A new year has recently begun. Maybe it includes a new home. A new car. A new job. A new favorite recipe, outfit, or destination. A new family member (with or without fur). Or it may be a new start. A new opportunity to build relationships. To travel. To form better habits. To try something new. To begin again, in a variety of ways. To create new memories.
31,557,600. That’s how many seconds we have to fill over the days offered in 2019. We can use that time wisely to encourage these new ideas, hopes and, adventures. This does not mean waiting another 31 million seconds to begin starting these things. I’ve got to say, I’m guilty of doing this as well.
Before taking on what these seconds hold, start with a plan. Not just a plan, but doable steps into make this new hope or dream a reality. I wanted to grow my relationship with some of the kids I don’t usually spend my time with. So I started out with my steps.
2018 closed with a service where each house did a dance, sang a song, or performed a skit in the chapel. With each house performing, a few scripture readings and prayer, and just having fun enjoying each other’s company, we were in the chapel for about an hour and a half.
I was getting ready for the service, when I heard the little voices of about a dozen preschoolers walking up the hill outside my house. I ran out as quick as I could and stood in their pathway, waiting to walk up with them. With both my hands and arms being held during the walk up, I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen next.
During the service, I was asked by about 4 of them to sit with their house. Knowing they were short a house parent for the holidays, I wanted to be more than another audience member. During this 90 minute period, I had three different children rotating their turn in my lap, another leaning on my side, and yet another holding my hand in the seat to my left. By the time we walked down the hill after the sun disappeared, I think I had two trying to hold onto my left hand, and another three in my right, with maybe couple either holding on to my pant leg or coat pocket to get their opportunity with me.
Dinner time was a meat loaf with mixed veggies, mashed potatoes, and ponche (like an apple cider) that they serve with almost every celebratory meal. I sat side by side with one of the preschool girls (who specifically asked me before the service if I could eat dinner with her). She was smiling the entire meal. As were most of the kids at that table. I had about 8 kids I was making eye contact with throughout the meal, whether with winks, funny faces, or just looking at them with love and holding up a heart.
New Years Eve means we’re staying up the entire night! Dinner was over by 8:30. We got in our jammies, brushed our teeth, washed dishes, and gathered back down in the cafeteria for a 9:00 movie. I sat on the floor, and ten minutes later, I couldn’t see my legs. I was piled with preschoolers who all wanted to sit on, with, or near me. Some heads were slowly drifting off to sleep on my thighs, while others were tucked warmly underneath my arms.
Just being surrounded by kids who wanted to be loved by me and fill me with more love than I could imagine was the perfect end to a jam-packed year.
Now that the new year has come, babies have grown into the preschool house, little boys and girls’ houses are setting the examples for the rising preschoolers, and some of the kids are becoming teenagers too fast! It’s a great start to another great year serving and loving these kids. I’m praying and hoping these relationships will continue to grow, not only on special occasions, but on the regular. What are your hopes, dreams, and expectations for the 365 days? How do you plan to turn those ideas into realities?
(har)Perseverance on a mission 