29

Happy birthday to me :)

I've been fretting about turning 29. One year away from "...and holding". But, everyone that I've talked to says that the 30's are the best years. I don't know why and it seems neither do they, but I'm ready to find out.

So, here is a synopsis of my birthday on the road...

The night before, I went to sleep on an air mattress with sheets that said "happy birthday, Eeyore" - seemed fitting. In the morning, my host wrote Happy Birthday on my lunch bag and took a picture of me and the boys. They had big happy birthday hugs and sweet smiles to greet me with when I woke them up. When we arrived at the church, the children had big hugs and a surprise for me. Chelsea had them all make me a card and when we were on the bus and ready to go, they sang me Happy Birthday and held up all their cards and a big poster that said Happy Birthday. My cards are so sweet. I am blessed to have 23 beautiful children who love to draw! Chelsea and Alesha gave me a beautiful bracelet and funny "mom" calendar, so along with my package from Ang and Laura, I was spoiled beyond belief.

That evening at the church, the pastor found out that it was my birthday and had the audience sing Happy Birthday to me before I introduced the choir. I was both embarrassed and blessed. Then to top it off, in the second service, they did the same thing...ahahahaha. I had a fantastic couple as my host that evening and I was able to hangout with them and chat before heading up to bed. She had a little gift for me in my room and I felt so blessed.

The next morning, three of the girls had more birthday cards for me that they had drawn with their host (he was an artist). After supper at our next church, Alesha and Chelsea had a cake for me and another round of Happy Birthday from the audience followed at this church. Who knew a birthday could be so fun?! :)

Maybe 29 isn't so bad after all...

Renewal

One of the chaperones on my team always says that red is the colour of death, that's why the leaves on the trees turn red and fall off. But, I've decided it means something better. It means renewal. Being on the West coast, I've gotten to see the colours of fall in a much more vibrant way than I think I ever remember seeing. The red, gold, orange and brown all mixed together creates so much beauty. I was thinking about how needed it is for those leaves to change colour and fall to the ground. The tree would not survive if it wasn't able to go through the renewal process. It goes dormant through the winter and then when spring arrives, it begins the process of regrowth.

I've had a rough few days, but I think I'm just going through a bit of winter. My mind needs to go through a process of renewal. Watching the leaves change colour and prepare for regrowth has reminded me that I can never just think that I have reached the place God wants me to be. There will always be areas that need to be renewed, improved. Fall is my favourite time of year and being here in Oregon has certainly solidified that for me. I want my life to be as beautiful in the renewal process as creation is. I know that in these next few months, I'm going to grow and change more than I ever thought possible. God is reworking my heart to be prepared for those new lessons he's going to teach when my heart is ready for the growth.

Endings and Beginnings

It is strange to me to know what an end will be like when the I am really just at the beginning. Choir 32 is getting ready to wrap up their tour and soon the chaperones will be heading to their homes and the children will be returning to Africa. As I read their blogs and look at their pictures, I think about my brief time with them and I know that I was forever changed just from being a part of their lives for those 2 weeks. I think about how it must feel to be preparing to say good bye after over a year of touring as a family. And I realize that before I know it, my turn will come.

Tonight we are sleeping in a gym...everyone together in one big room. This is our first big sleepover. Amidst all the chaos and craziness of getting everyone showered and ready for bed, I realized that these opportunities are not going to be around forever and that I need to make the most of it. As I sit here writing, all my children are sleeping soundly in their sleeping bags, and soon the rest of the chaperones and I will join them. Before they went to bed, I got 23 hugs and when they wake up in the morning, I will get 23 more. I am reminding myself not to take those for granted, because in just a few months time, the reality of those hugs around my waist will only be a memory.

I have become....

...a mom.

And here is why.

In one day, I pulled out of my purse a frog toy, three training bras, and love notes from my kiddos. I am the proud "parent" of 23 children. I share them with 7 other adults from 4 different countries. AND I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

Oy vey :)

Choir 35 Family

I am thankful for...

1) A family that is so supportive
2) New friends who understand what this new life is about
3) Children who love unconditionally
4) Host families that give of their time to house us
5) A niece who sends me text messages
6) Pumpkin pie
7) Skype dates with far away friends
8) Blackberry Messenger
9) Leaves that are turning colour
10) Wi Fi
11) A home on wheels
12) Days off
13) Moments of revelation
14) Pandora Radio
15) Chai tea

My new favourite conversation

On the way to our host's home in Marysville, I was sitting beside Reagan in the car. He takes my hand and turns to look at me. And he says, "Auntie, we need to talk." First of all, that's funny. So serious. Then he says, "Before you came to tour, we stayed six nights, four nights, five nights...then you came to tour and we stay one night, one night, one night. Auntie, I am going to send you back to Canada and I'm going to be tour leader. If I need you, I will call the number on my bracelet." Bahahahahaha! So I tell him, "If I go back to Canada, I won't have the phone." Then he says, "Then I will phone Auntie Marci and she will call you. Uncle Vic will take you to the border in the bus." Ah, he cracks me up.

Then today he told me he changed his mind because we will be having a three night stay. I guess he loves me after all!

A trip to the Dentist

I am amazed at all the ways God brings blessings. BIG Blessings! We were able to take all the children to the dentist - all 23 of them and the 2 African Chaperones. It was so great. Dr. Mills did everything - he cleaned their teeth, did fillings and extractions and even did a root canal. He donated all his time. The children have been having trouble with their teeth, so it was really great to get them into the dentist. We couldn't have asked for better timing. It is the beginning of tour so we are now set to go. I don't think some of them would have lasted much longer with the pain in their teeth.

The children were such troopers. Some of them were really scared, but they still sat in the chair and had their teeth cleaned. It was strange to see how much they trust us. A couple of the children asked to have us sit with them while they had the work done on their teeth, but most of them seemed to know that we were doing this for their good and they went in with no problems. I'm so proud of them!