Probably the Best Day Ever....

Well, today was maybe one of our best days in India. We had a relaxed morning, had a team debrief (which was awesome, but super intense...anytime I have to talk, it's intense for me!), the four came back from the North, and we got to spend the evening with about 17 kids from an orphanage! So, I know I have said on a few of my earlier pictures of kids that they were the cutest kids ever, well, we might have some competition!

So, the evening was perfect!!! Suzie had the most wonderful program set up for the kids....the smile on these kids' faces absolutely melts your heart. We had beanie babies for all of them so we set them up on the chairs in the front of the room....we had to make the largest display ever! We blew up balloons to show how big of a celebration it was....just for them! We had music playing in the background....it was set up for every kid's dream!

When those 17 kids entered that room, it was like the whole world lit up! They were so excited to see us, so polite, and so kind....they all ran up to us, gave us hugs and kisses....I love it....they all call us Auntie or Uncle. It's pretty much fantastic to hear these little voices calling you Auntie, pulling on your hand to hold it and sticking close to you like a young, shy child in a crowded room. The most beautiful thing about these children, is it's not about the beanie babies sitting in the front of the room waiting for them (although they did love those things), it's about us. They run up to us and want to touch us, want us to love them....even though some of us didn't know them! The team last year got to meet all of these wonderful kids, so they were reunited with some of their friends...there were five new kids they hadn't met yet. How lucky are we? It was like having 17 nieces and nephews running up to you when they haven't seen you in a long time....running to you with open arms....aaawwww, there is absolutely nothing like it! So incredible!

First, we did a skit for them about the lost sheep and how they can always cry out and He will heart them...it was quite good and quite fun. Then, of course, we had to make a Minnie Me showing....Jen, Janer and Ann did fantastic. Then, on to handing out licorice and toothbrushes. Then, on to coloring....I forgot how much fun it is to color with little kids...I can't wait to color with Gabe, Melia, Sophie and Molly when I get home....it will bring on a whole new meaning. Finally, after all of that....they are really patient aren't they....they got to pick out their very own beanie baby! I can't even really put into words this experience....we called each one of them up, one by one, and they got to pick out the one they wanted. The youngest girl went first and then the boys, youngest to oldest. I must say, the boys did great and were so patient. After each one picked their favorite one, we cheered as though they had just won a million dollars. They were so delighted in their own selection, their own toy, their own possession, maybe their only.... I think everyone of them had a grin about 17 miles long. No one ever showed any disappointment if someone else picked the one they wanted, they each cheered for each other, and no one ever fought over another person's toy....it was the coolest, most humbling experience to be a part of and to witness. They were such good little kids....now, of course, it's the great thing about being an Auntie, I spent four hours with them and don't ever have to discipline them, but still, I'm not going to let that shade my view! They are amazing kids.

After they received their beanie babies, we switched into a room that was much smaller and much more crowded....but, so much more personable. You had no choice but to lay your heart on the floor with those kids and to love them....they were so close to you and just wanted to soak in as much love as humanly possible in that short amount of time we had with them. We sang so many songs, prayed with them, ate KFC with them, played games....we just got to be kids with them....for almost 4.5 hours! They taught us quite a few songs actually. It was so much fun and I was so proud of them....and you could just see the pride beaming from their eyes...not only about teaching us, but the passion they had for what they were singing was absolutely electrifying. The innocence in that room tonight was so refreshing...to be like a sponge to soak everything up, to be so eager, to maybe not understand fully what they really have endured up to this point in their lives.....each child in this world is one of the most precious blessings on the face of this earth. Thankfully, they believe they have so much to life to live. They want to go to learn. They want to go to school. They have dreams. They want to put their hand print on this world. I know I keep saying this....but these kids were pretty much incredible.

I just ask that each one of you who read this blog today, squeeze your kids a little tighter when you hug them, tell them you love them one extra time, maybe read their favorite book one more time, tell them how special they are, spend five extra minutes with them, and tell them how precious they are in His eyes....

Many of these children are so blessed to be in this orphanage because of our Indian brother and sister are doing absolutely amazing things.....but many of them, haven't ever heard or won't ever hear those things from their parents....ever again.