CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS AT SONSHINE HACIENDA... 2014

THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR GENEROUS HEARTS, THE CHILDREN ONCE AGAIN HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. EVEN THOUGH WE TRY TO FOCUS ON THE REAL REASON WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHILDREN, IT IS STILL IMPORTANT TO ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO ENJOY JUST BEING KIDS AND OPEN THEIR GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. BY THE END OF THE MORNING WE ARE ALL WADING AROUND IN WRAPPING PAPER WAIST HIGH!! I THINK THAT ONE THING THAT THEY LOVE ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE GIFTS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE, IS THE CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS THAT AWAIT THEM AS THEY ENTER OUR LIVING ROOM AREA ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. THEY LOVE TAKING OUT EACH LITTLE THING & SHARING IT WITH THEIR OTHER BROTHERS & SISTERS. WE NEED TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE LADIES FROM THE MISSION SAN FELIPE CHURCH, WHO HELPED LINDA ORTIZ (CHAIRMAN) PUT ALL THESE TOYS IN THE STOCKINGS & ALSO WRAPPED ALL THE GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN AT SONSHINE HACIENDA. IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE!! THIS CHRISTMAS WAS A BLESSING BECAUSE SO MANY OF YOU HELPED TO MAKE THIS A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN AT SONSHINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

DOCTOR TONY & MAMA JULIE'S RECENT VISITS

Doctor Tony Carlile and his wife Julie have been affiliated with Marketplace Missions since 1995. They not only are dear friends and advisors, but they have fallen in love with the children at Sonshine Hacienda & are committing more time this year to help at Sonshine. They came to visit work and play with the children in December and again in early February. Julie always brings fantastic crafts (one of her areas of expertise). One of the craft that stands out in my mind was the Gingerbread Houses that each of the kids made for the holidays. They were decorated with all sorts of edible goodies and were so wonderful. Julie made a Christmas Village from the gingerbread houses. They were on display during the holidays...minus a significant amount of gum drops and M&m's. Hmmm. Dr. Tony has one area of obvious area of expertise that we always need...that of his medical advice & help with the usual colds, coughs, ear infections. IN FEBRUARY when they came he brought a lot of medicine to get us through the flu season. Unfortunately the kids were so sick, we used almost all of the medication during the four days that they were with us. but Dr. Tony also found two children that need to be referred to an ENT specialist (ear, nose & throat) for possible surgery on tonsils and placement of a drain tube in one ear. We will see that specialist in March when the Flying Samaritans fly into San Felipe. The Carlile's were a big hit on their last visit visit when they came with a project to make PVC pipe pistol type shooters that use mini marshmallows as bullets. boy did they have fun!! They also treated the kids to pizza for lunch one day...always a winner with the kids. WE LOVE IT WHEN THE CARLILE'S COME TO SONSHINE HACIENDA. THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT

JUAN FRANCISCO HAS ARRIVED!!!

Alvaro and Diana have been serving as Administrators at Sonshine Hacienda since before we opened our doors in 2012. They are such faithful servants of the lord. This work is difficult at times and can be exhausting as well. But they never complain and are always ready to help in any way they can. On January 4th, they had a precious little boy...Juan Francisco. Of course, I am his Nanna #2 (Grandma #2). Right now he sleeps all day and is awake at night...BRING BACK MEMORIES?? That is why the young have the babies. I thought it would be fun for the children to give Juan Francisco a "Bienvenida" (welcome) baby shower. None of them had ever had the opportunity to participate in a baby shower before...so this would be fun for everyone. We decorated our dining and living room with balloons and streamers. We decorated the tables and had a special center piece made by Mama roberta & Mama Rosy (two of our Nannys). It was make out of baby pampers. It as so adorable. The older girls made lovely invitations to hand out to the ladies that were invited. Even the boys participated! We served a nice lunch, followed by a beautiful cake. Deanna received a multi-purpose stroller from us and the children wrapped extra gifts from them, and placed them in the stroller. The children served the lunch to our guests and cleaned the tables when lunch was finished. I was so proud of their behavior...they are growing up and we are so proud of them. Welcome to sunshine Hacienda Juan Francisco. You are loved!

PLEASE BEAR WITH US

Unfortunately I am not a tech type person and you might have already figured out!! We seem to have a "Gremlin" in our newsletter program that we have used for the past two years. I have few hairs left on my head, but trying to keep from loosing my temper. This has been the second month that strange things have happened to the newsletter after we hit "send" on the final product. All looks perfect...but alas, NO. So if any of you are Mailchimp experts or at least think you can help us, please contact us. You can call us on a U.S. Phone: 916-222-3264.

LOCAL POLICE MAKE A LATE CHRISTMAS VISIT TO SONSHINE

For the second year, the San Felipe Police Police Department arranged to visit our children. They opened presents that they brought each child and had a piñata for them, as well as cake and other goodies. We had the commandant (Chief of Police) and other high ranking officials spending time with the children. It was a sweet time. The Comandant asked as they were leaving if they could return the following week and share pizza for lunch with the kids. I do believe we have Guardian Angels watching over us!!

GOD BLESS YOUFOR YOUR FAITHFUL SUPPORT

MARKETPLACE MISSIONS & SONSHINE HACIENDA
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 9011
PMB 41
CALEXICO, CA 92232-9011

"And he has given us this command;Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21