About November of last year I was presented with two options about what to do with my upcoming summer. Both involving organizations which I love, but the sad part was I had to pick ONLY one. It has by far been one of the harder choices I have ever had to make, because only picking one meant that part of my heart would break. I love both of the organizations dearly and did not want to have to pick only one. It was not an easy decision by any means. It was one I went back and forth on for a while and when I finally decided my heart broke... For those that know me they know how much I love China and the children of China. I was planning and hoping to return this summer but that does not seem to be what I am suppose to do. I will not be making my trip to China and Starfish this summer liked I had hoped. It was not an easy choice by any means which is why it has taken me so long to post about it. I have prayed and asked God for his direction and his answer was not what I was hoping for. I so wanted to go to China this summer simply because I miss the babies and the people. It would have also been perfect because my roommate from last year would be in the city I would have been visiting and it would have been great to see her as I miss her dearly. But God has made it clear that I am to stay home this summer and minister to the children in a community close to where I live.
As much as it breaks my heart not to return to China and love on some precious orphans, many of whom I love dearly, I know there is a plan greater than I can imagine. I will be working with Freedom School Partners again this summer teaching and helping children between the ages of 5 and 11 with their academics. I loved my summer with them last year and I am thoroughly looking forward to working with them again. I have not found out where I am this year or the exact grade levels I will have, but I do know that I will not have to same group of kids I had last year, as my previous site has closed.
I cannot wait to see what this summer has in store. Please however, continue to keep Starfish, the children, nannies, Board of Directors and Naomi in your thoughts and prayers as they are still going through some rough patches with the Chin*se government. The children of China are always in my heart and I love them dearly. I cannot wait to return and love on them in the future.
Thank you also to all of those individuals who have supported me and my decisions about China both past and present. I am so thankful that there are people out there who get my passion and do not think I am crazy! Please keep me in your prayers this summer as I meet the children I will be teaching and mentoring. Those that remember from last year it was not easy, as so many of the children I will be working with have home life's unimaginable to us, and have experienced more in their short lives than many of us ever will. I cannot wait to meet my children and begin the summer with them though. I had a wonderful experience last year and think of my little ones often!
To end I will leave you with a picture of my fortune from my fortune cookie about a month ago. I so hope it continues to speak true! I know the children I have loved on, have helped me more than they will probably ever know.
Taylor
