No matter what you think, you can turn it into action. If you desire something, you can get it. People here don't always think like this. They have barriers that tell them that without money you cannot make your dreams come true, and making money is too difficult. The thing is, if you have an idea there is always a way to make it a reality. ALWAYS! And, there are always people ready to help you improve your idea.
So here's my idea. It is a very crazy idea that would be almost impossible, but I still believe it is possible. It sounds so silly to say it out loud, but I just think it might work if I can get people to help me. I was in the shower shampooing my hair listening to Justin Bieber when it hit me: the kids in the orphanage in Cambodia are huge Justin Bieber fans! And after watching his movie 'Never say never' I'm inclined to believe that he loves his fans. But I wonder how well he knows about his fans in Cambodia. If I wrote him a letter about how much these kids love him (and put some pictures in it) and explain their situation, etc. I wonder if he would decide to come to Cambodia for a concert and let the kids at the orphanage get in free! It would be so great for them. That, of course, is a GIANT idea. But I had a second thought as well. What if he just signed a bunch of CD's or posters and then mailed them to the orphanage! That would be much more likely to happen, I think. Pretty possible, right? How cool would that be if I could give them that gift? Also, they love 'Crush' by David Archuletta and he's also likely to sign some things to give to the kids. He's a nice guy, right? Anyway, I was just pondering about all the things I could do for the kids because of all the things they have given me. I just want to do something for them!
I only have one more full day here in Cambodia and I'm starting to feel extremely sad about it. Thankfully, I have a few really fun things planned! Tomorrow, I'm going to teach the kids how to tie-dye! I'm really excited because I know they'll have a great time doing it. It took me a while to figure out where to buy dye and stuff but thanks to the internet I was able to figure out how to tie-dye without specifically having 'tie-dye' dye. Then, on Wednesday I'm going to throw a halloween party for the kids! We'll have bobbing for apples and pumpkin carving, and loooottsss of candy. Plus real food (probably hamburgers or something). I'm trying to think of other fun games. I don't think the kids really understand the whole costume thing. I tried to tell them to start putting together their costume but I don't know if that part is going to work out. We'll see. So these next two days are going to be busy and SO FUN!
Let me know if you have any ideas for halloween games!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
A few overlooked miracles
Sometimes life certainly isn't what you expect. Sometimes it's better! That is exactly what this trip has been for me, much better than I anticipated. I have finally made a break-through with the kids and it has been so much fun this past week.
I admit that I have been doing a bad job at cataloging all the amazing and miraculous things that have happened during these past two weeks or so. I apologize that this blog hasn't lived up to the hype, but you'll all be glad to know that it is only because I have been far too busy with teaching and learning to have time to write hardly anything at all. I have been doing a good job at recording the kids' progress individually. I have at least accomplished my most important goal while being here: to connect with each kid individually (and learn their names!) I honestly never thought I would remember all the names of the kids at CICFO but it only took me like two or three days to get it right.
A wonderful thing I have realized while teaching these children is how much we can learn from teaching kids. They have this gift to help us (adults) figure life out, to see things clearer. Spending time with youth helps us understand what is really important in life, and what we can do personally to help others. Children bring out our natural talents and gifts and help us to develop them. I had lost my love for music. It used to fill me to the top, I couldn't be happy without it. But when I started teaching here the kids brought the music out in me and now I realize I am so much more happy when I'm singing. I've noticed, too that this happens with everyone. We can all learn from children, I guess that's why being a mother is so rewarding. I can't wait until that blessing comes for me!
Today we went to the floating villages in Siem Reap and I was so amazed at the people we saw there. Khmer people are so beautiful. They are happy and humble and have this confidence about them that is so inspiring. We bought notebooks and pens to give to the children of the villages. It was such an exciting thing to see how the children's faces lit up just at receiving notebooks. They were so grateful. Another group of kids that I handed out the remaining pens to practically attacked me they were so desperate to have them. I was kind of scared at first but I started to relax because it was so humbling to see how desperate they were to have a simple pen. I will be praying for those beautiful children for the rest of my life.
Tomorrow and Sunday are going to be so exciting as we tour some of the ancient ruins around Siem Reap! I've decided that I'm going to post pictures when I get back to the states (which is in about 5 days). So be looking for them!
God bless you all!
I admit that I have been doing a bad job at cataloging all the amazing and miraculous things that have happened during these past two weeks or so. I apologize that this blog hasn't lived up to the hype, but you'll all be glad to know that it is only because I have been far too busy with teaching and learning to have time to write hardly anything at all. I have been doing a good job at recording the kids' progress individually. I have at least accomplished my most important goal while being here: to connect with each kid individually (and learn their names!) I honestly never thought I would remember all the names of the kids at CICFO but it only took me like two or three days to get it right.
