Lily's kids

Lily's kids

Monday, August 25, 2014

Strong and Courageous

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD  your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The beauty here in Bolivia is amazing. The love that these kids have and that I have for them fills me up each day and puts a smile on my face. God blesses me time and time again with His goodness and faithfulness and makes my soul sing. I love where He has brought me and this home He has placed me in. 
But it isn’t always so easy. So many times I write about the beautiful moments. The moments holding sleeping children, or times where the older kids open up their hearts or all the hugs and kisses I receive daily. I don’t always write about the tough days.
Like when 5 of the 8 little ones in my house decide to all start screaming and fighting at the same time and there are 8 voices screaming, “TIA LILY!”. Or when one of the older girls gets mad at me and decides to not talk to me for three days but makes sure I know she’s not talking by following me around and talking SUPER nicely to everyone around me. These kids are tough. Sure they love each other and that’s what I write about because that’s what I see. But there are hard moments. Last month we had a fist fight with two of the older boys and it was intense. Afterwards no-one was hurt and both were able to calm down but it reminded me of the hurt that these kids have inside. A hurt that only Jesus can heal. 
Sometimes it’s hard being so far away in a different country. There are times I just am craving American food or just would like to be left alone for 20 minutes or be able to fly back to the States quick to see my family. It is a weird feeling when loneliness sets in while living with 100 people. But missing family isn’t a bad thing because it’s when I realize how blessed I am by them. 
I am blessed by these struggles because I know that God is using them to mold my heart. These struggles hurt. The tears come but God uses them to wash away old hurts and frustrations. These trials are bittersweet. In the midst of them there is pain and I have to continue to cry out to God for strength. But as the trials pass, I see the sweetness of His love for me as He reminds me to be strong and courageous because He is with me. I have a long way to go. I have a lot to learn. But I know the God will never leave me no matter where I go.

“Come, my soul, pluck up courage, and put down they feet in the blood-marked footprints which thy Lord has left thee.” -C.H. Spurgeon
Mu

Bees

I would love to tape one day of my life here and put it in fastforward and watch it back because I would look like a bee with 8 little bees surrounding me (plus 60 more) buzzing all around. 
Here’s a few random moments...
“I won’t sleep! I will pee in my pajamas and NEVER take off my wet underwear.” - one of my 5 year olds who didn’t want to go to sleep
We have been working on, and improving, the boys flushing the toilet after they go to the bathroom. I told Juanes that he needed to flush the toilet after he went... his response... “I’m only goin gto flush halfway because Ismael went first.” oooooh... the things these kids say!

This weekend we saw a helicopter... everyone freaked out and RAN to go watch... yup... even me! On Saturday morning, my 3 little girls heard the helicopter and ran outside to watch. “Tia Lily!!!! Your papa is coming!!!!!!!” It made me laugh. In my house we talk about planes quite a bit. “Tia Lily, where do you live? Tia Lily, where is your family? Tia Lily, where are Jessa and Ellie and Maddy and Patrick?” How do you explain it to a bunch of toddlers. “I live FAAAAAR away... (that’s when I point over mountain peaks probably in the wrong direction but they don’t know that) You have to take a couple airplane to get to my house.” So that is why when my little girls saw the airplane they thought my papa was on his way... I wish! 

Lots of hugs from Bolivia! Thank your or all your prayers and comments and encouragement! Seriously blessed by each and every comment. Love love love!!! 

In Christ,
Lily Fluharty




Monday, August 11, 2014

Update :)


 Just wanted to post a quick update! Last week there were several changes in my house as my "screamer" switched to a house with more of the older kids to help her out and so they can be an example to her. She's doing great and loves it! My house is a little more calm as well… :)
Sabina

With her gone, 6 month old Sabina moved in! I officially have a baby in the house. I'm honestly a little nervous to have such a tiny one but I know God will give me wisdom and I'm excited to learn.

Last week there were two parades here in Caranavi so I'll try to get some pictures up of the kids in their uniforms and the little kids in their typical Bolivian outfits. Some of the little girls were Cholitas! So cute! 


Love what God has been doing lately. So amazed at His love for me. These kids are so precious and make me smile as they learn and grow. I cannot believe how big they are getting! We also welcomed a new 1 year old boy this weekend to our family here at Casa de Esperanza. Please be praying for Ariel that he would transition well. Ariel comes from a very sad situation and praying that here he will be able to connect and feel safe and secure.
It's a cute sandwich hug!
Many blessings and hugs from Casa de Esperanza up here on the mountains of Caranavi, Bolivia!

In Christ Jesus,
Lily Fluharty

Saturday, August 2, 2014

It was a better post…


I had a better blog post. I was writing it and then I just stopped because my brain is tired and so I will just ramble on a little bit about the beautiful craziness called "Living with 69 kids".
My girlies!
I love living her at Casa de Esperanza. The two best words to describe it would be "crazy" and "beautiful". Yup. In that order too. Crazy definitely goes first.
God has a crazy, beautiful love for us. HE is sooooo good and His plan is always a million times better then ANYTHING we could ever imagine. I love watching His plans unfold for me as I slowly learn to trust Him and to let go of my life and lay it at His feet. "USE ME UP!" Is my continual prayer.
Late night Tia time!
There's something beautiful about waking up each and every morning, bright and early, to work. To work hard. Every night I fall into bed exhausted but my heart is overflowing. Even in the hardest, most stressful moments these kids can make me laugh. They are a JOY to love and care for. 

Isn't it amazing that God delights in us obeying Him? In the big and the small He watches over us in Love. Continue to trust Him and hand Jesus everything. Hand Him your joys, sorrows, hopes, fears, desires and dreams because God's plans will shatter your own expectations.

Thank you all for your support and love! Each and every message and comment is such a huge encouragement to me. God is so amazing!

Blessings and love from Bolivia and all the kiddos at Casa de Esperanza,
Lily Fluharty