Friday Praise and Prayer.

Time for another praise and prayer!

Praise:

• Rebekah, our new long term volunteer has been accepted with CTEN, and is working towards getting here as soon as possible!
• Marcy is doing somewhat better. She has still not had great poo's (very loose) since we put her on a slightly less expensive formula. After a month, I put her back on the more expensive formula on Sunday, and today she finally had a normal poo! And she hasn't really been sick since we left the hospital the beginning of May. Praise God!
• We have had some good sun lately, and Lupita has LOVED going in the pool for a bit in the afternoons. 

Prayer:

• Luz has a sprained ankle, and a bad case of pneumonia. It has been a rough week for her. Please pray for comfort, and quick healing. 
• Finances. 
• My leadership skills and training of nannies. We have had some struggles with staff members, and I need wisdom in dealing with some things.

We were blessed to have a photographer come spend a couple of days with us, and this is our group picture with the girls, the nannies, the housekeeper, social worker, and I in the traditional dress of the area. Enjoy!

Help is on the way! :)

This is a post that I am so excited to write about!

For some time now I've felt quite overwhelmed, and highly under qualified with some of my duties. I'm not sure I can adequately explain how difficult this whole process of starting the children's home has been for me. Let's just say, it's been really difficult to do this alone.

Though I haven't advertised it, except to a few people close to me, I (and others) have been praying for someone to come and share the ministry with me. A nurse wasn't necessary, but I wanted someone  who would especially be willing to help out with the office work so I could spend more time with the girls, and do a lot more hands on training with the nannies. Though I thought it would be so nice to have another nurse around when I can't be here.

Well, in a way that I feel like only God could have arranged, a nurse administrator from Canada has agreed to come work with us for two years!!!! She has a lot of administration experience, as well as she is a nurse! I couldn't ask for more! Her name is Rebekah, and we hope that she will be here by the end of August. She has started to raise funds, and it will depend somewhat on how that goes.

When I have to go to the City for appointments, hospitalizations, or when I go up to Canada (in June it will have been TWO years since I've been home!), she will come and stay at the Home. This is really important to me, as often these girlies have only subtle signs that they are becoming sick, and a non-trained eye may not pick up on it right away.

She will be able to drive, and can help take girls to appointments and help run errands. The possibilities are endless!!!! ;)

We have chatted several times, both prayed and sought counsel, and we both really feel like this is what God has for us.  Please pray with us, that her transition will be smooth(ish). That her fund-raising and sharing with churches will go well. Please pray for her family left behind, as I know it was hard on my mom when I left! Please pray that Spanish language learning would go well.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Surgical Updates!

I was going to update you on Sara and Lupita's surgeries, but now I've waited so long that I can update you on Marcy as well!

In the middle of April, Sara and Lupita had their tonsils and adenoids removed. Both of the girls have smaller than average heads, so their tonsils and adenoids were growing at a normal rate, and were blocking off their airways. This caused them both to have sleep apnea, and Sara got to the point where she couldn't be alone, and position changes were needed while sleeping so she could breathe effectively!

 These girls looked so cute in their little gowns!

 Sara was hungry, and crying a lot, so Lupita started trying to make her feel better. So sweet!!!

Post-op ice cream!!! 

I was pretty nervous, but things went very well for both girls. We stayed one night, just to make sure everything was okay, and went home happy the next morning! By then end of the first day, I was noticing that Sara was breathing SO much easier, and both the girls slept so peacefully and soundly that night. Sara's breathing was so quiet, I felt like I had to double check she was breathing!!! 

I am so thankful we could get these done. They have greatly increased their quality of life, and I no longer fear they will stop breathing at night and not start again! Thank you to all the donors that gave to us, to cover their care in a private hospital. I am so grateful!!!! 

The end of April Marcy got sick (again!), and wasn't getting better with our treatment here. We went to Guatemala City to receive treatment in a hospital there. We were there for five nights. She was improving so much, and we had already planned to put in a g-tube (permanent tube going directly in her stomach to feed her, as opposed to me having to insert one in her nose) so they went ahead and planned to do it while we were there. I am sure thankful for that! 

 Feeling pretty rough in the ER. It is hard to be sick, and have to drive 5 hours just to get to the hospital.

 First smile in almost a week! I was so thankful she was getting better!

 I wanted one last picture with her and her NG tube. But you can't even see the tube! :)

 No tube in my nose!!!!!

