tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17668593916904961372024-03-14T07:17:19.334-07:00Adventures in GuatemalaKathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-45287741639698250292009-02-01T12:42:00.001-08:002009-02-01T13:20:32.931-08:00Rancho Esperanza Wish ListHello to all of you on this blessed Sunday! This isn't my post on the school system in Guatemala- I'll get to that a little later (probably tomorrow morning when I'll have a few hours of peace and quiet to write). This post is to inform you all of a "Rancho Esperanza" Wish List that is up on Target.com. Some of you have shown an interest in donating items needed by the orphanage, and making a wish list was the easiest way for us to make aware some of the needs down here. It's not that these items need to be purchased from Target- using Target's "Wish List" application was just the easiest way for Karen and I to "go shopping" and list items publically (we can both be a bit electronically challenged at times).<br /><br />If God has placed it on your heart to donate something to the Rancho Esperanza ministry, we will consider it a HUGE blessing. Even if we receive one thing from the list, it will have been a success. However, other than these material items, we are ALWAYS in need of prayer, and thankfully that is something that every one of us is able to do. I would like to say thank you to each one of you who have been faithfully praying for me and for this ministry. Your prayers are felt and appreciated every single day.<br /><br />Our reason for posting the list at this time is because I am coming back to Knoxville for two weeks at the end of the month for my brother's wedding, and because I do not plan on bringing many things with me for my visit, I will have room in my suitcases to bring back any items with me when I return to Rio Dulce.<br /><br />If you feel led to donate, you can access the Wish List website by going to http://www.target.com/lists/2DPPAY7175KGT and you can e-mail me at kholt3@utk.edu so we can arrange a way to get the things in my suitcase before I head back to Guatemala on March 10th.<br /><br />Like I said, every little bit helps (I've been amazed at how even the simplest things that we use on a daily basis in the US can be impossible to find in Guatemala). Thanks to you all and I hope you have a fantastic week!Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-18160416418549994972009-01-29T15:29:00.000-08:002009-01-30T12:50:27.634-08:00Remote Medical Clinic...1-29-2009<br />Today was INCREDIBLE! I had the pleasure of accompanying Karen, Mike, Oscar, and a small medical team (6 people, most of whom are young doctors doing their residency in Michigan) to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cayos</span>, a beautiful little village about an hour down the Rio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cienega</span> (a river right off the Rio Dulce) by launch.<br /><br />First of all, the boat ride to was stunning. The Rio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cienega</span> is relatively narrow and shallow (at one point we had to get out of the boat to push it out of a rough spot), full of tropical trees lining the shore, and it is INCREDIBLY peaceful and tranquil. Everyone we passed, whether it be women cleaning dishes or clothes in the river, children going for a swim, men working along the banks, or people paddling in their beautiful wooden hand-carved canoes, they all waved and flashed a (sometimes toothless) grin our way. I could tell it was going to be a good trip.<br /><br />Once we arrived on the beach in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cayos</span>, some of the village members came out to great us and help carry things to the church (where the clinic was held). We had about a 5 minute walk down a gravel road before we reached the village. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cayos</span> used to only be accessible by water, but recently they built a road and for a short time during the dry season (when the river is low), 4-wheel drive vehicles are able to access the village.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ANYway</span>, as the doctors set up “stations” for their patients (who began lining up soon after we arrived), Oscar and I ventured into the jungle. We hiked a little ways up a dirt path to visit his family. Lettie, Oscar’s mother, grew up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cayos</span>, and many of her late husband’s family members (Oscar’s grandparents and some aunts, uncles, and cousins) still live there. Also, all of Lettie’s children were born there and her late husband is buried there, so it’s a very special place for Oscar. It was an honor to get to meet some of his and Lettie’s family, and I also got to hike up to the local graveyard to show my respects to Lettie’s late husband. It was a very sacred place, and I could tell that it meant a lot to Oscar that he was able to visit his father’s grave.<br /><br />After that, we headed back to the clinic to see how things were coming along. The doctors had already seen many patients (which is fantastic, because this is a place that would never receive medical care unless people like those from today volunteered to host a FREE clinic). They saw cases such as simple head colds, head lice, gastrointestinal problems (from unclean water and food), infected wounds, ear infections, tonsillitis, scabies, and a very unusual, large boil type thing on a man’s foot that was believed to be water (or some kind of liquid) that had escaped from his tendons. Very strange. Oh, and we also had many pregnant women who were able to be examined and get some prenatal care. Very exciting. None of the doctors spoke Spanish, so they had hired 3 men from Belize to translate for them. Their system worked out beautifully, and many were able to receive medical care (and those who were well received vitamins and dental supplies).<br /><br />I feel so blessed to have been witness to such an amazing act of kindness and selfless generosity. Unfortunately the group was solely humanitarian in nature and not affiliated with any religion, but I can easily see how God could use those type of experiences to open someone’s eyes and bring them to His kingdom. What a great day…<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The children were all INCREDIBLY shy and many wouldn't verbally respond to my poor attempts at communication, but you could tell that they liked the attention.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuxnVGzUXnRmwCQb8rd_3tn3LZLTU6i1Hr0ZcDNWN2HqoZsoOPtHJYsV5JwRDGfQkqmfJ2LzO0lqlUTA-0B888cW7FYdpeYUdSs3PccXBQ3jzERjiuFxq8AWdtmdi7N4OoWol1i1qYYQ/s1600-h/IMG_1018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuxnVGzUXnRmwCQb8rd_3tn3LZLTU6i1Hr0ZcDNWN2HqoZsoOPtHJYsV5JwRDGfQkqmfJ2LzO0lqlUTA-0B888cW7FYdpeYUdSs3PccXBQ3jzERjiuFxq8AWdtmdi7N4OoWol1i1qYYQ/s400/IMG_1018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902464065770290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsoIE2sG_NGnvCuIbI3dwCdFwGWGVq0M8FBe4-_iM4pYL7kKVtG18g4KyCyvGEsfc2B6UWKncMKqyryuft-3am6z04fPgdqxZi0tgLbKxe92Opi7YEdgmebmgBXdGW4oLb1N-vCKm_ig/s1600-h/IMG_1019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsoIE2sG_NGnvCuIbI3dwCdFwGWGVq0M8FBe4-_iM4pYL7kKVtG18g4KyCyvGEsfc2B6UWKncMKqyryuft-3am6z04fPgdqxZi0tgLbKxe92Opi7YEdgmebmgBXdGW4oLb1N-vCKm_ig/s400/IMG_1019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902473422194466" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite picture of the day. What a better thing to do on a sunny day than find a cool spot in the dirt and take a little siesta neck to neck with a loved one...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LDLaTBPimYsy-6lIQMECEXh_PfDu2DxzONk_I0APV2qzv3XhFwikMhp5ixWfRZt4iDLeM3rNHvoOvAPRwsXmut1NyL3Z8_Avx0ZdZK0obx6jWeOnGMM6ZDvyEBj50r1g_0bfuTJkN94/s1600-h/IMG_1016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LDLaTBPimYsy-6lIQMECEXh_PfDu2DxzONk_I0APV2qzv3XhFwikMhp5ixWfRZt4iDLeM3rNHvoOvAPRwsXmut1NyL3Z8_Avx0ZdZK0obx6jWeOnGMM6ZDvyEBj50r1g_0bfuTJkN94/s400/IMG_1016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902461202835874" border="0" /></a><br />Or if you don't have a friend close by, the trash/slop heap is the next best thing... Or so this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">coche</span> thought...<br />(FYI: In school, I was taught that "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">coche</span>" meant car, and it does in Mexico, but in Guatemala it means pig. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Guatemaltecos</span> joke that all cars in Mexico are ugly like pigs anyway, so the word fits... Anyway, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">carro</span>" is car in Guatemala, just in case you ever needed to know.) :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk14T4h9W83DYAUkhxRa5clLuMvzONR5vW9ITe9hqidNSC_JBRI_q5BTunyZKgur00BkrrF5wyLRjytzcsRV9OUDf9hyfnT8XuFfqisSlABRxnrZQ2eLVfvuNIvTPHvyJynfoEYvxGDWM/s1600-h/IMG_1014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk14T4h9W83DYAUkhxRa5clLuMvzONR5vW9ITe9hqidNSC_JBRI_q5BTunyZKgur00BkrrF5wyLRjytzcsRV9OUDf9hyfnT8XuFfqisSlABRxnrZQ2eLVfvuNIvTPHvyJynfoEYvxGDWM/s400/IMG_1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902456384827810" border="0" /></a><br />The animals in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Cayos</span> live the life!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz14A7I7O-QhVz0OuNeZIi8V3e_VphuMS7oS5RbXeTtHubntyzpFZq2vsY5D5BEAZ8Mh_Q_k5nesN-57CWTngbigpYnGTHdRBH0Mfo_nKyg_HMx-0AHPsGVnVCkc26XaPWA71sTmrlJA/s1600-h/IMG_1011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz14A7I7O-QhVz0OuNeZIi8V3e_VphuMS7oS5RbXeTtHubntyzpFZq2vsY5D5BEAZ8Mh_Q_k5nesN-57CWTngbigpYnGTHdRBH0Mfo_nKyg_HMx-0AHPsGVnVCkc26XaPWA71sTmrlJA/s400/IMG_1011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902454974622226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctV8Vll9M_Tyoe3qWpaYCcqidOhyMiCPKQtIOz7Dot_YcQw2exJXRMz2ZvumubAL4zUrrLfJIx2m0aS5j5PuIobi5y65LHQWHAknc_Fs6P9qtYl2m3wFTM8WigIlzcpLtcwPvq2KOWFQ/s1600-h/IMG_1009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctV8Vll9M_Tyoe3qWpaYCcqidOhyMiCPKQtIOz7Dot_YcQw2exJXRMz2ZvumubAL4zUrrLfJIx2m0aS5j5PuIobi5y65LHQWHAknc_Fs6P9qtYl2m3wFTM8WigIlzcpLtcwPvq2KOWFQ/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296900023761712706" border="0" /></a><br />This strange angle is because the dogs in Guatemala are very timid (many from abuse, neglect, or from being, well, basically wild animals). It's very difficult to get close enough to a dog to take it's picture. ALSO, this picture is to show one of the healthiest dogs I've seen so far. Most dogs here are in pretty rough shape (extremely skinny, with mange, wounds from fighting or being hit by cars, etc). It's really sad, but it's hard to worry about the dogs when the people have serious needs as well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOPyjEwwz4LPcbkX6-z0NCz5KvP4DCX1xXhU9UaVJDjt9K63Uk8N9Cr3M5qLZlI4ygSCz2F8Oil7u_rdh8jTAzLIWSmYuEvV_WLOjUGC6LzEYWY-T-ERfhEojwk9ROpHYmWHaVIdGlsM/s1600-h/IMG_1008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOPyjEwwz4LPcbkX6-z0NCz5KvP4DCX1xXhU9UaVJDjt9K63Uk8N9Cr3M5qLZlI4ygSCz2F8Oil7u_rdh8jTAzLIWSmYuEvV_WLOjUGC6LzEYWY-T-ERfhEojwk9ROpHYmWHaVIdGlsM/s400/IMG_1008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296900017272652994" border="0" /></a><br />You DO NOT want to mess with this guy. He's mean. Trust me, I know from personal experience... And I'll leave it at that.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQliY7CdgVSNndKCCkgtYtBV2z4tsbanbxZ3Q-yeOgHwVCHdHj8EHvde8ip_-SDc7zQX17tW3qVBH3JevulUxSKo9aBMvEVu4AAu0-6BroD_1hF43HTYDgReg5vNxCONsUgh064H3FMI/s1600-h/IMG_1006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQliY7CdgVSNndKCCkgtYtBV2z4tsbanbxZ3Q-yeOgHwVCHdHj8EHvde8ip_-SDc7zQX17tW3qVBH3JevulUxSKo9aBMvEVu4AAu0-6BroD_1hF43HTYDgReg5vNxCONsUgh064H3FMI/s400/IMG_1006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296900014157626162" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to our make-shift clinic outside the church!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOHmOOE0NgWikuzAyadPmmFUXXZMwWVlF9zMP8hBqtgOH1siAd1E6y-SdrOp5anSF1ryqOLza2nEseuruwJWLkKgT-n59GxFp8F0dIWSZZBz3LAvGHKlu8dmmIoegxMq4ie8fETfY2e8/s1600-h/IMG_1015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOHmOOE0NgWikuzAyadPmmFUXXZMwWVlF9zMP8hBqtgOH1siAd1E6y-SdrOp5anSF1ryqOLza2nEseuruwJWLkKgT-n59GxFp8F0dIWSZZBz3LAvGHKlu8dmmIoegxMq4ie8fETfY2e8/s400/IMG_1015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296900005552730242" border="0" /></a><br />This precious little girl is 2 and 1/2 months old, and her mother is 16 years old- which is completely normal here. After all, when Lettie lived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Cayos</span>, she got married at age 13 and had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Chivette</span>, her first child, at 14. I can't even imagine...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPdyw5Z4Zgxtwyf7CsrP9QXn7DpgZAKjhsHr5B26pWH930qrCkAZICTtv9lx4JsCHXxL40PMPLptmawsfvOnSAvgQHJB2yRt0XEDPV_hHlZBJSyoZEabgFn-Zuc4j6U-aPTtY-FQt-c4/s1600-h/IMG_1004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPdyw5Z4Zgxtwyf7CsrP9QXn7DpgZAKjhsHr5B26pWH930qrCkAZICTtv9lx4JsCHXxL40PMPLptmawsfvOnSAvgQHJB2yRt0XEDPV_hHlZBJSyoZEabgFn-Zuc4j6U-aPTtY-FQt-c4/s400/IMG_1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296897533052617586" border="0" /></a><br />My second favorite picture of the day: This man, named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">LoLo</span>, was a complete saint. When one of the translators wanted to buy water and found out that the village had no pure water for sale, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">LoLo</span> disappeared into the woods and returned with a huge branch full of fresh coconuts. He proceeded to hack the tops off with his machete and began handing them out to the volunteers. Also, as we were about to leave in the launch, he came running down the dirt road with a big bag of fresh corn to give to us.<br />It was incredibly humbling. In the world's eyes, these people hardly have anything, but what they do have, they selflessly give to others.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP3DWCmmMQlWuNuTYdv8FTNYO2T9C5mr9nIKf9bSuNMf4p02C_Ce2nijhJ3wWc6Qp6jCwUgbZZ8kTRkGtR5b2-TbqugMfdrDx49FyDLTD20JJrH2PGwUYCh7aofXMPNDOsXLJB41Ge6E/s1600-h/IMG_1003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP3DWCmmMQlWuNuTYdv8FTNYO2T9C5mr9nIKf9bSuNMf4p02C_Ce2nijhJ3wWc6Qp6jCwUgbZZ8kTRkGtR5b2-TbqugMfdrDx49FyDLTD20JJrH2PGwUYCh7aofXMPNDOsXLJB41Ge6E/s400/IMG_1003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296897526319510066" border="0" /></a><br />I've decided that Steve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">McCurry</span> (the famous photographer of "Afghan Girl" and one of my heroes) needs to come down to Guatemala to do a photo shoot with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">LoLo</span>. He's so photogenic!