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.