our new set of babies

We currently have a BIG group of babies!

There are 16 total* in the Baby Home right now, 9 of those ages 1-12 months. It gets wild and wooly sometimes!!

We've turned down at least 3 babies since baby G arrived end of July... Yesterday it was a 6 month old that social services was desperate to place, but what to do? We lack hands as it is now.

*Our 13 month old F is currently with a sweet missionary family for health reasons

Some pictures!

Most of our babies...

(Little J was at blind school and baby C was taking a bottle in the arms of a tia during the pics)

See M, far left? Fit-throwing is the norm when I'm anywhere near him but not holding him

Babies, babies, everywhere...

Some of the youngest:
newest baby G (1 month), baby C (3 months), baby G (6 months), and baby F (3 months day after picture made) giving a little wave - most certainly to her mother Savannah... :)

"My Babysitters", a stolen post

As I catch up on some volunteer blogs, this one was so adorable I couldn't help snatching it to share with the rest of you!

Get ready for mega-doses of cuteness in Savannah's post, "My Babysitters"!

Our dear "Tia Savannah" is now back in Tennessee with her other family after nearly two years of pouring her heart and soul into our children and staff and even staff members' families. She made a lasting impact on so many people while living here, the numbers must be in the 100s.

Casa de Amor will never be the same! We were so blessed to have you and miss you a lot, Tia Savannah!!!

learned, 2.

While on my 25 day long US trip,


I learned that…

…Memphis summers are really hot and really humid (HELLO frizzy hair!!)

…Baking in the kitchen all the time for “old times sake” doesn’t seem like such a good idea when your family practically lives in cookie stores…and bring home plenty to taste!

…My favorite cookies are still all the “chewies”, YUM!


…I really seriously need to be in North Texas more than just a couple of days the next trip (shout out to Texas friends!!!)

…Even though I could talk about Casa de Amor in my sleep by this point, it was an interesting, new challenge to communicate the street work

…Memphis churches are passionate about local city outreach and are finding innovative ways to make a difference

…Road trips with family are still fun!

…US weddings are very lovely, very special, unique affairs (until my cousin’s this month, I hadn’t been to one since the 90s)

…never thought I’d say this, but Target is definitely a cool place to shop :)

...I am very fortunate to have lived in the same house 6 years and counting as a single (as my sister prepares to move for a 5th time, 5 years in a row)

…while it was wonderful to be with both parents again, in the same country, at the same time, the bond between sisters is extra special and I sure wish we could all four be together more often

My family!

August 18, 2011

learned.

On July 19 I celebrated seven years living and serving in Bolivia! Since early last year I even have my permanent residency visa, which is WONDERFUL! This means I never have to apply for a visa again as long as I’m not out of the country for extended periods of time.

Right now is one of my ever-rarer trips back to the US. I have a week more visiting my family and this weekend we'll attend my cousin’s wedding in Texas!

As I add more and more time in between trips, it becomes a little like visiting a foreign country! The United States changes, my family changes (changing houses right now), and I change. The main reason I feel different since my last trip is all that I’ve been privileged to experience and learn in 2010 and 2011.

I’ve learned how to…

…Drive stick shift

…Care for triplets! (In a phrase, it’s exhausting, rewarding, and definitely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime blessing!)

…Lead a worship team at church

…Be part of a leadership team at church of university students and young professionals

…Make a real Bolivian “torta” (birthday cake)!

…Administer first aid (second aid?!) for many and various urgencies and emergencies

…Stitch minor wounds

…Give shots (to humans…before I’d only given them to goats)

…Choose medicines for various complaints and illnesses

…Coach soccer :)

…Get out ID cards for Bolivians

…Deal with macho police on a daily basis

…Speak and understand many, many legal and medical terms I had no idea of before 2010

…Speak “street slang” (literally dozens of new phrases and words in my vocabulary…some usable, others—well, NOT!)

…Go to a beautiful Christian wedding in the maximum security prison

…Enter the three main jails plus juvenile detention facility in Cochabamba

…Get someone out of a holding cell…or jail

…Navigate far reaching corners of the huge valley that is Cochabamba as I take street friends to their families

What other country and job would allow me to learn all of THIS in 1 ½ year’s time?!

I LOVE learning, what about YOU?