Squishing Love at CVE

Living in such close proximity at CVE, we have more than our share of young budding romances...among the kids. ;) Last night Federico and Karla Josie were "walking like gum" as we say in Spanish.


Caught! Federico and Karla Josie started to whine about why they couldn't play together all the time, so instead of trying to explain to them, they were each sat in chairs to read assigned chapters of the Bible, until they could explain it to me.


They continued to talk with each other until...


Much to Federico's dismay, Joel pulled his chair in a different direction.


Karla Josie reads I Corinthians 7 and provided a a great summary.

Oh my. It was fun. :)

In all seriousness, please be prayerful for us at CVE as the children, along with the workers are going through a time of being "sifted." May all of our weakness showcase God's strength. Luke 22:30-31

A lot of little unimportant things...

A huge thanks to Carissa for the snapshots I used from her! Only one more week until I have a camera!


Federico is bien loco!


On January 26th, we celebrated Paola's 13th Birthday. YIKES! We now have a teenage girl! (The same day as my brother Jay's birthday. Happy b-day J-Jay!)


Alba is Angel and Michelle's little sister and she celebrated her 5th b-day with us the same evening. Alba's mother brought the beautiful cake. Thankfully the kids were very nice and barely pushed Alba's face in the cake. (Alba's mom is the mother who didn't want her son's face pushed in the cake because of cake-related drowning incidents.)


I was able to chaperone another "Reading Rewards" night. Carlos, the owner of Lupita's jumped in the photo along with Federico, Jaqueline, Carissa and Uriel.


Seth and Paola working on the dishes. I am not sure who won the water/soap battle...looks like Seth.


Last weekend Brandy and Seth were down from Phoenix. (Only for one night, but hey, I'll take it!) We went to a cute café in town and talked until close.


Lili, Michelle, Paola and Karla J. playing Sequence

Cowboy Take Me Away

The little boys love to pretend they are cowboys. Fortunately for them they found some of the "big boys" in good moods last night.


Uriel bucked Timi off, leaving them in a heap on the floor.


Timi decided that all good cowboys have to wear hats, so he grabbed the nearest hat, yelled something that only the other little boys understood they put on their hats and mounted up. Notice Timi's hand in the hair with his "lasso."


Increasing the risk of their "buckin' broncos" Timi and Andres (the cowboys) ride Federico (the horse).


Gabriel couldn't find a hat fast enough, so instead he pulled up his hood. It covered his face most of the time. His faithful steed, Angel, was a little small for the job, but what he lacked in size, he made up for enthusiasm.

My Theory on Cleaning

When I was younger, I loathed the days when mom would say, "you need to clean out your closet!" It was always at least a day long project, sometimes longer. Now imagine 10 of me. As with all great cleaning projects, my theory is, "it has to get worse before it gets better." I know, not very profound, but that is the approach Gloria and I took yesterday as we began on the girl's bodega.


Piles and piles of shoes...most never worn...typical girls.


So we are obviously still in the "worse" stage...I have hope for near completion this afternoon.

Memories of warmer weather

I am still here, fully alive! Between not having consistent internet and the "Geek Squad" robbing me of my camera for a few weeks, I have not done so well keeping up with the blog. I hope to do better when I have the camera back.

These pictures were taken this summer, I was looking back through summer photos, trying to be encouraged that it was going to be warm again! (The last two days the kids didn't go to school because of the cold!)






I don't need 110 degrees, just a little warming up! Mom and Dad, I am going to have to move further South!

"I am never eating again."

Tonight was the night for more rewards with the reading program and I had the privilege to chaperone with Carissa's group. Daniel, Armando, Blanca and Federico.




While waiting for our food, we occupied our time with games. We had a "Who can keep their eyes open for the longest contest." At Armando's suggestion, the losers had to hold their ears until the game was over. I think he knew he was going to win.


Federico tries to show he can eat a lime without making a face. Daniel refused to play this game.


This photo was taken after Blanca finished all of her food and ate my beans and then said, "I am NEVER eating again!" I asked her why she didn't stop eating as soon as she felt full and she responded, "I still had food!"


Armando and Federico picked out a dress for me. I don't know when I am supposed to wear the dress but window shopping with boys is a riot!


Blanca forgets her words and begins to lick the sugar out of the bag of churros we bought in the plazita. When reminded of her words about never eating again, she chipperly said, "It is okay, it lowered and I have room! Notice in the background that Carissa is driving as I try to get the "perfect shot" of Blanca. Impossible. ;)

Youth Night

Once a month we have started having Jovenes here at CVE. We were excited as our first event drew kids from all parts of Magdalena. This time when the vehicles went to pick up those interested in the event, around 30 extra kids unloaded. Some of our CVE kids are old enough to participate also and many of their friends and others that come to church showed up. We played volleyball, had a short devotion, sang, played board games, ate and played round after round of "Tengo una carta para..."




Once again, we can only give the Lord the praise for bringing these youth to hear more about Him. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalm 21:13

I don't have many pictures, because...my camera is BROKEN! When I turn it on, it flashes E18. it feels like a part of my body, but thanks to my mother, I do have the Best Buy Insurance Policy and hope to get to one in the next few weeks. (In the meantime, If anyone knows what E18 means, let me know.)


