Today I have officially completed 19 years of life.
My morning started how it does most mornings here in the DR. An early, early rise for morning devos. After Zane was done sharing the message a few people started saying “Wait it’s someone’s birthday today….KAYLIN..it’s Kaylin’s birthday!!” and then my whole squad proceeded to sing “Happy Birthday” to me. That was sweetness.
After devos we all headed down to breakfast. I enjoyed the laughter that our team breakfasts always provide and of course the coffee. (I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my birthday and national coffee day just happen to be the same day…it was meant to be). After breakfast Sully (our host homes 10 year old daughter) brushed and played with my hair. She said it was special treatment for the birthday girl and I was not going to say no to that. (;
Ministry always follows breakfast and with that came the great surprise of my team getting chosen to do administrative work for our hosts! Which we were super pumped about because we haven’t got to do it yet! Woo!! Fun birthday surprise! Our assignment for the day was to go through old lesson plans on the importance of abstinence until marriage, relationships, dating etc. We were to create new fun activities and add to the curriculum for our host Vickie to use when she teaches about it to students all around the DR. I found lessons on the five love languages and was SO excited to create activities for teens using these tactics. I learned a lot about the love languages this last year and found it very helpful in building relationships with others so this was an extra special treat today.
When ministry was about over my team and I walked up to the corner store at the top of our street and got lots of breads, muffins, chips and pop because snacks are a very necessary thing, especially when it’s Kaylin’s birthday. Then, my sweet teammate Kelsey walked around the property with me and we swung on the swings and talked about life. We also pet the horses that our host home has….that I love so much. It was good.
I got back to the house to find a group watching 47 meters down in the house, so of course I had to join in with the over-dramatic screams and “WOAH’s!!” The movie was a solid 5/10 but we had fun watching it. Then we had dinner which was one of my favorite meals here!!! Fried dough and salami…yum.
Currently I’m writing this blog and soon I will stop so I can go and join the group of us that’s having a bon-fire down on the property by the river. (We have an incredibly spacious and beautiful host home! Praise Him!!)
It was definitely weird being away from family for the first time ever on my birthday. Very weird to not have my favorite cake that I get only on my birthday. Very weird to not wake up for school and have my parents hug me and tell me happy birthday. It was a weird and different birthday but so good. I’m so blessed.
Thank you to my sweet aunts, nana and sister that sent me with birthday cards to open this morning. I loved having a little piece of home. Thank you to everyone that has sent me the sweetest most thoughtful messages. Really, you all melted my heart and made me cry so way to go. (; Thank you to my sweet teammates who made this day special. Who have made an effort to make special birthday dates to take me out for dessert and coffee at debrief, and who ran up to me this morning with nothing but love as their grins widened and they yelled happy birthday.
Love you all lots
Kay <3
