Today was our get back to business day for Mary Clare and I. After our nice retreat at the Bishop's residence, we felt rested and ready to go. When we arrived home yesterday, it was to cheers and hugs and a warm welcome. It was so sweet!! Then, like a cold bucket bath, reality set in today and, man oh man, did I have a bad day!!
I kept thinking of how I just had a nice rest, I should be rearing to go, and I was this morning. But I think this was the longest day ever in the history of my missionary work here at The Nazareth Home for God's Children. I realize of course that is not saying much, I've only been here 2 months and two weeks, but still... These kids drove me nuts!!!!
Mary Clare and I were coming up with fun activities to do with the children, because of course teachers never show up during the first week back from Christmas break (??) !! It seemed like time was flying by... we sang songs, played freeze tag (actually a difficult game to teach!!), duck duck goose, read a few books, had a snack and water... I was thinking it must be quarter to 12 by now... nope... 8:30!!! What???!!! So we had free time and played some more games, which took us to 9:00... I swear every time I looked at my clock, I wanted to change the batteries because I thought they must have stopped working. Not only did we have to come up with one hundred and twelve activities today, but everyone was misbehaving, and my patience was at an all time low. Yikes!!
I have been told by a large family expert (my sister Katie, mother of 11) that in most cases, the worst days ever are the first full day back from a vacation/trip away. Boy, did she hit the nail on the head with that one!! I was so relieved to hear that because I thought there was something seriously wrong with me!! I really, really hope tomorrow goes better!!!
On to some new news... in just 9 days, Papa Tom and Mama Paula will be arriving in Sang. The kids are so, so excited, and Mary Clare and I are ecstatic!!!! I cannot wait to see them and give them hugs and a group of kids to teach!!!
Tom Radel has been a missionary with a medical team in Haiti and the Philippines for many years now. He has touched many lives by his work abroad and at home, including his wife, Paula. Paula has traveled with Tom on some of his missionary trips and has also been to Kenya, working with women and children with AIDS, and of course to Ghana with me. Tom and Paula have influenced the lives of many missionaries in the making, including myself, and have been amazing witnesses to the Gospel throughout the world.
I am so happy and excited to tell you that Tom will be a contributing writer to my blog!! He has written blogs before on several other trips and I think it will be totally awesome to have another voice, one of much more experience in both missionary work and living the faith than I, on this blog. With a fresh perspective, because he has never been to Ghana before, and a vast knowledge of missionary work, I think Tom will add so much to the canvas I have begun here. One writer can get a bit one dimensional, but add another voice, another palate of color, if you will, and the work comes alive!! And maybe, just possibly, he will be able to figure out how to add pictures here in the black hole of internet service, Sang Village.
By the way, just had to tell you how cute Ella is being. She is on the floor in my room on a mat and is moving in a circle kicking her legs like a teeny tiny slow motion break dancer!! She is babbling away, about what I haven't a clue! The mat has a checkerboard pattern on it and she keeps on trying to pick up the squares!! Can't wait until Tom and Paula arrive with some toys for this cutie pie!! Every so often, she flips herself onto her stomach and cries because she hates that position!! I hope she learns how to flip back over soon. She's getting some chubs on her cheeks... must be from all that late night snacking!! She was my saving grace today!! xo
