Clay in His Hands

Jan 2012 Update

2012-02-12T21:35:00.002-05:00

January 2012

The kids enjoyed their last full month of being on break from school. Mid-February they return to classes. Which means we are back to early mornings and afternoons doing homework. The staff have survived the three month summer break of having all the kids at home every day. The staff are so ready for the kids to be back in
school and most of the children are ready to go back too. There is a lot of work getting 15 kids ready for a new year here in Honduras. We have to get them registered and get their uniforms and book bags ready. Most of the kids are all beaming with excitement and ready to get to school. There are a few who are a bit nervious. We have two who are going to be in high school this year. It is new for them (and us) and they are quite nervous. I know with out a shadow of a doubt they will do just fine.

While we were in the states Casa took in three new children. Two twins; brothers Olman and Josue. They are two months old. Korbin is only a few days older than they are. They came here itty bitty and weak. They are slowly growing and getting their strength. They still have a long ways to go yet so please remember them in your prayers. We also a little boy named Cris that has came here to live. He is 4 years old and a sweet little ornery kid. Chris had a hard
time adjusting at first but he seems to be doing better now with learning the rules and schedule and adusting.

Korbin turned two months old! He continues to do well, he has out grown his preemie clothes and and is up to 9 lbs now. He is such a gift to us. After many tests and Dr. appointments we are finding out what a real miracle Korbin is to us.

While in the states I had to have a bone marrow test to get further results on my blood issues. For now it seems that I will just have to be on blood thinners and monitor my clotting weekly. There comes a lot of anxiousness as I am on Coumadin for life and getting my INR levels to be theraputic. Although God is bigger than all of this and HE will take care of me.

We made our way back to Honduras the 30th of January. We didn't tell any of the staff or kids we were coming back yet and they were all so surprised to see us.

Please pray that Dorian and I will be used by our Father to bring glory to Him in all we do.

Blessings~

Dorian, Karen and Korbin Guido

Kari Jobe

2012-02-11T09:34:00.000-05:00

"Here"

Written By: Kari Jobe

“God, I’m broken. I feel lost and helpless. My heart God, my heart hurts and I don’t understand where you are or what you’re doing. Help Me.”

This song “Here” was written out of a broken place. Have you ever gotten news in your life where you felt shattered? You felt shaken up? A shaking not of your faith in God, but a shaking of everything you thought you knew to be true in your life. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s unknown. This is a time that the only thing you know to do is fall to your knees and cry out to God for help.

Psalm 46:1-7 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge… Be still and know that He is God.”

Let Him be an anchor for your soul. A gravity that pulls you back and pulls you into a place to comfort you. To strengthen you. To sustain you. He is a refuge in the midst of the storm. He cares for you. There will be things in our lives that we walk through that are hard. But His grace will get you through. Just breathe in His presence and keep moving forward. We hold onto the promises of God and we will make it through the hard moments and have a stronger testimony and a deeper faith in our God. Don’t stay shattered but let God’s grace flood your heart and give you peace. You will find Him here.

Write down some moments where you experienced hard moments but you know God’s grace and strength helped you through.

~Kari Jobe

Fearless

2012-02-10T21:07:00.003-05:00

Katy

Out of all of our kids Katy knows no fear! She can climb the highest tree, get on top of the biggest dog (that she doesn't even know), jump all around from one thing to another and on and on goes the list, you get the idea. Well earlier this week she was outside rollerblading and she grabbed on to the back of one of the bikes the Antonio was riding and starting yelling faster, faster. Well before long she fell and skinned/burned her arm on the bike tire. We saw her skin has been rubbed off but didn't think much of it, with 24 kids we can't go running to the hospital for everything.

Well last night at shower time she couldn't get her shirt off because her shirt was stuck to her skin. Dilma cleaned it up and put iodine on it and dressed it. We talked and decided this afternoon I would take her to the Dr. to see if I could get some cream or something to put on it. Well this morning when Terri was changing the dressing it was stuck to her skin once again and had to pull it off. Then she started bleeding and bleeding and bleeding. Terri had to hold pressure on it to get it to stop bleeding.

Terri and I decided that we needed to get her to the Dr. sooner than later. So I dropped the kids off at school and then we to the local hospital her to have her checked out. They told me they would need to keep her overnight and hopefully would be able to come home Saturday morning.

First of all in the hospital we can not have phones. So I could not call anyone to tell them they were going to keep Katy. Katy was a little worried and was having a hard time understanding she was going to spend the night in the hospital. She started to get a little teary eyed. After getting her all checked in I told her I needed to go get her some things and check on Korbin and I would be back later with some stuff to give to her.

When I returned to the hospital I found her with three puzzles she was putting together and some toys on her bed. She was loving it!!! I had packed a bag for her with snacks, slippers, unos cards, coloring sheets and personal items. She told me she thought she could stay there for a week! She is keeping the nurses on their toes as she quickly disappears from her bed and wonders the hall to the playroom to find more toys. Also I think she has made friends with all of the nurses/cleaning ladies and told them all sort of stories!

This evening one of our staff is staying the night with her. Let's hope she gets better soon and she gets to come back home tomorrow.

Back to school they go......

2012-02-09T22:16:00.003-05:00

Brayan and Pamela

They both have orientation all week. This year they are at the high school/ middle school. It is a big change for both of them. They are a little nervous about all the new surroundings this year but they will do just fine. Monday they start their first day of class.

Adonis (2nd grade)

He is super excited to be in school this year. He came to live here at Casa last March, but because of behavior problems we decided we would wait til this year to but him into school. So he is super excited to be in school after waiting all last year. Also today is Adonis's birthday! He turned 9 years old!!!

13 kids in 1st thru 6th grade. There was a lot of excitement for all of them today as they headed back to school today.

Lupe (1st grade)

Preschool ~ Josue, Any

Homeschool ~ Reina

Kinder ~ Cris

1st grade ~ Lupe and Maryuri

2nd grade ~ Adonis and Nohemy

3rd grade ~ Sisi and Katy

4th grade ~ Ana, Jose, Daniela, Fernando, Cindy and Rosy

5th grade ~ Jackson

6th grade ~ Antonio

7th grade ~ Bryan and Pamela

It is always good to get them back to school after a long summer break but there is always a lot of responsibility that comes with them back in school. Early morning and long afternoons of homework. Lots of school meetings! Here is hoping that 2012 is one of the best school years yet. Hoping that they will not miss too many days of school as they have in the years past.

PJ's

2012-02-07T20:33:00.004-05:00

Bryan

Every year the kids usually get a new pair of pj's from grandma Joyce (Joyce Foreman). The kids love love love their new pj's!!! They usually have their pair from the year before worn out by the time the new pj's come around they are in need of the new pj's. Especially the boys who are a little bit harder on their pj's and seem to wear holes in their knees of their pj's, I know that seems hard to believe.

Thank you thank you thank you grandma Joyce for the new pj's. The kids love them!!!!!

Jackson

Doris

Ana

Reina

Cindy was so excited about getting her picture taken with her new pj's that she put them on before she even took her shower. She wanted to make sure I got a picture of her in them for Grandma Joyce.

Fernando

Nohemy

Maryuri nd Katy came to the apartment this evening making sure that I took a picture of them to send to grandma Joyce.

adjustments

2012-02-05T19:56:00.003-05:00

Josue

Olman

Our house parent, Mirian has lots of adjusting to do. Although she is doing wonderful with the 5 new kids that she has taken into her house. I thought with her taking all of these new kids she would be super stressed and ready to run far away maybe when I got back from the states. Although she is getting help from others and seems to be doing really well with the change. Continue to keep her and the new kids in your prayers as they all continue to adjust.

Babies

2012-02-01T20:33:00.004-05:00

Little did I know Korbin would be the big baby at Casa. While we were in the states twin brothers were taken here at Casa. They are tiny. One is as little as when Korbin was born, around 4lbs. The only thing is they are two months old and so is Korbin but they are still struggling to gain weight. Their birthday is the 25th of November and Korbin's is the 21st of November. Four days apart but they look a couple months apart comparing their size.

Today I had to go over to the other house to talk to one of the staff and I had Korbin with me so we decided to take a picture of all three of them together.

Here is Josue, Korbin and Olman

In awe...

2012-01-27T23:52:00.002-05:00

About two years ago we started trying to get pregnany and start our family. Well we quickly found out it was not going to come so easy. I had been told in the past by my Dr. that I might have trouble getting pregnant due to having polycystic syndrome.

Dorian and I both have a love for children. This was truly our hearts desire to have children. We began to pray and pray and ask God to bless my body and give us a child. After a year went by we got very down and out and frustrated. Wondering if this was even ever going to happen. We finally searched out for help with fertility drugs. We tried several options with no avail. Finally we tried a different one where we would take a series of injections.

After two years of trying we finally were expecting in April 2011 . It felt so unreal. After waiting two years which seemed like eternity. I clearly remember the nights we would lay in bed and pray and pray to God for our child. At times I thought he wasn't listening. It became hard on me and I began to those faith. It hurt deep down in places thinking that I would never birth a child. Although once again I have to remember God had things planned and in his perfect timing, not ours.

I am coming to find our baby boy is truly a miracle baby. We had so many odds against us but we had one bigger than all of those odds on our side too....GOD.

I had a near to perfect pregnancy! Just felt great all of the way around. Korbin was to be born around December 31st. Just in time to ring in the new year. Well things turned out a little different. He made his way into the world November 21st, 2011 . We were suppose to fly home the 22nd. We thought 6 weeks before we as due was plenty of time, well we sure were wrong. My Dr. was even shocked to see that Korbin made his way onto the world so soon.

Soon after Korbin was born I developed a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis. We got back to the states to have further testing only to find out I have Factor V Leiden. Women with this disorder usually have many miscarriages and it is very hard to carry the baby to term alive. We were even more humbled how God had his hand in all of this. Well now we came to find out I have a heart shaped uterus. Even more odds against us. Our GOD truly is amazing and so ever faithful. He is bigger than anything!! Nothing with him is impossible. We are so ever grateful for Korbin our miracle baby. I am just reminded when we call on Jesus and believe all things are possible!

Don't stop believing! He will carry you through! Call on Him and give him the desires of your heart and believe that whole heartily, but you must remember it is in His timing not ours.

