Ode to the feather earring...
I wasn't sure I loved you, until I wore you once
Then I loved you with my puffer vest and curly hair
I lost you once and found you, then lost you again and found you
But today I lost you and haven't found you yet.
Oh poor feather earring, I hope you haven't gone with the wind...
Today was the suitcase day and it was so fun!! The children were very excited to look at what arrived in their suitcase. We looked through more than half of the suitcases today and will finish them tomorrow. The suitcases are so well packed and thoughtfully put together. I'm so grateful to all the people who sponsored suitcases and put so much time and effort into them. They really are special for the children to take home with them. My parents' church sponsored 7 suitcases and it was so fun to see all the treasures in them today.
I'm not ready to say goodbye and although going through the suitcases helped to continue the process, it is still hard to believe how quickly the days are passing. Monday's drive will be here soon and I'll be saying goodbye.
I'm glad for the special day of giving them such a wonderful gift.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Day 7 - November 29
I had my exit interview with David today. Talking about the year, looking back at the highs and lows, remembering the lessons I've learned about life made the end seem so much closer. It was good to think through the year though and remember all that has happened.
I am excited for tomorrow because it is suitcase day! The children each receive a suitcase that has been sponsored by a family and they are amazing. The children are going to be so excited. I can't wait. Pictures to follow :)
I am excited for tomorrow because it is suitcase day! The children each receive a suitcase that has been sponsored by a family and they are amazing. The children are going to be so excited. I can't wait. Pictures to follow :)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Day 8 - November 28
Deborah and I taught the children a song in devotions. Last Sunday at church, the youth band sang Desert Song by Brooke Fraser and she really wanted to learn it. As we practiced the song, I realized what a good song it would be for all the children to know. The message of the song is so powerful. She did such a great job of helping to lead the song and be my helper. I'm so proud of her.
When I went up to give the boys their hugs, Alex looked at me and said, "just one more week, Auntie. That's sad." It is sad. It will be hard. They are exited to be home, but they are sad to be leaving. We all have the same feelings.
Here are the lyrics...it really is a powerful song.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger and need
My God is a God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
When I went up to give the boys their hugs, Alex looked at me and said, "just one more week, Auntie. That's sad." It is sad. It will be hard. They are exited to be home, but they are sad to be leaving. We all have the same feelings.
Here are the lyrics...it really is a powerful song.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger and need
My God is a God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Day 9 - November 27
I walked to the lake with Deborah and Reagan today. It was great. These two are children of my heart, the ones I've connected with in a different way than a lot of the other children.
Reagan is my boy. He's my little man, the one who still wants to hold my hand and have 30 hugs but at the same time who is dreaming of being a pastor, who willing shares with the people around him and who would rather give than receive. Reagan listened to his CD player while we walked, singing quietly to himself, simply enjoying being included.
Deborah is the firecracker, the witty young woman who knows the value of a joke and is sarcastic beyond her years. She loves to have fun and is learning where the line between fun and disrespect happens. She's blossoming into an amazing girl, who will someday do great things with her helpful nature. Today we talked about best and worst moments of tour. She shared from her heart and I shared from mine. I loved chatting with her as we walked down the road to the lake. We had an amazing chat - maybe the best one we've had since she became so attached to me and I, attached to her.
These little moments are becoming more and more precious. I am holding them close to my heart for I know that these moments will soon be over.
Time like this is made for cherishing.
Reagan is my boy. He's my little man, the one who still wants to hold my hand and have 30 hugs but at the same time who is dreaming of being a pastor, who willing shares with the people around him and who would rather give than receive. Reagan listened to his CD player while we walked, singing quietly to himself, simply enjoying being included.
Deborah is the firecracker, the witty young woman who knows the value of a joke and is sarcastic beyond her years. She loves to have fun and is learning where the line between fun and disrespect happens. She's blossoming into an amazing girl, who will someday do great things with her helpful nature. Today we talked about best and worst moments of tour. She shared from her heart and I shared from mine. I loved chatting with her as we walked down the road to the lake. We had an amazing chat - maybe the best one we've had since she became so attached to me and I, attached to her.
These little moments are becoming more and more precious. I am holding them close to my heart for I know that these moments will soon be over.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Day 10 - November 26
A quiet day at Mirembe. The weather is starting to cool off, so playtime was spent indoors with a book, cuddled up with Deborah and Faith. David is here, Chelsea came back. It will be a weekend full of emotion.
I am realizing more and more that the hardest part of saying goodbye is the finality of goodbye. I am going to cease to be "auntie". Sometime ago, the children stopped saying Auntie Stacy and simply call me Auntie - unless of course there is another auntie around. I think the hardest part of turning the page is the changing of the role. When I left teaching and no one called me Miss Allan, it wasn't hard because I knew that Miss Allan would be back again someday. Auntie Stacy will always be part of me because I have my own nieces and nephew, but the context is so much different. In my everyday life for the last 15 months, I have been Auntie Stacy at all times. It will be such a swift change from Auntie Stacy to Stacy that I feel as though I'll be a little bit at a loss.
