Pages

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Worth 10,000 Words

There are always going to be more pictures... :) 



Whenever I am not the one with the camera, they all turn into karate ninjas ^_^

...or goofballs... oh wait, that is all the time anyway ;)


Nice backdrop for a basketball court, eh?

SonSon is a "super" colorer


Girls all dolled up for the concert last weekend. So lovely!

Sneaking a photo ;) Lones and Berlisson

Our handsome boys feelin fly ;) They love a reason to get dressed up, too!

(didn't realize I can't rotate the pics once they are in here...)
 It is not unusual to come across a wrestling pile of boys on the floor ^_^

Look who is washing dishes!

Yinancia!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Redeeming Moments from the Redeemer


My kids - Hard to handle? naahhh... haha - actually, they can be extremely challenging sometimes. It is difficult enough trying to talk to a 5 year old when there is a language barrier, but when you add on top of that that most of these kids have barely had any regularity, consistency, discipline other than physical punishment, or proper nurturing, it can be an overwhelming thing. And that is why every good moment matters and is an encouragement. 

Yesterday, I handed a boy at the door something and he walked away without saying thank you. Melissa called out to him, "You can't say thank you?" A minute later, he poked his head in again and said, very sincerely, "Gracias, Jenna." What a simple thing it is! But to know this young man is to know that this simple response and action is a huge thing for him. Every child is different. Each has different challenges... And God is working. Sometimes interactions can be so frustrating because you feel like nothing is getting through and what is the point if they are never going to change (does this sound familiar?), but then God shares with me a moment with one of the kids that says, "See? They do hear. They are learning. They do see. And they will know me."  Last week, I reminded 6 year old Wisguebi to have patience waiting for his turn on the bike. He looked up at me, got a thoughtful look and then in his sweet stutter told me that he also wanted love and joy and peace. We have been going through the Fruit of the Spirit for Sunday school... Thank you, Lord.

On one hand, I say that I have the easiest job and ask why God would put me here to love on kids and get colored pictures all the time and hugs and smiles and to fix booboos and laugh together! This is the greatest! ... But I have been learning more recently, as the kids get more comfortable with me and realize that I am here as an adult with some authority, rather than just a friend and a play thing, that life is challenging. Sometimes it is just overwhelming and exhausting and frustrating to have four or five kids hanging on you all the time, calling your name in four different directions, needing you for eight different things, teasing, touching, pulling, jumping, shouting, crying... haha! 

This is my reality. 

But then I have a magic moment -

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Moments in May - a taste of life


... Some of what I have been sharing on Facebook...

MOMENTS IN MAY
May 2, 2013

After dinner, I am often in the kitchen refilling up our water pitchers to put them in the fridge. As I am squatting down with the fridge door open, Kiki comes up behind me and hops on my back. He has a bad habit of launching himself onto me when I am not expecting it and I was about to say something, but decided not to. Instead I just stood up as if I didn't even notice he was there. Well, he stuck. ^_^ And he giggled, and just held on while I went about pouring water. I couldn't resist a bit of extra lovin' on my little one and so we took some photos. 
Please pray that the Lord would protect Kiki's heart and mind from so much that he has already been exposed to at 4 years old. Pray that there would be a softness in him, and a open heart and ear to correction, knowledge of unconditional love, and a future of strength and integrity. He is one that breaks and melts my heart on an almost daily basis. Love him so much...





MOMENTS IN MAY
May 3, 2013

How much laundry do you do in a day? With a family of more than 50 kids and adults,