bittersweet.

I’m reading an incredible book right now called Bittersweet.  It’s written by Shauna Niequist, and you should definitely check it out.  I feel like she is sitting across her kitchen table sharing her heart with me, and the Lord has shown me numerous things about my own heart through her words.

But the book aside, these days (and I know the weeks to come…) can be described by no other word than bittersweet.  Sometimes I don’t even understand how my heart can feel two entirely opposite emotions at the same time.  Because part of me absolutely cannot wait to be back in America, tightly hugging the people that I’ve missed so much.  Emails and few and far between phone calls just aren't the same as being in the same room with family and friends.  But there is another part that dreads the moments when I have to say goodbye.  While I know that I will be back before I know it, these people have stolen a part of my heart that will be left here when I get on that plane in a couple of weeks.  So I find myself within one of the most bittersweet seasons, full of beauty and difficulty and mostly just grace.  Grace to say those goodbyes and grace to trust that the Lord is always holding His sons and daughters here in the palm of His hand and grace to be able to see people at home who I ache to see and grace to be able to rest and be filled up.

I'm flying back to the States in less than two weeks and I really am so excited and blessed to be able to spend some time with family and friends.  Before we leave the country, Emilee, Christine, and I will be moving.  We are moving closer to one of the orphanages and into a neighborhood that has been on my heart since last fall.  I cannot wait to share more once we have moved, but we would definitely appreciate prayers over the next couple of weeks.  The three of us are spending some much needed time in America before coming back here in late July/early August.  I'm also excited to share more about what next year holds, but for now, here are a few photos...

Sunset in Jaibon

Jochi.

Albenis and Malvin with fake SNOW at school!

An old picture from Christmas time of one of my favorite families who I will dearly miss.

...love.

photo booth.

This weekend is the presidential election and everyone is more than excited about it.  There are caravans almost every day, trucks that drive around with insanely loud music about the politicians, political flags outside of houses, and most conversations include some sort of question about who you are voting for.  On Monday none of the schools are open, and although our school is open today, very few students showed up.  So me and my six kids that came this morning have been having some fun with photo booth.  

Enjoy... 

 

 

...much love :)

weekends.

Weekends are for...

...making bracelets with my favorite little twin girls. 

...watching Carmelo eat a HUGE fresh papaya.

 

 ...posing for pictures with a sucker.

 ...sister love.

...celebrating our moms from across the ocean.

 ...laughing too hard to take a picture.

...special occasions and a black and white dress and spending time with some pretty incredible people.

...freshly picked cherries from a friend's tree.

...old wooden rocking chairs and appreciating special moments where friends become family.

 

...big smiles and reminders of how blessed I am to be here as they grow up.

kindergarten graduation.

This morning, my 20 incredible students graduated kindergarten.  I love them with my whole heart and will miss them a ton.  Here are a few pictures from an awesome graduation day...

Yulianny... or Julie-Bulie :) 

Christine and I attempting to get their hats to stay on their heads.

 John Keith... always ready for pictures.

The whole class... minus Melany.

Melany... refusing to be in the group picture.

 

 Another group picture... this time with Melany included :)

John Keith receiving his diploma.

These kids have blessed my life more than I ever thought possible.  I've learned so much from their giving hearts and their laughter and their honesty.  I've been blessed to see life through their eyes and I'm going to miss seeing their smiling faces every day.