Visits and supplies

One of the unique parts of our trip to Guatemala was spending time in the welcoming homes of the families Brite Blue helps. I loved going into their homes seeing how they live and the gratitude they have towards Damon and the other founders of Brite Blue. I loved seeing the impact of education in each child's confidence, knowledge and self worth.



When Damon makes his trips to Guatemala each November he brings down a 50 pound bag full of supplies and goodies. This trip there were 5 of us so we were able to bring down 250 pounds of supplies and goodies to all these kids! I cannot believe the generosity of our family and friends. We had people in Ventura dropping off supplies to be delivered to Vegas and friends all over Vegas gathering supplies for all these children with so little. We cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity and love to our friends in Guatemala.

 The best part was seeing how happy a small toy or new shoes made these mothers and children. Many got a few things for themselves and then thought of friends with very little too and asked for shoes for their children. I always made sure to have candy in my pocket to give.

As a teacher I was so excited to go into their schools! We met with the principal and met all the various kids now going to school because of Brite Blue and the donations made by our families and friends. When we arrived at the first school we found a class where the students were learning English. They invited us in and they sang us songs in the English they are learning!

One thing I love about Damon is how special he makes each child around him feel. He always takes the time to stop and talk to them. He makes them feel important and loved. In this class he had a line formed of little boys patiently waiting for their secret handshakes.

 It was like they had practiced their shakes and taps with their hands and elbows but this was their first meeting. The boys smiled and giggled as he went down the line to each young boy.

 It's amazing to think that after 5 years Brite Blue has 20 students now going to school and getting an education. I loved asking the girls what they are going to be when they grow up and they respond with a teacher. Damon has told them in the past that I am a teacher and I love seeing their faces light up as they tell me their dreams for their future.

 One night we packed up everyone we could and rented out the soccer field. Sadly, there aren't any parks in Ipala for the kids to play soccer in. The wealthy can afford to rent time in the soccer field but our students of Brite Blue cannot. We bought snack and water, brought more toys and supplies to hand out and played soccer!

 With over 20 soccer balls to hand out to the kids we all had a blast!

 I quickly went over to the girls making crafts on the side line when I realized how serious many of the soccer planning kids were about soccer! Instead I did what I love, making crafts and holding babies!

 This sweet baby came with her Dad and 2 brothers. They just happened to walk by and one of our student's mom invited her friends in. The kids didn't have shoes but quickly Julie found shoes that fit the boys. We loaded the Dad up with toys, blankets, and baby supplies as his children played soccer. I could have held this brown eyed baby girl for hours. I enjoyed her sweet smiles and cooing as I held her. I hope one day she will be a student with Brite Blue.

 After a long game of soccer, snacks, supplies and fun it was time to call it a night. Before everyone left hugs were given and each of the moms came to thank us. I did not understand a word they said but by their smiles, eyes and touch I could feel the gratitude and love they were expressing.

An Eagle Project not to be forgotten

Our trip to Guatemala all started out as a small dream last summer. Somehow elaborate trips and ideas are always formed when we are together with the Frye family. The ideas usually don't ever happen.  For example, after 2 years I'm still waiting for my huge road trip in a 15 passenger van with the 13 of us, but that may never happen! Julie and I kept talking about our trip and somehow we pulled it off. For me being in Guatemala was better than our little dream we formed late one night last summer. 

Jake needed an Eagle Project and what better thing to do than help people who have nothing? I'm proud of this 17 year old. I have been lucky enough to watch him grow-up into the young man he is today since I was his student teacher in the second grade. With the help of many he took a dream and created a plan to help and forever change many families of Guatemala for generations to come.

Imagine having to wash your clothes by hand in the same "sink" you wash your hands, clean up, brush your teeth and get your drinking water. This mom has 3 young girls. One Little Miss changed her clothes 3 times in the afternoon we were there! I'm pretty sure all she has time for is cooking meals and scrubbing clothes!

Jake raised and collected money for a washing machine for this family before we left for Guatemala. All the Aunts and one day cousins will continue to use this washing machine for years to come and think of Jake with gratitude for his service. The endless hours of scrubbing dirty clothes with bars of soap are over and now they can focus their energy on other things.

The men worked hard installing the washer.

All these girls were more than excited to see this machine work. They quickly ran to their mother/aunt scooped up the clothes she was washing and took it to the washing machine to start the first load of laundry.

Damon had to translate as I told them how you wash laundry in a washing machine. I remembered how my mom taught me how to sort the colors, add the soap, start the water and then add the clothes. Something so simple yet something they have never had to learn and do.

The girls could not believe it. They just smiled and smiled as they watched the machine work and wash their clothes through the glass. The joy on their faces was priceless.

