Hogar Calendarios!

HEY! Been long enough? I can't believe I really went over a month without blogging on here! It's because I'm busy and my laptop still is dead. Once I pay off my debts (dumb mandatory BYU health insurance!!), then I will go have it fixed. Until then, I guess I'll have monthly blogs.

What's new in life? Not much. Busy, busy, busy. I am really enjoying school even though I am constantly working on some art project or another. Two of my classes end next week so it will be nice to have some extra time in my schedule to sleep;). Just kidding, it's not that bad. I'm just a procrastinator! Andrew is also extra busy with 2 jobs and full time school. Crazy? Yes. We both are...more him than me. I just have a part time job and full time school. But we are surviving and pulling things together slowly since our return to the United States.

Matt is getting married this November!! I'm so excited because that means the whole family will be here for Thanksgiving!! YAY!! I love the holiday season, and it is just so much better when the whole family is around. I love my family (both sides...and YES, I am sad that I won't be with Andrew's family for Thanksgiving, but if things work out well, I will be with them for Christmas!!).

I have also realized that change is good. It is hard to accept and sometimes doesn't make sense, but it is good. It makes me a better person. I just have to ACCEPT it and have faith that things in the future will work out (sorry, I know I'm being very vague, but I can't really announce out loud what this change could be because who knows who reads this thing...gotta be careful!...If this "change" occurs, I'll be sure to post about it).

Onto other, more important news...
I am selling 2010 Hogar del Nino calendars!! Well, I'm not, but Rachel Nielson and HELP International, along with my help, are selling these calendars to raise money for the orphanage that I worked in over the summer. The calendar features 12 residents of the Hogar accompanied by 12 heart-warming biographies. The photos in the calendar were taken by me during my 3 month stay there, and Rachel Nielson, program director of the Hogar del Nino project, designed the calendar and wrote each bio of the kids. The calendars are only $15 and every single one of those dollars goes straight to the Hogar. Believe it. one-hundred-percent. Your donation not only gets you a calendar, but it also helps those beautiful kids in El Salvador. If you're interested, PLEASE comment below or send me an email: m.ellen.m@gmail.com OR email Rachel Nielson: rachel.nielson@hotmail.com.

If you are interested in buying calendars as gifts for family members, there is a deal for $50 for four calendars. Oh yeah! That's for you bargain shoppers!

Enjoy the video below if you haven't seen it already. Even if you have, watch it again. Hopefully it makes your heart melt like it does mine.


PS-
Wondering what the Hogar is? It's been a while since I've been involved with it, and if you're new to the blog and don't have a clue, here is some QUICK 411:
The Hogar del Nino Padre Vito Guarato is located in Los Planes de Renderos, El Salvador. It is an orphanage for approximately 150 residents, both adults and children, with mental and/or physical disabilities. It is run by 4 nuns and is backed by a foundation called La Fundacion Hermano Pedro. The Fundacion has been a part of the Hogar since it started in 1987 (not sure of exact date, but it was in the late 1980's...maybe not 1987). The Foundation manages the financials for the Hogar, those being fundraisers and donations. The nuns provide physical need, administration, and motherly love to the residents. Within the Hogar property there is a clinic (nurses/doctor's office), an administration office, a staff of "niñeras/os" which are the caretakers of the kids (they take care of their physical needs--feed them, brush their teeth, bathe them, etc), a small school and a physical therapy room along with physical therapists. The Hogar's meals come solely from local donations, and the gas/electric/water etc is paid for by local donations. Unfortunately, the recent economic crisis has hit El Salvador very hard and several past Hogar donors have been forced to cut their future donations. This means that the Hogar is now receiving less "income" but is having to pay higher gas/electric/water, etc bills. They are a very modest orphanage, but their expenses are high and they are struggling to cover their costs. If they do not receive proper donations, they may be forced to eventually close the Hogar and disperse the kids into local orphanages that are not equipped to provide the physical and medical needs for these special children.

Whew! Lots of 411. But this is why Andrew and I went down over the summer to volunteer our time and talents, and this is why we are so dedicated to raising money for them now. The residents and staff of the Hogar there beautiful people inside and out. They are the most loving, giving, WONDERFUL people I have met and I hope you see that in the pictures of the kids. Again, if you can afford it this Christmas, consider purchasing a 2010 calendar.

Thanks for reading. Sorry it is so long!