tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80508413870151041652024-03-05T06:16:58.997-08:00Treasure in Jars of ClayHere I am.
A regular girl from New Jersey who gave her heart to Jesus.
And these are stories of what He has done.
Trust me, I did not see this life coming either.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-62466959099209128222015-02-17T17:15:00.006-08:002015-02-17T17:15:46.523-08:00#teamhaiti2015 Update<div class="yiv9505956436" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4180" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4186" style="color: #440062; font-weight: bold;">"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4179"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #9d1811;">to prepare God's people for works of service</span></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4178"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4177" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #440062;">,</span> <span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4188" style="color: #4c76a2;">so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith</span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424221591959_4176" style="color: #440062;"> and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #440062;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 4: 11-13</span></span></div>
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Greetings friends and family!!</div>
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Since the cell reception is not so hot where the team is in Haiti, I've been getting about 1 text a day ... I can actually picture Pete walking around in circles on a roof somewhere trying to find a signal. :) Here is the latest text as he sent it. I'll add some interpretation at the end. </div>
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"Amazing day, kenni helping others learn Creole tk big help too - 11 new salvations tonight! Const tues wed Vbs thurs calico fri - luv u!"</div>
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They'll be doing contruction projects Tuesday (today - this text was from last night) and Wednesday.</div>
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VBS will be Thursday with the school kids ... they are on break this week so no regular school.</div>
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They'll be going to Calico beach on Friday to relax and debrief. We've been there before, very beautiful and a popular break spot for foreigners. :)</div>
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Thank you for your prayers for the team and the families here waiting for them to return. I have had such a wonderful time with my 2 kids here, we hardly ever have such undivided time together. We've been singing, praying for the team and just being loud and silly together. I spent a couple days with my sister, but now I'm home again. </div>
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I've been reflecting quite a bit on the joy of serving ... there is a tangible joy in serving others ... a reciprocity that cannot be found in anything else. We have something to offer the people of New Caanan, but they very much have something to offer us as well. Our family's prayer continues to be that each one of you gets to experience this mystery with your children. We have been blessed beyond measure by the joy of serving and it has marked our lives forever. </div>
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Until the whole world knows His name ...</div>
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and with so very much love and thanks for all of you.</div>
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Amy (for Pete) </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-53728389789509521292013-05-15T15:57:00.000-07:002013-05-15T18:14:34.832-07:00Healing"Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." taken from The Westminster Catechism<br />
<br />
Healing.<br />
<br />
The answer is yes. I pray for healing. And Pete prays for healing. And our kids pray for healing for me.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, though, I have a bigger prayer. We have a bigger prayer.<br />
<br />
A prayer that God placed inside of me as a young girl.<br />
A prayer that has been at the center of my being ever since.<br />
<br />
That my life would make much of Him. Of Jesus. And His work in me.<br />
Because this life is not about me. Or my health. Or my family.<br />
<br />
This life is about Him. It's about Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross. About Jesus coming to this world to make a way for us to spend forever with Him.<br />
<br />
And so, yes. I do pray for healing. But that is not my central prayer. That is not the prayer that leads me to my knees, begging God for His work. That prayer remains, "God, my life is in your hands. Do with me what will make the most of You. What will show the world around me the most about You. What will bring the most glory to Your Name. Make my life less about me and more about You."<br />
<br />
Perhaps this will come through healing.<br />
<br />
Perhaps it won't.<br />
<br />
But, I gave my heart to the God of this universe when I was a young girl. He loves me. He wants what is very best for me. And He is in control of both this universe and me. And there I will rest.<br />
<br />
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.<br />
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.<br />
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.<br />
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."<br />
Jeremiah 17:7-8<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-3053534225944112842013-05-14T22:12:00.000-07:002013-05-14T22:12:45.761-07:00How are you doing?How am I doing? <br />
<br />
That is a question I am asked quite a bit these days. And, most of the time I'm not exactly sure how to answer that question.<br />
<br />
Because, I think that most people are asking me with the intention of finding out how I feel physically. And, while I do have some physical challenges I've never encountered before, the physical is not what tends to push me over the edge into, "Actually I'm not doing so great today."<br />
<br />
And, with that comes the second part of that question for me ... that being, "Do you really want to know?" I don't mean to be sarcastic (okay ... maybe I do sometimes), but do you really want to know?<br />
<br />
How often do we ask that question of people everyday? "How are you doing?" It's a common greeting, offered flippantly the majority of the time.<br />
<br />
And when we say it, do we really want to know how the person is doing? Are we ready for the answer and are we expecting that person to be honest?<br />
<br />
Because I'd venture to guess that the majority of the time the person I ask really isn't completely fine. What are the chances really?<br />
<br />
For instance, I was asked this question recently: "Amy, how are you doing?"<br />
<br />
And, I'm not sure what snapped inside of me this particular day at this particular time, but I opened my mouth and out came honesty:<br />
<br />
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"Actually I'm tired. Really, really tired. Tired physically, tired emotionally. Tired of tripping when I used to be able to just walk like a normal person. Tired of asking for help every time I need a jar opened. Tired of trying to concentrate when I'm tired so my speech doesn't sound slurred. Tired of sticking myself with a needle everyday. I'm tired of the welts that are left behind, and I've only been doing it for 2 weeks. And overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by my diagnosis and my medication. Overwhelmed by my job. Overwhelmed by my kids. Overwhelmed by the thoughts in my head about how much our life and goals have had to change these past few months. And grieving. Grieving what has happened and grieving what will never happen now that this is a part of our story." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And then I breathed.<br />
<br />
And received a *blank stare* in response.<br />
<br />
Okay, truth me told, what I said at that moment was not so very eloquent as this. It was probably more of a blubbering report of tiredness, frustration and insanity ...<br />
<br />
But, what it did do was scare that person who asked me right off. He walked away after only mumbling a couple words of disbelief. Because all he expected to hear was that I was "fine."<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about this encounter for a while now. At first I was hurt and angry at him. Because this is someone who should have been genuinely interested in my response. Or, at least I thought/assumed he should have been. Then I was angry at myself ... for opening myself and getting hurt.<br />
<br />
Then I really began to think about it. About how many times I've asked the same question: "How are you?" Did I really mean to find an answer? Have I always been expecting to hear honesty? And, have I been prepared to sit and listen when all is not fine?<br />
<br />
And, the honest answer, of course, is no. Of course not.<br />
<br />
So, the honest answer to that question for me it this. Sometimes I'm fine, but sometimes I'm not.<br />
<br />
But all the time I am more aware of myself and the world around me than I ever have been in my life. <br />
<br />
