Changing Their Lives Changed Mine: Compassion El Salvador, Part 1

LA BIENVENIDA A EL SALVADOR!

Did you totally say that with an accent? Because I'm pretty sure I nailed the translation. Based on Google translate. 

Welcome to El Salvador!

There. -Just in case you can't roll your r's. 

As many of you know, Jason just celebrated his 5th year of working for Compassion International. 

Let me provide a summary of what Compassion is. I just ended that sentence with a preposition and it's bothering me, but I'll suppress my anxiety and go forth!

Compassion is a sponsorship based organization that focuses on child development working with children in poverty-stricken areas in 26 countries around the world. Your sponsorship provides: medical checkups, nutritious food, education and special assistance for children in need of surgery or disaster relief. Best of all, Compassion provides spiritual development as well. More details are provided on Compassion's website.

On significant (5, 10, and 15 year) anniversary's, Compassion pays for the employee and one guest (yay me!) to go on a sponsorship tour. You can learn more about sponsorship tours by clicking on the link I just provided, but briefly... Compassion provides opportunities for sponsors to meet their sponsor child. Jason chose the tour that was going to El Salvador because it was a country he had never been too. I asked him to choose to visit the children that are suffering in Hawaii, but he said no. That is a joke. People in Hawaii sponsor children. Actually, I now have a new friend from there! Her name is Joni (pronounced Joanee) and she was visiting her sponsor child (who is now a teen). I cried when she met him because it was so moving. More on that later.
Please take a minute to consider sponsoring a child. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. If I don't know the answer, I will get it for you within 24 hours. Because I'm pretty great like that. If you need persuaded, let me just say that I was blessed with stories of children who keep every single letter from their sponsor and read them over and over. That persuasion was free of charge. The next one will cost you the price of sponsoring a child. Which is just $38 a month. Gosh, I'm good.

And now, for the trip. 

At the airport. The destination seems more real when it's displayed on the flight schedule screen.

We had a long time to wait, so I sent a text to my friend Kelly showing her that I did lunges. I did 2 because everyone stared and didn't join in. People milling around the airport are so stinking lazy! I bet they watch Biggest Loser while eating cake. They also have a terribly annoying habit of abruptly stopping to check their cell phone right.in.front.of.you. I have no problem lunging right over the top of those people to go on my merry way.

Selfie-On the plane!

All sponsor tours are planned to the last detail. You visit projects (the child development centers where the children recieve school assistance, meals and get to participate in alot of amazing acitivities), homes, and even the souvenir shopping days were mostly planned. Bathroom stops are not mostly planned. If you have the Big D, they will stop for you, don't worry. You just need to mention that you would like to stop and smell the flowers.  After which you are asked "one flower or two?"  All the places we stayed as well as our meals were also planned. In addition, you are provided with translators who are with you for the entire trip. Our translators were AWESOME!!! They are all fun and caring and I have a soft spot for the word "childrens" because of them.

Juan (the tall one in the blue shirt who appears to be thinking) was our host and coordinated our entire week. From left to right we have: Gabi, Fernando, Imelda, Jorge, Juan and Susie.

They have some rico suave dance moves. They also come with paparrazzi.

  Our first night we stayed at the Real Intercontinental Sal Salvador. ALTO means STOP. I know because I'm current on my shapes. I would also like to say that I was delighted to hear "Hotel California" pumping through the speakers of the hotel during breakfast our first morning.

On the first day, we traveled to the city of Sonsonate, to attend a worship service at the church where we were going to visit one of the projects. Compassion partners with local churches who run and staff the programs. The local church also identifies the children who qualify (based on their level of poverty and need) for the Compassion program.

I took pictures from the bus along the way. There are 23 active volcanoes in El Salvador. I know because I just googled it.

This is Iglesia Josue Assembly of God. This is the church that partners with one of the Compassion projects in Sonsonate, and also where we attended church on Sunday.

We had a time of worship, and then they had a baby dedication which included many of the mom's who are involved in the child survival program.

This little cutie butt sang for us:

When church was over, we spent the rest of the day in the city of Ataco souvenir shopping. 

