Hi, my little bitty sweetie. I just finished watching Idol, and thought I would write and tell you I love and miss ya. I did get a card from you from London, thank you. Has it been a minute yet, I think so, so you know what that means!!!!! I love ya more!!!! I know all is well and you are learning and having fun. Soak up all you can.
I will talk to you later. I love ya.
Dad
Ms. Lora
Eleana, I will try not to take up as much space as your mom & dad!! I am proud of you and the things you have acheived for yourself. It is your strong will and faith in God that opens the many doors for you. I enjoy reading your messages and hearing about everything that you are able to experience. Stay safe, help a friend and taste everything that life has to offer. What is a pumpkin potatoe anyway? and don't tell me that Ostrich tastes like chicken.
Love you lots, Ms. Lora
Dad; And I'm Still Bigger
Hi my little bitty sweetie; I kept saying hello, hello, I hear you, I hear you, but apparently you didn't hear me, so I gave the phone to mom, her mouth is bigger and you heard her. So now everyone that reads this will know mom has a big mouth. Boy that was good....... There was a sound of spirit in your voice, so I know you are excited and having a good time, I hope and pray all is going well with your experience. I await to read of your thrills, your heroic attempts to teach and learn, and the spills of the mud and such. I suspect it might be hard to gain access to a computer, but remember we are all anxiously awaiting information from you so we can tout your adventures to the highest. (boy what a run of words - translation let us know what is going on so we can tell everyone).
Well, it;s been over a minute so I win, I love you more.
Seriously, sweetie I am so very proud of you and love you so very much, have fun, learn, give of yourself, and enjoy and prosper from your experience.
Talk to you soon. Love Dad
Mom
Good morning, Eleana. So glad you were able to try to communicate through a computer phone. We could hear you, but I know you were having trouble hearing us as there was a delay in the transmission. Since you do not have phone access for your computer internet where you are staying, I understand why you can't update your log, so hopefully folks clicking into your message board will read this. Maybe I can figure out how to update the journal page for you. I'm glad that Jappe and the others are taking good care of you, but I prayed they would. I love you and will be anxiously awaiting your next message. Love, mom
Mom
Hey, Eleana. It's 10:15pm and we haven't heard from you since Saturday night, but I know you were going to the "countryside" near Kruger Park on Sunday. Maybe there isn't much access to "internetting" in that area. And, I know you have been busy meeting people and figuring out your mission. Everyone is asking about you and promising to pray for your safety, as your dad and sisters and I do daily, many times a day. The candle is burning, and I will go to bed soon, hopefully to awaken to news from you and your journey. Until then, rest well, good night my little "nene." Love, Mom
Uncle Nicky
Eleana
Hi kid, your mom said you sent me an e-mail, but I can't find it. She said you got mine because she mentioned about the kitty cat I want. How is everything going over there? Are the natives restless (ha ha ha). I spent yesterday afternoon with your mom & dad at the passport to health luncheon. It has been quite a while since I have had a chance to really talk to your dad. Boy he is really proud of you. He sure thinks alot of all his girls.
Your mom was real busy taking alot of pictures. So I really did not get to talk to her that much. Oh talking of pictures, I saw Hilary's prom pictures, she is sure turning into a beautiful young lady. Of course all of you girls have got to be beautiful young ladies look at the mold you came from. I am burning the candle every day for your safety. Can't think of to much more to say at this time hope you are have a safe & productive time over there and learning a lot as well as gaining alot of inner satisfaction.
Hope to hear from you someday.
Love & bless you Uncle Nicky
Keri
Hey my big sis! I hope your first day of work went well and you are learning alot of new things. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and had hoped you had a little better of a day then I did. Today just seemed like everything was going wrong and was working against me. Oh well. Its better now. By the way, you need to post up a new message. I want to hear some details about the great things you are getting to do and experience. And some pictures soon too. I hope you get a good nights sleep. I'll be thinking of you as always. Hope to hear from you soon! I love you!