Hungry

2012-01-20T14:14:00.000-05:00

I Am Hunger

read›
Lamentations 2:18-20
Lift up your hands to Him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in
every street they are faint with hunger (v.19).

In a previous article, I wrote about four severely
malnourished siblings that I have been daily feeding.
The children—Joshua, Mirika, Ashaba, Katseme—
look drastically different now that they’ve been receiving
nutritious food on a regular basis. Their stomachs are no
longer bloated and their skin is no longer covered with
sores. And their hair is no longer falling out in patches.
Often, I think back to the unusual way I first met the
children. The oldest, Joshua, was caught stealing food in
my house. When I asked him why he chose to steal rather
than ask me for food, he replied, “Because I am hunger.”
Lamentations 4:9 claims, “Those killed by the sword
are better off than those who die of hunger.” If being
stabbed is a more pleasant way to pass on than starving
to death, it’s no wonder hunger drove Joshua to steal.
Intense hunger depletes a person’s strength (Job
18:12). It causes children to faint (Job 17:5; Lamentations
2:19), and causes the lowly of society to scrounge for
food in desolate places (Job 30:3).

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO), “The new estimate of the
number of people who [suffered] chronic hunger [in 2011]
is 925 million.” Our God is a God who surely desires
that these hunger statistics improve. Just as He “satisfied
[the Israelites’] hunger” by providing meat and manna in
the wilderness (Psalm 105:40), God longs to open His
hand and “satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing” today (145:16).
Let’s join Him by praying earnestly for the millions of starving people around
the world, and by seeking tangible ways to help “satisfy the hunger” of His
“treasured ones” (17:14).

Love

2012-01-19T22:42:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry for passing judgement instead of extending LOVE.

I think we all need to try a little harder at extending our arms wide open with love.

Keeping the evil one away

2012-01-18T17:07:00.001-05:00

There is power in HIS word! We must be on guard and ready for the attacks the evil one will throw our way.
Satan is always looking for His next chance to tempt us (1 Peter
5:8). That’s why we need to guard against weakness and isolation through
accountability with fellow believers. We can also memorize Scripture that will
help us face and defeat temptation. Then we’ll be equipped to resist the devil
and send him packing (James 4:7).

Martín Luther King Day

2012-01-16T15:56:00.001-05:00

Enemies

read›
Matthew 5:38-47
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the
children of God (v.9).

I am forced to preach under something of a handicap
this morning,” said Dr. Martin Luther King on a
November day in 1957. His physician had instructed
him to stay in bed, but King insisted on speaking.
Paraphrasing the words of Jesus, he declared to
the congregation at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in
Montgomery, Alabama: “You have heard that it has
been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine
enemy.’ But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven”
(see Matthew 5:43-45).

As an African-American living in the southern United
States, which was stained with the sin of racism, Dr. King
preached under an even more virulent handicap that gave
his words all the more validity. “How do you go about
loving your enemies?” he asked. “Begin with yourself.
There might be something within you that arouses the
tragic hate response in the other individual . . . When the
opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy,
that is the time which you must not do it.”

As we consider our enemies and the animosity we
harbor toward them, we’re wise to remember that we
were once enemies of God! (See Romans 5:10.) But now,
as we have believed in Him, “our Lord Jesus Christ has
made us friends of God” (v.11). We now have the “task of reconciling people
to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:18). That’s why God tells us not to avenge ourselves,
but rather leave it to God who says, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back”
(Romans 12:19).

The way to defeat our enemies is to show them the astonishing, Spirit-filled
love of God.

Grateful

2012-01-10T13:39:00.002-05:00

There is no luck in my life. I am just BLESSED!!

Thank you again to all of you who have prayed for us through my health issues and Korbin's birth. We are blessed to have such great and caring people in our lives. The encouragement is what keeps us going. Satan so easily would like to steal our joy. Which is easy to do when we loose our focus. I pray that this year is a year that our focus is totally and completely on HIM.

Dec. 2011 Update

2012-01-06T04:00:00.002-05:00

December 2011

Happy New Year to all!!!! Hope that you all had a great New Year's Celebration and Christmas. Hope it was full of making new memories and spending time with friends and family.

We made it back here to the states to celebrate Christmas with my family. I think everyone was a little bit more excited about spending time with and celebrating the birth of Korbin.

Korbin is thriving and doing wonderful. As for me we are still working on blood tests and Dr. visits to see what we can find out. Hope to get some answers and determine if any treatment is needed.

To start the month off we had an appointment with the American Embassy the 1st of December to apply for Korbin's U.S. citizenship and his passport. We got all of the papers completed and handed in the same day and even got his passport the same day. Which was a miracle in it's self.

Upon arriving here to the states Korbin and I both have had Dr. appointments. Thank you so much to all who continue to remember us in prayer. Korbin has a clear bill of health but Dr.'s recommend I continue to get health treatment and testing done here before returning to Honduras.

Many of you might remember me talking about two little kids named Any(Annie) and Yair a few months back. They were only with us at Casa for a short period of time. The judge made a ruling for us to return the kids to their mother. Well that did not last long at all. They were soon put back in the system at IHNFA (children's services). We have been waiting for about two months for them to do a full investigation and get their paper work done to get them back to CASA.

Well right before Christmas they were given back to us. So we went from 19 kids to 21 kids. Pray for them and their adjustment, the other children as they adjust to new kids in the house and the staff especially their Tia Mirian who will be taking care of them full time.

This year we had one child in kindergarten, Guadalupe. She graduated the first week in December and will be going on to first grade in February. The kids continue to be on their "summer break". Enjoying all of their extra free time. February and the start of a new school year will be here before we know it. Although not too sure it can come fast enough for the staff that is with them 24/7 right now!

Thank you again for all of the prayers and encouragement for Korbin, Dorian and me during this last couple of months. Wishing you an abundant of blessing in 2012!!!!

Blessings~

Dorian, Karen & Korbin Guido

Resolutions

2012-01-05T14:15:00.002-05:00

I never have been one for resolutions but here are a few things to think about. Hope you are challenged to make a difference and step out of your comfort zone be HIS hands and feet to those around you. Don't wait till next year start NOW!!!! 2012 just might be the year for changes.

Shane Claiborne's 12 Resolutions (Hopes) for 2012

12. Do something really nice – that no one knows about.

11. Spend more money on other people than I spend on my self. Love my neighbor as I love myself. And love myself as I love my neighbor.

10. Laugh often… especially at advertisements that try to convince me that I must buy more stuff in order to be happy.

9. Learn a new life skill – like carpentry, pottery, or canning vegetables. Teach someone else 1 life skill I know how to do.

8. Love a few people well, remembering that what is important is not how much we do but how much love we put into doing it.

7. Write a letter to someone I need to say thank you to. Write another letter to someone I need to ask to forgive me.

6. Track down a critic or someone I disagree with and take them to lunch. Listen to them.

5. Compliment someone I have a hard time complimenting… and mean it.

4. Choose life. Do something regularly to interrupt the patterns of injustice – do something to end violence, bullying, war, capital punishment and other mean and ugly things.

3. Pause before every crisis and ask “will this matter in 5 years?”

2. Get outside often and marvel at things like fireflies and shooting stars. And regularly get my hands into the garden… so when I type on the computer I can see dirt under my fingernails.

1. Believe in miracles. And live in a way that might necessitate one.

---
Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way and author of books including The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President.

Birthday's

2012-01-04T14:57:00.002-05:00

A little behind with the Casa birthday's.

Doris & Guadalupe had a birthday Dec. 12th!!! Doris turned 14 years old and Guadalupe turned 7 years old.

Jose had a birthday Dec. 26th and he turned 10 years old.

Ana's birthday is today Jan. 4th and she turns 11 years old.

Then Jackson's birthday Jan. 11th and he turns 10 years old.

Have been horrible at blogging lately but hope to get back on track real soon. Here is hoping that 2012 is a better year of blogging for me.

happy new year!!!!

2012-01-03T14:46:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to all! Hoping that 2012 is a blessing for all. Excited to see the ways God continues to move and work in our lives!! We are so blessed to being doing what we do. So unworthy to be chosen to do the work we do but are grateful for the opportunity placed before us.

May 2102 be a year we get all are challenged to get out of our comfort zones and do something about those hurting around you. Be HIS hands and feet!!!!!

November Update 2011

2011-12-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

November 2011

Started off the month refreshed as I started the month off ending the
Women of Purpose Retreat. It was a huge blessing to so many of us
missionaries. The ladies that came to put on the Women of Purpose
retreat are some dear sweet women who have helped me in my walk and
encouraged me along the way. They gave me a small baby shower for
Korbin before heading back to the states. It was a blessing to get a
few things for Korbin.

The kids finished up their exams. They finished up the school year and
now are on their summer break. It is always challenging trying to find
enough to keep 19 kids busy when they are on their break. I was only
there working with them for one week on their break. Please be praying
for all of those caring for the children right now. It is always long
long days and with 19 kids their is always some sort of

adventure.Usually never a dull moment.

Our state run license (IHNFA) expired and we have been busy completing
and turning all of paper work that has to be done to renew our
license. Upon completion of our paper work we were waiting on our
yearly inspection. Well sure enough IHNFA showed up to do their
supervision on the home. This is a huge relief to have that done
before I went back to the states. Now we are just waiting on our
actual license to be done and handed to us. Things move at such a slow
rate in Honduras. We have learned lots of patience as it always seems
to be a waiting game.

We were surprised as Korbin made his way into the world 6 weeks early.
He was born November 21st, 2011 @ 10:46am, he was 4lbs & 8oz & 18.6
inches. I experienced contractions all weekend long and went to the
Dr. the 21st Monday to see if I was still ok to fly the 22nd Tuesday
to come back to the states. Wasn't sure if I was having braxton hicks
or if I was really going into labor. The Dr. quickly informed us that
he was going to have to do an emergency c-section. The baby was breech
and I was quickly progressing as I was already dilated to 7 upon
arriving at the Dr.'s office. We got to come home thanksgiving day.
Upon arriving at home we had to keep Korbin warm as he was unable to
regulate his heat yet and we had to feed him with droppers or a
syringe. Quickly we worked his way up to drinking out of a bottle. I
experienced pain in my lower left leg after coming home from the
hospital. Thought it was a pulled muscle or something but after a few
days the pain just got worse. So went to get a doppler ultrasound done
and found out that I had Deep Vein Thrombosis. Between the c-section
and the DVT Dorian and my mom had to take turns taking care of Korbin
and me.
Thank you for all of your prayers for baby Korbin. Continue to keep
him in your prayers that he can grow and get stronger each and every
day and for me as there are tests being ran to further understand the
blood clot.

