To Those I Love: January 2019

...Ends of 2018

Carnisimo Christmas Party

The present wrapping contest

Team 1

Team 2

Team 3

Of course, Miguel and Martin won!

Carnisimo and Carnisimo Burger employees!

Skyping my family on Christmas Eve to celebrate. Justin's leopards spotted robe made me laugh!

Christmas Eve we celebrated with our CVE family, keeping the traditions of a Pozole supper, balloon popping and musical chairs, Bible story plays, a singing, tosti locos, and dancing right up until 12 AM.

God keeps teaching me valuable lessons and then usually re-teaching them. :)

Lessons of trusting and surrendering to Him because He really does have the answer and the perfect plan and I really don't. Lessons of letting go of my own agendas and my idea of perfection to let Him bring beauty out of the brokenness. Lessons of going to Him for true refreshment instead of distracting myself with things that ultimately come to nothing.

Yesterday, my verse for the day was "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending..."

That was what God spoke to me when I received a marriage proposal in February. To me, He said, "I am here from the beginning of this journey and I will be here until the end." For us, years begin and end, callings come and go, lives start and stop, dreams are born and die, but for God there is no beginning or end. All these began for Him when He planned them before time was born and He sees the effects that continue to propagate far beyond the span of our lives and understanding.

And so here's to 2019!

Odds and...

My Sunday school regulars who I greatly enjoy teaching

Cooking with my hubby is one of my favorite things to do

He makes amazing carne asada, hamburgers, and pizza.

Taking a selfie during the serious CVE fire drill

Date nights at home are the best.

Saying goodbye to Melody, my friend, choir director, and fellow music lover, as she married Jonathan Kurtz and moved to Canada. Our last choir session was profound as each of the participants shared memories and lessons from their choir experience.

Learning to skin pigs

My little neighbor girl who goes to school at CVV helped me melt crayons for my gift for my Sunday school students.

CVE life is always changing. And the sunsets are always different, but always beautiful!

Palm House Adventures

While Marce was visiting family the beginning of December, I was able to spend time with Cassidy and the boys at Casa Palmera.

Day 1: Monday

Christmas decorating brought back memories from last year. Same house, same tree, same boys plus one, and I even found a couple decorations that belonged to me mixed in.

Day 2: Tuesday

Barefoot boy and I built a stick house and just had a good time out in the brush

Day 3: Wednesday

Ice cream treat and a visit to the park and the bridge by the plaza

Day 4: Monday

Cookie decorating

And a fast hike up cross mountain

We made it in 19 minutes!

Day 5: Tuesday

Setting up pranks all over the house with Mani

Day 6: Wednesday

Board games and snacks

At the beginning of Christmas Break, Mani's Uncle gained custody of him and he went back to live with his mom. We'll miss him so much!

August 2016

March 2018

As teacher/therapist...

The most exciting accomplishments this fall have been working with his iPad, using the stander, and speed in his walker.

Hide and go seek our way

Copy cat

Throwing balls

Puzzle pro

The race to recess

This boy is terrified of balls coming at him and has never done well catching them. This totally made my day!

I tried switching places with my buddy. I propped my phone up so he could take this picture. #waytogotadi

During one class session, our stretches on the mat were interrupted by the excitement of finding a tarantula in the corner by the cabinets.

As Kitchen Coordinator...

The main event for me in the CVE kitchen this fall was preparing for Thanksgiving and the Thanksgiving team.

Thankfully, Jody Klotzle was here Thanksgiving week to bring it all together.

Pounds and pounds of mashed potatoes

And many scrumptious pies!

Enjoying the fellowship and the fireplace

Other than Thanksgiving, I have been organizing and cleaning the walk in freezer,

updating the first aid supplies,

organizing in the storage

The day after Halloween, Bertha decided to attack the cobwebs. We said it was time to take down the decorations. ;)

My job also includes lots of communication with staff and visitors about who will be eating at what meals. I also do food orders, communicate with distributors, and handle paperwork.

One major project in the last four months has been finding uses for donated food.

Hence, spinach puffs...

and shredded wheat cereal bars.

We have also packaged up food for families in the community. And some expired food has been fed to the CVE pork suppliers to be turned into ham and bacon.