Tag: friends

New Things to Come

Everyone says 2016 was their worst year yet. For me, 2016 was one heck of a roller coaster. This year may have had its downfalls, but I enjoyed every curve ball, crying nights, laughing mornings, new adventures, and scary moments. This will not be a blog where I tell you about every amazing or not so amazing things that have happened in the last 364 days. (If you are interested in those adventures, read my previous blogs.)

But I will tell you 3 things I have learned this year:

  1. Travel as much as you can

There is nothing more satisfying in the world than traveling to new destinations. If you have always wanted to travel someplace book your plane ticket. Travelling doesn’t have to be super expensive, nor do you have to wait until you are established in order to travel. In 2017 I am trying to reach as many countries as I can. This year I went 3 (South Africa, France, Bahamas) next year I will aim for 6. I have already booked my ticket for an awesome summer in Southern Africa, but I cannot wait for the other adventures to come.

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  1. You never will have enough money

The biggest thing I learned is money always comes back. Stop working every day and not enjoying life. Take that vacation you always wanted, go to the restaurant you never got a chance to try, buy that shirt you love. In 5 years you’re not going to look back and think I wish I didn’t spend all that money; instead, you will remember the memories you are making. Start saving. Each check after all responsibilities put 50 dollars to the side and after 4 months do something fun with what you saved.

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  1. Meet new people.

Stop being shy and talk to people. 85% of the time if you start a conversation with someone they will answer back. I do not know why people have lost hope in humanity, but not everyone is a serial killer. If you like a person’s shirt, say something,. Want to hang out with someone, invite them over. Stop being shy and staying home alone, meet new people. It is okay to meet new people. Some of my best friends are people I have met overseas, or someone I started a random conversation with.  Start small, all you have to do is say, “Hi.”

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It’s a new year to become a better person than you were last year. Embrace all the downfalls and cheerful times this year has to bring. Something Amazing has some awesome things planned for this year. Including, but not limited to our very first group trip to Malawi. My plane ticket is purchased and I am more than excited.  5 months to go, and a lifetime of memories. 2016 is was amazing and now I am ready for 2017.

 

Happy New Year

Until Next time,

Stay Awesome

Jill

Don’t lose a kid

Today was a good day. After arriving, I heard the screams and cries of my kid’s in the background. I thought to myself today will be a great day.  Christine Revell relies heavily on volunteers in order to help the staff members with the daily activities of the kids.  In the winter months, the numbers of volunteer begin to decrease and ultimately zero out, which requires staff to make adjustments.  This is starting to happen now.  Last Friday three volunteers left to go back to their home country. This leaves me and eleven kids (3 and under) alone for lots of fun. Here is how a relatively good day usually goes.

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“AHHH!!!” screamed by six happy toddlers running towards me with open arms for hugs. I make a point to hug and kiss every child so that they fill just a hint of love and affection in the morning.   On a wonderful day, there is no fighting, biting or crying, but because we do not live in a magical world after five minutes of being in the room, I have broken up five fights and comforted three kids.  Now its time to play, whether it is blocks, puzzles, cars, or buttons there is always something for the kids.  Four kids truly enjoy the activity, three are crying for only God knows what, two that are fighting and two are just staring into space.  Already two kids have pooped in their diaper and three are running back and forth to the bathroom trying to play with the water. The trick is always trying to figure out which kid is the culprit.12516119_1119484481425754_484888323_n

The typical toy time though each kid; Sinclair (the Girl with Autism) sometimes is crying constantly.  There are days that nothing can calm her down. She will try to escape or climb all over the room and I always have to keep a close eye on her for her safety.  I must make sure she does not hurt any of the other kids because she is older and does not communicate so she is unable to articulate her feelings.  I must also watch out for Tyrese.  If there is a crying kid near him, he bites their arm to get the toy they are playing with.  Aiden and Asher are my troublesome two. The twins are constantly fighting and rough housing with each other causing one to cry.  Caleb and Bradley are screaming from excitement while playing.  Tatum and Pearle are usually having temper tantrums because they did not get their way. Kyle and Immunati are my quiet ones, but if they are crying, it is because one of the older ones was picking on them.  Lastly Karen (the youngest one), although she is the smallest she causes the biggest problems with swearing and hitting.

Lunchtime can be a struggle with only two people assisting. We always begin with folded hands and a prayer, “God is great and God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. AMEN”.  In about 5 minutes, food has been thrown all over the room.  Food is covering some of the kids from head to toe and some are crying because they do not want to eat.  I never realized how big of a difference fifteen minutes could be until I came here. 12834867_1119486858092183_604151860_n.jpg In fifteen minutes about eleven kids are fed, I have chased three around in order to get them to sit down and two have thrown food on the ground.  I also have placed five kids in their cots to sleep and chased the other five around in order to use the toilet.  Most days my prayer is just to not lose a kid, because the transition from eating to sleeping is extremely hard.  Luckily, I have not lost any kids, so my prayers are working.

After everyone is in their cot sleeping it is finally my break time.  It is only 12 pm and I had one eventful morning.  Even after all the running, screaming, crying, bathroom accidents, and different personalities I love all my kids.  My kids bring joy into my heart each day. I wouldn’t change my morning even if I could. I will say that after being at the orphanage for a few months I do not want to have my own kids for a very long long time.

Until next time.

Stay awesome

Jill