Room 8

The Kindergarten room is finally finished and about ready to move in... like by tomorrow!

Groups of people have been working on the room since September to get it finished and us moved in asap! It is now that time, and I am so excited! We will have walls that are not cinder block and have tile floor instead of dirty, smelly, pee-ed on, lice invaded, torn carpet. I have to say this room (room 9 that we occupy right now) has grown on my... it has character, it is full, and it is warm. I have had a good time for these few months in room 9 but it is time and a fresh smell and feel awaits us!

Right now the room is completely empty except for one white board on the wall and two shelves. We are in need of classroom items and furniture, furniture that would allow me to separate the classroom, make more than one group. Why can the class not all be together? Well, I have students from 5-17 years old and when together it is not fun. The 5 year old, two 6 year old boys, and a 9 year old girl need to do more playing than the 12,13, and 17 year old students. The older kids need to be taught differently than the younger kids and I cannot do that as one big class. Having them separated will help me to teach more effectively and help them to learn at different paces with information that relates better.
Only problem is that we do not have the furniture. Help!? If you can let me know! It is much much appreciated. We can make things on our own but some things just need to be bought...which is where we are stuck. So if you could help like I said it would be appreciated! It is all for the kids... I want to do all that I can and be a more effective teacher. I'm praying that someone can help us.

Anything used will work also, but I ask please do not send us things that are falling apart that you know you would not even want to use.
The two shelves we have are white so if you can help, white would be best!

To get an idea of what I am looking for check out the needs page.

THANKS!!!!

Keep sweet,
Moriah

something

Good morning! 

We should be in awe of this day. Lets look at everything around us! There is so much to be thankful for in this moment. The breath coming in&out of your nostrils is a gift, breathe deep.


"   Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.
   You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me." -Jesus Calling
Psalm 27: 13-14; Exodus 15:13


God You go before us in this day, You know us and you love us! You amaze me Jesus.  Pour out Your love God...
You are Love, You are Life, You are Hope Jesus, You are Healing. You are all that we need.
Perfect love. Break down walls & cast out fear today.

let worship be our song & our lives

ITS NOVEMBER!


What has been happening here at Rancho Sordo Mudo...
well this morning the Joshua Wilderness group left at 6:30am. They came here on Monday and we a great group of young people! I had the opportunity to really get to know them, learn about the students more this year than last year. They got down to business right away and started working... they worked hard everyday and Thursday went to the Baja 1000 in Ensenada (every year this giant race happens through Baja California and it is something to see!) It is really nice to have other people here that I can talk to and its even cooler when we are the same age! The kids LOVED them also! The staff helped the kids talk to the Joshua students and the Joshua students asked us to help them talk to the kids. Our kids wanted to talk to bad they would act things out, gesture, and write words or draw in the sand. Friday night all of us together in the auditorium worshiped our God. Amber interpreted into Mexican Sign Language and two students from the Joshua group vocally lead worship and then we said our goodbyes.

Every evening the group had a meeting, time together, devotionals, a game, or hear Luke speak. One of the nights they met together the De La Rosa's gathered the group... they talked about how God has been working in their lives and told how they came to the ranch. Robin asked me to share a little bit about how God is providing for me, she also asked Olivia, Johnny/Amber, and Jason to share. Some of the students are really interested and I had an opportunity at a different time that night to talk with a few of the students more about life here and what they could be praying for.

Something cool, yesterday evening (Friday) I was surprised at dinner Daniel Griffes walked into the chow hall. For three years in high school at The Bridge church Daniel led us students on trips to Mexico, trips down the street to our neighbors, or in cities close by. Whether we were in our country or in another he taught us how to serve, how to love others before ourselves, how to work as a team and encourage one another following Jesus's example. I was so excited to see him and He was excited because he saw both me and Stephen Burns, who was here with the group from the Joshua program. So today we got a chance to talk all about what he is doing in Tijuana at Radius and I shared more about my class here. So good to see friends again and really get to talk and know what each person is doing and how God is using them.


