Thankful for Piles of Laundry

Troy, myself, and our 3 daughters just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic.  The first part of the trip was just vacation but the last 3 days we joined 2 other families and went to volunteer at an orphanage and school.  Wow- what an amazing opportunity and experience for our girls!  We went from a fancy resort to a bunkhouse- style house with 2 families we had just met the day before!  Warm water and electricity not guaranteed.  Oh- how I hope and pray that our girls were able to grab on to how other children in this world live and that the Lord planted seeds in their little hearts for serving those less fortunate than themselves.

Bean and Rice for lunch (their biggest meal of the day)
Oh- it was absolutely delicious BTW!

Now when I tell the girls at dinner when they are making faces at their food that some children in the world only get beans and rice (once a day I might add) that they just might appreciate their food.

The littlest brother, Abby
Happy and healthy at the orphanage

When they complain that they are starving that maybe they will remember the 3 little boys that didn't have any food because their mom had to stay home from work to protect them from being abused by other men in the barrio.

The home of the little girl and her mom 

                                                                           When they don't want to go to the doctor or take their medicine maybe they will remember the little girl who wasn't allowed to go to school because her tongue was too large and they didn't have the $1000 to fix it with surgery.

When they don't want to help me pick-up their toys or clean their rooms that maybe they will remember the little kids who didn't have a room at all but a shack that the entire family shared.

Wilson- safe and sound and loving Jesus

When they complain about going to school they will remember the little boy who didn't go to school and had to learn to defend himself aggressively because he was being beaten up everyday by the neighborhood kids.












Hmmm- the more I think about it I hope I remember next time I have piles of laundry to do that I will remember how blessed I am that I have clothes to keep my babies warm, that I have running water and a front-load HE washer to do all the laundry for me.  Next time I complain about making dinner I will be grateful for the full pantry and overflowing freezer of food to choose from.  Lord, may I serve You today with a humble and grateful heart and remember our brothers and sisters in this world that have nothing but are still joyful because they have You Jesus.