Blessings,

Dorian, Karen and & Korbin Guido

6th grade graduation

2011-11-27T19:35:00.002-05:00

Today was 6th grade graduation. The first of many hopefully here at Casa. Pamela and Bryan are the first here at Casa to graduate from 6th grade. Graduating from 6th grade here in this country is huge. As many do not even complete 6th grade and many others graduate and then do not continue their education.

Proud of both Pamela and Bryan an this huge accomplishment!!!

They are both are already a little unsure about high school but I am sure they both will do just fine.

Pamela and Bryan signing the book from the school, making it official they are no longer 6th graders!

Bryan and Pamela

Korbin Xavier Guido

2011-11-25T19:52:00.002-05:00

Korbin Xavier Guido

Korbin surprised us all and made his way into the world November 21st, 2011 at 10:46am.

He is slowly adapting as is mommy an daddy.

School is out............

2011-11-14T19:50:00.002-05:00

Today was the first official day of the kids school "summer break". No more classes til Feb when they start the new school year. We still have 6th grade graduation, kindergarten graduation, report cards and end of the school year parties. Although as for now the kids have no more classes til next year. Today they started their out of school schedule. It is all about finding enough things to occupy their time and that are beneficial for them at the same time. Something for 19 kids to occupy their time is challenging at times. Giving them too much free time they just end of getting into more trouble.

October 2011 Update

2011-11-12T19:40:00.001-05:00

October 2011

We started the month off by going to Nicaragua to visit with some of Dorian's family. His mom's birthday was Oct. 2nd! and she was thrilled to see us. It was a much overdue visit as It had been over a year since I had to been with Dorian to Nicaragua to visit his family. It was very HOT and my pregnant body actually did ok with all of the traveling and all of the heat.

Here in Honduras, we had almost two straight weeks of rain. The kids hardly had classes due to all of the rain. There was lots of damage done here in the south of Honduras. We just had very wet and muddy grounds and leaks but not too many problems for us here in Santa Ana.

Korbin continues to grow inside me. The month of October marked the 7 month mark. Time is quickly approaching for Korbin be here.

This month marks 5 years since Cindy, Maryrui, Katy, Reina, and Fernando have been here at CASA. It also marks 6 years since I moved here to Honduras. Crazy how time flies. The journey I have been on the last 6 years has taught me so much.

The last weekend of the month I got to spend with the Women of Purpose team from home. They came here last year for the first time to put on a retreat for all of us english speaking missionaries. It was a huge blessing as we made many new friends, new contacts, and just got to relax and spend the weekend speaking english . This year was not any different. It was a huge blessing!!!

Blessings~

Dorian and Karen Guido

Christmas

2011-11-11T18:13:00.002-05:00

The Christmas tree is up. There are a few of the kids who have been asking me when we were going to put the tree up. Well yesterday the tree was put up. We usually put it up close to the 1st of Nov. A little late this year so a few of the kids got a little antsy. Rosy and Pamela helped put up the tree and did most of the work.

Now the kids are singing Christmas carols and asking how many more days til Christmas. And the countdown begins for the kids.

Women of Purpose...Revive

2011-11-09T14:54:00.002-05:00

Sisterhood like we have never experienced. Women of Purpose came to Tegucigalpa this week to encourage the missionaries here. They loved up on us, pampered us, helped us do some heart searching, and we had some wonderful coveted time to spend alone with God. Many of us are so alone here, many communities are isolated but as we became one, we realize we are not alone and we can do this!!! Ezekiel 37, now these DRY Bones can live again! (as put in words from a friend of mine from the weekend)

It was super good for my hear to be around some people that are warriors and great strong christian examples.

Prayer Cluster!!!!!

Games

2011-11-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

The other morning the kids all decided they were going to start the morning with being bored and complaining. So Dorian decided he was go to think of games for all of the kids to play. Sometimes it is hard to get all of the kids to cooperate and get them to focus on the game at hand and without fighting. Although they did pretty well except a few of the older ones got a little bit of competitiveness in them and were not very good at wanting to be patient with the younger ones.

Team number 1

Team number 2

Still waiting.....

2011-11-04T12:06:00.002-04:00

We continue to wait for the paper work to be completed to take back Any and Yair into our home again. We do know they are at IHNFA again and we are just waiting for the paper work to get done. Since they were in the system such a short time the judge is asking for lots of paper work and a complete investigation in their case this time around. So it is taking a lot longer to get them back into our home. Marc is planning on taking the social worker Monday morning to help get some of the investigation done on their case. They government office for children services (IHNFA) has been on strike and in all sorts of problems. So they are telling me they do not know when they will get the case work done on these children as they do not have the government vehicles for transportation available to finish the investigation. So that is were we are going to try to help out and Marc is going to go with the social worker Monday morning and we will go from there.

These are the most recent pictures of Any and Yair. I snuck in to see them during nap time at IHNFA the other day. Praying soon they will be back into our home! Mirian and all of the kids are anxiously waiting their arrival back!

Chilly

2011-10-23T18:42:00.002-04:00

I am finally enjoying some fall weather. The rain has stopped finally and we just have a few sprinkles here and there. I think everyone is much happier with it being cold than rainy.

The kids sure are much happier. They get to go outside now and jump, run, scream and just be kids and get all of their energy out. Also with the rain stopping the kids are back in classes. Only a few more weeks and they are out for the school year. Won't be much longer.

I know much of you are experiencing much colder temps. Although for Honduras it sure does get pretty cold and windy here at night. Usually in the low 50s every morning. Although the way some of the Honduran people bundle up you would be sure to think it was going to snow.

Thank you for all of the prayers for those who have been effected by the rains. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue to recover.

A ray of sunshine

2011-10-19T20:54:00.003-04:00

The kids were finally able to get outside today and run, play, scream, yell, and be kids!!! They have not been outside since last week sometime. It looks like we might see the end of the rain, FINALLY!!! This afternoon they were outside from 3 til 5:30! Let's hope tomorrow there is even more sunshine!!! Because of all of the rain they kids have not had school. It is nice to have a break from homework with the kids but it is a headache some days to have 19 kids inside all day long. We are ready for them to get back on schedule. They are also anxious to get back to school and get outside and be able to play also.

Continue to say a prayer for many who have been effected and even though the rains have stopped there are many who have lost everything.

and the rain continues...

2011-10-15T13:08:00.002-04:00

The rains continue to fall. We are now going on day number 5 of it raining here in Santa Ana. Last night as I tried to sleep I kept waking up as I heard the heavy rains beat down on our tin roof. There was even one point last night I woke Dorian up and said oh honey I feel so bad for these people that have water running through their houses and inches and inches of mud in their house.

Many have already lost their homes due to landslides and many are on the verge of losing their homes. Bridges, livestock, crops, homes, have been destroyed.

All despite all of the destruction many people continue to put their trust in God. Their faith is amazing!!!!

Took this little section below from another missionary living here in Honduras.....

"Many people have said that they haven’t seen flooding this bad since Hurricane Mitch destroyed southern Honduras in 1998. But despite all of the destruction, I have been encouraged and blessed today. The hope and trust of the people here is amazing. One sister told me today, “God is in control. He knows what he is doing. Sometimes God takes good things away from us, but he only does it to help us rely on him more. It’s a lesson. I know he will carry us through.”

Please say a prayer for all of those being affected by the rains.

rain, rain, and more rain

2011-10-12T18:25:00.002-04:00

We have seen a lot of rain in the past two days. The kids have been inside for the most part the last two days. Heaven help us all..........19 kiddos inside all day!

It has been cold and dreary. I love the coolness as it makes me feel like I am tasting a little bit of fall in the air. Fall is by far my favorite time of year.

Although we hope to see a little bit of sun soon. It is hard to get all of the clothes washed and dried with little to no sun. As for now we are trying to stay dry and sane with a house full of 19 kiddos who are more than ready for some sunshine.

Sept. Update 2011

2011-10-11T12:57:00.001-04:00

September 2011

We ended August with two new children here at Casa. After just a few weeks of being here, they were given back to their mother. It was very hard on all of us. We never know when any of the children under our care will go back to their families. We can only love on them and try to give them a better life while they are here at Casa. So we went through a period of adjustment when the two came to our family and now we are adjusting to being without them. It has really taken a toll on their house Mom Mirian. So for now we are back to 19 kiddos as part of our family. We are currently in process of getting new children from IHNFA again and that is a very long, strange process.

We are counting down the days until sweet Korbin is here. September finds us at 6 months and ready every day to welcome him here. The children eagerly await his coming also.

This month the children all celebrated children's day and independence day.
The children do love celebrations and costumes, etc. It gets kind of crazy with around twenty children to get ready for celebrations but they enjoy it so much. The children have just finished their thrid grading period and we are now in the home stretch. It won't be much longer til they are on their "summer break".

Dorian continues to work with his club nutrition and getting clients. It lets him make his own schedule. So it is super nice to have him around most of the time if I need something.

I want to apologize to many of you for late responses to emails and few updates on my blog. We have been without internet and continue to have problems. Hopefully we can get this fixed soon.

Blessings~
Dorian & Karen Guido

Visit to Nicaragua

2011-10-10T12:44:00.002-04:00

Dorian with his sister, mom and some of his nephews.

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Nicaragua to visit Dorian's family. His moms birthday was Oct. 2nd so Dorian wanted to be there for that.

All of his family were very happy to see us. It has been over a year since I had been there so it was a long over due visit. I survived the heat!!! That is always one of my worries when we go there. Sometimes it is more than my body can take and with being pregnant I was not too sure how my body would handle it but I survived!

Happy Birthday Maria!!!!

Dorian and his momma

Snickers

2011-10-09T21:00:00.004-04:00

Really I have not had too many cravings while I have been pregnant. I seem to have the same appetite.

