Why be a Host Parent?

Tonight I wanted to capture via blog some thoughts about why I wanted to be a host parent for foreign exchange students. I am sure that I will find many reasons why I should have wanted to be one as we journey through this experience. Therefore, I think it is important for me to blog my reasons for applying so that I can look back and see how we have grown and changed.

First of all, receiving something out of the deal was not our motivation. Receiving gifts from our foreign exchange students never really crossed our minds...but they obviously thought about it. We received multiple items from each girl that they sacrificed precious space in their suitcase to bring us. What a kind gesture--and such great things too. Amy brought delicious cookies (or biscuits as she calls them) from Australia as well as some "vegemite" (which I haven't been brave enough to try yet) and a cool decorative boomerang. Dani gave us a beautiful calendar, a box of chocolates, and each of us a book. She gave George a book featuring her hometown and she gave me a cookbook. How did she know I LOVE cookbooks?!?

We didn't apply to be host parents to receive but to give. As I search my heart and mind, I find that I wanted to be a host parent because I wanted to share my home and life with others. I think, deep down, I have always just wanted to be a housewife. I have always wanted to cook and care for children. This opportunity had not yet been given to me. I love cooking but seldom have more than myself to cook for (since George has a different diet) and although I enjoy good food, I don't get much satisfaction out of cooking for just myself.

When I first thought about hosting, I was very uncertain. Even after I asked George what he thought and he gave me the "okay" to host I had mixed thoughts and feelings. Then, I prayed about it and earnestly sought out the correct answer. For three nights, I dreamed of foreign exchange students and every dream was a pleasant one so I decided it was right to host. When I told our coordinator we were going to do it I felt a great peace--and excitement. Right away I began thinking about "our girls" and the things they might like and not like. I wondered if they would enjoy living with us or not. I stressed about whether to assign their rooms or not. I cleaned out closets and drawers like a mad woman. I was, as George put it, "obsessed" with the preparations. I spent a chunk of time creating these:

I painted and decorated each one in their "national" colors--though I'm pretty sure they didn't even notice that! I loved these girls before they ever even arrived, before they even knew they were headed to the middle of nowhere on the South Dakota/Nebraska state line.

I think ultimately, my main reason for wanting to be a host parent comes from the fullness of my heart and the emptiness I felt in my home. George, Toby, Lola and I get along great and love spending time together but for some reason our home still felt a bit lonely. Now, we have two lovely girls occupying our upstairs bedrooms. Lola barks at every move the make, Toby seems a bit confused, and Amy & Dani are busy with schoolwork and settling in but somehow (even though at the moment it is just George, Toby, Lola, and myself sitting together while the girls get ready for bed) I feel more alive and more needed and more like who I am supposed to be.

So why be a host parent? To share myself and my family.

***More about the girls next time...just wanted to share these thoughts with you and note them for me to reread later.***