So this week has been killer but so great! I got to take the kids swimming and we had the best time. When I got there to the orphanage all the kids were up we starting chanting "pacina pacina" which means your swimming and they were all squealing!! We got them dressed and feed breakfast then the bus came. We all crammed inside and it was so much fun to see their faces light up as we took one of the only bus rides they'll take all year. We got to the pool and changed them into swim suits and all got in. The one's I thought would have a hard time actually loved the water. They all giggled and just loved splashing and playing in the water. I got sunburned again. . . not really bad I'm just red from it. I'm gathering some nice color down here. It was the best experience ever!
Today we went on the waterfalls hike!!! Oh my heck I can't even discribe how hard of a hike it was. I also can not tell you all how absolutely beautiful it was. We hiked through the clouds!! You couldn't see twenty feet away, people just disapeared into the clouds as they walked. I wish they would have lifted so we could have seen how green it was but alas we stayed in the clouds. It took two hours to hike up and we literally scaled the side of the Andes mountians. We reached the waterfall and hiked right up next to it. All the really cloudy pictures on my facebook are one's right under the waterfall. The water was freezing but it was so much fun. I was freezing on the way back but it didn't really matter because it rained on us the whole way down I was covered in mud!
It's insane to think that I'm going to be home this time next week. I can't imagine my life without these kids. . . . I feel like I've done my work but yet it doesn't feel right to leave them behind. I guess that I can do a lot more for them back in the states but I still am going to miss seeing their smiles and hearing their laughs and getting their hugs that take you to the moon. This next week is going to be hard and I'm going to need all your prayers. I miss you all terrible and dispite my pain in leaving I'm extremely excited to see all of you. I love you all and hopefully I'll get another e-mail out before I leave.
Katrina

Oops has it been that long!

Well I guess time just really goes by when you're working so hard and having so much fun! I honestly thought I had written sooner then december 30th!! But as it is so I haven't. The kids are doing fabulous!! I've loved working with them. The have taught me how to love in a way I've never known.
I wish I could sit and write all the stories and all the things that have happened in the past month. But, it would take days to tell you everything. And seeing that I'm home in Eleven days!!! I feel like I'd love to just tell you all when I get home. So, know that there is lots and lots to tell and I'm more then happy to share with you all my experiences!
Just to let you know what I'm up to this week, my last full week here in Ecuador. I get to take the special needs children SWIMMING!!!! I'm so excited. We're going on Thursday! They haven't been for over nine months and they are all extremely excited and remind me everyday that we're going. Friday I get to take my last field trip. We're hiking to some beautiful Waterfalls!! It's going to be an exciting day.
My spanish is getting better but I'm not at all fluent in it. I'm very excited to continue my study in it.
I miss everyone terrible and can't wait to share in person my personal and life changing experiences I've had down here.

Another Eve'ish'

I guess it's the eve to New Years Eve but still it's an eve. . . Anyway. Things have changed drastically since I last wrote. The old group left yesterday which now makes us the old group. The new group arrived today during our afternoon shift. It's exciting to have new spirits in the house. Yet, extrememly strange to be seeing them and remember how I was when I first got here!! It's one of those times in your life that you actually get to see the other side of things. Strange.
It is an amazing feeling to finally feel like these kids are 'my' kids. It was hard for the old group, just as it will be hard for us, to give up that ownership that they're your kids. Now that we're the older group it's grand!!!
We found out yesterday that there are four kids that have been assigned families!!! And two of them are going to be siblings and living in the states!!! Everyone is so excited for them and hopes that the families will be able to do the finishing processes of adoption quickly, and that everything goes well!! Pray for the children that they will bond and be happy with the families that have been chosen.
For the New Years the volunteers get to participate in the Ecuadorian New Years tradition. The tradition is that you get a doll about 5 feet tall, stuffed like a dummy, and dressed in clothes with a mask for a face. Then, you write down all your bad habits and anything bad that has happened too you throughout the year. And then you pin it to the doll and burn it!! Thus representing all your bad habits and problems being burnt away and no more. Everyone is way excited!!!
That's the exciting events of Katrina's life!!
Love you all and hope you've had a wonderful holiday season!!
chao

I Can't believe it's already Christmas Eve!

First off, Wow I didn't realize how fast time can go! It's Christams Eve and I can't even believe it! I feel like only yesterday I was saying goodbye to everyone. I'm not sure if I've said this but it's been really strange getting ready for Christmas when it's 90 degrees outside and no snow. I hear ya'll are getting snowed on I hope you all stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas.

