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.