We enjoyed lunch at Sibaritas which came with dessert.  I got to have chocolate cake after changing my mind from my initial request for a brownie. (Hey, we live in Colorado, you never know what's in the brownies).

I must say that once I nailed the spanish for bartering, I still didn't buy anything during our shopping trip. I just stared longingly at their version of snow cones, because we weren't supposed to drink the water or have ice.

 The following day was our first project experience back in Sonsonate. I personally was unprepared for the greeting we received. These people are so warm and welcoming! When our bus pulled up to the project, I was overcome with emotion. 

Look at our welcoming committee! Each child was holding a sheet of paper with one of our name's on it. Surely you're not overlooking the American flag.

These lovely senoritas performed a dance and then each of them came and grabbed one of us from the audience to dance with them. I was grabbed, and I twirled my partner because I didn't want to embarrass her by breaking out my impressive salsa skillz.  Jason even managed to dance as well!

We went inside the church to hear testimonies of the lives that have been changed through this project, and to learn more about the Child Survival Program. 

I spy with my little eye, the boy who was holding my sign. On the first row to the left of the pink balloon. Apparently I bored him.

This is the way they keep records of those in the programs. In this case, this is a mom in the Child Survival Program. Included in the book, are medical records and pictures of special events such as birthdays. It was particularly interesting that we were handed this book, because we got to do a "Day in the Life" home visit at Wendy's home on this same day!

Before leaving, we heard the testimony of this mom, who was raped. She kept her baby who is one or two months old and was born with a severe cleft palate. We prayed for her and her baby. She cried, the baby cried, we all cried. It was a very touching moment. If she is involved in the Compassion program, her son will get the medical attention he needs for his cleft palate surgeries.

Immediately following the prayer time, we broke up into groups to visit some homes. Compassion offers a "Day in the Life" opportunity for the sponsor tours, so that they can experience the conditions in which the children of the program live.

This is the home of Wendy, her boyfriend (soon to be husband) William and their son Jose. They share this home with Wendy's mom and dad.  Compared to the home we visited later in the trip, this one was extremely nice!

Compassion purchased items to bring with us to the home visits such as food, a laundry basket and many of us on the home visit brought a gift as well.

It's very rare for a father to be involved in the lives of many of these families. We spent time encouraging William in that respect.

We took turns holding Jose. He especially liked me because I took him to look at the chickens in the back yard.

This picture of their yard reminds me that Jason wanted to put up a clothesline in our backyard. But I told him the moment my underwear blow into the neighbor's back yard, I'm suing for emotional and punitive damages.

Before leaving, we prayed and took a group photo. The tall gentleman on the left was our tour leader, Bobby. In front of him is a project staff member and to her right is Joni, a sponsor on our tour (she's the one I mentioned earlier from Hawaii). If you can take a moment to scan your eyes away from my sweaty pits, I'd appreciate it. My glistening demeanor is appreciated in their culture. I just made that up. It is sweaty hot in El Salvador.

After the home visit, we concluded our day by touring the project and the workshops they have there for the mom's and their children. This was a jewelry making workshop. I made a ring. I use the term "made" loosely. I'm pretty sure I snipped off a long piece of wire at the end. So. Yes. I can make a ring. She let me keep it!  The mothers in the program are taught different skills and trades like this that will help them generate income.

I talked these lovely staff members into taking a pouty lips picture with me. Yes, I'm the blue eyed skinny-lipped Gringa on the right. 

The following day, we headed back to the city of Ataco to visit the project there. This project had more interaction with the children. It's important to note where we stayed for the majority of this portion of our trip, because it was like a resort on steroids minus the beach and including a rooster. A lovely place called the Santa Leticia Hotel. 

This was our room:

Yes. My hair can endure humidity between the hours of 5:00 a.m. - 5:01 a.m., rooster standard time.

The restaurant there is located in front of it's coffee plantation. I had several cups of cafe con leche throughout the week, but I'd like it noted that several other people in our group also liked creamer with their coffee and I had to fight for the right to own the creamer carafe.

A view of the restaurant in the evening. Isn't is welcoming? They leave the light on for you. Until they go to bed. Then you're on your own.

 The coffee beans grown here are harvested in October, November and December. Then they are shipped to Starbucks. No joke.

