Make the Most of the Moments.

I woke up yesterday feeling tired, a little grumpy, and generally not wanting to get up. It has been a busy week.

Monday, I started my third consecutive week of school with the kids. They are during really well learning the schedule and we can usually finish everything we need to by noon. At one, Laura stopped by and asked if I could stay with Dani and Micah that night. Her husband Bill was away on some Wings For Humanity business.  She had just been called to medivac two badly dehydrated babies and would need to stay in Georgetown that night. No problem, I packed up my stuff and headed over to LaBore’s for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I got the kids fed and into bed then drifted off to sleep myself. 

Tuesday morning we did school and Laura returned so I handed off her kids back into her care. Shundel and I visited Sister Iris to read and chat with her. She is 88, totally blind, and lives in a small house all alone during the day. I have found that she has an incredible memory-having not read the Bible for so long she still remembers details of the stories that I have forgotten. She also just enjoys having someone to talk to and Shundel and I try to visit her each week. Generally I go to the Van Fossen’s house each day to tutor Ronny and Alex while Chrystal Van Fossen works with Elden. Tuesday was no exception and we worked with the boys in reading and "maths". The boys are making slow, sometimes imperceptible progress. 

Wednesday I walked down in the bright sun to help out with peds/baby clinic at the hospital. Healthcare is free in Guyana, if you can make it to a hospital or clinic. Mabaruma Hospital is THE hospital for all of Region 1. Each mother has a “small card” for each child. It is a small booklet which contains the child’s immunization record, growth charts, and notes from each clinic visit. At the hospital there is a “big card” for each child that contains the same information, just in a larger booklet. My job this Wednesday was to locate the big card for each small card turned in. After that was finished I helped Hannah measure and weigh children. I taught Dani and Micah school that afternoon and fell into bed exhausted.

Thursday morning I woke up feeling tired, a little grumpy, and generally not wanting to get up. I rolled over and picked up a letter I had received. It talked about living each day as if it was the last. Cherishing the moments. I’ve been reading “Tuesdays with Morrie”, a book about a professor dying of ALS who models living fully to the last labored breath. I looked around my room and saw pictures of my friends and family. In each picture a moment was captured. I replayed the memories in my mind, a glint of which was locked up in the smiling faces. “Make the most of the moments” echoed through my brain. I sat up, untucked my mosquito net and stumbled out into the kitchen. Shundel and I made up pumpkin pie that morning before school. I taught, went to Kumaka, skyped with my mother, tutored, slept like a rock. Beautiful, full moments.

Today, I received a note from my good friend Kelsey Zuppan. Veteran of two years abroad she encouraged me to make the most of each day I have here. To value the experiences and learn as much as I can. In short, make the most of the moments. Today I taught school and did the Friday cleaning, mopping the floor with my kitten Razz keeping me company. It’s almost Sabbath now and beyond stretch a string of moments yet to be filled. But right now I am making the most of this moment. The evening is cool, it isn’t dark yet. Razz sits purring on my lap. The neighbor has started playing a Reggae version of “We Wish you a Merry Christmas”. 

Happy Sabbath to you, I hope your moments are full of good things where ever you are.