long days, fast weeks

I cannot believe tomorrow is already Thursday. I had so much more strength and joy today. It's definitely getting easier with each day.

I started the morning off working with Jeffy, my oldest boy. He is a wonderful kid, but will definitely be a challenge. The muscles on the right side of his body are extremely weak for some reason, and he has adapted to the point where he really only uses his left arm and leg for everything. It's hard to get him to work on his right side and he can get frustrated, but I'm really hoping that he'll make progress. 

Later I grabbed M-man, one of my precious shy boys. I gave him a bubble bath with one of the other kids, and it was great to see how by the end of it he really came out of his shell a lot and enjoyed the bath. He is a sweet boy who I hope continues to open up.

Findy was another boy I worked with and took a bubble bath as well. He makes the funniest facial expressions, and when he wipes the smirk off his face and laughs, it's wonderful.

Jam-man is one of my youngest boys, and I took him out on a walk with Becca and one of her kids. He is absolutely precious and I definitely have a weakness for this guy. Truly he is such a happy baby, and I always think of how wonderful he will be in his new family. He passed out on the walk and took a hard nap in my arms. Walks are absolutely beautiful. I will miss that when I leave here.

One of the girls I worked with, Shonie, is pretty new to the orphanage. Her brother is here also, so we get to work with them together. Today she just held onto me when I grabbed her and laid her head right in my chest. I think at this point she simply needs to be held, and I truly felt like I could sit there with her like that for the entire afternoon. Sometimes when the hour is up it just seems too soon.

I had such a great time with Bennie (another boy of mine) today. He is an adorable guy who loves being held. I put him in a swing and watched him crack up as I spun him around. It's almost like he tried not to laugh but couldn't hold it back. He has the best laugh too. I grabbed him after dinner too to come on the balcony and watch the sunset. It was an absolutely great way to end the day. I am growing more and more attached to this boy.

It is encouraging to know that the majority of the kids already have adoptive families that are just waiting for the tedious process to finish. I love knowing that I'm preparing the kids to be loved by a family of their own. The families will be so blessed by these precious children, and the babies deserve such wonderful homes. It's something I cannot wait to happen for them.

Walking into the room of toddlers and having countless babies look at you with wide eyes and their arms up in the air to be held is a feeling unlike any other.  I've never wished that I had 100 arms more than every time I walk into that room. Each time we hold them it's a step further in the healing process for these kids. What a cool thing. And at the end of the day...they might not have moms and dads in their lives right now, but they have a Father in heaven who loves them more than I can ever imagine. Thank goodness for that.

This has been long. I could write so much more...we laughed so much today and had a great time with the other volunteers. Tomorrow morning a few of us are going into town to the doctor's office with some of the kids, so I'm sure that will be an interesting experience! Until then...thanks for your prayers that get me through each and every day. 

Good night!!

Here are some of the kids who went on the walk. My guy, Findy is in the middle!

This is Shonie, my younger girl. Such a sweet baby to cuddle with.

Bennie and his gorgeous smile!! 

Watching the sunset with Bennie...what a laugh!