Some days when Dorian is coming from town he will call and ask me what I would like him to pick up before he heads home. Well I guess I mentioned to him snickers a few times. Well one week he was at the grocery store and decided he was going to buy me a box of like 50 snickers!!! WOW!! That is way more chocolate than I need. I had the box of snickers for months. Although I started to realize that there were snickers that were missing..............

I went to make a flurry one evening and was going to use the snickers and found that there wasn't any left. I doubted that Dorian had ate them because he is not much for sweets. I asked him if he knew where the snickers were or who had ate them. He didn't seem to know anything and assured me that he had not touched them. Didn't really think much more about it.

Well the next morning Pamela meets me at the door of the girls bedroom when I go in to wake them up. She had found several wrappers under the girls bed and some in their book bags. Two of the girls had found out that there was a stash of snickers here in the apt and they stocked up.

Although they are paying for them now. They get an allowance of .50 every week if they are on good behavior. Well they snickers are a little over .50 here to buy so now with their allowance they are paying back all of the snickers they stole and ate. I think it is going to take them a good while to pay them all off.

Teleton

2011-10-08T16:45:00.004-04:00

Yesterday two more of our kids started Teleton. There are several here with special needs and the school system here does not have any programs to help those with special needs.

We have have had Mayuri, Doris, and Reina in Teleton for a few years. Although as of yesterday Fernando and Guadalupe started classes. Fernando seems to get things confused when he reads and writes. He will be entering 4th grade next year and for his age he is behind on reading and writing. Guadalupe has speech problems. She is very hard to understand and has a hard time pronouncing words. So she will be with a speech therapist to hopefully help further her along.

We hope to see improvement with Fernando and Guadalupe as they start their classes in Teleton.

any y yair

2011-10-07T20:38:00.005-04:00

It looks like Any and Yair will be coming back to CASA for sure. Last Friday when we were at visitation I went into the office (children's services) to see if they knew anything about Any or Yair. Well sure enough last week they were turned in to IHNFA and are back in the system. Now it is just a waiting game for us to see as to when we will get them back here at CASA. They are now working on new papers with the judges office to get them back into our home. There are so many kids who need help, you would think with us being willing to take them they would work a little faster to get them to us. So any day we should be getting a call and they will be back with our CASA family again. Who knows if that means tomorrow, next week or next month. You never know here with the way the system works here.

After going to the office I went to the house where they were staying to see them. Although they were both in nap time but I still managed to get a picture of them.

Any and Yair...back again?

2011-09-30T07:31:00.000-04:00

When we take new kids in here at CASA we always know that there is a chance that they could be returned to their parents or be taken from us for any given reason at any given time. Although it doesn't stop us from investing and loving on them. It does hurt places deep down in us to have to let them go.

Many of you have read about Any and Yair. They were only with us a few short weeks when we were informed we had to return them to their mom per judges order. She had gotten paper work done and showed whatever to the judge it was that she needed to show to get the kids back in her care. It was a total shock to us the day she showed up at the gate and showed me the papers stating we had to give her kids back.

Well this past Monday I got a phone call from a shelter for teenage girls. They wanted to know if we were willing to take back Any and Yair. I guess their mom had showed up and was living at this shelter but the rule is no kids at the shelter. We told them that they need to go back through the judges office or IHNFA (childrens services) and give us a letter stating they were to come back to CASA to live.

One of our staff memebers also saw them this week begging on the side of the street under the hot sun with their mom. Any recongnized the staff memeber and began to yell for her and the mother ran away with the children.

It is just so sad to think of what they are going through. I just wish their mom could look to her children's well being instead of her being selfish and wanting her kids and then not being able to take care of them.

Supposably paper work is in progress again to send Any and Yair back here to CASA. Please be praying for these two little kids and that their mom can see past her selfishness to look for the good of her own kids and put them back in the system to give them a better life.

quote

2011-09-29T18:25:00.001-04:00

It’s easy to learn facts. We know that eating too many cheeseburgers is
bad for our health, and we know that our failure to forgive is toxic for our soul.
The problem isn’t our knowing these facts, however; it’s the need for doing, for
action. —Winn Collier

Cake

2011-09-28T20:00:00.002-04:00

Cindy and Maryuri with their birthday cake!!!!

Birthday Party

2011-09-20T21:18:00.003-04:00

All of the kids at visitation last month got to celebrate Cindy and Maryuri's birthday! Their mom had been talking since June she was going to have a party. Maryuri had her birthday in June and Cindy in July. They both seemed pretty bummed in July after all of the hype and talk from their mom she only brought each of them a slice a cake. I think she just did not have the money to get what she wanted to get for them.

Well last month (August) she had a big party for the girls! They loved it! As did all of the other kids at visitation as Cindy and Maryuri shared with them too. Their mom first of all had a pinata for all of them. They she had a plate of potato salad, chicken, rice, tortillas and coke. Then to follow all of that up cake! Then she gave all of the kids a goodie bag!!!!

Before slicing the cake

happy birthday bryan

2011-09-19T05:00:00.002-04:00

Bryan has now entered into his teen years! He celebrates his birthday with Independence day here in Honduras, Sept 15th. He thinks that is pretty special because that always means no school!!!

Happy 13th Birthday Bryan!!!!!!

Independence Picnic

2011-09-18T05:00:00.002-04:00

Tire swing

Antonio, Jose, Lupe and Rosy

We took the kids for a short outing on Independence day. Things didn't exactly go as planned but the kids enjoyed it. We planned on leaving the house here at 10 or 10:30. Although we had to wait on the milk delivery. The milk delivery truck got stuck in all of the parades. So we got tired of waiting on him and talked to our neighbors and had them wait for the milk guy. (We are blessed to have great neighbors.)

Dilcia made a picnic lunch for all of the kids. So we loaded up the kids lunch, and all of the kids grabbed their hats, bottles of water and tenis shoes and we loaded up in the van.

We had a small detour as we were unable to get to where we wanted to go with the kids due to all of the parades and the roads being blocked. So we headed to idea number two as to where we would take the kids but once again that did not work out either. So we ended up in Ojojona at a friends house and the kids were still happy. Didn't take much to make them happy.

Dilcia trying to balance herself on the teeter totter

Josue

Lunch time

Play time!!!!

August Update 2011

2011-09-17T04:00:00.000-04:00

August 2011

The beginning of August brought the end of the groups coming. Since then some things have started to slow down. It was a great summer for our CASA store and also for our children to reconnect with those they have come to love. They also got an opportunity to meet some new people this summer. The groups being over means no more work for Dorian though. He is now focusing more on his own business of Herbalife. This is going well for him and he is gaining new clients all the time.

We are now five months pregnant and it is so exciting as he grows. Dorian and I can both feel Korbin when he kicks and moves. We are both ecstatic daily and are so thankful for this blessing. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Life at Casa is usually pretty calm (as calm as a household with 19 children can be) but a week or so ago, we had quite an eventful week. Bryan had to have emergency circumcision surgery at the hospital. We spent the night in the ER with him and then the day after the procedure, we got to go home. Fernando then had an accident and received a cut around his eye and he had to get a few stitches. They are both doing much better and back to their normal activities.

We also took in two new children; a brother and sister, Any (3 yrs old) and Yair (18 months old). We have known for awhile we were going to take these children but they both have some medical issues and as always, it takes weeks before the paperwork is completed and the children come to Casa from the state run orphanage.

Thank you to each and everyone of you who continues to support us!!!

Blesssings~

Dorian and Karen Guido

more independance parade pics

2011-09-14T20:39:00.007-04:00

Three little Indians!

Doris even got to march in the parade with the first grade class. It was a bit overwhelming for her but she seemed too like it. Her teacher tried to make her laugh by putting her glasses on her.

Honor students and 1st graders

cheerleaders

Antonio

They even brought a band in from Tegucigalpa to march with the school.

Cindy as Departamento Atlantida

Ana as one of the 18 departments of Honduras

Independence Parade

2011-09-14T04:00:00.000-04:00

Pamela

Independence day is Thursday the 15th of September. The kids today had a parade that they participated in with their school in celebration of Independence Day. We had prepared for the last week making sure all of the last preparations were made for all 15 of the kids. The kids were all so excited today as they got ready for the day. By this afternoon after the parade ended they were all ready for lunch and a nap. As they were all worn out.

Here are a few of the picture of some of the kids. Be sure to check the blog later this week and I will upload more.

Brayan

Jose

Katy

Red Cross.....Reina, Jackson, and Sisi

Maryuri and Nohemy

2011-09-13T16:08:00.003-04:00

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. - Prov. 22:6

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings."

Roots and wings - pretty good advice. A child given roots without wings will never soar as he was meant to, but a child given wings without roots will never know where to fly. Wings nourished by strong roots is what God has in mind. And, by the way, He is the source of both. - John

thanks for sharing this John!!!

Lupe

2011-09-12T18:34:00.000-04:00

Any time Lupe sees that I have my camera out she is always wanting her picture taken and then wanting to see how it turned out. So here is one of many taken of Lupe.

Any and Yair

2011-09-11T21:25:00.002-04:00

Yair and Any

Last week Any and Yairs mom called me to tell me she at the front gate and was here to get her kids. I told her to come around back to the other gate and I would talk to her. I didn't think much of it because all of the kids moms show up at the CASA gate at some time or another. I went out to the gate to talk to her and she had court orders stating that we were to give the kids back into her care. I was shocked!!!! I had to go over to Mirians house to tell her she needed to get their things ready because their mom was here to take them. Mirian the housemom who is taking care of them was in tears and besides herself. They had only been here for a few weeks but how quickly we had all grown to love and accept them into our casa family. So now we are back to 19 kiddos here at CASA. Mirian says she is not too sure she is ready for more kids. She said this time around she wants me to get kids that are totally abandoned so that this doesn't happen again.

Internet

2011-09-10T11:14:00.002-04:00

Sorry for all of you who have been checking my blog and hoping to get updates. We have been without internet. Hopefully we will get that fixed soon.

So please be patient and know that I have not forgot about all of you waiting on casa news, it just hasn't been possible lately.

Any

2011-08-29T04:00:00.002-04:00

Maryuri "trying" to hold Any (you noticed I put trying) :)

Any really seems to be picking up quickly on the routine here at CASA.