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTnwXlWiI9vQoEme7avg23vzILnpEeYxO8gNF3Elt45h0xcMAyDJQuuTpK2tbDbxU-BRw999UfCxYAe7iCrlt7VivGie6y2XXAGV5f6GoWGtyqsLm6SILJP5roV9xPrpbznBq0xkvxi4/s1600-h/IMG_1002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTnwXlWiI9vQoEme7avg23vzILnpEeYxO8gNF3Elt45h0xcMAyDJQuuTpK2tbDbxU-BRw999UfCxYAe7iCrlt7VivGie6y2XXAGV5f6GoWGtyqsLm6SILJP5roV9xPrpbznBq0xkvxi4/s400/IMG_1002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296897520954696946" border="0" /></a><br />This was our doctors' office's lobby. :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebZVE7ZYCwDwHzRwbC59JgWXlmAeDWpo2HMJSGEGkfebyjHKkaQQhK5xk7TxsPNiz9joZ30KeHA48NUckF26OB0d_nPloyrAMII2dxqGrWF2cmgBoh3kx3XVKDwwt-zfJm50CRiCC14M/s1600-h/IMG_1001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebZVE7ZYCwDwHzRwbC59JgWXlmAeDWpo2HMJSGEGkfebyjHKkaQQhK5xk7TxsPNiz9joZ30KeHA48NUckF26OB0d_nPloyrAMII2dxqGrWF2cmgBoh3kx3XVKDwwt-zfJm50CRiCC14M/s400/IMG_1001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296897518346236962" border="0" /></a><br />I'm going to go ahead and apologize if you're reading this Karen, but I just have to share...<br />Anyway, when we first arrived and were assessing who needed what kind of care, Karen asked this lady, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Cuantos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">meses</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">tiene</span>?" ("How many months do you have?" and in other words, "How far along are you in your pregnancy?") For those of you who have made the same mistake, I'm sure you can imagine where I'm heading with this... The lady nonchalantly replied that she wasn't pregnant. It took all I had in me not to laugh, but thankfully, I held my composure... But in the evening while we were reflecting on the day, we had a good laugh about it. I'll give it to Karen, she DID look pregnant.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMC_arv8wVErEQg7l-Q-KP7esNnf7-gRPui0pChKxTSFfejW_zvTshtruzrNV0SRzFvzZp47hZzNaknQ5NhXkKu0-kJqvoT0za-p93aPM5FldBIqGz5Tv1qUlPLNyvSOE4JXewWJUWtc/s1600-h/IMG_1000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMC_arv8wVErEQg7l-Q-KP7esNnf7-gRPui0pChKxTSFfejW_zvTshtruzrNV0SRzFvzZp47hZzNaknQ5NhXkKu0-kJqvoT0za-p93aPM5FldBIqGz5Tv1qUlPLNyvSOE4JXewWJUWtc/s400/IMG_1000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296897513692574642" border="0" /></a><br />Patients in the doctor's office...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlrPTd7D-94Jl_Ez9bCQ6JJfvLyVkRW2bMVsp_GO2G-sMecrywXtKi7BFHP553qT0xqB32rZuC-Swj3rHITsigxF4jS7f1LHijieAMtbpMFp_QlaOZfY3UV-gQYT8LpIa5XhcQaEMl5I/s1600-h/IMG_0998.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlrPTd7D-94Jl_Ez9bCQ6JJfvLyVkRW2bMVsp_GO2G-sMecrywXtKi7BFHP553qT0xqB32rZuC-Swj3rHITsigxF4jS7f1LHijieAMtbpMFp_QlaOZfY3UV-gQYT8LpIa5XhcQaEMl5I/s400/IMG_0998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296890260481737970" border="0" /></a><br />There's that watermelon belly again. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Hehe</span>.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-UuyhPXpQ8Y0DtxrJgHo1jQPpkVcHUMAcAUgWj1qb0T4DK93tZDOqsK35Ju2lhHLXtiOponA1BZp_Cww_dd6eX16IDHSJXHllXdQ2-0goLKoKT7RzpEkpebmTbZVAe2un7WMt__4fks/s1600-h/IMG_0997.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-UuyhPXpQ8Y0DtxrJgHo1jQPpkVcHUMAcAUgWj1qb0T4DK93tZDOqsK35Ju2lhHLXtiOponA1BZp_Cww_dd6eX16IDHSJXHllXdQ2-0goLKoKT7RzpEkpebmTbZVAe2un7WMt__4fks/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296890254645594626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUb5KNbFBOgjWLtQnRikFHlrCmvI0DPtQua-8rqfKW0Xp9hNn1MT0S7ujpjufQGaYe7JfWJYZyVToqdgnKAzEaco8i5Pxhsq-eGDPxuqQQn6v9GkbZ6oe7LFRB3RJZqYA_9qWDG6N_ibc/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUb5KNbFBOgjWLtQnRikFHlrCmvI0DPtQua-8rqfKW0Xp9hNn1MT0S7ujpjufQGaYe7JfWJYZyVToqdgnKAzEaco8i5Pxhsq-eGDPxuqQQn6v9GkbZ6oe7LFRB3RJZqYA_9qWDG6N_ibc/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296890255366244994" border="0" /></a><br />The woman here is Blanca, Oscar's aunt. She is the one who worked with Mike and Karen to get this event set up. The Rheas and the village of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Cuatro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Cayos</span> have a very special relationship, and they will help each other out whenever possible.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrkfcSpVu-cVdLSZ1Gf1f6NIp2oR0ARwCkJ8W4IV2Irnk_0V8hjQV0cjSKn0RPF7kpDkYSf31kEc7rNg0z-p6hOu6E3kIrymQRJ-YKPHzfAHTC-Bmc8d4F8o_uE2jkIwqIH4lmGnZ8iY/s1600-h/IMG_0995.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrkfcSpVu-cVdLSZ1Gf1f6NIp2oR0ARwCkJ8W4IV2Irnk_0V8hjQV0cjSKn0RPF7kpDkYSf31kEc7rNg0z-p6hOu6E3kIrymQRJ-YKPHzfAHTC-Bmc8d4F8o_uE2jkIwqIH4lmGnZ8iY/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296890242377329538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H7SjGxXyf96HxkCRgK6tIi998Bi_WjoJJ_TxkjaHr9VHQxlAzaq9Fi5usjxwab7Wyg6natJFxokQ2L0BBHxuwZoDinljWyZmAdwZEBg5j6q-zr994nmONUJqDFkkAJggcRxC0pPgj8A/s1600-h/IMG_0994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H7SjGxXyf96HxkCRgK6tIi998Bi_WjoJJ_TxkjaHr9VHQxlAzaq9Fi5usjxwab7Wyg6natJFxokQ2L0BBHxuwZoDinljWyZmAdwZEBg5j6q-zr994nmONUJqDFkkAJggcRxC0pPgj8A/s400/IMG_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296890238877735442" border="0" /></a><br />I love the facial expression of the girl directly behind the baby.<br />Apparently she wasn't a happy camper, but she's still adorable...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OMMFgr_s9wy2DiyEcLy-b2hREJEvuBCsP6wJNSsDNIoYpAjlXZWrTnajgl5l8lB3fmYgq0cC34AGKK_cTPGUI8pay6V7GnwJPfkusNAVwEa_AjuwcMUa2RKwjEvc6b7YOoYXqMjmAZE/s1600-h/IMG_0993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OMMFgr_s9wy2DiyEcLy-b2hREJEvuBCsP6wJNSsDNIoYpAjlXZWrTnajgl5l8lB3fmYgq0cC34AGKK_cTPGUI8pay6V7GnwJPfkusNAVwEa_AjuwcMUa2RKwjEvc6b7YOoYXqMjmAZE/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296886651253623490" border="0" /></a><br />Simply precious...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITqjhOONPmisi0-1uua86YUatXOx0anqTI5dYj6LTdUQolU6oj59j1FBY5K3I8qmilrdv-tSGJGZYahUooRB6Tfq9VSPYLs7w1YRnnptBfo1eThw1HnllOWlFoH1od8zLi7EpBYEafNY/s1600-h/IMG_0991.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITqjhOONPmisi0-1uua86YUatXOx0anqTI5dYj6LTdUQolU6oj59j1FBY5K3I8qmilrdv-tSGJGZYahUooRB6Tfq9VSPYLs7w1YRnnptBfo1eThw1HnllOWlFoH1od8zLi7EpBYEafNY/s400/IMG_0991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296886648293865666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSHMzq1gZUNcF3g9KvPjMalW8bJu7DT44Ak-7QWlYAito31YAgtj-DITC_l8dnn7khvFHOwRuPT9j_D2cDxBpZVAi1N_ZBP8tA1IsdNF_vc0ywUz6jsb19BBT5JwO7jCgxY1OkGOFks8/s1600-h/IMG_0990.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSHMzq1gZUNcF3g9KvPjMalW8bJu7DT44Ak-7QWlYAito31YAgtj-DITC_l8dnn7khvFHOwRuPT9j_D2cDxBpZVAi1N_ZBP8tA1IsdNF_vc0ywUz6jsb19BBT5JwO7jCgxY1OkGOFks8/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296886641674954658" border="0" /></a><br />After a lot of, well, acting really goofy, I FINALLY got a smile out of this little girl.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38mUaVT_v5LprZQMdLu_u7WkpgHNSgu4zrXjZyH1Mqhfm-lLf6PZx1OEfzoAlisXQu1YJMWe_k27ysooOM6bBCvsLxsbLHLVEAg-BZzh636OpyGEefiGH5la98Dq0iYcpAJGGlJ2JFII/s1600-h/IMG_0989.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38mUaVT_v5LprZQMdLu_u7WkpgHNSgu4zrXjZyH1Mqhfm-lLf6PZx1OEfzoAlisXQu1YJMWe_k27ysooOM6bBCvsLxsbLHLVEAg-BZzh636OpyGEefiGH5la98Dq0iYcpAJGGlJ2JFII/s400/IMG_0989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296886640836780658" border="0" /></a>Central America's Next Top Model<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy71knbRv1XR-U4BkqMB9jLcV4ScR3R3iAeVU2Top2x0yqG_zSxIKW6j6HXlDrWQKWnVCVJ2gMZUJv6_RzcdH1yl9QiD5XXI_QgH4DINLzP6oaLxNQqJhj6dr63ru-qBeZn98mty6YgA/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy71knbRv1XR-U4BkqMB9jLcV4ScR3R3iAeVU2Top2x0yqG_zSxIKW6j6HXlDrWQKWnVCVJ2gMZUJv6_RzcdH1yl9QiD5XXI_QgH4DINLzP6oaLxNQqJhj6dr63ru-qBeZn98mty6YgA/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296886636237092002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXIqYM-shecFVuis3AldRg_qNxFd49nbxT3FIXxDx205zrikg_9ICf_2NHIjfhhKFnDny7XFJ3e2W9z5Q0WXekOgPSYAmyOQ38_Jvw481RPPExGuZowEUtHT35PtAVFZIRTZDZJH2zmA/s1600-h/IMG_0987.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXIqYM-shecFVuis3AldRg_qNxFd49nbxT3FIXxDx205zrikg_9ICf_2NHIjfhhKFnDny7XFJ3e2W9z5Q0WXekOgPSYAmyOQ38_Jvw481RPPExGuZowEUtHT35PtAVFZIRTZDZJH2zmA/s400/IMG_0987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296884030968735810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu7qIFLaHj-8D-O09vBjMRgeVpOOVE6NkZ_3iss_J9QYwvBq_YV8qoP4l1Z_H8SMkBu_EZLszyAdcz3O6Ldf5mz_Lez1Ash3jNudgxxA-agBPVqt-_E2fED0JS1x8tiFuwkh8-jfraTw/s1600-h/IMG_0986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu7qIFLaHj-8D-O09vBjMRgeVpOOVE6NkZ_3iss_J9QYwvBq_YV8qoP4l1Z_H8SMkBu_EZLszyAdcz3O6Ldf5mz_Lez1Ash3jNudgxxA-agBPVqt-_E2fED0JS1x8tiFuwkh8-jfraTw/s400/IMG_0986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296884017474667202" border="0" /></a><br />You can see our deliciously sweet coconuts on the table in this picture.<br />It was the first time I've ever had fresh coconut milk, and yum, it was delicious!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCb3qR4gTAucFn8Rh-ozneo3-6eUbr45pqW9kmTOPsl10xrFM3Ztb1rWL3R3urd0IFGbdvlre3A73v-ezWCyciZ6ipmxRlnHmzKQlL6qYuTHmUw4C2zn4p_sOVZwi4oZ3eGRwEINRV80/s1600-h/IMG_0985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCb3qR4gTAucFn8Rh-ozneo3-6eUbr45pqW9kmTOPsl10xrFM3Ztb1rWL3R3urd0IFGbdvlre3A73v-ezWCyciZ6ipmxRlnHmzKQlL6qYuTHmUw4C2zn4p_sOVZwi4oZ3eGRwEINRV80/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296884012590118658" border="0" /></a><br />People waiting to get their prescriptions filled at the "pharmacy."<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tUf9CEE6rLa86tpG3HCaTtbtexoa2lWnDlSNYQyksJFa54I3ekhWqtf5r5uotysaWhyphenhyphenxQpuuUz1WUESNU8QmO6ju_u-ZByEoduOa-m5XCPLfOpRVLGbeX7Sa1UjaxdQ6KTKwY9GlTGc/s1600-h/IMG_0984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tUf9CEE6rLa86tpG3HCaTtbtexoa2lWnDlSNYQyksJFa54I3ekhWqtf5r5uotysaWhyphenhyphenxQpuuUz1WUESNU8QmO6ju_u-ZByEoduOa-m5XCPLfOpRVLGbeX7Sa1UjaxdQ6KTKwY9GlTGc/s400/IMG_0984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296884010555924258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHssoB9SonhvYdEB8ZmEJin_5DhQfO6eg2G7RSk76cEcCce8KGn-bL3UmItFgKzr9wH-qUJDotjWkuq98ae3crgxHXxPRsJkflrdm01yWBn2Jg-kdgHzAfdlksi-tFYZ3Xu0fs5t4veE/s1600-h/IMG_0982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHssoB9SonhvYdEB8ZmEJin_5DhQfO6eg2G7RSk76cEcCce8KGn-bL3UmItFgKzr9wH-qUJDotjWkuq98ae3crgxHXxPRsJkflrdm01yWBn2Jg-kdgHzAfdlksi-tFYZ3Xu0fs5t4veE/s400/IMG_0982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296884002062466338" border="0" /></a><br />The local school teacher waiting with his students to get vitamins...<br />And to explain to them that they're medicine, NOT CANDY.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IrMliXGVSnRqXcmX8Jnx7UqR5e8E8a_ZP8nL9BWMokLHGZKCTlYWUoqEQkSUzIoE20k5ZhA8p9gmVZ9x-DLMWuAbNEEQgLPtlihzSArTaJR7Y0PPy-Buy3bnSOpjD79O4CfEDXoL6lw/s1600-h/IMG_0980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IrMliXGVSnRqXcmX8Jnx7UqR5e8E8a_ZP8nL9BWMokLHGZKCTlYWUoqEQkSUzIoE20k5ZhA8p9gmVZ9x-DLMWuAbNEEQgLPtlihzSArTaJR7Y0PPy-Buy3bnSOpjD79O4CfEDXoL6lw/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296882051473737106" border="0" /></a><br />A HORRIBLE picture, but none the less, the most beautiful spider I've ever seen. It was peacefully waiting for it's next meal right next to me in the bathroom (i.e. a nice grassy spot of ground right outside the village).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn5J9YLPfiKJ9lGKLQOxuN4hqIQi5UsJB0dzGGBXmQw8Hhds2L99BcNwDGYVBelAOfIABsWq1DcOL7BgAvJdNRxNoPKYtLydRxGfm0y1CBvwrpVTzegtlBWrh4IcpH_4-yYlxmgExgKI/s1600-h/IMG_0978.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn5J9YLPfiKJ9lGKLQOxuN4hqIQi5UsJB0dzGGBXmQw8Hhds2L99BcNwDGYVBelAOfIABsWq1DcOL7BgAvJdNRxNoPKYtLydRxGfm0y1CBvwrpVTzegtlBWrh4IcpH_4-yYlxmgExgKI/s400/IMG_0978.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296882043408124242" border="0" /></a><br />Corn fields seen on our hike up to the graveyard.<br />In fact, you have to walk through the corn fields to get to the graveyard.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0AX-WgM_GYmPju9D1y1dQ9d-6G-8znObwEau47oR5dMn-R2tTHVcUijt17LeUclDOdYkDwVpqonBpEbQlOT2uNttF0_mMux_r1-UsOfwoFaE2K_o5jvLNUEeUcMfRddQUQogm0GeGJ4/s1600-h/IMG_0971.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0AX-WgM_GYmPju9D1y1dQ9d-6G-8znObwEau47oR5dMn-R2tTHVcUijt17LeUclDOdYkDwVpqonBpEbQlOT2uNttF0_mMux_r1-UsOfwoFaE2K_o5jvLNUEeUcMfRddQUQogm0GeGJ4/s400/IMG_0971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296882034750139506" border="0" /></a><br />The entrance to the graveyard<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqwty-Wg4UB6Iyy7Xlgtk3ZO2Fr8J1fSSqJHkuaoe1GffjvfUphCeRHKWjynHYVy0MT51EEjkIuUJS9ezFKSRuBr4-8sRCcaF620WGPQuq-p5y45VmFOmu18TG8Pi2ONS4W5sMQhTbvc/s1600-h/IMG_0970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqwty-Wg4UB6Iyy7Xlgtk3ZO2Fr8J1fSSqJHkuaoe1GffjvfUphCeRHKWjynHYVy0MT51EEjkIuUJS9ezFKSRuBr4-8sRCcaF620WGPQuq-p5y45VmFOmu18TG8Pi2ONS4W5sMQhTbvc/s400/IMG_0970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296882024169285026" border="0" /></a><br />Ofelia's fourth cousin, once removed...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd05AtqRMapvVavoRx-O5WuoB5Pmx7Pw78zbMT8MCPRohtXcArvQwTVXM1WTAufTLQVRyuB-oLg36SNOHz-MUKZgTT3jtsruRNovEkwyjUaCZRr1mKydulBD2rQM5S7uk1-3syPPiAZzo/s1600-h/IMG_0969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd05AtqRMapvVavoRx-O5WuoB5Pmx7Pw78zbMT8MCPRohtXcArvQwTVXM1WTAufTLQVRyuB-oLg36SNOHz-MUKZgTT3jtsruRNovEkwyjUaCZRr1mKydulBD2rQM5S7uk1-3syPPiAZzo/s400/IMG_0969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296882023885761458" border="0" /></a><br />View from the graveyard<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ApKe9-uGWRNq2-rLAUuCHWwR9WLHDnWxn4omzWpm8RZxr_IUsVEPzvKUKSdrTBL_qU6j8VTsOik9pPX748y3V3WMlzfNoNp4wZm19wb2dBGKhs-M0p6zYqp48RZlJ_dwtJVlG0whGY/s1600-h/IMG_0968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ApKe9-uGWRNq2-rLAUuCHWwR9WLHDnWxn4omzWpm8RZxr_IUsVEPzvKUKSdrTBL_qU6j8VTsOik9pPX748y3V3WMlzfNoNp4wZm19wb2dBGKhs-M0p6zYqp48RZlJ_dwtJVlG0whGY/s400/IMG_0968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296879846722755026" border="0" /></a><br />The school sign<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkifwp0DmqQudy5bt-tA2FV8ntEZR87MNriPtIXfrFv49ICBKXz4p8JbrkXNivoYDvtuggt9cxlXx7uQZwPx89XIZr2ts2a16VYA5Yi4rs7ZD7to5Uw5lJyMwmmDd3AwZM9Vng0qdkDA/s1600-h/IMG_0966.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkifwp0DmqQudy5bt-tA2FV8ntEZR87MNriPtIXfrFv49ICBKXz4p8JbrkXNivoYDvtuggt9cxlXx7uQZwPx89XIZr2ts2a16VYA5Yi4rs7ZD7to5Uw5lJyMwmmDd3AwZM9Vng0qdkDA/s400/IMG_0966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296879848303422946" border="0" /></a>May I introduce you to school in Guatemala...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy5Ig6EoXLv7R7msGcvMzBmdVdCazMwPUjRzZwjcvt4saw-miarmhmteuG-m0btgP6uCq_8-PVki4fb2-fv2ORIUWFE6DLJ5GWo1WcWK-fR53o5ztf_EdrZFScpmxVQdd2_SR08mbUj0/s1600-h/IMG_0965.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy5Ig6EoXLv7R7msGcvMzBmdVdCazMwPUjRzZwjcvt4saw-miarmhmteuG-m0btgP6uCq_8-PVki4fb2-fv2ORIUWFE6DLJ5GWo1WcWK-fR53o5ztf_EdrZFScpmxVQdd2_SR08mbUj0/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296879840826762242" border="0" /></a><br />Oscar standing outside of his old school...<br />What you see is what you get...