We have been working on our Christmas program for almost 2
months; learning our lines, songs and dances, sewing costumes, painting
backdrops. It has definitely has been a busy and overwhelming. At times I have
wished that it would just be over so I could get a little rest between all the
sewing, fabric dying, hot glueing, painting and homework. However, today when
we were finishing up the last backdrop, a huge relief came over me. Along with
that, rehearsal for the play went perfect yesterday! Where there were bad
attitudes of "this is ALL we EVER do", they were replaced with good
attitudes of "this is almost here, let’s work hard and get things done".
I have had the privilege, lately, to stay extra late to work
with 5 of the older girls on a ribbon dance. We finally finished the
choreography yesterday! As they were rehearsing, they looked like they were
trying to remember each step and it wasn't flowing together very well. It
looked more like work than dancing. So I stopped the girls and we talked a
little bit about the music, "Star of Wonder", by Sufjan Stevens. I
asked them what the song was about and Thalia answered "It's a Christmas
song about the Christmas star that the Reyes Magos (Wisemen) followed".
Then we talked a little about what Christmas was, what we were celebrating with
our Christmas program, how the different people went to adore Christ the night
that He was born and how dancing is a form of worship. I told them to put in
all of that emotion and dance for the Lord. The last time we practiced our
dance....it looked AMAZING! I am sooo in awe of how much talent these girls
have! They are good at EVERYTHING! :-) But maybe I am biased....
Today after we finished up the last backdrop, Mami Ines
asked me for some help cutting Edison’s hair. They had messed up a little bit
and they weren't sure how to fix it. I went down to try to teach them how to
blend in the lines. I thought of the very first time I came to Casa de Fe in
March of 2008. Ines was there helping me cut hair the very first time. Just
thinking back on all the time I've spent with these kids and these people in
Shell gave me this overwhelming, blessed feeling, That same feeling you get
when you think of your family and all the memories over the years. The ups and
the downs. I can't say enough how thankful I am for this family. Even the
teenage attitudes. :-) I never knew that
so much love could come from one small organ that fits inside your body.
God exceeds my expectations everyday. He fills me with so
much love so that I know how much I am loved by Him. No matter if I give Him a
bad teenaged attitude, His love for me never changes. His love is bigger than
this great love that I have inside of me. That's so incomprehensible! But I am
so grateful for all of it...and for everything He has done for me...and for my
family...here and in the States.
:-)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I forgot to mention that on Thanksgiving Day we were in
a parade! I will post some pictures below! We got to dress up in traditional
Quechua clothing and do a dance from a town called Otavalo. That was another
thing that we practiced A LOT. Everything turned out great! While the older
kids and teachers did the dance in the parade, the younger kids got to choose
what they want to be when they grow up...and they rode in a float dressed as
their chosen profession. We had a doctor, nurse, vet, firefighter, baker,
ballerina, military, pilot...ect. Everything turned out so cute!