A real life coffee bean tree!

I asked someone to take our picture because we matched.

 And I'll leave you with the view of our bus experience. 

To be Continued...

(Compassion El Salvador Part 2: Meeting the sponsored children. -coming tomorrow in theaters near you).

Crested Butte, CO

I've been busy. Typically, I'm accustomed to a more slothful existence. 
Anyway, we just returned from a short jaunt (which I don't think I like that word now that I've typed it out because it reminds me of the word jaundice, but I already typed it and I'm too lazy to change it) to Crested Butte, CO. 
A quaint little ski town about 4 hours from us.
The halfway point of the trip is a little city called Buena Vista, a place I've blogged about a  few times because it contains a place we like to visit called St. Elmo.  We decided to stop there and eat lunch at a park and get some candy. My candy of choice was a large Tootsie Roll and I took a picture of it in my bag in the car see:

I know. That was great.

Once we were back on the road, we realized we were a bit early and couldn't check into our condo for a while so we stopped at a huge park nearby in Gunnison. Apparently they were expecting us because look what I spyed:

Check out the slide action they have at this park:

Daredevil Evan went down the tallest slide a bazillion times until I made him go ride the boring dinosaur because bigger kids were trampling all over him running to the top of the stairs.

We left and got settled into our condo which I forgot to take pictures of. So imagine with me:

a room with bunk beds and a twin bed. A master bedroom and a kitchen. Done.

The first night we were lazy and it rained so we made dinner in the condo and watched a thousand hours of Alaskan Bush People because we don't have cable at home. And I do wonder how they are poor and have to barter for lumber if Discovery Channel pays them to do the show. ? Answer me please.

The condo where we stayed is a the base of the ski mountain "Mount Crested Butte".

 It's a 5 minute drive by car (gasp) to the tiny town where all of the restaurants and shops are. We found out that there is a bus stop just outside of our condo that would pick us up and take us to town for free!

Our very first morning, we actually did a hike into town on a stretch of paved path they called "the rec trail". What a name! 

But the scenery is pretty:

Evan is getting a little old, heavy and whiny to be packed around in the hiking back pack now, but we're brave.

Sometimes I make Dawson pose for pictures with me just because I'm his mom.

Our first order of business once we finally arrived in town was to find a coffee shop. Look what they can do!

I could probably do that if I put my mind to it. Then you'd have to call me a barista.

We drank our coffee and hot chocolate (because our children aren't allowed to have coffee until they're at least 21) on the upstairs porch of the coffee house. And Evan was enamored with the digger in the back yard.

We walked through town for a bit and caught the bus back to our condo and then soaked in the hot tub.

 The boys braved the pool which was heated to 84 degrees, but once you've already been in the hot tub, it takes enormous strength of character to battle the cold winds and swim in a cold heated pool. So I stayed in the hot tub like the dud I am. We went back to the condo and relaxed and ate at this excellent little pizza place that night called The Secret Stash and went back to the condo and went to bed. After watching 300 hours of Alaskan Bush People.

The following morning we took a hike called "The Upper Loop". A beautiful hike along the side of the mountain.

In the summer, Crested Butte is known for it's wildflowers, but we went in mud season because it's dirt cheap to go during that time. But the scenery was still rather stunning.

That tiny little town in the picture above is Crested Butte. Isn't it cute? I want to hug it.

Dawson took over the camera and all manner of random pictures showed up:

I didn't want another picture to go by without ya'll being able to see me hiking with Evan. So. There. 

This hike ended at a park in town where the boys played and I sat and watched strangers. Because that's what I do. I'm a people watcher.

We stayed 3 nights in Crested Butte and ate food and watched cable and Evan took naps.

The End.

The Parable of the Persistent Toddler

God has entrusted me with a toddler. 
I speak only for myself when I say that I'm convinced no toddler is created equally in terms of personality. I'm consistently mentioning to Jason "Dawson never even thought of doing something like that when he was Evan's age". 
That being said...
Recently, I was reading the parable of the persistent widow in the book of Luke and I couldn't help but inserting myself into the well worn shoes of the judge in the story. Evan very quickly became the persistent widow.
I had to make a few changes to the parable, in order for it to fit my unique situation, for obvious reasons, since the parable is given to teach the disciples to never give up on prayer. If Evan would only apply that principal to his own life when he is grown, God will give that boy everything.he.asks.for.
I present to you:
The Parable of the Persistent Toddler

Joy told them a story showing that her toddler managed to get anything he asked for.  She said, “There was once a mom in Colorado Springs who never gave a second thought to the various whims of children. A toddler in that city kept after her: ‘I want a piece of gum!’

