the sweetest reunion

last sunday, I finally returned to fiwagoh after 12 long months. every time I return, it gets sweeter and sweeter. I'm going to try to explain what makes this return so good, but honestly I don't think anyone's words could do it justice. but here goes: the kids sang their welcome song and as we were driving down the hill, I could see the faces that I had missed so much. Daniel, our driver, was driving us down the hill and the only thing I could think of was jumping off the bus and into the kids' arms, but I had to be patient. I was the first one off the bus, and right when I stepped onto the ground, I heard the kids yelling my name. everyone inside of the bus had tears of joy in their eyes because seeing the kids so excited to see us and getting to reconnect with them made us so happy. if you know me, you know that I have a little man named Dennis that is my shadow. he didn't know that I was coming back to fiwagoh this year. so, when he turned the corner of the bus and saw me, his face lit up. he started running towards me and I just opened my arms and that had to be one of the sweetest and best hugs I've ever gotten in my life. and he hasn't left my side since that moment. all the hugs and smiles shared that day are special memories that I will never forget. when my sweet little Sarah saw me, her face lit up with that smile that gets me every time. she gave me the biggest hug she's ever given me and it was just really great. getting to reconnect with each child has definitely been a favorite part of mine so far. with each year that I return, the trust in each relationship gets stronger and I am able to get to know each child so much more. this year, there are 20 new little kiddos. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to build new and old relationships and I know that these kids once again have made an imprint on my heart.