Day FOUR--Our Littles

Addy and Toby are quite the pair.  It is hard to even know what to write about them because there are just so many stories, little quirks, or moments that just really speak to who these kids are :

When we sit and think about it, most of our littles lives, at least the bulk that they can remember now, has been spent in Haiti.  I asked Addy this morning if she remembered living in Orange City.  She says yes, "I remember all my friends and playing with them and swimming at the pool."  And it is true...Addy does have some very special friendships in OC!

These two spent the entire morning yesterday playing house.  Yes, their parents are usually passed away, someone is sick, there is some kind of emergency, or they are going on an airplane (ALWAYS to visit Papa!)

They ride their scooters endlessly on the patio, cuddle to watch movies, go swimming, play on the playground, jump on the trampoline, do preschool, read books...almost always without fighting!

Addy has the longest eyelashes, biggest eyes and the biggest heart!  She loves quickly and fully!  She loves to giggle and is on the go all.the.time.  There are many times I find myself calling around the compound to figure out where she has run off to now.  She is such a free-spirit!  But she is also very tender.  You hardly have to raise your voice to her and her feelings are hurt.  Yet, she is spunky and feisty and will test the limits and boundaries as well.  She loves to cuddle...she needs to cuddle...and with all of the coming and going of friends and volunteers, she needs to be reminded to cuddle with mom or dad often.  We have really been talking with Addy, and teaching her to pray over her heart.  We are trying to teach her what it means to guard your heart, and what it means to allow God to put that protection over it.  We are really trying to do this gently in a way that will not hinder her ability to love and just use the gifts God has given her.  Addy is so quick to give her toys away, share her snack, or share a secret with those who ask.  She is funny...she is a leader...she is a lover.

EVERYONE knows Toby!!!  All over the compound people are calling his name.  they will ask, "How are you doing?  How is Toby?"  Toby is funny, he is kind...one minute Toby is cuddling, and the next he is knocking over a tower, picking on his sisters, or running around saying, "Suns out, guns out!"  He loves all things machines, riding his trike, or just sitting on the couch reading books to himself.  Toby loves movies, especially The Lorax (which he calls the mustache movie), Cheaper by the Dozen, Frozen, Toy Story and Cars.  Toby has many special friends in Haiti!  They take him on moots, give him hugs/knuckles/fives, and even have given him a goat!  He has many little friends and wakes up asking to call them on the phone, play with them on the playground or jump with them on the trampoline.  He is super social and loves his friends, but is also able to sit and play for long periods of time by himself-building, reading, or coloring.

I had this conversation with Toby this morning...

"Toby, guess what?"
"What?"
"I love you!"
"I love you too, mama...more than you."
"I love you to the moon and back again a million times."
*Toby smiles*
"I love you a lot, but guess who loves you more than you will ever know or imagine?"
"Papa!"
"Yes, Papa loves you so much but someone loves you way more than that!"
"Who?"
"Jesus does!  He loves you so much!"
"Yeah, but no one loves me more than Papa..."

These little bring so much JOY to our lives!  They makes us laugh and smile...they remind us of the simple truths...they show us Jesus every day!

They love Jesus!  They love to pray and sing, and can often be found standing on top of a table with guitars and microphones and Bibles bringing the Word!  This is usually done in a Haitian/American/Pentecostal kind of way ;)

These littles also love Haiti!  They talk of going to school, having friends, spending time with cousins and family, when they talk of moving back to the states...but the freedom they know here and the life of freedom they have come to find and love here, will make their transition tricky.  And in their short years, they have said a lot of goodbyes...and they don't want to say goodbye to so many friends here that they love deeply.

So...see the JOY in our littles!  The innocence and the freedom in how they love and play and live!  But also see the need to pray for their hearts-join us in praying a hedge of protection around them, an insight to understanding at their young age what it means to guard their hearts, and praying for a trust that the Lord knows and bears all things with them, and will meet their every need and bring them peace!