Continue to pray for her as she is adjusting.

Crazy!!!!!

2011-08-28T19:07:00.002-04:00

This week has been a whirlwind of events. Been very eventful for a week at CASA. We usually have eventful things here and there but they don't usually happen back to back.

It started in the middle of the week when Bryan starting having pain Tuesday night and was unable to go to the bathroom. Although I wasn't around and out of embrassment he did not say anything to the other staff. Wednesday morning during devo Bryan didn't look very happy. I thought he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. After devo he pulled me side to tell me that he was in pain. Didn't think much of it. With having so many kids we don't jump at the first thing. We wait to see if they get better or if it is really something for us to worry about. After he got home from school that same day later in the afternoon he started crying and said he was having lots of pain. So we gave him some meds and told him to go lay down. He slept for a while and then when he woke up about 5 in the evening we has in worse pain. So I called Dorian in to look at Bryan and he we found out that he could not pee. Dorian told him to go take a shower and such and we would see how he felt but it looked like we were going to have to take him to the ER and he was going to have to get circumcised. About 7pm we were ready and out the door we went to the ER to see what we could do for Bryan. Sure enough we found out that he was going to have to be circumcised. The procedure would be quick but very painful for Bryan. We stayed the night in the hospital with Bryan and we were released the next morning to go home.

Just this weekend he is starting to act like himself again. He is still healing and dealing with the change his body is going thru. I am hoping by the end of this week he will be back to himself.

The next evening was a much shorter trip but spent the evening in the ER with Fernando. Had just gotten off shift and was hoping to come over to the apt and shower and get to bed early after spending the night before with Bryan in the hosptial. I had something I remembered to tell Dorian and he was inside with the kids doing homework. So I went back over to the kids side to find Dorian. Well Rosy quickly comes to find me to tell me there was a fight outside. I open up the door to see sweet little Daniela beating and pounding on Fernando. I was shocked to see the way she was just going away hitting him. I yelled very loudly and told them to both come here, NOW!!! As they started walking towards me I see the Fernando is bleeding and his white shirt has a good bit of blood on it. I told Daniela to go to her bed and I would talk to her later and I started cleaning up Fernando. He had got cut at the corner of his eye. Not too sure what he did to make Daniela mad but I am sure he had learned his lesson to not mess with her again.

I only had to take him to the hospital here in town and they quickly attended to us as they saw all of the blood on Fernando's shirt and it scared them. He got a few stitches and we were on our way back home. He seems to be doing well. Just having a hard time being still not so active as it is healing. His eye is swollen but I am sure he will be just fine. He is suppose to get his stitches out on Wed.

Please keep these two boys in your prayers as they heal.

Yoser Yair

2011-08-26T19:27:00.006-04:00

Welcome Yair and Any to CASA!!!!!

Today Any´s brother Yair came home with us to CASA. Please continue to say prayers as it is a lot to take on new kids.

Also Yair has been sick off and on the last month. Please say a prayer that he stays healthly.

Yair is 18 months old. Still learning to walk. A bit unstable and only with help can he walk alone. With all of the kids here he doesn´t stand a chance to learn how to walk as they will all want to hold him.

Any Isabel

2011-08-21T20:31:00.006-04:00

Many of you are anxiously waiting pictures of our new little addition to Casa. Any (Annie) is three and half years old. She looks about a year and a half. According to her birth cert she is one day older than Josue. We thought Josue was little for his age now we think he looks big for his age compared to Any. All of the kids have welcomed her with arms wide open. A few of them like Sisi and Rosy don't let the poor girl breath because they are wanting to hold her and take her everywhere. Although she is fitting right in but we have already learned she does have a temper. She will have to learn quickly throwing fits is not going to help get her way. Lots of prayers for wisdom and patience as we work with Any and she adapts here at CASA.

Rain Rain Rain

2011-08-20T13:24:00.007-04:00

The water brought in lots of trash over the bridge.

Crazy what a whole lot of rain can do in a little bit of time. We got a down pour yesterday afternoon around 4pm for about an hour and it caused damage up on the upper part of the property by the church.

All of the water from the streets runs into the park right above our property. Well in the short time a lot of rain fell the park filled up with water. The water had to have been super strong because it broke through these concrete block wall dividing our property with the park.

All the water making a river behind the church. I would say about 5 inches of water was in half of the church with a good coat of mud and leaves.

Knocked over our pump and broke the water pipes.

Anie

2011-08-19T13:21:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning after getting the kids off to school Dorian and I made our way to IHNFA to get two new kids. We have been working on paper work for these kids for a little over a month. Well Tuesday I recieved a call and they told me the kids and paper were ready. So it told them the house mom that would be taking care of them was on break for two days and I could be there Thrus morning for the kids.

Upon arriving they told us the Dr. would like to talk to us first before taking the kids. What that really meant was that their paper work was not done by the Dr. yet. So we sat for hours waiting on the Dr. to fill out paper work and exam them. Well in the midist of the exam of little Jaier they said he need some nebulizer treatments and in an hour they would beable to tell us if he could go home with us. So in the meantime we took Anie and went and bought diapers, wipes, and went to the pharmacy to buy some of their medicines. Time pasted by quickly and we made our way back to IHNFA and they told us that they were still working with Jaier and we would need to wait and he probably could go home with us later in the afternoon.

Well time was going by very fast and back home we did not have anyone to get the kids from school when they got out at 12:40. So I told the Dr. we could not wait any longer. I quickly asked for the rest of Anie's paper work to find out they did not have it ready. So next week I have to go back to pick it out. We left there close to noon and we were passing the school just in time as the kids were getting out of school to pick them up. So we are suppose to call sometime next week to see if Yaier is better and if they will release.

So as of yesterday we went from 19 to 20! We now have a little girl names Anie Isabel that will CASA her home. Please pray for staff, our kids and little Anie as we all adjust

On a little side note, I realize how blessed we truly are here. Some days I feel short staffed or overwhelmed. Although we found out when we were in IHNFA that there was one person taking care of 18 little kids 3 years and younger all by herself. Can't even imagine!!!!!!! So the Dr. was happy that one of them got to go home with us yesterday to help lift their load.

July Update 2011

2011-08-15T14:04:00.002-04:00

July 2011

During the month of July we continued to see many groups visiting here at Casa. The children really enjoyed getting to see many familiar faces and also meet new ones. Several of the groups took the children on outings. They had an afternoon at the river, movie day at the mall, and supper at KFC as guests of the groups. We want to thank each and every one of you that let one of these little ones into your heart. Thanks for loving on them and caring for them in such a loving manner. Many of the group members have committed to help support the children and pray for them. We are also thankful for those of you who helped to meet some of our needs by sending short, bikes, deodorant, etc. It is such a huge blessing to have so many of you care for us here at Casa.

In Mid July I hit the 4 month mark of my pregnancy. I am still feeling great and God has really blessed me thus far with an uneventful pregnancy. It still feels kind of unreal that we are finally expecting, but it won't be long until I will feel the baby kick and my belly will really begin growing. The children are all really excited about the whole process and each day brings new questions. A few of them have witnessed Dorian kissing my belly and tell the baby good morning. A few of them have picked that up and they too are talking to the baby daily.

The children received their report cards for the second grading period and most of them had some grades go down. Not sure if the work is just getting harder or that they are just losing interest.
We are hoping that this 3rd grading period they will be able to bring their grades up. The good news is that they continue to have classes 5 days a week. That is a lot more than they have gone the past two years. The teachers are telling us to prepare for the month of September and times of no classes. They say they are expecting there to be strikes and such. The goverment is wanting to change the way the education system works here and many are expected to protest. Please join us in praying that they can get this settled before it comes to the teachers on strike.

Dorian was super busy this month working with groups. He was their chauffeur, translator, and helped on the work sites. He has really enjoyed getting to work with the groups. This has given him opportunity to practice his english.

Please continue to remember us here at Casa in your prayers and support.

Blessings~

Dorian and Karen Guido

New Kiddos

2011-08-09T10:37:00.002-04:00

Anie

We are in the process of getting new kids. We have known for over a month now that we are getting two little kids named Anie 3 yrs old and her brother Yair 18 months old. Yair came to children´s services (IHNFA) very weak and sick. Well about a month ago he was in the hospital so that slowed down the process of us getting the kids. Now that he is out of the hospital it is just now getting the paper word done for us to go get them. It will be any day now. Please pray for these two precious children , for Mirian (the house mom for these children), and all of the other kids. It is always a big adjustment for all of us when a new kids come.

Will be sure to keep you all updated and will let you know as soon as we get the two new kids.

Josue

2011-08-02T21:10:00.004-04:00

I can't believe how big Josue is getting. This month Josue is 3 1/2 years old. There are parts of him that loves that he is growing up but if you mention to him someone else is the baby that usually doesn't go over very well. He wants to be the baby of the house. Since he has been the baby here at CASA for so long he has got a little bit of extra love and spoiling from most of the staff.

Adonis and Lupe

2011-08-01T13:18:00.002-04:00

The end of July marks 4 months that Adonis and Guadalupe have been here at Casa. They are both doing wonderful adapting. Although Adonis really is fighting a lot of bad habits he has and is really working to change. Some days are better than others. Let´s just hope with time, love and prayer he can continue to change.

Visitation

2011-07-30T19:12:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was visitation day! The kids were excited all week, counting down the days til Friday got here. Josue would ask me every day is today visitation and I had to remind him how many more days every day til visitation. He hears all the hype from the rest of the kids so he also gets excited about getting to go to visitation.

Josue and Nohemy's mother is expecting and she told us she was due in August. So we tired to prepare Josue and Nohemy before hand that their mom might not be at visitation because she might be in the hospital with the new baby. Sure enough she did not show up to visitation. The kids seemed to be fine. Josue kept saying she is in the hospital with the baby. Whether she really was we do not know but at least they were prepared for their mom maybe not being at visitation and they did much better with the whole situation. Usually if one of the kids moms do not show up the child is sad and upset and often becomes angry. Although Josue and Nohemy really stayed calm and dealt with the whole situation pretty well.

New bikes

2011-07-21T11:20:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Gayle Davidson's group from FL for bringing the kids some new bikes!!! They absolutely love them!!!!!

