Hot and Sticky Memories

It was Indonesia weather today. Hot, sticky, sweaty, humid, nearly 100 degrees... Brought back memories of sweaty kids singing, laughing, staring, hugging. Funny, that's not so different than the memories I have from today. Only the kids in todays' memories speak the same language as I do. If only I could remember to love my everyday kids the same as I did those far away kids. I mean, everyday kind of love, with hugs and kisses everyday. Like today, I loved them. But sometimes I am grouchy or don't want to hear screaming or fighting children. Sometimes I want quiet, well behaved, perfect children. It is those days when they are not that teach me.

Sigh... Anyways, this day brought me back to sitting in a crowded room, far, far away from my home with masses of children singing in a foreign language praises to Jesus, staring at the Americans, anxiously waiting for a reaction from one of us. Sweet, sweet memories.

Josh still is asking to go to Indonesia. Last night he asked his Daddy if he also wanted to go to Indonesia to see Viki (our newest sponsor child). I tell Josh to ask God if he wants to go. Maybe someday he really will, only God knows.

A Big Kid Party

On Tuesday there was a party. It was a kid party. A big kid party. *To the tree, to the tree!* (I was having story time flashbacks. Guess what story?) See all those little graduates? Some had finished preschool, some kindergarten and some had spent the last year as "Boogie Babies" and are ready to move on into preschool this coming year. So yes, we made a lot of graduation hats. There was a graduation song, diplomas, and LOTS of kid games. Some children forgot how to stand nicely in line, but all children remembered how to play the candy hunt game. There were smiles and laughter and proud moms and dads. After all, who doesn't love a big dog... er, kid party?

More?

My heart yearns to do more. Does everyone feel this way?

Read this post.

Dirty Little Hands

Their brown eyes watched us where ever we went. Curiosity. Eager eyes looking for some indication that we might acknowledge their presence. Little boys and girls. Waiting for a wink or a slight smile from us. We could've been their sponsors and they knew we came with love to share on their sponsors' behalf. I know I couldn't keep myself from getting down on their level and loving on them. They would gather around and wonder what this blonde girl was going to do next. I made faces at them, laughed with them, drew in the dirt for them and tried my best to communicate with them despite our language barrier. Their eyes laughed at my silly antics and their giggles made me laugh out loud. It was pure bliss. Dirty little hands grasped mine and as long as I was not afraid of sitting in the dirt, they would scootch their little bodies close to mine. The days were never long enough and the time to say good-bye always came too soon. Each one of us, old and young, big and little, squeezed in as many last minute good-byes as we could. Kisses were blown through car windows and hands waved wildly as we drove away. We left with our hearts full each time. And I pray their young hearts were full as well, full and overflowing with the love of Jesus.

Bible Club

Tomorrow is an exciting day. We are hosting a Backyard Bible Club at our house Saturday mornings for four weeks. A friend of mine, Cindy, and I really wanted a way to reach our community with Jesus' love and the kids in my neighborhood have especially been on my heart. Cindy will be my teacher and I am the host. I plan on doing songs and craft too. And of course we will all play games and have snack at the end. But the most important part is the Bible story and telling the children about Jesus. I'm so glad Cindy is doing that part as she has a little more experience than I do. Last week Josh and I spent some time inviting our neighborhood kids and we got 13 kids signed up from ages 4 -13. It's a big age span, but I think we'll be okay. Some kids go to church and some do not. I'm looking forward to what God is going to do. Please keep us in your prayers as we venture into the unknown. Also pray for sunny mornings! I have a small house and fitting 14 kids and a few adults in it would be a squeeze........ Now what do I have left to do? The Kool-aid is made, cookies baked, craft is prepared, one song written on poster board... Everything will come together in the morning.

Odd Ramblings of Disconcertion

It's been a weird week so far. Not like bizarre or insane, just not like what was expected. To start the week off, the employees from a local factory that provides work for 300+ people went on strike. Everyone knew this was coming, and I fully support the employee's on this one. For a very profitable company to decrease wages, cut future pensions, and lessen health care coverage for it's loyal workers is just wrong. The only reason the company gives for doing so is that other factories in the Rochester area don't get paid as well as their workers do. It's all about increasing their profit margin at the expense of the workers. (Trust me, if these people were getting paid so much, why don't I see any of them living in lake-front homes or driving Hummers?) Two families who bring their kids to the daycare where I work, work at this factory. Put three check marks in the back of your mind. A couple weeks ago, another mother who brings her son to daycare was "laid-off" because she wanted her boss to give her a reference, as she was going to apply for a town job. Put another check mark down. And today, I come to find out that another parent was fired from their job and this was their daughter's last day at daycare. So we are possibly losing five kids, depending on how long the strike goes on for. These are five little people, who represent a big chunk of how my days happen. It's just an odd thing, to watch so many parent's lose their source of income so close together. I am grateful for how the Lord provides for us all, even when times are tough. I am thankful my man has a job, even though he has had to work late almost every night for the past two weeks. I am thankful for the time that God allows me to have with little people during the week. Sometimes they are tiring, loud, naughty, stubborn, disgusting, grumpy, etc., etc. But I have to remember that God has given me a tiny portion of their lives, to be able to love them the way that He would. To hug them, wipe their noses (and their bottoms), to rock them, to discipline them and to teach them numbers and letter sounds... I have to remember to influence them with a godly love, so they will remember.

The Finest of Fine, at the Preschool Ball

A few weeks back we held a ball at daycare. There were pink dresses and blue dresses. A pirate and an Indian too. I believe I even saw a bride or maybe three. Some had bare feet and runny noses and others wore shoes very much like those the Princess herself would've worn. Somehow, in all the scuffle and shuffle, the pirate ended up with some fair maiden's shoes. He was quite pleased with his new found treasure and even dared to show them off to the Indian. The other dancers' swirled and pirouetted and spun themselves silly. Some of the guests were overjoyed to be present and others were dragged in to the whole affair rather unwillingly. But despite the unhappy few, the majority clung to their partners like the last song was about to play and their happy dream would be over, much like Cinderella at the Prince's ball. The pirate seemed quite out of character, with a happy grin on his face instead a the salty scowl that one would find on any ordinary pirate. But that maybe could be accounted for because of his fabulous footwear. He probably hadn't experienced such finery in all his piratey life. Or maybe it was the blushing bride that had caught his fancy. My, was she a purty sight. Sadly, after much spinning and tripping about, the dancing and music began to slow. Tummies began to rumble and the gowns and party frocks were put away. The Indian turned back into a boy and the pirate was no one other than Mr. Gilbert, himself. The fun was packed back into a box until a distant day when the music begins to sing it's familiar dancing tunes once again. Lunch was now in order. All that dancing can stir up quite the appetite, you know.