Here to stay

After a few weeks of being at the Ranch, I had an 8 year old ask me when I would be leaving. She did mention that it was not that she wanted me to go, but was just curious. We often have groups come and are here for a week or two and interns that stay for the summer, so it is understandable to see why she was asking. My response, “I’m here to stay, until God tells me to go”. On another occasion, another 8 year old girl wanted to make a deal with me to give her a necklace I was wearing when I left . She was assuming I’d leave before she did. I challenged her that she might be going off to college and therefore leave before me. It was after two months that it finally sank in. I found out because I heard one of the girls say I was going to be here forever…then corrected herself to say until God wanted or something along those lines. That touched my heart, that they can recognize that it is God who leads us and makes us stay when are to stay. At least I hope that is what they are seeing.

If you have not read my previous post titled “God’s promise”, I encourage you to read it for it has more details as to why I believe that this is where God has led me and that it will as permanent as He wishes.

My job is in the office, but having the privilege to live on the premises allows me to be more involved with the kids and life here in the Ranch. Therefore, I am trying to make my place a cozy and welcoming home. It is a work in progress, due to interruptions, but it is getting there.

After settling in, as much as a could with what I had, I decided to start inviting them over for a meal in order to get to know them. I began with the girls, since I had already been connecting with them. For one dinner I made curry spinach soup and one of them kept talking and talking. I realized she didn’t really like it so she was avoiding it by talking. LOL Do not worry, I did have something else so she did eat. Actually she said she ate so much she lied down on the floor in the kitchen! Yeah, she’s a bit of a drama queen. 🙂

Another day, a girl asked when she would be invited. Since she has 3 brothers here at the Ranch, it occurred to me to ask if she wanted to come over with a friend or with her brothers. She did not hesitate, her brothers. Her quick reply, made me realize that some may be missing having a meal and a time alone with their siblings. So from there on I began having all the siblings come together. One time, I had three brothers come over and the eldest asked if he could invite another boy who did not have any siblings here. How sweet was that?! Needless to say, it became dinner for five. 🙂

For someone a little structured like me, things have been a bit chaotic sometimes. But by God’s grace, I have enjoyed some of that chaos.

In the midst of these meals with the kids, there was a week were many got to leave and visit family. But because we have a few kids that are under state custody, they are not able to go and stay with family. So it occurred to me to do something with them. I ended up taking them by groups of 2/3 to the movies.

The first to go where two little girls who are sisters, they have two younger siblings too but since they are too young I didn’t take them. The eldest, has the firmest belief I am her aunt, so since I’ve gotten here she calls me aunt. She is a challenge, has a very strong character and can be rebellious. After speaking with the manager here, I thought it best to not deny it completely. So I just respond that if she wants to call me aunt she can. Pondering about this, I would not be surprised if it is God giving me that connection with her. I’ve been told that she doesn’t act up as much with me and tends to listen more, so I do my best to be there for her and love on her and her sister. When I took them to the movies, they did well for the most part. Actually her younger sister, is a sweet one and she is easy to handle most of the time like any kid her age. The eldest, is another issue. Long story short, we had an episode at the mall, she made a tantrum. But I’m grateful God helped me and we were able to overcome it.

The other kids, were older and behaved pretty good. I mean, what’s normal for 6-10 year olds. 🙂 Among the kids that I took to the movies, was a boy that is diabetic. Since he cannot eat anything they sell at the movies, I made him his own popcorn and an “agua de pepino” (cucumber water) that I sweetened with stevia. I was afraid he would not like it, but when we were at the movies he looked content eating his popcorn and drinking his water. His brother and I bought popcorn and sodas there, so I was prepared if someone complained about me bringing in his food. Anyways, I enjoyed taking all the state kids to the movies. Good thing Lion King was not that bad, I had to see it twice.

As I continued to invite kids over for a meal, one day one of the kids came over and told me his birthday was the following Wednesday, knowing he wanted me to invite him, I asked him if he wanted to come over for dinner and he nodded. Since he is diabetic, I wanted to make him stuff he would normally want, but is not able to eat due to his diet restrictions, and make the healthy version of that. I ended up making a cauliflower crust pizza, agua de pepino (since he had enjoyed it before) and chocolate cake, mostly almonds with whip cream and cherries. He loved it! I was so relieved! It was really cute, actually. He was going on and on about it being the best he had ever tasted…even the crust. He even said that the crust was the best part. Between us, I dared not tell them that it was cauliflower LOL! His brother and a couple of kids and one of the caregivers also joined us for the birthday cake.

We played a few games, and it blessed my heart to see him quite happy.

I still have a few kids I have not been able to have over, but I’m hoping to eventually continue with that. Going to the movies was also a big hit. So when I heard a kid say that it would have been better to stay than go with his family, it dawned on me to maybe use the outing as an encouragement for them to do better at school. So I am saving to be able to take those who improve their performance in school. I was advised to not put a grade as the goal, since some of them due to their situation are struggling and it would be impossible to reach a specific grade. So the deal is if they improve their performance (attitude and grades) compared to how they did the previous time I’d take them to the movies. So when you think of us, please pray that they would be encouraged and that there will be good movies out this December. 😀