And, for that, I'm pretty sure I'm grateful. Most of the time. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-35687888220472163072013-04-12T13:42:00.000-07:002013-04-12T13:42:43.068-07:00A Time of SilenceI was diagnosed with MS 67 days ago. <br />
The past 67 days have been the most full of any 67 days of my life to this point.<br />
I have cried, I have been angry, I have been confused, I have questioned everything ... but mostly I have been quiet. Sometimes the quiet has been a push everyone away and pout kind of quiet ... but sometimes the quiet has been a place of solace, of reflection and of healing.<br />
I am not a still person. <br />
But my world was halted and I was forced to be still. <br />
And God is continuing to force me to really consider what drives me.<br />
What is it inside of me that really makes me tick ... what really gives me satisfaction and contentment?<br />
Is it Him?<br />
Or is it my ability to accomplish bigger and bigger things?<br />
Until this time in my life I have never let anything hold me back ... I have run marathons and ultramarathons ... I have brought my children to the other side of the world, I have finished nursing school in a year with 4 kids, I have worked 9 overnight 12 hour shifts in a row at the hospital, I have stayed up late, gotten up early and accomplished what so many told me was impossible.<br />
But now I have been forced to sit. And think. And really analyze what is at the base of what I call myself.<br />
And I wasn't always happy with what I found.<br />
Because what I found when all that was stripped away was that I didn't really know what to do when there was nothing to "do."<br />
And I was not sure if I could rely on the truth in <span style="color: purple;"><b>Psalm 23</b></span> like I thought I could.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.23.1" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; margin: 0.5em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">1 </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The </span><span class="nd" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; font-variant: small-caps; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lord </span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">is my shepherd, I lack nothing.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.23.1" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="verse v2 selected" data-usfm="PSA.23.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; margin: 0.5em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">2 </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He makes me lie down in green pastures,</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v2 selected" data-usfm="PSA.23.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>he leads me beside quiet waters,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><span class="verse v2 selected" data-usfm="PSA.23.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.23.3" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; margin: 0.5em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">3 </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">he refreshes my soul.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.23.3" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>He guides me along the right paths</b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.23.3" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>for his name’s sake.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.23.3" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; margin: 0.5em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">4 </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Even though I walk</span></span></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">through the darkest valley,</span><span class="note f" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>I will fear no evil,</b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>for you are with me;</b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>your rod and your staff,</b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: purple; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>they comfort me.</b></span></div>
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<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Is the Lord My Shepherd really all I need? With him do I really lack nothing? </span><br />
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sigh. I have spent a lot of time in the quiet thinking about this very thing over the past 67 days.</span><br />
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And I have learned to begin to like the quiet. And the questions that do not always have answers. </span><br />
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And I have only yet begun to hand back to Him the dreams I had for my life that really should have been His all along. The entire process has been terrifying ... yet at the same time it has been exactly what Psalm 23 promised it would be ... comforting. And refreshing. </span><br />
<span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.23.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-69132854198763682472013-02-12T10:29:00.000-08:002013-02-12T10:29:54.664-08:00NumbI have Multiple Sclerosis.<br />
<br />
Hmm. Hardly seems any more or less real when I type it out like that.<br />
<br />
I have 4 kids. I'm a nurse. I like to run. I have MS. <br />
<br />
Again. Seems hardly more or less real in print.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should apologize for telling my news like this. Maybe not. I'm not really sure. How do you tell the world you had a life-changing diagnosis? Quite frankly I am weary of talking to people about it ... telling my story over and over and over again. Letting people hug me while they cry and trying to cry myself.<br />
<br />
Is it okay that I have not really cried much myself? Did all this really happen?<br />
<br />
Waking up with double vision a couple weeks ago. Just dealing with it for a few days. Going to my eye doctor and then for a CT scan. Ending up in the Emergency Dept halfway through a shift at work. Being admitted to the neurology floor at Yale. 2 MRI's and a lumbar puncture later and the words that still ring hollow ...<br />
<br />
We believe you have Multiple Sclerosis. <br />
<br />
Excuse me? What did you just say?<br />
<br />
Now 8 days later and it does not even seem any more real. I finished the 5 days of IV steroids it took to reduce the swelling in my brain and clear up the double vision. I went to my follow up appt at the Yale MS Clinic. I'm waiting for some additional tests to come back in order to determine which medications I'll have to take for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
For the rest of my life. <br />
<br />
I have not taken an antibiotic in ten years and I am now going to take major medication for the rest of my life. My vision goes double again when I read through the lists of possible side effects.<br />
<br />
Numb. Yep. That's where I am now. Numb. <br />
<br />
And grateful. <br />
For my God who remains Faithful and True.<br />
My husband who is my best friend and confidant. <br />
My kids who pretty much thought it was awesome they got to help give me IV meds at home.<br />
And my friends who have surrounded me with support and prayer.<br />
Keep praying for us. Your prayers are holding us up.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-49038116272910680872012-07-07T02:02:00.001-07:002012-07-07T02:02:46.370-07:00Reflections on a year gone by ...<span style="background-color: white;">This has been a difficult but good year for all of us. I've been working full time as a nurse, which I love, but which also drains the life out of me at times. Pete has been going to school full time, which he loves, but which also drains the life out of him at times. Kenni has a will and drive beyond her years, but there has been a consistent struggle as she learns to use that within the boundaries of our home and the fact that she really is only ten. Sasha is still our lover, but with that </span><span style="background-color: white;">temperament</span><span style="background-color: white;"> comes emotions that are ever on the edge, happy and sad. Ashebir grew inches both in stature and in character, but he still struggles with change and trust. And Tariku lives every minute to the fullest, which has led to both extreme fun and also stitches.</span><br />
<br />
We have intentionally hid ourselves away from the world this year. We were in survivor mode really, just trying to make it to the next week and stay together as a family. <br />
<br />
There were tears shed by all. And there were a lot of really difficult conversations. But it was good. It was really good for us. Like anything, I'm not sure I would go back and willfully choose the difficult, but now I am starting to see the purpose and growth through it all.<br />
<br />
My beloved and patient husband has walked with me through my struggle this year and he has pushed me further than I ever thought I would go. I have cried, I have been angry, but he knew I needed to grow. Our conversations have been very difficult for me, I not one for confrontation and vulnerability. But the ever growing result has been a deeper intimacy and depth to our relationship and friendship than we have experienced in very long time. <br />
<br />
And now it is summer. <br />
And we are starting to pull out of our survivor mode and work on shifting into thriving mode.
