Eagles Nest with Clyde Porter and Jennifer!

One minute Clyde and Jennifer were with us in Sparks at our storage unit buying jewelry from Mayan Treasure, and the next minute, they're here in Guatemala! They were looking for some service opportunities, so we brought them up to Eagle's Nest orphanage.  Clyde did some assessments (Colin was the note-taker) on some of the children.

Beautifully sweet Elena!

Clyde gave some helpful recommendations on what facilitators could do (emotionally and nutritionally) to help these kids continue to thrive.  Spending time holding and loving them is huge, to help them process their grief.  Luckily, Eagle's Nest is well staffed with many volunteer groups and Guatemalan "mamas".  Felis and Pedro do an exceptional job running this children's home, and it's evident that they are the loving mommy and daddy to about 50 kids!

Elena took a good 30 minutes to eat this small piece of chocolate.  She savored every teeny bite!

Can you believe those eye lashes?!

Elena had bonded with me, so I held her during Clyde's treatments on her.   

Jennifer eventually got this serious little guy to smile and laugh!

This little guy in the red T-shirt is deaf.  I tried to teach him some signs.  I might have to take a special trip up to Eagle's Nest one of these days to teach the special ed teacher some signs so he can start communicating.  Evidentially he's very bright and just needs the door of communication unlocked so he can thrive.  

Emily with adorable little Bryan:) 

Back to our house for some street tacos, and avocados with home made salsa!  We're so glad you guys came to visit, Clyde and Jennifer! Guatemala feels more like home when our friends and loved ones come to visit.  Anyone is welcome to come any time!!!  It's an experience you'll never forget:)  

Party in San Jose Chakaya

A youth group of about 18 kids from UT, came to Guatemala to help with the Mayan Eco Homestead project at the Jensen's. Today was a "field day" getting to know some of the local families.   

Juana (she's one of our Mayan Treasure ladies), learned how to throw a frisbee for the first time! 

The Guatemalan kids had such fun, learning all kinds of new games! 

Pato, Pato, Ganso! (duck, duck, goose!)

The parents (mostly moms) enjoyed watching the games from the side-lines.  

I went around to small groups and tried to recruit more kids to play games.  Some were too timid, but I did get a couple shy ones to come with me and join in the fun!

Lucy brought cucumber and melons for a snack.  They had toothpicks, but the kids didn't see the purpose for those, and dug their hands in the containers! Why get just one when you can grab a whole handful?! 

This cute girl was quite popular as she held an impromptu "princess party" with nail polish and everything!

These kids (Guates and Gringos) will never forget this day! What a fun thing to see two completely different cultures come together through fun, games, and love.  Lots of laughs and smiles!

Dwayne, the main man in charge of organizing this  youth trip.  Great guy!!

Fun Youth Activity

Later that night Calvin went out with the missionaries to teach some families. One of the guys they taught, in his twenties, had declined an invitation from his buddies to go out and drink.  He told the missionaries that he wanted to be home for his appointment with them, and he didn't want to be around his friends when they were drinking.  Pretty awesome! 

Christmas Eve and Christmas!

Christmas Eve Day we visited Hermana Petrona who had a bad fall and is recuperating at home.  I found out from visiting that some of her needs aren't being met, so we brought her some bottles of water that she can open with her teeth (it's difficult for her to grip anything with her arthritic hands, let alone twist open a water bottle), some food (tons of fruit, some zucchini bread, and some healthy almond cookies I make in my dehydrator, and of course, the oils which she loves.)  Tyrese is holding some quetzales he earned from putting away the dishes.  He was excited to give it to her, which was so thoughtful!

Hermana Petrona

Back home, Colin made a wonderful traditional New Year's Eve dinner! Olive Garden's pasta fajole soup, and shepherd's bread.  

The Jensen's came over for Christmas Eve, and we had a blast! 

There were lots of block parties, this one being close to our house.  Lots of pinatas, loud music, games and kids. Last year we had just arrived back in Guatemala around the 21st, and we went to this same party.  I didn't like it, I cried, and we left early.  I was homesick for the Christmases I was used to.  But this year, I knew what to expect, so I decided to accept that it's different, and I chose to have fun! Much better, and no tears:)   

Fireworks is a huge tradition for Christmas, and most are set off in a steady stream around midnight.  

After the neighborhood party we went back to the house and played games.  I went to bed around 2, and everyone else at 3am.  What a fun night!! 

We love our fireplace!

The next morning, Ty woke up pretty early, and nobody else was up yet.  He asked me if we could do school! I thought that was pretty awesome, so we sat together and did school:) 

Tameeka joined us while we read from this book that I've had since I was a kid! 

We had bought a bunch of fruit and baskets, which the kids assembled.   

Time to deliver the fruit baskets! (Calvin is going Guatemalan style, riding on the side of the car)

Our first stop was to Ana.  She is such a sweet lady! I recently invited her to join Mayan Treasure and make jewelry.  She's doing great!

This is a pretty famous couple around Pana.  One of them is blind, and the other one is deaf (can't remember which is which). Aren't they sweet?!

Our next stop was to a family who recently joined the church. 

Ledi's house.

These pictures of us all walking down alleys, always brings back wonderful memories of doing service together as friends and family.  

Candi was almost in tears of gratitude for our simple gift! She said she's never thought she'd be as happy as she has been this last year she's been working for us doing cleaning.  She went into a little speech when we handed her the gift, and was overflowing with happiness and thankfulness.  What an amazing person she is, especially for what she's had to go through in her life. 

This is Candi's kitchen.  Calvin chose her as one of the families to instal a fuel efficient stove for.  The other day after she had cleaned at our house, I asked if she wanted a burrito for lunch.  She didn't realize I had already made them, so she asked how to use the toaster oven so she could make hers.  I explained hers was already done, but showed her how to use the toaster oven anyway.  "Muy facil!" (very easy) she said, and then it hit me when I realized what she does to cook each day.   

This is a typical Guatemalan "pila" where dishes and clothes are washed, teeth are brushed, and sponge baths are taken. 

Some cute kids on our walk back. 

This is the straight-face look most Guatemalans give for pictures. 

This is how we do it in America:)  

The hike up to Presidente's house.  There's so many stairs to get there, and we were all tired out once we reached their home! Amazing that they do this climb many times throughout the day. 

Beautiful view of Lake Atitlan and the Volcanoes from their humble home. 

Presidente, Paulina, the 2 of their kids, Claudia (she just returned from her mission in Honduras), and Juanito, also a return missionary.  William, their other son, is currently serving a mission in MX.  We love this family!   

Christmas night! Time to open presents! We bought presents the day before Christmas Eve. We sat in our car at the Dispensa parking lot and the kids drew names.  Tiff got Em, Tameeka got Dev, and Ty got Calvin.  I took the T's shopping while Colin stayed at the Dispensa and bought stocking stuffers (food), and joined up with the older kids after he was done.  We walked into a food store and immediately the T's found what they were looking for.  Ty got a chocolate muffin for Calv (which later got squished in my backpack!), Tameeka got Dev a bag of Dorritos, and Tiffany got a donut for Em.  "Do you think they'll share a bite with us?" was the common question! We continued on to the Mercado, where Tameeka found a firework for Dev, Ty got a coconut for Calv, and Tiff got earrings for Em. The older kids found some cute stuffed animals and dolls, and a toy car for the T's.  This has been such a fun Christmas tradition for years (it used to take place at Smith's or Walmart), and makes gift-giving very small and simple! Colin bought me a mug which is a tradition too (except I found it before Christmas, sitting out to dry after he had washed it!), and he got a free massage coupon from me:)

Christmas football:)