A Little Guy Named Steven...

Steven is a three year old child that is well known in Pastor Hill's church. He has been "adopted" by all. Steven is currently the only child of a children's foundation that two members of their church are running.

Steven is 3 years old. He has been part of the foundation, I believe, right over a month. He was living with his grandmother as his parents were not able to care for him. However, his grandmother was not able either, and has asked this Children's Foundation to care for him (caring for his physical, emotional, spiritual, & educational needs) without giving up rights to him.

Steven came into care very malnourished and underweight. He still is. He is a very tiny guy, but he's so adorable... I could just hug him and love on him forever. A true Colombian Cu-tee-pa-too-tie! Since he's been with the Church and the Foundation, he's gained about 3lbs, and is getting treated for a parasite.

Please pray for this little guy! Please pray that despite what circumstances were that he will not be bound to that, but will overcome and will grow into a strong, healthy, vibrant, God-fearing, young man.

Along the Way... Meetin' the Murrays'

We had the opportunity to meet Jenn and Katie on our way to Miami International Airport. It was refreshing to meet up with her after being on the road the past two days, but also to be able to hear just a part of their story in person versus online. It is amazing to us how God connects the body of Christ especially through our adoption! We have been blessed with the encouragement of many online buddies! And when we get to actually meet them, it's like old friends or distant family! We thank God and CHI for connecting us with all our wonderful friends!

We're Here!

Oh, I can't wait to get some pics! I am excited to be here. Tonight, we sat on the street corner and talked with some of Bro. Milton's church members; awesome testimonies...we even met a special little guy named Steven. I'll tell you more about him later when I have a picture. I'd love to bring him home with me! A absolute Colombian Cutie...at three years old!

Well, the place they had for us to stay didn't work out. So, they are putting us in a hotel in Palmira. Oh, it's sweet! AND...drum roll... there's HOT water!!! And wireless...no A/C, but the fan keeps it cool so far...I will have to take some pics of our room as well. And the going rate of a place like this is only a whopping $30/night!

The kids are zonked, and we're really tired. We're about to call it a night. The flight was great...Ben preaches in the morning. We covet your prayers during this time. We've already seen some of the fruit of the Hill Ministry, and we can't wait to see more! They are doing an awesome work here, and we want to be part of it!!!

PS. I did get to meet Jenn M., and she's fabulous! It was fun meeting another Yahoo Sista, along with daughter, Katie.

Go Colombia!!!

We are off and on our way! We had a chance to get out of town early, and we've made it to Tallahassee! Next stop, West Palm Beach!!! Colombia, here we come! Please keep us in your prayers and the people along the way we may come into contact with...

Still Packing!

haha! I guess the ADD and my numerous lists doesn't help with completing tasks...haha! =) I do have the kids packed. I have a bag for me packed minus a few things... but we now have the cars and candy to pack as well as a few more back packs and blankets. I want to try to go back and minimize mine... and then, we wait for Ben to pack!

We leave on Friday! Woohoo! The kids have been repeating that over and over. Many people at the church were asking them about the trip, and on the way home, each had to tell me that we were leaving on Friday and we would fly on an airplane to go to Colombia!

So, now, I will re-pack and add things on my "new" list, and then make another list to check off. We are all very excited. We were hoping to go while there would be another CHI family adopting, but it doesn't look like anyone will be there...that's a bummer, but I'm sure we'll be busy.

Better get busy...gotta go, Diego is chasing his sister around the couch trying to kiss her...too cute!

OMG is so GOOD!

God is amazing... okay, so we know that right? But I must say it again- My God is SO VERY GOOD!!! We have been so blessed!!! Today, we were given two HUGE blessings to help with our trip. On top of that the church gave an offering of over $750 to give to the missionary family we will be working with in Colombia!!!

We hope to raise a total of $1000 before we leave on Saturday, but even if we don't, the money collected will be appreciated by the missionaries! During the most recent trip (last week) back to the States, Ben connected them with some other Pastors who donated some sound equipment for them. The trip before that, we helped them raise money through our church and other local churches to help obtain a piece of property to use as a daycare in the day and turn into a church in the evening. They also have grown from one to three churches! Ben will get to preach several times at different places. It will be neat to see all these things and come back and give report to the people of what God is doing!

Oh, and let me tell you about this WILD dream I had a few days ago! I dreamed I was greeting the church in Colombia in SPANISH! And I was sharing a simple message to them using some Spanish and some using a translator. In my dream, I was fluent, and the message was significant and people responded. Am I just excited or will God give me the words to speak? I am not fluent... I am not a public speaker. It will have to be God. But if opportunity presents, I am ready and super-psyched!

Our blessings: One family gave us their gas card to use on our road trip to Miami and back!!! Super cool! How thoughtful! And another family blessed us with $1000 check to help with the financial end of things! What is really cool is that we didn't ask for these things, but people gave out of the desires of their hearts to help. We stepped out on faith and God provided! He ALWAYS does, doesn't He?

Packing Already!

Wow! We leave in NINE days to go back to Colombia! The missionaries we will be working with came to the States for a mini-vacation and time to be with family, and are enroute to Miami now to catch their flight back to CO!

Ben was able to spend some time with Bro. Milton and introduce him to a few other Pastors in the area. Some of these churches donated sound equipment and a set of drums to the Hill Ministry! Waahoo, God!

Ben was able to talk to Bro. Milton more about what we will be doing there. He has asked Ben to preach on 3-4 different occasions; the kids and I will be serving food to the children and needy. We will be touring the areas in which they minister. We will spend our 2nd Gotcha Day in Cali where we will go to ICBF and deliver some specific donations as well as bring lots of chocolate! And we have asked them to help us find something fun to do with the kids then, too! We will get to go to the three different churches, and the drug rehab!