Well, God is providing the money I need to be here this year. I have no reason to doubt or worry because He is faithful! Last night during the worship I started to pray and give thanks... I put my hands into my coat pockets and felt more than just my chap stick... I pulled out a $20 dollar bill wrapped in a piece of paper that said "Moriah God will  provide" and I put it back in my pocket and started to laugh. He is so good.
 ----
As I am writing this in my classroom God is showing me His faithfulness again, right this minute. Two minutes ago Daniel came back to say goodbye and passed me money... I did not expect that at all and am so blessed by people again and again. Just when I think I am doomed and that people will not reach out and help with money I am proved wrong. All my beliefs and judgments are thrown out the window. Instead I see so much love.

Prayer
I am praying that my life is lived for God, totally surrendered to Him. I want to live in His Presence, know Him, & know his voice.

Answered prayers

Money-

Well if you didn't know $500 dollars was stolen from my bank account by ATM a few weeks ago.  I don't make any money on my own, and am so so so thankful that God in His own way provides what I need. And the money I do have in the bank goes toward my monthly rent here at the ranch... which means I don't have a lot of money laying around for extra cash. So... just getting the $500 dollars back into my account in time for the monthly rent was a blessing.
Here at the ranch we do a sign class every Friday with a man who is a former student and now a Pastor in Ensenada, Carlos. It is such a sweet opportunity for us all here to keep up the the always changing signs and deaf culture. The class costs money since he drives from Ensenada every week to come here and has a family to support. The class costs $20 and was suppose to be turned in ASAP... well I didnt have it. Also we have a bible study for the ladies of the ranch every other Friday and the study costs $18 dollars for our books and DVD. Both of these costs are not too expensive but when you have no money its a bummer. The sign class is mandatory and the bible study is a awesome way to connect with the other ladies, encourage one another, pray, and be filled... I really wanted to join that. So I prayed, prayed for the money and lifted any concerns up to God who controls all things. Well Monday came and that night I got a package from my parents with my new Debit card and along with the card in the box I found cash. Just enough cash to pray for the bible study and the sign class!
 I was stoked and kinda shocked! I shouldn't be shocked anymore when these things happen... It made me realize there are so many more things to rely on God for, ask Him first. Ask Him... Tell Him all that we need, I know He wants us to. Are we ever needy? Oh no...we can do it all on our own right? Well if we look at things that way we wont see God or His awesome blessings, miracles, and prayers all answered around us.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9


Oh I am needy. There are so many things I can not do on my own or well without You God. I need help and I am not afraid to say it. We cannot be silent about the things that matter. Money, as much as I do not like it, happens to matter...I can not be here and continue with out financial support. The ranch can not keep going without financial support. The school cannot continue with out it and kids can not stay here without it. Just like we can't live here with out food and water supply. BUT I know our God created this world, the planets, the stars, and the galaxies... He can handle money. All my trust is in Him, I trust that He will guide us and show us the way to go. I pray that we are listening to Him for our very next move and asking Him for help before we try to do it all on our own.

Beautiful things

Written October  17,2012

Ill put up pictures soon...


Lil update
School has been great of course with its difficulties and also its joys all flowing together. The kids are just kids that want to understand and communicate. I am praying that God allows me to guide them in learning those things and I am praying that their minds will blow with understanding of His love and strength. 
I have so much help in class from Jason and Serafina ,my assistants. Right now I have Jason in the morning for chapel and bathroom time then Serafina comes for 2 hours and Jason comes for the last 2 hours. Every month they have a new job to accomplish in the class. The month of September their jobs were to only observe the class & now October they are much more hands on. The class of eight is separated into two groups of four and it seem to be working very well. Half the class is taught by me and the other half is taught by one of the assistants and every once in a while we switch off with each group. This class really cracks me up, the assistants and I have a lot of laughs everyday and once in a while we have a rough and tough kid that wants to fight... but its not too often.