<br />
<br />
We went a little crazy this spring and bought a pop-up camper. It's old and ghetto, and has proven to be the source of enormous amounts of crazy fun this year already. We camped overnight in the backyard for Ashebir's 6th birthday, and then we took it to the CT shore for a few days. We are headed back out tomorrow night for another 4 nights of fun at a state park. We even figured out that it is possible to completely tear it down in the absolute pouring rain. Again, would not have been our first choice, but it will now make for a forever memory. <br />
<br />
Our commitment this summer is to capturing the most of it together. We will be outside a lot, we will be playing a lot of games together outside a lot. And we will continue to keep our electronic entertainment at a minimum. It has its place, but we don't want it to be a major player in our summer fun.<br />
<br />
And we will dream together as a family. Dream about the future. Dream about where God may lead us next year as Pete finishes his master's degree. And dream about what God would have us do now, in this moment, to change our world for Him.<br />
<br />
The journey is fun, but the journey is hard. <br />
And I have learned that I have so very far to go.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I am more grateful everyday that I serve a God who is forever faithful and forever unchanging.</span><br />
<br />
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Today I went to the farmer’s market in my city.<span style=""> </span>It’s generally one of my favorite places to go.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s hard to explain exactly what happens when we come home from faraway places like Haiti.<span style=""> </span>It’s not like I make conscious decisions toward dysfunction.<span style=""> </span>It’s more like I’m standing somewhere normally familiar and okay and my brain just short circuits.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And then I am completely overtaken by the urge to run away.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There was food everywhere … beautiful, yummy, fresh fruits and vegetables.<span style=""> </span>And I was using WIC vouchers to get my produce, which should be a good thing, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well, it is a good thing.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s just really hard to process when I was only a week ago triaging patients in an outdoor clinic who are unable to feed their children enough for normal growth and development, never mind fresh fruits and vegetables.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, because I am a US citizen in a certain income bracket the State of CT will help me buy produce for my children.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But, there are mommies in Haiti who are living in a world of poverty I cannot even imagine who have no access to adequate food for their babies.<span style=""> </span>And no government who cares to intervene.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And this comes down to where we were born.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Where I was born was not a choice I made or a circumstance for which I can take pride.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am here.<span style=""> </span>And they are there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And now I can sit and eat my salad.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Only it just makes me nauseous.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Coming home is really hard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-49465692785414683972011-08-10T18:16:00.000-07:002011-08-10T19:31:57.999-07:00August 10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeaJL8gOre2ErD-YqH9ZpNCe3gCMybrY9vu3eiN98IKtmD0D9tgbFEdS0qr1ZKTO5j6o8HLR3G6G5gPv9Yg2UqyJQpaqXu7h9ReKIovvG85JvOMuejszLh_HA8eIgv2SEsBfUuR9aMtgD/s1600/IMG_6729%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeaJL8gOre2ErD-YqH9ZpNCe3gCMybrY9vu3eiN98IKtmD0D9tgbFEdS0qr1ZKTO5j6o8HLR3G6G5gPv9Yg2UqyJQpaqXu7h9ReKIovvG85JvOMuejszLh_HA8eIgv2SEsBfUuR9aMtgD/s200/IMG_6729%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639420498612377314" /></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNqCgl8RAF6mZzGL7p1SztQ7nkA65S2uVaHTlO0ofNDRCDqyOvCNf2aQVUwfYpwgf0o2aZbr9_F1lEGJ2cVCRXor65oeU-mZszIbA9EXkBLVmf5EUFnt3qkPFQIp3gv5skZXXx4G0YPPQ/s1600/IMG_6727%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNqCgl8RAF6mZzGL7p1SztQ7nkA65S2uVaHTlO0ofNDRCDqyOvCNf2aQVUwfYpwgf0o2aZbr9_F1lEGJ2cVCRXor65oeU-mZszIbA9EXkBLVmf5EUFnt3qkPFQIp3gv5skZXXx4G0YPPQ/s200/IMG_6727%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639420486249088706" /></a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">It is hot.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is very hot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not hot like CT in a heatwave.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hot like in your microwave hot.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And there are a lot of people here already.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And there are more coming.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A lot more coming.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And there is no power.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And we can’t flush the toilets.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I just rocked a beautiful little boy to sleep for his nap.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sasha is playing cards with the kids.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kenni is rolling a ball on the floor with the toddlers in their room.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tariku and Ashebir are sacked out from a morning of playing in the sun.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pete is building bunkbeds outside using power tools plugged into a generator.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rachel is sanding wood for the bunks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kim is helping too.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And it is in these moments that all seems well with the world.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is why we take our children and spent our vacations in orphanages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Because there is a piece of life that we would never experience outside of these places.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Worth the money.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Worth the risk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Worth it all.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And Jesus said, “I have come to give you life, life to the full.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-14157879189152954702011-08-09T18:32:00.001-07:002011-08-09T19:00:05.439-07:00Haiti :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYKVg9c_5HMmKC-pkK-v33d1k0Z40woBPoVLYmyw872a_Iy0BSR61_1ZiyVo3rUzJblXbiE4Ykj5xCoTfIseCSfZiWlyF6k5QFNIy1UGaoMLrb1mDuIxlNtYT1dPaXRmIvO1WiXwJ0YWi/s1600/IMG_6682%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYKVg9c_5HMmKC-pkK-v33d1k0Z40woBPoVLYmyw872a_Iy0BSR61_1ZiyVo3rUzJblXbiE4Ykj5xCoTfIseCSfZiWlyF6k5QFNIy1UGaoMLrb1mDuIxlNtYT1dPaXRmIvO1WiXwJ0YWi/s200/IMG_6682%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639040461342211506" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov-KlrXkVFFTjCeuovvtcmMZKP56W-AYBUy53nNL_7hTp1et6LnzZWk0gyPxo79gGfqpiysf2aozcCm5vlIG0ezmGf4JOCl3JTCGkmuqDLSJew79vIvnbSuJE7coRxUw5KdNn-2oOyewl/s1600/IMG_6687%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov-KlrXkVFFTjCeuovvtcmMZKP56W-AYBUy53nNL_7hTp1et6LnzZWk0gyPxo79gGfqpiysf2aozcCm5vlIG0ezmGf4JOCl3JTCGkmuqDLSJew79vIvnbSuJE7coRxUw5KdNn-2oOyewl/s200/IMG_6687%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639040459399216418" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8w8kXl_PdpcxuVs3RC88_xhF0tC6Z2GnzrPIC9WD5IDRuNsEI9bvQtTuSMwMIZcMYvXGvgJ4XnZw4Nth9ePW03dD1Ch29hyIBVGEux1-IOI1vKo9ZjJ8y2qE-IFc2QEl5KGvbv1ypNkp/s1600/IMG_6704%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8w8kXl_PdpcxuVs3RC88_xhF0tC6Z2GnzrPIC9WD5IDRuNsEI9bvQtTuSMwMIZcMYvXGvgJ4XnZw4Nth9ePW03dD1Ch29hyIBVGEux1-IOI1vKo9ZjJ8y2qE-IFc2QEl5KGvbv1ypNkp/s200/IMG_6704%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639040454671459778" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_26L30N1sbyeThHAeHWoXPi4gQBAt6UXmG2QRf5tvu96lbMqEZX1ao2AZUs-bUf8nEuDWbWP8DBCsvF5S6JpehCaVHUH4wv64ShJ6VNuQWYZYRr3jFyjGWHfKEPxRyWNsRunEU5h8E0wk/s1600/IMG_6708%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_26L30N1sbyeThHAeHWoXPi4gQBAt6UXmG2QRf5tvu96lbMqEZX1ao2AZUs-bUf8nEuDWbWP8DBCsvF5S6JpehCaVHUH4wv64ShJ6VNuQWYZYRr3jFyjGWHfKEPxRyWNsRunEU5h8E0wk/s200/IMG_6708%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639040450263883666" /></a>
