejandro enjoyed it because he got to watch t.v. which he does not have the luxury of at Casa Hogar. Anyway Sandi told them we were from Casa Hogar and Alejandro had to get home to go to bed. Once they were aware of his situation they instantly took him back to the room where he would get his stitches removed with Sandi. But then Sandi suddenly came back to the waiting room to wait to do all the paperwork. And 10 minutes later Alejandro walked back into the waiting room and sat on my lap with the stitches removed from his eyebrow. I could not imagine being 6 years old in a hospital all alone with getting my stitches out. But he acted as if if was no big deal, and to me it was so sad, that he did not have anyone back there to hold his hand, and he didn´t need anyone. But this is just one of the many stories that I must endure. And that day Alejandro taught me how to be brave.

This past week we also had to deal with another boy in Chicos A who did not return from home till Wednesday and he missed 3 days of school. They are very strict about going to school because it teaches the children disciple, and then his mother failed to pick him up, and he was forced to stay here this weekend. I feel so horrible for these children, and often so helpless at times. Because I am not their parents, and techniqually I am not a volunteer here until August when my year starts. But it is hard not to form a bond with all these kids. My pray time has grown since I moved here, becuase sometimes it is the only way to get through the hour or day.

On Wednesday we combined half of Chicos B into the dorm with Chicos A, because TJ and Maribel have left for their 3 week vacation where they will be visiting another Orphnage in Gomez. But Sandi cannot handle all of Chicos B so they youngest ones of the group came to us, so now there are 23 boys in the dorm and it is crazy. But all in all the older ones are really a huge help because they remember the rules and are a great role model for the younger ones, who somehow forget the rules on a daily basis.

My Español is coming along nicely, I am starting to understand the kids more and more each day, especially the older ones. While Gladys was teaching me some of the words in Español one of the boys came to me and said, "Her Spanish is not that good and neither is mine" but he said it in Spanish and we all just laughed. The little boys are hard to understand because half of the time they are not speaking correctly, but somehow I manage to figure out what they need or want. I cannot believe I have been here for two weeks already, the time really has flown by. I am sure my year here will fly by quickly as well.

We are about to have our weekly Sunday meeting, and then we are having hambugers, and I am so excited, because I have been eating quesadillas and Mexican food for two weeks and I miss American food so badly. God Bless

Learning to Relax

I cannot belive it will soon be two weeks since I have been here. My Spanish is impoving each day, and I am very grateful for that. So far today nothing too exciting has happened, but the kids just got out of school less than an hour ago. So I am sure it will be an eventful evening. The kids are having a small fiesta this afternoon, because not one of them got sent home with a report from school. So after having very rough past week the kids were finally good for their teacher, in the last few days of school.

I having been walking to and from my Spanish classes each day, and the weather is beautiful in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and chilly at night. We are in rainy season so it rains for about 5 to 10 minutes a day. As I walk to and from school, I have been noticing my surroundings. The people in Mexico are very relaxed. They truly are just living in the moment and it is so nice to be a part of that culture. As I walk my 20 minutes the time seems to go very quickly when I am not constantly worried about my next step. I have very little anxieties which is a very big difference from what I was used to with my life in Florida. I tend to worry quite a lot, but here I rally have no worries, I am just living in the moment.

Since I have been to Mexico I have spent less than $20 and it feels good. They have been taking very good care of me while I am here. The food is ok, the children have beans and soup at every meal, and if we choose to eat with the kids we must also eat beans and soup. So instead I have been suriving of quesadillas, chilles rellanos, and tacos just to name a few. But all the food is homemade so it is always a good meal.

On another note, the children will be out of school next week, and so they are bouncing off the walls with excitemt. And then they go home for two weeks, and then come back for summer program. The kids are excited for summer and the camps that we provide. It amazes me how much these boys are in school. I remember complaining about our 9 weeks summer vacation, but these boys only get about a 6 weeks, but during those six weeks two of which are spent here in the summer program which is to keep their mind refreshed with school. So they are basically in school again which is crazy to me. But if they are not in school, they will be out on the streets. Another intersting thing to me is that once the kids are in fourth grade, they will start their trade. It is a weird site to see a 9 year old in the workshop. But in time I will get use to that.

It is just very different here, but I love the mentality of the boys, volunteers, and the brothers. Everyone is very relaxed even when there are 60 boys running around and yelling. I am blessed to be here and I am learning to be more relaxed like the people of my new home.

Week One

It has been a week, but it seems like only yesterday I arrived in Saltillo. The Spanish classes have been very helpful, but I can only understand the language it is hard for me to speak, but I am sure it will all come in due timing. I have picked up on the commands to tell the children, "Baja los todos"(elbows off the table), "Bañate"(go to the showers),"Ven aqui´!" (come here) just to name a few. Starting this Lunes, tomorrow I will only be spoken to in Enpañol by the other volunteers. This will be a challege but I know I can do it.

Being the first week here my excitement of the new city is starting to wear off. As I hear the many stories behind each niño who is here. They all have a purpose to be here even though many would rather be at home where their parents are usually absent and they spend their time on the streets. It was difficult to see them go on home Friday night, because they are out of hands and our routine.

For each boy who is here they must meet three requirements: 1. Their guardian cannot financially support them. 2. The must meet with a psychologist who is on staff here at all times during the day. 3. They must have a place to go on the weekends whether it is with a mother, father, aunt, uncle or grandparent. The boys enjoy their time at home because they have no rules.

Anyway in each of their faces I can truly see the face of Christ. They have taught me some much in this past week. They have so little, yet they cherish a smile, hug, and being with their friends who are like their brothers. I have also learned how spirtual the Mexican volunteers and Brothers are. Each one has their own story as to why they are here to help their fellow people. Many of the volunteers are fresh out of high school, and dedicate their life to a year of service. Which many young Americans would never think to live in these conditions at age 18. It is truly beautiful to see them interact with the children, and how the children love them. As their year of volunteering comes to an end they are sad to be leaving the children, but they have all expressed their love and what an honor it was to be here.

As I continue on in my classes although it can be frustrating, but we have a Chapel on site we have access to 24 hours a day, and we can expose the Blessed Sacrament at any time we feel compelled. I have not taken an opprotunty to do so, but I know there will be many nights in the future where I will need to visit the Chapel and send my alone time with Christ. I find myself having many more conversations with God since I arrived here and it is very comforting to know I always have someone to talk to and will listen to me.

Night before my trip

I am still not packed and ready to go but I will be as soon as I get off the computer. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as a start this new adventure in my life. I know how powerful prayer can be, and this is going to be the biggest challenge in my life. I will keep you all posted about my new life in Mexico. God Bless