Moments of Grace :]

Sorry for the delay in posts...life is just crazy busy!

I have been in Peru for 6 months now (crazy, right?) and everyday seems to get better and better. I wake up every morning knowing that 50 children are expecting love and help and I am able to provide that for them. Never did I think that I would have children calling me Mommy Cristina when I am only 19 years old. Mother Theresa was mentioned this morning at Mass and something our Priest said about her, hit me like a ton of bricks. Mother Theresa talked often about "Moments of Grace", moments of life that just make your world stop. Moments that make you breathe in and out and realize this life we are living is absolutely wonderful. I think this is why I can call every day the best day of my life. Being here, in Peru with these children, makes my world stop. These are a few of those moments...if I can even put them in words ;]

It's Tuesday night and the doorbell rings. A little girl is standing behind a staff member (Ana) with her hair perfectly french braided. Ana has to nearly drag her in the door because she looks terrified. The kids immediately know she must be a new patient and swarm her with 50 questions. She doesn't say a word. Ana only knows her name, Jimena. Jimena is greeted by the Doctor who leads her to the dining room for  dinner. Ana sets Jimena's only bag of belongings next to her that is smaller than a lunch box. She stares at her dinner for a good 10 minutes before I sit down and try to talk to her. She still doesn't say a word, so I decide I'm going to do the talking. I tell her about the Doctor, the other kids, meal times, where she'll sleep and who the Mamita's are. Jimena says her first words to me, "Can I have a spoon for my milk?" I go to the cabinet and hand her the spoon. It isn't until then I realize she has a knob for a hand because of how badly burned she is. She tells me about her doll in her bag and I tell her I had a doll just like her's when I was younger. That exact moment we clicked. We bonded over a doll, milk and chicken and I will never forget it. Jimena spent the rest of the night coloring in my lap and knew she could trust me. I say goodnight to all the girls with hugs and kisses before bed and Jimena calls my name and leans in to give me a kiss. I've never felt so much love as I did with that single kiss. The badly burned girl who couldn't be more than 6 years old, who wouldn't talk to anyone...trusts me.

Most have heard me talk about the Doctor and what an incredible man he is. A man of few words that has given an insurmountable hope to children from all over Peru. One documentary titled "The Patients of a Saint" couldn't describe him better. Dr. Tony is incredibly busy waking up at 5:45 am and not going to bed until 11:30 pm. He has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met, but doesn't always wear his heart on his sleeve. The Doctor has described himself as the "boggieman" with his stern tone and his need to keep a tight routine every single day. Instead of using his usual phrases during meal time (Hurry up! Eat your food! No talking! I'm not going to tell you kids again!) he did something out of the ordinary that made my heart ignite. A four year old girl named Paola, who hates to eat, was crying during dinner because she didn't want to finish her food. One of the older girls or I will usually feed her until her plate is clean, but instead...the Doctor sat down next to Paola and spooned her every last sip of milk and her whole plate of food. This man, who has 10,000 things to accomplish before bed, is taking the time to feed an upset child. Instead of using harsh words, he patted her back and spoke quietly and kindly.  A quiet moment of grace that a 69 year old man and a 4 year old shared that reminded me why this world is infinitely beautiful.

Here I go crying again ;] When I arrived at the Hogar almost 6 months ago, I met a little baby that immediately made my heart melt. Ask anyone, especially Lizzy, I was never a baby person...until I met Jean Pierre. His smile caught my eyes within the first week and I the nurses soon started referring to him as my son. Being a long term volunteer (or a permanent volunteer as someone called me today) allows you to see so much progress within the children. I can't even tell you much I have loved watching him grow these last 6 months. 6 months ago, he couldn't sit up on his own and the other day...he took his first steps! I'll never forget the moment. During baby hour he was holding on to the stairs and started to fuss. As we all looked over, you could see the confusion in his face. He was standing alone without the help of the stair railing confused about what to do next. Jean Pierre took a few un-aided steps and then sat back down. Of course, I started crying ;] I have never felt so alive in my life. Now I know the feeling parents have when they wish they had their video camera!

Mother Theresa knew exactly what it meant to experience, Moments of Grace, and I am blessed to be able to say I have too. These children have changed me. I no longer consider myself a volunteer, but one of the family. Many have asked, "What's next?" I couldn't possibly leave in May of 2013 to just return to Ohio, could I? The only thing I know for sure is that my heart is on fire being a servant of God living out my dreams. So many options are on the table with one crazy idea being...STARTING MY OWN HOME! Life is only just beginning and I couldn't be more excited to live it! So here's to all of the moments of life that make your world stop. The moments that can't possibly be put into words because your heart is so full of life and fire.

Whether it's tickling Lizbeth for hours or singing Dancing Queen in front of the kids, it's these moments of grace that remind me why my heart is "overflowing with graces and blessings" ;]

(Sorry had to be corny and make a reference to MND there hahaha)

Check out my next blog post too which is an update on my happiness project!!!

LOVE YOU ALL <3
-teaner