<br />We arrived safely yesterday afternoon.<div>The airport is crowded and hot beyond your wildest dreams, but we managed to leave with all our suitcases and baggage accounted for! God is good.</div><div>The kids are having a ball.</div><div>The boys spent the day playing outside with all the kids. They were up at 5 am and went strong until about 7 pm tonight. They are sacked out now. The girls are as well.</div><div>Pete was able to get out and purchase the supplies to make a prototype for the bunkbeds they'll be constructing next week when the team arrives. Purchasing supplies always takes longer than you think in Haiti!</div><div>Me and the girls spent the day around the compound ... playing with kids, braiding hair, supervising water time and just enjoying out time together.</div><div>We love you all. We covet your prayers.</div><div>It is a good time, but it is hot and crowded. Pray for our patience and our love.</div><div>:)</div><div>Can't wait to see the team in just a few days!!</div><div>Hopefully I'll be attaching some pictures for you.</div><div>Amy</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-38716841968725909252011-01-27T07:27:00.000-08:002011-01-27T07:36:51.582-08:00Water<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33asRH_l-YiDRJ1HjVmwMNd3bZtiizRSOqXYAEXx4qfop6jub1OwAzPmX21bpnE8tfcWBBKn7kT8ypp5Lhf8WS-a4jMXepitxW78bPLzHYsmQS_bmL8CLUhabxMjGHFs9mRswnkVB6roD/s1600/IMG_4781.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566889731034710514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33asRH_l-YiDRJ1HjVmwMNd3bZtiizRSOqXYAEXx4qfop6jub1OwAzPmX21bpnE8tfcWBBKn7kT8ypp5Lhf8WS-a4jMXepitxW78bPLzHYsmQS_bmL8CLUhabxMjGHFs9mRswnkVB6roD/s320/IMG_4781.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtIiMAnqza931h5RqNeUPapOvN_CGi5pO2SlCQc221MkP5nNmsfzbOJGVVmv7-ed1cswuUkfnYbhiT78DH-pak3b_fmmNRTIECTTGLrd3GjOvrdliNyOPI8-nLHBg-DFEyyeCT69QbzvF/s1600/IMG_4779.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566889702542036098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtIiMAnqza931h5RqNeUPapOvN_CGi5pO2SlCQc221MkP5nNmsfzbOJGVVmv7-ed1cswuUkfnYbhiT78DH-pak3b_fmmNRTIECTTGLrd3GjOvrdliNyOPI8-nLHBg-DFEyyeCT69QbzvF/s320/IMG_4779.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Part of the responsibility of our group was bringing down supplies in order to make a water filtration system for the doctor’s compound. Basically, it consisted of Lowe’s 5 gallon buckets made into water filters. One of my nursing school friends, Jon, put 10 of them together and we set them up outside the house. It takes approximately an hour to filter one gallon of water, so the process is quite slow. The kids were arriving with their containers long before we had enough water to supply it to them. Before we could give them the water, we had to clean out their containers with bleach because they had been previously filled with contaminated water. So, my job was to start with one container and transfer the bleach water down the row of children until all the containers were clean.<br /><br />Then they lined up for the water. We have some amazing pictures of these children, ranging in age from 2 to 15 waiting patiently in line for clean water. We were so proud of the filtration system, but felt immediately inadequate to meet the high needs of those right around us. We sent most kids home with some clean water, but we had no where near enough to fill all their containers to the top. </div><div><br />This was also the night that we had a meal for the kids and their families. Part of our team went to the market to get the food that was needed (the funds were donated by one of their moms back home) and then the ladies that work with Dr. Franco spent the majority of the day cooking everything from scratch. There was rice and beans and chicken with sauce. While I did not have any of it, it sure did smell delicious when I was serving it. I have truly never seen so much rice in all my life.</div><div><br />Before dinner Dr. Franco did a church service for everyone. The kids were all lined up on the benches outside, with the adults standing behind and to the sides. There were probably 200 people there at least. Church always lasts longer in other countries than it does here in the States. We sang songs in English and in Creole and people gave testimonies and Dr. Franco preached. He preached in Creole and then translated for us so that we could understand. He is a provocative combination of evangelical and humanitarian. He is a surgeon, and wants so desperately to bring proper medical care to those in need … but his heart is as a pastor. His greatest desire is for the people to come to know Jesus personally. It was both challenging and refreshing. </div><div><br />During the message, Miss Sasha went from sitting right in the middle of the kids in the front row to being held by several members of our team. She won their hearts over on this trip that’s for sure. During the testimony time Sasha went right up front and told everyone that she loved Jesus and that she hoped they would choose to follow Him too. She is a preacher in the making. </div><div><br />The dinner was amazing. The ladies had prepared a pan of rice bigger than I have ever seen, filled with beans and awesome homemadeness. I scooped rice onto plates until my arms were sore while others did chicken and sauce and others handed out plates. The children ate first, followed by the teenagers and adults. We ran out of chicken first, which was hard. So many people did not get chicken. How do you explain that? I’m sorry you won’t be getting chicken. That sucked is an understatement.</div><div><br />We fed people for over an hour, letting more people in the gate when the others were finished.<br />Sasha was exhausted by 8 o’clock. I took her inside and scrubbed her down and laid her in bed. She was out within minutes. Nothing like a long life filled day to help you sleep well. </div><div><br />The people were there until late, eating everything that the ladies had prepared, and taking with them all the water that had been filtered. We were exhausted, that good kind of exhausted when you have given of yourself in a way that uses all your energy. As with other nights, we sat and talked about the day by the light of the generator power. So much to debrief.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-23500287185339735832011-01-26T13:44:00.000-08:002011-01-26T14:38:28.711-08:00Porridge in Haiti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-hF4ri68okdfGZCgU180Jt_bE9iRZKSyxgLocNXOHt5aV3Qrr9rynXk078tkkRpKt70qA5vsaY4QwQnXk921RKCp8jnCCp3CyQ0d32wJ-2b4UECw1fZuX5HQtq1wjumFHwgf6U_k23Vk/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566627204401466466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-hF4ri68okdfGZCgU180Jt_bE9iRZKSyxgLocNXOHt5aV3Qrr9rynXk078tkkRpKt70qA5vsaY4QwQnXk921RKCp8jnCCp3CyQ0d32wJ-2b4UECw1fZuX5HQtq1wjumFHwgf6U_k23Vk/s320/IMG_4482.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Many of you know that I ate porridge for a year after the experience I had at the 30 hour famine a couple years back. Little did I know that that experience would hit me in the face all over again, this time on the other side of the world. When it was time for dinner at the orphanage, all the kids sat at long picnic like tables inside the dining area. Each child was given a metal bowl filled with a corn meal porridge that looked exactly like what I had eaten and a spoon. </div><br /><br /><div>I ate my porridge out of choice. There was no choice with these children.