A Special Supper for the Big Girls

This morning began with devotions, circle and breakfast once again.  What was special about this morning was my chat with Karelia and how difficult it can sometimes be watching and caring for these little ones.  Some of them come from such broken homes and act out in ways that have always been acceptable from where they came.  The staff here want the children to be able to distinguish between good and bad behavior, between good & bad actions, between good and bad language, etc.  Your own children know you and know your expectations, but Emmanuel is constantly receiving new children...and it takes time for them to learn that some of the practices (i.e. abuses) that they experience with their parents and family at home are not acceptable.  It takes time, patience, and love...which makes it hard work, because it's a constant ongoing process with each new child that comes in...but it's worth it!  Karelia and I chatted a bit about our own children and how we handle problems with them in our own homes, and then how it's different when the child is not your own.

Once again when I took the little girls to school, Leslie was not able to teach.  I'll plan to teach today and tomorrow yet, right up until I leave.  I was glad to only have 3 classes today because I'm still pretty congested and was slightly feverish yet.  I did take an ibuprofen this morning.  After my 3 classes, I headed back to the apartment to rest for a bit, to try to get rid of the fever (it didn't work).  Alina used the remainder of the morning to catch up on 4 days of journaling. We had lunch with the little girls and then went to Emmanuel's gift shop to purchase the children's CD of songs for Jen, my cousin who asked Andres to "facebook me" and ask for a CD.

After buying the CD, Alina & I headed to the Casita to help Elizabeth with her special needs class and then we headed back to the house a bit to drop our purchases off before going to the little girls' house once again for supper and to give baths.  This afternoon Bob worked extremely hard to prepare a supper for the "en cargadas" (big girls in charge) of the little girls' house.  He made barbecue chicken, cole slaw, potatoes, and bread.  It was ALL a big hit!  Elizabeth & Karelia joined us, and Bob made enough for Karelia to take back to her husband (Robert) and her kids...she wouldn't have to make supper...she was so thankful!

Bob with the Big Girls, Elizabeth & Karelia