Today was one of the greatest days of my life. God has blessed us so much and we have had an incredible life so far, with so many more magical moments to come. Today I truly wanted to bring back one of the orphan kids with me. There was so much joy, so much magic, so much love today. Today marks a very special day.
As the orphan kids sang in a choir song they specially dedicated to Dave’s mom and Dave’s dad (our angel in heaven now), tears dropped down my face as we received a gift much bigger than any material thing in the world.
Camila is amazing!!
November 30, 2011 there was total chaos in our life. Dave’s dad tragically passed away in an accident, so young, so full of life. We had never gone through anything like that. We decided to turn that into a gift and find the blessing. Dave’s dad grew up without parents, homeless living in the boats of Guayaquil Ecuador. His dream was to retire in Cuenca Ecuador this year. He was only $12,000 away from paying off his house in Burbank. As a deli man, he worked at Canters. Worked 2-3 jobs all his life to pay off his house. What kinds of lessons can you learn from someone who had every excuse to fail, yet he thrived, lived a pure life of integrity, taught his kids to excel in life? Imagine what we can do with our life?
Today was very special as we were able to fund the 2nd orphanage home in Cuenca Ecuador, with all the donations everyone participated in, instead of flowers. Thank you to everyone. There were so many smiles. I received and gave hundreds of hugs today. One of the little girls hugged Dave’s mom and told her: “You will be my grandma now and please take care of yourself and come back to us because we love you.” After Dave’s speech, another two girls came and hugged him and thanked him for sharing his dad’s legacy and they loved on him as he had tears of joy.
A smile and a magical moment...
We brought balls for the kids, a special day for all of us, brought toys and gifts…and Amy joined an organization where she collected Teddy Bears and we gave all the kids a couple…they were loving on their toys sooo sooo much – it was incredible.
Will blog more as we journal our experience. We left those kids with hope. We told them Galo’s story how he turned a tough life into a life of example. We left them believing they can do anything they want, and with a powerful vision of what their life can be like. So many smiles in the room!
My heart is touched sooo deeply…
Having the time of our lives!
Your whole family is amazing. If you bring any kids home, bring one for me too. Xoxo
God ALWAYS has a plan. It is so exciting for me to see Him turn tragedies into triumphs. You and Dave are such wonderful examples of embracing every part of the journey, which I am learning to do. I am so happy for the journey life has taken you on, and will be watching for the next chapter!
When you follow the direction God leads you Miracles are seen. As I read your journal and saw the faces of the children, I am thankful to have played a small part in bringing a smile. Dave, your dad is so proud of all you have done to keep his memory alive and still giving to others.
I am in tears.
My wife is from Ecuador and we have been unable to have children. I have had this dream for a long time to adopt a child from Ecuador.Unfortunately we don’t have the financial resources to do so as it is so expensive.Oh well I guess we will just have to leave it as a dream.
My wife is from Guayaquil and my other dream was to retire to Cuenca also,how ironic?
Dave,you have truly found the blessing.
Dave and Yvette,
You are such an inspiration.I just finished watching the video La Esperanza Orphanage
You are living my dream.I am hoping to visit Cuenca soon and when we do the orphanage
will be on the top of our list of places to visit.
GOD HOLDS YOU BOTH IN THE PALM OF HIS HANDS
GOD BLESS YOU
DAVID SHORT