Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Vacations
I am about to leave for a much needed vacation. I will update the blog after the 16th.
Peace,
Laura
Peace,
Laura
Monday, June 16, 2008
Life Teen retreat
This past weekend I volunteered to help on the Life Teen retreat for 30 middle school students. (As it was my descanso, I will work a total of 26 days in a row this month!) The retreat was amazing, and I don't know if I can even begin to describe it here, but I will try.
We took the 30 kids to another NPH house in Huitzilac (Don't ask how to say it) on Friday and began an incredible weekend of prayer and devotion with the kids, along with a lot of food and activities. The retreat was a hospital theme and we began by registering the kids with a mock examination and giving them a bandage to determine their small group. (See below for a video of my acting debut in Mexico.)
The weekend included a series of skits and small group discussions. My small group was great. It was really awesome to be spending time with a group of kids who wanted to be there and wanted to learn about God, and I was amazed by their honesty. Almost all of the kids shared very personal stories. And as we can only imagine their stories reflected more hardship than most of us will ever experience in our entire lives.
On Saturday night the kids experienced Adoration, many for the first time and the experience was unlike any I have ever seen and powerful for all present.
On Sunday we ended our sessions with affirmations. Each person took turns giving positive comments to the kids. As I passed through the line whispering affirmations, I could almost feel the gratitude of each child.
It was an incredible weekend and I am already looking forward to the next retreat in the fall.
In other news, the washing machine is broken, so I will become an expert in hand washing all my laundry this month.
Please remember to keep me and my kids in your prayers and if you are able please consider donating a book through my Amazon Wish List.
Peace,
Laura
We took the 30 kids to another NPH house in Huitzilac (Don't ask how to say it) on Friday and began an incredible weekend of prayer and devotion with the kids, along with a lot of food and activities. The retreat was a hospital theme and we began by registering the kids with a mock examination and giving them a bandage to determine their small group. (See below for a video of my acting debut in Mexico.)
The weekend included a series of skits and small group discussions. My small group was great. It was really awesome to be spending time with a group of kids who wanted to be there and wanted to learn about God, and I was amazed by their honesty. Almost all of the kids shared very personal stories. And as we can only imagine their stories reflected more hardship than most of us will ever experience in our entire lives.
On Saturday night the kids experienced Adoration, many for the first time and the experience was unlike any I have ever seen and powerful for all present.
On Sunday we ended our sessions with affirmations. Each person took turns giving positive comments to the kids. As I passed through the line whispering affirmations, I could almost feel the gratitude of each child.
It was an incredible weekend and I am already looking forward to the next retreat in the fall.
In other news, the washing machine is broken, so I will become an expert in hand washing all my laundry this month.
Please remember to keep me and my kids in your prayers and if you are able please consider donating a book through my Amazon Wish List.
Peace,
Laura
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Pictures from Taekwondo exam
I am still looking for support for my book drive. I have only received three books!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Books, Books, Books
Since several people have asked how they can be involved and help me with my work, I figured I would post just one opportunity here.
I really want to collect books for my section. In my section of 27 girls, we read every night and many of the girls tell me how much they enjoy to read. The problem is that within my section we have maybe 10 books to share between the girls. I try to provide books when I can, but honestly, I can’t keep up with the demand. I have created a wish list at amazon.com (see link below), and people can help by purchasing one of the books from the list. The book will be mailed to my house in Minnesota and I will be able to bring it back to Mexico with me in July.
To me this is one of the easiest and best things you can do to help my girls. I know that reading was one of the reasons that I have had success in life, and I remember how reading helped me when I was a teenager. I am, also, sure many of you feel the same way.
In addition, we are currently making many cutbacks at the home to save money. If you want to help with a monetary donation for special things for the kids like church retreats, special dinners, activities or graduation, send me an e-mail at lzilverberg@gmail.com and we can work on that, and if nothing else please keep sending your prayers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/JS1AXZEK0WUT
Peace
I really want to collect books for my section. In my section of 27 girls, we read every night and many of the girls tell me how much they enjoy to read. The problem is that within my section we have maybe 10 books to share between the girls. I try to provide books when I can, but honestly, I can’t keep up with the demand. I have created a wish list at amazon.com (see link below), and people can help by purchasing one of the books from the list. The book will be mailed to my house in Minnesota and I will be able to bring it back to Mexico with me in July.
To me this is one of the easiest and best things you can do to help my girls. I know that reading was one of the reasons that I have had success in life, and I remember how reading helped me when I was a teenager. I am, also, sure many of you feel the same way.
In addition, we are currently making many cutbacks at the home to save money. If you want to help with a monetary donation for special things for the kids like church retreats, special dinners, activities or graduation, send me an e-mail at lzilverberg@gmail.com and we can work on that, and if nothing else please keep sending your prayers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/JS1AXZEK0WUT
Peace
Monday, May 12, 2008
My first Mother's Day
This past weekend was my favorite weekend so far. We celebrated Mother's Day beginning last Thursday with a special dinner hosted by the male directors. Friday morning, we celebrated with a breakfast in the school. But, the best part was Friday night.
My girls kicked me and the other two encargadas I work with out of the section immediately after dinner. They said they had work to do and we would be welcome back inside the section in a little bit.
A few hours later when we were allowed back inside...the girls greeted us with the traditional celebration song, Las Mananitas, presents, a card and decorations. They had also put together an entire presentation about how grateful they were to have us as their mothers. We were treated to choreographed dances and at the end of it all our own dance in the section. It was so sweet and I was really humbled that they had put in that much effort for us. I didn't realize before the importance of my role in their lives and I didn't realize before how much of a mother I really am. I feel really grateful to have them in my life. I think that the longer I am here, the more I feel that I am receiving just as much as I am giving.
Peace
My girls kicked me and the other two encargadas I work with out of the section immediately after dinner. They said they had work to do and we would be welcome back inside the section in a little bit.
A few hours later when we were allowed back inside...the girls greeted us with the traditional celebration song, Las Mananitas, presents, a card and decorations. They had also put together an entire presentation about how grateful they were to have us as their mothers. We were treated to choreographed dances and at the end of it all our own dance in the section. It was so sweet and I was really humbled that they had put in that much effort for us. I didn't realize before the importance of my role in their lives and I didn't realize before how much of a mother I really am. I feel really grateful to have them in my life. I think that the longer I am here, the more I feel that I am receiving just as much as I am giving.
Peace
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sometimes it just takes a little extra effort
One of the biggest lessons I've learned so far is that sometimes it just takes a little extra effort. It is easy to get stressed or overwhelmed, but sometimes if you push yourself just a little harder you can make a huge difference.
The other day when we had swimming lessons with the girls, there were several girls that were not interested. They were complaining and not listening and wanted to leave. At first it was easy to be annoyed and upset, but when I chose to work with them in the pool and help them learn to swim, the day was so much better. They were excited and worked hard and wanted to learn more. Those same girls are excited for there next swimming lesson and want to practice swimming races when we have free swim.
So I guess from here on out when it is hard, the key is to work harder.
Peace.
The other day when we had swimming lessons with the girls, there were several girls that were not interested. They were complaining and not listening and wanted to leave. At first it was easy to be annoyed and upset, but when I chose to work with them in the pool and help them learn to swim, the day was so much better. They were excited and worked hard and wanted to learn more. Those same girls are excited for there next swimming lesson and want to practice swimming races when we have free swim.
So I guess from here on out when it is hard, the key is to work harder.
Peace.
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