Cloud Nine.

There's a song titled, "Last Day of Your Life" that I am in love with. It basically asks the questions we should all be asking ourselves. If this was your very last day on planet earth, what would you be doing? Would you want to be doing what you did yesterday...or even last week? My answer used to be "no" and that is part of the reason why I changed the direction of my life. How we spend our days is how we spend our lives, and I want to be spending each and every day with my favorite children making sure that I am living a life of purpose. 

When people ask me what I actually do every day...it's a hard question to answer. Every day is incredibly similar but so very different. We may eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time, help with homework, clean dishes, go to the park and have dirty feet at the end of the day...but what happens in between those times is what really matters. Here's a little look in between the routine :]

It's a brand new day. I wake up and head down stairs greeted by all the children waiting on the couches and chairs. Some children give hugs and kisses, while others yell my name as I walk by. Our doorbell rings at least 100 times a day, from staff to visitors so I am usually the once to answer it. Nurses, staff, Mamitas and others arrive by 7:00 to begin their day. Breakfast is initiated by the doctor yelling..."vamos desayuno!" I love passing out the cheese for all of the kids, because the kids love to say their please and thank you's in english. 

After breakfast I usually wait on the couches in the first room of the house to ask kids who they're going to Lima with and play with some of the little ones. This has to be one of my favorite parts of the day. So much is going on around me, but I am sitting still talking and playing with children. QT (quality time), as Leah would say, is one of the most important parts of being a volunteer. Each child deserves some individual attention, whether it's just the walk home from Mass or swinging on the swings in the park. Baby hour comes and goes which usually means a baby has fallen asleep in my arms. Maybe it's just me, but there is no better feeling than having a baby fall asleep in your arms. Kiarita and Jean Pierre fall asleep like clock work at 10:30 which is when I sit down and feel the South American breeze on my face. 

The children have summer vacation now so trips to the park are daily. A group of kids (usually 6-12 kids) head to the park to play. Volleyball, soccer, wheelchair races, sliding, running, jump rope, bubbles and sidewalk chalk are park regulars. My first day back, I sat in the dirt with Lizbeth and we threw grass at each other for almost an hour. She fell asleep on my stomach as we were watching the clouds drift by and listening to John Mayer. It was one of the most peaceful moments of my life. Definitely on cloud nine :] 

I usually fall asleep on the couch with some child once we return from the park and am awoken for our second baby time of the day. Baby hour, coffee and serving dinner are next on the routine. After dinner the Doctor heads out to Mass and the children have English classes. You would be surprised how much everyone loves learning english, always completing their homework and are excited to tell the Doctor, "sweet dreams" in English. After the volunteers eat dinner with the Doctor, it's pure bliss. I usually end the day with a one on one conversation with a child and tell all of the kids good night before heading to bed. 

By the end of the day, I have washed over 300 dishes, ran up and down the stairs at least 40 times, given and received 100 kisses, had my name called every 10 minutes, tripped countless times, wiped tears and snot, my shirt is covered in dirt, my feet are black, I've met at least 5 new people, comforted a child during therapy, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard and a permanent smile is on my face. It is the perfect day and it happens every day. This is how I spend my days and this is how I want to spend my life :] 

So when most ask what do I actually do all day, the answer is simple. I LOVE. I start the day with my arms opens wide open ready to approach every situation and child with as much love as God has given me. I've never been happier as I am with these incredible children, living in Peru. So if you asked me, what I would do if today was my last day? I would be here. Loving, leading and living what my heart has called me to do. 

WITH ALL MY LOVE! 

-teaner