Precious Children

We are missing our granchildren quite a bit. Our oldest grandson Ry, graduated from High School this last week. We have missed many birthdays, baptisms, ordinations and other graduations from grammer and junior high schools. Several of our children have moved from one place to another. All of this, of course goes on as we think about and continue to pray for each member of our family daily. This is a picture of the daughter of our good friend and service missionary Particio Alvarez. Her name is Noami. She is almost three years old. The caption says "to my grandparents Richard and Cheryle with love, Noami". We have known their family since our last mission in the Employment Resourse Center here in Quito. Since that time, 7 years ago, Patricio has served as Bishop and has taught computers in a school to students from first to seventh grade.
Several weeks before Christmas, the school terminated his employment. Along with several of our wonderful friends we were able to help their family through the holidays. His wife is working, and he is still looking for gainful employment, but while he is interviewing, he is serving with us. He knows many of the members and leaders in and around the Quito area, quite a blessing for us.
In my last blog, I had a picture of some of the young ladies who work in one of the orphanges in Quito. They attend our ward. We talked to several again today. Elder W. asked them if they had maybe decided not to have children, of course he was joking, and they answered that they could not wait to marry and have children. They also added that it would be lots easier, because, at this point in time they have 32 children UNDER two years old. There about a dozen of these young ladies, they work in shifts and have days off, just like a real job. The cute thing was, they told us on their days off, they miss the children. One of the girls we were talking to is a quadruplet. Just this last week they received two brand new babies just several days old. One was found in a garden (in a blanket), the other baby was brought to the orphanage by the mother, she said she could not take care of her, so they could. The girls take care of them until they are 2, then they go to a Convent and Nuns take care of them until they are 18; then they are out on the street.
Precious children from our Father in Heaven. When we are walking the streets each day, we see many small children, we talk to them, play with them a little and even give them candy. Many Sundays the girls bring one or two children to Church. Most of the time, the children do not get adopted. It is very hard to adopt here in Ecuador. We have one couple here now trying to adopt. They have to "live" here for a short period of time (six months) before they can leave with the child.
On another note, we are having a visitor this coming week. Shelley, the sister of our son-in-law Greg, will be here on Thursday, and will be able to see some sights until Sunday. We will see her several times and hopefully she will enjoy her visit.
We are also VERY excited to be receiving a new Mission President on June 30th. He will have lots of work on his hands, that's what happens when "there's a new Pharaoh in Egypt"
Our work is moving along quite nicely. Many more participants are paying in a more timely manner, which is a blessing in their lives. Also, in our communications with them, many have shared with us that they have returned to church and their lives have improved in many ways.
We then share with them, that is because they are keeping their covenants and they are being more faithful.
It is a pleasure to be serving our Savior, teaching valuable priesthood lessons that we know to be true. It is a more difficult life here in Ecuador, but we press on.
We love and miss you all, until I write again.
Hermana W.