Maryuri has tired and tired to ride a bike with now luck. Well finally she is up and on the bike and peddling by herself. Thanks to the new bike and training wheels that were sent!
And she is so proud of herself!!!!

New Shorts

2011-07-19T21:49:00.006-04:00

Rosy

Jackson

Sisi

Reina

Bryan and Antonio

All of our kids seems to be growing which means their clothes no longer fit. Lots of them are wearing shorts that are too short or too tight. There are quite a few of the kids who are getting ready to enter into their teenage years. So they are also hitting their growth spurts. I am sure there are a lot more growth spurts to come. Thank you Sue Tindall for getting these shorts made and bought for the kids. They are very thankful. Who would ever thought the kids would be so happy to be getting new shorts but they are thrilled!!!!

EVERYTHING

2011-07-18T11:04:00.000-04:00

Do Everything
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I wrote the song “Do Everything” really to remind myself and also to
encourage others that everything matters; everything we do can be done
as an act of worship. 1 Corinthians 10 says, “Whatever you do, do it for
the glory of God.” There’s this tendency it seems to think of life with this
line drawn down the middle where there’s the spiritual stuff on one side
and then just the stuff of life on the other. But I really think God wants us to
remember, and I’m trying to learn, that whatever we do, it all matters. Some
might say, 'well, my job or role isn't important enough to make any real
difference," but I disagree.

1 Pet 4:10 & 11 addresses this, "God has given gifts to each of you from his
great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can
flow through you. 11 Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God
himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all
the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything
through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen."

Whether it’s walking the dog, washing the dishes, taking out the trash, driving car pool,
trading global stocks, leading a massive company, all of these as well as the really big
spiritual moments, all of these can be done as an act of worship and everything can be done
to bring glory to the God who made us for that very purpose.

--Steven Curtis Chapman

Exams

2011-07-17T21:12:00.002-04:00

The kids are half way through the school year. The week before last they took their second semester exams. We are always happy to see exam week go by because during exam week it is always stressful trying to study with everyone. So last week was the first week of the third semester. Most of the kids have pretty good grades and did well on their exams. A few of them are struggling. Hopefully this second part of the school year the ones that are struggling will be able to improve their grades.

June 2011 Update

2011-07-09T17:48:00.002-04:00

June 2011

In June 2006 we took our first kids at Casa de Esperanza. This month marks 5 years that Casa de Esperanza has been helping, loving, and ministering to children. What a joy and journey it has been. We continue to learn along the way. In the past five years we have learned a lot about taking care of these kids and just the general rules of a children's home in Honduras. Just like anything there are days we laugh, rejoice, cry, get frustrated, and just want to throw our hands up but, I am thankful for this ministry that God has placed me in to minister to these children.

I continue to feel great with this pregnancy!!!! I am out of the first trimester. Mid June I hit three months. Crazy how fast the time is already gone by. I still feel beyond blessed that this miracle has been placed inside me. This whole process is just so amazing. The way God has created my body to carry this child and the way this child is being formed inside me.................I am in Awe and Amazed at this miracle that is inside of me.

Dorian continues to stay very busy working with some of the groups. He leaves in the morning and it is usually night before I see him again. He is tired and they are long days but I really think he is enjoying the work he is doing. Only about 4 to 5 more weeks of teams. Then things start to calm down.

Speaking of groups......they really seem to be in full swing here at Casa de Esperanza. Several groups a week stop by for the afternoon to see the children's home, play and love on the kids and shop in our Casa store. The store really is such a huge income during the summer months. The kids even have some of their stuff they have made in the store. The kids are beaming when they find out someone has bought their stuff. On top of that the kids get a little bit of the profit for themselves.

We continue to covet your prayers for the kids and our ministry here in Honduras.

Blessings~
Dorian and Karen Guido

KFC

2011-07-06T12:20:00.001-04:00

Supper at KFC

Here are some more of the kids enjoying eating supper with Ashley and Mike.

The kids got to enjoy an outing to KFC for supper Friday evening. Ashley Lauer's group had invited the kids into town to eat supper with them. The kids were all happy to see Ashley. For those of you who do not remember she use to work here at Casa. There were also many other familiar faces the kids have come to love and were so happy to get to spend some time with also.

Birth Certificates

2011-07-03T19:22:00.002-04:00

I have been working hard the past 4 years to get birth certificates for the Carrasco's (Doris, Reina, Fernando, and Katy)going on 5 years. We have not made much head way, only a big headache. We are only told time and time again that that papers are being done, but in reality they just give us a new constancia stating that it is in the works when really nothing is being done. Frustrating!!! It is something that I have to stay on top of or they do not work on them. These birth certificates are very important. For them to be accepted in this culture an get a job, to get an ID and graduate from 6th grade and high school they have to have this document. No exceptions!!!
About two years ago I took all of them to medicine forensic to get exams done on them as to what sort of age they really are. Well somewhere along the line the papers got lost. They only have a hard copy at the office and they can not give us a copy. So all of that was a waste. The children's services lawyer (IHNFA) has been working along side us to get their papers but no luck.
Also we have Nohemy that does not have her birth certificate. So this past week I had to take her into IHNFA to get an dental exam for her age. It was very quick and the papers were typed up by the dentist and given to the lawyer. I asked the lawyer if I could just bring the Carrasco's also to IHNFA to get a new exam done. She said to bring them in the next day. It is much easier to just get the exams done at IHNFA although a few years ago they did not have the dentist and this was not an option. Although bringing them in the next day was not going to be an option. Short staffed and too many other things going on. So I came back home with Nohemy and called the school and told them I needed to pick up the Carrasco's from school and to have them ready. So I turned right back around after dropping Nohemy off at the house and went to pick up the other kids from school and took them into IHNFA to get their dental exams done.
Just crossing my fingers by the end of the year we have these birth certificates in our hands! When we do finally have them I think I will be throwing a party!!!!!!!!!!!

Wind Energy

2011-06-28T11:01:00.004-04:00

For almost two years now there is a company here who has been putting in a wind energy farm here in Santa Ana. Just in the last two or three months this town has gotten quite busy for such a small town. Lots of roads have been improved so big dump trucks can enter to haul dirt. Although on the other hand they have torn up quite a bit of the main roads by making pot holes. There is always lots of commotion here on the small road with all of the tractor trailers hauling in the new parts, the dump trucks hauling in and out dirt and people flagging the cars to slow down or stop. Lots and lots of people are with good jobs who were without jobs before. This company has provided jobs for many here in Santa Ana.
Just in the last week or so the windmills have started to go up. The kids are all in awe. As we drive down the road there are lots of ewhhhs, awhhs, and pointing. Near the kids school you can see quite a few of them. So this is a daily occurrence of them counting to see how many more are up.
This project is suppose to be done in December. So far there are three or four up near the kids school and several more you can see they are preparing to put up. So I am sure now til when they finish the kids will continue to be in awe everyday and keep track of how many more new ones are up each week.
The project I hope will benefit many here in Santa Ana. This is the largest wind energy farm in Central America.

Jose's Finger

2011-06-24T22:26:00.002-04:00

Jose thought he had found himself a new ring today. Little did he know how much this ring was about to cost him.
Marc called me over while the kids were playing outside today and he said look at what Jose had done. I thought well a little vaseline or soap and water we could get it off. Well we twisted and pulled and several of us tried to get it off but no luck. Marc decided he was going to get something to try to cut it off and some WD40. Still no luck. At this point a good half an hour has went by and we were having no luck at getting this ring off of his finger. Marc decided he was going to take him to the local hospital and see if they had something they could cut it off with. I told Marc I would go along too.
We got to the hospital to find out they did not have any special tools to get this off of his finger. We were there over an hour and the Dr and nurse were pulling, sawing, prying and trying to get this thing off of his finger. The Dr. came out at one point and said they were making head way slowly but it was going to work because Jose was not going to cooperate with them. So the Dr. told us we needed to take him to town and see if we could get help. I quickly said well if you are making head way keep doing the same thing and I will talk to Jose. I went in there was the Dr. was working got Jose calmed down maybe for 5 minutes. Jose and the Dr. both were getting very impatient. Jose was not doing so well waiting and the Dr. was not doing so well with Jose screaming and yelling. Marc then came back to help with Jose and we all helped hold Jose down and try to calm him as Marc, the nurse and the Dr. took turns trying to saw and pry this ring off of his finger.
They finally got it cut a little bit to where they could pull back the metal and there was a small opening in the ring. So after working a good hour or maybe more the Dr. put cream on his finger and pull with little pliers. Jose was screaming as if someone was killing him. Although the Dr. continued to pull and the ring slowly slid off of his finger. Jose some how managed to get out of the whole thing with out his fingered getting cut or or bleeding.
Never a dull moment here at Casa. Hopefully this is a lesson he will remember!!!

Pamela

2011-06-21T22:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Pamela!!!!

Monday Pamela turned 14!! Yes I said 14, I can't believe she is already 14. Time flies!! Although I am so proud of the young lady she has become and continues to become.

BLAH!!!!

2011-06-17T21:27:00.004-04:00

Today was just one of those days. Not too sure the kids were any worse than any other day. I just think I was having an off day. Why, no clue!?! I just feel blah today and like I want to run away to a cave. Some kids did press some limits today. And it did not seem that I had too much patience's either today. Tomorrow with it being my day off hopefully I can get a good days rest and be able to start new on Sunday.
On another note.......stitches
This morning was just Terri and I. She was outside on kid duty while I had several of them inside working on homework. Around 10:30 one of the kids comes running and telling me that Adonis has gotten hurt and that his bone is sticking out. I am thinking it is bad at this point and that he has broken his leg and part of his bone is sticking out. So I hurry outside to find Terri attending to Adonis but all of the kids are also surrounding them also. Terri says she thinks it is going to need stitches. I quickly run up to the clinic to see if the nurse or Dr. can help us. Luckily there was no broken bones or much blood. He has just cut his leg open. The Dr. put in 7 stitches. He calmed down for the stitches but before the stitches he was yelling he was going to die and that his bone was sticking out etc.....!!!! A little dramatic! Although Terri was good at getting him calmed down and to take deep breathes. He was quickly back up and running around after he got his stitches. Now hopefully he lets his leg heal without picking at it or trying to take the stitches out himself.

