Christmas is by far my favorite Holiday and before I left I was exited to see what it would be like to spend Christmas In Ecuador. There would surly be no snow, that I knew but was very very okay with:) Christmas Morning usually starts with my daddy coming into my room to get me and my little brother both of us usually already awake about to pee our pants ready to open presents. We wake up to smell of either cinnamon rolls, waffles, or pancakes. We go around in a circle as a family and open all our presents. Afterwards I usually call my friends to tell them what I got and we compare gifts over the phone. The rest of the day is spent with family and usually ends with my moms chicken noodle soup, my all time favorite! 
This Christmas however was completely different and not my normal Christmas routine. Since I have been here I had not really been homesick until Christmas eve. I wanted so badly to be with my family. Something that I have learned here is how important family really is and on Christmas eve I really really wanted to be with them. I woke up on Christmas morning at about 6:00am not to my dad but to my alarm clock. The house didn't smell like breakfast and instead I put some oats in some yogurt and ran out the door to head to the orphanage. While driving down I was desperately missing my family. When we pulled into the Orphanage I decided that I would make the most of the day for the kids and give them the best christmas that I could. While walking in I realized that these kids didn't have a family to wake up to on Christmas, They didn't have a special Christmas breakfast, and they didn't get to spend Christmas feeling that extra love that seems to be in the home during the holiday season. I broke down into tears when I saw the kids and had to leave the room. The kids had no presents, family, or any other holiday traditions. Instead they woke up like it was just another day. I continually told the kids throughout the day "merry Christmas" and made sure they felt extra loved. Later in the afternoon we had one of the volunteer family dads dress up as santa and we brought the kids toys and sang Christmas songs to them. They loved the presents although some of them seemed to be more interested in the wrapping paper... I left that day feeling so blessed to have been able to spend Christmas with these kids. Christmas wasn't about me this year and I didn't get any presents or the special attention that kids usually get on Christmas. I was humbled by the experience and although I dearly missed my family I realized that this was possibly the best Christmas ever. All the other Christmas sort of blend together but this one will stick out and be unforgettable.
This Christmas however was completely different and not my normal Christmas routine. Since I have been here I had not really been homesick until Christmas eve. I wanted so badly to be with my family. Something that I have learned here is how important family really is and on Christmas eve I really really wanted to be with them. I woke up on Christmas morning at about 6:00am not to my dad but to my alarm clock. The house didn't smell like breakfast and instead I put some oats in some yogurt and ran out the door to head to the orphanage. While driving down I was desperately missing my family. When we pulled into the Orphanage I decided that I would make the most of the day for the kids and give them the best christmas that I could. While walking in I realized that these kids didn't have a family to wake up to on Christmas, They didn't have a special Christmas breakfast, and they didn't get to spend Christmas feeling that extra love that seems to be in the home during the holiday season. I broke down into tears when I saw the kids and had to leave the room. The kids had no presents, family, or any other holiday traditions. Instead they woke up like it was just another day. I continually told the kids throughout the day "merry Christmas" and made sure they felt extra loved. Later in the afternoon we had one of the volunteer family dads dress up as santa and we brought the kids toys and sang Christmas songs to them. They loved the presents although some of them seemed to be more interested in the wrapping paper... I left that day feeling so blessed to have been able to spend Christmas with these kids. Christmas wasn't about me this year and I didn't get any presents or the special attention that kids usually get on Christmas. I was humbled by the experience and although I dearly missed my family I realized that this was possibly the best Christmas ever. All the other Christmas sort of blend together but this one will stick out and be unforgettable.
5 comments:
Saludos Heather! I just discovered that you are keeping a blog of your experiences in Ecuador and I couldn't wait to read your posts. What a great experience. The kids look beautiful and it sounds like you are doing some amazing things. You may never look at life quite the same way again. There is so much need in the world and it's great to see you doing something about it. Keep up the great work. Abrazos! Aunt Laura and Uncle Rich
I'm so sad that you were not here for Christmas, you were doing his work. I'm so proud if your attitude about helping those kids. You are an amazing girl. I love you. A little over a month and you will be back here.
Merry Christmas Heather! Te Amo
Oh my little Heather...thank you so much for the video...I LOVED seeing all of those BEAUTIFUL children..you guys are an amazing group & because of all of you this Christmas will be in their hearts forever! Love ya!
What a great experience Heather!! I am sure it was hard. But thank you soooo much for you service. That is what Christmas is about. We truly are so proud of you. Hang in there. We love you! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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