Craziness, Clinginess, Crying and Cacophony

Front Row - 2nd from the left. I"m not wearing my sunglasses, are you proud?

So, this is my "family" right now. It's a vast group of many different personalities (really, it's amazing how creative God is) and I know and enjoy...most of them.

I see them when they come into the Snack Shop where we converse while I dish up their ice cream or ring up their CREW discount on a Life Action t-shirt. 

Many of them I see with the families they are assisting as they drop off or pick up a toddler from Sonshine club. 

I am in charge of Sonshine, so I stand at the door and assure parents that we will make keep their child from eating gluten or getting lost or kissing all the girls. 

Two hours later, I stand at the door and wave at suddenly angelically smiling children while I try to apologize to one parent for the fact that their child is wearing no clothing because she pooped through the other ones while I simultaneously attempt to politely inform another parent that his/her child will not stop hitting the others. 

I go through this song and dance in the morning and then work Snack Shop all afternoon and then repeat the song and dance again after supper.  

I miss home. A lot. I called twice today because I've been sick all week and I just needed to hear their voices and have them sympathize over my seventeen Sonshine kids.

Now, you may read all this and think I'm complaining and I'm not trying to, I just wanted you to see the reality of my life right now. 

Is it easy? NO!

Is it fun? Sometimes.

Is it where I want to be? Sometimes.

Is it where I need to be? Yes.

Is it worth it? ALWAYS!

I may go through moments of intense grumpiness and simply want to hide in my room with a tub of sour cream, lots of things to dip in it, and a good movie, but I know I would go through those moments no matter where I am. 

I just keep reminding myself that I am helping these parents by giving them four hours every day in which they can pause and reconnect with God. Every parent needs a break sometimes, and every parent needs God at all times. Many of them are in dire need of a refocus and if I can allow them that by dealing with craziness, clinginess, crying and cacophony, then I will do it with purpose and joy.

Please pray for me that I can maintain this point of view. 

I hope and pray all of you are well and pursuing Christ with everything that you are. 

Love much,

Anna