A wonderful thing I have realized while teaching these children is how much we can learn from teaching kids. They have this gift to help us (adults) figure life out, to see things clearer. Spending time with youth helps us understand what is really important in life, and what we can do personally to help others. Children bring out our natural talents and gifts and help us to develop them. I had lost my love for music. It used to fill me to the top, I couldn't be happy without it. But when I started teaching here the kids brought the music out in me and now I realize I am so much more happy when I'm singing. I've noticed, too that this happens with everyone. We can all learn from children, I guess that's why being a mother is so rewarding. I can't wait until that blessing comes for me!
Today we went to the floating villages in Siem Reap and I was so amazed at the people we saw there. Khmer people are so beautiful. They are happy and humble and have this confidence about them that is so inspiring. We bought notebooks and pens to give to the children of the villages. It was such an exciting thing to see how the children's faces lit up just at receiving notebooks. They were so grateful. Another group of kids that I handed out the remaining pens to practically attacked me they were so desperate to have them. I was kind of scared at first but I started to relax because it was so humbling to see how desperate they were to have a simple pen. I will be praying for those beautiful children for the rest of my life.
Tomorrow and Sunday are going to be so exciting as we tour some of the ancient ruins around Siem Reap! I've decided that I'm going to post pictures when I get back to the states (which is in about 5 days). So be looking for them!
God bless you all!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
What brightens your day?
Have you ever woken up in the morning filled with dread because its just too early to get out of bed and all you ever do is work, work, work? Ever feel like everyone hates you or that the world is against you? When you wake up in the morning and feel that way, what is it that cheers you up?
For me, it is the kids at CICFO. I went to EYC first thing in the morning in a grumpy mood. Its a shame to admit it, but I was. I do not like waking up early and anyone who knows me will admit that I'm not a morning person. I love the kids at EYC, but mornings are not my favorite. So I was still grumpy by the time I left because It was only 10:00am. Then, after running several erronds with Seiha (mostly trying to market the bracelets, and we also ran out of gas so we had to push his Moto to the nearest gas station--simply an adventure!) we went to CICFO. As soon as I got some delicious Khmer food in my belly and started teaching, everything that was on my mind left and as I focused on giving all my attention and love to the kids I became the happiest I've ever been. We had so much fun! I wrote down the words to the first verse of 'Baby' by Justin Bieber for the 3rd group and they were so excited, they started writing it down. And then we (by we I mostly mean I) sang it about 10 times before we moved on to actual learning. One boy who doesn't say much actually said a few things to me and it made me sooo happy!! He sang along, too. He's a music nut so anything to do with new music makes him happy, but he's really shy so he needs a lot of encouragement. Man, I love kids. It is so fun to see them get excited about something!
After class was over Yang Yang, who had just woken up from a nap, came running towards me with his arms out stretched for a hug. So I bent down and opened my arms too and he threw himself onto me. It was the most priceless moment of my existence! I can't help but smile just thinking about it. Now I love my nephews and nieces.... But this is my favorite child in the WHOLE world. I want my babies to be exactly like him. If they're not, I'll still love him the most! It's a sad world, isn't it? haha.
Stay close to the people that make you the happiest. And never let them slip through your fingers just because of a silly mistake or misunderstanding.
For me, it is the kids at CICFO. I went to EYC first thing in the morning in a grumpy mood. Its a shame to admit it, but I was. I do not like waking up early and anyone who knows me will admit that I'm not a morning person. I love the kids at EYC, but mornings are not my favorite. So I was still grumpy by the time I left because It was only 10:00am. Then, after running several erronds with Seiha (mostly trying to market the bracelets, and we also ran out of gas so we had to push his Moto to the nearest gas station--simply an adventure!) we went to CICFO. As soon as I got some delicious Khmer food in my belly and started teaching, everything that was on my mind left and as I focused on giving all my attention and love to the kids I became the happiest I've ever been. We had so much fun! I wrote down the words to the first verse of 'Baby' by Justin Bieber for the 3rd group and they were so excited, they started writing it down. And then we (by we I mostly mean I) sang it about 10 times before we moved on to actual learning. One boy who doesn't say much actually said a few things to me and it made me sooo happy!! He sang along, too. He's a music nut so anything to do with new music makes him happy, but he's really shy so he needs a lot of encouragement. Man, I love kids. It is so fun to see them get excited about something!
After class was over Yang Yang, who had just woken up from a nap, came running towards me with his arms out stretched for a hug. So I bent down and opened my arms too and he threw himself onto me. It was the most priceless moment of my existence! I can't help but smile just thinking about it. Now I love my nephews and nieces.... But this is my favorite child in the WHOLE world. I want my babies to be exactly like him. If they're not, I'll still love him the most! It's a sad world, isn't it? haha.
