A Miracle

I haven't cried.

Not even when I looked out at the perfect sunshine and remembered afternoon walks to the park with G.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Phil 4:11b

For a long time I've been striving to learn that lesson.  Maybe I'm finally getting there!

Ok.  Paul was imprisoned when he wrote that, and I'm just spending a few hours at work, so it's possible that I still have some lessons to learn.  But still.  I know it's a miracle.

Thanks for your prayers.

Pizza Picnic

A backyard party for just the three of us - me, G, and.. this butterfly!

Are you thinking like I was: "What a beautiful butterfly"? 

Or are you thinking like G was: "An insect?! KILL KILL KILL KILL!"

I managed to convince G that we could co-exist with the butterfly.  Even after its near-death experience, it liked us.  It spent over 20 minutes on & around our blanket.  Daredevil butterfly.

Our sweet neighbor came and hung out with us... and took this photo.  Thanks, Jenn!

(And yes, Kirstin, that IS an Aurelios box.  Because 'round here we can get good stuff like that.)

Soccer Boy

Yesterday I wanted to include the photo of the soccer-playing boy, but I couldn't find it anywhere.  I still can't, but here (Martin Vielma) is a photo from the same game.  I got to be part of making sure that boy had a ball to cream that day.

I believe that small things do make a difference.

I want to do more of those things.

Celebrating!

Do you know that a group of churches, including mine, partners with a group of churches in Haiti, sending mission trips a couple of times each year?  And do you know that I'm responsible for obtaining/purchasing all the medicines that the group will take? 

On one trip we were able to treat (and love on) 900 orphans!  On our last - February - trip, we were able to expand and start meeting the needs of adults in the community.  We even were able to assist in a local hospital.  I love that I don't have to travel, but I can still be part of something so important.

So - I do get a bit nervous before placing an order.  Have I chosen the right items?  Will I be able to get the physician's approval?  Will my funding request be approved?  Will the church receive sufficient donations to cover the expense?  Will I get the order placed in time to receive it on time?  on & on

But tonight I think it's ready to go!

I've seen photos of children covered everywhere with scabies.. until we were able to partner with their orphanage in treating them.  AND - I learned that on our next trip, those children were still scabies-free!

Once the team planned a sports camp.  I added the soccer balls to the shipment.  Later I saw a photo showing a young boy with ripped shorts & no shoes flying in to kick one of my balls.

Joy.

All You Can Eat Pasta

Oh my!  My fabulous co-workers have given me a fabulous gift.  Once a week for the next NINE WEEKS, someone is bringing a dinner for my family!  Soooooo wonderful!!!

Tonight was pasta - two kinds - with bread - and slaw - and cookies.

Not only was it beyond delicious, but it saved my life.

Rush from work to get G, rush home & warm dinner for Joseph, rush Joseph to band, rush home to feed G.  G & I said "Ah-ya-yee-ah" throughout the whole meal!

I miss days with G at the park.  And the evenings are way too short - just enough time to drive Joseph around, feed & bathe G & get him to bed (then wake him up to go & get Joseph - ugh).


BUT - we both survived Day One.
I'm thankful to have a job, a good job.  I'm thankful for every minute I do get to spend with G.  G seems happy.  He did well again with day care.  No tears.  He super-clings to me when I pick him up, though.  And he about killed me with his nasty-wet kisses on my mouth.  [Yes, he has a cold - and, yes, I accepted the kisses anyway.]

So, thanks for praying.  The transition is going as well as I could imagine.  I'm so grateful.

I'm tired...

Laugh from the weekend

Please note: When G says "Joseph" it sounds like "DaDesh" or sometimes "DaDa."

Side note: The latter pronounciation exponentially increases the stares my family receives when we are out & about.

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If you look closely in the above photo (taken surreptitiously for you), you will see my neighbors.  My new neighbors who I haven't yet met.

On Sunday, in a desperate move for 10 seconds of child-free time, I exclaimed to Gavenson: "Joseph is coming home soon!  Go look out the window!!  See if you see him!"

In 5 seconds I gratefully accomplished 500 tasks, and returned to find this:

... That would be my child, half-dressed, with the door open, repeatedly YELLING "Ay! Ay!  DaDa!  Ay!...," while gesturing quite adamently in a get-over-here kind of motion.  As I moved to get him, he carried on out onto the porch, demanding that "DaDa" leave their group & get home now!  And, yes, they were all frozen & staring. 

I smiled, waved, and retreated.  What else was there to do?

I love

watching G sleep - right here, in our house,

and

hearing his little voice call "Mama?" - making sure I'm here before he goes back to sleep.