It’s been a long time since I’ve updated the blog. It’s not that I haven’t been doing anything, I’ve just been super lazy at taking photos and documenting. However, I did manage to take a few lounging around the house the other day, so I thought I could post those. Ava is getting so big now!! She is almost 10 months old, and every day seems to bring new likes and dislikes. She’s finally crawling and eating well. She’s still on the small side, but I think she’s going to start catching up soon. I now have to always have to keep one eye on that little ball of fire because if she spots something she wants… she’ll go for it!! Her obsessions are the tv remotes, my cell phone, and any piece of jewelry I might be wearing. She babbles all day, and I love her sweet little squeaky voice. It makes things so much more lively around the house!
I have a new church calling. I have been released as the Cub Scout Bear leader, and I am now in the Young Women’s as the Personal Progress Leader. It’s been quite the challenge figuring it all out, but I’m having so much fun. I love getting to the know the girls, and I hope I can help them set and complete their goals. I know that Personal Progress is an important part of the Young Women program, so my goals are to find fun ways to motivate them and have fun at the same time! When I was their age, I didn’t really see the value in it. However, the program has been changed and they are now offering more incentives along the way to increase the girls motivation. It’s wonderful to see the changes, and in fact I have set a goal for myself begin working toward earning my own medallion. It’s a lot of work but I can’t ask the girls to do something that I wouldn’t do myself. It seems like the right thing to do.
A few weeks ago, I began thinking about Guatemala and suddenly…. I couldn’t get it out of my head. I started rehashing all my experiences in my mind. The good, the bad, the wonderful, the heartbreaking….. it was so strange. I have been mentally “checked out” from everything going on there since I had the baby. I was so preoccupied with everything going on here, I just couldn’t do both. Then suddenly, BAM…. something happened to me. I called Debbie, we talked… and by the end of the conversation I had basically committed myself to making another trip. I can’t really explain it. I feel so strongly that there’s a reason why I need to get involved again… now. Our entire board has had a very rough year, and we all were in survival mode. Within a few days, I made contact with Kevin…. and I couldn’t believe when he told me the rest of the board wanted to make a trip to Guatemala at the same time! The timing had never been better. This wasn’t something that was planned, we weren’t talking to each other, and yet in one phone call…. there was a commitment. I felt there was a reason why after so long…. we all felt the same prompting to reunite and do something. Now I’m not going overly dramatic here… but I feel we are being led back together. I don’t know why, I don’t really know what we’re supposed to do…. but it feels right. That’s all I know. Since my decision, I have been burning with excitement and motivation to do something. The people of Guatemala are in dire circumstances since they were hit by hurricane agatha this year. We are looking to go there and help a village or small group of villages in the area. Hundreds of families are living under plastic tents during the rainy season, children are without shoes, men without proper clothing, and almost all go to bed each night with empty bellies. This is obviously a much bigger problem than we can fix, but we have been networking with many kind and generous organizations and volunteers. No matter what…. things will improve. There is an amazing american couple who live there in the area, and they have done some amazing work. They are truly considered “Earth Angels” for some of these villages. Both our organization and hers will be joining forces to help the same cause as we move forward in plans and projects. It’s very exciting to see everything come together, and it has been a testament to me the power of service and charity. Unbelievable things happen, and prayers are answered when led by love. It’s one of the few times in my life where I can account for many little miracles, and faith. What lessons I have learned and I hope to grow and become a more spiritual person as I lean on my testimony, faith, and hard work. If you are interested in seeing some of the work being done, and the everyday stories that occur in these areas, please visit the Journal/Blog of Vicki Dalia. She is the found and President of Safe Homes for Children. To read her journal…. click HERE
Anyway… . I’m here. Things are great. I’m going to do better. Thanks for visiting!!!