 The first night after surgery, they left the g-tube open so it could drain any fluid from her stomach. There was a plastic bag attached to the end of it. She kept wanting to play with the bag, instead of sleeping. She had her own bed, and my couch was next to it. I kept getting up to tell her not to touch the tube. After about 3 times of that, I got up and she had pulled the sheet over her head, and was hiding while she played!!! You can see the top of her hair sticking out. Little stinker! 

She was pretty interested in this new thing in her belly. Now she is just used to it. It was only yesterday that I was getting the bag of food ready to attach to her tube, and she grabbed the tube, and held it up for me!!! Smart or what?!?

After 5 nights, we happily headed home. She has done really well with it. They did biopsies while they put it in, and she has some very bad reflux that is causing damage. Please be praying for her for that. She has a hernia that is making her reflux worse. I feel like every time we see a new doctor, or get a new exam done, we find something else wrong with her. Some fixable, some not, but all problem causers. The anesthesiologist had a very hard time intubating her, so future surgeries need to be well thought out. I had really hoped she would be easier to intubate, as she is bigger than last year. But, no. 

I am seeing such improvements in her as well. She is putting more toys and food in her mouth. She won't eat the food, but even putting it in her mouth without gagging, crying, choking or vomiting, is a very big step! She is breathing better, and hardly ever has boogers! It is so nice to be rid of the nose feeding tube. This surgery really should have happened months ago. I held on to the hope for SO long that she would eat with her mouth, and then when I finally decided we needed it, she was sick for so long!

So now we have finished the three most important surgeries. I'm so glad they are done. And I have seen such an improvement in all of their quality of lives. Thank you to everyone for their prayers and financial donations! I appreciate it all so much!

Sara and Lupita.

I need help again.

As some of you know, Sara has had a much more difficult time breathing. She had sleep apnea (she stops breathing and/or has ineffective breathing while she sleeps) when she came to us at the end of January. About 3 weeks ago she started all of a sudden not tolerating laying on her back to sleep. She would gasp, and gasp, and not be able to breathe well. That day, she woke up and for about 20-30 minutes continued to gasp, and not breathe well, prompting me to take her to the pediatrician. Unfortunately, there isn't much medically we can do for her.  I contacted her ENT (ear nose and throat specialist), and he agreed we need to do the surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids quickly. Bad part is, at that time he was in Spain and wouldn't be back until this past Monday. She has microcephaly, which means her brain and head are much smaller than normal for some reason. We suspect a lack of oxygen at birth caused it, but we aren't sure. Because of her small head, her tonsils and adenoids are blocking her airway and we need to take them out.

Tuesday we met with the Dr who will do the surgery. He saw her, and agreed we need to do the surgery soon. She also has weak neck muscles, and she is having a hard time swallowing food and managing her own saliva. She has trouble eating, and hasn't gained much weight. She will be 2 years old on May 1st, and she weighs 16 pounds. 16 pounds is a lot better than the 14 1/2 pounds she weighed when she came in January! But obviously still not enough. This surgery will also  help with her feeding issues.

I can't really stress enough how difficult it is watching her not be able to rest well. I'm afraid she will just quit breathing. Tuesday she had so many secretions, it was like watching her drown, and I couldn't find a single position to make her comfortable (usually facedown works). She sleeps on her stomach, which has it's own risks, because within 30 seconds of falling asleep on her back, she is gasping for her. I can't wait to get this done!!!!

We meet with a cardiologist who saw her struggling to breathe (she was sleeping in my arms while we were at the appointment). He wanted to do an echocardiogram because usually kids with apena this bad will have heart damage. Praise God her heart is good to go!

"I just want to breathe well!"

Lupita also has a small head due to her syndrome. Though her apnea is bad, it is not the level of Sara's. I have also watched her sleep, and struggle to take in air, and it is so hard to watch. She is often tired, and I'm sure it is affecting her at school. She also struggles to breathe while eating with her mouth closed. I've had to leave that little life lesson alone for a while. :)

Lupita and Sara should have had this suregery done ages ago, but because they were in homes that didn't specialize in children with special needs, their caretakers didn't recognize the need for intervention. I'm so thankful God brought these girls to me, so we can help them to live their life abundantly!

First of all, I'd like to ask for your prayer. Though the surgery is simple, and kids usually go home the same day, our girls are special (in more ways than one!) and the surgeon wants us to stay overnight with the girls. Please pray for them through the weekend, and during their survey and recovery.