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNBjIz4V0W6rIy-BSmAtTfOlNRUBMPwPehFhl2RqWkfbJLQpRO3RYWHC1y1aB0tC1CTdP6K6-l70ivr-lPwcLtD26fm0sDzb5Ol9Rj1qSZjWJdojBtb7XB-3lXFYIRAdCMRnZ2MMa3Qg/s1600-h/IMG_0964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNBjIz4V0W6rIy-BSmAtTfOlNRUBMPwPehFhl2RqWkfbJLQpRO3RYWHC1y1aB0tC1CTdP6K6-l70ivr-lPwcLtD26fm0sDzb5Ol9Rj1qSZjWJdojBtb7XB-3lXFYIRAdCMRnZ2MMa3Qg/s400/IMG_0964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296879831182763506" border="0" /></a><br />Makes me appreciate Cedar Bluff, West Valley, and Bearden (my schools growing up) a WHOLE lot more than I ever have in the past... No air conditioning, no bathrooms, no books, bars on the windows, and one teacher (who only comes three times a week) who's expected to teach every grade (and it only goes to 6th grade)... How sad...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjnnhxggeVhtnTfD0lDUyjSshWLKq_wTiQdnse4aYZyv8R_5jo2W0xjVS5o5grFUj4rXBbitSSu15aYGRU8fVKghR6aLn10W597TzYxeS0cpkrBUR9s4WKWnKnDa71I4_9ffSjVSD0e4/s1600-h/IMG_0963.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjnnhxggeVhtnTfD0lDUyjSshWLKq_wTiQdnse4aYZyv8R_5jo2W0xjVS5o5grFUj4rXBbitSSu15aYGRU8fVKghR6aLn10W597TzYxeS0cpkrBUR9s4WKWnKnDa71I4_9ffSjVSD0e4/s400/IMG_0963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296879828397519250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I didn't mean to end on a depressing note (because it really was a spectacular experience), but it is a good way to tie this blog into my next entry about the school system in Guatemala. More to come soon...<br /></div>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-88513611877913357542009-01-28T14:20:00.000-08:002009-01-28T18:14:23.987-08:00So it’s been awhile since I’ve written. Sorry to those of you who faithfully check my website… Things have been pretty normal and calm around here, but I’ll catch you up on a few exciting things.<br /><br />Welcome Our New Arrivals!<br />A few days ago, Rancho Esperanza had the pleasure of purchasing two cows! They really are a huge blessing, because they will end up providing milk and other dairy products to the children. Right now we are only able to give them powdered milk (you can’t buy fresh milk in Rio Dulce), so we are all very excited about the cows. Also, both cows are “in a family way,” so we will be expecting precious calves in the near future. A HUGE thank you goes out to those of you who helped fund the purchase. Below I have included some pictures of the majestic creatures… well, maybe not majestic, but I’m sure their mothers think they’re beautiful. The video is of Joaquin, our curious little colt, trying to befriend one of the new cows. To say the least, she wasn’t interested in playing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhbEU-GrtXCwjRKN0-JHRjBUjarNUrSaMpkuwkU5h8kaAYyQ290i92UjZ3gXrkwVUCofkKoL7oGHHcqUI1G2Vcrn5Scw1YLggLFqqTOTM3-aCQXbmsjqmQCOlPuu5mLco9wTwc3ZVn8o/s1600-h/IMG_0959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhbEU-GrtXCwjRKN0-JHRjBUjarNUrSaMpkuwkU5h8kaAYyQ290i92UjZ3gXrkwVUCofkKoL7oGHHcqUI1G2Vcrn5Scw1YLggLFqqTOTM3-aCQXbmsjqmQCOlPuu5mLco9wTwc3ZVn8o/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475507894635106" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdFLf15MqMMjgAaJorCaZULYilVKXkjBEf90cRz7hlp6PBFddQZGQXu9Jp0mIvd90X9bmt-bqF-PR7yiXFQtXBVSeKtNdxvOVoUWfgaF-B5wPEbF5gnq5WjdmMQODaANgWJDBF4M8FGY/s1600-h/IMG_0958.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdFLf15MqMMjgAaJorCaZULYilVKXkjBEf90cRz7hlp6PBFddQZGQXu9Jp0mIvd90X9bmt-bqF-PR7yiXFQtXBVSeKtNdxvOVoUWfgaF-B5wPEbF5gnq5WjdmMQODaANgWJDBF4M8FGY/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475503676052354" border="0" /></a><br />Oscar was REALLY excited about the cows. He's thoroughly enjoying working with them. They are incredibly tame and gentle... Most of the time...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DmKsgQkLHz4M6bIUvikoKxlTjE6iEl0Vw4h7y74_g5v7ECuPS7jzY9m9qqJ8-sIH_pKrRrKcTHVWRhpklKfadUoI2YveDzkpgrog4Zx8yvZzU9TLA01FUwEzLRGsFCMrbEU_baHsegI/s1600-h/IMG_0956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DmKsgQkLHz4M6bIUvikoKxlTjE6iEl0Vw4h7y74_g5v7ECuPS7jzY9m9qqJ8-sIH_pKrRrKcTHVWRhpklKfadUoI2YveDzkpgrog4Zx8yvZzU9TLA01FUwEzLRGsFCMrbEU_baHsegI/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475500088490690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQGXPLlheVvKNf5wEWllOEeadRG8vva7Or6MRxZOSXwYjnK4FoErFop8-zNnQOAefj8P81WrXv5e2gt2pyTaCHibamSB95uRWfN-XCQAD1sSdLhpK82HeMjzJbCo_bPkWwX8WGy76pI/s1600-h/IMG_0953.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQGXPLlheVvKNf5wEWllOEeadRG8vva7Or6MRxZOSXwYjnK4FoErFop8-zNnQOAefj8P81WrXv5e2gt2pyTaCHibamSB95uRWfN-XCQAD1sSdLhpK82HeMjzJbCo_bPkWwX8WGy76pI/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475498679740578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9GkdajFQz87yPzGCFLHWnoIOTTjfi2NHIBv9UjlcPX2yG234EthTLPfXqoNK22EohVmyLvtVRw2hQ_qfdnY5gX8NFji1oyd4j7HeshujdLOAiyMkZ9H5BQWrjmgxvxyBK-oDHrsMYg8/s1600-h/IMG_0948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9GkdajFQz87yPzGCFLHWnoIOTTjfi2NHIBv9UjlcPX2yG234EthTLPfXqoNK22EohVmyLvtVRw2hQ_qfdnY5gX8NFji1oyd4j7HeshujdLOAiyMkZ9H5BQWrjmgxvxyBK-oDHrsMYg8/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475494357494738" border="0" /></a><br />Tikal<br />A few weeks ago, Mike and Karen decided that it would be fun to take the kids on one last “hoorah” before school started back. The plan was to pack up and leave by 6am the next morning. Surprisingly enough, everyone got up early and everything was ready to go by 6- we had packed sandwiches, water, and snacks (and bags for those who were prone to carsickness, as the roads through the mountains of Guatemala are VERY curvy). I was INCREDIBLY excited, because of all the beautiful places that people had told me to see while in Guatemala, Tikal was one that everyone insisted that I visit.<br /><br />Anyway, all 18 of us (Mike, Karen, the 8 kiddos, all of Lettie’s family, and me) piled into the big white van and took off. Things were going pretty smoothly... that is until it started raining and poor little Judy got car sick. We decided to keep trucking though. We had already reached the halfway point (if I remember correctly, Tikal is about a 4 hour drive from Rio Dulce) and had high hopes that the weather would clear up. We stopped a couple of times to purchase some motion sickness medicine for Judy and for bathroom breaks and finally made it to the ruins around 11am or so.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the weather DID NOT clear up. In fact, it was raining pretty hard at times, but we decided that since we had come so far, we were going to see Tikal no matter what. Mike and Karen graciously offered to stay back at the car with the two youngest (Michael Jose and Danny) while the rest of us went exploring. The conditions weren’t what I’d call desirable to the typical tourist- the ground was incredibly slippery (and some places were flooded), the rain felt more like pellets than raindrops at times, we were all drenched within the first 5 minutes, and when the wind blew it was quite chilly… But that didn’t stop us from having a GREAT time!<br /><br />We made the short hike up the mountain to the ruins, and seeing as I had NO CLUE what to expect once at the top, I was blown away! It was simply breathtaking. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Tikal, here is a little overview of it’s history.<br /><br />“Tikal is the greatest of all Mayan cities. During the time period when the Mayans dominated the Yucatan peninsula, the pyramids of Tikal were the tallest structures in the western hemisphere. The city was founded around 200 B.C. It seemed to be abandoned in 900 A.D. for unknown reasons. The site was discovered again by 1848 and has been going excavations ever since.<br />Tikal lies outside the city of El Peten, Guatamala. The towers of the city are well restored and surrounded by the rainforest, as the actual towers, some of which reach 212 feet, are located within the Tikal National Park. Wildlife is abundant in the park as a result of this.”<br />http://scienceguy288.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/north-america-trip-2-tikal/<br /><br />“The ruins lie among lowland rainforest. Conspicuous trees at the Tikal park include gigantic ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) the sacred tree of the Maya; tropical cedar (Cedrela odorata), and mahogany (Swietenia). Regarding the fauna, agouti, coatis, gray foxes, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, harpy eagles, falcons, ocellated turkeys, guans, toucans, green parrots and leaf-cutting ants can be seen there regularly. Jaguars, jaguarundis, and cougars are also said to roam in the park. For centuries this city was completely covered under jungle.”<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikal<br /><br />I was really excited about seeing some of the wildlife in the jungle. Karen had told me that there are often monkeys and parrots hanging out in the large open areas of the park. Unfortunately because of the weather, I was only able to enjoy the beauty of the GIGANTIC trees in the jungle, but that’s ok. I’m determined to go back on a sunny day to do some more exploring and to take photos (I wasn’t able to take my camera out of the car on this visit). Also, there is a zip-line canopy tour that I would love to do.<br /><br />After about an hour of exploring, drenched and ready for lunch, we headed back to the car. I love the way that Mike described the rest of the trip on his blog, so I’m stealing it for mine.<br /><br />“Leti and Oscar took the kids to see the ruins. This lasted about an hour then they were back and ready to go. Poor kids looked like a batch of drowned rats and were all a bit cold. We had packed lunch so on our way back we looked for a roof to eat under. Everyone was really hungry so the first place we found was it, it was a bus stop, a really dirty smelly and muddy one at that, so we all wolfed down a sandwich and hit the road for home.<br />They did not get to see much so we will plan another trip when they get a break from school. We had a great day and everyone slept well soon after we got home.<br />It was a lot of driving for an hour at the park but worth every minute, The kids just enjoyed getting out, there was no whining or anything. It was just a great day.”<br />http://www.rdeguate.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Amen to that! Despite the weather, it was a great day, and I’m so glad that I got to experience Tikal, one of the most mysterious and beautiful places I’ve ever seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkL2iR2DSe5CJMbF6f1ax4NRTO0LyKrxfLw0MKNgpWt668z-5uiM9UIr8S0G6zZgFOLOeKHbITtSJU6Z_qvHCQqjYxFFGOdU2SEIuq5RtnoCGJZN8A_EWS2gFi347dG_ztkdfVdkZT20/s1600-h/Tikal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkL2iR2DSe5CJMbF6f1ax4NRTO0LyKrxfLw0MKNgpWt668z-5uiM9UIr8S0G6zZgFOLOeKHbITtSJU6Z_qvHCQqjYxFFGOdU2SEIuq5RtnoCGJZN8A_EWS2gFi347dG_ztkdfVdkZT20/s320/Tikal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296476749432270226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwG_7TcNX2bPVCzbbUKFJvrCb13LQ8NhYGm-vL04Feq9Z7c19njgjZgEAhhH4HRvwI_NkSv8riOHEb4156c-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-86651897077861103832009-01-10T13:55:00.000-08:002009-01-10T14:48:39.453-08:00Two VERY exciting things to share...<div style="text-align: center;">#1: I went horseback riding for the first time since I've been here. Obviously I didn't ride this little guy, Juaquin, because he is only a few months old... But I did have a chance to ride both Canche and Nico, two of the older horses. It was a blast, and I can't wait to do it again... <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEBCrIHiPS75A5VC655JFKAhgTaHUQvrJxeCU2y1VPCucNUAVklEYiEnoUTFjGWolQASrbCVDv-WcMQQvD7BD7TEwel4BD0Nk7VWsvIQRcJfFYivKOnrMWfY40p_k6YQil2pfsDycFQ4/s1600-h/Scorpion+and+Juquin+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEBCrIHiPS75A5VC655JFKAhgTaHUQvrJxeCU2y1VPCucNUAVklEYiEnoUTFjGWolQASrbCVDv-WcMQQvD7BD7TEwel4BD0Nk7VWsvIQRcJfFYivKOnrMWfY40p_k6YQil2pfsDycFQ4/s320/Scorpion+and+Juquin+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289790005594720114" border="0" /></a><br />Behind me you can see my new house... I feel so blessed to be able to walk out my front door and see this precious little guy and his mom, Princessa, grazing and frolicking around the ranch.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNveRm9sKjpcNfTe6z1XKjg5Hhz5NXRRfsNJb1r9YOKgt4WMQbrm3RGntQdEOziY5DqimFFoY1-jcDsYAgk1rTpubqEm4BYRlIsx_TUKeFrQLDZ827Z4qC7vd1Q3bbFW59MNITMVI17rE/s1600-h/Scorpion+and+Juquin+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNveRm9sKjpcNfTe6z1XKjg5Hhz5NXRRfsNJb1r9YOKgt4WMQbrm3RGntQdEOziY5DqimFFoY1-jcDsYAgk1rTpubqEm4BYRlIsx_TUKeFrQLDZ827Z4qC7vd1Q3bbFW59MNITMVI17rE/s320/Scorpion+and+Juquin+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289789997000633330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqw1sYEn8YGXpaGUtZUvOEkeq-sgLzZ3iEJeTXaXayQWHHG5fjeDfq2sXDNl3f3Y5sSJY0Hg285B7f-sBEG43Q8SREqEPm6nmuR0eqUi8OSHHdr0ZeFZ2jP12uvhPbf9YPNY1BQLiHEAg/s1600-h/Scorpion+and+Juquin+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqw1sYEn8YGXpaGUtZUvOEkeq-sgLzZ3iEJeTXaXayQWHHG5fjeDfq2sXDNl3f3Y5sSJY0Hg285B7f-sBEG43Q8SREqEPm6nmuR0eqUi8OSHHdr0ZeFZ2jP12uvhPbf9YPNY1BQLiHEAg/s320/Scorpion+and+Juquin+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289789991367979970" border="0" /></a>#2: I got to play with a scorpion! That's right, a real live scorpion!!! Oscar found it in the rocks and somehow pinched off his stinger. When he brought it to Karen and me, I thought he was crazy for even touching a live scorpion, but after realizing that it was now relatively harmless, I simply HAD to play with it. The poor thing must have been incredibly traumatized, but nonetheless, he kept me entertained for quite some time, crawling up and down my arms and legs. Quite a cool experience...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-4fWTgfm47x-JmzBanJRNKZgCVy7ZP4J0cE5KBXeUwxLuRi4Mlu6-IS4GkzsmtXxPVvURckSRDE89UaThn9WWoWfDvAZh7cx691s3TW8t5cbahFlv8-pF_0lF7G7PcHZ-Ke3mQaLoME/s1600-h/Scorpion+and+Juquin+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-4fWTgfm47x-JmzBanJRNKZgCVy7ZP4J0cE5KBXeUwxLuRi4Mlu6-IS4GkzsmtXxPVvURckSRDE89UaThn9WWoWfDvAZh7cx691s3TW8t5cbahFlv8-pF_0lF7G7PcHZ-Ke3mQaLoME/s320/Scorpion+and+Juquin+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289790014475025522" border="0" /></a><br />My New Favorite Creature from Guatemala...<br />that is until I get stung by one that still has it's stinger intact... