generosity

September is coming to an end and before it does I would just like to thank everyone who has given so generously to Ranch in its first month. I have witnessed Rotary groups from San Diego, Churches, long time friends unload their cars filled with canned food, dry cereal, frozen meat....and the list goes on. The Ranch's food room is full and it is a joy to see Josefina (Luke's wife) who is responsible for organizing the food room, spend day after day delighted that God once again has provided food for us all. The generosity has poured out of many who are now and have continued to support me through prayer, finances, encouragement, emails, facebook, phone calls, and so much more. I couldn't do any of the things that I do here at the Ranch if it weren't for God's grace, and the friends and family whom have given me their many blessings. Just yesterday I witnessed one of our older boy assist our youngest (4 yrs) with his dishes. The older boy didn't have to help or assist, but he was leading by example as a brother. It is that attitude of generosity and giving of oneself that is shown itself this month and for that my cup overflows. Oh and it is raining today...literally my cup overflows....nothing like some Washington / Northwest weather to cool us all down a bit here in Mexico. Have a great day!

Hace calor!

It is a hot day at Rancho Sordo Mudo...maybe close to 100 degrees in the classroom. So today we all learned a lesson on patience as well as hydration. Wow the month of September has gone by fast. We have finished our Pattern Language Training to help the kids access their world of language through signing. This past weekend we were also blessed by the SHOE CHURCH aka San Bernardo Church, CA who buys 2 new shoes for all the kids every year at the end of September to kick-off the school year. Eddie Everett one of our Ranch Directors piles everyone into the bus to Ensenada for the day and we stop at 3 Hermanos shoe store....we take over 15 girls and 17 boy plus 9 staff. Great day for shoes, fellowship, and so much fun. The shoe that was a favorite for the little boys were the one's that light up when you walk, so all of our boys glow on the playground. The girls favorite were purple and pink sparkle tennis with flowers and butterflies. We almost have all of our kids here at the Ranch. We are still waiting for Miriam (14 yrs), Juan Carlos (12 yrs), and Ulises (11 yrs), each of them are from different areas in Mexico, Oaxaca, Tiajuana, and La Paz B.C. Please pray for their safety as well as their families as they venture back to the Ranch. Hope everyone is well. Hasta luego!

It is a great day to be alive. We are well into our school year! This past week all of the teachers started a training program called Patterned Language to help our children with reading and writing. As teachers we are learning a lot about how to help our children understand words and build their vocabulary. It is exciting to have Naomi who is an experienced teacher who has been sharing with us her time and resources to push our kids further and help them to further access their language. More training awaits us all next week!

Tamales

We are learning how to make TAMALES. Our Ranch cocinera Juanita and her mom are teaching our girls a lesson on making traditional tamales enjoyed by many here in Mexico. It was fun watching all the girls learn about kneading the masa, prepared the sauce, and putting the secret ingredient the olive (To traditional Christian believers, each tamale can be considered a metaphor or symbol for the Holy Virgin. After all, every real Mexican tamale must have an olive in it. On one level, that olive represents the Christ child waiting to be born -- as he is every year at Christmas. On another level, the olive represents the promise of the new year which will be reborn with the passing of the winter solstice, as days start growing longer (right around the time of Christmas) plus lots of love into each tamale. It was an experience watching 4 different languages shared in the kitchen (English, Spanish, American Sign Language, and Mexican Sign Language). Enjoy the video.

First Day of School!

It is a great day to be alive and welcome the kids who have come back to the Ranch. We are still waiting for 8 girls and 8 boys to arrive safely so please keep them all in your prayers as they travel with their families from the south tip of Baja (Cabo, La Paz), and as far as Oaxaca, Mexico. This year I am happy to say I wasn't nervous for the first day as compared to last years experience....which I cried not knowing what I was doing..how to teach...how to sign...nothing..nada. What a joy to be able to understand my students and pay attention to every detail that they had to share about their summer vacation. It has been wonderful communicating with all of the kids and sharing some of the exciting things that happened to me this summer. My classroom has also transformed to make more room for kids. Wow...not much more to say for now I am just blessed to share with these kids a new year of learning! The wheels are turning and I need to study myself as I prepare for this week. Next week all of Mexico will be celebrating their Independence Day and this year is very unique because it is the 200th year anniversary! Lots to be thankful for in Mexico....FIESTA indeed. Again thanks for all your support and prayers! smiles!

A new year at the RSM...nuevo ano en Racho Sordo Mudo

I am back at the Ranch after spending a wonderful summer filled with family and friends. I put almost 9,000 miles on my car traveling all across the country to catch up with mi familia. (Mexico, CA, OR, WA, SD, WY, MT, IA, AR, and CANADA) All those miles aside I finished my final road trip back to Mexico about a week ago to dive into a new year of teaching the deaf. It is very exciting to step back into the life of Mexican Sign Language and reconnect with all the kids. The school will start on September 6th and I will have a few new students in my class. I am excited to hear about everyone's summer, and begin planning for a new year, new subjects to teach, and even meet some new kids who don't even know any sign language. I believe this year will involve a lot of new changes that will allow each person who is serving here to share more of their gifts and talents, and I for one am excited to be the Ranch photographer, vitamin girl, and an encourager for healthy lifestyles for our girls and boys. The fun has just begun and I know this year our team of teachers, group leaders, directors have committed to living by example through these two verses: John 15:5-6 and Philippians 2:2-5.....Let the FUN BEGIN!