We have scheduled them for Tuesday at 8 and 9 a.m. I am thankful we can do them both at the same time. We will have a double room, and a nanny and I can be with them the whole time. Because of their special needs we are doing the surgeries in a private hospital. There, our risks for post-op infection and complications will be decreased, and if they need any type of resuscitation, there are resources available there. Not so in the public hospitals.

Secondly, unfortunately private hospitals cost money. Praise God, the surgeon and anesthesiologist have donated their time, and won't be charging us a fee! We still need to cover the cost of the OR and the hospital stay. Their best guess as to the approximate cost is about $2,000. each girl. It all depends on what each girl needs during their stay.

If you can help with the cost of their surgeries, or know someone who would like to help out, please click here for a tax deductible receipt in Canada, and click here for a tax deductible receipt in the U.S.

I'll hopefully be posting updates on Facebook about how they are doing the day of the surgery. Thank you for caring for my girls, and loving on them with your prayers and donations!!! I am once again thankful for those who can help me care for these girls in the best way possible!

Today I'm feeling...

Today is the one year anniversary of Treasures of God Children's Home!!! YAY! I wanted to write a fun celebratory post of all that has happened to get us this far. But something happened last night, and I want to share about that instead.

This week all the girls have been off from school, and we have been doing fun activities all week. Seeing movies,

playing hide and seek,
going in the pool,

 inviting friends over to play,

(Sam is 8 months older than Sara. Just for a size comparison. :) )

making popcorn and watching movies at home,

picking up new glasses for Lupita,

(She is so cute in them!)

and yesterday I needed formula for Marcy, and some meds, so I took the girls along to wander around the mall, and wanting to treat them to something while we were out. We decided to take the girls to Pizza Hut so they could play in the play place. 

I LOVE Watching Lupita and Shirley together. They are such good friends, and Lupita loves to help her with whatever she needs. In this case, I could go sit down, as Lupita had figured out how to lift Shirley up on the the big steps, and get her down the slide. Good job Lupita!

Luz loved the chicken wings!

I was trying to get a picture of all of us. And when I looked at it, that is when I was mad.

I had to leave half of my family at home. We just don't have room to safely take more than 3 girls in my personal vehicle. And it bothers me. Not just because we can't go anywhere all together as a family, but also it means extra trips to the City, because I can't schedule the appointments all at once.

I've been trying to raise funds for a van for a while now. I started a gofundme page, and I have written in my newsletter. Our total donations to date to the car fund: $951. How much we need in Canadian dollars: $45,000. ($34,000. USD) Sadly our Canadian dollar has been dropping and that is really affecting all ministries negatively. 

Used vans in any kind of half decent shape are almost impossible to find here, and sell very quickly. Vehicles are heavily used, and lightly maintained. We do a lot of driving between the City and here (about a four hour drive one way) for medical appointments and since we are a bunch of women and children with special needs, we need a van in very good shape!!! So I feel like my only option is a new van. 

As part of the gofundme page, they send out updates every once in a while. About a week and a half ago there was a story of a man who had lost a lot of weight, and needed money for skin removal surgery. He had $55,000. USD donated in 5 days. Now I know that that surgery will have a huge impact on him and his life, and I'm glad he can get it. But I couldn't help but be frustrated and jealous at the ease with which he came up with his money. I try not to be, but I am.

I know you don't have $45,000. in your back pocket. At least nobody I know does! But I would really like to ask for your help. I'll be honest, I hate asking for money. So I don't do it often enough. The problem of not enough money coming in is partly my fault, as I'm not letting the need be known.

I'd like to ask you to go to your Bible study group, friends, family, co-workers, etc. Anyone who has a heart for children with special needs. Ask them to put together a fundraiser. Ask them to make a personal donation. Hit up Uncle Fred, Cousin Lucy, co-worker Ned, husband Bob, friend Christina, etc. You get the idea. Please share this blog. Please share it on Facebook. People can donate throughout the gofundme page here. If you'd like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit the Canadian CTEN page or the U.S. CTEN page. If you donate through CTEN, please send me an e-mail at hogartesorosdedios@gmail.com  stating your donation is for the van, otherwise it will go into our general fund (which we also need, but that is for another day! ;) )

I will update every once in a while, so that you guys know when we have hit our goal. Thank you so much for all your support. Thank you for spreading the word. Thank you for working to better the lives of my girls. I can't express my appreciation very well in written form, but know that I really do appreciate it. 

