Orphanage Benefit

I've become really involved with a foundation that supports orphanages in northern Mexico - Corazon de Vida. The foundation held a benefit to raise funds via auctions and various other events. All in all, it was a really good time but I realized a few things.
One, "do-gooders" do include women that dress like hookers and men that really can't hold their liquor.
Two, people who do good things don't necessarily do good things.
And, finally, in all of my service experience, there is something I've realized - when doing charitable work, it is almost always beneficial and appreciated but, generally speaking, it only tends to the temporal needs of the people. The most effective way to TRULY help people is to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. As you know, the gopel teaches people to be self-sufficient not only spritually but temporally, as well. So, the best service we can give is to teach someone the gospel as we are seeing to their temporal needs. That way, when you leave them, you know that you've not only succeeded in feeding them, you've given them tools to feed themselves spiritually for the rest of thier lives. And a benefit of being a member of the Church is that you are able to learn how to become self-sufficient in every way. That said, it's hard for me to really throw myself into this work because I start to feel like I'm just spinning my wheels - doing good, mind you, but spinning my wheels, nonetheless.
Okay, now that you've witnessed my blog vomit, I will say that I do believe that CDV does great things. They are most adept at seeing that the most basic temporal needs, that we take for granted everyday, are seen to for these children and the home mothers.
Now the pitch, I'm trying to raise $1,000 to help offset the cost of school uniforms, supplies, etc. at one of the orphanages I'm visiting. I'm not quite halfway there but I think we'll get there soon. Anyway, any amount helps - small or large - so feel free to check out my Pledge Page.

Los Huerfanos

Hola, amigos!
I just went down to visit the orphanages in Mexico this weekend and had a most glorious time! I hadn't been in awhile and had forgotten how great it is. The 5 o'clock (yes, in the morning) wake up call is always a bit of a struggle but that is quickly forgotten once the kids see us coming down the hill and their little faces light up. It is truly a thing of beauty. This week, I visited El Faro, an orphanage built on top of a landfill. That's right, a landfill. I had so much fun! We colored, played football, blew bubbles and laughed our head off - it was good times all around.
The group I go down with, Corazon de Vida, organizes monthly trips to the 14 different orphanages they currently support. CDV is a non-profit organization that provides for the most basic needs of the children in these orphanages (food, water, utilities, etc.). It's great to work with a group that allows you to see the fruits of your labors. We raise money and then we get to go to the homes and see how that money has been put to use. It's a beautiful thing.
In all honesty, working with the children in the orphanages has changed my life. It is more fulfulling than I have words to express. I have always had opportunities to serve others but participating in this cause goes above and beyone anything I've experienced before.

Fabric Junkie

Sometimes I like to pretend that I'm domestic and can actually make stuff that is useful in everyday life. One time, I bought a dress pattern and fabric to make the dress. I think I got through the bodice and it was all downhill after that. The fabric is still wadded up in a bag by my roommate's sewing machine. Good times, good times. My one claim to success is this super easy bag pattern that Angel found. I've made a gamillion (okay, okay...maybe only 5) of the bags and I love giving them as gifts. And, I daresay, people love recieving them!
This weekend Angel, Martha and I went to the Fabric District in LA. It was my second experience but it was just as completely overwhelming as it was the first time. I mean, we're talkin' bolts and bolts of every kind of fabric you could possibly think of...all in one ginormous room. Craziness. Anyway, I found some super cute stuff for a new bag pattern that I'm pretty psyched about. We'll see how it goes. The same day, Tall Mouse (a hoity-toity crafts store near my apartment) was having a 40% off sale on everything in the store so I bought, you guessed it, more fabric and some sewing scissors. But it gets worse, I went to Joann's Fabric the other day at lunch armed with a 40% off coupon and a picture of the world's most fabulous sewing scissors in my head. They didn't have the scissors but they DID have bolts and bolts of the most awesome clearance fabric. Naturally, I bought some and now I've got three more sewing projects! Bring 'em on! If this doesn't domesticate me (what am I, a wild animal?) then I don't know what will. Wish me luck!

Paintball!

On Friday, the whole office went out for an activity day and we played paintball at Camp Pendleton. It was totally crazy but so much fun! It was my first time but I'm happy to report that I held my own. Sort of. I've got some knees that are lookin' a little scraped up and bruised but each day gets a little easier. I can't believe how much fun it was. The head honcho had all his own gear and he gave me the best paintball gun in the world. Everyone was super jealous and tried to say it was the reason for my success in the battlefield but I wasn't havin' it. I've got skills, man. Skills. After the first round, the adrenaline was totally pumpin'! I was crackin' up at myself because I was getting so worked up. I just kept thinkin', "I'd never make it as a real soldier." Overall, besides the hit in the face and the leg, it was some seriously good times. I can see while people get so pumped up about it.