Birthday!

My birthday was a couple weeks ago, and it was a memorable day full of special times with many of the people I really love.

The day started off early with breakfast with the Viejitas. Blake managed the morning session all by himself, so I could spend most of the morning with the girls. Thank you Blake!



For lunch, Blake and I headed to the park in the community next to Los Guido in order to enjoy some of the beautiful sunshine. It always feels like such a treat to "go out" for lunch.


Later that night we all dressed up and headed to dinner at an old Spanish mansion that has been converted into a delicious Moroccan Restaurant. One of my friends gave me the great idea of starting a list of things I want to do before my next birthday. One of the items on my list is try 5 new restaurants in San Jose. This was a definite winner!





Thank you to everyone who made my day special from both near and far!!!

Las Viejitas

In attempt to continue the special relationship with the girls who have been part of Girls Group for the last year, I've started a special morning tradition with them. One day week, we all come early and make breakfast together. It's less formal than the normal Girls Group that is open to all the girls of the Tutoring Center, but allows me space to continue to carefully pour into their lives and listen to their stories. I have seen so much growth in these girls' lives over the past year. It is so encouraging to see them grow confident in the young women God has made them to be and to realize how special they are to their Creator. It makes all the difference in every other aspect of their lives. These girls have become the leaders of the Center. It blesses me so much to watch them reach out to the new girls and set an example for everyone else in the Center. In order to not confuse ourselves too much, we decided this special group of girls needed their own title. I call them The Viejitas, the Old Ladies, which makes the girls laugh almost every time, given that the oldest one is only 14. But it is a reminder that the are setting an example for the younger/new members of the Tutoring Center. The Viejitas have a special wisdom and experience to share with the rest, and they are doing a great job of rising to the position.

Lala writing out the recipe for Coffee Cake. Every week we learn a new recipe. The girls have even tried out a few of the recipes with their families.



There is always plenty of laughter while cooking together.




The girls typically hangout in the kitchen for the rest of the morning while I go and help Blake run the morning session of tutoring. They love having a safe space to just hangout with their friends.




And they always leave the kitchen spotless. It's amazing!