This sweet little girl kissed the machine and watched her clothes being washed for a good 5 minutes in awe.

The first load of laundry hanging up fresh and clean drying in the sunlight.

The washing machine was only the first step of the project. Next, a new section of a roof, lights in the kitchen and bathroom and a finished shower. We went to the local "Home Depot" or hardware store. The tools and supplies around the store looked to have been there since Damon served his mission. One thing about Guatemala is everything takes forever! The simplest things seem to have a process that adds a 10 minute stop in the US into an hour stop in Guatemala. No one is in a hurry and we all had to learn to slow down, relax and enjoy the process.

All the hard work of shopping made us thirsty to get our cold cokes. Sadly, Guatemala does not have Coca cola Light in a glass bottle anymore but it's still yummy. The little convenient stores are call Tiendas. You have to wait around and drink your coke right there and give them the glass bottles back so they can get refilled. If you don't want to wait and drink your coke right then you could get it to go in a sandwich bag with a straw. Needless to say we were never in a hurry and enjoyed each ice cold coke in the sturdy glass bottles not a hot messy plastic bag!

If you notice the washing machine is in the left corner and Jessica is standing on her sink! It's nice having Damon around and his height to fix the wires as we added electricity and light to the bathroom and kitchen.  

Jake worked hard adding more block around a shower so the chickens wouldn't fly in from the top while taking a shower! It was funny to watch as the bricks were being places and their chickens were getting locked out of the shower.

Most everything these people have is a necessity. Decorations and pretty new items aren't something any of these family members have money for. However, with Julie and I there we couldn't have them put up the old sheet shower curtain they once had. Instead we took Jessica shopping and she happily picked out this brand new shower curtain for her family.

Out of all the crazy ideas and trips we plan with the Frye family I am glad that our Guatemala trip was the one to happen this summer. We can always go on the crazy road trip in a 15 passenger van. I will be forever grateful for the time we shared with these deserving families in Guatemala. 

The best part of Guatemala

You'd be surprised at my favorite part of our trip to Guatemala. Never did I think the place where we spent our day with chickens running around, dirt floors, cold showers and the constant smell of camp fire being my favorite part of the trip, but it was. I could have done without the ICE cold shower each morning but then again that was all part of the experience. 

 To me, it was the people who made visiting Ipala the highlight of Guatemala. You'd be surprise that I do not know an ounce of Spanish but somehow I could get along and communicate with these beautiful people. Somehow I'd chatter away in English then the girls would chatter back in Spanish and we all knew what we were saying and wanted to do!

Maybe it was the simplicity of their lives but I loved being with them. 

Making tortillas with Matriarch of the family was fun.  I loved how kind a patient she was, like any grandma would be. She laughed and giggled with us as we tired to make our tortillas. Somehow she makes the process look so easy as she effortlessly pats her hands together to form her perfectly round tortillas.

 My tortilla was thick and not quite a circle and I'm pretty sure all our tortillas were fed to the dogs the next day.

 It took all morning to make the tortillas. First, soaking the corn. Next grinding the corn and lastly making the ground corn  into dough and cooking them. This family does not have much but we noticed when she was done making the tortillas she bundled up a stack and left to go give the fresh tortillas to a friend that has even less than she does.

The joy on every one's faces as we came to visit and the hugs given made me not want to leave. The happiness they all have even though they have so much less than I'm use to was an example. The kids all played together and I didn't hear much fighting as the parents were busy working.

  

Now I see why Damon loves Guatemala. It isn't the endless Cokes in a bottle or the delicious guacamole or even the sweet pineapple, but the wonderful people and their kind hearts and spirit of love.

Guatemalan Blessings

When thinking of a third world country such as Guatemala I would think of poverty. Families with nothing. The thought of helping these families is dear to my heart with Damon's foundation, Brite Blue. I knew bringing 250 pounds of supplies and helping people in their homes would bring blessings to them but what I did not realize is the blessings these humble people would bring to me.

When bringing out bags of small toys for these kids you would think it was manna from Heaven. The smiles of joy on their faces and seeing them jump up and down in anticipation of what toy they would get next was priceless. The kids would hug and squeeze the toys for a few minutes and squeeze them tight against their chest not letting the toys out of their hands. After awhile the kids would disappear into their home and hide their treasures in a safe place. Watching the joy on each and every child's face over something so small blessed me. Their simple happiness from toys given to them from my niece, nephew and friends in the United States made me proud of every ones generosity.

Watching moms with their children blessed me too. I couldn't understand what they would say but you could feel the love. Songs were being sung and kisses given.  We spoke with our eyes as only one mom could do to another mom. A thank you was given with a look of gratitude.  Relief was felt when warm blankets were given to babies and shoes were placed on their barefooted children.

