Here in Mexico, a girl's 15th birthday is a huge celebration, much like a wedding, with a beautiful dress, a catered meal in a rented hall, etc. For our girls, we have given them the option of choosing the big party or a trip with Mom (me!) to Cancun! Angie and I traveled to Cancun a little over a year ago to celebrate her 15th birthday and now it was Diana's turn! (She actually turned 15 last December, but now is when we had enough money saved up and the time for me to leave for a few days.)
It was Diana's first time on an airplane! She has expressed an interest and possible call to mission work in Africa, so we commented that this was her first time on a plane, but certainly won't be her last!
Diana prefers to stay at home and not be out and about all the time, so we decided to stay at an all-inclusive resort so that we could stay in one place. But, we certainly weren't prepared for the luxury we were about to encounter! It was a new experience for Diana to have people serving her everywhere - waiters at meals, maids cleaning the room and a bellhop carrying her luggage.
We commented how it is incredible to be able to experience life in different situations and settings. Last week Diana and I were at a 5 star hotel and next week we will be on a medical mission crusade with Victor to Guadalajara, where, many times, we sleep on the floor and Rosa cooks over a fire. While Diana certainly enjoyed the 5 star experience, she would prefer a medical crusade. (Part of the confirmation of her call to missions?)
According to Diana, when we got back home, Mark asked Diana what her favorite part of the trip had been and she answered: "Mom!" Aaron responded: "You went all the way to Cancun and your favorite part of the trip was your mom?"
Diana's answer captured the essence and purpose of doing these trips - spending time together, just the two of us! (Her answer was also music to my ears!) I missed out on the first nine years of Diana's life and, while we have been making up for lost time these past six years, it can be challenging to be one of 12 children! It is quite common that one of the older girls is talking to me, when something more urgent will occur with one of the younger children. As I turn my attention to the more urgent situation, the older child walks away or forgets what he/she was sharing about. So, having an entire four days just the two of us was very special! Investing in these trips with the girls is a true investment in our mother/daughter relationship and in their identity as a part of our family!
We spent lots of time in the pool, trying to watch the entire Anne of Green Gables series (we didn't quite get done!) and eating together! It was great to be able to spend time with Diana as good friends! I do not deserve the blessing of our time in Cancun, but I did receive it as a gift from God and as a small harvest of all that we have invested in Diana's life over the last six years!Thank you for making Diana's transformation possible through your prayers and support of Fishers of Men!
Martita is next! Who's complaining? :-)
1 comment:
What beautiful memories! Kara
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