I have heard parents say that they are afraid to raise children in this world of evil. I feel the opposite, I am bringing these kids out of dark and dreary place to a world of light and love. A world where they will be surrounded by all of you. People who are filled with light and who live incredible lives. Coming here has helped me see how blessed I am. I can't wait for my girls to get to know all of you. I heard a quote once that went something like this, "the person we will be in ten years is determined by the people we associate with and the books we read," with you to influence my girls I can't wait to see who they will be in 10 years.
I have been thinking how amazing the spirits of the children are here. Maybe, they are rough and have some pretty crazy manners, I laugh thinking about it. But you wouldn't believe their sweet and loving spirits. They take care of each other and share everything. Despite the fact that they have nothing, whenever they get anything they share it with everyone. If Jeff and I deny any of this sharing the kids make a very sad face. We have taken food from very dirty hands, and shared things, I thought for sure I would gag over, just to avoid hurting any of these precious hearts. How can you resist a handful of sunflower seeds taken from a dirty pocket and handed to you in a filthy hand? I've noticed Wendy can't and neither would any of you if you were here and could see them.
I have found it is a kind of test my girls give me. If I love them, I will take a bite of their half eaten cookie, I will share their soda, I will eat all of their disgusting snacks, I will lick their sucker, I will have the last bite of the treat they were dying to have. Wendy's Alex cries when she does and my girls won't take my coat if I'm cold, even if they are freezing. They will go without anything if they think it makes me suffer. I forgot to bring enough towels swimming and they insisted that they share so I could have my own. They do a million silly things everyday to take care of me and each other.
We took our girls swimming again today and they begged to take Sodeburg's Julia. We weren't sure the director would approve but the girls asked so persuasively that she agreed. My girls made sure Julia had everything they did . It was so cute how they took care of her the whole day and made sure she got equal snacks, equal time with my goggles and they were so happy to share us with her. Leslie, Julia is a sweetheart. She is so excited about the skirt you are bringing her.
My heart is full and I am grateful for this experience. Each day I fall more and more in love with my little girls. When I kiss Sara randomly and tell her I love her in Russian, she smiles at me the most precious smile in the whole world. How I love my little boy looking orphan girl.
Lest you think think they are perfect angels. Lena ordered coffee at lunch yesterday. LOL! You should have seen our reaction. I felt kind of silly afterward, I mean really I'm such a sheltered Mormon girl from Utah - at least it wasn't Vodka. I wouldn't be surprised with all the drinking that goes on over here.
She also got money from her teacher, bought bleach and bleached her hair over the weekend. Jeff and I laughed so hard when we found out. It is such a lovely orangish color. She is an innocent loving kid one minute and some crazy wanta be teenager the next. She really cracks us up.
I realize everyday how much I take the truth I know for granted. We are blessed to have lives filled with light, love and truth.
Loved this post! It was so sweet and encouraging!
ReplyDeleteAmy, your posts are so insightful and moving. Reading all of these wonderful blogs makes us want to make a book out of the wonderful posts so we can remember them forever. Carrie and I are so humbled to be associated with such a wonderful group of people. There's something so amazing about people who would would travel 1/2 way around the world to bring these sweet angels with dirty faces to a loving home. We look forward to seeing you in Kiev!
ReplyDeleteP.S. If you are offered one of those tasty fish snacks, let us know how it goes down. Yum! haha
P.S.S Your hubby is amazing. He sent an email to us and the Soderbergs with so much useful information he has learned thus far. Thanks, Jeff!
Your posts are really amazing and so well written. Thank you for looking at the positives in this adventure and enjoying the time you have with these girls in their home country. I love that you are able to take your observations and apply them to the gospel. We truly are so fortunate in the States and we don't realize until we see other cultures that do not have much and yet are still so happy! I think we can learn a lot from them.
ReplyDeleteI spent 10 days in the Dominican Republic after my brothers mission. I couldn't believe the poverty I saw there, yet the people were so happy! I can't wait to see Ukraine and be able to compare it with my other cultural experiences and learn from these new people what they have to offer me.
You're amazing Aim. What a heart. I hope you realize what a blessing you are to all of us at home.
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You truly are inspiring! I am blessed to have you as my friend and can't wait to see you as a mother. I was telling Lora how you will be a great mom of teenagers. The young women in the ward loved you and still look up to you. You too Jeff! Not everyone gets doorbell ditched!
ReplyDeleteAha! I knew there must be boys in that orphanage! I saw many in the picture! Thanks for the great post.
ReplyDeleteOh Amy! I am so excited. What a journey! I am so happy for all of you! I am so excited to see all of you when you get back!
ReplyDeleteI think the judge is right- I am CRAZY! -JK I love my girls, and I am pretty sure Kevin does love me- he's still around.
The story about Lena and the coffee cracks me up. I didn't know kids started drinking coffee that young. Good luck weaning her off the coffee. Maybe you could start out slow and give her a red bull at first, then work her way to Diet Coke or something. Frappacino anyone?
Looks like you are all doing well! We love you so much, and appreciate the example you are to us.
P.S. We need more crazy pictures of Jeff so I can make fun of him;) Still haven't fully re-paid him for the singing sombrerro incident in primary
I do take a multi vitamin and just hope I don't catch anything that can't be cured in time!
ReplyDeleteAmy-you truly have a way with words and conveying what is in your heart-you're always saying my writing is better but mine is just facts-yours is feelings and precious at that!
I'll be following you closely when I leave-you are have become such dear friend. Thanks for coming with me to Kiev. What would I do without you?
So fun to hear all of the fun adventures. Makes me laugh about the coffee and the bleaching of the hair. We are so blessed. I love my sheltered life. :) I love to hear how sweet, caring and loving the orphans are. Way to go on accepting their offerings.
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