Can it be?

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what men shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5 & 6

Well I have to say that after a long day yesterday, a late night (early morning), and all the excitment and high emotions, morning came way to fast!! But we pulled out of bed determined not to miss a moment of Natasha's last day.....I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday, I met her and she said, I will be here for 2 1/2 months...and yet, it seems so long ago! But believe it or not, its here. So I can cry about it later.....

I tried to make her a nice breakfast so she would forget about all of my cooking disasters and think of me as a good cook after she leaves....:) I think it worked!

So we walked to the baby house....

Hungry children were waiting to be fed!

Babies waiting to be cuddled....ok they were waiting for bottles, but we cuddled anyway!

After breakfast the house was filled with volunteers so we went down to see the other children.....

We danced and sang....

But with sadness in our hearts because we are all going to miss her......

We love you Natasha!!

This cute little girl had to get in on the fun too!

So after our time with the children, we went back to the house and Natasha packed up all her things....made me realize how much I was not looking forward to that! This afternoon they had a birthday party for a little boy that was adopted this last summer.  So all the children got together....its always fun! But it brought back a lot of memories at not so perfect timing.....

This little boy is doing amazing! He just got his little stand, and he does great in it! He loved being able to watch and play with the other children!

Everyone waiting....

The loved gathering around him to play!

Way to cute!

His family brought, snacks, cake, party hats, balloons and everything!

Here is the little guy, he turned two today!

Its so amazing watching him walk around and play. He had so much fun chasing the balloon around squealing and laughing! He can't see real well but it has made such a huge difference! He is a different boy from when I first met him.

So then the goodbyes started at Natasha said goodbye to the tias as they got off shift...I was trying not to cry, but it was to hard! Realizing how much she has come to mean to all of us! We went back home, had a good cry then brought her luggage back to the orphange and continued the goodbyes...I couldn't even understand what all the tias were saying as each one said goodbye to her, but I was still crying....I realized that she has made such a huge difference in their lives and that is exactly what she came here to do, she just never realized how much. She is going to be missed by so many!

When I first landed in Ecuador I was greeted by Natasha at the airport, and tonight I had to watch her get in a van and drive away....Ecuador sure wouldn't have been the same without her!

As I walked back home, all I could think of was "your gonna miss this....your gonna want this back.....your gonna wish these day's, hadn't gone by so fast". We enjoyed them while we had them, but now God is sending her back with all the memories, experiences, and heartaches and joys she had here. To made a difference where He wants her now.....

She surprised me with some junk food to help me get through the next couple of day's! :)

I'm gonna miss you Natasha, and so is Ecuador......

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Philippians 1:2-7

Please keep Natasha in prayer as she has a long night of traveling ahead of her, and pray for her adjustment as she settles back in at home. She is very excited to see her family and to be back home, but she is also going to miss all the children and tias and way of life here in Ecuador.  I know it will be difficult for her.