Wrote this on my birthday, but it wouldn’t post until now:
Sooooo the only tears I've
cried today have been tears of joy, but there have been a few of them! I
experienced many emotions throughout the day, but it was such a good 21st
birthday. First of all, my mom gave me a super sweet card from her and one from
my Dad. Then, I walk outside and see this.
Yes, that was my mom's
attempt at some birthday decoration in Africa. I certainly do love her for
trying. I won't lie; I was being a bit of a “negative nancy” in the morning at
the school. We were painting a classroom, and I was standing on a wobbly desk
and painting the trim around the ceiling, and I felt like I was the only one
working. I was just thinking that I could be spending my 21st birthday anywhere
doing anything and this is what I was doing - painting trim and sweating
through a skirt. What I didn't add to that pity party was that I was in Africa,
painting a classroom for beautiful kids, with my team surrounding me working
hard too...poor me right?
Then, EVERYTHING turned
around! All of the kids in the school sang Happy Birthday to me at lunch. It
was so sweet and precious. After we ate, I went to check out the preschool, and
the babies were playing outside. They immediately came over to me and just
started loving on me, fighting to hold my hand and be held by me. They loved
taking pictures and showed me their dances and songs and basically just loved
me and let me love them back (what a gift). In this top picture I'm with Patricia, Mark, Grace, Mercy, Cyrus, and Desire.
As if that weren't enough,
while we were outside playing, it started to cool off, and then it started
pouring rain. The kids ran inside and I wasn't hot or sweaty for the rest of
the day. It was just wonderful outside. In my bible study class, which is 5,6,7
grade girls, I taught them a little song and dance, and they LOVED it! They
were so enthusiastic and just made my day that much brighter.
After the song, when we all
sat down to learn a few things, I looked over and on the back of one of the
chairs was the word ROSE. I was wowed. God took my pity party of an hour and
turned my day into this wonderful, beautiful thing. Also, one of the little
girls made me a card and "flowers" (weeds wrapped in corn shucks).
Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and forget how blessed I am. The fact that I
woke up in a bed makes me blessed, but to receive all the wonderful blessings I
have throughout the day and to have all these wonderful signs from God that
this is where I'm supposed to be, I can't even describe how joyous and loved I
feel. I can go to Vegas or celebrate my 21st birthday with my friends and
family anytime, but I might never have the opportunity to be in Uganda again and
receive so much love, pure love from these sweet, beautiful babies.
It seems that I always have
this sense of disappointment on my birthday. Like I expected the whole world to
stop turning and some grand gesture arise, but in reality it’s just another day
to most of the world. I set unrealistic expectations on this day. The truth is,
I have more than enough every single day, and God showed me some grand gestures
today to wish me a happy birthday, and for that, I am so thankful.
I just want to thank
everyone who is a part of my life and has wished me a happy birthday today. I
don't have enough internet to respond to them all now, but please know they all
mean so much to me just as you do. I am thankful. I am blessed. And I'm 21!!!
Also, having bonus birthday
hours - my birthday may be over here, but not in the US - is just another perk
of being in Africa on my birthday!
Happy New Year?
Amy
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