The mom never gave the toddler the time of day. But after this went on and on the mom said to herself, ‘I care nothing what other mom's think. But because this toddler won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that he gets a piece of gum—otherwise I’m going to end up locked in the bathroom with no hope for escape while the toddler pounds at the door.’”

I would like to add, that I do attempt a compromise with Evan. Where I tear the piece of gum in half and offer him only half of the gum. But oh no. This will NOT do. A half of a piece?! Where is the justice?! What toddler can live on a half a piece of gum alone?! 
I WANT A BIG PIECE MOMMY!!! PWEASE!!
Fine. Here's your big piece. Go lay down. For 10 hours.
Thank you mommy.
Yes. This is what I'm dealing with here:

To be clear, it's not just gum. Included in his arsenal, but not limited to, we have:
*The ipad
*Garbage truck videos on my phone
*candy
*juice
I draw the line when he asks for money. I give him the credit card because I never have cash.
So that there is no misunderstanding that I'm absolutely not trying to downplay the parable of the persistent widow (because it is a great parable and one with much meaning), I'm leaving you with the verse in it's entirety.

Luke 18:1-8The Message (MSG)

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’

^4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”

^6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns

The Artist

Dawson comes from a long line of artisans. 

Wait. 

Does that mean I'm saying he came from a long line of bread? Because he didn't come from a long line of bread. I know that there is Artisan bread though. But he came from artistic ancestors. Artisan Ancestors. 

I'm pretty sure I should open an art gallery and name it Artisan Ancestors. But, then the gallery would have to display pictures of people that look like bread.

Dawson has always loved to draw. Jason, Jason's dad, and his grandma can all draw.

A month or so ago, Dawson sat down and began drawing the cover to the new Transformer's movie: 

A few months ago he drew Whispering Death (from How to Train Your Dragon). 

If you're reading this and you're pregnant right now, I strongly encourage you to name your child "Whispering Death".

So that no one can claim that I claim favorites, I introduce to you Evan's Art:

He painted this right after his Aunt Bobbie called him to sing him Happy Birthday. So when the painting was complete he told me he wanted to give it to Aunt Bobbie. I said "Oh, Okay, what is the picture"? And he said "It's Mountains"!

Dear Aunt Bobbie, I never sent you this picture. Please frame your laptop and hang it on the wall while it displays this blog post. Thank you.

Choosing the Right Glasses for You: A Tutorial.

I've had glasses since 3rd grade.

Fashionable glasses, I might add.

Only a girl with a mullet and buck teeth can pull off that kind of style.

Of course, when the option to choose a different color became available, I felt the world was at my fingertips. I was confident enough to perform flower girl duties in weddings with ease. 

 

 Naturally, I inherited this from my mother.

Dawson recently busted his glasses for the umpteenth time. In my attempt to salvage them, I put superglue on the break and the glue ran down onto the frames. I tried to get the super glue off the lenses before it dried and the paper towel stuck to the glue, stuck to the lenses. Ever an optimist, I googled how to remove superglue from plastic lenses, and google said to use fingernail polish remover. (Some other dummy has done the same thing!)   The fingernail polish remover took care of the paper towel!  Score. But the glue remained. 

Thankfully, we have a warranty on Dawson's glasses, so we went to pick up the new pair and this gave Evan the idea that he would look suave in glasses. 

I agree, don't you?

For those of you who need advice on the best frames to fit your style, pay close attention to Evan. The difference is all in the face you're making.

 
Large frames with a glare and somewhat puckered lips look great paired with messy hair.

Square frames that have a purplish/blue hue will turn any frown into a smile.

I would like to take this time to also mention that Jason stopped me from throwing away the cracked, super glued pair of glasses because "Dawson needs a backup pair".