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8SFxlfW9kEPCq2byG5Q3qSR0iZ4j1BijXL-5P7fYQHJidWKDqAgyT-BTVkFvqkfUaz8r03_NDvk_mQUjnni5irqxa4_da3mAMmBaO_KXYsRicufG_A-5zkA3BfxGixr6f4PDFEdgs08/s1600-h/Scorpion+and+Juquin+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8SFxlfW9kEPCq2byG5Q3qSR0iZ4j1BijXL-5P7fYQHJidWKDqAgyT-BTVkFvqkfUaz8r03_NDvk_mQUjnni5irqxa4_da3mAMmBaO_KXYsRicufG_A-5zkA3BfxGixr6f4PDFEdgs08/s320/Scorpion+and+Juquin+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289790010330586674" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-13043674723122143872009-01-10T07:22:00.000-08:002009-01-10T16:51:48.814-08:00Things that make me smile…B01-03-2009<br /><br />I can’t believe that it’s 2009 already- 2008 seems to have flown by. It was nice to sit back this morning and reflect on everything that has happened in the past year. God has taught me so much, especially just in the past month, and His blessings never cease to amaze me…<br /><br />A Christmas Morning Miracle:<br />On Christmas morning (Christmas morning for me, that is… the 25th), I decided to take a little excursion with my Bible, my journal, and my ipod up the little dirt path behind our house. I ended up at the top of a beautiful ridge, sitting on one of the white horse fences with the majestic Guatemalan mountains surrounding me. It had been raining all night, so the fog was gently resting atop the ridges and crests of each mountain peak. Simply breathtaking…<br /><br />After I had spent some time in the Word, I decided to listen to some music, Ronnie Freeman to be exact (I know, surprise, surprise). ☺ The sun was beginning to rise and shine in my eyes, so I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peacefulness of the moment. A few songs later, as one of my favorite songs began to play, I opened my eyes… and as I did, God revealed to me the most magnificent rainbow I’ve ever seen. Here are the lyrics of the song that began to play while I stared in awe…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">God Speaking<br />By Ronnie Freeman<br /><br />Have you ever heard a love song,<br />That set your spirit free?<br />Have you ever watched a sunrise,<br />And felt you could not breathe?<br />What if it's Him? What if it's God speaking?<br /><br />Have you ever cried a tear that<br />You could not explain?<br />Have you ever met a stranger<br />Who already knew your name?<br />What if it's Him? What if it's God speaking?<br /><br />Who knows how He'll get ahold of us?<br />Get our attention to prove He is enough.<br />He'll do, and He'll use whatever He wants to.<br />To tell us, I Love You.<br /><br />Have you ever lost a loved one<br />Who you thought should still be here?<br />Do you know what it feels like<br />to be tangled up in fear?<br />What if He's somehow involved?<br />What if He's speaking through it all?<br /><br />Who knows how He'll get ahold of us?<br />Get our attention to prove he is enough.<br />He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to<br />To tell us, I love you.<br /><br />His ways are higher,<br />His ways are better,<br />And though sometimes strange<br />What could be stranger than God in a manger?<br /><br />Who knows how He'll get ahold of us?<br />Get our attention to prove He is enough.<br />Who knows how He'll get ahold of you?<br />Get your attention to prove he is enough.<br />He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to,<br />To tell us I love you<br />God is speaking, I love you.<br /></div><br />On Christmas morning, God used a beautiful rainbow to get ahold of me, to get my attention, and to prove that he IS enough… And to prove that it wasn’t just some “coincidence” that the rainbow appeared at the same time as that song, toward the end of the song the clouds came back and began covering up the rainbow, and literally at the exact second that the song ended, the rainbow disappeared behind the clouds, not to be seen again (not by me at least)… There have been many times throughout my life that God has made His presence known to me, but never in such a powerful and miraculous way. In a very unique and special way, God spoke to me on Christmas morning, and it is a 4 minute and 21 second moment that I will never forget…<br /><br />New Years Celebration:<br />Guatemalans LOVE fireworks. They shoot them off on Christmas, New Years, and on birthdays (at 5am outside the person’s window). At the ranch, we decided to wait and shoot off our fireworks on New Years evening, rather than at midnight (we were all pretty tired), but the rest of Rio Dulce didn’t pan out. I was soundly sleeping when all of a sudden it sounded like a war broke out outside. SCARED ME TO DEATH! It literally took me about a minute to figure out just what was going on, but once I realized that it was just fireworks, I laid back down and went back to sleep…<br /><br />The next day, it was our turn to have fun with fireworks. After dinner, Lettie’s family and the whole gang over at our house went outside and watched as Oscar and the older boys put on quite the show for us. Everyone but Danny thoroughly enjoyed it (he gets freaked out over loud noises, which is understandable- because after all, we have no idea what he experienced before coming here, such as guns going off and such). While the fireworks were fun to watch, the kids favorite part of the evening was playing with sparklers. Here are some pictures of the event.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Michael Jose<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-m3B3EI3Lgghey2-lFnjNtSpyBSgjTtAmCqyzkYY9C0SOZ5_HM5-1EsTNH9O53EFChtZw7sE-PJBmdzjqTZlxDRutSHiFAJbmYV5Xm9APR1GCyFrftH2VHLSv-HIlCqQVm_OpuuuOE8/s1600-h/IMG_0878.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-m3B3EI3Lgghey2-lFnjNtSpyBSgjTtAmCqyzkYY9C0SOZ5_HM5-1EsTNH9O53EFChtZw7sE-PJBmdzjqTZlxDRutSHiFAJbmYV5Xm9APR1GCyFrftH2VHLSv-HIlCqQVm_OpuuuOE8/s320/IMG_0878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289704623135977874" border="0" /></a>Angelica</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPY3t9X2UPzENZeHc-AFkfx_sv9inqu2Xx7pkW9JFN0okBFSs83sEUGRsZbYus8wprzYBJXLqjOGp2KvLBrW1Po-InCvTyH3C4i8E8xgWUlVdEmF4aZ5gl8l9XAKqeCtSQz97evtbq60/s1600-h/IMG_0877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPY3t9X2UPzENZeHc-AFkfx_sv9inqu2Xx7pkW9JFN0okBFSs83sEUGRsZbYus8wprzYBJXLqjOGp2KvLBrW1Po-InCvTyH3C4i8E8xgWUlVdEmF4aZ5gl8l9XAKqeCtSQz97evtbq60/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289704615283786690" border="0" /></a>Francisca</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAmkoz-YCntduJySdt-HeUyHZOQtGDROdnoVMc6DVwxo40DWS1P7G5QJLzB-QqGK43bnLNIiteP1kvpNYfu55ogMltVcFejJC6suIOkwCmisPf6FLSRMYb-QYdyMbROV3jfzh2Wb5mR0/s1600-h/IMG_0874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAmkoz-YCntduJySdt-HeUyHZOQtGDROdnoVMc6DVwxo40DWS1P7G5QJLzB-QqGK43bnLNIiteP1kvpNYfu55ogMltVcFejJC6suIOkwCmisPf6FLSRMYb-QYdyMbROV3jfzh2Wb5mR0/s320/IMG_0874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289704606322825762" border="0" /></a>Pedro</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBLi8p-QM44Idm73aUeI3b00nzCpK1KBrzG5eHwoYMDa26PzPt8jd05iDg4E2HJTtfztBRt4g1SNerot9qLhLy7-tJ8dOmYp0NthHcmb9b0QIXvYok1AIJLpLwfw7Hrs3KIjhwh7GeDA/s1600-h/IMG_0873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBLi8p-QM44Idm73aUeI3b00nzCpK1KBrzG5eHwoYMDa26PzPt8jd05iDg4E2HJTtfztBRt4g1SNerot9qLhLy7-tJ8dOmYp0NthHcmb9b0QIXvYok1AIJLpLwfw7Hrs3KIjhwh7GeDA/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289704607129015970" border="0" /></a>Suleidy and Judy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK9cK4oqZVW614xcpGmxiJdjv1Mk7mDjrBKuzvDDg4eiXAdgOMNr9tgS0tn1oc0AO0EU_6t6pD0XoezZaPKtBujvx4OadGBADwCQsGrUSg17aHqJI_W3QqVGDgOh7_kETzY_wMf1cuGw/s1600-h/IMG_0871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK9cK4oqZVW614xcpGmxiJdjv1Mk7mDjrBKuzvDDg4eiXAdgOMNr9tgS0tn1oc0AO0EU_6t6pD0XoezZaPKtBujvx4OadGBADwCQsGrUSg17aHqJI_W3QqVGDgOh7_kETzY_wMf1cuGw/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289704603753169378" border="0" /></a><br />Dancing at the Ranch:<br />One of my favorite moments so far was when Karen (“Kahlee” as some of the kids call her, because they can’t say Karen) and Danny danced together in the living room. To see Danny being so “suave,” gentle, and calm and with a HUGE smile on his face while being twirled around the living room made my heart smile. Here are some pictures and a video (sorry that it’s flipped the wrong way, but I couldn’t figure out how to fix it) of “The Dance.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Tx-GYovUIKdN7iBIynzNBPYYdb5Shyphenhyphen5lWK_gvS2GVHCazDVXkhiWGjJPIc1gdowyi-aNPcrdOwXMwrdzrHCKcWzdDNof0HLe8c031aNEjbccVg5sGMG5L41MW08b_YnU8d4RFU5cvY/s1600-h/IMG_0854.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Tx-GYovUIKdN7iBIynzNBPYYdb5Shyphenhyphen5lWK_gvS2GVHCazDVXkhiWGjJPIc1gdowyi-aNPcrdOwXMwrdzrHCKcWzdDNof0HLe8c031aNEjbccVg5sGMG5L41MW08b_YnU8d4RFU5cvY/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289702646939901394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w2JaWNJxmmvLHQbqUhJ_EPSISUpSOxzwnFWVYUFmL18GGcYaBYWV7qaQeOXCZIVsy29B4T9NtFcLxcOZFKr2OkpBheKFezi9Dw30G4adXlOtKRYL1l5tCW9HQujHzAkA24LO5zfndsM/s1600-h/IMG_0853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w2JaWNJxmmvLHQbqUhJ_EPSISUpSOxzwnFWVYUFmL18GGcYaBYWV7qaQeOXCZIVsy29B4T9NtFcLxcOZFKr2OkpBheKFezi9Dw30G4adXlOtKRYL1l5tCW9HQujHzAkA24LO5zfndsM/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289702641507070818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zwlbvWfUCnXweyE8DtVDGUfGrvTH1Q58eUCtdTeA2SrDVAhNtnch5e_l8u1TwkeSrD1573sySgGTzTAoTKrX2aMFxRda3-6E4dODIkO0B40lM2KBmOCXvEMvgv9bIr_WhTY3DAhJg0E/s1600-h/IMG_0852.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zwlbvWfUCnXweyE8DtVDGUfGrvTH1Q58eUCtdTeA2SrDVAhNtnch5e_l8u1TwkeSrD1573sySgGTzTAoTKrX2aMFxRda3-6E4dODIkO0B40lM2KBmOCXvEMvgv9bIr_WhTY3DAhJg0E/s320/IMG_0852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289702632739046466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu0ZEVqDhFOiYMZXIcc7oh4AOI_8KIz5XxD_EMbsolPY-1gM7j6qh-yvgjEadkF5FS30Fb23LQ6jtPe1uHMIaHZC7ZNH5cKRSVHmccyxD0ZgP71U7UN5XgztX00N1qQoQK9Arhs_7J-s/s1600-h/IMG_0851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu0ZEVqDhFOiYMZXIcc7oh4AOI_8KIz5XxD_EMbsolPY-1gM7j6qh-yvgjEadkF5FS30Fb23LQ6jtPe1uHMIaHZC7ZNH5cKRSVHmccyxD0ZgP71U7UN5XgztX00N1qQoQK9Arhs_7J-s/s320/IMG_0851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289702627521623858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykWh8fYnDak6SZZeXORAcjqfTQzg2IVY8ZySCRZ6NsIA-EnnZ53fSSctFHJ7N8dvPnv84VuJCfWxLsLAan-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><br />“Hello, United States…”:<br />Pedro wanted some camera time as well, so this is a video of him trying to say “Hello, United States.” He's a ham…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4XhDs0MYSjbkmrUVhaUfSoLoJ4-UqypVnwOP2d8omMuVyKK5AEVSww2O0ct6AeWxSXWWqvwn9lsO6piXkqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br />Other random pictures that make me smile: <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Esperanza reading... All of the kids LOVE to read, but unfortunately good Christian children's books are expensive and hard to come by. Thankfully, Karen found 5 awesome bible story books for Christmas gifts... at the dollar store no less!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4O1YLmEMmIXzkKRotcTL0q7g2GUeUkflBRYwSLfUBhM8CWSOHbj0JNQ-klZEjFBeOe93FgRUJrWgYr_z55-WLzo1uovQLFtLo1j2EVtjpTbHZQDJRLlBgHOQWltXUxMQb8nAMfuU9SY/s1600-h/IMG_0859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4O1YLmEMmIXzkKRotcTL0q7g2GUeUkflBRYwSLfUBhM8CWSOHbj0JNQ-klZEjFBeOe93FgRUJrWgYr_z55-WLzo1uovQLFtLo1j2EVtjpTbHZQDJRLlBgHOQWltXUxMQb8nAMfuU9SY/s320/IMG_0859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289702657775883474" border="0" /></a><br />Michael Jose pretending to read.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT46er6DIVcUQDa9LBz9RX7j_8JERsg5OYuMcrq7snZnYTISjjxI78TUZwI5rNw_NCYg2_J0Wyh6REJlDXvphC3V7xJEzVWU3E-6W-k_zIXFaHOd2As7CpdWt_KToogGqeOCzGjmX04A/s1600-h/IMG_0868.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT46er6DIVcUQDa9LBz9RX7j_8JERsg5OYuMcrq7snZnYTISjjxI78TUZwI5rNw_NCYg2_J0Wyh6REJlDXvphC3V7xJEzVWU3E-6W-k_zIXFaHOd2As7CpdWt_KToogGqeOCzGjmX04A/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289688100357685330" border="0" /></a><br />A shot with Pedro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidwf6NYJyx9gn3DVV5qMqzfPT5XlYiH8KUhA8bfQzaZnYgiChyciVPqCLCDRhbmylms6g6lKx9ZZyU4jKMcvVgVrPQCll7em0rs5TVaY0JMN9npknlT2ULbTQwbjUvlx_6JbwrMYgP44/s1600-h/IMG_0863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidwf6NYJyx9gn3DVV5qMqzfPT5XlYiH8KUhA8bfQzaZnYgiChyciVPqCLCDRhbmylms6g6lKx9ZZyU4jKMcvVgVrPQCll7em0rs5TVaY0JMN9npknlT2ULbTQwbjUvlx_6JbwrMYgP44/s320/IMG_0863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289688119291510594" border="0" /></a><br />Hilda's 20th birthday party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTZKAfluge1GUo3WAvXc-EU3rIZrxuj13ZNW6VNd7YybhMTAP_foiqy_RIFtyKfGMVGS5Mj4SzspXaFhN7BO44RzTKIgNvOKzbJT3HZ1qIqzNtpJN90ELX_kwAiZMxd8JNvtXoDwi7m8/s1600-h/IMG_0867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTZKAfluge1GUo3WAvXc-EU3rIZrxuj13ZNW6VNd7YybhMTAP_foiqy_RIFtyKfGMVGS5Mj4SzspXaFhN7BO44RzTKIgNvOKzbJT3HZ1qIqzNtpJN90ELX_kwAiZMxd8JNvtXoDwi7m8/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289688113488375346" border="0" /></a><br />Michael Jose's smile in this photo shows one of my favorite things about Guatemalans... They don't just smile with their mouths, but they smile with their eyes as well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMN7n8_R5oHA9zLJhKwitzCHKCCkPcKVACe3HtjCy0Izm431bxkR_-e4pwsg7ZDK2Tk_7K32JIFfbMHElu02fqJ5CRw6YF-FrTp3DCIRi45nzpBXHnQxynkb7CEV1dOB3UzkRT6nHd10/s1600-h/IMG_0869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMN7n8_R5oHA9zLJhKwitzCHKCCkPcKVACe3HtjCy0Izm431bxkR_-e4pwsg7ZDK2Tk_7K32JIFfbMHElu02fqJ5CRw6YF-FrTp3DCIRi45nzpBXHnQxynkb7CEV1dOB3UzkRT6nHd10/s320/IMG_0869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289688078407261602" border="0" /></a><br />He's constantly doing silly things that make us all laugh...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKKpcWxv3PUqIB0TxsEK1vzwpvGmBUdsPoiZW55AZmjgidkJATLDTzFOsZFnDfaktJxiREIi_52lPKIc8SuOd_Ta2PBBXrUoeeh2ORhpnTaOosKlI_tEk-QPDznxzjYMw-MJ2c4a8ASE/s1600-h/IMG_0870.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKKpcWxv3PUqIB0TxsEK1vzwpvGmBUdsPoiZW55AZmjgidkJATLDTzFOsZFnDfaktJxiREIi_52lPKIc8SuOd_Ta2PBBXrUoeeh2ORhpnTaOosKlI_tEk-QPDznxzjYMw-MJ2c4a8ASE/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289688077603374706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Until next time, love to you all...<br /></div></div>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-30773049350113593022009-01-04T06:39:00.000-08:002009-01-04T07:03:27.729-08:00The Rest of the Christmas Photos...<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">In regard to birth order, pretend that these photos were attached to the bottom of the last post...<br /></div><br />Silvia (Daughter of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28YOic00J8a9ncgKwIvC-aM0rzw_hHNDG6bGTx_GExOqxqN4Aky_J6dlv2lSKXvfQTR-HVM4WVz7KBbM8oNB7eCk_DZE-Inl7oukSXg8_XRA97Gx_Xq2uKDW4RtUVIvl5gUK7bJwbObU/s1600-h/C1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28YOic00J8a9ncgKwIvC-aM0rzw_hHNDG6bGTx_GExOqxqN4Aky_J6dlv2lSKXvfQTR-HVM4WVz7KBbM8oNB7eCk_DZE-Inl7oukSXg8_XRA97Gx_Xq2uKDW4RtUVIvl5gUK7bJwbObU/s320/C1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287451195049385282" border="0" /></a>Cheetah Girls in Spanish!