we had to leave for the hospital at 6:30am this morning, so i was up in the big house way earlier than usual. ruben, one of the kids with down's syndrome, was sleeping when i walked in. he woke up as i was talking to the ladies, stands up, and reaches his arms out for a hug! it was so precious because it just was, but also because yesterday he and i had a tough day together. he was having a hard time following directions and i was working very hard to be patient with him...it was a nice way to start the day :)

there was a group here from washington state for the afternoon! they came to tijuana to build houses, but had visited a church in eastern wa earlier this year, the same sunday that the high school team that happened to do a mission to gabriel house happened to be reporting back to the congregation. when the group that came today found out how far ensenada was from tijuana, they scheduled a visit! it was actually a family - 3 kids, a spouse, and the parents. such a cool idea, and they were so great. really interested in the place and what we're doing. i got to talk to them for awhile, which was really good. conversations in english don't happen that much with me here! the daughter in law was crying as she was holding eymi, and i was like yes! i love when they cry! it means something is happening...