I hadn’t even been in Orange County for 5 minutes before I felt an earthquake. UGH.
“Fear Not” says the Lord… And this I know… Still, I am terrified of earthquakes…
“For I know the plans I have for you” says God, and STILL I am terrified of them. But I will trust in You, Lord, for You are with me.
And so I head to the center of all the recent quakes, Los Angeles, to spend not one, but TWO, concert nights with Bons. I am excited for The Decemberists and for Ben Folds, but nothing compares to my excitement of spending a couple days with my bestie.
:)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
...tengo mucho sueño...
So this last week or so has been busy Busy BUSY! It began with Swine Flu taking over yet another part of our lives (even though there have been NO confirmed cases of it here in Baja) with the closing of ALL Mexican schools for 2 weeks, AND all of our kids being quarantined to the orphanage property for those 2 weeks.
Last Thursday was Mexico's Dia Del Niño (Day of the Child) and it was celebrated here with TWO complete days of fun and food and games! An AWESOME GROUP provided BBQs, Bounce Houses, a RAD DJ, toys and pools for the kids for both days. They also had little ultralight planes in which they took some of us staff up in over the beach! It was so much fun!
Lauren and I also managed to organize a late-night time for all of our staff to get to join in on the fun!! haha It was AWESOME FUN!
Me, obviously very excited to get this thing started!
One of our dorm moms, Lucy, decided to take me down with her:
Lauren and I racing down to the bottom - it got a little brutal at times. :)
The morning of the second day, we headed to the beach for our flying time with another great group who was involved, but had some time to chill out while the planes were being prepped:
We also got to take a quick walk on the beach, running into an unfortunate little whale who apparently couldn't make it back to the water. :(
FINALLY, the planes were ready to go, and we got all geared up!
And UP we went into the sky...
...And over the ocean!
We have also had to get creative in keeping the kids entertained as much as possible while they are out of school - someone donated a box of "Make & Bakes" - where you can make your own little stained glass windows in the oven with metal frames and colored beads. (I remember making these when I was little!) We had a blast!
Here is Emmanuel with his masterpiece - A race car:
aaaaand a few other random pictures:
Myself with Esther...
...and again with Lalo...
...Victor, self-taken...
...and Ramon!
While it was a loooooong week, it was a good one - especially full of fun for our kids!
In closing - this evening I went walking with some of our staff and older girls (they walk every night!) and we ran into a large Kingsnake. While these are not poisonous snakes, it is our policy to kill all snakes on our property in case we let one go and the kids start to think ALL snakes are OK. This one was no exception and I helped to kill him, although I was sad to do so... Here is the snake, and then me with him in his final headless state...
Last Thursday was Mexico's Dia Del Niño (Day of the Child) and it was celebrated here with TWO complete days of fun and food and games! An AWESOME GROUP provided BBQs, Bounce Houses, a RAD DJ, toys and pools for the kids for both days. They also had little ultralight planes in which they took some of us staff up in over the beach! It was so much fun!
Lauren and I also managed to organize a late-night time for all of our staff to get to join in on the fun!! haha It was AWESOME FUN!
Me, obviously very excited to get this thing started!
One of our dorm moms, Lucy, decided to take me down with her:
Lauren and I racing down to the bottom - it got a little brutal at times. :)
The morning of the second day, we headed to the beach for our flying time with another great group who was involved, but had some time to chill out while the planes were being prepped:
We also got to take a quick walk on the beach, running into an unfortunate little whale who apparently couldn't make it back to the water. :(
FINALLY, the planes were ready to go, and we got all geared up!
And UP we went into the sky...
...And over the ocean!
We have also had to get creative in keeping the kids entertained as much as possible while they are out of school - someone donated a box of "Make & Bakes" - where you can make your own little stained glass windows in the oven with metal frames and colored beads. (I remember making these when I was little!) We had a blast!
Here is Emmanuel with his masterpiece - A race car:
aaaaand a few other random pictures:
Myself with Esther...
...and again with Lalo...
...Victor, self-taken...
...and Ramon!
While it was a loooooong week, it was a good one - especially full of fun for our kids!
In closing - this evening I went walking with some of our staff and older girls (they walk every night!) and we ran into a large Kingsnake. While these are not poisonous snakes, it is our policy to kill all snakes on our property in case we let one go and the kids start to think ALL snakes are OK. This one was no exception and I helped to kill him, although I was sad to do so... Here is the snake, and then me with him in his final headless state...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
...dear friends and family...
... I do not have Swine Flu. Nor does anyone I know, or anyone near me. In fact, according to my research, more people have gotten the flu in California than here in Baja California. Therefore, it is safer here - come visit me.