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xagtaB6B_PVTCiIqMHMsZp_BP1iLnYrvo8P1zMwAh5Aal39ILzjnanXj7ssk_E-61x7EOajRsh7Ko3zFnS_7_MJW6PHoTyVC1oRLtYTGqCPnJgAJKMi68pt3qNGjumfmFRPm0wMkFAI/s1600-h/C2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xagtaB6B_PVTCiIqMHMsZp_BP1iLnYrvo8P1zMwAh5Aal39ILzjnanXj7ssk_E-61x7EOajRsh7Ko3zFnS_7_MJW6PHoTyVC1oRLtYTGqCPnJgAJKMi68pt3qNGjumfmFRPm0wMkFAI/s320/C2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450953503331698" border="0" /></a>Francisca</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mQn_DxQ96Fe0D9mdeRlv04Sy6l-oPdM4LTSjnwdsAOjiisxRQCkkjfAJGNxkOT3P5cO7OLjUK9P2ezsxmIxbvrglJ2r-FsUtJ39zp6Bb_NCSmCwpbqtB_U398RWmReD-WOijRpdDuhs/s1600-h/C3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mQn_DxQ96Fe0D9mdeRlv04Sy6l-oPdM4LTSjnwdsAOjiisxRQCkkjfAJGNxkOT3P5cO7OLjUK9P2ezsxmIxbvrglJ2r-FsUtJ39zp6Bb_NCSmCwpbqtB_U398RWmReD-WOijRpdDuhs/s320/C3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450940105304322" border="0" /></a>Closed eyes, but a beautiful smile...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM5_xjW8t20YQTbTUQdu61Z0pvKwQlz33mvTo4AehrfXIXnVUO4IRYbREAjEUsLE4hLSkVnKiJXx32ue9TEaeeHOlBiHOxRQ54EQCmJ2u7rWKZOPxE0DZBtdaVr7-C1l7i027WSplCHs/s1600-h/C4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM5_xjW8t20YQTbTUQdu61Z0pvKwQlz33mvTo4AehrfXIXnVUO4IRYbREAjEUsLE4hLSkVnKiJXx32ue9TEaeeHOlBiHOxRQ54EQCmJ2u7rWKZOPxE0DZBtdaVr7-C1l7i027WSplCHs/s320/C4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450933212456274" border="0" /></a>Can't have Cheetah Girls 1 without getting Cheetah Girls 2 as well... Apparently...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9OzVEl-IpySv8Ld6TwSM_XGlVWKm4dl4l7o7MiZkm14jcHiJ_0ufw3xXoXEtwjk5WAg7iAGwyp53B7tVPWdIJnByHoVQsPw66s6vCWnHw4Bb-7KY4IArBBVCoF2sVJ7m33-v6vVtBBc/s1600-h/C5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9OzVEl-IpySv8Ld6TwSM_XGlVWKm4dl4l7o7MiZkm14jcHiJ_0ufw3xXoXEtwjk5WAg7iAGwyp53B7tVPWdIJnByHoVQsPw66s6vCWnHw4Bb-7KY4IArBBVCoF2sVJ7m33-v6vVtBBc/s320/C5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450920838543890" border="0" /></a>Zuleidy<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81xcdQBO8ux1JcD7XFTrxCuUv9a4wfrU8az_nX2w-eJedgfP_lpSRYlI9l0M0fdQWfy-2q5As7Z8eBN5_NvpejCVv6MJynooF6j_4gWp6Lbo5waA29_Wyfd0y_efus74AnAs53yzGK_s/s1600-h/C6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81xcdQBO8ux1JcD7XFTrxCuUv9a4wfrU8az_nX2w-eJedgfP_lpSRYlI9l0M0fdQWfy-2q5As7Z8eBN5_NvpejCVv6MJynooF6j_4gWp6Lbo5waA29_Wyfd0y_efus74AnAs53yzGK_s/s320/C6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450923513785554" border="0" /></a>Tom and Jerry... What a classic!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmN8HtMUSuFA1p8rU8igpH-LkRmStjDe3mYPP7dDCJtCrtPt2jcyVe_o0Y-7WBz2rEAjlQZPHln1s2iJqXWPK_jKU0JQMqzMfV6oKSqYtN6cw1NsRu5-2YX2nao3QuzI2NfmJDElhnYA/s1600-h/C8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmN8HtMUSuFA1p8rU8igpH-LkRmStjDe3mYPP7dDCJtCrtPt2jcyVe_o0Y-7WBz2rEAjlQZPHln1s2iJqXWPK_jKU0JQMqzMfV6oKSqYtN6cw1NsRu5-2YX2nao3QuzI2NfmJDElhnYA/s320/C8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450503659003634" border="0" /></a>Oscar (Son of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzlDJAn3qDOJqeGtLb7EyBhFZWi1ekG-gsysYuRJFWnR6zSx0vSMN-Nlwqgz9Jl4aLY9QL6z7S1zxc7Mfzso4jIb2m-ENYmCCh78f8XI7QegG-VEfBynNn8dOyxD1v5C4frwFlHDA67w/s1600-h/C9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzlDJAn3qDOJqeGtLb7EyBhFZWi1ekG-gsysYuRJFWnR6zSx0vSMN-Nlwqgz9Jl4aLY9QL6z7S1zxc7Mfzso4jIb2m-ENYmCCh78f8XI7QegG-VEfBynNn8dOyxD1v5C4frwFlHDA67w/s320/C9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450503849535266" border="0" /></a>I helped pick that shirt out- so snazzy...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggM4Wr9S5Fy4gPzWl0te87e-xatZdlHnyB4_CsMncsTY93IaPQ-iiwdhKs7rFLM3ALNLe9XB5o41RJPXtFVzCX0PEdWTa76s1s8LND1L50RGT9nfnIw4gsIyXzn8ddj5VdqJMH1NgtS8/s1600-h/C10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggM4Wr9S5Fy4gPzWl0te87e-xatZdlHnyB4_CsMncsTY93IaPQ-iiwdhKs7rFLM3ALNLe9XB5o41RJPXtFVzCX0PEdWTa76s1s8LND1L50RGT9nfnIw4gsIyXzn8ddj5VdqJMH1NgtS8/s320/C10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450499336382146" border="0" /></a>Hilda (Daughter of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZNiO03jYHbFEX_avTZJw6qKWJ4JD8684Kk2v_f36ef2d-dsp-iIjj1KT4VAqrETn6lLvL3FUUVwXPqnt408qhTBNNZNKPmT_B3GPqdoTX4XM5OmocYTMIVrrINZGL4KYurM_J8Jj6WY/s1600-h/C11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZNiO03jYHbFEX_avTZJw6qKWJ4JD8684Kk2v_f36ef2d-dsp-iIjj1KT4VAqrETn6lLvL3FUUVwXPqnt408qhTBNNZNKPmT_B3GPqdoTX4XM5OmocYTMIVrrINZGL4KYurM_J8Jj6WY/s320/C11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287450497107040706" border="0" /></a>Her smile and laugh are contagious...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI0HGU6q46NUDUzboEHYB9UsB5TWftjry0G6yq8VZE5dWMiwLQT99nzGZjU5rUVHMYN4D8Ru0LTTyqErYuTYtZ1RaVge7u5f_UNLQdeU0Yg8w0gu5POpBQ3kzOSl2ibkfd2J3-ZBNKds/s1600-h/C12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI0HGU6q46NUDUzboEHYB9UsB5TWftjry0G6yq8VZE5dWMiwLQT99nzGZjU5rUVHMYN4D8Ru0LTTyqErYuTYtZ1RaVge7u5f_UNLQdeU0Yg8w0gu5POpBQ3kzOSl2ibkfd2J3-ZBNKds/s320/C12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449858936209170" border="0" /></a>Such a beautiful Guatemalteca...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3ZCiMwQHKC1S_2BKS2bgh58TVHgxstpUW7jfKNaFw7L2NrvxDd5Gv2a0yxpYcsA3NNKXPrkmJV-kHVM-UfAi7lErRPOBbxooAOvvl54LJIcytqWupddeeY6VXY9n0o3tkw4lVPy8hHY/s1600-h/C13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3ZCiMwQHKC1S_2BKS2bgh58TVHgxstpUW7jfKNaFw7L2NrvxDd5Gv2a0yxpYcsA3NNKXPrkmJV-kHVM-UfAi7lErRPOBbxooAOvvl54LJIcytqWupddeeY6VXY9n0o3tkw4lVPy8hHY/s320/C13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449855214901746" border="0" /></a>Chivete (Son of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH33hTys3Q6n6GeMm6tYBxkDBeXA93JTmepXpVd9q5_Znl0IrEn9uLAfIrAfiaC4l4NejhZ7G40Sxf_Ise8lEibFXVQCA-fNLopg4_r98CiahG0vuWGi47FCOxI4bX0LbhalY7dH34yQ/s1600-h/C13-14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH33hTys3Q6n6GeMm6tYBxkDBeXA93JTmepXpVd9q5_Znl0IrEn9uLAfIrAfiaC4l4NejhZ7G40Sxf_Ise8lEibFXVQCA-fNLopg4_r98CiahG0vuWGi47FCOxI4bX0LbhalY7dH34yQ/s320/C13-14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449848025936034" border="0" /></a>He is the closest to my age, but doesn't live at the ranch.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc2lN2nar0ulecNtXR2gTQPsccRa_0p_ccG57mLOhjIUAH5FEHeN__asioUEku8TwKrhsVc4-DFjRCXXZXNqfliXNoKNbPWEWkNnDpoYAbd0SPCt664ASH3ASyiV-egn9Bh5l2ykMwAE/s1600-h/C14-13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc2lN2nar0ulecNtXR2gTQPsccRa_0p_ccG57mLOhjIUAH5FEHeN__asioUEku8TwKrhsVc4-DFjRCXXZXNqfliXNoKNbPWEWkNnDpoYAbd0SPCt664ASH3ASyiV-egn9Bh5l2ykMwAE/s320/C14-13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449845200590706" border="0" /></a>The Classic Deer-in-Headlights Look<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiTGEpj61tMMjOs58Ujj4sEoYB6HcRQOISNCioYZLmU4AuwBelxnJDyjRqvS8i7WmtlSM-xscu9K3Ae3kpZyKnuOw4wQgg9qJTKxOSNMb50I8UkslDVqc5l2kdsOsvVCzwgBQ_JVRZ-I/s1600-h/C14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiTGEpj61tMMjOs58Ujj4sEoYB6HcRQOISNCioYZLmU4AuwBelxnJDyjRqvS8i7WmtlSM-xscu9K3Ae3kpZyKnuOw4wQgg9qJTKxOSNMb50I8UkslDVqc5l2kdsOsvVCzwgBQ_JVRZ-I/s320/C14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449838113283634" border="0" /></a>I LOVE my fabric wrapping paper!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsYiCjLndSUKYa2_9AiqGp7PX7EIG1QtLfuNuzjAqGD8CqDDdZXwnB-ZibyeWt5pTnszDv2Xdi3QTbCC8XNmcsxk23wgFs77McoqpZqqY6li0iu7zv34FEokmvFczwQkjHAETxNR1HmM/s1600-h/C15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsYiCjLndSUKYa2_9AiqGp7PX7EIG1QtLfuNuzjAqGD8CqDDdZXwnB-ZibyeWt5pTnszDv2Xdi3QTbCC8XNmcsxk23wgFs77McoqpZqqY6li0iu7zv34FEokmvFczwQkjHAETxNR1HmM/s320/C15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449427702575842" border="0" /></a>Lettie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdDY9Rzf7EH1Z_MD73pIGO8hXaoSvOS58Dbtrhk2VQkjICebTy7ylCei00mI7Tx9l2_WhtJVqSGeXmTwcjvQRRW5-rnVDHS3Fdpq6Sg9Tp6eAJNg4IuKyeku6Q3qQYntp6tMbuVs-0Wo/s1600-h/C16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdDY9Rzf7EH1Z_MD73pIGO8hXaoSvOS58Dbtrhk2VQkjICebTy7ylCei00mI7Tx9l2_WhtJVqSGeXmTwcjvQRRW5-rnVDHS3Fdpq6Sg9Tp6eAJNg4IuKyeku6Q3qQYntp6tMbuVs-0Wo/s320/C16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449427992737218" border="0" /></a>This picture doesn't do her justice- she's beautiful, both inside and out.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nNZJQ4vOdawdEfqwEBfwL8mwq5Spg9qOSIlr0jJ763B2q1u5vu9-E41hbt2rvtf4cj2FaAt71YJ8fsSRh-7JxlW4NIddeGAfzEWRiHTDmX-iO49At3EgH32HY_iRLqfpAwcVCLmbcr0/s1600-h/C17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nNZJQ4vOdawdEfqwEBfwL8mwq5Spg9qOSIlr0jJ763B2q1u5vu9-E41hbt2rvtf4cj2FaAt71YJ8fsSRh-7JxlW4NIddeGAfzEWRiHTDmX-iO49At3EgH32HY_iRLqfpAwcVCLmbcr0/s320/C17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449423820929618" border="0" /></a>Don Oscar (Husband of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vrp0DJRb7NBm11yWMZA18WdhtH2xnycpBpTsimCymje7yxGV6j8g9VAY3WUE8HDyQAfjbv7OSVUDufNwRd11N62w03mA6swpp1nxfXD1XOk1fEa3JsNsxKHqBFLFdt6yKg5Ph_vyZ9Y/s1600-h/C18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vrp0DJRb7NBm11yWMZA18WdhtH2xnycpBpTsimCymje7yxGV6j8g9VAY3WUE8HDyQAfjbv7OSVUDufNwRd11N62w03mA6swpp1nxfXD1XOk1fEa3JsNsxKHqBFLFdt6yKg5Ph_vyZ9Y/s320/C18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449423331221810" border="0" /></a>Mike, Karen, and Don Oscar opening gifts together<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSqYLrBPZDY2IHjoS-fkWTTiF1m4AG1fpeuG50A95n8xRCVMu1OWyA-mET8ByAstB2eUGZfZHE-acUSHvUggA6de4DEf6dZEkabhE95RimztZj7OT05QUldEQdc3psw4oYE8uHFeb9TQ/s1600-h/C19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSqYLrBPZDY2IHjoS-fkWTTiF1m4AG1fpeuG50A95n8xRCVMu1OWyA-mET8ByAstB2eUGZfZHE-acUSHvUggA6de4DEf6dZEkabhE95RimztZj7OT05QUldEQdc3psw4oYE8uHFeb9TQ/s320/C19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287449419292958546" border="0" /></a>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-27856478151681199612009-01-03T06:32:00.000-08:002009-01-03T07:13:12.655-08:00Some Christmas Photos...<div style="text-align: center;">The whole gang (under 21's) MINUS little Danny.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEKbas_3X7MWwHqzhZL8kW6_P2kQ4pojv5Auq3UyLPq-sHWhmVz0CyLRXQluWIlMELDwxEZLwLbwHaLhlPs_zQW73JEOyU6zp5zkPyAuIGbMnhCWTkZnvBmIVQ8BGKj5IiPZ-Drzfpdk/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEKbas_3X7MWwHqzhZL8kW6_P2kQ4pojv5Auq3UyLPq-sHWhmVz0CyLRXQluWIlMELDwxEZLwLbwHaLhlPs_zQW73JEOyU6zp5zkPyAuIGbMnhCWTkZnvBmIVQ8BGKj5IiPZ-Drzfpdk/s320/Christmas+2008+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287082690887298418" border="0" /></a>Michael Jose (Mike and Karen's Adopted Son)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB7Yqzdsc19H3U3E0dFwgTbMngZGOUAFQwzWQKC9-BKHDfeR3XaDFD0ryAn6ZScXU4G6V7jvppH6Cj65LXwUe8iKb-P5aB5k0j3b03NFgEl4cypddygsSpKMvuQ49fbfBqECfTiph50k/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB7Yqzdsc19H3U3E0dFwgTbMngZGOUAFQwzWQKC9-BKHDfeR3XaDFD0ryAn6ZScXU4G6V7jvppH6Cj65LXwUe8iKb-P5aB5k0j3b03NFgEl4cypddygsSpKMvuQ49fbfBqECfTiph50k/s320/Christmas+2008+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287082678540146754" border="0" /></a>Who wouldn't love a Buzz Light Year Action Figure!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c7uuie2afw3ibLoDnRsPeVBFN1sLOTIcjH5viwDLxQQXJTQzjSJxfjXmxaughrs5ZxIoy044ZPoqxSgohPyTueiPzNUKcXnhbPd3G3Z_ojhYZRatLIbmxgq0nPqWxwEfflPlpT_QCoY/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c7uuie2afw3ibLoDnRsPeVBFN1sLOTIcjH5viwDLxQQXJTQzjSJxfjXmxaughrs5ZxIoy044ZPoqxSgohPyTueiPzNUKcXnhbPd3G3Z_ojhYZRatLIbmxgq0nPqWxwEfflPlpT_QCoY/s320/Christmas+2008+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287082681551043650" border="0" /></a>Danny<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO6PqEh-cjxD_utOrNubQ5jxYQmvP6XLk68JAhtzUGqyfjRSa8jLOWUiweWuASrWa8yvmh-3z3uJTW8Uyi105_C9Htbl75Ziqa4g___T-EhTVz0mv0atd6xKBPLBRFXEZonczHz1_Gb0/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO6PqEh-cjxD_utOrNubQ5jxYQmvP6XLk68JAhtzUGqyfjRSa8jLOWUiweWuASrWa8yvmh-3z3uJTW8Uyi105_C9Htbl75Ziqa4g___T-EhTVz0mv0atd6xKBPLBRFXEZonczHz1_Gb0/s320/Christmas+2008+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287082677269015650" border="0" /></a>Legos = A HUGE hit<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT_Xllf06hKxDQvrycKLlTkv8HMKXWooep9POmvwKLjnhJm2A7A3bKHmnzAZGdvSM4qS5kFXXZveIb04I6MD3ClZymPiFKtTP6VgGdB6RGg0PrSVYWjwp3M_qXOhXtPqfwLVguvt8bIo/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT_Xllf06hKxDQvrycKLlTkv8HMKXWooep9POmvwKLjnhJm2A7A3bKHmnzAZGdvSM4qS5kFXXZveIb04I6MD3ClZymPiFKtTP6VgGdB6RGg0PrSVYWjwp3M_qXOhXtPqfwLVguvt8bIo/s320/Christmas+2008+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081974303457426" border="0" /></a>Pedro<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvO2CQjIHMleIopYyUpAJdjlLDsa9fkrA5McNkLPWl2bNX264JfPBtAE1FOw1iLdF52QQuFlDhRNFYCv1V2NQ71oZkJcw80o_KRjxyHAfrDHGnUQDZym0OuSHmVTpheB1hbnJeix7cw/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYvO2CQjIHMleIopYyUpAJdjlLDsa9fkrA5McNkLPWl2bNX264JfPBtAE1FOw1iLdF52QQuFlDhRNFYCv1V2NQ71oZkJcw80o_KRjxyHAfrDHGnUQDZym0OuSHmVTpheB1hbnJeix7cw/s320/Christmas+2008+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081974930089410" border="0" /></a>LOVE that Smile<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYwzqqMqIU1PzYXPBnQcUkyBVA3X-yg7jkcqgqBlb93ky4Ali3vrrhJDWTqkGah9OLduGtIeLBxRuuBU87YLPMsEXfmAXYx8GWeH0GMZv6AwGQSX_y5f2d1RB_22n4vL0O4p_1Lpc0jo/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYwzqqMqIU1PzYXPBnQcUkyBVA3X-yg7jkcqgqBlb93ky4Ali3vrrhJDWTqkGah9OLduGtIeLBxRuuBU87YLPMsEXfmAXYx8GWeH0GMZv6AwGQSX_y5f2d1RB_22n4vL0O4p_1Lpc0jo/s320/Christmas+2008+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081966059819426" border="0" /></a>Judy (Daughter of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gEjVPMOu_aAEao8FKd-J3x3HhsETmS0oXda1ZZ0v16zIbkmgoQlWPn2XZYgBy65bbV0bsik3wFAa-VuUFFbPpMq480e-Tc4TY4fCv9bS7BGopUHcy_Qa0jUNpOKOI6ziChG6eFXSicc/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gEjVPMOu_aAEao8FKd-J3x3HhsETmS0oXda1ZZ0v16zIbkmgoQlWPn2XZYgBy65bbV0bsik3wFAa-VuUFFbPpMq480e-Tc4TY4fCv9bS7BGopUHcy_Qa0jUNpOKOI6ziChG6eFXSicc/s320/Christmas+2008+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081957908145154" border="0" /></a>She's a Princess<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm3DLyuRAmSBUsbFV1vEI6c_1oNo87MEsRenwR19oiGVtCUlO47tM40Mwi2qacQHycqwkS61Z4loYT4qynlBLEMZxeHbOAK3NDbpC7cS7QRYvCnKNCwzhjDTJ5wGK18FUT8QcXCz72hI/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm3DLyuRAmSBUsbFV1vEI6c_1oNo87MEsRenwR19oiGVtCUlO47tM40Mwi2qacQHycqwkS61Z4loYT4qynlBLEMZxeHbOAK3NDbpC7cS7QRYvCnKNCwzhjDTJ5wGK18FUT8QcXCz72hI/s320/Christmas+2008+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081943309854802" border="0" /></a>Too Cute<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKPbren99UcFsrkRRbs4uyLyyi9wRO3ajD-GJ_5sRoCuycwTAlnfo8Xwers34urXDNcDrsOU_L8v-eN4mOh51J0JmydwHhqdv33wY7yHReBJDDJanjtxR3LUwmpXui0WXxbX7yuo_e20/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKPbren99UcFsrkRRbs4uyLyyi9wRO3ajD-GJ_5sRoCuycwTAlnfo8Xwers34urXDNcDrsOU_L8v-eN4mOh51J0JmydwHhqdv33wY7yHReBJDDJanjtxR3LUwmpXui0WXxbX7yuo_e20/s320/Christmas+2008+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081348815727954" border="0" /></a>Esperanza<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhANFngRbi1Q6gqWEzx1EqAe3P8jcsHFER9ItNuUKo9ryq-g-of_Hyo-Qbtpbnvbzi1HwIsTK2Ia1rWxZdmomhkWPS2WFJYn4Ol6Sm75iW73Av4khvVKOQmbiNhEeJHydz2V4SnLqZbBQ/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhANFngRbi1Q6gqWEzx1EqAe3P8jcsHFER9ItNuUKo9ryq-g-of_Hyo-Qbtpbnvbzi1HwIsTK2Ia1rWxZdmomhkWPS2WFJYn4Ol6Sm75iW73Av4khvVKOQmbiNhEeJHydz2V4SnLqZbBQ/s320/Christmas+2008+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081345625440978" border="0" /></a>"Barbie" Wannabe and her Horse is Much Loved<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFTMh_4QQTMCjgvWxcleKyqeJ5ynZY_dAQuSfQwVgRgm75I1-POpR_aLVUck5dlEiL3T9jwVYN39VSnPFjiQZznIjROXiklhlXZa7-_WhR8jqnrAiOYi-lwXj7LB7I038vt8t-QYsKXI/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFTMh_4QQTMCjgvWxcleKyqeJ5ynZY_dAQuSfQwVgRgm75I1-POpR_aLVUck5dlEiL3T9jwVYN39VSnPFjiQZznIjROXiklhlXZa7-_WhR8jqnrAiOYi-lwXj7LB7I038vt8t-QYsKXI/s320/Christmas+2008+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081343550280866" border="0" /></a>Jayron (Son of Lettie)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsRkdPWE9gGyL4WPjmzx4nBqMxkIo2jI1EBS9A0K7L21Nk2RIjQQUmdmmAYCvorMStSdrHEkaIJQnfyV7FWp2td55DTWGgH0kj1IF1qmVzSJ2MRoTM89LtF9qBIDygFZnjyTf9np6F8E/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsRkdPWE9gGyL4WPjmzx4nBqMxkIo2jI1EBS9A0K7L21Nk2RIjQQUmdmmAYCvorMStSdrHEkaIJQnfyV7FWp2td55DTWGgH0kj1IF1qmVzSJ2MRoTM89LtF9qBIDygFZnjyTf9np6F8E/s320/Christmas+2008+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081339713897058" border="0" /></a>Racer Scooters are always appreciated by all...