My Heart is in the Philippines

There are so many days when I just sit and think about what my kiddos in the Philippines are doing and how they are doing in school. When I sit down to eat a meal by myself or with only one or two people, I miss hearing all 15 of them say the blessing. I even miss telling them to chew with their mouth closed or to use a fork instead of their fingers. 

After spending two months in the country two summers in a row, I feel as though they are my family. I miss the culture, I miss the food, but most importantly I miss their love for the Lord. Every morning those children lifted their hands up and praised Jesus. It didn't matter how bad their day had been before or if they were sad or mad. They praised the Lord. It is a beautiful thing if you've never experienced anything like it. It's absolutely breath-taking. 

No matter where I am in this world, my Filipino family will always be close to my heart. They taught me how to truly love others. They taught me to be joyful. They taught me patience. They taught me thankfulness. They taught me to be appreciative. They taught me how to praise God no matter how hard life is. 

I sit here knowing that I was given the opportunity and called for a reason. Even though I miss it terribly, I know that God placed my Filipino family in my life to teach me. I thought that by serving in an orphanage that I would teach the children so much, when in reality, they taught me so much. 

I miss their rice-covered faces at dinner time. 
I miss their giggles in the morning when we went to wake them up early to do chores. 
I miss the songs they sang to the top of their lungs. 
I miss worshipping alongside them. 
I miss braiding the girls' hair. 
I miss their hugs. 
I even miss not being able to understand them at times and having to have everything translated. 
I just miss them. 

Tonight, I am thankful for my Filipino family and truly blessed that they are such a huge part of my life. 

Guardian Angels

It has been one month since my Mamaw left this earth. It has also been one month since she got to go to Heaven and see Jesus Christ face to face. The past few years had been hard on my family with Mamaw's health declining, but she never ceased to bring a smile to my face when I would go home and visit her. Knowing I can no longer drive to her house and visit her hasn't exactly hit home with me yet since I'm off at college, but oh what a sweet reminder it is when I think about the past month she has had in Heaven (if time even is the same as it is here on earth). She got to spend her anniversary with Papaw and got to celebrate his birthday with him this year. I wrote this on the day I found out my Mamaw had passed away and I shared it during her funeral service: 

"Some people knew her as Corrine; others knew her as Mrs. Morgan. She was a sister as well as a mother. To many, including myself, she was Mamaw. Her house was a special place to visit and she was such a joy to be around. She and Papaw loved each other and had a beautiful marriage. They made their family a priority and taught us how to love people unconditionally. Mamaw had an embrace that was like no other and a smile that made you feel loved. I will always remember Mamaw’s spunky personality and her quick-wit when I would ask, “How are you feeling?” and she would respond with, “with my fingers.” She was always on her toes and there were very few dull moments when she was around. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved going to Mississippi to spend the summers and holidays with her and Papaw, and I always told her that one day I would live in a house close enough to hers that I could walk there on my own. And finally we did.  When I think about a person who loved the Lord and continuously asked for His guidance and wisdom, she is the first person I think of. To me, Mamaw was the person who took me to church and taught me about Jesus. She would sing hymns and pray with me before bed. She would let me go grocery shopping with her and we would always stop for an ICEE on our way back from town. She would fix me my favorite snack, bread and butter, and sneak it to me when my mom would say, “now that’s enough,” just like any grandma would do. When my parents would let me stay overnight, she and Papaw would spoil me rotten and they would always be on my side when I told my mom I wanted to stay just one more day. She always told me that my hair reminded her of making syrup candy as a child when she would french braid my hair. She helped me learn how to read and we read “The Witch’s Swans,” every night until the pages were worn and we had the story memorized. She would grab blankets and wrap me up as we swung on the porch singing songs and telling stories. As I got older, she was still someone I could talk to and share stories with and think back on my childhood days. She was a strong-willed, hard-working woman who was loving, kind, tender, godly, funny, adventurous, generous, devoted, and sincere. Her life truly is a legacy and all of the memories I have of her will always be precious to me. She will always be my sunshine. She will forever be missed, but I know that she is dancing, singing, and rejoicing with Jesus and Papaw right now and oh what a beautiful sight that must be!

Colossians 3:15-17 says “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This passage represents what Mamaw did with her life. She was joyful. May her life be a testimony to the goodness of God and may she always be loved and remembered."

I know that Mamaw and Papaw are both looking down on my family and me and smiling because of the legacy they left behind. Although they are greatly missed here, I wouldn't want them to have one less second to spend with Jesus.