It's all about Him

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

(attributed to Mother Teresa)

God's Love

  I spent some time this weekend with the kids. I marvel at the love that I feel for them. They are not my own babies, but a handful of them have deep ties to my heart. I try not to play favorites, but it is hard not to  naturally gravitate towards some.   Tony, Haroldo and Katerina are my natural favorites. 
  If I can have these strong feelings and emotions after just a few years with them, I can't imagine how much our Father in Heaven loves each of us. His love and patience for us is truly amazing. Thank you God!

Another day... another adventure...

  I flew in Thursday night and plugged back in the past two days. I just helped carry a 24 year old Carlos from the outside play are to the infirmary. He had a pretty bad convulsion and was really out of it.  I have not written much about convulsions because they are very sad and disturbing.  The kid feels really drained and weakened after the episode. It is even harder when it is one of the kids you are closer to and know better. About one quarter of our population suffers from convulsions.  In theory, when properly medicated they should not be convulsing. I know that in the States they use precise electroshock therapies and even surgery in extreme cases. Apparently, each time a person has a convulsion they have some brain cells that die.

  I have been working on walking with Haroldo and Roberta. Both can take some steps with help to balance. Haroldo is doing far better and can make progress with just one hand for balance. He had an operation on his tendons and can flatten his foot, but he still lists significantly to the left.  Roberta has good strength for remaining standing, but lacks the stimulus in her brain to want to propel herself forward. The effect of autism, low intelligence and a lifetime of institutionalized care. She waits for the world to come to her.

  There is progress on some of the macro issues. We still have many needs and challenges, but more than anything we need to bring the joy and love of  Jesus to each of the kids.

How to find a bottom

How to find a bottom

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A prevailing theory in the treatment of alcoholism or drug abuse is that the patient cannot be successfully treated until they have reached a "bottom." Many family members and friends often think the patient has raced past a bottom long before the patient themselves recognize a bottom that they truly accept as sufficient. Many treatment centers, legal systems and therapists try to change the patient’s perception of where their bottom really is. It is anybody's guess as to how successful these initiatives are. Perhaps in the next life God will explain precisely how He orchestrates the final bottom. For the time being the topic will continue to be debated and compelling anecdotes will sway most of us to one side or the other.

Finding a bottom is a metaphor for much of life. How bad does anything have to be before we decide to take action? For some, the first glimpse of pain and off they go to the doctor. For the stoics amongst us they often wait far too long thinking a symptom will rapidly pass. Sometimes they find out that they waited too long and what would have been a treatable cancer is now inoperable and fatal. Organizations too can be dysfunctional and looking for a bottom. Actually, the very definition of an Organization is dysfunctional! An organization can be defined as anything that has two or more people. In other words, once you have your second employee, teammate, club member or whatever, you start down the road to dysfunction.

So how low can you go? How bad does it have to be before you change? How bad does it have to be before you leave the affiliation? How bad does it have to be before the various stakeholders scream, "Enough!?” This is a mystery to each of us and can ebb and flow with age and circumstance.

There is only one bottom that really matters. Christ paid the price with his crucifixion on the cross. That was a low that none of us could endure. His sacrifice was perfect and his blood covers all our sins and transgressions. In prayer and dialogue with God each of us can determine what a bottom means to us in our lives. Only with His guidance will we know what He has in mind for us. Only He can tell us when an organization has become too dysfunctional. Only He can guide us to make good decisions that challenge the status quo and how to help people more than hurt them when we need to pull the ripcord.

May the Lord bless your contemplative time and guide you through your wilderness.

How to lift children without hurting your back

 It's something that many of us take for granted- our backs.  When our kids were babies we lifted them easily. When they grew they started to walk. The kids here may never walk or even assist with their physical movements.  They are growing and getting heavy.

Today Carmen Marie and her  Physical Therapy Student Interns offered employees a class on how to lift and move the children without getting hurt.   We will have similar classes each day this week.

God is good...  All the time!

Where is God???

  Why he is right here..... 

I wrote this paragraph in this note to my old friend Ellis Moss. We started High School together
42 years ago.  We went to study in Spain together when Francisco Franco was still alive and in power.

"Thanks for the kind words on the work we do here. It's not really us, but Him. It is such a Blessing to work with and love on these kids. These handicapped abandoned kids are so loving and full of God's Grace.   When I look into the eyes of the ones that are unable to speak I know that He is there and he loves me (and you too!!)     As always it's the adults and the bureaucrats that are the challenge....."

Fun Video.... Though I think it misses the Point.

The point is that you can ride a bike or do anything through Him. You have to believe  in yourself because first He believed in you.