<br /></div><div>I did not have a perfect track record in eating my porridge. There were days when I forgot, days when I did not plan ahead and ate something else on the road, and days when I just skipped lunch b/c I didn’t feel like eating it again. But this past week I sat with beautiful little boys and girls who eat this every night for dinner (and perhaps lunch and breakfast too, I was afraid to ask). Not out of choice, or because it’s cool to write a blog about. They eat this porridge every night because it’s all they have to eat. </div><br /><div>I took pictures through my tears. Porridge for dinner everyday and no mommy or daddy to tuck you in bed at night. This is their world. This is a world I cannot even imagine being a part of everyday as a little child.<br /></div><div>I know the big question many of you will ask yourself.<br /></div><div>And the answer is yes. Yes, it is potentially possible to adopt these kids. If you really want to. And really wanting to is going to involve a level of grit and commitment you have never had to muster before. Adopting from Haiti is different. It's complicated. But it is the complicated children who really need adoption.</div><br /><div>Feel free to ask me about adoption if you are interested ...if you believe you have the grit and commitment that will be required. These kids are older, they are sibling groups, they have special needs and yes, it will cost a tremendous amount of money ... but children like this are among the most needy. Adoption is not for everyone, but I can point you in the right direction if you are genuinely interested. Please know that I do not have any special connections, just information about who to talk to in order to ask questions.</div><br /><div>And, please do not "shop" for children in any of my pictures. This is not the purpose for which I took these pictures and I do not personally know the individual stories of any of these children. </div><br /><div>Instead, please let the faces of these children prompt you to pray and to advocate.</div><br /><div>For them specifically, but also for the children all over this world who live parallel lives to these beautiful children in Haiti. </div><br /><div>Our world is huge. The need is even bigger.</div><br /><div>Be a voice of change. Be an agent of change.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-63223841184818485972011-01-25T18:46:00.000-08:002011-01-25T19:03:24.964-08:00Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKrrp8hyphenhyphenXUNcaPQGvrloz592nlcq0KhLxNTmfXJH1zU0OZ7bZd03ss3fUxfTeIhGO5mi1Ru4VfCncq-5dgIECOw-rpIu7K_2AWSMkfZ5TRoN-99BoIXIronNMafHqNeQGvukxyQuRtiid/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566323569018308690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKrrp8hyphenhyphenXUNcaPQGvrloz592nlcq0KhLxNTmfXJH1zU0OZ7bZd03ss3fUxfTeIhGO5mi1Ru4VfCncq-5dgIECOw-rpIu7K_2AWSMkfZ5TRoN-99BoIXIronNMafHqNeQGvukxyQuRtiid/s320/IMG_4320.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsDCUT6kufUCFoC6wKWuOrlCVeJb484E3f0I-rnHB5XSQK1RuulV-HaSpdQHoI4y2nDs51g39luLORCQSG5jPPd65qZkkfyEblkfSa3BVeDsAWfymmM1oWWWwLYcxjjFXAZoeCBu0LMv/s1600/IMG_4147.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566322633934627714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsDCUT6kufUCFoC6wKWuOrlCVeJb484E3f0I-rnHB5XSQK1RuulV-HaSpdQHoI4y2nDs51g39luLORCQSG5jPPd65qZkkfyEblkfSa3BVeDsAWfymmM1oWWWwLYcxjjFXAZoeCBu0LMv/s320/IMG_4147.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>This was taken the first day of our medical clinics in the tent city. These beautiful people were displaced after the earthquake, and now a year later they are still living in tents.<br /></div><br /><div>A year in a tent.</div><br /><div>That is something I cannot even imagine.</div><br /><div>And there is no promise of change anytime soon.</div><div> </div><div><div></div>Many people wondered what Sasha did while I was working on the medical end of things. Well, as you can see from the above picture, she was not in any way bored. :) She quickly made friends outside with the children of the tent city ... they played games, colored pictures and just spent time together. She was in her element.<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-84848949981335941632011-01-25T18:41:00.001-08:002011-01-25T18:46:52.249-08:00Haiti Part 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB_jwKSll3oaMTCfiE96cReELLHw7KEvEgUecRu3vDCJ7U-RU5F1zUTvjqqGg238UsXsUTg4IIh9fPw9OBzZi510kny4Mq45jftXhFPwvffNdUexEgHYUTd3i1hQLNCuFyePgZX0fAlGd/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566319630915722946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB_jwKSll3oaMTCfiE96cReELLHw7KEvEgUecRu3vDCJ7U-RU5F1zUTvjqqGg238UsXsUTg4IIh9fPw9OBzZi510kny4Mq45jftXhFPwvffNdUexEgHYUTd3i1hQLNCuFyePgZX0fAlGd/s320/IMG_4109.JPG" /></a><br /><div>So many people wondered how Sasha would do on this trip.</div><br /><div>Well, you can be rest assured that Sasha adjusted beautifully and had the time of her life. Here is a classic example of just how easy it is to go with what you have when you are little. This is Sasha sound asleep on the floor at JFK. :)</div><div> </div><div>She carried her new doll that she got from mom mom and grandpa for Christmas all over Haiti. Here Abrianna is fast asleep with her at JFK. Later in the week she was riding along in the front seat as we drove through the political unrest, and then Abrianna even had a chance to be sprayed down with alcohol after we left the cholera clinic.</div><div> </div><div>Taking Sasha with me was the best decision ever. Not only did the trip change her life, but seeing Haiti through her eyes changed mine as well. I love you, Miss Sasha and we are so very proud of the responsible and delightful spirit you added to this adventure.</div><div> </div><div>So many more thoughts to come ... so much nursing school stuff in front of me. You'll have to be patient. :)</div><br /><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-11893079516055813842011-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:24:49.323-08:00Haiti Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Last week I was riding in the back of a pick up truck through the streets of Port au Prince. At one point we were driving through political unrest complete with SWAT teams and UN soldiers everywhere.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This week I went to the gym and ran 5 miles on a treadmill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On Wednesday I was haggling with street vendors for good prices on art in 100 degree sun.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then the next day here in Middletown I picked out perfectly round imported apples from a display case inside a store that had no less than 10 varieties of said apples to choose from.<span style=""> <br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now that I am sitting here in front of my computer, the trip seems sort of like a dream.<span style=""> </span>The details are surreal and I am having trouble assimilating them with my life.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will try and write what I can.<span style=""> </span>I hope it makes sense.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I will be honest. I did not expect this trip to affect me like it did. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have been lot of places and I have seen a lot of things in this world. I have seen poverty and sickness and injustice. But, the difference is, that I have never seen such things so close to home. Haiti is practically in our backyard people. It is a 3 1/2 hour direct flight from JFK to Port au Prince. That's closer than California!</p><p class="MsoNormal">And yet we sit in our warm safe homes and pretend like it is far, far away. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">But now I have been there. And you are reading my blog. So, now we are both responsible for what we know. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Whenever one of us comes back from a trip like this we are bombarded with people who say they want to come next time.<span style=""> This particular trip has been no exception.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Will I go again? The possibility is very real. We are thinking and praying about going this summer after I am finished school. If we go, it will be as a family. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Can you go? Again, the possibility is very real. Haiti is close and Haiti is accessible. I would be more than happy to talk with you about serving in Haiti, if you are interested. But, please take the time to read my next few posts before asking me about it. While it may be close by, you will need to be prepared for inconsistent electricity, no hot water, air conditioning or fans, and very long drives in the back of pick up trucks over insanely bumpy roads. