Daniella and Gabriel!

I've written a little bit before about Daniella and Gabriel Quiroz. To recap- they are Wendy Quiroz's children. She was the art teacher and a good friend of mine. Now she is a 4th grade teacher since she speaks really good (almost perfect!) English they put her to work harder! :o) She had Gabriel on my birthday when I lived here! I'd waited for so long to have someone have a baby on my birthday- after I'd had several friends due around that time- and she had to schedule a c-section anyways, so she made it for that day so I could finally have a little birthday buddy!!

Her chilren are soooooo precious to me! They are the cutest things! Daniella was my CONSTANT sidekick after school was out for the day. She'd sometimes even slip in during my classes at the end of the day and just sit in my lap while my students worked (shhh! don't tell! :o) ) She was always jabbering to me in Spanish, but she helped me learn a lot. She could be wild at times, but also had such a tender heart for the Lord even at the age of 4. Gabriel is now almost 4 which is hard to believe! He has taken to me just as fast as Daniella! Last time I was here he was almost 2 and I had to bribe him with presents to like me! (Wendy says he still plays with the monkey flashlight that I brought him then!) This time I didn't have to bribe him though! He immediately liked me after seeing how much his sister did! I know it wasn't the presents, because I only gave them their gifts today and he's been running to me and hugging me everytime he's seen me before today.

He was the cutest thing when he opened his gifts from me. I gave him a mini Magna-doodle and a pair of khaki shorts and a navy polo shirt. He pulled out the Manga-doodle first, looked at it like he liked it but wasn't exactly sure what it was, then pulled out the clothes and immediately burst out with a sound of utter joy-- "Mi Ropa!!" (my clothes!) And hugged them tight, jumping up and down, then ran to me and hugged me! It was so adorable! I wish I'd taken my camera out! He immediately wanted to put them on, but Wendy informed him that he'd need to be clean and have a bath before he could wear the nice clothes. So then his interst turned towards the toy!

Daniella was just as appreciative, but fortunately outgrowing her crazy wild shouting phase! :o)

I love that family. There are so many people here that I wish I could do more for. So many of them have sad backgrounds. Wendy's husband is in and out of drug rehab and can never really be counted on to help the family out. Hopefully, by growing up in Agape Christian Academy those kids will be none the worse for the wear, with the love and guidance that they receive there. They are so amazing and deserve so much more than they are given. Please keep this precious family in your prayers, as they are always in mine!!