the holiness of remembering

today one sweet darling in the home had her birthday. 

the minute I stepped foot through the door this afternoon, she could not contain her excitement about the party later that day.  

we did a happy dance together. 

one of the staff members was teaching her how to make a birthday cake,

frosting a double layer of chocolate and funfetti. 

We wrote her name on the cake, and put hershey kisses on it to add a little something special. 

evidently sprinkles are a little too advanced for this country.  

Kevin and I found a party hat at a local grocery store,

and made her wear it. 

she could not stop giggling as we fitted it on her head. 

Everyone that came to the party brought a gift, 

and the table was soon piled high with bright colored wrapping. 

to began the party

we all laid hands on her and prayed. 

she blew out her candles,

and we played games and danced. 

the girls taught me a nepali dance. 

i was amazing horrible. 

but I guess I shouldn't have expected my dancing skills to have magically increased on new soil. 

wishful thinking. dang it. 

at the end of the party, 

when stomachs were loaded with cake and we were all smiles from the games, 

the birthday girl turned serious. 

she thanked everyone for coming, 

and with tears in her eyes,

told us that this was the first birthday party she had ever had. 

ever. 

her thanksgiving genuine and real. 

her joy palpable in the air. 

and in that moment, as I stared at her joy and gratitude,

a truth severed me deep.

And it was this:

The act of remembering is divine and holy. 

When we remember others, 

and celebrate them in that remembrance, 

we allow them the space to feel truly alive and cared for. 

Abundant life begins with the fact that we've been remembered ourselves,

as the greatest act of remembrance was on that cross, when Jesus remembered you and me.

As the nails dug deeper and the pain was unbearable, He remembered his love for us,

and it was all worth it. 

and as Abba remembered us, we LIVE. 

alive and true. 

it's funny how little acts of remembrance, like a birthday party, remind others how much they are valued and cared for. 

today certainly was a catalyst for wanting to remember and celebrate those I love,

because that is a holy 

and lovely 

and life-giving thing to do. 

I hope you know you are remembered today dear one,

love Katie

**as a disclaimer, I wish I could show you all the beautiful faces of these girls. They would bless your socks off. However, for security reasons and out of respect for them, I won't be posting any direct pictures of them...mostly just feet and hands, etc. But even then, I think you can just sense their radiance!