frames, frames, and more frames...

It's become popular in recent weeks for my friends at the men's jail to sell me picture frames for "food money".

They make the frames by rolling up newspaper or pages from phone books.

Well...I now have quite the collection!!

One of the office staff bought one from me last week as a gift, which I appreciated...and I imagine the gift receiver will, as well. :)

The stack!

A quick display to take pictures...

I always have pictures floating around my desk, so I popped a few in.

There! Much better!

The faces of our beautiful kids spruce up anything. :)

Faces of the Baby Home

Continuing what I started both here and here....now, faces of the Baby Home!!

G., 4 months

F., 6 months

C., 6 1/2 months

E., 7 1/2 months

G., 9 months

M., 13 months

M. N., 14 months

O., 20 months

J., 2 years old

C., 3 years old

J., 3 1/2 years old

B., 4 years old

B., 4 1/2 years old

J., 5 years old

(Not pictured: baby A., 9 months, and baby F., 16 months)

Of these 16, one will return to family early next year, two (siblings B. & C.) are pre-assigned an international adoptive family, and we continue in paperwork for the other 13 to be eventually adopted!

Christmas Cards

Casa de Amor was asked by Austrian sponsors to provide Christmas cards for a Christmas Fair in Austria. I wasn't sure we should attempt it (our children are rather young) but the staff enthusiastically took on the challenge with the kids of Casa de Amor II.

Here are a few of the cards I saw after all the rest were already shipped off (via a Swiss volunteer) to Austria!

Faces of Casa de Amor II

After showing each face of Casa de Amor III here, thought I'd continue showing the pictures staff have been taking of each child as we prepare to look for Christmas gift sponsors.

J. G., soon to be 5 years old

J., 8 years old

M., 7 years old

A. M., just turned 5!

B., 6 years old

J., 8 years old

The famous sibling group of three!

S., 7 years old

A., almost 6 years old

D., just turned 4!

Brother & Sister:

A., 8 years old

E., 6 1/2 years old

Sisters:

S., just turned 6!

B., 4 1/2 years old

Casa de Amor II will change drastically in upcoming months, including changing houses.

Of these 13 beautiful children, many with us since infants, we are thrilled that SIX are pre-assigned international adoptive families. Another three of these children have visits from either a father or mother. That leaves one to be assigned a family any time now, and another three who could be with us long term.

Pray for God's hand to be upon each one, and that they would feel His love this holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful US holiday it's always a little hard to accept that nothing changes in Bolivia on this day. Even so, I've faithfully observed it, even on years like this one when a lot was going on in the office and street because, well, it was a normal day in Bolivia.

I was grateful that things slowed enough around midday for me to be able to finish the salad and prepare corn casserole (my aunt's recipe)...which I NEARLY completely burnt-up by getting busy in the office and forgetting about it, gasp!

That evening, Casa de Amor volunteers were treated to this sight at Casa de Amor III...

Thanks to volunteer Katrina's hard work and hospitality!

A few of the little "Indians" (and proudly so, I might add) who welcomed us to their home for Thanksgiving Dinner:

6 year old JK

Little brother J, age 4

Indian Princess C, age 3


And twins K & A, 1 1/2 years old!



Handmade place settings....


Everyone prepared several dishes to share of Thanksgiving favorites...


(substituting turkey for chicken, as turkey is at least twice as expensive here as in the US)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

Apple cobbler & ice cream for dessert, yum!

Our amazing hostess....Katrina!! Currently substitute mother to five little ones (plus a hyperactive dog), keeping the Mitchell's house running while they are visiting Texas, and the brains behind this year's Bolivia Thanksgiving!

Thank you, Katrina! :)

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

local adoption!

This beautiful bundle of baby boy left us on Tuesday for his new family!

Baby C was abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of another children's home. They tried to care for him but decided their home wasn't the best for a baby, and thus we were contacted.

Baby C., April 2011

He's been a healthy, happy, content baby these nearly 7 months we've been privileged to care for him at Casa de Amor!

Getting changed into his new clothes...

...Saying bye to Tias Teresa & Rosi (with Baby A, who actually arrived the same day as him)

Tia Roxana giving care and schedule instructions to C's new mom

Is that a happy family or what?! They have been SOOOO excited during the last week of this process, so desperate to come pick him up and have him join their family.

We are so happy for you, Baby C! The great thing about local adoptions is being able to stay in touch. So, till soon!!

(Please forgive the rough layout. Blogspot is just not cooperating with me to do any changes of formatting like centering!)