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">With that said, a trip to Haiti also has the potential to quite literally change your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">So, I would say that the long drives and lack of air conditioning are more like character builders rather than difficult factors to deal with. Talk to my daughter Sasha. She lived her 7 days in Haiti with great zeal and had the time of her life.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">To be honest, I am not the actual person you would need to talk to about being a part of a trip like this. But, I can put you into contact with that person if you are interested. She is my friend and she is a dreamer just like me. She will also be very honest with you about what to expect and how you can be a part of changing the world in Haiti.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">This is sort of a teaser blog post. My pictures will be back with me on Monday night and then I have no less than 8 pages worth of blogs to post which I will do so, complete with the pictures to accompany the stories. Be patient. The wait will be worth it.<br /></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-39320816896843319422009-08-11T12:49:00.000-07:002009-08-11T13:09:30.069-07:00Walk for Water …<br /><br />This past week our family had the opportunity to attend Soulfest, a Christian concert festival held in New Hampshire. After a week of camping in the rain and sludging through the mud we were ready to come home and sleep in our own beds. <br /><br />Above all the concerts and fellowship one event stands as the life changer for me.<br /><br />On Saturday morning Kendalyn and I had the opportunity to participate in what’s called a “Walk for Water.” Basically, each person carries a 5 gallon bucket one mile out to a river, fills the bucket with water, and carries it one mile back. <br /><br />The purpose of this activity is to show how difficult it is to carry water even one mile ... yet women and children carry water many more miles everyday all over the world. And often the water they carry, the water it takes most of the day to collect, is not even sanitary enough to bathe in, never mind drink or cook in. Yet it is the water they use for all daily activities. <br /><br />How much water would I use each day if I had to carry it all even one mile each way to my home?<br /> <br />The average American uses 100 gallons of water each day. 100 gallons of clean and refreshing water. Water we can use for any purpose we wish without a care in the world. <br /><br />It would have taken me 20 trips on my walk for water in order to carry that much water back on Saturday.<br /><br />I can tell you now I would not have made it 20 times.<br /><br />I’m not sure I would have made it 5 times. Let's just say I was sore for days even after just one trip.<br /><br />At the beginning we were all together, maybe 50 people or so, each of us with our orange 5 gallon bucket. I had to fight for Kendalyn to be able to participate. They tried to tell me she was too young, that maybe we should save the buckets for a “real” walker. After many attempts at being nice, I basically just told them I was taking a bucket for her because she really wanted to do this. Why do people fight with mothers?<br /><br />So Kenni and I started walking together. Oh yes, and I was carrying Tariku on my back in the backpack.<br /><br />And then a man with a video camera asked if he could ask us a couple questions. <br />Oh sure, why not?<br /><br />So, he casually asked Kenni why she was walking. <br /><br />And, as if the very voice of God spoke through her, she said, “I’m walking for my brother Tariku and his first mom and her friends.”<br /><br />And that’s when I lost it. Completely. <br /><br />I then tried my best to answer his question as to why I walked. I blubbered through some sort of variation of what she had just so eloquently said and we walked on.<br /><br />The walk out wasn’t so bad. An empty 5 gallon bucket doesn’t really weigh too much. An active 20 month old baby boy on your back is rather heavy, but I’ve done that plenty of times before. <br /><br />We waited in line at the creek for our water. Knowing that in order to make the exercise realistic I would need to care a substantial amount of water, I asked the man to fill mine as full as he could. Kenni then filled her bucket with about a gallon of water I then dumped her water in my bucket and had him fill hers again. So my bucket was filled to about 3 inches below the top.<br /><br />5 gallons of water weighs approximately 45 pounds. That seems all well and good until you try and walk with that much water in a bucket. It’s not only heavy, but incredibly awkward, at the same time. And add to that the 20 month old baby boy on my back trying to climb out of his backpack and the tears running down my face ... we were quite the site.<br /> <br />It’s quite the trick just trying to keep all the water in the bucket. If you’re going to walk that far to carry the water you sure as heck don’t want any of it to spill over the sides along the way. <br /><br />While I was starting to fall behind, Kendalyn was in front of me leading the way and talking to everyone that crossed our path. She was telling them all about how they too should be walking for water rather than merely standing by the sidelines. That’s my girl. :)<br /><br />Over the course of the mile I had to put my bucket of water down many times. But we both made it to the end ... tired, with sore hands and arm muscles, but we made it. One mile with one bucket of water. Hardly an accomplishment when I think of all the women and children who walk miles each day to carry water home, just to sustain life. Why me? Why them?<br /><br />I'd challenge you to do some reading. Check out <a href="http://www.globalbenefit.org/">www.globalbenefit.org</a> to find out more about our walk for water, as well as information on people who walk for water everyday.<br /><br />And one of these days I'm going to organize my own walk for water here in CT. <br />Anyone want to help me?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-40685577724645200982009-07-13T18:20:00.001-07:002009-07-13T18:24:41.119-07:00Psalm 15Psalm 15<br /><br />"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?<br />He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,<br />who speaks the truth from his heart<br />and has no slander on his tongue,<br />who does his neighbor no wrong<br />and casts no slur on his fellowman,<br />who despises a vile man<br />but honors those who fear the LORD,<br />who keeps his oath<br />even when it hurts,<br />who lends his money without usury<br />and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.<br />He who does these things will never be shaken."<br /><br />Now there's a list worth working on.<br />He who does these things will never be shaken.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-48417792598634582372009-06-25T04:30:00.001-07:002009-06-25T04:42:11.273-07:00The Last Day of SchoolThe last day of school ...<br /><br />Hard to believe that today is the last day of school. Mind you, we're the only people still in school at this late hour (thanks to snow make up days), but it's still hard to believe the school year is winding up.<br /><br />Our firstborn is finishing second grade and is well on her way to being taller than her mama. :) She is beautiful and funny, we have such a good time together.<br /><br />Our sweet second born finished preschool yesterday. She came home with a backpack full of pictures from the year and a heart full of friends and memories. She loved school ... from the busride in to the busride home. She says she's excited that school is over, but I know she'll miss her friends before the week is out.<br /><br />And wonder boy is now 19 months old. Our beautiful baby boy is a running, talking little person. Occassionally he will allow us to snuggle him close, but that doesn't happen very often. When it does we try to take deep breathes and savor the moments. <br /><br />The summer is before us ... so much fun planned this year. <br /><br />We're headed to the Science Museum in Springfield, MA tomorrow for the day. Buying the family pass to all the science and kid museums was one of our best moves.