Faces

Erik and I have been lucky enough to visit several orphanages over the course of our tour in Vietnam and we have been fortunate enough to hand over gently used clothing and toys from our family to babies and children who truly have nothing. Each experience is humbling to say the least.

Up until now, we have spent most of our time with babies and toddlers, but this past Saturday we visited a home (by far the poorest we have seen) to 30 children ranging from ages 5-15 with the exception of two toddler girls.

I don't normally take my camera with me, because I want to focus my time and energy on cuddling and loving on these children. This time, something made me grab the camera before I left, and I am so thankful I did. Most of the children do not have any photos of themselves, so they were thrilled to let me take their picture, only because they wanted to then immediately see the digital image. It was the most interaction I have had with Vietnamese children and it was a really special morning.

I haven't written before about our time spent with the orphans in Vietnam, because I am not sure what to say or write. It is always as rewarding as it is heart-breaking. But I wanted to write this entry and share some photos. For you, but also for me. These special souls are part of my memories that I will never forget from this tour.

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1. I am thinking about getting a whistle to help in my refereeing between the girls - is that wrong?
2. Instead of a whistle, maybe I should get more patience - where do you buy that?
3. For those of you who had a sister growing up, how much "space" should I give them to "work things out"? Anyone? Remember they are only 2 and 4.....going on 16 apparently.
4. One of the most important phrases ever taught to me by my 1st grade teacher has become my new mantra - LIFE IS NOT FAIR. According to Allison, everything is unfair - you know, like how long she has to sleep at night, how long until she turns 5, how long she has to wait at school for morning tea - you know, the really important stuff!
5. Only 44 days left in Saigon.
6. Choose Joy. Instead of being bummed about leaving Vietnam, I am focusing on the excitment over our next adventures - specifically time with family and friends and a summer in DC.
7. I have found that writing my to-do list in Sharpie helps me feel more productive. One downside - after a while, it also gives you a huge headache.
8. HUGE upside to moving every 2-3 years - the cleansing of crap. Right now, if it is not precious or necessary, I am donating or selling everything in sight.
9. My children have two volume levels of speaking - TOP VOLUME or whisper. And only one level of activity - FULL ENERGY. I don't know whoever said it was easier, calmer and sweeter to have girls.
10. 44 days - wow.
11. One of my super fun to-dos is buying Vietnamese souvenirs for ourselves that I had admired over the last years and saved to buy until now.
12. One of my not super fun to-dos is paperwork - ugh!

The Good Stuff

love

oh my

My name is Amelia and I am naughty.
(Everyone together) - "Hi Amelia!!"

My little fishies