I do, however, appreciate your concern. Although - after having malaria, twice, I feel as if Swine Flu would be a walk in the park - I pray that I never get to find out for sure though.
Much Love!
Jare
Ps - Here is an awesome picture of a CUTE kid, Bryan!!
I do, however, appreciate your concern. Although - after having malaria, twice, I feel as if Swine Flu would be a walk in the park - I pray that I never get to find out for sure though.
Much Love!
Jare
Ps - Here is an awesome picture of a CUTE kid, Bryan!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
...mi lugar favorito...
So for the past couple of months, Lauren, Kristy & I have been utilizing the roof of my house as a tanning bed. :) It is the perfect place to lay out and catch some rays where no one can see you, or know that you're even there.
The past couple of days though, I've also been spending my quiet time and reading time up there, since it has gotten SO warm this week (yay!) and today I realized how extremely lucky and blessed I am to live in such a beee-ooo-ti-ful place! This is the view from my lawn chair on the roof - notice the sheep and horses, and the mountains looming in the background. :)
I also took some pictures of my little rooftop garden, which includes tomatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and all kinds of herbs!
The past couple of days though, I've also been spending my quiet time and reading time up there, since it has gotten SO warm this week (yay!) and today I realized how extremely lucky and blessed I am to live in such a beee-ooo-ti-ful place! This is the view from my lawn chair on the roof - notice the sheep and horses, and the mountains looming in the background. :)
I also took some pictures of my little rooftop garden, which includes tomatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and all kinds of herbs!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
...Jesus is Awesome...
Happy Easter everyone! I hope it was blessed and full of love and fun!
I've been up since 4:30 this morning for our church's sunrise service, so I'm a'gonna keep this short, but it's been a GREAT weekend - Yesterday one of our older girls, Flor, had her Quincenera, and it was SO much fun! And man was she gorgeous. (I'll post pictures soon...)
Then today, we had the sunrise service, followed by breakfast, and then a couple hours later began an all day BBQ/baptism at some nearby swimming pools. It was good times for all! And sunburns for all the guerros. It was AWESOME to see so many people baptized.
We got home after dinnertime and had some Guitar Hero fun with a couple of the older boys, before Lauren and I headed out to La Fonda for some Snickers/chocolate cake and coffee... what a loooooong and busy weekend, and I loved every minute of it!
Some GH pictures for your viewing pleasure... It is always so much fun! :)
I've been up since 4:30 this morning for our church's sunrise service, so I'm a'gonna keep this short, but it's been a GREAT weekend - Yesterday one of our older girls, Flor, had her Quincenera, and it was SO much fun! And man was she gorgeous. (I'll post pictures soon...)
Then today, we had the sunrise service, followed by breakfast, and then a couple hours later began an all day BBQ/baptism at some nearby swimming pools. It was good times for all! And sunburns for all the guerros. It was AWESOME to see so many people baptized.
We got home after dinnertime and had some Guitar Hero fun with a couple of the older boys, before Lauren and I headed out to La Fonda for some Snickers/chocolate cake and coffee... what a loooooong and busy weekend, and I loved every minute of it!
Some GH pictures for your viewing pleasure... It is always so much fun! :)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
...no puedo dormir...
It's 1:30AM and I can't sleep. Not sure if it's the fact that it's actually warm tonight, and I've been used to freezing at night since I moved here, or the fact that there are birds and crickets still loudly vocalizing their approval of the warmth, OR the fact that I've had a lot on my plate this past week and have been STRESSED OUT - but here I am, wide awake.
But I have comfort in the following, and it has been the theme of my life for a while now... I hope you take comfort in it as well...
Luke 12:22-31 -
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Wow. WOW! Be anxious for nothing. Do not worry about ANYTHING. This is one of the most difficult concepts to grasp. God has EVERY teency detail of our lives in His hands and He will take care of us. I am learning everyday what it truly means to seek His Kingdom FIRST, and while it has NOT been easy, it has been beautiful - seeing more and more of who He is each day. I pray the same for all of you.
I had pages and pages in my head when I started typing, but have been sitting here staring at the screen for quite some time now, so I think I will call it a night. But I love you and am praying for you!
But I have comfort in the following, and it has been the theme of my life for a while now... I hope you take comfort in it as well...
Luke 12:22-31 -
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Wow. WOW! Be anxious for nothing. Do not worry about ANYTHING. This is one of the most difficult concepts to grasp. God has EVERY teency detail of our lives in His hands and He will take care of us. I am learning everyday what it truly means to seek His Kingdom FIRST, and while it has NOT been easy, it has been beautiful - seeing more and more of who He is each day. I pray the same for all of you.
I had pages and pages in my head when I started typing, but have been sitting here staring at the screen for quite some time now, so I think I will call it a night. But I love you and am praying for you!
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