It’s hard to believe I’m coming home in just a few days. Back in October, December felt so far away. This has been quite a year. The hardest but best year.
The girls are doing so great. They continue to amaze me. They are finishing all their exams right now and everyone got an A on their English exam! I had a really hard time thinking about giving the little girls an exam! Something we would never do in America but exams are a really big thing here even at a young age. But they didn’t seem nervous and did really well. I was probably more nervous than anyone. The older girls did really well too!
Something I’m so grateful for this year is living in one of the biggest Muslim countries in the world. A faith that makes up so much of our world and something I knew nothing about. I’m so thankful for having my eyes opened.
I’m not sure what will happen next year but for now I’m planning on staying home and coming back next year sometime for a shorter visit. I’ll be moving into a new apt with good friends, going back to doing hair, and helping Speak Up as much as I can. Lots of exciting possibilities.
It’s exciting to talk about going home and all the things I’m looking forward to like all the food I’m craving (especially mexican food, good coffee, and yummy wine). But most of all being with my family and friends again.
But as it’s getting close, the reality of saying bye to the girls and not seeing them for a long time is weighing.
A few nights ago I spent the night with them. It was the best. Dance party, ghost stories, and I sang every Disney song I know. I’m trying to soak in every moment with them. I told them I’ll sleep over again on my last night and that we can stay up really late. Remember the days when it was so exciting to stay up late? Well, their excited! Hopefully I can make it and not cry the whole time.
I often think of their lives before coming to Alingon and get emotional looking at their beautiful faces and getting to see the life and joy they have in them now. They’ve gotten this amazing opportunity to do something else with their lives and not be forced into a life of darkness. Such a gift. And such a gift to be with them this year. They have forever changed my life.
We had an early Christmas together-I have a short video of it below. It was a fun day. For those of you who know how much I love candy will laugh at the video. I got them some candy in a dog shape and one of the girls thought it was pretty funny! The gifts just wouldn’t be complete without candy!
Getting them a Christmas tree, taking everybody out to lunch, Christmas gifts, getting screens on all the house windows for the crazy amount of mosquitos, and serving here the last 4 months–is all possible because of everyone who gave generously! So THANK YOU!!!
See you soon!
[youtube]http://youtu.be/uiV8lBsPXLs[/youtube]