A Quiet Day at the House in Mexico

It is New Year's Eve day and we got a late start for Mexico today.  Jack had a doctor's appointment (all is well) and Mike had to do "his rounds" at 11:00.  So it was almost noon by the time we loaded some "stuff for the outreach" into the van and headed south. 

When we arrived at the house, the living room was dark and the four children and Delia were all snuggled under blankets watching a movie.  That peace and quiet didn't last long when we adults came bursting in.  The TV was soon turned off and the kids were enjoying our attention and we were enjoying their attention.  Jack and Joyce, from the park, had found some items we thought the little ones would enjoy and they sure did.

Even though this little munchkin was not feeling real good, he had to check it out,

before cuddling up with Papa Jack.

 

Even the bigger ones needed to explore this new activity.

Marylou made a delicious lunch for all of us; macaroni and cheese with wieners and ham.  Before spending time down here, I had never seen people put ketchup on mac and cheese - kids and adults do it - who knew...  We all fit around the table today, a small group that really feels like family.

Later, John and Delia's brother spent some time working on the electricity and replacing outlets.  The rest of us enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine and just hung out together.   I had my makeup done by a couple of beautiful young ladies...

Mike hosted the new toy and a happy boy while Jack enjoyed the sunshine.

The ladies chatted over coffee.

Everywhere this young builder went, so went the hammer and pegs.

The girls loved checking out the new playstation donated by a couple who carried it all the way from Oregon.

After a few hours, Marylou, Mike and I took a drive around the town before heading back across the border. 

 

 

This is the house where three of the children live.  On cold nights, they and their mom stay at the House of Dreams because this house has no heat of any kind. 

This is the well - ventilated house that is being constructed next door to them - all built of pallets.

It is easy to look past what we should be stopping to see.  And it is easy to turn the other way.  In the new year, please look and see the need, and listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.

 

Happy New Year!

It's CHRISTMAS!

Gifts were donated, boxes and odds and ends were purchased and then it was the 23rd of December.

It took Glee, and Marylou and I most of the morning to get it all sorted out.

The lists were checked and checked again to be sure no child was forgotten.

Some gives were for the house but the kids would get to open them on Christmas morning.

Ladies from the park went out for a Christmas lunch and then enjoyed wrapping all the presents.

Meanwhile, the guys enjoyed coffee and Jack's stories.

"Mama" kept track of us all and watched over the presents as we readied the tubs to go into the van headed for Mexico.

Marylou, with Santa watching, gave us all directions as to what would happen the next day.

 

When we got to The House in Mexico on Christmas Eve day, the presents were unloaded and placed under the tree - some of the children were there and could hardly contain themselves.



Dalia even painted the door for the occasion.  (We will get the rest of the place done in January.)

Boys were quick to hide and bug Mike - they love to have him around.

There was a bit of posing for pictures, just like any family celebration.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, we were playing with balloons...

Little Miss E just watched for awhile.

Of course, we needed group photos, but where was Dalia???

Okay, now we have everybody, oh but Miss E turned around...

 

We'll try again, oh but off goes one of the babes.  Typical pictures from a very fun "Family" gathering.

Everyone enjoyed clowning around.

Puzzles were brought out to occupy the children for a short time.

Ana's family was there to enjoy the festivities with us.

Another couple of adults arrived with gifts for the children and for the house.

A song or two

and finally, it was time for those presents.

Some just seemed to admire the package before opening it...

And all looked carefully at each little item that those boxes contained.

There was something for everyone - this young man seemed happy with his shampoo and a real baseball.

And this young lady was thrilled with her own personal crayons in a case with her name on it.

Little Miss E loved the candy cane

and the cookies.

In that box that this fellow would not release was a coloring book, a Jesus Loves Me (in Spanish) coloring book, crayons, colored pencils, regular pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, a toy car, a pair of socks and a candy cane and a small package of cookies.  Not a lot to some, but he was so pleased that he would not even let go of the gift tag on which his name was printed.

This one took out the car and did not let it go!

The barrettes in the girls packages were quickly put to use.

As a present to us, Feliz Navidad followed by "Gracias" and hugs...(sorry, at the end I forgot to shut off the camera.)

Each child also got a beautiful stuffed animal - new or like new - donated of course.

It doesn't seem to matter the age or gender, people like stuffed animals!

 

I take her picture                                                            so she wants to take mine.

Then it was time for a special lunch - hot dogs in buns and chips with dip, cookies for dessert.

 

 

After a bit of playtime with some new "house gifts", it was time for us to head home.  Marylou stayed at the house for the night and Christmas morning some of the people from the park went back to the house for the delight of Christmas Morning. 

 

 

Hope your Christmas was filled with the smiles of family and friends, and the joy of giving. 

Till next time, remember to listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.

Feliz Navidad