Futbol Fun

Great pass Luke!


Great defense Jordan!





My favorite part of this picture is Jesus holding Molly's sweater - these boys are so loving and protective of Molly



Everyone loves to do the silly picture







Some of Luke and Jordan's biggest fans and trainers - Lizandro, Juan Miguel, Jesus and Marcelo

Luke and Jordan had a blast playing soccer with their friends at school. Futbol is definitely the most popular sport here in Ecuador!

Molly's Singing Debut

Now presenting Molly Margaret Bryans singing her favorite song, "Yo Tengo un Amigo".

Thanks!

After 7 long weeks of waiting, we finally have internet!!! I have no idea where to start back on our blog - so much has happened in 2 months. For today, I just want to say thanks to those who have been praying for our family and for Casa Gabriel. The armed robbery was a horrible experience; however, what the enemy intended for harm, God intended for good. All of us are stronger now because we know that we are on the winning team. God is in control of ALL things and He does have us in the palm of His Hand. God has given me a new confidence and security in His divine protection. He is good all of the time and most worthy of our praise!

From all of us at Casa Gabriel, thanks for praying!

Pecos Bill

Mrs. Weber's class performed a reader's theater, "Pecos Bill". Luke was excited to be Pecos Bill. When Casey was in third grade, he was also Pecos Bill in a school play...like father, like son.


Pecos Bill was raised by a pack of wolves - Ahoooooo!


Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue got hitched! Oh, the funny, embarrassed look Luke had on his face! Luke was very animated and did great - it was fun to hear a little Texas talk again.

Happy Birthday Jordan!

Happy 7th Birthday Jordan!

You are a wonderful Gift from God, and I praise Him everyday for giving me my Jordie. Here are 7 things I love about you:

1. You love Jesus!
2. You genuinely pray for others.
3. You are a great friend to everyone.
4. You are silly and make me laugh everyday.
5. You work very hard at school and always try your best.
6. You are creative and imaginative.
7. You are sensitive and love others deeply.


Daddy made his famous chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.



The biggest chocolate chip pancake for the birthday boy!




For birthday lunch, Jordan picked his favorite place to eat - McDonald's!!!





For the final celebration of Jordan's birthday, we had the Casa Gabriel boys over for pizza and cupcakes!

Jordan, you are one special boy and I love you to the moon and back!

Casa G loves their new bikes!

Daniel and Gustavo

What color Boris?

SURPRISE Marcelo!!!

Alejandro was all smiles!!!

Alejandro at Carolina Park

Lisandro & Miguel

Jesus and Luke

Juan Miguel and Jordan

Thanks again to Grace Community for providing all of these great bikes!

A Very Special Christmas with Casa Gabriel

Not sure even where to start - Christmas Eve with Casa Gabriel was one of the most special nights of my life. We started the evening with a huge feast of turkey and all the delicious sides. After dinner, we had a special time of giving thanks to God. Phil Douce (the director of Casa G) asked everyone to say something they were thankful for this Christmas. I praise God that He helped me to understand what the boys were saying. One could not speak without crying, one was thankful to be off of the streets, one was thankful to now have a family with all of us...

Sometimes I forget the background of these boys and what difficult experiences they have endured. I am thankful to be a part of each one of these boys' lives. This ministry is a gift from God. After a time of thanksgiving and prayer, it was time for the gift exchange.

With two big brothers and now 11 more older brothers with Casa Gabriel, Molly loves to be with girls any time she can. She had so much fun with the Douce girls and their cousin, Becky. Danelle (in the middle) is precious with Molly. Every Sunday, Danelle eats lunch with Molly in her lap. Chelsea Douce (on the right) goes to college in Missouri, so it has been a treat to get to know her and her brother, Jordan. Jordan also goes to college in Missouri.

During our Christmas Eve feast, Jordan went around to everyone and asked what their favorite food was and charted their answers on his graph. Chocolate was the winner!

Molly was Juan Miguel's secret santa. We did have to help her a little because she wanted to get Juan Miguel a Strawberry Shortcake for his present. Molly thought he would love that!

Daniel was excited to have picked Jordan's name out of a hat - he got to buy cool toys for Jordan! My favorite part was watching the faces of the givers. Each boy from Casa G received ten dollars to buy a present for who they picked. It is always more fun to give than to receive!

Luke was Alejandro's secret santa and he had so much fun picking out just the right gift - a hat and a clock for his room.

We ended our evening with a very big surprise! Our church, Grace Community in Tyler, Texas, raised money to buy new bicycles for each of the boys at Casa G! Thanks to our Student Ministries at our church - they had a Gift a Bike drive for Tyler and included Ecuador, too. Our church is such a blessing to us - THANK YOU!!!