my first cricket match

Every few months the workers from the Marriott hotel in Chennai come to Rising Star, make the kids lunch, and play a cricket match. It was so exciting to get to a part of this on Saturday, because I know how much this meant to the kids. They were getting hyped up all week and it was so fun to hear them talk about who was going to be playing and trying to explain cricket to an American who knows nothing about the sport. Well...now I know at least a tiny bit. The boys all wore Chennai Super King's jerseys, so to surprise them I bought one the day before and wore it to the match. I was a little worried that they would just be annoyed that I was matching them, but they all thought it was awesome. When other kids asked me why I was wearing one of the jersey's I proudly told them, "Cause I am their #1 fan!" Which really is so true. I've been the number one fan of these boys since I first met them 6 years ago and I still today. What a blessing to have all of these kids in my life.

 I made signs for the kids to hold up at the game and cheer on their boys. They loved them, and looked so darn cute holding them up. (Top left is Subasari, top right Moorthy, and on the bottom are Akash and Madhavan)

 The kids had a lot of fun on the sidelines cheering, keeping score, and going wild whenever the score was in our favor. They made the boys playing cricket feel like rock stars.

I felt like as the number one fan I deserved to have a picture with the team. So proud of these boys and their team win.

 This has to be my favorite picture from the day. They are all just so darn happy, which makes me so darn happy.

 These boys are such all stars. They played incredibly. This is Ashok (or Shookie Cookies as I fondly call him) and my little brother Joseph.

And here is my other little brother Ismail. He is so smart, athletic, and talented. A serious punk (especially in math class), but my goodness I love him.

I seriously can't get enough of these kids. My happiness has been laced with theirs. They are undoubted proof that you get what you give. When you pour out your love, you will hardly find yourself empty, but rather more full than you could every imagine. 

peace. love. and cricket.