New staff & fun groups

Here at the Ranch we have visitors from all over the country come stay with us for a week or a weekend. It is a privilege to share about how I came to learn about the Ranch and how God has called me to serve here. I also have enjoy asking many of our visitors how they heard about Rancho Sordo Mudo. Some of them have seen the movie "Hearing Everett" or they have friends who have worked here, or who have been here before. This past week we were blessed by a small group of men and women from Nashville, Tennessee. They did some major repairs on the bathroom in the Boy's dorm, and helped construct our backdrops for the Christmas play. The women in the group helped cook, mend clothes, organize our distribution center, and even pulled weeds at the front entrance. It is a blessing to see the Ranch receive so much support through the groups that come visit us. We are pretty much here 24/7 so when we get visitors the kids and staff are excited to meet new people and welcome everyone to our home here in the valley. Every group is different in size. I am more and more amazed by the continuous works that are going on here at the Ranch. The staff itself has been such an encouragement, and we seem to compliment one another in everything that we do from laundry, teaching subjects, kid patrol, games, cleaning, interpreting Spanish or sign language. Each day is new and each day I see God's hands at work in these children's lives. May more people come visit Rancho Sordo Mudo and witness the love that is be shared through the kids and works presented.

Holy Enchiladads Batman!

Hey my mom would be proud I made Enchiladas for everyone a couple weeks ago. They loved them and I even though I multiplied the recipe at least 8 times they turned out fantastic, and there were no leftovers. I am just happy to have been able to share one of my favorites with everyone here at the Ranch. It was probably the most cheese I have ever grated in a life, but all the work paid off. I even had some great helpers once everything was prepped so that we could fill and roll the enchiladas quickly. Thanks Johnny, Josefina, Drew, Gerado, Alexis, Josh for all your help. It was a tasty comida. (check out the photos)

Star gazing

It is beautiful here at the Ranch at night. I could sit outside and admire the stars for hours upon hours. In today's staff devotion we read from James 2:14-22, which talks faithfulness and how you can't have faith without actions. Our geography teacher Evan who is in his late 70's comes to the Ranch every week for about 4 days. He teaches, works on landscaping around the Ranch, and usually blesses everyone with day old Starbucks breads and AMERICAN ice cream. Oh and Evan picks up the mail for us every week so we are all excited when he comes each week. Evan brings more that goodies, Evan brings a dedicated heart, mind, and body to serve God and share with these kids Christ's love. In the devo from today Evan shared about how we can choose to get the grumbles with all the work that we are responsible for or we can choose to serve God with a thankful heart and let our light shine for HIM. He encouraged us today to shine like the stars and try to find our star when we look up into to the sky tonight. Which star am I? How am I brillant? Can you see me ? I looked tonight and I found a bright start close to the horizon, so if you are star gazing tonight just turn a little to northeast and just above the hoizon I will be shining bright.

One day at a time

It can be amazing how much I can learn in one day. The best part about improving in Mexican Sign Language is that the the kids can understand me. I do have to share a funny story about my a recent miscommunication on my part. I was dividing my class into groups of two. I wanted them to partner up and work together, but what I signed to the first 3 pairs of my students is that I wanted them to work on KISSING with one another. Well they were all embarressed and I wasn't sure why they were'n't obeying me and following directions, until Linda who is helping me with LSM signed to me that I was wrong in what I was asking the kids to do. I thought I said WORK TOGETHER, but instead signed WORK ON KISSING. Oh and I forgot to mention that I partnered boys with girls. Well, after I was corrected we all had a good laugh for about 2 minutes. It is sometimes the little things that make me smile. In my class there is never a dull moment.