This week we got to work with the older girls, ages 12-26. If I’m being honest I wasn’t too thrilled because this house was super overwhelming when we first visited and toured. In the morning we would have four different stations (sensory stimulation, arts and crafts, outdoor games and reading). In the afternoon we would have outdoor activities, singing and dancing. They were split up into small groups of 4-6 in the morning then split into mobile and immobile groups in the afternoon. Their foster mom explained to us how they need more structure in their lives and it was our job this week to give it to them. With the girls in smaller groups I feel like I could really see them for who they are. Boy did I feel super unqualified to be working with this crew but Jesus had other plans. I came into this week wanting to teach them something but in reality I learned from them.
They taught me sign language.
They taught me unconditional love.
They showed me what true friendship looks like.
They showed me that I can laugh at ANYTHING.
They taught me patience.
They taught me to look past the deformity/mental disability and to look at their hearts.
Jesus is in every big and little moment in our lives and sometimes its where you least expect it.
There was one girl in particular Jesus really put on my heart. She started off the week not being my favorite child. She was always eating the markers, she even put a marker in my mouth at one point because I wasn’t paying attention to her. She would color on everything but the paper I gave her and she always pinched me. She was a little firecracker.
By the end of the week she was my best friend. She wasn’t “the girl who put a marker in my mouth” or “the girl who broke every crayon I gave her” she was the girl who loved to dance, loved group hugs and loved singing the Hokey Pokey. She ways wanted everyone involved, she didn’t want just two or three people in her group hug, she wanted everyone. She didn’t want to dance with only one person, she wanted to dance with everyone. Her energy would turn my day around. Her smile and laughter showed me the Fathers JOY.
She made me appreciate the little moments.