Stay close to the people that make you the happiest. And never let them slip through your fingers just because of a silly mistake or misunderstanding.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Independence Day America!
I love Cambodia! I love it as much as I love almost any other foreign place that I've been to (aka, France). But, although I do love it, I am so grateful to live in the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. It's a wonderful thing to know that the whole world is open to you, that you can do anything you set your mind to and that the government does not stand in your way, and the people cannot not stand in your way if you want to accomplish your goals. Freedom is worth fighting for. Opportunity is worth fighting for. Family is worth fighting for. So fight for it, never give up! Never let someone tell you you can't, not even yourself.
Things are amazing here in Phnom Penh. The children at CICFO are getting more amazing in my eyes every day. I'm starting to understand their personalities and how to communicate with them. It's incredible how much you can communicate when there is such a huge language barrier. You learn to use your hands and sounds and small sentences. And then laugh when it is not understood instead of getting frustrated. You must laugh at difficulties or you'll become very frustrated.
Have you ever seen the Lion King? There is a part when Rafeeke hits Simba in the head with a stick and Simba asks "What did you do that for?"
"It doesn't matter, Its in the past." Rafeeke says in reply.
"Yeah but it still hurt." Simba says.
"Yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it is, you can either run from it or learn from it!" Rafeeke then swings his stick again and Simba ducks. Even though you may go through hurtful experiences, like having your heart broken, you can either run from it, or learn from it. I often choose the former and it doesn't help with happiness or fulfillment. Although there are things in my past I'd rather didn't happen, I can't change the past. It is time to put it behind me instead of carrying it in my pocket and pretending like I'm over it. Here is what I've learned while serving these beautiful people. I hope it helps any of you who are looking for answers.
Miracles:
June 26th The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true no matter where you go in the world!
June 27th I realized the importance of letting go of unimportant things and just BE.
June 28th Anyone learning a second language is amazing!!
June 29th To really understand the meaning of a smile. It can change lives.
June 30th If laughter is the best medicine, these kids are HEALTHY!
July 1st Kindred spirits are not so scarce afterall
July 2nd Love is not best shown by what you say, but by what you do.
July 3rd Strangely enough, trust others' opinions of you.
Today You cannot change the world. You can change a life, but first, change yourself.
These miracles or realizations have brought me to say how grateful I am for this opportunity. This truly has been and will continue to be an experience which will last a lifetime. Thank you who donated to my trip, I will never forget your kindness and support to me, and also to these children who I have come to love.
Let me tell you a little bit about them. Each child is strong willed, smart, kind, funny, energetic, talented, and loving. They love the song "On the Floor" by J-lo as well as 'Baby' by Justin Beiber. They love to dance, to play games, puzzles, sing, draw, make bracelets, and cook. They help each other with everything and act just like any family, maybe even better. There are at least 4 mothers, three of which are full time and live there with the children. Most of the children come from an abusive home. The father would drink and abuse the mother, or have an affair, contract HIV/AIDs and give it to the mother. Or just leave the woman while she is pregnant. The children's mothers do not have enough money to take care of them or send them to school. Before they come to the orphanage, many of the kids lived on the streets with no education and no opportunity. One boy's mother was deemed 'crazy' by the neighborhood and he would frequent his days by throwing rocks at the kids who would taunt him about his mother. When he came to the shelter he hated all the kids and would fight with them. But now he is one of the sweetest, most delightful young men I've ever had the privilege to know. It's not just that these kids are given a home, but they are given a REAL family who cares for them, nurtures them, and teaches them good values which will sustain them through out their lives. I know these kids are capable of incredible things. They are so brilliant and their loving spirits are going to carry them from horizon to horizon. This orphanage is not just helping the children, I believe it is helping the whole nation of Cambodia by raising kids that will be well educated in school as well as in morality. I strongly encourage all of you to donate to this remarkable organization! I'm going to bring back some bracelets that the kids make to sell and sustain the shelter, if you wish to purchase some for $5 a piece just let me know. All the proceeds will go directly to the orphanage! $5 can go a looong way in Cambodia! You can also order them through the Global Outreach Foundation. Just go to Theglobaloutreach.org and click on 'Projects' and then 'Cambodia' and then 'CICFO' for more details.
I really wish I could build a foundation like CICFO. Nothing can change a life better and faster than family. I guess that's why the LDS church focuses so much on strengthening the family. Once the family disintegrates, the world is soon to follow. For more information on the LDS views on the family go to http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng.
I really want to post the videos I've taken but they take so long to upload and I never have enough time to wait for it. I put pictures up on facebook though if you don't want to wait for the blog to have pictures/ videos! Thanks for following! (in Khmer, thank you is pronounced 'awcoon') I love you all!
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