Whenever a visitor, staff, child, or adoptive family leaves CSC to go back home, the kids sing a goodbye song and everyone hugs. Like literally, every kid hugs every person. That’s 80+ hugs and yet somehow, for me, it went way too fast. In looking back at our goodbye, I just wish I could have had a full minute to look each individual sweet kid in the eyes, study their face one last time, and hold them tight for longer than any of them would have been comfortable with. But instead I just got millions of billions of hugs and kisses all in a 30 minute flurry, and then it was over, all too fast. And even still, it was heart-breakingly sweet and wonderful.
This video starts with a clip of the goodbye hug-o-mania and I did some editing work to give you the kids singing the goodbye song in the background. You know, just another one of my super fancy tricks. Like I do.
After the goodbyes, I just put together some scenes of life at CSC, of our favorite sweet and funny moments. My hope and prayer is that Bjork and I can communicate not just how much joy we got from hanging around these superstars for a year, but how much incredible work is being done around the world through ministries like CSC, and how people who care, share, give, and adopt are people who are changing the world. These kids were once malnourished, homeless, living in violent or dangerous places. And here they are, lighting up this little home on a bumpy mountain road in the Philippines.
Since this is one of my last mushy posts about our year in the Philippines, I’m shamelessly encouraging you to consider meeting a specific need at the orphanage because I cannot think of anything more appropriate to give our money and resources to than this cause. Immunizations, math books, kitchen equipment… these are all specific things that you can provide to further the work that’s being done here. Whether CSC or other organizations like it, this is it, you guys. I really believe that this is what life should be about, and that challenges me.
I have been humbled and blessed and just plain excited-dance-giddy from all your comments and emails with stories about the Philippines, working and living abroad, mission related stories, and orphan care. I told Bjork just yesterday how amazed I am at all the positivity that you bring to our little corner of the internet. We live in a big, big world and my heart is happy knowing that this little sliver of it touches others’ hearts as well.
Salamat kaayo! Thank you veryverymuch.
Wow!This is amazing!!I was only trying to get your recipe for 20 MINUTE LEMON PESTO PENNE and I saw your picture with a Filipino kid. I got curious and subscribed. There’s definitely no regret. I got thrilled when I saw those Filipino recipes and I cried watching the video.Thank your for your kind heart and keep sharing more recipes 🙂
This is so sweet, Crissy! I’ll pass along your comment to Lindsay.
Yesterday, i was just finding a recipe for a “filipino style spaghetti” one of the things i miss in manila. They’re selling it for 20 pesos per serving, in small restaurants. Then suddenly, i find myself reading all of your blog entries about Philippines. You had me from simply finding a recipe to crying because you have to leave Cebu. What you have done is truly amazing, and i hope there are alot of people like you, Bjork, your mom and dad, who care about these people. That makes you more awesome than us readers. 🙂 maraming salamat sayo
Thank you so much Vincent! I can’t wait to go back!
This truly looks like it was the most incredible and life changing experience. It is always amazing to me the different situations that God puts in our lives. Sometimes they seem like little random puzzle pieces, and we don’t know how they really fit until later, and then sometimes they are the corner pieces that are the foundation of what we build our life upon. How amazing that you got to be a mother figure to all of those precious babes.
My husband and I, and our three daughters, have begun the process of adopting from the Philippines. I was researching different Filipino recipes to begin incorporating into our “meal plans” (I don’t actually make those, I just pretend I do). After stumbling on your blog I scoured it like a mad woman, reading all of your posts about the Children’s Shelter in Cebu. AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing. It is so good and comforting to see the wonderful programs that are being run to train up the fatherless, and to place them in families. It is so moving to see the love that is being poured into those children, and the little smiles they dawn because of it. Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Wow – what an amazing journey! I see your blog linked here to I’m going to check it out. Thank you for your heart for kids needing families!
Hi Lindsay and Bjork! This brought tears to my eyes.. God Bless both of you for your kindness and generosity.. This must be an amazing experience for you guys.. Thank You for visiting these kids and making them feel loved and special.. May God continue to Bless Both of You and may He grant all your hearts desire.. If you happen to visit TORONTO give me a shout.. Ciao…
I just came across your amazing site this morning (via Pinterest) and I wish I had come across it sooner. Aside from your delicious recipes on here that I cannot wait to try, I think you & your husband are amazing people! Your trip to the Philippines is very touching and wish there were more people like you. Through your lil clips of videos, you can tell how much those children loved you & your company. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you Melissa! XO
Lindsay, I have so enjoyed reading about your adventures, and cooking your amazing foods. I got to visit with Bjorks parents last weekend, and heard a bit more of your stay in the Philippines. The Video was so touching, it must have left a small hole in your heart to leave the children behind. I will be anxious to hear what Minnesota brings to you, through your blog! Keep on cooking! Your photos are amazing, and your conversational directions always make me smile!
Thank you Nancy! The Ostroms told me that they saw you and it was really fun to hear that you’ve been reading! Thanks for checking in on our adventures from time to time – it’s always nice to know that people are excited to hear about the work being done at CSC. 🙂 Congrats to Lindsey and her husband, too! How exciting. Take care Nancy!
