My Favorite Moment

Well as I am sorting thru all the pictures we took (not nearly as many as I thought) I thought I would share with you my most favorite moment of the trip. It's not what you think it would be, but it is my favorite.

This trip was truly amazing for me. As I have shared before I usually struggle in Haiti. But this trip was like night and day from my past two trips. I felt needed and welcomed, and valued for the first time. Now I don't know if that is because my insecurities were non existent this time, or what. But regardless, I feel like God really smiles on me.

The heat was just as bad...but I made my way thru it. I would spend time with my kids, then do some work, sit and rest, go play with the other kids, sit and rest, work some more and finish with my kids again. I was really focused on what my body was telling me and super sensitive to my emotions and thoughts so that I knew when I needed a break. (physical or mental) And I really feel like that made a difference.

I had always thought that if I went with Todd I would rely on him big time. But I found it wasn't so much relying on him as it was a comfort knowing he was there if I needed him. Does that make sense?

I laughed more on this trip than I had in a long time. The team was amazing and full of jokesters and fun loving people. I found my long lost sister separated at birth, Mama Anchise. As we got to know each other we were floored how alike our lives had been. Even down to the specifics. Crazy.

But of all the craziness and fun times and seeing my children again, my favorite time was the hours I spent in the baby nursery upstairs on Sunday afternoon. The birthday party was over and the little ones were taken back upstairs. They weren't to happy to be put back up there. So Colleen our leader, decided to take a few beach balls in there for them. And I decided to go and sit on the floor and play and love on the kids.

It was the most fun!!!!!!!

I sat down and Ellie immediately came and sat on the floor between my legs. Like she was saying, "uh, this is MY momma." Then the little ones came and swarmed all around me. Some sat on my legs, some played with my hair, some tossed the ball with me, some I tickled and laughed with them when they were delighted in all the fun. Actually at one point I laughed hard, ok it was my cackle, and the nannies all stopped and turned to look at the source of the noise. When they realized it was me they started giggling! I didn't care, I was having to much fun. To be in the midst of all those little ones I experienced God's pure joy. And I wasn't in any hurry to make it end! The joy on their faces was worth the silliness I was showing!

I really don't think my words do it justice in those precious moments. I felt like I was in the presence of God, the joy was so pure and so innocent, and so very real you could have reached out and touched it. It was a sweet sweet feeling that I will treasure forever. I hope that when the day comes that I am in heaven and worshipping my savior that it feels like that, because THAT I could feel forever and not care!

After awhile Jonas and Todd came looking for me. Todd took pictures of all the mayhem. Jonas started sharing his Cheetos we had given him. And Jonas asked Papa Todd if he could give Stephania some Cheetos. Stephania is a special needs child at the O and she was in her stander( a special contraption to help her body stand upright). Todd told Jonas yes, he could giver her some. Well he placed some on her try and then realized she couldn't grasp them, so my son did something so precious. He fed her each Cheetos. He patiently stood there and very lovingly and slowly waited for her to chew each one. My heart swelled with pride. My son had a heart for special needs kids too just like me, Todd and the girls. It was a sweet moment!

That afternoon will always be a special light in this adoption journey for me.

Thank you God for letting me experience your joy in such a practical and real way!

Hugs, Kristina