<br /><br />Daddy has a missions trip next week for a few days.<br />We'll be camping at Rocky Neck for a week.<br />The kids are spending a week at my parents in Jersey after that.<br />We're all spending a week in PA with grammie and papa.<br />Soulfest is at the end of July.<br />Kenni goes to camp all by herself (6 nights in NH!) in August.<br />And then we round off the summer with family camp up at Spofford, our real vacation.<br /><br />Whew. We might be ready for school to start again in the fall.<br /><br />Now I'm off to enjoy one last cup of coffee for the school year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-78667911907323337242009-06-04T18:49:00.001-07:002009-06-04T19:29:45.048-07:00Adoption MusingsAn adoption update ...<br /><br />We are currently in the middle of the paperwork stage for our next adoption. I specifically remember a conversation Pete and I had on the plane ride to Ethiopia (probably right after Kendalyn's vomit incident) where we both agreed that Tariku's adoption would be the only adoption and that we were done having children. :) Hee, hee. I also specifically remember the moment when we saw all the beautiful children waiting for families at the care center in Ethiopia. We both knew then that we would be back.<br /><br />Another boy ... this time he will be older. He can be as old as a year younger than Sasha, and it is likely that he will be that old, because the older they are the harder they are to place with families. We are hoping to bring him home within the next year and so that will make him about 5 years old at that time.<br /><br />Our son. Only now he is <em>someone else's</em> son. And he will<em> always</em> be someone else's son too.<br /><br />Our son who will soon find himself in the most horrific of circumstances. Circumstances that will leave him orphaned and in need of a new mommy and daddy. Circumstances so traumatic that I dare not even speculate what they might be.<br /><br />And so what do we do now? Well, for one, we fill out piles of endless paperwork and get countless signatures notarized. We write checks. Big checks that are only being written because we have the ability to take out loans. And then we wait ... wait for our adoption agency to send all our paperwork to all the right places ... wait for visas and passports and medical evaluations, etc.<br /><br />Why? So many people ask us why. People ask us why, and then generally they tell us why they are not able/choosing to adopt. *Sigh*<br /><br />Why? Let me tell you why. <br /><br />Because 15 months ago we traveled to the other side of the world to pick up our son who has forever changed our lives. He is beautiful and smart and a little crazy. He is our son.<br /><br />But he did not start off as <em>our</em> son and he is not only <em>our</em> son. Due to the tragic imbalance of resources in our world, he was born to a beautiful Ethiopian woman who was unable to care for him. It is true that I will probably never meet her, but yet I <em>see</em> her every minute I look into his face ... and I wonder ... did his birth mommy have dimples ... and did she ever get to see his? Did she have long curly eye lashes? Did she love popcorn? <br /><br />Did she get to hold him close, even for a minute? I pray she did. Oh God, I pray she was able to hold him.<br /><br />Because my son is a gift. But he was her son first.<br />In a perfect world, she should have been able to raise him and love him and chase him all over the place like I do everyday.<br /><br />And now there is another little boy ... a little older this time ... who is about to lose <em>his</em> family due to the tragic imbalance of resources in our world. And this time he will remember his birth family because he will be old enough to remember. And we will do our best to help him keep those memories alive.<br /><br />So many beautiful children. So few people who are willing. And if they could only understand ... what we have "sacrificed" to bring these two boys into our home pales in comparison to the joy they have and will bring to us. It pales in comparison to the gift of family and the amazing mystery of adoption. <br /><br />We might not own a home. We might not drive a nice car. We might not go out to eat or out on dates. We might eat too much pasta and not enough meat. <br /><br />But we have experienced love, life and blessing like we would never have otherwise known. <br />The expense, the risk, the grief, the wait ... it's all worth it, I tell you. Well worth it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-34697138366428234142009-05-19T05:03:00.000-07:002009-05-19T05:24:43.215-07:00Jackass Number 2The kids are still asleep (I know, I'm shocked as well) so this phenomenon leads me to believe I am meant to write something worthwhile and lasting this morning. Why else would they still be asleep at 8:05 on a Tuesday morning?<br /><br />The cornmeal lunches are going well. Honestly, after a couple days of choking it down it got a little easier. My super amazing friend Alicia starts day 2 of her ENTIRE WEEK of cornmeal porridge today. She had a tough time eating it all day yesterday and felt pretty bad about herself ... the same way I felt the first time I choked it down. <br /><br />Everyday I wake up and open my refrigerator and decide what to have for breakfast. After complaining to myself that I have to make it and wouldn't it be nice if I could just go out to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast like everyone else, I try and make something healthy for myself and the kids. Again, in my mind I think about how nice it would be to just go to Dunkin Donuts with the kids and not worry about health or money.<br /><br />Before the cornmeal lunches, I would again look in the frig and try to find something for lunch after a long morning at the YMCA. I'd say to myself in my head, "You deserve so much better than this Amy ... but way to go for being so disciplined with your food budget, unlike so many others. You can prove what can be done with a tight budget and maybe someday someone will listen." <br /><br />And then at dinnertime I would remove the small package of meat from the frig and make something with it that distributed the meat among all 5 (okay 4 of us, Tariku won't generally eat meat of any kind) of us in an economical way. I would again say to myself in my head, " Maybe for fun one night this week I'll buy a couple steaks from Aldi's and splurge for me and Pete ... maybe while we watch the Lost finale online after he gets back." <br /><br />You see, in my head, I am not really satisfied or happy with the way we are choosing to eat on a budget. I do it because I know not only is it very do-able, but it is healthy and it is allowing us to do so many more exciting things with our money. But I am not REALLY satisified or happy with the scenerio. <br /><br />Because, I too am a Jackass. (read my friend's blog for further reference)<br /><br />I say I am sympathetic to the cause of the poor ... I am, really ... but it does not carry over to my head when I'm home alone cooking dinner for my family. <br /><br />I think deep down that somehow I am more deserving than the beautiful Ethiopian mother who walks miles for dirty water and has nothing to feed her children. Somehow I have the right to whatever food I want today in my refrigerator, while she chooses to go hungry and instead gives her children the beans and cornmeal given to her by World Vision.<br /><br />I think it may take more than a year to become really grateful for what I have. Not grateful on a surface level, but really grateful ... grateful in a way that even changes my thought patterns. <br /><br />This morning I put fresh milk in my coffee. Fresh cow's milk in my refrigerator puts our family in the minority in this world. The vast majority of the world's population does not have access to fresh milk and I get annoyed when I have to use skim milk in my coffee instead of whole.<br /><br />Come have lunch with me. Please. Let's talk together about how we might become more grateful people. <br /><br />Live simply so that others may simply live.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-53049082530366526952009-05-12T18:18:00.000-07:002009-05-12T18:24:59.927-07:00Great friendsEveryone needs great friends.