9 more days. The days are less than the number of fingers on my hands. I don't quite know how to deal with that yet. Still working through the goodbyes, until they come for one last time.
I am realizing more and more that the hardest part of saying goodbye is the finality of goodbye. I am going to cease to be "auntie". Sometime ago, the children stopped saying Auntie Stacy and simply call me Auntie - unless of course there is another auntie around. I think the hardest part of turning the page is the changing of the role. When I left teaching and no one called me Miss Allan, it wasn't hard because I knew that Miss Allan would be back again someday. Auntie Stacy will always be part of me because I have my own nieces and nephew, but the context is so much different. In my everyday life for the last 15 months, I have been Auntie Stacy at all times. It will be such a swift change from Auntie Stacy to Stacy that I feel as though I'll be a little bit at a loss.
9 more days. The days are less than the number of fingers on my hands. I don't quite know how to deal with that yet. Still working through the goodbyes, until they come for one last time.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Day 11 - November 25
Happy Thanksgiving!
One year ago, Choir 35 was celebrating American Thanksgiving in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at Auntie Judy's house. This year, we are hanging out a Mirembe House and we were blessed by a wonderful family with a beautiful Thanksgiving meal. Tonight, we watched Ratatouille with the children and stayed up "late" - 1/2 hour past bedtime!
I am so thankful to have had another holiday celebration with my ACC family. It is these special days that will remain in my memory, much like our holiday from a year ago is still so vivid in my mind.
I am so thankful that I got 38 hugs (and then some) today. I'm thankful that my kids are so affectionate.
I am thankful that we had so many days at Mirembe to be together and to enjoy our time before we head back to our own countries. I know that heading back to Canada will be hard, but I'm also thankful to be going home, to be in one place for a while at least.
I'm thankful that even though there are only 10 days left, that each day, I make a few more memories, give a few more hugs, love a little more and learn a little more.
One year ago, Choir 35 was celebrating American Thanksgiving in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at Auntie Judy's house. This year, we are hanging out a Mirembe House and we were blessed by a wonderful family with a beautiful Thanksgiving meal. Tonight, we watched Ratatouille with the children and stayed up "late" - 1/2 hour past bedtime!
I am so thankful to have had another holiday celebration with my ACC family. It is these special days that will remain in my memory, much like our holiday from a year ago is still so vivid in my mind.
I am so thankful that I got 38 hugs (and then some) today. I'm thankful that my kids are so affectionate.
I am thankful that we had so many days at Mirembe to be together and to enjoy our time before we head back to our own countries. I know that heading back to Canada will be hard, but I'm also thankful to be going home, to be in one place for a while at least.
I'm thankful that even though there are only 10 days left, that each day, I make a few more memories, give a few more hugs, love a little more and learn a little more.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day 12 - November 24
Hugs.
I have a rule. I always get 2 hugs at bedtime. This makes things interesting now that we have been at the base house, but I still go up to say good-night and give my hugs, even though I get hugs at the end of devotions right before bed.
The boys have given me a new rule - 4 hugs at bedtime. Well, that's a good rule. It makes things a bit chaotic, but none the less, I only have 11 days left to get these hugs. Better get them now. I love good-nights. I love how they snuggle into their beds and smile up with trust in their eyes - they know now that they are loved and beyond anything else, they will leave here knowing that they are loved by me.
I will miss all those hugs, I am cherishing each one. I will give as many hugs as I can in the next 11 days. I will store them up for those moments at home when I'm pining for those little arms to hug my waist. I will store them up for those moments when I miss my special children, these children of my heart. I will store them up until the moment I go to Uganda and Kenya and get another hug or two from these precious ones that were mine for 15 months. Those hugs will change. By the time I see them again, the hugs won't be around my waist. I won't hold their little heads in my hand. They'll be bigger, more grown up, but I'll still cherish the hug. And no matter what, they will know that they are loved.
I have a rule. I always get 2 hugs at bedtime. This makes things interesting now that we have been at the base house, but I still go up to say good-night and give my hugs, even though I get hugs at the end of devotions right before bed.
The boys have given me a new rule - 4 hugs at bedtime. Well, that's a good rule. It makes things a bit chaotic, but none the less, I only have 11 days left to get these hugs. Better get them now. I love good-nights. I love how they snuggle into their beds and smile up with trust in their eyes - they know now that they are loved and beyond anything else, they will leave here knowing that they are loved by me.
I will miss all those hugs, I am cherishing each one. I will give as many hugs as I can in the next 11 days. I will store them up for those moments at home when I'm pining for those little arms to hug my waist. I will store them up for those moments when I miss my special children, these children of my heart. I will store them up until the moment I go to Uganda and Kenya and get another hug or two from these precious ones that were mine for 15 months. Those hugs will change. By the time I see them again, the hugs won't be around my waist. I won't hold their little heads in my hand. They'll be bigger, more grown up, but I'll still cherish the hug. And no matter what, they will know that they are loved.
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