¡Viva la cumpleñera!

¨When we've been here ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we've first begun.¨ - John Newton, Amazing Grace

So, it´s my birthday y por eso, all day, as is tradition here, whoever and whenever one of the misioneras sees me, they shout ¨¡viva la cumpleñera!¨ (long live the birthday girl!) I like this tradition...we should do this in the States...it´s so festive! Praise the Lord for another year to serve Him and oh, by the way, thanks mom and dad for letting me be born, ´preciate that one :)

It´s been a week since being back here on base and the life is good. Back on the schedule of traveling to Libertad every day, though this week was a little different as we stayed on base one day to prepare paperwork for our big meeting on Monday with one of the organizations that gives us funding. I have begun to take on more responsibilities at the office which is great, my Spanish still lacks but by the grace of God I have been able to do a few things. I did my first solo intervention with a couple who are getting divorced and their son is therefore acting out. It is by far one of the mildest cases that we work with and we will only meet with them one more time but it was a good place for me to start, in order to use the words that I do have in a lower stress situation. I also started work with a group of young people who are going to Quito in a week to present, on behalf of our foundation, a presentation on alcohol and drug use in the Peninsula de Santa Elena (where we live). This is an interesting task but the kids are great about trying to understand me and I am working hard to keep their attention and focus - high school teachers of the world, ¡aplausa! Jaja.

Overall therefore, life progresses on and I am starting to feel a bit more useful which is great. The misioneras are fantastic and have made my birthday special for me, not to mention all the calls from family and friends, here and in the States, thanks guys. The other thing which is special about this weekend is that tomorrow is the anniversary of the day when our statue of Our Lady of the Mystical Rose wept blood. (Proclaimed an official miracle by the Church, examined by scientists and the whole nine yards...it´s pretty darn cool) The whole weekend is therefore a big celebration and I am happy to share all the excitement with Our Lady :)

An update on the four children that we removed from their home a few weeks ago. Thursday I was able to visit with them, we went to the park and it was beautiful to see how happy and healthy they are. Even the littlest one was belly laughing with me on the swing. And the two older boys were making me ¨coconuts¨ out of sand and serving them to me...a tremendous feat for them psychologically and a really good sign. Once again, as always, the light comes shining through as to why we do what we do here. Four beautiful children, now living a life that is safe, healthy, happy and filled with love. They will receive an education and learn what it is to live in a stable home. And when she can, their gringa amiga will come visit them, love on them and swing on the swings. Praise the Lord.

Thanks to you all who have been keeping in touch, I wouldn´t be able to do any of this without your love, prayers and support. I hope you enjoyed the pics, more to come again soon. Much love as always, please continue to pray for us as we most certainly will do for you.