I've Fallen In Love...

You know the feeling--when your heart beats with new life and all of a sudden the world seems wonderful and rose-coloured? The feeling you get when that special someone enters your life and your heart? Well, in my case, nine special someones have entered my heart--in these short two weeks I have fallen in love with my girls.

I would have to say the girls have wun me over with their love and their hugs! Early in the mornings, as they head out the door on their way to school, they always make sure to give me a big hug. Then, as they return from school at noon, they always make sure to give me another big hug! Finally, at night as we say goodnight, they are sure to give me one last hug--that makes for an average of 18 hugs a day! Aren't I blessed?

Last Wednesday was my 25th birthday. The actual day of my birthday was a fairly regular day with a few birthday calls and text messages. I was a little down and missing my family. That night, after I had gone to bed, I had a knock on my door. I went out to find three girls standing outside my door with these beautiful birthday cards they had made for me. They each gave me big hugs and presented me with their cards. As I read the cards, I was touched by all the love put into them!

On Thursday morning I came in to the office and checked my e-mail to find 63 messages in my inbox!!! I felt VERY blessed and loved. Thank you to all of you who remembered my special day! The following evening, following the meeting they have every Thursday night here at the centre, I was greatly touched by a birthday cake and lots of birthday hugs from all the boys and girls who live here! It ended up being a very special birthday!

THANKSGIVING (BLESSINGS):
-Hugs!
-A special birthday!
-People's prayers!
-God is helping me to live one day at a time.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
-That I would love each of the girls with a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love (that I wouldn't just have a fuzzy feeling for them), and that God would especially help me to love those girls I find a little more difficult to love.
-For the girls' and my health (many of the girls have been a little sick, and I have been fighting a sore throat)
-For safety as I travel to La Paz tomorrow night to register to vote (I must say I'm excited to have this excuse to go and see my family for a couple of days!)