Small Things with Great Love

There is a quote that they have been referring to at church recently that goes like this:
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love"- Mother Teresa

I keep pondering this quote in light of

everything that has happened in the last week or so. I see Amanda living this out right now in Haiti. Since many of the nannies at the orphanage have gone home and not returned, and other volunteers have flown home, her "job description" has changed. She's been taking care of the babies, trying to get 85 of them fed and ready in the mornings. I cannot even imagine such a task, as Coranelle seems like a handful, and that's just one baby! Amanda has also been copying papers in order to expedite the adoption process and get kids home to their families as soon as possible. These may seem like small things, but she is doing them with great love and it is making a huge difference. Over half of the kids at the orphanage will go home this week. The earthquake has destroyed paperwork and hoops that normally have to be jumped through in order to get kids into good families have vanished. What a blessing! Amanda has also heard that 5 of her students are okay and 2 other teachers have made it. I am not sure what she has heard about the rest, but there is one kid, JJ, who is missing. She is very worried about him and sad to think of what his fate could be. Continue to be praying for her and all of those at GLA. More shipments of food and supplies are supposed to be arriving soon.

I told my family, this past week was emotional for me. I wished I could be of more help to those in need. The other night as I was giving Coranelle a bath- watching her laugh and splash- I couldn't help but break down and cry. I was just picturing those Haitian mothers, trying to rescue their own kids from the rubble. I just cannot imagine. I suppose we have to just continue to do small things with great love.

Our church has begun a series to put this quote in action- if you will. For the last few weeks, our pastor has encouraged families to donate $1 for each family member at church that week. $1 is not something that takes a lot of sacrifice, nor will it change a life. But, $1 from each person has drastically changed the lives of a few people these past few weeks. The first week, the money was used for a family of 7 who lives nearby in a trailer home. The pipes in the home broke and the mom was doing dishes in the bathtub. Their car was in an accident and one of the youngest boys (20 months old) had severe disabilities- including being blind, deaf and having to be on oxygen. This family had, at one time, been Jehova's witnesses but had been pushed away from their congregation when the mother accepted a blood transfusion before her twins were born. The family was truly without hope. Flatirons church went in with the $1 donations from a few weeks ago and did a complete home makeover. They had volunteers but in new cupboards, floors, appliances, furniture and a wheel chair ramp. It looked truly like a wonderful new home and the family was so thankful. Small things with great love. Unforunately, on Saturday night or Sunday morning, the little boy with disabilities- Messiah is his name- had his heart fail him. He died this weekend, leaving our whole church so very sad. We can only smile knowing that God took him home to play, and to fix his little body. The family also said that if this had happened a few weeks ago, they would have struggled through it alone, and hopeless. And now, they had people from our church at their sides while they were down at Colorado Children's hospital with their son. All I can say is that life is truly bitter sweet. Please keep this family in your prayers as well.

We are so very thankful for Flatirons church in our lives. I am so happy to be a part of a body of people that tries hard to follow after the heart of Christ. I love that the church is a place that is reaching out to help widows, orphans, single moms, drug addicts, and broken and hurting people. It makes me so happy that I can leave Coranelle in the nursery with kind, trustworthy volunteers so that Ryan and I can go learn and be refreshed. It has been such a blessing for us these past few years.

On a lighter note, Coranelle made it through another church service in the nursery and a 1/2 hour at the rec center childcare this morning. It feels nice to know that she is beginning to be more independent and can be kept happy if distracted. She also let my mom, Steve and her Grams hold her this weekend for long periods of time. She still doesn't sit still and cuddle, but if people have toys, puffs and other things for her to play with, she does okay. That is a relief to me! Last night, while Heidi held Coranelle, I got to hold Josh and Claire's puppy- Kona. Kona was nice and calm and cuddly and I was delighted when the mini teddy bear fell asleep on me. Despite her tiny body and cuddliness, apparently she was really scary to Coranelle. Hopefully, she'll warm up to Kona and the two will be good buddies.

I have a new look. I got my hair all chopped off this past week by a friend. It looks... short. Ashleigh did a great job, but I guess I have to get used to it. Ashleigh came over to do the haircut and brought her daughter, Leah. Leah and Coranelle are only about a week apart, so it was fun to see them play together. I also got my nose re-pierced again. Ryan recently asked me if I missed my nose stud, and I did. So, he encouraged me to go get it pierced again. I don't have teaching interviews anymore, and it is exciting to have something small and sparkly. Ryan says it helps me to feel like my only identity is not just being a mom. Fun!

Not much else to report. I just hope that as I live my life, I can remember to do small things with great love. I think that mindset will help me with staying home to raise my daughter. I cannot do great things, just small things with great love. Does making baby food all morning count?