(Just so you are aware: the names I use in this blog have been changed to protect the children)
Sometimes I feel completely useless. Ok, so that probably was not the best way to start out a blog, but it's true. Everyday I spend 3-7 hours in the nursery at the children's home, which is across the street from our "house." There are 11 adorable kids in the nursery who, most of the time, are wild & crazy (as most 1-4 year olds are). At one point I was holding a crying child, pulling one of the little boys out of the sink (when Kendra & I are not watching the sink area there always seems to be at least one child who climbs up the high-chair & into the sink), and trying to stop another kid from pulling one of the girl's hair out. During these times I can't help but think to myself, "sure would be nice if I knew Tagalong." Sure the kids' understand the English word "NO," but it definitely does not stop them from trying again 10 minutes later. What they can't seem to understand is when we tell they could get hurt or they are not allowed to do this or that. Then there are times when a kid will come up to me and start blabbing away in Tagalong & I just look at them and shrug my shoulders.
However, despite the lanuage barrier & the difficulties we face trying to get the kids' to listen to us, there are always four things that remain the same:
1- Whenever little Timmy is sad, I pick him up & carry him over to the rainbow that is painted on the wall. No matter how upset he is, he always will point to a color and ask "Tita, was dis?" And, since I am professionally trained in the colors of the rainbow, I always have an answer for him that makes him smile & continue pointing to the rest of the colors!
2- After we feed the kids' dinner TImmy always runs up to me & says, "you shower me Tita!" And, of course, I always say yes & then receive a huge hug!
3- Every time I walk into the nursery (whether it is in the morning or after naptime) I magically turn into a doggie & have 2-4 kids riding on my back & legs!
4- When it is time to leave at night I always receive 11 hugs & kisses!!
Those are the times when I am reminded that no matter how useless I may feel God's love can break barriers!
