Gratitude

Today, those of us in the United States, celebrated Thanksgiving.  This was always my mom's favorite Holiday of the year.  The older I get, the more I agree with her.  I love the idea of a whole nation giving thanks at the same time.  I love the idea of gratitude. 

Marylou prepared turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy for 100 people at Pilot Knob today.  Looks pretty good for having been up since 4:00 slaving in the kitchen.  There were many many people grateful for Marylou on this Thanksgiving Day.

All of those that attended the feast brought a dish to share. We were all grateful for each other - not just the goodies they prepared but the joy of sharing the day with others - the "on the road" family.

And those of us who help out around the park were very grateful for everyone who pitched in to clean up.

It was a good meal and a good day.  But a big meal on Thanksgiving Day isn't what gratitude is all about.

I'm most grateful for the children in Mexico that I have gotten to know in the last couple of years.  I'm grateful for Marylou and Jack for making that connection possible.

I'm grateful for the little girl who is growing up so quickly...

and can bring such a heartfelt look of happiness to Mike's face when she sneaks up on him.

My heart is filled with gratitude for Marta; a fine mom and a wonderful help at the house.

When I look in these big brown eyes, I am so grateful to be in this place at this time.  And I pray the love and hugs I share will somehow last...

 

                                     


Delia isn't going to like this picture, but I see a dedicated woman who shares her whole life and all her experiences and all her learning and all her love with these children - So grateful for Delia!
(Oh, did I tell you that most of these pictures were taken by the children, including this one.)

 

 As the girls play house and move furniture, I am grateful for all the people who have donated so much in terms of time and money and "stuff" so that these kids can play in a safe and happy and healthy environment.

I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that sometimes I am just plain grateful for the laughter these kids can stimulate.  This is quite a look, huh???

 

Do you see the heart shaped jumprope?    I'm grateful for the signs I'm given to slow down and watch and listen and love.

Curiosity?  Fear?  Playfulness?  I wish this wee little one had a "thought bubble" attached to her; never sure what she is thinking...  Grateful for her apprehension; I am sure it will serve her well in life.

This young lady hasn't always been so serious.  Being hungry and in a difficult place right now has changed her.  I'm grateful we can feed her and let her know she is loved.

This beautiful "almost a lady" is showing us how capable she is... in addition to being charming and loving.

She is helping out Delia on Saturdays and is very nurturing.  I'm grateful for her ability to cope!

                                                  

And her ability to give and receive love.

 

 

 

Where could he be and what could he be doing that would give him this much unabashed joy?

 

                                                  

Or make him put on his silly face?

 

Or make her give her camera away and strike a goofy pose?

 

                                                  


 Or bring this gal to the house weekly with milk and eggs and other necessities?

 

The children for which we are all grateful.  The children who wonder about us

and listen to our funny sounding speech

and give us smiles

 

and tease us

and try to take "selfies" with a real camera... not an easy task...

 

 

I'm grateful for my ability to help.  And to share that work with so many others.



 

                                      

Take a minute to look at the last few pictures.  Smile and give thanks for the wonderful children in your life and for your ability to help them learn and grow and become...

 

  As my daily reading said this morning, "Gratitude is an important ingredient of life." 

Until next time, Don't forget to listen when God Whispers and Respond When He Nudges.

 

 

 

Challenges and Blessings

I know I speak for my husband, Mike and I am confident I also speak for Marylou and Jack when I say that we are all blessed to be here and to be able, thanks to your generosity, to help others... ah but sometimes the heartstrings really get pulled and it is not easy...  I'll share a few stories this week.

There are three girls who stayed at the house last year and then went back to live with mom.  Mom was with a fellow and it seemed that everything was going to be alright for the girls.  We have learned that mom's friend is gone, she and four of her children are now squatters and the girls have been raiding the dump for food.  Marylou, being a person of action, took it upon herself to make it better for those precious four girls.  They are now coming to the house for lunch every day before school - in fact they have to be in their school uniforms when Delia provides them with food... food is essential, but so is their education.  We put out a call for white blouses or t-shirts to complete the girls' school uniforms and, hopefully, they will have those items soon.  The oldest girl, at eleven, was well on her way to learning English and cried when she first saw Marylou this fall.  Her clothes were too small and I could feel her embarrassment.  She is now working at the house on Saturdays and helping Delia with the younger children.  For this work, she is earning a small stipend and, with God's help, regaining her self-esteem.

About the same time, we met up with Jennifer.  Those of you who have known Marylou and Jack for awhile know that Jennifer is almost a teenage girl and has been in their lives since she was just a small child.  Jennifer is Grandma's granddaughter - yes, the grandma who lives in the cardboard house.  In the past two years, Jennifer has been a resident at the house and a very good student in school, and she has broken the house rules and ran away.  She is now living with Grandma again and when we encountered her, she had sores several places on her young body.  I'm told they are from being unwashed.  It is hard to understand why she would not want to live in a nice house and eat good meals and learn... but, Jennifer is a street urchin.  She has grown up in a shack with no running water and little food; and she knows this life.  It breaks our hearts to see her and know we can only love her and provide her with a little food once in a while.  She is a child of God and we need to trust her to Him.  Prayers for Jennifer please.

I didn't go to Mexico this week.  Mike went with Marylou and Jack.  When he came home, he told me about his visit to the home of one of our little daycare girls.  He described a living area smaller than our motorhome and the bare mattresses he had seen on the floor.  He talked about the empty fridge and little food in evidence.  He told me about the mom's sister who also lived there and was pregnant.  The next day, Mike and Marylou and Jack returned to that house with quilts and food.  Thanks to all of you, they were able to deliver a bit of warmth, nourishment and show them that someone cared. 

Lots of prayers, lots of conversations, and lots of emotions have been a part of our lives these past days.  The pictures I share this week are ones Mike took with his cell phone - He captured kids at work being kids - it is what makes everything we encounter worthwhile.

Alie resting

and riding.

Axel clowning.

New (to them) scooter being truly enjoyed.

Playing house.

Brothers having serious conversations.

Who knows...

Great faces...

Future football players posing and admiring themselves in the new mirror.

As I reread what I have written and search for a good summary statement, all I can think is Thank You.  Thanks to each of you who have trusted us with your money and your donations.  We are using them to better lives.  And Thank You to My Lord and Savior; this is an amazing task You have put before us.  Thank You for the challenge and for the strength.

As you play with your own children or grandchildren, think about "our children" south of the border.  And listen when God whispers, responding when He nudges.