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemCSZuYLdC2sBU0AysHSrLD_L5JYNfAPNvTh-RDU-1BzL39Lr3fm7YQBgv4qMh-vWSW7P45W81nsQM7W-MWuw0pm06nUFqViwdv6MAc_5pbd5vHf9tPS65rMWxFykkGqpZX32bM13tbo/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemCSZuYLdC2sBU0AysHSrLD_L5JYNfAPNvTh-RDU-1BzL39Lr3fm7YQBgv4qMh-vWSW7P45W81nsQM7W-MWuw0pm06nUFqViwdv6MAc_5pbd5vHf9tPS65rMWxFykkGqpZX32bM13tbo/s320/Christmas+2008+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287081333060205010" border="0" /></a>Lucia<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qnBOR8oJhq3HI3s-sFyIDgQetB9p2STv1f8HZ5ZX6Cy64HJrd2L8Av58tfuyYskjfxfQahsd_uZIDJmK9dra9e2cauSwphqpt5kWd46LKA1_7WQRBiOS2DtAisaRSKdV4NZFtM7jEyE/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qnBOR8oJhq3HI3s-sFyIDgQetB9p2STv1f8HZ5ZX6Cy64HJrd2L8Av58tfuyYskjfxfQahsd_uZIDJmK9dra9e2cauSwphqpt5kWd46LKA1_7WQRBiOS2DtAisaRSKdV4NZFtM7jEyE/s320/Christmas+2008+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080786629839810" border="0" /></a>She can be so shy sometimes, but she's PRECIOUS!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNa1P3H5Q-PpOs18mfPYRN8Rj-B10fqj_jOSKteVbVgmiX_Hfszg7e5eMBfimGgPRadvxnLyaiEAak3VgmKVBv6GN4cOyAyCF1MGI-_Yzp6-XngZfPRS5kVWHE5tSWnEK8yroH-1e0gY/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNa1P3H5Q-PpOs18mfPYRN8Rj-B10fqj_jOSKteVbVgmiX_Hfszg7e5eMBfimGgPRadvxnLyaiEAak3VgmKVBv6GN4cOyAyCF1MGI-_Yzp6-XngZfPRS5kVWHE5tSWnEK8yroH-1e0gY/s320/Christmas+2008+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080780759248306" border="0" /></a>Scrabble... in SPANISH! Cool!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBSiBfAlqNJHzVblxL9TKjo8IfFUxBKSwOTXCxAVaDBvcUP_KN7qfL8t_4Qhw-TykALB-TakFObOUbn27mJn-RUHHeUzNaHOwfLtQF58FsBV96M9AZ3U6YPx9R8Os08tU5ZOotLY1puM/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBSiBfAlqNJHzVblxL9TKjo8IfFUxBKSwOTXCxAVaDBvcUP_KN7qfL8t_4Qhw-TykALB-TakFObOUbn27mJn-RUHHeUzNaHOwfLtQF58FsBV96M9AZ3U6YPx9R8Os08tU5ZOotLY1puM/s320/Christmas+2008+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080779045275458" border="0" /></a>Angelica<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EiLvI4ve87JZeSMblLqBAF7FYD4WeBQcv8ImhdY436vgOiLy-1u8yTEvuTrk-2FgqjGWvY476UX0Uf4Eg4-xeFINeoTfmtkwp2M6RyK751lBFpOJAdT33ztJNo71aZxlAZer1JbE6L8/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EiLvI4ve87JZeSMblLqBAF7FYD4WeBQcv8ImhdY436vgOiLy-1u8yTEvuTrk-2FgqjGWvY476UX0Uf4Eg4-xeFINeoTfmtkwp2M6RyK751lBFpOJAdT33ztJNo71aZxlAZer1JbE6L8/s320/Christmas+2008+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080779204013346" border="0" /></a>The older girls LOVE smelly bath stuff!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCNKw7KdVsfBTTTBgqPOALH10ZFjDFb7-_fhf7r7RoWTW-Ad2twB4zyYmeNgS0urt6YT3SCf38vQeNKLkP64F4CaAkOSK_4tZNx1woC8gmaZ4srrlDXWs34y2Ef0HckAvb5AnNbOj9v0/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCNKw7KdVsfBTTTBgqPOALH10ZFjDFb7-_fhf7r7RoWTW-Ad2twB4zyYmeNgS0urt6YT3SCf38vQeNKLkP64F4CaAkOSK_4tZNx1woC8gmaZ4srrlDXWs34y2Ef0HckAvb5AnNbOj9v0/s320/Christmas+2008+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080769161934002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are many more pictures to come... (I'm lacking some kiddos.)<br /></div>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-61032284294489719842009-01-03T05:56:00.000-08:002009-01-03T06:29:51.503-08:00Christmas: Installment #1Christmas Week and New Year’s Week in a Nutshell (12-22-2008 to 01-02-2008)<br /><br />I’m sorry that I haven’t written in awhile. I have two excuses: (1) Life was a little crazy what with it being the week of Christmas and all. (2) I hate using my computer in the house, because as soon as one of the kids sees me with it (which is usually right away because currently I’m sharing a bedroom with the 5 girls), they flock around and want to play with it or listen to music. When I tell them “not now,” they still just stand next to me and stare at whatever I’m doing. It kind of drives me nuts. It’s not that it matters whether they see what I’m writing- they can’t understand it anyway- but I just like to write in peace… Sooooo, there are my excuses. I won’t have those excuses for long though, because it is no longer Christmas week/ New Years, and I will be moving into my own house soon! Yes, that’s right, Mike is finishing the installation on my fans and lights as I write, and I will hopefully move in within the next few days. I’m really excited about having a place of my own. Sharing a room with the girls has been fine and if I had to continue doing it that would be alright, but I’m really excited about having some privacy and a place to put my things. More about my new house when I get settled into it…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2OFTN88LHoHRILfqLuCenH3Gr4PYFA9fJfNg8_DsJ2UhpOhBeheosWuH9x3u7LB8Ny69t-E_R9eQ8nSclM9cD66eoUdc6WaPQa0RlwL3lNq_FUQAnFxTJjBojJ9R0LjA8tVojIyoq8Q/s1600-h/IMG_0861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2OFTN88LHoHRILfqLuCenH3Gr4PYFA9fJfNg8_DsJ2UhpOhBeheosWuH9x3u7LB8Ny69t-E_R9eQ8nSclM9cD66eoUdc6WaPQa0RlwL3lNq_FUQAnFxTJjBojJ9R0LjA8tVojIyoq8Q/s320/IMG_0861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287069415404259010" border="0" /></a>Because it has been awhile since I’ve written, I’m going point out some highlights from the past few weeks. I’ll warn you right now- This post is not going to flow gently from one paragraph to the next, but who cares. ☺<br /><br />Morales:<br />As Christmas was quickly approaching, I knew that I wanted to get Mike and Karen a present to show my appreciation for all that they’ve done for me so far. They are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and I’ve quickly fallen in love with them. It is because of them that I am able to be here, and they have gone out of their way to make my transition into Guatemala smooth sailing. They have hearts of gold and show Christ’s love to the children, their family, and me every single day… So, like I said I wanted to get them something, but the only times that I was in town were when I was with them! It was quite the dilemma. Finally I decided that I would ask their grandson, Oscar, to take me into town to find something. He is 18 and at the time, seemed very shy (he hardly ever came near me), so I wasn’t sure how it would go, but he said he would be happy to.<br /><br />The next day Oscar and I headed out for Morales, a town about 45 minutes away. It is much bigger than Rio Dulce, and Oscar thought they would have more of a selection. He was right, but it was a little overwhelming. Morales is pretty big, and there are TONS of people walking in the streets and in the marketplace. This was the first time I had been out of the ranch without Mike or Karen, and I had to rely on what little Spanish I know to get me by. Thankfully, Oscar was INCREDIBLY patient with me, and with his help, I found a new cowboy hat for Mike and some Christian music cd’s for Karen. It was a little frustrating- in Guatemala, there of tons of street lenders selling cd’s, but they’re all burnt cd’s! I searched for original copies (I hate the idea of basically stealing music from the artists), but they were nowhere to be found. In the end, I bought the burnt cd’s because they were something Mike thought Karen might enjoy (and I had no clue as to what else to get her instead), but it was a sad reminder that some people here will do whatever it takes, whether legal or not, to make a few bucks (or quetzales, to be precise)… Anyway, the Morales trip was a success, and Oscar opened up a lot. He is very kind, and he even knows some English! We had a good time, and it was really nice to make a friend close to my age.<br /><br />Tamales:<br />Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas in Guatemala without tamales…<br />When I think of Christmas food, I think of ham and turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, my Mom’s hot fresh rolls, sweet tea, and pecan pie… However in Guatemala, it’s all about the tamales. Christmas is the one time of year (that I know of) that almost everyone splurges for tamales. I had never even seen a tamale, much less made or tasted one. It was quite the adventure.<br /><br />In reference to tamales, Wikipedia states, “During Christmas holidays, tamales of corn flour are a special treat for Guatemalans. The preparation time of this type of tamale is long, due to the amount of time required to cook down and thicken the flour base.” Very true that it is quite the ordeal… On Christmas Eve (which for us was the 23rd) all of the females at the ranch went over to Lettie’s house to begin the process. Either Lettie or her husband, Don Oscar, had already “sacrificed” some of their roosters for the meal, and laying across the table were tons of large, dark green leaves, a pot full of corn paste, a pot full of a special sauce (it just looks like the red sauce that comes over enchiladas at the Mexican restaurants at home, but it is actually a very complicated sauce with many unexpected ingredients), a bowl full of red and green pepper slices, and last but not least, a bowl full of raw chicken meat (most of which, to me, were unidentifiable body parts).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fAyMN3BE0qZDK8232TzAObBp4KlJQarMIuY7LUAP6fxv26ma6HYxcI79uMPf2cPmweumqe3r863YE6oB-EcobUfxIhvz4SPhsKkm_NXt5ewW7E_U2iaV-TTAIh4j_2ZG5cAL5vqI5JM/s1600-h/Tamales1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fAyMN3BE0qZDK8232TzAObBp4KlJQarMIuY7LUAP6fxv26ma6HYxcI79uMPf2cPmweumqe3r863YE6oB-EcobUfxIhvz4SPhsKkm_NXt5ewW7E_U2iaV-TTAIh4j_2ZG5cAL5vqI5JM/s320/Tamales1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287071567305881602" border="0" /></a>For the first few minutes, I just watched as the veteran tamale makers did their thing; first picking out a leave that was just the right size, then wacking some paste down as the first layer, then 2 slices of pepper, then the desired piece of meat, then the sauce, and THEN came the difficult part- folding the leaf just right to where it didn’t leak sauce and ended up in a perfect little tamale pocket. They made it look so easy…<br /><br />Those of you who know me well know that I AM NOT a cook. I feel very out of place in the kitchen, especially when I’m surrounded by women who are ABSOLUTE COOKING PROS… However, I didn’t let that stop me from jumping in and taking a try at making my first tamale. Thankfully, Don Oscar and Lettie were right by my side, showing me exactly what do to (they were also TELLING me exactly what to do, but they both talk incredibly fast and I can’t understand them… yet). It was a lot of fun, and although my tamale didn’t look exactly like theirs when I had finished, we all had a good laugh and it’s another thing that I can add to my list of “Memorable Things that I’ve Done in Guatemala.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefIQW09_FwyhKatbIWNeyVbv_vlUU6xuTc_Da1Gal__WYg5E0Doqmqka4ZPkkn9nCsQDBC15neZC9FK0zzXiZF564LmTcK6sW-m35tsm9JUdhYY2ZksBRzW_ggJUMIFEgAkUwudcGWYA/s1600-h/Tamales2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefIQW09_FwyhKatbIWNeyVbv_vlUU6xuTc_Da1Gal__WYg5E0Doqmqka4ZPkkn9nCsQDBC15neZC9FK0zzXiZF564LmTcK6sW-m35tsm9JUdhYY2ZksBRzW_ggJUMIFEgAkUwudcGWYA/s320/Tamales2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287073318506657826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lqmwzoFugW1Jymm_bpbsItrFegexly6iPV1XSHXX6DIgp2aRCeMPzZQMX2lhzzWeJs_3IO55wwYvdFACDmDNLwn2bFc3LQ9zVOUh_reJz93wMcyI8h6Tga8FbhHoZhFDKevkBCG6I6Q/s1600-h/Tamales3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lqmwzoFugW1Jymm_bpbsItrFegexly6iPV1XSHXX6DIgp2aRCeMPzZQMX2lhzzWeJs_3IO55wwYvdFACDmDNLwn2bFc3LQ9zVOUh_reJz93wMcyI8h6Tga8FbhHoZhFDKevkBCG6I6Q/s320/Tamales3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287073320711303154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL2OFTW37Nowd3IjtirlH_svErrKl2wJnK_YTqkmxMz7xn_bo_PZiU7vohR7kG_JRnFiwddhClBnOgiTFQ05UNPy_WXdqfUXfiSVYRTZdgKIF8t9CT-mxGrhyphenhyphenTyNL1MDoK-z8omS2mHA/s1600-h/Final+Tamale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL2OFTW37Nowd3IjtirlH_svErrKl2wJnK_YTqkmxMz7xn_bo_PZiU7vohR7kG_JRnFiwddhClBnOgiTFQ05UNPy_WXdqfUXfiSVYRTZdgKIF8t9CT-mxGrhyphenhyphenTyNL1MDoK-z8omS2mHA/s320/Final+Tamale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287073323796033970" border="0" /></a>Christmas Dinner:<br />For me, tamales were much more fun to make than to eat… They’re not my favorite… Thankfully, Karen had also cooked a turkey. ☺<br /><br />Gift Giving:<br />After dinner, everyone (Mike, Karen, the 8 kiddos, Lettie, Don Oscar, and their family of 6 kids, and me) all went into the living room to open gifts. I loved their gift-giving system. Starting with Michael Jose, the youngest, each person got their own special time in the “center of attention chair,” getting their picture taken and opening their gifts. Each child received a special outfit that they had picked out and some other neat things as well (such as movies, legos, smelly bath stuff, razor scooters, etc). It was really special to experience Christmas with the Rancho de Esperanza gang, and everyone really appreciated their gifts. Mike and Karen even got ME a gift- so sweet of them! I got some bath stuff, a cute bathroom bag, some nail polish, a pair of beautiful earrings, hair anti-frizz stuff (which has been awesome, what with the extreme humidity here), and my favorite thing was that my gift was wrapped in a BEAUTIFUL piece of traditional Guatemalan cloth. I love it so much!... It was a great Christmas, and I truly felt like part of the family, thanks to Mike and Karen and their overflowing kindness, generosity, and love.<br />To my family back home: I was sad to miss out on celebrating Christmas with you all, but I hope that you had a great time together, and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.<br /><br />MORE TO COME AFTER LUNCH...Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-46232445431708934632008-12-30T12:17:00.000-08:002008-12-30T12:54:18.600-08:00Terrible news...My precious Ofelia has been M.I.A. for the past few days... Every time I enter the bathroom and realize that she's nowhere to be found, my heart breaks... I'm afraid that one of the girls may have washed her down the drain. Quite the tragic ending for my first Guatemalan pet...