On Thursday the girls and female staff here at the ranch got to attend a self defense class led by a man from the Arizona group that was here. He explained when and how to use the self defense. Amber interpreted for all the girls so they could really understand what to do and then we got in groups and practiced what was taught! I have to say it felt so good to know all that I can do in the moment of an emergency and someone trying to hurt me. About five minutes after Olivia and I got home from the class we got a call from Serafina at the girls dorm letting us know they found lice on one of the girls and it is possibly on the others. The girl they found the lice on was in my group for the self defense class and we got close for practicing. I kinda freaked out. Olivia and I bagged our clothes that were on us and took HOT showers. Maybe an hour later we walked to the girls dorm to get searched and nothing was found on either of us! YAHOO! But they found that 7 out of the 10 girls had lice and needed to be picked clean. So I stayed and got started picking while Olivia helped Katie clean sweep the dorm: all the clothes, toys, brushes all went. Everything off to get bagged, washed or frozen... pretty intense but needed for sure. Nothing I am used to. The girl that they first found the lice on was FULLLLLLLLL FULL FULL of crawlers and eggs. Completely full in every section of her hair, poor girl it looked awful. Awful!!! Another girl with lice was for sure bad also but luckily she had mostly eggs. The girl I worked on from 7pm-almost 4am was not feelin it at all... she was not a happy camper, but considering her circumstance I see why she was not thrilled. She decided not to eat dinner which made her very grumpy and tense but that did not stop the picking. Around 8:45 or 9pm about 8 girls from the Quail Lakes Baptist Church group came to pick lice. So we had 2 people on each girl filling up the girls dorm bathroom. The room was packed with ladies, all helping with the nasty critters. Just to be sure Olivia and I were protected Katie had us use her home aid RID formula /all natural concoction. So we lathered our hair, we got an O.K from Katie to break free from the dorm and around 4:50am with both our heads soaked in tea tree oil, vinegar, & coconut oil (maybe more but honestly I have no idea what was given to us to use at that point) we were outta their. At home we put on My Big Fat Greek Wedding while our hair was soaking and took showers. By the time we finished the sunrise was about to break through so I watched it. School had been canceled because of what had happened so breakfast was at 8:30am. I went to breakfast early and sat and talked with our AMAZING cook Juanita, who is also a great Spanish teacher. Finally, around 11 I decided to sleep a bit.
In that time of picking we all had plenty of time to think and really get to know each other better, as female staff and with our girls. Different sides came out that I had never seen before, I had an interesting time laughing at so many things. When I become tired the laughter starts up and everything is funny...
But one thing that is super sweet I think we all noticed is how when something unexpected happens & things go not according to our plans we all came together and did what was needed, no questions asked... everyone all stepped up. Also I saw so much patience in the girls (the students) some sitting for hours and hours with no complaining so whining, just dealing with the situation and allowing us to pick. I saw patience in all the staff needing to be flexible in the night: borrowing each others washers and dryers, getting jobs assigned to you when you thought you were done, sorting through clothes, sorting through stuffed animals, vacuuming over and over again, and the obvious reality that we all could get lice and patient with one another.

Saturday was the big opening for the Mission Training Center! Over 200 people came to check out all the awesome stuff God has done, is doing and will continue to do here at RSM. The same group that the ladies helped us in the dorm the Thursday night before, from Quail lakes was staying with us to work the opening and were not leaving until Monday. Before the opening everyone had a few hours and people were eating tacos or were in line to get them. I had just eaten the best 3 tacos (yummm) noticed that the program did not start until 2:30pm and it was only 1pm... I was thinking O.K. what now? when a girl from the Quail Lakes group came up to me and asked me to look at her head and a few other girls heads from their group because they thought they might have lice. The two girls I checked right away I found in their hair lice eggs (totally not as bad as our girls ,but they still had it). Their group asked me to check all the ladies... finally we came to the conclusion that only the two girls I first looked at had the lice, so we started picking. I picked one girl until 3pm then we went down to the program where I fully enjoyed every second.
God blessed me and protected me and others from getting the lice so that we could help and encourage those that had it, I know that.  We all need someone to pick the lice out of our life, we all need that person that is there for us. We need to be that person in other peoples lives, here for each other and have love overflowing for each other... no matter how bad and ugly the situation. Jesus did not pick and choose who he loved. His love was not held back, it was and is freely given, perfect love.  Let us not hold back.

