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.