Intense

After talking with Nic tonight about the victories and defeats of the day, we decided that the best way to describe the experience is intense.  The challenging moments, which spring up frequently at inopportune times, seem insurmountable.  In the same breath they are followed by a string of victories and sweet, sweet moments of bonding and love.  Already in just two days the children have grown so much, have learned so much, have shown so much potential.  We are reminded that the true blessing is not in the absence of troubles, but having the presence and peace of God even in the midst of the storm.  We know God's peace in the midst of our "growing pains" here in Colombia.  And we see His grace and mercy as each day unfolds for us here, too.

The newness for the children is so big it could aptly be described as intense.  They were so excited to be with us and see a suitcase for each of them that they all wanted to change into clothes that we brought for them as soon as they arrived at our hotel.  The first night the children asked if the showers had hot or only cold water.  When they heard that the showers at this hotel had hot water, which is rare in parts of Colombia, they all started jumping up and down saying "agua caliente" over and over.  The littlest one must have washed his hair at least four times he was so excited.  They all wanted to shower again the next morning.  Very clean children!  We visited the mall to check out the video arcade that has games like bumper cars, a trampoline, indoor slide, etc. (but all but one of the kids was too short to play them all).  We didn't figure that they had never been on an escalator.  Imagine our surprise when we were trying to give directions to five children in two languages about what to do in order not to get hurt.  They had not idea what to do - they were terrified and excited at the same time.  It was a complete fiasco because we went up and down all four floors of the mall to see the arcade and visit the musical Christmas exhibit.  Crazy!

We are all learning together and the bonding times have been so sweet.  One of the many answers to prayer has been the way that all five of the children respond to one another.  A love for one another has been our principal prayer for over a year now and it is evident that God has answered and continues to be faithful in answering.  The older children love the little ones.  The take their hands when we go for walks, they share EVERYTHING with them and the little ones do the same.  Our little daughter's only complaint yesterday was that she didn't have enough time to play with the new big sisters and brother.  She didn't get to do everything with them she wanted to.  We definitely are confined by space here, so I know she wants to play with them like she could at home, and I feel for her desire and disappointment.  Our little guy thinks his new big brother is so cool.  The little ones talk to the big ones all day in English - it is such an amazing and precious bond building.  Only God can do something so cool like that!

Another answer to prayer was when our oldest daughter took the initiative to pray for the meal at lunch and supper today.  On her own she asked if she could pray.  She thanked God for the food, for our family, for "padres lindos" (meaning kind parents, not pretty), her new siblings, and the rain.  What a blessing to our hearts.  It was much needed right at that time, because it was followed by two bowls of spilled soup, a glass of spilled juice, a glass of spilled avena (oatmeal drink), an argument over whose glass of avena had more after the spill and who was going to get the more full glass, three bathroom breaks, four complaints over the yucca with sauce and beet salad, and one little girl who didn't want to eat anything but rice and the fried banana bread dessert.  At least three children cried during this meal, but no one needed to change clothes afterwards due to the spills (whew!).  And, we all managed to say "gracias por la comida" to the restaurant workers before stumbling out of the restaurant, across the street and back to our room for a much needed quiet time!

We beat our own personal record tonight and were feeling fantastico with all of the kids in bed by 9:30, when a smiling little 10 year old peeked her head out 10 minutes later and plopped down on the couch between us and asked to stay up a few minutes later.  At home it would be easier to give her privileges, but here there is no space for someone to stay up later than the others.  We let her have 10 extra minutes listening to music and playing a game between us.  She is so precious, such a leader and a helper.  I tucked her back in after that and checked on everyone else one more time.  We still beat our record from nights past!

It was then that I realized the camera was still on the dresser in the bedroom where I had just tucked the last one in.  So, in lieu of new pictures tonight, you can click on the link above the picture of Pereira in the upper right hand corner that says more pictures to see a photo album of our time here.    Or  http://gallery.me.com/naolson#gallery  We'll be updating these as we go and as time allows depending on how well we get this bedtime routine down.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our growing family!