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszLws6fnMGrF87znGJQqM5rno592D6eiZs81Xw0eXc9o9E54TuU98DR4MZrMz34vBC7rzEZstpnFblM19lgf2OAs6t2PT2Z_NI6W778cKvqGaoBo-eeaybHEgw77HSaSEw5g-h_lIH98/s1600-h/RIP+Ofelia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszLws6fnMGrF87znGJQqM5rno592D6eiZs81Xw0eXc9o9E54TuU98DR4MZrMz34vBC7rzEZstpnFblM19lgf2OAs6t2PT2Z_NI6W778cKvqGaoBo-eeaybHEgw77HSaSEw5g-h_lIH98/s320/RIP+Ofelia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285689091035926130" border="0" /></a>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-81530484495568251062008-12-27T07:24:00.000-08:002008-12-27T07:25:43.260-08:00Church in Guatemala…12-22-2008<br /><br />Yesterday I had the privilege of experiencing my first Guatemalan church service. I woke up around 5am (the birds started up a little early yesterday), and I went ahead and got up to take my shower. Because I got such an early start and since it was Sunday, it was the first time since I’ve been here that I’ve actually dried my hair, fixed it, and put on a little make-up. It felt nice to not look like a total slob (with the extreme humidity here, when I let my hair dry naturally every morning, it frizzes, curls, and makes me look a little loco). ☺ Anyway, by the time I was finished getting ready for church, it was only 6am and the kids were still asleep, so I decided to go exploring for “a special spot” to do my devotions (the weather was beautiful yesterday- unlike the torrential downpours we’re having right now).<br /><br />I found a white plastic chair and a stool and started up the driveway (the stool was to keep my feet off the ground- in Guatemala, we have these tiny black ants everywhere that will bite you, leaving an unpleasant stinging sensation). I went just far enough up the driveway to where I couldn’t be seen by either Mike and Karen’s house or Lettie and Don Oscar’s house. All up and down the sides of the driveway, the Rheas have planted beautiful flowers and shrubbery. I hopped over the plants and set up camp in a nice grassy area at the top of a hill. Let me tell you, the view is SPECTACULAR. I’ll take pictures of it soon. Anyway, it was the perfect spot to sit, be still, and meditate on God’s Word. All in all, I spent about three hours up there (I came back around 8 to let Mike and Karen know where I was). It was great! When I went back the second time, I brought my IPOD with me and worshiped with the help of my favorite music artist, Ronnie Freeman (If you’ve never heard of him, you should check him out. Even though some of his music is kind of “poppy” for my taste, his lyrics are simply incredible)… Anyway, it’s exciting to have found a spot where I can go and enjoy some peace and quiet…<br /><br />People from Rio Dulce (mostly all close neighbors) started walking up our driveway around 9:45, and church started around 10:00. Five people from a church in Guatemala City had come into town to lead the service (for the mean time, Mike and Karen’s church in St. Petersburg are paying different assistant pastors to come from Guatemala City every week). The worship service was very interesting in that I had never heard any of the music before and I didn’t have a clue as to what the leaders were saying. I must admit that because of that, I was more of a spectator than a worshiper… Anyway, after the music finished I went with the children over to Mike and Karen’s porch where the children’s lesson is taught (the majority of the church members are children). The three younger adults from Guatemala City were the ones who gave the bible lesson, and I was able to understand some of what they were saying. The children seemed to really enjoy it, and they got to do a little craft after the lesson was over. I had to stay toward the back because I was both trying to keep Danny calm and trying to make sure that the children were looking at the teacher rather than me- for some reason, the color of my skin and eyes are very distracting. ☺ Anyway, the children were precious. I’m going to try and take some pictures of them next Sunday (I wasn’t going to even try, but the people from Guatemala City took tons of pictures, so I think it’ll be alright).<br /><br />After church, everyone stayed for about 15 minutes to visit, drink punch and eat Christmas cookies. I was amazed at how many people came up and gave me a hug, saying “Feliz Navidad” or other pleasantries. They are all so friendly, and I really felt welcomed in the church… Once everyone had left, the children, Mike and Karen, and I spent the rest of the day relaxing and taking it easy. All in all, it was a great first Sunday in my new home.Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-15630278490323805692008-12-20T06:35:00.000-08:002008-12-20T06:37:47.130-08:00La Tienda and Rio DulceYesterday was very exciting! I had my first Guatemalan shopping experience! In the morning before lunch, Lettie and Vilma needed some things to prepare the food, so two of the older girls (Francisca and Angelica) and I volunteered to go to la tienda.<br /><br />The little stores were surprisingly close. All we had to do was walk down our driveway (about the distance from my parent’s house to the entrance of the Franklin Hills neighborhood), enter the “highway,” and just a few steps later we came to the shops. They are pretty small, and you simply go up to the window and tell them what you want (thank goodness I had the girls with me, because I would not have had the slightest clue as to what to say).<br /><br />The guys manning the windows were very friendly to the girls, but they stared at me like I was an alien! I thought that the one guy who was measuring our flour (or something like flour) was going to miss the bag with his scoop because rather than looking at what he was doing, he was just staring at me with this puzzled look on his face. I KNOW I’m not the first Gringo they’ve seen (I have no doubt that Karen and Mike have frequented their stores), but for some reason I threw them off… It was pretty funny.<br /><br />Later on in the day, Karen took Francisca, Zuleidey, Lucia, and me into the Rio Dulce marketplace to do some Christmas shopping. The kids all need new clothes, and so rather than purchasing something on her own without knowing if the clothes fit or if the girls like the style, Karen decided it would be special if the older girls got to pick out their own outfit… And it was. We had a blast!<br /><br />Adventures at the Market:<br />First of all, simply GETTING to the market is quite an adventure. When coming into the marketplace, the traffic is crazy. People are walking in the road, taxis are pulled over causing traffic jams, motorcyclists and scooters are weaving in and out of traffic, and it’s just a mess! I have a new appreciation for Karen, who did a great job navigating us through it all. Anyway, once we finally parked, we were able to start shopping. It was really fun seeing what styles of clothes the girls liked. They all like the jeans with lots of embellishments on the pockets (like rhinestones and glitter). Those jeans are very popular here (but it seems like in the US they’re only popular for little girls under the age of ten or so). Anyway, I could TOTALLY relate to the girls in that they all have very oddly shaped bodies (but don’t get me wrong- they’re all so beautiful), and it was hard to find pants that fit them well. Eventually we found a pair of jeans and a top for each one of the girls, and they seemed very pleased with their purchases… And I was very pleased to have my first marketplace experience.<br /><br />The Market’s Layout:<br />There is only one street that runs through Rio Dulce, and the Marketplace is made up of a row of little individual shops on both sides of the street. Many of the shops are just one building with walls dividing them, and they paint their store’s name over the entranceway. It’s really neat, but VERY crowded…<br /><br />There are SO MANY different smells in the marketplace. We would be walking by a stand selling fried chicken that smelled delicious, then we would enter a store that smelled like body odor, then we would be in a bakery that smelled of fresh cakes and bread, then we would be down by the Rio Dulce river that smelled kind of mucky, and at one point we were stuck in an alleyway that smelled like pee. It was quite the aromatic experience. ☺<br />Anyway, I was shocked at how many Gringos I saw! When I had asked Karen and Mike how many Americans live in Rio Dulce, they both said, “Too many.” Apparently there are a lot of white people who come to live cheaply and “to spend half of their day looking for the cheapest beer and the other half of their day drinking it.” How sad…<br /><br />Well, the children are getting up, so I better put my computer away before they start begging to listen to music and watch old Selena music videos on Youtube (the older girls are a little obsessed with her)… I hope you are all doing well, and I’ll try to write some more later on in the day. Adios!Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-11388713524048960862008-12-19T18:12:00.000-08:002008-12-19T18:40:53.775-08:00Farewell pictures and my new best friend! :)<div style="text-align: center;">I just figured out how to add photos to my blog- how exciting! These pictures are of my farewell in the Atlanta airport. They're so special to me, Momma and Poppa. :)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bkkj5AzD6zA6LjmV4Fi-xTir-akoxR22JODQsAvUfnn2uVUDmecySWTo3uxoaMH2t3QpwKs41-nK0oxE9lTgqHJL7LZb-bqZNFQ7ziOKN0ZRm0EEeTk1hL4ma0XMTgnAZmWotPdiwgM/s1600-h/IMG_0842.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bkkj5AzD6zA6LjmV4Fi-xTir-akoxR22JODQsAvUfnn2uVUDmecySWTo3uxoaMH2t3QpwKs41-nK0oxE9lTgqHJL7LZb-bqZNFQ7ziOKN0ZRm0EEeTk1hL4ma0XMTgnAZmWotPdiwgM/s320/IMG_0842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281696103223405858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-FSsOk0t2-oN7GkSWxtebECglExR12uy79HDeb4dopCKGDBCH9Gk_hPUC8HaBU0IqrXFkglFi_YMtwH7PQkQnRyKaMho7ldF55hSAfecJ6F0qsVD_CRqMreuO_XFj5sgDcIBf285rUY/s1600-h/IMG_0841.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-FSsOk0t2-oN7GkSWxtebECglExR12uy79HDeb4dopCKGDBCH9Gk_hPUC8HaBU0IqrXFkglFi_YMtwH7PQkQnRyKaMho7ldF55hSAfecJ6F0qsVD_CRqMreuO_XFj5sgDcIBf285rUY/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281693086947994354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR3uoonj9-_KtD82xBAHDYpAYTyKzDHwDiv9ZHWv7AmDfikEeiQ4_SYZ6WjnFoFtMgAuZxZJ5cqH29Vx8ZcAoVqpFj8NPc2f6F8HmoFyTCeULGR79EDzT8AyEe5zpJWnFW1cCro_iZbI/s1600-h/IMG_0838.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR3uoonj9-_KtD82xBAHDYpAYTyKzDHwDiv9ZHWv7AmDfikEeiQ4_SYZ6WjnFoFtMgAuZxZJ5cqH29Vx8ZcAoVqpFj8NPc2f6F8HmoFyTCeULGR79EDzT8AyEe5zpJWnFW1cCro_iZbI/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281693080422084178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I also had too include photos of my new best friend. I've named her Ofelia (my new favorite name). She lives in my bathroom, is about an inch long, and eats all the nasty bugs for me. What a great little girl! (Karen told me that some Guatemalans are afraid of lizards and iguanas because they think that they can sting you with their tails. Thanks to having sweet big brothers who would throw the lizards with blue tails on me when I was little, I know it's not true and can appreciate Ofelia's presence in the bathroom.) :)<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPE7HMD9Pd0qpsEbNaCPsw5ucf4DXdafIAYWIhhL4X7zRwKKl1C0XSPYvNQWbPZQn7K-OIffzTqBbwxKOmnIstdfEkdF3v4Y0Jub8TDK9s97UKLXDfRUMe_9Cekgt9J-Cdse5sbxHxz0/s1600-h/IMG_0844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPE7HMD9Pd0qpsEbNaCPsw5ucf4DXdafIAYWIhhL4X7zRwKKl1C0XSPYvNQWbPZQn7K-OIffzTqBbwxKOmnIstdfEkdF3v4Y0Jub8TDK9s97UKLXDfRUMe_9Cekgt9J-Cdse5sbxHxz0/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281695335863083410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiSCOznnNHJHIPn7hDi8h12Rk74EkF9BdfMuC-2KK0Ycu_QkzIyhx0y7LKFsI86pCrLX2SKzXfOHUOGtrF2aYlGxAOFRLVdxqAU3Vi6E9CrFdY43hhuaqjgnAFyaXJ0qzWQl7dEhDoyc/s1600-h/IMG_0838.JPG"><br /></a>Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-49465430776367433082008-12-19T05:54:00.000-08:002008-12-19T12:04:44.627-08:00My first full day at the ranch...12-17-2008<br /><br />Even though I was so tired the night before, my body woke up at the usual time, around 7am (which is 6 am in Guatemala). The girls were still sound asleep, but the birds were up and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">adam</span> (by the way Momma, I loved your little napkin note about chirping happily). ☺ It was actually really nice to be the first one up. As those of you who know me well know, I definitely need some alone time throughout the day, so it was great to have that 2 or so hours before people woke up to take a shower, have my personal devotions, and journal some.<br /><br />I LOVE how the Guatemalans greet one another in the morning. The children would come out of their rooms and everyone would say “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dias</span>” and hug with a kiss on the cheek. It’s so different from back home, but it really makes you feel loved. It’s things like that that I hope to continue when I return home, to let my family know how much I love them and appreciate them…<br /><br />Quick Synopsis of Meal Times:<br />For breakfast, we had an oatmeal equivalent, except it was much thinner and A LOT sweeter. It was good, but I’m just not used to eating something so sweet for breakfast. The children loved eating it with these cookie/cracker type things.<br />For lunch, we had a soupy rice, vegetables, and beef dish. It was really good, but very salty. For lunch and dinner, two of the most precious ladies I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ve</span> ever met, Lettie and Vilma, prepare the meals (with the help of the older girls). They come over to the house around 8 and stay until maybe 5 or so (to help with the kids, cook, clean, etc). They are both Guatemalan women and although I can’t understand a lick of what they say, there smiles could light up the darkest room.<br />For dinner, we had eggs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">refried</span> beans, and tortillas. The eggs were delicious! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sooo</span> much better than the eggs at home, probably because they’re much fresher.<br />At every meal I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ve</span> been forcing myself to drink water (I need to watch out about getting dehydrated) but the children drink juice of some sort. Oh, and we have ice (a luxury that I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">didn</span>’t think I would have here in Guatemala)!<br />All in all, the food has been fantastic, but the only problem is that the portions are HUGE! I feel so rude not finishing what is placed in front of me, because I don’t want the women who prepared the food to think that I don’t like and appreciate it. However, I just can’t find a place in my stomach to put it all! I told Karen that yesterday, and she kindly told Lettie and Vilma that I think they’re cooking is delicious, but I need smaller portions because I can’t eat as much as they give me. They laughed and gave me a hug. I felt a lot better about the situation… Too bad Poppa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">isn</span>’t here to finish all my leftovers. Here’s the best human disposal, and he would love the food here.