I have neglected this blog.

Not for lack of things to write.....

[possibly for lack of time.....possibly for a lack of proper priorities!]

I have many thoughts swirling about my head.....

So instead of trying to sort all the thoughts out, I decided to just let you see a small window into my world....

 

*this should be the #1 vacation spot in the world!!

*L.O.V.E. these kids!!

The little boy is my "Khmer Todd"---who I met 2yrs ago! :)

The girl is my "Khmer Raquel"---she acts so much like Raquel! :)

* Vera, I was totally reminded of your 'A Broken Sea Shell' story when I saw all these beautiful broken shells mixed with all the perfect shells. :)

I see so many people who remind of broken shells....they are stories that God is just waiting to finish...stories of which I can't wait to read the last chapters!

*Life with the kids is never dull....or quiet! ;-)

 ....That's why I love them so much!

*Yummy fish! :)

*Vietnam....an adventure from the very beginning = good times! :)

*A hand to hold....

Such a simple thing...

Yet evidence of the lack of love in their young lives.

I have found that it is not just the little kids that climbing all over me in an attempt to be loved.

 True, it was the little kids that came running and jumped all over me that first day.

But it's also "the big kids". They desire love as well.

 It just comes in a more subtle form---or for some of them it's subtle.....I will be sitting on the floor when suddenly an arm is linked thru mine, or a little hand is stuck into mine. I look down and here it's the 10 yr old boy who is usually busy looking after his 2 younger siblings.

Or it's not so subtly....I am sitting on the floor, and suddenly I feel arms circle about my neck--here it the 13 yr old "naughty" boy who has very few friends because he is known as the "naughty" boy.

All they want is to be loved!

How I wish I could speak their language and speak Jesus' love into their lives..

But.....Jesus, please touch their hearts and tell them that YOU love them!!! 

*Laughter

I love how God blesses these kiddos with the ablity to still laugh and have fun--even though their lives have been so difficult and full of hard work and pain already.

 But God is still good! He has blessed them with my wonderful team who has been working with them for the last 7 years, an excellent source of stablity in their lives! :)

* "My" little man!!!

xoxo

*Another one of "my" little boys

I love how God has opened my heart and given me an extra love for the "naughty" kids.

.....So much of the reason these kids are "naughty" is just so they can just recieve some form of attention.

Really, they are not trying to be naughty....they are just asking to be loved.....and to be given some quality time. Since I cannot speak the language and communicate with them that way, the least I can do is show them love by spending time with them----and giving an abundance of hugs! :-)

Life is good when I have lots of kids around to show Jesus' love to. :-) :-) :-)