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  Have a great day unless you have already made other plans....

44 Kids to receive Physical Therapy!!

 Keeps getting better. Carmen Marie has pro-actively planned physical therapy for many more kids at the center. With the help of student teachers from her University she has planned a very aggressive and comprehensive program for physical therapy.  Three students have been accepted into the student teaching program here. It all starts Monday, so we are starting off the year with a bang!!

(More details to be posted shortly)

Planning Classes for Nineras on Proper Lifting Techniques

  During my absence much progress has been made on many fronts. One of the exciting programs that Carmen Maria has planned is to teach the professional staff the proper way to lift and physically assist the residents. Some of our kids are physically adult size now and are very heavy. The frequent strains and pains of the heavy lifting are problematic for most of the professional staff.

  For me, the best news is that she has taken the initiative and forged ahead with no more than casual encouragement. Part of our vision is the C C C  - Children, Caregivers and the Culture. In order for CCC to succeed we need the Culture to continue to drive the Caregivers to safely do their jobs better and find more fulfillment in their careers. Hooray for Carmen Marie!

En base a lo acordado, le estaré entregando el martes 31 de enero los listados de los 4 Grupos de Participantes (Monitores y Niñeras), que asistirán a la capacitación "Medidas de Prevención de Lesiones de Columna", que impartirán las Practicantes de Fisioterapia conjuntamente con su persona como moderadora.

La Dirección del Centro comunicará al personal que la capacitación se desarrollará en el Comedor del 6 al 9 de febrero en horario de 09:30 a 11:00 en el Comedor.

Job posting today

inera Cristiana (Guatemala Zona 13 )

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Date: 2012-01-14, 8:25AM CST
Reply to: mchughdrake@gmail.com ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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Ninera ayudando ninos especiales. Responsibilidad incluye ayudando todos aspects de vivir por neuve ninos de sillas ruedas. 
Estos preciosos regalos de Dios tiend incapacidades graves y profundos. Son muy carinosos y responden bien emocionalmente. 
Se trabaja una fundacion Cristiano. Es trabajo duro a veces pero muchas bendicones del Senor. 

• Location: Guatemala Zona 13
• Compensation: Salario Minimo Mensual Q1800
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 2799321615

First Rate Performance Conference hosted by Cadanino Founder

Press Release – Performance Conference
Arlington, TX, December 12, 2011 – First Rate today announced Jamie Waller as the distinguished moderator at First Rate’s 2012 Performance Conference. Waller brings substantial insight into the performance measurement industry and is recognized as a thought leader in performance reporting, portfolio construction, compliance, technology and operations.
Waller was an original partner of APL Security leading the charge in performance measurement reporting to institutions in the 1980s. APL Security, which provides portfolio management software services and tools to pension and mutual fund managers, led the way for the separately managed account (SMA) industry in the 1990s.  Since its acquisition by CheckFree in 1996, APL Security has seen its revenue grow to nearly $100 million. In 2001, Waller joined Citigroup Asset Management as director of separately managed accounts. Additionally, Waller was the Chief Operating Officer of Fugent.  
As an active member of the nascent SMA industry, Jamie founded the St. Regis Association, the first advocacy group dedicated to promoting SMAs. The St. Regis Association became the Money Management Institute (MMI), a Washington, D.C.-based industry association. Waller is an active member of the MMI, contributing to several of its policy initiatives. He is also an active participant in other investment industry organizations, speaking frequently at conferences and events, including those of IMCA, MMI, FRA, CFA Institute (AIMR) and for the first time, First Rate’s 2012 Performance Conference.
Originally from Schenectady and Speculator N.Y., Waller graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A. in 1983. As the founder of Cadaniño in Guatemala, Waller currently serves as a missionary working with institutionalized developmentally delayed children. Waller lives and works with the residents of Centro Residencial Psiquiatrico y Neurologico.
Waller will be the moderator at First Rate’s 2012 Performance Conference taking place at the Four Season Resort and Club Dallas on March 26th and 27th. The conference provides a great opportunity to stay abreast of industry trends, learn more about First Rate solutions and network with fellow peers in the performance measurement industry.
With presentations and contributions by acknowledged opinion leaders from the wealth management and financial services industry, this exclusive two day event examines and explores a wide range of performance measurement focused ideas to assist both current and future clients of First Rate Performance.
First Rate’s 2012 Performance Conference will offer attendees:

• Globally relevant and timely presentations
• Interactive panels
• Extended face time with First Rate professionals
• Sneak peek at First Rate’s newest solutions
• Hands-on training

For more information about Jamie Waller or the 2012 Performance Conference please visit http://www.firstrate.com/investmentperformanceconference2012.