I am having trouble finding the words for this blog. So many thoughts, emotions, and stories running through my mind. I am blessed, overwhelmed, thankful, humbled, and exhausted all at the same time.

Yesterday we went to the first orphanage. This one was in Cu Chi. It was an orphange for mentally/physically disabled children. There were around seventy children who were more beautiful than you could ever imagine. We were immediately welcomed in, and were allowed to basically do anything we would like with the children. That itself was a huge blessing, because I know we ruined routines for the ladies who work so hard for this precious babies. I grabbed a little thing of bubbles and popped a squat. Instantly I was surrounded by little people! Some had limited use with their hands, some crawled because they couldn't walk, and one sweet princess dominated the orphange in her cute little wheel chair. It amazes me the joy brought to them by some bubbles. They laughed the sweetest laughs I have ever heard and I could not help but wonder how often those kids really just get to let loose and laugh. We played with a beach ball, balloons, baby dolls but my favorite was a simple pack of hair bows. Those hairbows turned these little girls into lit up princesses. I called over one of the translators, and she told me the little girl in the wheelchair I was sitting with was eleven. She looked maybe seven. She took the little hairbows, and picked the exact designs and colors she wanted then handed them to me and showed me exactly where she wanted them in her short hair. After getting three in here hair she took the pack and pointed to each one, and then looked at me as if she were asking which I wanted. I picked a color and she scooted as close to me as she could and began putting them in my hair. After each one she would look at me and give a thumbs up. My heart melted- she was such a sweetie. It is funny that the language barrier just disappeared. Smiles, giggles, blown kisses, and thumbs up were all we needed. That sweet girl is my hero because after she was done with my hair she moved over to another little girl who had been almost completely unresponsive to everyone on our team. She then proceeded to take out bows and place them in this little girls hair. And all of the sudden that little girl was glowing, and grinning from ear to ear. To watch how some of these children watch out for each other is so beautiful!! I am so thankful for the sweet workers who devote their lives (literally) to this orphange- it was really noticable. This was an experience of a lifetime, and it is my earnest prayer to be back in that orphanage in Cu Chi one day!

Vietnam and Beyond!

I have wanted to blog for a long time! I read a lot of blogs, and have always thought one day I would get one so I wouldn't just be a blog "stalker" anymore. Who would have thought that I would have to venture all the way to Vietnam to finally get in gear and start!! Most of you who will read this know that eight others from my church family and I are now in Vietnam. We will be getting the opportunity to go to a few different orphanages, and worship in some of the churches here! We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City late last night (which is 11 hours difference from most of ya'll) after around 28 hours of flying and layovers. We got to the hotel, and pretty well called it a night! Today was a rest day used to prepare our bodies and our hearts for the things to come! We had lunch at a KFC and I must say most of us thought the KFC here is better than our local one back in the states!! Then we went a did a little walking/shopping around the city. I must say I have already been reminded of how blessed I truly am to live where I live! The streets are unbelievable crowded. They are filled with motorbikes, buses, and taxis. The rules of the road are basically non-existant. Horns are constantly blaring and it is quite a job crossing the streets on foot. I must say I am out of my comfort zone! The shopping was a pretty amazing trip. People are lined up on the streets trying to sell you things and they have no problem chasing you down with their business either!! Just to observe the surroundings and the people was an amazing experience. I purchased some pretty art to bring back, and hang for my daycare friends. It was fun trying to figure out the money conversions, and get to socialize with some of the people from here. We just got out of a meeting with Pastor Smiley ( the pastor that is working with us who is from Vietnam) and Grace ( our interpreter). We learned our schedule for next week. We get to worship with a home church tomorrow, and others throughout the week. We also get to visit three maybe even four orphanages, and help out as needed/wanted! I am exhausted already but SO excited to have these opportunities. I can't wait to see the things God has in store for us! Getting ready to go to dinner! Check back later for more updates and stories from this adventure!

P.S- most of the folks here sport thongs (of the flip flop variety) so I do fit in as far as the shoe department is concerned!