Triple Threat

Many times, in both water polo and basketball, i have heard myself referred to as a triple threat. For basketball i could dribble, pass and shoot and in water polo i'm a fast swimmer, can pass, and can shoot. I have always been the WHOLE triple threat, all three parts. Now i'm learning how to share, how to be a third of the triple instead of the whole thing itself.

Until a week ago, i had been the only intern at NOE. Andrew left on December 16th and so i had the kids "to myself" for literally a month. We all missed Andrew a lot, and i missed having someone else who spoke English before Spanish, but at the same time, i kind of enjoyed being the only one.

Then last Monday, Esther Chan arrived. Sadly because of our similar class schedules we didn't get to spend a lot of time together because we both were in class at the same time. We had one conversation for about 10 minutes and that was it. I was sad because i wanted to get to know her better, but at the same time, didn't want to attach myself too quickly because my date to return to Portland is quickly approaching.

Then yesterday, Kristen Main also arrived. I went to the airport and as i saw her reuniting with her loved ones i had severe flashbacks to when that was me a few months ago. In that moment it felt like i was coming all over again, like this dream of a life i have been living had really BEEN a dream, and that i hadn't just lived the best 5 months of my life.

I was thinking about it last night after i got home. I am no longer the only intern, now there's two more girls here with me. I was honestly a little upset. I didn't want to have to share these incredible kids that i have come to know and love during my trips to NOE. But God showed me tonight that i was being selfish, and that i needed a serious slap in the face.

Tonight was the first time all 3 of us girls had been in the same room, we were with about 6 NOE kids though so we didn't get to talk a lot. Most of the conversation was filled with laughing about various jokes and all getting to know each other better.  Tonight i realized that we make the perfect triple threat!!!!! We have Kristen, the oldest of the 3 of us. Definitely the quietest but really sweet and always has a smile on her face. Then Esther, and her crazy, spunky personality that reminds us all about how great it is to be young. And then me, (wow i'm the baby even though i'm the tallest by at least 6 inches) with my slightly harder personality, serious, but am always ready for a good time.

Looking around the circle of faces tonight, i realized that the three of us really balance each other out. Our personalities are all different and we all have something different and unique to bring to NOE and the mission here.  I realized in that moment that i should never be upset that new people come to NOE. I should be thankful that God is opening the eyes of people all over the place about the INCREDIBLE work that is happening here at NOE International. That i'm not "sharing" these kids i know and love so much, because they aren't mine to share!!! Each one of these kids is a miracle from God that has been wonderfully placed in my life.  They have touched my life in ways i will never be able to explain, and i should rejoice that they do that for other people as well.

So i am here, making a commitment, to embrace this triple threat i am now a part of. To d everything i can to work as a team with these other amazing women and the staff at NOE to continue the AMAZING work that goes on here every day.

Watch out Mexico, the Triple Threat is on a mission to do God's work in NOE and NOTHING can stop us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!