<br /><br />12-18-2008<br />Enough about food. I want to tell you guys some of the highlights throughout yesterday and today. In the morning, everyone has their chores to attend to (such as sweeping, mopping, tidying the bathrooms, etc), and I was AMAZED at how the children do them with such happy hearts. No questions asked, no complaining, they just get them done with a smile on their faces. What a stark difference from the US (for those of you who always happily did your chores, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">appaulogize</span> for my generalization). After that, the children spend the majority of the day playing and just hanging out. They ride scooters around the wrap-around porch, they play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Uno</span> and other card games, they play with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Legos</span> and other small toys, they play some Domino game (that even after watching for about 30 minutes, I still <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">didn</span>’t understand), they do little crafts (today they made beautiful Christmas tree ornaments out of beads and that rubbery craft string), and for an hour in the afternoon they watch a Guatemalan comedy (it seems pretty dumb if you ask me, but the kids really enjoy it and it gives us a nice break, so who am I to complain). ☺<br /><br />Fantastic Quality in Guatemalans:<br />Unlike many Americans, they seem to truly put others before themselves (what a fantastic way to show Christ through your actions!). Yesterday, I filled a little bowl full of some of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Starburst</span> Jellybeans that Poppa bought and put it on the table where the children were playing. They were all very appreciative and seemed to really enjoy them (thank you for sending that candy Poppa), but let me tell you, they went fast. ☺ Anyway, about 2 hours later when Karen got home (she and Mike had been out to the bank), Francisca, the oldest of the girls at 14, pulled out a crumpled up napkin from her pocket. As she carefully unwrapped it to show a tiny jellybean, I realized what she had done. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. She had thought of Karen and how she <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">wasn</span>’t there to enjoy the treat, so she had saved one of her jellybeans to give to her. What a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">minuscule</span> thing it must have been to Francisca (as I’m sure it was just second nature to put others before herself), but what a precious and beautiful lesson for me- the smallest things can mean SO much to a person when they come out of complete selfless love.<br /><br />Anyway, as expected, I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ve</span> fallen in love with the children. They are all very unique (oops, sorry Poppa, I know how you hate “very unique”)… Correction: They are all unique in their own specials ways, and although I can’t understand much of what they say, I feel like I’m getting a pretty good idea of their personalities.<br /><br />Michael Jose:<br />He is the youngest of the children, and is Mike and Karen’s adopted son. He is absolutely adorable, with a huge smile and extremely loving personality. All throughout the day, he’ll randomly come up to you and give you a hug and a kiss. It’s so funny- when he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">doesn</span>’t know the word for something, he calls it “Holly.” We have no idea why, but “Holly” can be anything from a person to a kind of food to a bug outside. It definitely makes me laugh. For a three year old (almost four, I think) he is very well behaved, and everyone loves him to death.<br /><br />Danny:<br />Danny is five years old, and he is the most difficult of the lot (in my opinion). He is very sweet, but he worries me quite a bit. Karen said that when he was younger, his mother used to use him for begging purposes, and he would act out to get attention. Danny has been known to have seizures, but other than the obvious health problems that can come from this, he realized that he gets a lot of attention when he has a seizure, so all throughout the day he’ll kind of fake one when he’s not getting attention. It scares me to death, because he really does <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">spazz</span> out and make very strange facial expressions (Karen calls it his “monkey face”), and it’s hard for me to tell if he’s faking it or not… Danny is precious, but he definitely has a checkered past and some health problems, so please pray that God will either place His healing hands on him, provide some kind of medical care to help him, or simply teach me how to care for him in a manner that would help calm his anxiousness and show him that I’ll give him attention without him having to act out to receive it.<br /><br />Pedro:<br />Pedro is seven, and the first child that I bonded with. As Karen told me from the get-go, he is absolutely STARVED of affection and physical touch. He often comes and curls up in my lap, and he is very patient with me as far as my poor Spanish is concerned. He is a sweet little boy, and although he’s not perfect (he threw the biggest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">hissy</span>-fit about taking a shower last night), he has stolen my heart. ☺<br /><br />Esperanza:<br />I think she is nine, but I could be wrong (I’ll have to get back with you on that one). She is the youngest of the girls, and EXTREMELY reserved. Mike and Karen say that for now she is just “flying under the radar,” and I can definitely see that. She’s so low key that she could probably get away with a lot and no one would know it because she’s so quiet. It took a lot to break through with her yesterday. She was pouting about something and I had to keep at it for about 30 minutes to get her to take her hands away from her crying eyes and smile. BUT once I did, it was like a huge breakthrough, and she will now play with me and let me come close to her. She <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">doesn</span>’t seek out physical affection like the others do, but when I give it to her (like rubbing her back and playing with her hair during <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">tv</span> time), she seems to like it.<br /><br />Well, that’s got the younger kids covered, but it’s almost time for devotions so I’ll have to give a 4-1-1 on the older girls later. Love to you all!Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-5781235987397172322008-12-18T05:24:00.000-08:002008-12-18T05:26:17.180-08:00My first night at the ranch... (12-17-2008)It is now almost 9:00pm on Wednesday, and I have almost experienced my first full day at the ranch… But let me pick up where I left off about last night.<br /><br />We FINALLY reached Rio Dulce at 10pm or so. I had been fighting back yawns and a strong urge to curl up in a ball and fall asleep for about 2 hours, so I was definitely relieved to know that my bed was in sight. Driving into the property, I became aware of the great security measures taken to protect everyone at the ranch (not that they’re necessarily needed). The entire property is gated, and the fence along the road has barbed wire on type of it. Also, there are two night watchmen (armed)- one mans the gate and the other is up the driveway a bit. With the prospects of living in a house by myself, it’s a relief to know they’re out there…<br /><br />Anyway, some of the children were still awake and Lettie (Mike and Karen’s “adopted” daughter) was there. It was interesting to see how they greeted me. Some gave hugs, some just smiled and said “mucho gusto,” and some didn’t even acknowledge my existence. It was late and we were all very tired (especially me), so I didn’t take offence. I was just ready to crash. We brushed our teeth and climbed into bed. I am currently residing in the girls’ room (there are three sets of bunk beds, all of which are occupied now). It’s a pretty nice set-up, with a bathroom attached. Once we were all in bed, one of the girls read a bible story out loud, then they chit-chatted for about 10 minutes, then we all said “Buenos noches” and crashed. I had NO IDEA what they were saying (when they’re by themselves in their room, they talk extremely fast to one another), but it was neat just to listen (oh to be 14 at a “sleepover” again)… ☺<br /><br />I slept pretty well. Even though I was extremely tired, it was really hard to turn my brain off. I was trying to process everything that had happened over the past few hours, and it was all still pretty surreal… That feeling passed the next morning.Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766859391690496137.post-81344299459079834222008-12-18T04:40:00.000-08:002008-12-18T04:42:58.251-08:00WOW… Where to begin…Well, as expected, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Guatemala… And I’ve only been here about 20 hours! ☺<br /><br />All I can say about the flight is “God is good.” Everything went so smoothly, although we did get a little bit of a late start do to fog in Atlanta. Once on board, it was obvious that we were headed to Guatemala (I was probably one of five Gringos on the entire plane- including the flight attendants!). It was a great feeling- or one I knew I’d have to get used to anyway. The man who sat beside me (probably in his late twenties) was awesome! He had just spent a few months living in Louisiana and was coming home for the holidays (he is from one of those crazily named cities in Guatemala –Chiqualtenango or something like that). His English was on the same level as my Spanish, but he helped me out a lot. We had a great conversation and he made me practice things like my numbers, days of the week, everyday greetings, clothing items, etc. It was a huge blessing, because after befriending one another on the plane, he helped me get through customs, find my bags, and make my way to the lobby. Without him, I would have been completely lost. Yet another blessing from the Father.<br /><br />Random side-note: I wasn’t in Guatemala 10 minutes before making a cultural error. I, Kathryn Ann Holt, accidentally walked into the men’s bathroom at the airport. The sign on the outside had both a man AND a woman on it, so naturally I thought it was a one stall unisex restroom. Oh, how wrong I was. To say the least, I was mortified (and so were the men using the urinals). I ran out and a custodial kindly pointed me in the direction of the WOMEN’S restroom… A mistake I hope to never make again…<br /><br />Anyway, when I arrived in the lobby, it was practically empty. I couldn’t understand why people had made such a fuss about how crazy the airport was… And then I walked outside. There was a barricade type thing holding hundreds of people back, all yelling, holding signs, and trying to get my attention. By the grace of God, I saw Mike and Karen waving me down amongst the crowd (thanks to that awesome cowboy hat Mike wears). I proceeded to make my way through the crowd while Mike and Karen motioned me to the van. Once in the van, greetings were spoken and I learned yet another valuable lesson about Guatemala.<br /><br />Valuable Lesson: In Guatemala, pedestrians DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT have the right of way! If you don’t watch where you’re going and move out of the way, YOU WILL GET HIT!<br /><br />Leaving the airport was atrocious. The traffic was nothing like I’d ever seen, and drivers are INSANE! They fly by, weaving in and out of traffic (barely missing your car by what seems like only centimeters), they are constantly honking at something, and the idea of being kind and letting someone cut in front of you is a concept that has yet to reach Guatemala City. And I thought Miami traffic was bad… Oh well.<br /><br />We had to make a couple of stops before heading to the ranch. First we went to the social worker’s office. Karen went in and dealt with some things while Mike and Michael (their almost-four-year-old son) and I visited in the car. Then I had the pleasure of experiencing Guatemala’s Wal-Mart equivalent. It was huge and full of shoppers, and while I’m normally not a huge fan of crowds, I rather enjoyed scoping out the people and the items in the store. SO many of their things are the same brands as back home (like the Lays Barbeque Potato Chips that Mike apparently loves). It was neat.<br /><br />From there, it was time to eat. Knowing me and my stomach, I was a little nervous about how my first Guatemalan meal would go, but guess what we had. Pizza Hut! Yep, that’s right, sausage and pepperoni pizza and a 7Up to drink. Although I didn’t eat much (I was still a bit too nervous to eat), it was a good meal. From there, we were on the road again.<br /><br />Another Helpful Hint: Guatemalans DO NOT care about speed limits.<br /><br />Guatemala is soooooo beautiful. From what I’ve seen so far, it is all mountains (which I love)! While the roads are in much better shape than I expected, they are all curvy swervey. I knew I needed to sit up and face the front the entire time as to not get a little sick to my stomach, but that was fine with me. It gave me an opportunity to look out the windows at this beautiful country.<br /><br />Honestly, I had no idea what to expect in regard to housing, businesses, etc. I don’t exactly know how to describe the buildings here, other than that they are like buildings in the US that you wouldn’t give a second glance at because you know that they’ve been abandoned for many years… Except in Guatemala, they are not abandoned at all. They have many people living in them, and you could often see a television playing through the open windows. Also something that I found neat (and reminded me of something that Momma and Poppa probably saw a lot of in Africa) was all the people walking along the “highway” with baskets and things on their heads. It’s strange to think of having to walk to and from the store rather than drive… But not to say that I wouldn’t be all about it. I’m looking forward to my first walk to la tienda. ☺ Anyway, it was interesting to see these people out and about so late in the evening, after the sun had gone down. Different cultures fascinate me…<br /><br />Don’t worry Momma, while Mike did drive extremely fast, not once did I question his ability. For the most part, I felt comfortable in the van- which is saying a lot for someone who, since my wreck in last January, has become extremely paranoid about riding with anyone new. Despite many crazy drivers accompanying us on our journey and a few traffic jams, God placed His angels around us and gave us a safe journey to the ranch.<br /><br />I’ll pick up where I left off and tell you all about the Ranch and my first night here later. It’s time for lunch! I love you all, miss you all (but in no way am I home-sick), and appreciate all your prayers. God has definitely made His presence known to me on this journey to the unknown…Kathryn Ann Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234988333121689208noreply@blogger.com3