While in Guatemala I realized how similar we all are. We may be from different countries, speak different languages and have different cultures but as parents we are all the same. We want the best for our kids. Going to home after home visiting the students of Brite Blue I saw a reacurring theme, gratitude and love. The love and gratitude expressed by these parents is something I will always cherish. I could not understand their words but tears formed in my eyes as we sat in home after home with dirt floors and fire for a stove. The joy on their faces as we came to visit was priceless. In each home parents told us of the blessings in their lives and how grateful they are for all they have. Just like me, all that really matters is your children and the blessings they bring to you.

After this trip I couldn't be more proud of my man, Damon. I knew Brite Blue was doing good with sending children to school who would otherwise not have a chance. They provide shoes, uniforms, tuition and a hot lunch through their foundation, Brite Blue. However, after seeing the impact he and his other foundation members have on their lives I couldn't be more proud. Donations from our family and friends make this all possible. Gratitude by everyone involved is an understatement. Gifts were made and so much love was given and it made me proud to have a husband with such a compassionate heart willing to bless these beautiful families. Seeing grown men cry as they expressed their gratitude to Brite Blue is something I will never forget.


 My heart fell in love with these little girls. We couldn't talk to each other but through smiles and hugs we communicated. We all had a hard time learning each others names but we did and the girls were proud as they called our names.  Each time we pulled up to their home they would run and greet us with hugs and wouldn't let go of Julie and I.

I do not know why I was born into a home with such wealth compaired to these kids. I have never know hunger and have always been warm in the comfort of my home. I have never REALLY needed anything- just wanted more. But after this trip I know I am going to start wanting less and giving more.

Just so you know...

Alright, it's the night before a big trip and my mind is going. I never like the night before a big trip. My mind always starts racing and I start to worry.  I worry about these 3 and leaving them. I know they will be having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Young. I'm sure there will be activities planned and more ice cream consumed in the next 9 days than the entire summer, but I still worry.


 I worry they won't ever truly know how much they have changed my life. How all three of them made me sicker than the worst stomach bug I've ever had for 9 guiling months carrying them. I worry that they may one day forget that when I hold their hands  and squeeze 3 times it means I love you. I worry that they will forget that when they squeeze my hand back 4 tight squeezes it means I love you MORE. I worry Shane may not remember how he made me a mom by being my first born and how proud I am. I worry Trevor will forget how he's my Lovey and that special bond of love we have always had. I worry Landon may not always remember how he changed our world bringing his spirit of contagious joy and happiness. I know all this worrying does no good and that everything will be just fine, but I just want to make sure my 3 little guys know they are my world.

 Just so you know, Shane, is my leader. People are drawn to him because of his confidence and love. He makes sure people are taken care of. His compassion attracts others to him and I love that he wears his heart on his sleeve. He lights up a room with his smile and reminds me a lot of his Daddy. Just so you know, he makes me proud. He is the child every mom dreams about. Just so you know, I love my Shanners.

 Just so you know, Trevor is my peacemaker. He wants everyone around him happy and looks for ways to make us happy. He is considerate and thoughtful. Trevor empathizes with others and if your sad will do anything to make you happy. He may seem quiet but is soaking in everything around him. He is determined in everything he does. Trevor has a heart of gold and isn't afraid to let you know how he is feeling. Just so you know, he makes me proud. He is the child every mom dreams about. Just so you know, I love my Mr. T.

 Just so you know, Landon is my forever baby. He is full of joy. He can make anyone around him smile within moments of being with him. He loves people and making others happy. Landon is determined in everything he does and is persistent. At his small age of 2 I realize he does not give up easily. Just so you know, he makes me proud. He is the child every mom dreams about. Just so you know, I love my Little L.

 As much happiness these 3 boys bring me I never in 1,000 lifetimes imagined me a mom of only boys. I'm all things girl. It never once crossed my mind that I would have a boy, let alone 3 of them. I never pictured the lizard tails in Ziploc bags on my kitchen table; like I found this week.  Or the various balls that are scattered in my lawn. I never thought that I'd hesitate to say balls or write balls because my little boys would start laughing and say, "Mom said...BALLS!" I never knew how boys thought talking about these things were so funny! I didn't know that my life would be consumed with quads, dirt, trailers, fishing, frogs, cars, and sports. However, just so you know, these 3 boys are better than anything I ever dreamed of.

Tomorrow night at this time I will be on an airplane to Guatemala. I'll put all my worrying aside because I know these 3 little guys will be full of giggles and having fun with Grandma and Grandpa. I know these boys already know how much they mean to me because I will tell them before I leave just like I have every single day of their lives. They know they make me happy and bring joy to me everyday. They know I am blessed to have them call me Mom just like they know in 8 days I will be back to love on them with kisses and presents to give.