Our Goodbye...

 

Yesterday we had our goodbye dinner with the Home and Life Orphanage.  We drove up to this 

beautiful sight.  How cute is that?  They are seriously THE greatest people I have ever met.  

We went to work finishing painting the toilet area for them.  They were now able to start adding their own personal touches to the walls!

A few spills...

That little Charlotte could never be sidetracked for more than 10 sec.  She was always right back where everybody was wanting to help.  Notice she is painting on the back wall--I covered her drawings with some very large hearts!

After we got cleaned up the face painting began.  This was so fun to watch!

The kids loved it.  We then ate another delicious dinner by Kate.  She is amazing how she cooks for that many people every day.  I wish I could bring home some recipies!

I am going to miss these outdoor dinners so much.  There is something about sharing a meal together.

After dinner we went in for a little party.  We laughed so hard.  Boy had everyone act out this funny little song about bats and chickens and how we were going to get them with something hot.  It was hilarious.

 

Go Sammy, go Sammy! These 3 are all Sam's!  The one on the left is a volunteer from England.   

(I wanted to add some of the video of this, but the video after my video was not appropriate.  Does anyone know how to download from youtube and not have a video follow it?)

It then turned into a fun dance where everyone broke loose...

They then put a video on.  I thought we were going to watch a little movie, but  Bay had made a video from pictures throughout the last couple of weeks and put it to music.  That is when it all hit me and boy did the tears start rolling.  It is so hard to leave a place with people that you have grown to love so much not knowing when you will ever get to see them again.  I think I am so endeared to them because I want so much to become more like them.  Selfless, happy, content, giving, and full of peace and gratitude.  They all have what is best for the other person at the top of their minds.  This home has the most special feeling to it.

After seeing all of our memories put to music, they then brought this out.

I LOVE THIS!!  It is going to be hung right where we can see it all day long.  It will be a constant reminder of all that we felt and learned here in Thailand. 

It was time to say our goodbyes.  Nobody was looking forward to it. 

Love that Brandon is getting kissed here-so incredibly priceless

Goodbye for now, but I have no doubt we will be back someday.  They will be remembered by us as those who taught us how to really live.  We love you Home and Life!

Showers, Showers, and more Showers!

I never get tired of watching this ritual.  I don't know if it's their skinny little legs or their ever so cute faces as they all pile in the shower and scrunch their eyes so no shampoo gets in...all of it is so incredibly fun to be a part of.
They first get their new change of clothes.  They sit on the ground all undressed waiting for their turn in the shower.  I tell you, these 3 ladies have this place running like clockwork.  The children are all obedient and do what they know is next on the list.  This is the order.
1. Get undressed and get change of clothes
2. Line up and wait for your turn
3. Shower up! And brush your teeth while you're in there
4. Dry off and get a dash of baby powder in your hands to wipe all over your face
5. Get dressed and go sit in the front room


They do this every afternoon.  I'm not sure why they do this in the afternoon, as they do it again before bed.  They really are a very clean people.

I'm pretty sure Tyler was handing out too much baby powder

Sam helping them find clothes to wear

Something so neat about watching your teenager put undies and clothes on little ones

LOVE HER--we are all begging Matt to take her home

No words necessary-all boys know how to Karate chop!

Holland House-painting toes, painting walls (oops), painting paper-making necklaces, bracelets, and anklets!

The only time Matt would ever let his boys wear nail polish

He was very serious about his job of painting Ty's nails

One of these is not like the others...

My kids eat this up.  They love helping these kids with different projects and engaging with them.  It is very easy to see that they are feeling the happiness that comes when you give of yourself simply.

A visit to their Buddhist Temple

They take their shoes off indoors everywhere here, but especially at their temple.  We went in and the children were able to light and incense and hold it why Boy talked to them about something spiritual I am sure.  This language barrier can be so bothersome sometimes.  I have been cursing the people at the Tower of Babel a lot this trip :)  Anyway, the children sat for 15 minutes and were just still.  Ashton even did it!  What a neat experience for my children. 

About the idea of being still to just think-I read this quote yesterday and loved this.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Our culture has a hard time being still. I have a hard time being still.  When I try to be still and just think for a moment I am suddenly thinking that I need to go change the laundry, that I forgot to call someone back, what I need at the grocery store...

I really want to change this about myself.  I really want to get up earlier and have my own quiet time.  I am not sleeping very well here.  I really think it is because I keep seeing all the faces of the children here over and over in my mind.  So at 3 or 4 am I am up and it is quiet.  I have hours to myself to think, read, write in my journal.  Surprisingly enough when the kids get up I am ready to start making breakfast, getting them ready etc.  I have filled my reservoir, I haven't been tired and I feel so much better (even though I am living on much less sleep!)  At home I try to do this at night, but it is not the same.  I am tired after a long day of everything.  For me, I am realizing, I need to do this in the morning when I get back to my day to day life in Eagle.  I am going to make myself do this every morning.  I am sure the first few days might be hard, but after that I am sure I will look forward to it.  Someone please send me some will power to get up!!!

"What are you prepared to do to significantly increase the level of peace, happiness, and fulfillment in your life?  How far are you prepared to go?  How much are you prepared to give?  Are you prepared to give one hour a day?  I would like to encourage you to give one hour a day.  This time becomes another landmark in our day and helps us to restore and maintain the rhythm of life. "  Matthew Kelly

I also read in Clayton Christensen's article in the Harvard Business Review "How Will You Measure Your Life"-that he also takes one hour of his day in prayer, scripture study, and pondering.  He has done it since college.  I am thinking this is one of those ideas that after I do it I'll again say to myself, "Ah, I get it now" and what took me so long to figure this out?!!!