The career conference takes a lot of work to organize presentations, entertainment, and scholarship ceremony. Great job volunteers!!!

A few more… They are so beautiful! The first little one I met on Christmas Day last year while conducting home visits.. She would not say a word.. That has changed😏 the third little one is wearing the leopard scarf I took off my neck and gave here last year.. She whispered “I’ll never forget you” … Almost did me under… It is amazing how they remember details and anticipate our return

More photos from career conference and scholarship ceremony…

We had approximately 100 girls from Chitwan and Kathmandu come to our CAREER CONFERENCE and scholarship ceremony…what a day! Lots of knowledge, laughter, dancing and love was shared. It was amazing to see so many of the girls from last year… The reunions were tearful but full of giggles and hugs! One girl I had such a hard time leaving last year came running saying “I missed you — I prayed you would come” another told Bryce “you really came?!?!? You kept your promise you would see me again” and one little one that Mike adores just wouldn’t let him go!
Everyone reading this post that donated time, money,or prayers I hope that when you see these smiles you know … YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN! These smiles are for you! You gave HOPE today!

Mike and Bryce spent the day with the team with our Chitwan girls… I so hated to miss it but need to recover. I spent the day taking medicine and resting. Starting to feel a bit better-fever has broken, so I ventured out for about an hour to eat. We had a candle light dinner in Thamel-but not what you think. We were in fire & ice wearing our coats and face scarves when the electricity went out, as it goes off and on all the time in the city. I got traditional nepali gifts today-chocolates, lattes, jewelry, a purse, warm wishes from friends and family, AND an old fashioned hot water bottle to keep my sleeping bag warm when we go into the mountains! Perfect! I am one blessed woman! Thank you to all who sent wishes- I felt very cared for today and Mike and I were a bit overwhelmed with the best gifts of all-the love and support of family and friends! Thank you!

A few special thank you’s to be delivered in Nepal

There are close to 100 letters from children in Natchitoches Louisiana to children in Nepal-each holding words of encouragement, a hair ribbon or a hand-made friendship bracelet.

I should say “the joy of clean girl’s underwear”
The luggage finally arrived and what excitement to take a shower and have my clothes here! I find myself chilling in Kathmandu on my birthday while my guys are out with the team. My breakfast was sweetbread and a very stiff latte with a handful of antibiotics and such— I’m staying in today to try to get past this respiratory infection that is kicking my hiney. My goal is to be able to go out for dinner tonight…,
Soooo, I took a long steam shower to help clear my lungs and then went for my luggage a few minutes ago.
I was choosing what to wear when I was suddenly struck by a thought of the children here. When I was packing I felt SO limited, 3 weeks of trekking and only one bag?!?!?! Now I realize that what my one bag holds is more than the total of most of these children’s worldly possessions…
I feel VERY different about my “limited” “choices” as I unpack my multiple jackets, socks, pants, scarves, etc… And a whole bag of clean underwear!
Not limited …. Abundance!
REALITY CHECK

Today is our 30th anniversary and my birthday! I feel so very blessed. It seems like just yesterday that mike and I were in college, him halfway through PhD and me with one semester of graduate school left. We were closing out the semester on Thursday and on Saturday, Christmas break & my birthday, I would get to marry my best friend-I couldn’t wait to start a life with him! I still feel this way 30 years later… Still my best friend, still excited to spend my life with him, and love him more than ever! For our 30th anniversary we are here in Kathmandu half way around the world with Bryce volunteering with ENG -but not away from “home” because Mike and Bryce ARE my home!

My guys made it into Kathmandu last night… SO glad they are here. Shaun is flying out. And we got word our bags have arrived. She will pick hers up just in time to check it to go home! AND..,. Mike and Bryce’s bags did not arrive.. Welcome to Nepal! I am staying in today. I have succumbed to all the dust in the city and have a respiratory infection…. Thank goodness for z packs!