After the kids were all returned to their houses, we celebrated Nicole's birthday early. Keith, Emily, Brittany, Brent and Tyler left early the next morning, so she had to give her birthday "speech."

The Mountian View

This afternoon, some of the girls and I loaded up and headed to face the great outdoors. We went to La Cruz as it is a wide trail, without constant threat of being spined to death by cactus. :)


taken immediately after I said, "If you are sitting too high, you aren't going!"


Lili and Michelle cross through the fence at the trailhead.


Stopping the hike for a photo shoot. (It took an entire photo shoot, as Blanca has this rare gift of ruining almost every picture. ;))


This is our attempt to take a picture with our eyes open. We tried to shut our eyes, count to three and then open them for the picture; however, we obviously had some timing problems.


Yaneli and Eli decided that it was easier to crawl on the steep parts. I am pretty sure it only made it harder for them...As long as they are convinced.


Jaqueline was straggling behind, I was walking beside her, trying to be an encouragement, but she finally threw up her arms and said, "Amy, Ya me rindo!" (Amy, I surrender!) With a small amount of coaxing, (mentioning the picnic we were going to eat at the top) she continued.


The girls look over the city of Magdalena.


We picnicked at the top, fighting the strong winds that threatened to blow away not only the chips, but the skinnier of the girls. :)

Momo's, Pizza and Balloons

Over Christmas break, Denise and Carissa started a reading program with the kids. For every 500 minutes they read, there is a reward. No one expected the program to take off like it has, and we can barely keep up with the kids!

On Thursday night, we had our reward night. (The 500 group went for pizza with Joe and Denise, 1000 group went with Carissa to Momo's). The Momo's group received balloons, which was great, until they promptly came home, and the balloons all slipped through their fingers.


Jaqueline smiles as she holds a balloon.


Magda shares her balloon with Timi (which maybe lasted for 30 seconds)


Joe amazes us all by climbing to the cancha ceiling to retrieve the balloons for the sad kids. Go Joe! :)

Indiana doesn't know how to do rainbows

This morning as the kids prepared to leave for school and the sun was just beginning to fight it's way through the clouds and light rain, there shone a complete, double rainbow. We all just stopped what we were doing to admire it. What a great start to the day!

Genesis 9.12-17

Sneeze, Cough, Gasp, Cough

Ya me voy a morir. has become a common phrase around CVE as we are fighting a strong round of colds. (Literally translated: Already I am going to die.) The other night we waited at the Centro De Salud with Timi and Moises to hear what we already knew, the boys are sick. We all are. We now have a bunch of medicine to give and thanks to Jenna, an explicit chart to make sure we stick to our medicine giving regime.


The medicine stash. Each labeled with kid's name, dosage, frequency, etc. (Jenna and Gloria have a great system.)


Andres takes the ramp sin miedo, in adult rollerblades. Obviously showing that a snotty nose isn't going to slow him down!


Gabriel shows off his "pop a wheelie" abilities.


Moises rides his bike with no wheels. He was popping all kinds of wheelies, until he fell of the back and scared himself.

Poetry of CVE

When one of the girls was asked to write the reasons why she wouldn't shut her eyes during the prayer, I was enlightened by her thoughts. I will translate her final reason (keeping true to punctuation). I hope the sarcasm isn't lost in translation.

To: Amy and Gloria

I want to have them open because you both had yours open for a little bit and forgive me for this and for all of the bad I have caused in these last few days help me to someday become like you

The group rolled into CVE on Sunday night, after braving flat tires, snow storms in New Mexico, and too much fast food, they arrived! It is officially "The Purdue Group" but it was a mix of people from all over. We had a great time (and stayed up way too late). Midweek it was decided that my room was going to be tiled. Somehow in the move out process, I still haven't found my camera, so all the photos are borrowed from others.


A portion of the cement crew take time to pose for a picture.


Some of the cement crew show their fierce stance. :) They were pretty hard core.


The painting crew on Thursday. Kim, Heather and Javon were faithful painters! The back room of the house is now palm green with tan trim and white brick, my bunk bed- purple, the dining room-purple, and much more. YEAH!


Ben Kellenberger and Craig Jansen thought they would pay us back for our sharing of the purple paint. I have to admit, they totally had us unaware. Good thing they totally missed and only hit Heather. (photography by Matt Widmer)


Jim and Jon at work tiling my bedroom.


One afternoon Paola helped the group with the concrete. I like watching her interact with Gringos, she tries out all the English she knows. :)

The morning before they left, a group of us hiked to la cruz. I was sad as I thought about the goodbyes to be said, but I had the chance to stay on the mountian top for a few more minutes as the group hiked down, overlooking Magdalena. The Lord refueled me with a passion for this town that needs to hear about Him and His Truth that only He offers.



Thanks to all who came and offered your hardwork and encouragement!

p.s. The internet here has been going in-and-out...lately more out than in. Forgive me if you haven't heard from me in awhile.