There are no words for how moving this video is. Makes me miss the kids at the children’s home I worked at. They teach you so many lessons about life, love, God, etc. that you never expected going into the time spent with them. You have many precious memories to carry with you the rest of your life!
Awww that is so sweet and precious! You guys are wonderful people and an inspiration. I will miss reading about your adventures over there. I can imagine how heartbreaking it must be to leave after all the emotional bonds that have been built. Hopefully, you guys will meet again one day.
Well, now I’m choked up. It is quiet an undertaking to disrupt your life for a year, but what a wonderful time you two have made of it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful highlights video, Lindsay. Your love for the kids at CSC shines through so many of your posts from this past year. It has been wonderful to follow along on your challenging-yet-amazing and life-changing adventure. Thanks to you and Bjork, too, for helping out you know who the other day!
hahah! It was so fun. We were honored to be Baby Vs first non-family babysitters, even if it was totally by accident.
I should have grabbed a box of kleenexes before I hit play.
What a beautiful video. Thanks so much for putting it together.
It’s so neat to see how God used you and Bjork there this year. Thank you for being willing to serve Him wherever He calls you.
Thanks Melissa! We always appreciate people following along. 🙂
Aww Lindsay, I’m crying! That was so sweet and touching. You and Bjork are angels and truly special, wonderful people. May the rest of us be inspired by your lovely kindness!
This is just so beautiful, Lindsay. Thanks so, so much to you and Bjork for sharing your journey with us and for reminding us what life is really all about.
And yeah… totally cried through that whole video. 😉
Yeah, meee too. again and again. 🙂 can’t wait to see you in person sometime very soon!
Ok, I’m officially in tears. The last few months, my prayers have deepened, and something that keeps coming to light is adoption/orphanages/kids. I’m positive God is trying to tell us something. So, thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences. You are encouraging and inspirational.
Blessings!
Christina
Blessings to YOU Christina! What an exciting time… can’t wait to see where God leads you.
What a great video! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You are such an inspiration!
I found your website through foodgawker and I thought that it was just another cute food blog with good recipes, but reading through your other posts showed me how wrong that first impression was.
See, I live in the Philippines, but for some reason, you seem to appreciate it more than I do. It’s a little heartbreaking to realize that. You speak so well about the food and the people and the places and your work here, while I, a local through and through, can barely muster the energy to think of the things I like about this place. Maybe it’s very stupid of me to be like that, but you made me realize that there is so much here that I haven’t seen and experienced yet. Somehow, you made me -want- to fall in love with the Philippines and I love how you probably didn’t intend to do that. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your thoughtful and honest comment! It was a really hard year in a lot of ways, I think that would be true no matter what country we would have been living in for a year, because most of the world lives and operates so differently than what we’re used to in America. It makes my heart really happy that I was able to communicate our true appreciation for the beautiful things and people in the Philippines this year! No place is perfect, and even in the times when it wasn’t easy and I wanted to go home, it was really an honor to live there. Take care Vida!
That was such a beautiful video! I teared up seeing all the little faces and smiles; the joy of children who have seen too much and experienced too much always amazes me. We do missions to Peru and I love every minute I can spend with the orphans there – thank you for sharing your experience : )
THanks Erika! That’s great that you have the opportunity to work with people and kids in Peru. As you know, it’s hard to find work that’s more meaningful than this. 🙂
Lindsay – The fact that you guys spent a year of your lives with these children is truly amazing. You have such a great experience and memories to look back on. Thanks for sharing this part of your lives with all of us.
What a blessing! Praise God for the work he’s doing there and for the opportunity you had to be a part of it.
This is SO beautiful. Touches my heart and I get mushy, too. Teary eyed at work (so not professional). You and Bjork inspire me SO MUCH, I have always dreamed about doing a ministry far away. You make it feel so real and tangible through your blog (and come up with the most AMAZING recipes). I hope and pray an opportunity can come like this for me, and because of you I can see the beauty and challenges that come with it. Yet again, a beautiful post by a beautiful woman. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you Alana!
That was beautiful!! You and your husband were certainly being God’s hand and feet during your time at the orphanage. I spent a summer (8 years ago) at an orphanage in Taiwan and still think of those kids so often. It was life changing…as I’m sure it was for you guys.
That was beautiful. I think I started crying at the first “God will take care of you”! God bless!
Hahah! It’s rare for anyone to make it out of that goodbye “ceremony” without crying. 🙂
That was beautiful – made me cry! What you did this last year was absolutely amazing – I wish I could have done something like that before we had kids. It breaks my heart that there are kids like them all over the world. Makes me want to adopt a bunch 🙂 It also makes me so happy to read and support this blog – you are a great human being (as well as a mighty good cook), and I wish there were MANY more people like you and Bjork in this world. Keep up the good work – and cooking – I’m so happy to support you! And so glad you kept up the blog over the last year, I’ve enjoyed every post even if I didn’t get to comment as much as I would have liked. YOU. ARE. SO. AWESOME. God bless you, Lindsay!
*Sniffle* You two are so blessed.
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5)
Thank you for sharing!
Amen. Thank you for caring! 🙂
Such a beautiful film, it really brought all your tales to life.
Janie x