Talent Show

2011-06-15T21:08:00.004-04:00

On Friday a team was even here to see the kids talent show.

Nohemy and Sisi singing "Father God"

Daniela forgot what she was suppose to say and Dalys had to remind her.

All of the kids sitting watching the others show their talent!

All of the kids did paintings and drawings through out the week. The adults were the judges and we had to judge each picture to see who the winner would be.
Nadia and Miran are judging the pictures.

The girls making their final round after they did their modeling.

The kids were out of class all last week for student week. Not as if they do not get enough days out of school but last week was "semana de la estudiante". The kids worked all week with our Psychologist, Dalys to put on a talent show at the end of the week. Thursday afternoon some of the kids told jokes, riddles, and poems. All of the adults judged each act. Then on Friday was singing and dancing. The kids were judged once again. After everything was said and done on Friday the winners were announced from Thursday and Friday.
I could really see some of the kids shine this week in their talents. I think over all it helped most of the kids with their self esteem.

May Update 2011

2011-06-14T21:55:00.001-04:00

May 2011

The first two weeks in May Dorian and I enjoyed the end of our visit to the states. We enjoyed our time with family and friends. It is always bittersweet to say good bye but is was good to get back home and into our routine here. The staff and children were all very happy to see us. School is getting a little more consistent these days and are having classes 4-5 days weekly finally.
Rainy season has begun and this is the first rain since last October. Enjoying the rain for the time being, with it raining a couple times weekly. Our water situation is much better since we had a new well drilled. It is nice to not run out of water when you have so many children.
Dorian and I are expecting our first child the end of this year. We are beyond ecstatic!. I am currently about 3 months pregnant. Many of you know that we have been trying for around two years to have a baby. Now that we are, it feels kinda surreal. These last two years have felt like an eternity to us. We have both wanted to cry, scream and be angry at times. There have been a lot of questions and what if's and wondering why. We both knew that God has His hand in this but it was hard to understand at times. I kept telling Dorian that we will have this baby "by faith", but to be honest, there were times that I thought I had lost my faith. Thanks to each of you who were faithful with your prayers for us.
Dorian has taken a break from his schooling right now and is working with the groups that are coming on mission trips.
We are truly blessed by each and every one of you. Thank you so much for supporting, encouraging and praying for us.

Blessings~
Dorian & Karen Guido

Doris and Reina

2011-06-12T22:10:00.002-04:00

Those of you who have been here to Casa to visit before probably remember Doris and Reina. They are sisters. They both had made so much process since being here at Casa. They both have learning problems. Reina really has come a long way and can add, subtract, write her name, and some days read and spell. A lot of it just depends on the day. Although we got her at a young enough age that we were able to start with her when she was about 4 years old. Doris we were not so fortunate with and we did not get her til she was about 10 years old. She has made leaps and bounds also. Although not too sure she will ever be able to write her name or read. She used to not even be able to speak and now she says words here and there. Hardly speaks in sentences but really has made progress.
They both go to Teleton once a month to help with their learning disabilities. They also both attend school. Not too sure how much longer we will be able to keep them in the school. Do not think Reina will be able to make it past second grade level. Doris only goes to school to be able to interact with others her age. She will be 14 this year. So not too sure how much longer we can be sending her to school.

Girls dance

2011-06-10T20:01:00.002-04:00

Most of the girls have been working all week on a song/dance with Dalys our physiologist. The kids did a mini talent show this week. Here is a small part of the video of the girls dancing and singing.

fernandos video

2011-06-09T17:47:00.001-04:00

Josue

2011-06-08T21:32:00.002-04:00

Josue continues to have problems with his intestines and stomach. He is really a trooper. Although he having a hard time understanding why he can't eat certain foods. When breakfast, lunch, or dinner is served and he sees he is getting something different he gets very upset. He sometimes just sits there with his arms crossed not touching his food. He eventually eats but he is not understanding very well why he can't have the foods the other kids eat. He finally ate rice for the first time in two weeks and he was over joyed! He was so happy!!! Who would have thought. Today there was a group here and they gave him a sucker and we had to take it away. Then tonight was a cookout with hotdogs and he couldn't eat those either.
Although he does understand he has his special drinks which usually cheers him up. He has the gatorade (blue gatorade is what he loves), sprite and juice boxes and every time he gets down or crying the others have something special and he can't he gets a special drink! Which usually makes him smile.
Hoping he is soon back to himself!

Refuge

2011-06-06T20:47:00.002-04:00

This was passed onto to me and wanted to pass it on to others to share..........

"O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." - Ps. 57:1

I found these Tiger Moths in a field behind our property. As I set up my tripod to take this image, I noticed the larger moth gently enfold the smaller one in its wings. Whatever danger this strange intruder presented to the moths, the one moth was going to protect the other. And the closer I got, the more the smaller moth sought shelter under the wings of its mate. Isn't it strange that whenever life threatens to destroy us, we try to fight back on our own? Wouldn't it make more sense to take refuge under more powerful wings? - John

Tae Kwon Do Update

2011-06-05T22:01:00.003-04:00

Fernando against the boy the he fought against.

Fernando

Fernando ready to fight!

Fernando getting his medal

Today was the Tae Kwon Do Tournament. The boys were excited first thing this morning for their fights today. Fernando was sure to show me how to tie his belt and began to explain how many points every hit was and even showed me a few moves.
Fernando won his first fight and so he moved onto the second fight and got second place. He lost my one point because he used his elbow. He did a really good job. The boy he had to fight against had a yellow belt. Fernando only has a few months of practice and has a white belt. So we are proud of him and he did a really good job.
There was no one in the age group for Bryan and Antonio so they fought against one another. Bryan won first place against Antonio with a kick to the face scoring him three points. And Antonio got second place.
The boys are ready for their next tournament already!!!

Tae Kwon Do Tournament!!!

2011-06-04T19:15:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow Fernando, Bryan, and Antonio have their first Tae Kwon Do Tournment. They will be competing against other schools. They have bought their first belts for the competition. The teacher says Fernando is excellent at what he does. I hope to get away tomorrow to go to the tournament to take some pictures of them competing.
Jackson and Jose due to discipline problems and not wanting to listen to the teacher are no longer in the Tae Kwon Do classes. Maybe with time as they mature they can give it a second try.

Ps 103

2011-05-30T18:22:00.001-04:00

1 A psalm of David. Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! 6 The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone -- as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 19 The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. 20 Praise the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty creatures who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom. As for me -- I, too, will praise the LORD.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FER

2011-05-29T20:26:00.002-04:00

Today is Fernando's birthday!

We did not really celebrate today because Terri bought a cake to take to visitation Friday and celebrated with his family. Some of the kids upon finding out were not too happy. They were upset that they missed out on the cake here at CASA. So Fernando says we just needed to get another one today for everyone at CASA!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FERNANDO!!!!!!

Mel is back!!!!!

2011-05-28T17:22:00.002-04:00

http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/2011/05/waiting-for-show.html

So Mel the ex-president made his way back to Honduras today! There has been lots of hype and such today. You can follow what happened by going to the link above.

May Visitation

2011-05-27T20:37:00.002-04:00

Jackson with his mom and brother Omar. Jackson loved having his brother there today. They played and wrestled most of the time we were there. His brother has only came two times to visitation, he spends most of his time in the streets. So Jackson really loved seeing his brother and play with him.
Cindy and Maryuri with their mom and their cousin. Their mom came an hour late to visitation which is very unlike her. She is always on time and since she was not there I just assumed she was not coming to visitation. Cindy quickly got tired of waiting for her mom and started crying and Maryuri starting getting very angry and stomping her feet and ready to punch or hit anything i her way. Just as I brought Maryuri and Cindy over to sit with me and calm them both down theri mom showed up. She was late because she has brought her nephew with her, this is the first time their cousin has come to visitation. The girls especially Cindy loved all over him. He was a very content baby to be with whoever. Cindy reassured me she was taking him home with us to CASA.

Me holding Cindy's and Maryuri's cousin! Isn't he cute!!!!!!

Guadalupe and Adonis with their mom. This is just the second visitation they have had with their mom since living at CASA. They seem to have a great relationship with their mom and love her very much.
Josue and Nohemy and their mom. Their mom is pregnant. She has repeatedly got upset and said she was not pregnant over the last couple of months when we have asked. Although today she finally admitted to it when one of the other parents was talking with her. She is going to have a girl and it is due in Aug. I am guessing that baby will end up here with Josue and Nohemy at CASA.

Bryan some how got away from me and wouldn't let me take a picture of him with is mom and brother!!!!!!

Groups

2011-05-26T22:17:00.002-04:00

Summer time groups are starting to get into full swing. Lots of white faces!! Which I don't see very many of those often! Most of the kids have made lasting relationships with people over the years. Many of the kids have already been asking if "their person" is coming this year!!! Please know the kids do not forget about you. Just as they have made imprints on your hearts you have on theirs too!
I have already got few emails asking what people can bring to help CASA out. Please leave me a comment here or send me an email and I will get back to you with what we need here at CASA. We always have a needs list!!!!
Thank you for so many who love this place, these kids and cover us in prayer!!!
Blessings on your 3 day weekend!!!!! :)

2011-05-25T20:23:00.000-04:00

Happy 4 years Pamela, Antonio, Daniela and Bryan!!! Four year ago I believe today they came here to call CASA home. Have seen them grow physically and spiritually!!!!!! Antonio, Pamela and Bryan are entering into their teenage years, heaven help us!!!!
I pray that God just continues to work in their lives and that they grow up to be men and women who seek after HIM!!!!

Saying good bye

2011-05-24T14:09:00.002-04:00

I don't think anyone enjoys saying good bye!!!
Stacey after interning here with us at CASA for a year decided to go back to the states. :( It will be a void for all of us. The ladies were all upset this morning as some of the kids were asking why she had to leave. They just don't understand.
I want to thank Stacey for for year commitment to CASA! I know you you have left footprints of each and everyone of the kids.

