Today has been one special sunday for us. We got to go to church and witness another Primary program. Marcelo loves hearing all the primary songs. It is so nice to go and be strengthened. We then went home and had a first discussion with the missionaries and our friend, Jimmy. It is very interesting how Jimmy and us crossed paths. We had a bunch of electrical issues and he was the one who came to fix them. The next night we had more problems and he returned that night at like 9pm and worked until it was all fixed right. Rich shared with him today that we both felt very strong that we needed to invite him to come to our home for a discussion or go to church with us. The light of Christ shined through his eyes. What a good guy. He then told us that he had missionaries come to him months ago and he has read much of the Book of Mormon and Bible and he has been praying for some kind of sign or answer to know if he needed to move forward. He said he thought that we were that answer by talking to him and inviting him over with the missionaries. We ended our meeting with him saying the sweetest prayer on behalf of Marcelo. It was so tender for Marcelo for his life. I only caught bits of pieces of the whole conversation, but the spirit was so strong. (the two pictures are of us with Jimmy and the missionaries, Rich is realizing he doesn't look as young as the missionaries anymore.)We then went to the "Hogar" where Marcelo has lived. I got to see him in a whole new light. He was much more confident this time and I saw what a good helper he was. He really enjoyed seeing his friends and playing with him. We had a nice lunch with the hermanas. They showed us the beds with the blankets that Bryanna made for the kids. She made 13 blankets for them. The kids loved them. The most heart felt thing about today are stories that were told us about the kids. It will bring anyone to tears. The boy I'm holding in the one picture is the one that broke my heart the most. He has been there for two days. His mother left him with some guy who didn't feed him and abused him pretty bad. He is 2 1/2 years old and he is the size of a 1 year old. He can't walk, talk, or crawl. I know with a loving family and good care he would be a totally different child. I think I would have brought him home if I could. Makes me very thankful for the life and even the trials that I have. Kinda puts things into perspective. Last of all, we had our "good-bye" party (called a despedida) for Marcelo. We had cake and Marcelo handed out cake to all the kids. They had children's songs playing..it was a good fiesta. Then it was time to say goodbye. I don't have words to express how I felt. To see the hermanas, who have loved and cared for Marcelo and know him better than I do, have to say good bye to him. How does one express graditude to someone for being that "mother figure" for your child for his early years. It was a very tender moment, one I will forever hold close to my heart. Two of the hermanas drove us home to help with the transition. It helped for a while. Marcelo still grieves for his past life. I don't blame him. This is hard stuff. I'm full of emotion. I can't imagine all the stuff going through him. We told him today that he has so much family back at home and they all love him and are excited for him to come. We have been working on this, hoping it helps him. He gets really excited then the next moment he is a bit scared. I'm so excited for him. He has no full understanding of what awaits him. He is going to love it and he is going to be so happy with all his brothers and sisters. We feel so blessed, today. We feel the hand of the Lord in our lives blessing us, shaping us into what he wants us to be, and guiding us. It is a wonderful feeling, today.

jill and rich