Never Alone, Play-Doh and the Stray

Our day began with a great reminder from our Lord. It came from the book Jesus Calling. On today's date was the message that there is "no place so desolate that you cannot find Me there." It continued in saying that "no set of circumstances could isolate you from My loving Presence."  After seeing how lonely orphan life is firsthand yesterday this reminder was what we needed. We know that the Lord has been and will continue to watch over our Anna and her orphan friends. We are never alone.

We met Anna on the playground this morning. She was wearing the little butterfly purse a friend had given us to give her. She was proud to show us that she had it around her neck. We were told that she had been asking since she got up if we were coming this morning. It's funny she has a routine she wants to go through with us. First she wants to check Tony's iPhone to make sure her picture is still on it and to look at pictures of our boys. Then we do Play-Doh. She really like Play-Doh. She really doesn't make anything with it right now - she just likes rolling it around in her hands. She did surprise us with the little plastic scissors that come in the box. We taught her how to cut the Play-Doh by holding her fingers just right on the scissors. On the second try she did it with ease! Then she wants to eat a snack. We have to watch her closely on this. She will eat everything we put in front of her. She inhales it. She will pack her cheeks with every piece if we put too much in front of her. But it's funny - she also wants to make sure she shares with us and the stray dog that has made the orphanage his home. Then she likes to swing. Today was great because she wanted to swing while sitting in my lap. We closed out the morning with some singing. She sits very still in our laps and smiles when we are singing to her. We think she likes this a lot. She has now officially heard of Jesus! We closed out with Jesus Loves Me.

Anna's Friend Roshco the Orphanage Dog

We returned this afternoon for more play, hugs and kisses with Anna. We spent some time with the other children on our way out - giving them a snack, letting them sit in our laps, hugging and playing some silly games. It was clear they just want to be loved by an adult. Again it was hard to say goodbye. We heard them crying as we walked to the car to leave.