Josue

2011-05-23T21:37:00.002-04:00

Josue has been here at Casa now for 1 1/2 years. He has grown a lot even though to some I am sure he still the same ole little Josue. When he came here he had malnourishment and when he was taken into IHNFA he was in very bad shape. He was almost dead when they found him.
Since we have had him here we have struggled with him having diarrhea. He struggled to eat some of the foods here at first and adapt. Now he doesn't skip a beat he eats everything all of the time.
Since I have returned from the states I have noticed he has not been feeling so well. In the morning when we go to wake him out he has been having accidents and covered in poop. This is not fun for him or us!!!! We put him on a light diet last week and it seemed to settle his stomach and he seemed to be doing better. Well this weekend he went back to eating normal again and he started getting sick again.
So today he went to the Dr. He has an infection in his intestines. For today he was on a strict diet of only drinking sprite, gatorade, pear and apple juice. Tomorrow we got back to the Dr. and we will get instructions as to what he can and can't have tomorrow.
Let's just hope he gets better real soon!!!!!!

My girl Cindy...

2011-05-22T19:30:00.002-04:00

Cindy has been here at Casa for 4 1/2 years now. What a journey it has been with her. She has went from calling us every name in the book to pulling our hair or even biting us. Although she may have her moments now and then it is nothing like the Cindy I use to know. I pray that God continues to work in that little heart of hers and that she can be transformed and changed into a wonderful, might, powerful woman of God!!! She really has her moments that she shines.
Some might say she is still pretty stubborn but hey for me I see so much change in her. And I thank and praise God for the change He has and continues to makes in her life.
I just pray that God continues to use me to guide, direct and love on her!
I think because of the many hours we use to sit in the hallway together until she calmed down bonded us. She would take hours sometimes before she decided she was going to listen and calm down. In some of these moments I sure wanted to throw my hands up and give up. I thought to myself as she banged her head up against my chest and screaming, "I hate you", I really thought to myself what in the world am I doing here!!!!!! But it has all been worth every second!!! She is a treasure and she is starting to realize that she is a jewel!
So thank you to so many who have battled along in this journey with us in prayer for my sweet Cindy. Please continue to pray that HE shines in her life!!!!! To God be the Glory!!!!!!!

Staff

2011-05-21T16:26:00.002-04:00

So impressed with the staff here at Casa de Esperanza. Really in the past year I have worked hard on making them not be so reliable on me. Which has freed me up A LOT!
While in the states there is not as much worry as there used to. The staff have matured, grown, and learned a lot. They continue to learn but they have come such a long way. I am proud of them and the hard work they do daily for the children here at CASA.

This World is Not My Home!!!!!

2011-05-20T19:49:00.001-04:00

Sharing a friends blog................

http://treymorgan.net/if-the-world-ends-tomorrow-are-you-ready/

Adonis & Lupe

2011-05-19T18:41:00.003-04:00

Adonis with his new sunglasses. Dorian had bought a pair but ended up being too small for him so he passed them on to Adonis to make him feel special. Whether or not he still has them I do not know but it the moment he loved feeling very special!!!!
Adonis really seems to be struggling with homework. He still is not in school but Mirian gives him homework to do every day. Sometimes a page that should take a total of 10mins takes him up to an hour. Some days are better then others. Not too sure if it is just him being lazy or ADD.

Lupe
Lupe seems to be adjusting well. Just has problems with sharing or getting her way. She seems to whine a lot. Really trying to get her to talk more and express herself more then just in whining.

All of us here at CASA love having Lupe and Adonis here in in our home. We all have come to love them just like the rest of the kiddos!!!!

Pamela

2011-05-18T20:33:00.002-04:00

Pamela is doing better but still struggling. She can't put a lot of pressure on her foot. Her feet get tired real quick. She finally quit using her crutches which I think will help her out so get use to walking again. It has been close to two months she has been using the crutches.
Please continue to pray for her as her foot heals. Sadly it looks like something she is always going to have to deal with but for now I hope it gets better.

verse

2011-05-17T21:23:00.000-04:00

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Cor. 12:9

Rosy

2011-05-16T21:40:00.002-04:00

Rosy has been struggling through school the past couple of weeks. She really never has liked going to school or doing homework. She gets good grades but just does not enjoy school. She is always trying to find away to get around going to school by telling me tomorrow is Saturday or the teacher said not classes tomorrow. She has came to find that I don't fall for her tricks!
Well last week at school we got a note sent home saying her behavior was horrible. She did have a substitute teacher for the last 2 weeks and I think she took that chance and ran with it to the fullest. She has even in the past two weeks hid some of her books. She seems to be clueless as to where her books are. She has hidden them somewhere to keep from doing homework.
Well today her teacher returned and guess what they found one of her books. So lets hope the others show up too.
Oh Rosy!!!!! Wondering if these teenage years are just going to get worse with her. I sure hope not, but if so we are going to need lots of prayers to get through the years to come with her.

Mother's Day Celebration

2011-05-14T18:53:00.004-04:00

Bryan

Happy Mother's Day!
Mother's day was last weekend but the school held off to celebrate this weekend. I know Pamela was terribly worried if I would be here for the celebration. I had told her that I would be in the states for mother's day and she started to cry. Not too sure why but she was very worried that I would not be there for the mother's day celebration in the school. Well since that had it a week later I was here for the celebration. Some of the kids got to participate in different acts, drama and etc. They all did a great job!!!!

Daniela and Fernando

Doris and Maryuri

Jackson the lost child, crying for his mama!!! :)

Cindy

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Ana, Daniela, and Fernando dancing

Sisi

The students that did not participate all sat in front of the parents. Let me tell you it was crowded and HOT! The kids did a fairly well job of being still through the program.

Ana

Daniela being mother hen protecting her baby chicks (Fernando and Jose) from harm.

April Update 2011

2011-05-09T21:54:00.000-04:00

April 2011

The new children, Adonis and Guadalupe continue to settle in at CASA. What a huge blessings that they now have somewhere where they are loved and a place to call home.

The first week of April the children actually had a full week of school. YIIPPPPPEEEE!!!! This is the first time it has happened this school year! They say they are going to have to start having classes on the weekend to make up for the days missed. This is very hard to believe. I will believe it when it happens.

Tae Kwon Do classes started being offered in the community building for a small price. Four of our boys are in this class and really seem to be enjoying it so far. They take the class on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 til 4. It is a 6 month class for every belt. So if they decide to stick with this they will just continue to take classes and continue to move up belt levels. For those of you who know Jose this is like is dream come true. He lives is defense mode fighting off all of his imaginary friends and sometimes even some of the kids when they make their way close enough to him. We are excited for this class for the boys and hope it will be a great way for some of the them to release all of that energy they have.

Visit to Ohio!!! Dorian and I were able to come home and enjoy some time with family and friends and just to relax and get away from everything!!! A much needed break!!!! We always enjoy being here with family and friends but it is always hard when your heart is in two places. Missing the kiddos and Honduras. Although I am not quite sure that my heart will ever be in one place again. My two worlds just need to be a little closer to make this easier on us!! While in Ohio we got to experience two new babies making their way into the world. Even made a trip to North Dakota to see one of these babies!!! So Dorian got to travel quite a bit and see a lot more of the states.

Blessings~
Dorian and Karen Guido

Ps.19:14

2011-04-28T23:55:00.001-04:00

I hope my words and thoughts please you.
Lord, you are my ROCK, the one who saves me!

verse

2011-04-28T11:53:00.001-04:00

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD

Lam. 3

bust a myth

2011-04-25T22:27:00.001-04:00

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW) April 24-30, 2011

Read Bloggers Busting Infertility Myths!

NIAW is off to a great start – many thanks to the more than 70 bloggers already participating in the “Bust an Infertility Myth Blog Challenge.” Some blogs are moving, some humorous, some heartbreaking, some inspirational… and every single one presents someone’s unique point of view. These are a must read and must share!

http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/bust-a-myth-blog-submissions.html

March Update 2011

2011-04-17T21:38:00.001-04:00

March 2011

We started the month off by celebrating 3 years of marriage. It still amazes me that God brought us together almost 5 years ago and what he had all of this planned out for us. How blessed we are to have one another. We pray that God continues to richly bless our marriage. We fervently ask for your prayers as we struggle with infertility. We would love to start our own family!!!! We continue to wait and trust in HIM who is bigger than all of this.

A few of the ladies in the church have started up a ladies bible class on Saturdays. It really has been a blessings to so many of us. We are all taking turns teaching one another. Most of us have no experience teaching adults but to date 5 women including me have brought a message to the rest of the ladies in the church. It is a great time for us to fellowship and just be together as a group of women and share. The women are starting to do small raffles and sales and they are hoping to soon be able to give back to others there with the money they are collecting. There plan is to offer different classes to women there in the community (such as jewelry making, crochet etc).This is a great opportunity to reach out to some of the ladies in the community.

Nothing much has changed with the kids in their classes. They continue to inconsistently have classes. It is so hard on the kids. Hoping that things take a change for the better soon. This is the future generation they are lacking on educating.

Pamela continues to have problems with her foot. She is still using crutches after having the small surgery on her foot to take off the scar tissue. She has a few stitches left in her foot that is bothersome. She hopes to get back to the Dr. soon to get them taken out and continue to be on the road to recovery.

We have an amazing new house mom, Mirian! She has really stepped up and seems to do such a good job at Casa. She started the first of the month and then the last of the month we got two new kids to live in her house. Emilse Guadalupe and Carlos Adonis, they are brother/sister. So pray for Mirian and the new kids as they continue to adjust to Casa.

After much thought and prayer Dorian has decided to leave the church. He is taking some time off to see what God has planned for him. He just feels burnt out and without passion. Many of us I know go through these stages but some of us are just too embarrassed to speak up and say we are drowning or need a break. I know this was a hard decision for him to make. He is just taking some time off til the end of summer and if he regains his passion or fills differently he will more than gladly work at the church again in Santa Ana.

Lastly we would like to ask for help. We really would love to have a vehicle we could purchase of our own. We use Casa de Esperanza vehicles. Dorian mostly uses a gas truck that sucks the gas out of it. We would like something that we could have of our own and be more cost efficient. I know this may seem like a big request to some of you. Although we have debated for over a year on what to do vehicle wise. Although we feel it is time we ask if any of you would be willing to help us. Any interested can leave money on our pay pal on my blog spot (the link is listed below) or email me and I can let you know how to send the money to us.

Blessings~

Dorian and Karen Guido