I want to add one side note. Maybe it isn't even necessary, but I'll mention it anyway. I like to treat my girls. I want them to feel loved, and taking them out is one way I can show them I care about them. But every time we go for ice cream, or pizza, or a movie, I pay out of my personal funds. I'm blessed to have enough to share with them. So please know that all donations made to the home go towards their food, shelter, schooling, medicine, dr appts, etc. 

Hope you all have a great week! We are having our one year anniversary party on Sunday, so I'll share some pictures and stories next week.

Tuesday Praise and Prayer.

I've decided that praising and prayer shouldn't be relegated to just Friday of every week so I have decided to do a praise and prayer post any day of the week!

And maybe I've decided to do it that way because I keep forgetting to do it on Fridays.

I'll let you decide.

Praise:

• BOTH of my little babies gained weight this week!!!!! I am so thrilled!!!!! This is the first time in a month that either of them have gained. Thank you for your prayers and donations for formula.

• My two oldest girls are on easter break, and are home for the whole week. Yay! We played hide and seek outside for an hour and a half yesterday. A little harder than you'd think, as I had to hide 4 out of the 5. One kid just came out of her hiding spot anytime someone called her name. One kept crying and/or wandering out of her hiding spot. One kid would be found, then run and hide again because she never wanted to be found. One kid kept crawling out of her hiding spot. And one (who I thought would be the easiest to hide!) moved her feeties and gave her position away! So. Much. Fun.
• We are coming up on one year of being Treasures of God Children's Home. I can hardly take it in. Praise God we have made it this far. 
• We have two new monthly sponsors and we are going to receive a large special donation!!! 
• In the last three and a half weeks we have only gone to the doctor ONCE!!!!! I have been communicating by texts with Marcy's gastroenterologist, and Sara's ENT doctor but that doesn't count. :) This is some sort of record!!! Though I'll break that next week when 4 girls have 5 appointments in the City. I am so thankful that these girls have been stable. 

Prayer:

• Sara and Lupita are going to have their tonsils and adenoids removed. We don't have a date for this yet, but hoping for the week after Easter. Please pray that the surgeries go well (they are high risk because of their special needs), and that it fixes their sleep apnea problems.
• Marcy is going to have a G-tube placed, hopefully at the end of April. This is a small tube that goes through her abdomen and directly into her stomach. It allows us to feed her with more ease. She is eating small amounts, but not enough to survive. She has been with her NG tube for almost a year, and it is not a long term solution. We will continue to feed her by mouth, but the G-tube will allow her to safely get the extra nutrients she needs. 
• Training and wisdom for our staff.

Thanks all for celebrating the good with us, and keeping out girls in your prayers! I really appreciate it!

I lied.

I hate lying. I don't do it often. And when I do, if you've known me for more than 10 minutes, my face usually gives it away. But last weekend I told a bald faced lie. And to Lupita no less.

I took Lupita to McDonalds. We have been having some serious issues with behaviour at school, and punishing was NOT working at all. So now I have resorted to the highly effective parenting tool; bribery! If she behaves at school during the week, then we get to go on a date, just the two of us. It has worked like a dream for almost a month now.

She got ice cream, and we ate our treats together (I like that part). Then it was time for the play place!!!

Very quickly I noticed that four or five girls had noticed that Lupita looked different. They quickly banded together and watched out for her. When she would head towards where they were (not to talk to them or anything, just playing), they would scream and run away. And my heart broke every time. I wanted to knock those girls heads together, and take Lupita away and love on her forever and ever where no one would ever call her names and say or do mean things. I prayed she wouldn't notice.

But my Lupita is too smart. We got in the car to go home and she said to me, "those girls were scared of me". Crap. I'm so glad I didn't have to look her in the eyes. I know, I'm a wimp. I remember talking to my friend Ruth before she even came to me, telling her I didn't know what I'd do when kids made fun of her. When she began to realize that she looked different. What would I say? How would I help to build her confidence and make it through this rough world? Life is hard enough without other little girls screaming and running away from you because of what you look like. 

So I lied. I told her they were playing a different game, and that is why they were screaming and running around. She didn't say anything after that, but I know this girl. She is smart, and sees and understands a LOT of what is going on around her.

Please pray that I would have the right words. That me loving on her will be enough. That I will give her the confidence she needs to make it through. That she will KNOW that God loves her. That He allowed her to be this way for a reason, and He doesn't make mistakes.