Hay Angeles en este lugar...

 It always amazes me the little reminders God places in my path at just the right moment. Today, after Mass I wanted to stop in to the adoration chapel just for a moment. While I've now gotten into the routine of spending at least a few minutes in the chapel following choir rehearsal during the week, I've begun to notice that it is those times when I get out of my routine that Christ really speaks. This morning was not part of my routine, and I had no particular reason to not go straight to my car and head out.

As I am walking toward the chapel door I can hear notes of the Divine Mercy Chaplet being sung in Spanish. Although this is one of my favorite prayers/songs in English I never did learn it in Spanish. Margine (one of the Nicaraguan missionaries at The Finca) and I would occasionally try to pray this together usually listening to the sung version in English. It was beautiful to now be on the other end where I didn't quite know the words, but it ultimately didn't matter. Christ was bringing our voices together in prayer.

This was all very nice and a cozy reminder of The Finca, but it wasn't much more than that. The Chaplet finished and I was about to leave. Then the ladies who were leading the chaplet began to sing again. This time a song with words that were much more familiar. "Hay Angeles en este lugar ..." the lyrics floated just like the angels about whom they were singing.

I cannot hear those words without thinking about my Amigas Especiales in Casa 1 without nearly tearing up.

We spent hours on end learning those lyrics for the Christmas pageant. At the time I was nearly tearing up for other reasons. Their angelic faces did not always match their attitudes. Now,I would not take those hours back for anything.

I realized as the song finished that in just a few hours a FOCUS mission group will be arriving at The Finca. They'll spend the next week assisting with all sorts of projects and most importantly bringing the joy of Christ to our kids. I believe God moved me to spend that little bit of time outside my routine today to use my prayers for the success of this mission. I ask for your prayers over the FOCUS mission team and over each of our children.

To learn more about The Farm of the Child please click on the link. To learn more about serving as a missionary click here. I ask that you would also consider financially supporting one of our children who live at The Finca or attend our school. You can do so by following this link.

Snow my goodness!

There's nothing like a blizzard to bring people together. 

In my case, it meant our house of five turned into a house of 12+ for the duration of Snowmagedon 2016. 

I hadn't been in the same house as that many people since living in Honduras at The Farm. The joys and noise were about the same as well as the stress and mess.

However, I'll take Honduras' torrential tropical downpours any day over the below freezing blizzard conditions.

At first the timing of this storm seemed very unfortunate. 

It hit just early enough on Friday that thousands of people had to cancel their plans to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. 

Then there were those who still came for The March knowing they would be snowed in for the weekend. 

Our house guests fell into the latter category. 

Three of my four housemates are F.O.C.U.S. missionaries at the University of Maryland. 

Between them and their male counterparts, their 7 visiting friends/ fellow missionaries, the male missionaries friends and my housemate's boyfriend there were so many faces.









I lost count of how many people were in and out of our Hostel... ahem... home.

This definitely came in handy though once the snow stopped falling and the sun came up.

Many hands and shovels made for light work and some really good food.

You're my little girl: Tribute to all our "little girls" at the Finca

A quick update: I am now finished with my 2 1/2 year commitment at The Farm. My group spent a few weeks traveling through Central America. We visited the site of the original Finca del Niño in Guatemala. There will be more to come on that adventure.

I got home in time for Christmas and finally got to meet my newest niece and get to know my older niece. I hit the road on a road trip the 31st. From Minnesota to Colorado to New Mexico and on to Texas, Tennessee and Alabama before Florida and D.C. where I am now at about the 2/3 point of my trip. There will be more to come on this trip too.

For now I want to share with all of you this video I put together for our retreat. The song is entitled "You're my little girl." by Go Fish a Christian acapella group. I have known this song since I was a "little girl", but now with the Finca in mind; it makes me think of some the incredible trials our kids have been through and continue to battle, this song has even more meaning now.

Although the song is only speaking from a father to to his daughter (or Christ to his daughters) one could really replace the word girl with child. Really take the words to heart. Share and enjoy!

From bay to shining sea: A few pics of our adventure out to the other side of the bay.

 Looking back at Trujillo from Porto Castillo.

Definitely feeling like we're on Giligan's Island.

There are a number of plaques around marking the area beyond the Naval Base as a Nature Reserve.

As you get further out the point is covered in conifer trees.

Within just a matter of feet you could go from feeling like hiking in the Northwoods to being on the Caribbean.

Looking towards the states.

Out at the point; looking back at the mountain covered skyline.

The light tower on the Caribbean side.

Laura, Pat and I on the Caribbean shore.

Harry, Pat, Laura and I squinting into the setting sun.

Jenna steps in for a pic too... I can no longer look into the sun.

Enjoying the white sand shores.

Look what Emily found washed up on shore. Too bad we'd never get past the Naval Base.

Day is done!

 Random massive lemon type fruit our boy scouts found in the mountains. It smells more like a grapefruit. The pacifier is to give you an idea of just how big it is.

Nearing the end + What we've been up to

Afew pics from the last couple months. I can't believe we're leaving in like 5 weeks. Already had at least 1 crying spell in front of the entire Farm :)

 All three classes together.

Alicia and Nati and harry during our retreat in a slightly competative nearly violent doughnut game

Our girls up against women from Trujillo. We lost 5-2 but had no fear!

El capitan viene!

Cati and SEidy at Banana Beach for dia del niño.

Making coffee with Emma.

Pastor at the pool for day of the child.

Our kids teaching kids with special needs a dance for day of the child.

Yadi at the pool for the very first time!

This guy was in the hallway as I left the bathroom.

Nothing says Happy Halloween like a watermelon!

Carving a rotten "pumpkin" Tifa bought in Trujillo.

If you built it they will come! The beginnings a new church in the village next to The Farm.

The last day of kinder!

The girls at a posa in Buena Vista. Finally I got a picture!

Tough guy... maybe not.

The cruise ships have arrived and are coming weekly.

Our boys helping build the neighbors new church.

Nelsy helping one of the kids from Manos Chicas (a special needs school) swim. 

Beach time with the Manos Chicas kids!

Isabel the most beautiful little girl. She can't see well due to glaucoma, but it hasn't lessened her spirit one bit.

Independence day!

Rainy season has finally arrived and house 1 loves it!