...I do not want to forget...

It’s like forgetting the words to your favorite song
You can’t believe it
You were always singing along
It was so easy and the words so sweet
You can’t remember
You try to feel the beat

You spent half of your life trying to fall behind
You’re using your headphones to drown out your mind
It was so easy, and the words so sweet
You can’t remember
You try to move your feet

...and I hope I never forget...

...estoy aqui...

Hi all! I am still here, although I just realized this morning that it's been almost an entire month since I last blogged.

I feel like there is not a whole lot to share about the last month that would interest you, and yet I feel like it was very busy and extremely emotionally exhausting.

Usually, I keep track of what's been going on simply by taking pictures of things I want to share with you. And then when it's time for an update, I will go through my recent photos and remember the events I wanted to blog about. But upon viewing the most recent photos on my camera, I realize there's not a whole lot to share.

A few highlights:
* Bonny The Best took me to TWO back to back concerts in LA - The Decemberists and Ben Folds. Both were AM.AZ.ING!
* Got to spend 5 days in Riverside with my family, as well as some close friends I've been missing a lot!
* Val came to visit from Portland!! For a few days and it was SO good to see her and spend time with her! And Sam and Theresa even got to come for a night! SO much fun!
* Got to go Quincenera dress shopping for Julieta, one of our special needs children who will have her 15th birthday party in July! (Her dress will be neon pink and blue! :) )

I am still trying to raise enough funds to be able to stay here until at least October (which would be an entire year of me being here). I would like to get the orphanage at least through the summertime, and have committed to staying as long as is financially possible. If you would like to help out with this, let me know, or donate via the paypal link on this page.

I will post a more complete update soon, including pictures! Love to all! Hope all is well!

:)

...enough with all the “big one” talk…

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.

:)

...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...

...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!!

...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 wanting does indeed come in waves...