WOW

...The summer has DEFINITELY begun! I don't have any pictures to add at the moment....I can't believe I'm even stopping to type this! :-)

It began last Friday morning.- Dwight and I got on the 5:00 am bus and rode to Quito. We took a taxi from the last bus stop to a huge mall in Quito. It's always very surreal. This was a very high-end mall that reminded me of Northpark. (for those of you in Dallas) :-) It's always so strange to be back in that environment! Anyway...we had Burger King for lunch and Dunkin' Donuts for dessert. That made me VERY happy. I had a donut...and half of Dwight's. Yes, I'll say again, that he is the BEST husband EVER!!! It doesn't take much to make me happy.... Oh, speaking of that- I also found Miracle Whip in a store in that mall!!!! As far as what everyone has told me...Miracle Whip has never been available here before. You can only get Lite Mayo. I'm telling you....little things like this just make my day. - wait, make that month. ha!

Ok...So we had to run around and pick up things in Quito before the group arrived. Our first group for the summer was from Brookhaven, Mississippi (16 adults). They are actually Patti Sue's home church from before she left for the mission field. To say the least.... I LOVED THEM!!! It was like a piece of home had come to see us! Within five minutes of them arriving at the airport....I had picked out someone who reminded me of my Nani, and another guy who reminded me of Daddy! It just got better and better..... When we made it to the Guesthouse in Shell the next day, the first thing they did was make sweet tea. They stole my heart right then. :-)

We also picked up 4 of our individual summer volunteers at that same time, and we've had 2 more arrive this week! It has seriously been non-stop. The group left earlier today for Quito, and Patti Sue went with them. I've switched gears to get ready for Chantal's wedding shower on Sunday, and I can't wait! I've got to do some baking for a huge going-away party tomorrow night for a couple of missionary families that are leaving. We got an email this morning informing us that the electricity will be OFF from 6am to 6pm tomorrow. Fabulous. That's exactly what I needed...... At least the internet is back on after someone stole the national antennaes the other day. Only in Ecuador....

So, back to the group- they were just great. We really had a great time getting to know each of them. I'll have to follow up with some pictures whenever I get them. They were so eager to work and help in any way possible, and it was so awesome. Some of the ladies helped me tackle the HUGE amount of old clothes that have been stored away in order to sit and mildew. It is a daunting task that's just been hanging over my head, and they accomplished so much! I'm so thankful for their help!

The guys were busy at the construction site, and there is now running water! They hauled 4 large tanks to the top of the water tower, and they're all filled and working properly. Dwight was so excited to see this, so I'm hoping he'll do a blog. (FINALLY!)

2 of our ladies, Arta & Kali, did a VBS in the afternoons this week, and they're doing awesome! They'll be here for 2 more weeks, and they've got lots of fun things planned for the kids.

Matt is our new housemate for three weeks. :-) He's been here before, so he's just jumped right in. It's been fun getting to know him, and I'm so thankful to have guys around who love to spend time with the kids.

Meredith also arrived on the 29th, and we're lucky to have her for the whole summer. She has done an awesome job of getting the children involved outside in the afternoons. Every time I turn around she's helping in a different area. The other day she was kind of traumatized when she changed her first cloth diaper...(it was running down the legs...) Well, I had misunderstood- and it was her first diaper EVER. I can't imagine! What an awful first experience. Cloth diapers are touchy for anyone who's not used to them! She's a trooper.

We had 2 other girls arrive- Lisa and Sarah- who will also be here for the summer. They're going to be leading some different stations, focusing on education & arts/music/crafts. They're so excited to be here, and it's refreshing to have all of this energy and enthusiasm!

It's really amazing to see how God brings people from all over the U.S. to the orphanage. Every person has a different story about how they feel called to be here at this time. It is so encouraging to be surrounded by all of these people who are truly seeking God's will and FOLLOWING whenever He calls. If any of you who read this blog have toyed with the idea of coming....DO IT!!! This is such an awesome experience, and now is the perfect time. Don't worry about tip-toeing out of your comfort zone....just jump out of it. I guarantee God will open your eyes and show you something amazing!