We are so excited...and yes, I have already began packing! I have the kids' clothes in ONE bag! Now for mine and Benjamin's... can we get it in ONE? I hope so. I have 2 other bags with goodies. I have some back packs, not nearly what I wanted, but it didn't work out well traveling with them...maybe next time? We counted up all the money in the kids piggy banks and have over $40 that they are going to buy some matchbox cars with! They are excited, too!

Oh, and if there's anything any of you out there want us to pick up for ya, let me know. I can't make promises, but I can certainly try! Ciao!

Field Day Pics

*Photos Courtesy of Paula Herrington, KG Classroom Parent, also Mama to Hannah, one of Tatiana's best friends

It's On Like Chicken Bone!

As my friend in high school used to say... "It's on like chicken bone!" She would say whenever she was challenged or dared to do something.

So, Nicole A. has been running for awhile and shared her successes over her blog. Jenn M. has jumped on board with her doing the Couch to 5K. Recently, Jenn emailed me telling me that she and Nicole were thinking about doing a 5K this summer and trying to find a race the same day to run and asked if I would like to join them in the fun...

I used to run in college almost daily 1-2 miles easy. Something happened once I got married... the mosquitos are terrible here, and I get so bored on a treadmill! Anyways, the past month and a half, I have been running again 1-2 miles, attempting to cut down my running time and get healthier.

Well, I was telling my friend at work about the challenge. I've never ran in a race, but that is something I've always admired in others who frequently participate in marathons... It is something on my bucket list, and I have imagined what it would be like crossing that finish line with family cheering you on and spritzin' you with water...

As I was expressing this, my friend said, "Wendi, you ain't gonna do that!" and shook her head! My instant response was, "What! Why not? I can too! You watch and see. Oh yeah, Baby! It's on like chicken bone!" (Spoken with strong Southern drawl & inflection!)

So, instead of just running the one mile & trying to cut my time to 10 min, I have focused on increasing my distance. The Couch to 5K seemed successful for Nicole, so I am also trying that. I have recruited another therapist from work to run with me this summer. I really hope we don't have a heat stroke. It is crazy hot down here in the summer! I am more determined now to run, just because she said I couldn't...

I will keep you all posted, and if there's any of you that would also like to accept the challenge, comment! Even a walk instead of a run would be fun and the family can do it, too!

Tatiana's "Special" Day!

Tatiana told her brothers tonight, "It is MY special day!"

We have had an exciting day spending with Tatiana and acknowledging her hard work and efforts at school. She received several awards including Computer, High Honor Roll (Each 9 weeks - A honor roll), Language, P.E., and Good Behavior Trophy (never changing her card!).

Tonight, we went to another Award's ceremony where she received another medal for honor roll. After that, we went to Coco Loco's to treat her to a "special" dinner.

Here are some pictures that give you a glimpse of our "happy special day!"

My Big Boy!

a real character

he brings us much joy and many smiles

a few of our creations...

We have made right over 50 dolls at this point. I ran out of ribbon to match the material we have. As you can tell there are some rough edges, but for the most part, they are cute-sy! Diego and Tatiana love their dolls! We are hoping they will bring smiles to many more little people in Colombia as well!

A Quick Update!

Not much going on... EXCEPT... my daughter is going to graduate from KG on Monday!!! I can't believe it-- already!

I can't believe it will be two years June 4th, and we will be in Colombia on our second Gotcha Day!!!! I am so excited! Who knows maybe that will be the day we go to ICBF!

Tonight, I bought several yards of fabric and fiberfil to make handkerchief dolls to take to give away to children in Colombia! I made about 10 of them tonight. Tomorrow, we are doing this as a family project! Hopefully, I grab a few pics!

Diego is becoming a big boy! His speech is getting better. He's as smart as ever... learning math, and if he can't read, he fabricates the coolest stories! He is full of joy and brings us many smiles. Tonight, he got out of bed to ask his Papi if he liked his hair!! =) I cut it this afternoon! He is muy guapo!

Tatiana has made more and more friends at school. It is neat to see her blossom. From time to time, she says some of the cutest things... I might ask her "How did you know that?" Her reply, "Jesus tell me!" So funny! She still talks about her sister, and is praying her home...

Andrew is doing better in school with behavior. He has been a positive role model for his siblings. It is beautiful seeing him teach them things. I love it! I especially loved it when I came in from work, and he met me in the hall and said, "Mami, another good day!" Shaking his head! =) He has also enjoyed cooking with Ben at night... He really is a daddy's boy. He loves to go with Ben whereever he might go.

Well, that was a quick update. Hopefully, we'll post some pics this weekend. If not this weekend, we will after graduation on Monday! Have a great one! Expect BIG things and do GREATER things and of course, look for your "something beautiful" this weekend!

We got tickets!

We got our tickets yesterday! We decided to save a few bucks and drive to Miami to catch a direct flight to Cali! It will be a long road trip, but we'll make it fun. Hopefully, we can meet up with Jenn M. on the way back home!

We'll be going to Colombia May 30 thru Jun 6th. We are excited and will keep you posted!

My Girlie-Mami Day

I think... I am fascinated... by God's amazing love. His loving kindness is everlasting! I am so very grateful for my family and how God brought us all together! What wonderful treasures!

We Have the Passports!

Now we wait for our refund check... we may go ahead and buy our tickets next week. We have talked about driving to Miami and flying straight to Cali from there! Cheaper flights, but a long drive. (Jenn, does that mean we'll pass by your way?) This hasn't been set in stone yet, but we're talking about it as a possibility.

We've spoken to the Hill Family and lots seems to be going on in Colombia! We can't wait to jump in and be a part of the excitement! We will keep you informed!