This is a little late...

Here´s a few photos for starters.
On Friday I got a couple of the girls to bake with me. We made cookies (Kat! the Devils Food recipe!) for the kids who couldn't go to graduation and a chocolate chip cake for the graduate, Brenda. It's a rule (only occasionally enforced) that we have to wear hairnets. Awesome.



Our chocolate chip cake.. modified due to a lack of ingredients and only goofy-shaped pans. I had three options: a car, Mickey Mouse, or this "butterfly".





Brenda graduated college last Friday. Lauren and I were both emotional over the things this amazing young woman has overcome. She is a friend... and those of you who know me well know by this picture that it is completely appropriate for this goofball to befriend me.




feetsies





It's been an insane week or so. Want proof?
Last Friday- One of the little girls, Nancy, tried to "run away" as a reaction to her well-deserved punishment. She didn't want to have to clean up trash for two weeks so the girl left the property all afternoon and into the night. We were panicked. After sending a search party out for her, she came home terrified and shaken up. We fed her donuts and put her to bed with Lauren. What in the world.
Tuesday- Got three new kids (two girls) and my first Mexican/80's rockstar haircut.
About the two girls: one walked in full of energy and amazed by her new surroundings. She wanted to touch everything around her and immediately asked if we would paint her fingernails... I did (and then painted another 30 nails!). If you asked her to say the same sentence three times, she would say something different every time because her mind is always moving. The other girl-- totally quiet and shy. We thought the hyper, stealing one was going to be our problem. I won´t go into details, but the quiet one ended up having a meltdown later that evening that lasted hours and only ended after Mama´ gave her a sleeping pill. I´ve never seen anything more terrifying or heart-breaking. She was looking under sheets and beds for her mother. She wasn´t there... so Lauren and I cried with her.
Wednesday- I led devotions the next day. Lauren and I will be doing this every Wednesday from now on. Prayerfully, one day we´ll be able to do it in Spanish.

There´s been more since then (but I slipped into this lil´ internet cafe just for a few minutes to finish this entry). In fact, I just got back from the most insane ¨field trip¨ I´ve ever been on. I´ll post pictures this weekend... maybe.
My dad will be here in a matter of days now, and I can´t wait to share this experience with someone I love. Linda and the Michigan group will be here after that.. and then Team Vito? The next couple months are gonna be busy times. ...and then I´ll be done here. Wow.

I had two dreams the past week that lead me to believe that I am subconsciously (sp?) missing home. First, I dreamt I was playing with my nephew for hours. I can´t remember anything about it but that I woke up feeling like I´d been with him. I miss that little booger. The other? Well, I can´t remember... but it was home. My other home. I guess this is home for now. But I praise God that I love the girls more than ever and I am mostly comfortable here. I´m growing and stretching and getting way freaked out about December. What will I do then? Lauren and I both had terrible stomach aches on Sunday evening after being asked about next year.... neither of us really know what to do. All you readers could pray for us about this. I just want whatever I do to be worshipful and for Christ to be seen. Call me ¨Captain Vague¨.

I´m signing off.
Peace,
Maria Elena