Ann
Hey sis- I read where your first day was today. I hope you enjoyed it. I can't wait to hear about it. I love you so much and I am so proud of you. I read all your messages everyday and you are so very loved. You have such an amazing mother and of course dad. I love you girl and I hope you are doing well. I will keep you in my prayers. Take care sweet angel-Ann
Dad; And I'm Still Bigger
Hi my little bitty sweetie, just think if you were bigger, you might win sometimes, but no; you are still tooooo smalllll. They worked on the apt. today, and I made some changes, and you WILL LIKE them. Later Hil and I went to Lowes and spent bunches of money on drywall, insulation, lights, fixtures and other stuff. My jaw fell when he told me how much, and it was a lot for a little bitty sweetie, but your still worth it. HOW WAS YOUR FIRST DAY? I talked to Brian tonight and he said he was in orentation all day, and that really sounded like fun! Well it's been over a minute I win, I love your more. Well, let us know what you are doing. I love you more than you know, and so proud when I talk to friends or anyone and explain where you are and what you hope to do. Don't leave to much over there, I don't want them to charge you for storage. I love you sweetie.
Dad, and I've won this round.
Mom
What a wonderful blessing sent toyou by Amy Ortiz. I really wish you had time before you left for her to share first hand with you about her recent trip to South Africa. After reading her message, I definitely would like to join you there. I pray this may still happen, that you and I can share sometime together doing what we both do best, volunteering and trying to make a difference. Hope to see a message from you soon, but I know today put you in a different area, and you may not have access to the internet. Love, Mom
Amy Ortiz
Eleana-I have met you a few times in the last year, but I don't know you well. I am the Field Director for Girl Scouts in your family's area and I work with your mom quite often. Helen told me about your trip to Africa and I have been praying for your trip since before you left. I have been praying that God would prepare your heart for all that you will experience while you are there. I also prayed that He would go before you and behind you to keep you safe and work out all the details of your travel.
I could burst into tears as I sit and write this, not because I know you so well and because of all the wonderful things others have said about you on your message board here. I really don't know you much at all. My emotion is because I know Africa, and I am so proud that another American is over there giving of herself to serve those incredible people. I have been to a number of countries through the years, and each has left me with a new perspective on the world we live in and why God chose to put me here. However, no country has touched my heart as deeply as South Africa. Before my first trip there in 2001, I had prayed for 5 years for God to open the doors and give me the opportunity to go. As we landed in Cape Town early one winter morning, I couldn't help but let the tears flow. It was like God had put in place a piece of my heart that I had been missing for so long.
My next trip there was 2 months ago, for my Honeymoon. Again, I was all choked up. Not only had I been given the amazing opportunity to go back to the country that touched my heart so deeply, but I was there with the man I had been waiting for. We served the people of South Africa side by side for the first week of our marriage. It was the absolute best way we ever could have started out our life together.
Elena, soak up every minute of your time there. When you are tired of serving, serve some more, just because the time you have will end more quickly than you know. The Scripture says, "You are the Aroma of Christ to those who are perishing." I have worked in the HIV clinics. I know what it is like to be there. You are like a sweet summer breeze for them. Hug, encourage, smile, support, sing, share, leave as much of yourself as you can, because when you are home, you will miss them terribly.
I will continue to pray for you and monitor your journey. You are not only supported by your friends and family who love you so much, but there are others of us out here who are cheering you on as well. There are many misconceptions about Americans out there. Let them see who we really are. You seem to be a perfect Ambassador on our behalf.
Thank you for what you are doing. You are making us proud!
Mom
Good morning Eleana. It's Monday and your workday is into the afternoon by now! I didn't get a chance to write before I left the house, but did log into your message board. It's a wonderful spring day here in the 60's, but soon to warm up. Everyone in the Volunteer Office says "hello," and can't wait to hear more about your journey. We are preparing for the annual adult volunteer in-service on Wed. I hope to hear from you soon. Have a wonderful day. I'll be looking towards the southeast sky this evening, while the candle burns. Love, Mom