Papi Goes to India...

Papi left bright and early this morning to go to India on a mission trip. He will be leading a Pastor's conference there with 6 other people. This is the fifth year he has participated in this mission. The Bishop in charge of this particular ministry in India actually started an orphanage in his own home which now holds about 600 orphan children. He has also started smaller orphanages within the community in which men he trains up as pastors take care of in their homes.

Andrew was a little upset last night crying when he finally understood, or at least we think he understood, that Ben would be leaving for a while. This morning, however, he took it upon himself to give Diego a "Pow, pow!" I think Andrew has tried to step into that parent role again. Andrew must be given strong boundaries, and when they are unclear he will push every button and test you to see if you give...being consistent and follow thru works well with Andrew.

I am so proud Andrew. Can I brag about him just a minute? The teacher has said he is one of the smartest kids in her class...he is so smart!!! He is able to identify all the letters of the alphabet! He knows their sounds! I am so proud of him! Tonight, he did several worksheets. He is absolutely brilliant. I wish we had a computer for him to work on and do learning games. Maybe that will be something we work towards next year...when Tatiana can use it too.

Tatiana continues to try to do a cartwheel. She is becoming a little jumping bean! She is also becoming more particular with what she wears. She will ask Andrew if it is "Molita" or "Feo" before she decides if she will wear it. Tatiana absolutely loves school. Ben and I had contemplated taking her out of school this month. We have weighed the plus/minus factors. We have decided to evaluate it month by month. She really enjoys it, and the social element is so good for her now.

Diego, he is healing much better now. The swelling is finally going down. There is still some discoloration, but we are glad there is improvement. God is faithful, and now, I won't have to stress about infections and them cleaning it appropriately, etc...(whew!) Diego has honestly become more testy lately...more tantrums...over nothing and everything! Sharing is a big character trait for both the boys to work on...Tatiana has almost no problem with that...and really the boys don't have a problem sharing with their sister or other people -just with each other?!?!

Well, they are such a blessing to us. I know that this ten days will be hard on Ben, too! This is the longest he has ever been away from the children. I anticipate difficult times as well...as Ben won't be available to call "9-1-1 Papi come home!"--So, pray for all of us...we can make it work...maybe this is the needed time I need with the kids to earn that trust and respect from them? Just a thought...well thanks for listening...