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I know this is long but its the article that ran in the newspaper about my parents moving to mexico...here goes:

Family set to open orphanage
BY KORRINA GROM
STAFF WRITER

Mother Theresa of Calcutta has always been a source of inspiration to Lindenhurst resident Sueanne Lineberger.

She is one of my idols, said Lineberger. I look at the things she did that looked so impossible.

In roughly two weeks, Lineberger, her husband, Myles, and daughter, Jenoa, will leave behind their life in Lindenhurst to pursue one that would make Mother Theresa proud. The family plans to open an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

To me, I cant imagine not doing it, said Sueanne, who has dreamed of this moment for nearly eight years. You hear people talking about their dreams all the
time. I'm actually going to do it. If I fall on my face, at least I tried.

Myles and Sueanne initially thought several years ago about opening an orphanage while living in Laredo, Texas, which is on the border between the state and Mexico. They visited Mexico regularly.

We fell in love with the interior of the country, said Sueanne. Family is important. Preserving their history is important.

A church pastor they knew told Myles and Sueanne about a woman who ran an orphanage in Mexico.

She had 40 kids there and was taking care of them on her own, said Sueanne. I asked, What do you do if you have no food? They would just pray.

Community members and local churches always came through to help the small orphanage.

Myles and Sueanne saw there was a need for more orphanages. There were children living in the streets with few, if any, belongings, Sueanne said.

It kind of got us fired up about opening our own, said Myles.

But why does it have to be someday? said Sueanne. There are so many people who need help. I want to do it, so why cant I do it?

Changing gears

The Linebergers have lived a comfortable life in Lindenhurst. Myles works as a massage therapist in Libertyville, while Sueanne, who grew up in Deerfield and has a Masters Degree in clinical psychology, works in drug prevention.

But over the past year, especially since the death of Sueannes father last October, the couple revisited the orphanage issue. After doing research in books and on the Internet, they decided to make the dream a
reality.

They have secured the necessary paperwork and visas. They've also started researching possible parcels of land for the orphanage. Sueanne said the orphanage will likely be built on six acres just outside the Puerto Vallarta city limits and will house 22
children.

A lot of the orphanages are in desolate places, said Myles. We thought of starting one in a nicer place.

The Linebergers have even picked out a name for the facility. A fan of Winnie-the-Pooh her entire life, Sueanne based the orphanages name on the fictional bear.

His real name is Edward. He got the name Winnie when he met a swan (and liked the name), she said. We named the orphanage La Casa de Oso Edwardo. which means The House of Edward the Bear.

Myles said it will likely take roughly a year to purchase land and build the orphanage.

With all of these plans solidified, the family is now prepared to leave their current life behind.

I'm tired of the fight to make money, said Sueanne. I want a simpler life.

Preparations

For the past few months, the Linebergers have been selling most of their belongings, including furniture. When they leave Lindenhurst on Aug. 8, they will do so with all of their necessities packed in 24 plastic storage boxes inside the family van.

Were negotiating who gets how many tubs, said Sueanne. Items like clothes, mementos and books will be taken to Puerto Vallarta. Its been a fun process. I've asked myself, Do I really need this (item)? Its been a cleansing process.

Planning the move has also been a frightening process, Sueanne said.

Now were 16 days away and its very scary, she said Monday. What if we cant (deal with) the new culture? What if I cant assimilate?

They are also concerned with how their daughter Jenoa, who will be a sixth-grader this fall, is going to handle living in a new country.

(I'm concerned) about her adapting and making it a smooth transition, said Sueanne. Her tears tend to be about leaving her best friend Cynthia. But shes excited about (moving to Mexico). She has a heart to help people also. Shes been making jewelry and selling it to make money.

Sueannes son from a previous marriage, Taylor, 19, is a sophomore at the University of Florida.

He'll take care of investing our money, said Sueanne.

The move to Mexico has been a tough sell to some members of Sueannes family.

My family thinks were a little bit crazy, she said. In the beginning, (my father) really thought this was just crazy. He'd say, Why not help the kids here?'

But I have a calling to go to Mexico. They dont have the resources we do here in the United States, said Sueanne.

A week before he died, Sueannes father gave her his blessing.

He said, I'm glad there are people in the world like you who want to do (this), Sueanne said.

At one point, even Sueanne began questioning the decision.

I was praying, Is this what were supposed to be doing? I asked God for one more sign, she said. It was at that moment that an acquaintance walked up to her and handed her several hundred dollars. He said, I have so much faith in you, and I want you to have this.'

I really feel like Gods on our side, said Sueanne. Its really exciting. At this point, I'm ready to go. With Gods blessing, I really dont think we have much
to lose.

Myles agreed.

Its a little scary but also freeing at the same time, he said. People think were crazy, but it wasnt that long ago that people were driving covered wagons and going west.

We (have a tendency to) build boxes around
ourselves, he said. I believe to do Gods work, you have to get out of the box. Were expecting God to show us ways to have people come and help us.

Myles plans to open a small business in Puerto Vallarta selling candles to provide the family with income. Individuals from the familys church, United Church of Christ in Deerfield, have donated money to
the cause.

Sueanne said it will cost roughly 40,000 to build the orphanage. For information about making donations, e-mail the Linebergers at ewbmex@yahoo.com.