What it might be like to have an orphanage....

We had our first 2 night sleepover for our kids! Crazy, absolutely like zoo-keeping! Kids running around playing, doing their homework, taking showers, laughing, shouting....I think you get the picture. The showering was the funniest thing. The kids loved it. I'm assuming having warm water for bathing is like a ride at Disneyland. They laughed and shouted, it was very funny and I'll never forget how they enjoyed their new p.j.'s. A huge 'thank you!' to those who donated those p.j.'s. They were so cute on the children. They each got a new headband for their hair. We had story time just like we are used to doing with our grandson, Ryan. We received some beautiful large (and I do mean large) children's books that were very much appreciated. Thank you to Jack and June Bower for that gift! I tried to type out some rules and regs...who am I kidding???!!!! Try, try again. Will and I were exhausted after the second day and I thought to myself 'how on earth did you think you could maintain an orphanage?'. But ofcourse, we would need help, lots of it!
Last night we were invited to one of our worker's daughter's first birthday. First birthdays are a time of thanksgiving and celebration. We missed our guardian's son's first birthday because we were in the U.S. But we got to see what a celebration looks like. We walked into a courtyard with pine tree boughs spread on the ground everywhere. They had set up tenting to keep out the rain. There were benches and lo and behold a band! An eight member band with speakers 7 ft. high! And lots of them. I was worried because we were sitting closeby. I haven't figured out why so many speakers are needed in such a small space but it was the same way in Venezuela. The Pentecostal churches would be very small, but the speakers would be enormous! The music was great, I danced inside a house with the kids but did not have the courage to do it solo outside where the music was being played. There was a reading of the daily Liturgy and lots of prayers and blessings for the family. They had 6 large cakes and they blessed us with dinner of chicken and rice, which is an honor when people do not have much money for their own families. The people were very gracious to us Norteamericanos. For some reason I was a child-magnet. I couldn't help talking to them (I'm much more comfortable with them than with the adults. They are much more understanding with errors in speech). And at the end I had to invite more of them to my little school that I hold on Friday and Saturday afternoons. We're growing out of our sunroom which is where I not only hold the classes but store all my supplies. I so need to get organized and purchase or have cabinets made. I look forward to having my little escuelita (God willing). I see flower and vegetable gardens, parrots, chicks, rabbits, a soccer field etc., in our future. Glen is finishing the children's play area and it's a smashing success with the kids. He even constructed a see-saw from wood. Yesterday the kids were standing and sitting on it for a total of 10 kids! We were concerned that it would not hold up! He also made a climbing rope which they also enjoyed. We are still trying to purchase palm roofing for the treehouse. Glen even made outside balconies for the little house! Amazing. I can only imagine what the adults feel when they see such fine construction for a child's treehouse.
Our lives are becoming busier, much like in the U.S. and that concerns me. I love it and yet I don't want to become unable to enjoy a sunset or sit with others and just chat. I try to stay prepared for the classes even as I am trying out a new method of teaching that is in keeping with the Montessori method. Breathing deeply helps. I thank the Lord for our rich life that even with all it's little frustrations (yes, and big ones too) we are very grateful for having the sense that we are becoming true neighbors here and for the fellowship that God sends our way.......