Princess for a day

Even after living here for over half a year now, I am
constantly discovering new parts of town that make me wish I had longer to live
in this city! I was blessed to be able to spend last week with my brother and
sister, Mark and Lindsay, as they were here leading a group of their friends on
a spring break trip here in Nicaragua. 
Part of their week included spending time with eighteen beautiful girls
who all live in an orphanage here in Granada.  This was my first time even seeing this place and it was
such an oasis, housing this group of girls, located off one of the busiest
streets.  Inside was a peaceful
haven where these girls all live together with the three nuns who take care of
them. 

We took all these girls with us on a few excursions, one of
which was a day at the beach.  I
loved watching some run away from the waves, while others dove head first, each
girl all smiles.  The beach was a
blast but my favorite thing we did with the girls was treating them to a night
of royal status.  We told them we
were taking them out to dinner and when we showed up, they were dressed in
their best and finest dresses, each looking like a princess.  I’ve seriously never seen a more
beautiful group of girls.  Their
hair was perfect, their shoes were polished the best they could be, and their
joy was contagious.  We proceeded
to the restaurant where we ate delicious food and then we surprised them with a
Mariachi band.  The dance floor was
our home for the next two hours and I’ve never enjoyed sweating that much!  These girls could dance circles around
us gringos and we had so much fun, laughing, dancing, and trying to learn new
dance moves. 

 

Amidst the flurry of twirling dresses, energetic music, and
peals of laughter, I had a moment where I almost ended up in tears-joyful
tears.  I looked around me and all
I saw were princesses.  I was
reminded of how we are each children of the King and that, in his eyes, we are
all princes and princesses.  These
verses in Psalms came to mind and I have been dwelling on them in my quiet
times lately, amazed that God sees me as his princess, his beloved daughter,
heir to his Kingdom.  Sometimes I
guess we need tangible reminders of these kinds of truths…and if it takes
taffeta, ruffles, and a Mariachi band to get my attention, so be it.

 

“Daughters
of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in
gold of Ophir.  Listen, O daughter,
consider and give ear; Forget your people and your father’s house.  The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.”

Psalm
45:9-11

 In other news, the realization that I only have a bit more than a month left here is hitting me…I want to make the most of every day and am trying not to get sad about leaving before I have to. It will be really hard to leave this place, the culture, the friendships, everything…but pray for me, and our team, that we would be fully present here, focused on where the Lord wants us.  It is easy to start thinking ahead to what is next, which is good, but I want to finish well here. So please pray for focus and energy as we finish this last leg of our time here in Nicaragua.  

Love to you all!