Mexican Independence

Juan Jose and I

This picture is from our Mexican Independence Day celebration. All of the students made awesome tissue paper art and they were hung all through out the chow hall with many colors and designs. Fun day full of water games and a skit.

Los Niños

Written Sept. 24, 2012

Hey all!

What is God doing in your lives?! I really would love to know, the past few days I have had the chance to just sit and listen to people talk. They talked about their struggles, pain, miracles, and just how awesome God is and how they are seeing Him move. Anything you need prayer for?


 I realized I have not yet talked about my class or anything that has been happening here! Sorry about that!
Well let me tell you about today, today was an joyful day. This day that God made was hot (fall has not not not not started here in the Guadalupe Valley) and exhausting but so much to be thankful for! Started off the day in my class room at 6:45 am to prepare for class. In chapel we talked about the 5th day of creation the birds and sea animals so we colored a scene of many fun animals. Then all the papers I put onto the window to decorate the class room, I think they really enjoyed seeing their work on display.
So far in each school day we do chapel, basic skills, bath room break, calendar, playing, math, signing, more playing and in a few weeks we will do science/ art fun.
I have noticed that I plan a lot and most does not get done in one class time... we'll see how it goes as the year moves on.
I wish I could remember everything the kids do in each day, some of the things make you laugh and gag. With everything they bring me so much joy.

More about my kiddos!
In my class, the Kindergarten, we've got Yahir, Milagros, Juan Jose, Antonio, Alexis, Isabel, Leticia, and Ruben! Count them, thats eight... eight crazies! Alexis, Isabel, and Leticia are siblings that God brought here from a state in Mexico ( I think) called Queretaro. The sweetest kids that love each other and are happy despite the difficult life they have. They flew here with their mom and another awesome woman whose name is Marisela (that will be here with the kids this whole year) September 1st. Their mom was here until the 18th of September just to make sure all was fine. Marisela is staying here all year because God has shown here that she is to start another school where she lives... Queretaro. She is learning how to communicate with Mexican Sign Language, how to teach, dorm life and so much more. Then in June she is going back and going to apply what she has learned and make changes necessary for that environment and specifically what God has in mind for that state. Marisela and I sit together in the chow hall . She is now also a Spanish teacher haha... and a great person to talk to with great wisdom and Gods love flowing out. Leticia is 17 years old, Isabel is 14 years old, and Alexis is 6 years old. Leticia and Isabel are with Katie in the girls dorm and Alexis is living in Everett household this year because the dorm would be too crazy for the little guy. Ruben is a new student also this year, he is one of the older students in the class but is such a big help with the little guys. Antonio was actually here 2 years ago but did not return last year... then randomly showed up here ready to learn! The other three: Yahir, Milagros, and Juan Jose are returning kids that God has brought back for another year! Praise God for knowing us and loving us specifically.
Ill post pictures of all the kids soon!

If you could keep me in your prayers it would mean so much and really it truly makes a difference... pray for us to have His Kingdom mindset...here at Rancho Sordo Mudo, the only thing that matters- to reflect Jesus and give the glory to our God in everything this is not our home this is not forever! 
Also prayer that all my financial support comes in for the year. Thanks to all of you that have joined in what our Creator is doing in Mexico with the Deaf.
Are you interested in the same things that God is interested in?
"Behold, I will do a new thing, 
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19