Well, let me get you all updated. I got my Site Assignment last week. . . and the verdict is. I'm now the Mom of the OSSO orphanage which takes care of the handicapped children!! This assignment means that I'll be specializing in this orphange learning on a more one-on-one bases the needs of the children and training the new group on what to do!! I couldn't be more happy with my assignment. Every day that I'm here I find that I have more love in my heart then I ever knew I even had. I understand what the older group of girls keep saying when they just exclaim "I just love these kids". I used to think, "well yea, how could you not? They're cute and fun to be around." But no, I understand the deeper meaning of love! That unconditional love that parents have for their children!
Christmas here in Ecuador is full of Fiestas and parades and tons, I mean TONS of food!! We have had at least five fiestas a week and the kids get toys and candy like there is no tomorrow. It's wonderful to see the community reaching out to these children and giving to them what they can. They call Santa Clause "Papa Noel" down here and we had one boy in the OSSO Orphange that had us all dress up in a robe and other random articles of clothing and act like Papa Noel. He just squealed with laughter and delight as we 'HoHoHo'ed and rubbed our belly's. Even the OSSO Children know it's christmas time and love helping us make decorations for their Casas and dressing up in costumes and especially eating candy! One little girl always goes 'hohoho' and rubs her belly it's the cutest thing in the world.
We now have two families volunteering with us down here for the next week so that brings the total persons in our home to 31! It's a blast. The older girls are leaving on Monday, and it's going to be really hard to see them leave. Hardest because it means that we become the older group and that's just weird. I remember when we first got here what they looked like to me and how much love they had for these kids, and I don't feel like I thought they looked! But, maybe I am. We have a closing Banquet on Saturday which is going to be bitter sweet.
This week we went on Zip Lines in the mountains!! It was crazy insane! I got to go upside down or Mariposa which is Butterfly on one and it was nuts. We also got the opportunity to take a portion of the girls orphange that we go to twice a week for an hour swimming today in these natural heated swimming pools. It was a lot of fun to just splash around and give the girls an enjoyable afternoon.
This past month has been amazing and I'm looking forward to spending the next one as the Mom at my site. Hopefully I'll get some of the landscape pictures up really soon for you all. And I hope I can get an update done more often for you all. But if not, it just means that I've got to come visit you all and share my stories! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all I hope this holiday season is filled with love and charity to those around you!

Week two down

Well it's December now and I've been here for over two weeks. I've worked just about everywhere and absolutely love them all. The one place I tend to love to be at is a place that cares for handicapped children. They really are my favorite to be around. The spirit that is carried there is different then any other place. I really want to be a Site Leader there. When I first was reading about the different orphanges I thought that I would not enjoy this place because of the difficulty of care, but I absolutely love it there. Most of the kids can't talk or walk. But it's amazing to see how responsive and smart each and everyone one of them is. To see their likes and dislikes, strengths, and different forms of communication. There is one boy who tells us everything we need to do and how to do it. And the amazing thing is he can't talk! He points and grunts and says yes or no when we ask questions.
We find out in the next week if and where we have assignments to be assistants to. So, just a little bit more about what's been happening this past week. Thanksgiving was a blast. We cooked a full turkey and had mashed potatoes, rolls, pies, cooked vegs, fruit, everything you could think of! It was a blast. I live with 12 other female volunteers in a moderatly sized town house. I'm rooming with two other girls which is a blast. We've all gotten along fabulously. Of course we have our dramas (how could you not with 13 girls living in one house). They are all amazing women with so many talents and abilities I'm learning everyday from them and the children.
The day after Thanksgiving we all decorated for Christmas. We've got a christmas tree, lights, snow flakes, stockings, Santa, and garland on the stairs. We've all drawn names for secret Santa and it's fun! Our Project Directors told us it's the best decorating any group of volunteers has done in the 8 years they've been here!
Ecuador is an amazing place. We got to go on a fieldtrip to these Inca ruins on Thursday. It was fasinating to just see more of Ecuador and it's culture. The architecture, food, clothing, music, all of it is fascinating. Things are quite cheap here too! I can get amazing ice cream for 90 cents!! and a huge plate of Dinner for under 5 bucks! The art work here is beautiful I've already got a few pieces in mind to buy. If anyone really wants something from down here just let me know!! I'd be happy to bring it home for you.
Not much of anything else has happened. Just working hard everyday until I'm exhausted. Hope everyone is well and taking care of themselves! Happy Holidays.

I"M HERE

I'M HERE!!!!!! Finally after three flights and two days of travel we safely made it down here. We meet the older group this afternoon and had our first realy meal in two days!! We got to unpack a little and get settled before having orientation. At orientation we talked over rules, safety, and some procedures. After that we had a city tour, and walked around the area!! It's absolutely amazing here. The streets are all practically one way, everythings smashed together and it's so busy!! It might be a third world country but it sure is industrial and full of hundreds of people.
The only thing that scares me besides not making eye-contact with the men is the fact that drivers don't watch out or stop for pedestrians!!! Everything is beautiful and green. We had amazing ice cream and then we had dinner at home with the older group. Got to know everyone and now it's 8 pm and I'm getting ready for bed. We start work tomorrow at 7!!!

The eve before I leave DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN!!! I'm scared out of my shoes and excited beyond belief!!! I spent all day yesterday packing up my thousands of items. I was twenty pounds over the limit the first time I weighed it and right on the dot the second time!! Of course I still need to take everything with me, so I've got a very heavy carry on.
The past three days have been quite exhausting. Monday night, my mom surprised me by inviting the ward and family members over after dinner to say goodbye. It was nice to see everyone and say goodbye but exhausting just the same. (I was also very worried about my Boyfriend and his toe) Well Tuesday was packing and shopping for the rest of my necessities. It was overwhelming seeing all the things I needed to pack and it made me homesick, and I haven't even left yet!!!! But I got it done, and eventually got to go to the temple to brighten both mine and my boyfriends days. The peace of that place is amazing. And the very romantic dance we had after on the temple grounds was amazing as well!! ask me for the juicey details later ;-) So, yesterday though tiring was very lovely. Today, was final touches. Finishing paperwork which is still not done and saying my last goodbyes. I really should clean my room before I go. . . . . .

TOMORROW THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!!!