Ismael (10 years old) always talks about how he wishes he had long( masculine) hair. Last Sunday at Dinner, Ismael leaned in close to his sister Sammy and draped her hair over his head. That caught the attention of the 10 volunteers who were also eating dinner with us. We all laughed. Then Sammy said, " Quiero ver mi papi como rubio!" I looked around the room wondering whose hair she wanted to use, because I am definitely not blonde anymore.
Then she said ," Pues, el pelo de Danika!"I contested and explained that my hair is NOT blonde and she replied, " Si, lo es!" Finally she said, " rubio es algo menos oscuro de nuestro pelo." That was so funny to me because before we moved here my Dads response to me dying my hair was, "you're still going to be blonde to the people in Ecuador, you know that right?!." I didn't believe him then , but I believe him now!
This is Rodrigo with me standing behind him
Some how it turned into a not so masculine evening as the women pressed the men to try out these new looks...
You might see these photos the next time you buy milk in Rexburg Idaho. We were asked to take these photos of the children from OSSO's Little Ones with the hopes to raise money to buy milk for the orphanage.
These are th children from Casa Alegria ( House of Joy)
A few weeks ago we went hiking with the Roseros, it was refreshing. We had the parents and both their kids all to ourselves and we had a blast. The place we went to was called __________ (I don't remember the name, but I'll post it when I find it out).
This is a view of the mountain we climbed from the center of a small town at its base.
If there is something to climb, I don't let the opportunity pass me by. This time I had some friends to play with. This is a fun angle, it make Rodrigo look like he's free climbing and is barely holding on.
This is the picture our camera took we I dropped it from our perch. It fell about fifteen feet, struck the rock and then landed in the grass as you can see. This happened to justify my purchase of a shock-proof camera.
A view of some Inca ruins, unfortunately these are not protected so there is quite a lot of graffiti.
The Rosero family (from left to right): Rodrigo, Lorena, Ismael, and Sammy
Sad to think that someone wrote their nickname here just for kicks.
That's me at the end of the hike. You can see the car (more like a speck in this picture) between the houses, the Roseros were very happy to see that their car was still there.
I love to exercise and I especially love exercising with my husband. In the past Lee was too busy with school to exercise, plus he didn't really like it. When I would ask him to go for a run with me he would say, " I don't like to just go 'running', If I run I like to run AFTER something, like a soccer ball." So I used to worked out alone or with a group of girlfriends. But since arriving in Cuenca we have began to exercise together.We run 4 days a week and lift or do an exercise DVD the other 2 days. I have been so grateful for his willingness to exercise with me! However sometimes I forget that it is a blessing that he is willing to excerise with me.
One day we were out running the Tomebamba river and he raced off in front of me.I knew that if I asked him to slow down he would say 'your pace is too slow, speed up'. So I stopped and walked.Lee noticed and slowed down to walk with me. He asked, "what are you doing?" to which I replied, " I would rather be equally yoked and walk the whole way than run behind you by myself." Lee didn't respond nor did he need to, I was being stubborn. We walked in silence for a couple of minutes and during those minutes words from a poem I wrote in the Summer of 2005 came to my mind. At the time I was frustrated with the dating scene and I yearned for a meaningful relationship. It reads:
Early to bed and earlier we’d rise,
We set the limit as the skies.
We’d chart the path and measure distance
A mixture of hills and flats we’d choose with consistence.
Each challenging hill made us stronger,
While the flats allowed time to reflect and ponder.
As our confidence built we’d add more miles,
Reaching our end goal we’d be all smiles.
One day we chose a road that split left and right
We went our separate ways and that was alright.
During the farewell my smile remained
For an inner love of running I had gained
Occasionally someone will join me for a run,
But as we approach the hill they say “I’m done.”
Fall, winter and spring I’ve been running alone,
It’s from this time that I have grown,
Grown to love the wind in my face,
Grown to see nature's abundant grace.
When I run I feel of God eternal love,
His blessings I strive to be worthy of.
Some day I will find a man to run with me,
A running partner for all eternity.
But for now I wear these shoes and in them learn
Faithfulness to the straight and narrow will bring what I yearn.
I earnestly move each day in that direction,
Never veering from the path that provides divine protection
The way has been charted with each one of us in mind
The distance can be made by all mankind…
I found my "eternal running companion" and on May 23, 2008 we were sealed in the Los Angeles temple. The words of the poem remind me that Lee is a gift to be cherished. Life with him is meant to be enjoyed. The poor guys was just enjoying the run, isn't that what I should want?! When I nag or bring negativity into our home I overlook the blessings of marriage. If we are faithful to our covenants and cherish each other, our hearts will be opened to all of the blessings God has intended for us to enjoy as husband and wife.
Some how it turned into a not so masculine evening as the women pressed the men to try out these new looks...
Rodrigo with Laura hair, a volunteer from Canada
Lastly, Lee with my hair! haha!