<br /><br />You know the kind ... while the rest of the world is trying to ignore your crazy idea about corn meal porrige ... there they are ... jumping in to eat it with you!<br />Thank you! You know who you are!<br /><br />And the porrige is going well. Honestly after 7 days of it, I'm sort of used to it. I'm still booking lunch dates for those who would like to join me! If you would like me to come to your work, I'm flexible for that too. :) For a donation of $5 (tax deductable to World Vision) we will eat together what so many in our world pray for each day.<br /><br />Love you guys! Let me know how the book reading is going.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-49780876433203244692009-05-05T19:05:00.000-07:002009-05-05T19:07:36.444-07:00The books are readyThe books are on their way out. :)<br />Here's what you'll find on the inside cover. <br />Be sure to let me know if you'd like a copy.<br /><br />Dear Reader:<br /><br />Please know that many prayers are being said over you as you read this book. <br /><br />After you are finished reading, please write your name and the date inside the book, and return it to us so that someone else can read it next. If you would like someone you know to read it, consider purchasing a copy to loan to them!<br /><br />Also, please take a moment to email us your thoughts about what you’ve read, as well as your intended course of action. We can’t wait to hear what you’re thinking! <br /><br />Together we will change the world.<br /><br />Pete and Amy Zipf<br /><br />“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger of malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-41076461985112142952009-05-05T17:37:00.000-07:002009-05-05T17:43:32.661-07:00The Books Are Here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDpCYhQD-aqr9yBBccRNUw_7XUdVv4rCdIn-wPi1wNNpeF8eC35z2E0FK8Uc0kW5XfbPWasZroKvn6_1FtmauwSUnDmw0LbKyblbhrDvE1tbvmCN4TpIdrZfv0aVGgPN75t0dBf0bgcBu/s1600-h/May+09+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332504721609057426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDpCYhQD-aqr9yBBccRNUw_7XUdVv4rCdIn-wPi1wNNpeF8eC35z2E0FK8Uc0kW5XfbPWasZroKvn6_1FtmauwSUnDmw0LbKyblbhrDvE1tbvmCN4TpIdrZfv0aVGgPN75t0dBf0bgcBu/s320/May+09+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have to say, I am quite the fan of Amazon. Nothing like free shipping and 3 day delivery.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The books are here and I'll be getting them out this week. If you'd like to come by for some porriage, I can give you the book at the same time. And I'll be at the church tomorrow eating porriage with Pastor Roger, so let me know if you'd like me to make enough for you! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-61359335149305966702009-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:002009-05-04T10:08:35.089-07:00Day 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiWcMKR_cYMtuIlYhGx6F6tnqzMHQFEuwn2-yAiAS2pJuFzjyf5RMvPdpKl5rmPCoN8nvdpAVjxiTfrnquhhX8AgDpmLWn7agoARmd-cVRF9O8Oo2SlO-BUXN3vzOGcKQubiQMG3S2D4f/s1600-h/DSC04012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332014018644943042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiWcMKR_cYMtuIlYhGx6F6tnqzMHQFEuwn2-yAiAS2pJuFzjyf5RMvPdpKl5rmPCoN8nvdpAVjxiTfrnquhhX8AgDpmLWn7agoARmd-cVRF9O8Oo2SlO-BUXN3vzOGcKQubiQMG3S2D4f/s320/DSC04012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Okay, here I am at day 1 of the Corn Meal for a year adventure. :) Many people have asked about what exactly I'm eating, so I guess I'll start with a brief description and recipe.</div><div> </div><div>When World Vision brings in food to feed people who are starving, many times they provide ingredients to make a corn meal type "porriage." It is both economical and highly nutritious. It is not always what they use (depending on the region of the world, etc.), but it is a fair representation.</div><div> </div><div>Here is the basic recipe:</div><div> </div><div>1 cup cooked/smashed beans</div><div>3/4 cup maize or corn meal</div><div>1/4 cup oil</div><div>1/4 cup dry milk</div><div>1/4 cup sugar</div><div>water to make it like cream of wheat consistency (you'll need at least 1 cup of water)</div><div> </div><div>I mix everything together in a large bowl (bigger than you think might be necessary b/c the mixture tend to slosh around) until completely mixed. Then I pour it in a pan and cook it for about 5-10 minutes or until cooked through and bubbly.</div><div> </div><div>This will make 2 servings, one for today ... and then I refrigerate the other serving so tomorrow I don't have to start all over again. I can just microwave it. With it I am having a glass of tap water.</div><div> </div><div>Because I am obviously not starving, I have at this point taken out the oil and reduced the sugar by half. </div><div> </div><div>Thanks everyone! I'll keep you posted on the progress!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8050841387015104165.post-81279081702744956782009-05-03T19:23:00.001-07:002009-05-03T19:23:52.835-07:00The Hole in Our GospelNew book ... I just finished reading it.<br /><br />The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns ... he's the president of World Vision.<br /><br />World Vision is a global humanitarian aid organization. <br /><br />I have known since I was a teenager that God put me here to fight for Africa. I have been using the excuse of "being young" for way to long. It's about time I step up to the plate and get something done. <br /><br />Everyday 26,000 children die of hunger and hunger related causes. 26,000. <br /><br />And, in a fair world, that should mean 26,000 mamas were wailing while they dug graves for their babies. But, likely, many of those children were orphaned long before they died. Which means they did not even have a mama to hold them and weep over them when they died. <br /><br />So, things will be changing here at the Zipf house. And I'm here to challenge you to be a part of the fun. :)<br /><br />1. If you promise to read it, we will personally supply you (free) with a copy of the book, The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns. I'll have 20 copies by the end of the week. When you are finished with it, either give it back or foward it onto someone who will promise to read it.<br /><br />2. Those of you who were at the 30 hour famine will appreciate this one ... starting Monday I will be eating the Corn Meal Porriage we served at the famine everyday for lunch (Monday-Friday) for a year. If you think I'm stronger than you, you're mistaken. I ate a bowl of it, yes ... but I choked it down. Everyday I will put $5 in a jar to represent the amount of money I'm not spending on a regular lunch. At the end of the year, the money will be given to World Vision.<br /><br />The money will give others the opportunity to eat corn meal porriage. And they will walk miles for it. And they will be grateful because it's the only food they have.<br /><br />I will learn to be grateful. Damn it, I will learn. <br /><br />And I'm inviting you to join me for lunch anytime over the next year. We'll be having corn meal porriage and the topic of conversation will be the book. Please bring $5 to contribute to the jar and let's see how much money we can raise together. <br /><br />"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:<br />to loose the chains of injustice<br />and untie the cords of the yoke,<br />to set the oppressed free<br />and break every yoke?<br /><br />Is it not to share your food with the hungry<br />and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -<br />when you see the naked, to clothe him,<br />and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<br /><br />Then your light will break forth like the dawn,<br />and your healing will quickly appear;<br />then your righteousness will go before you,<br />and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.<br /><br />Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;<br />you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.<br /><br />If you do away with the yoke of oppression,<br />with the pointing finger and malicious talk,<br />and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry<br />and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,<br />then your light will rise in the darkness,<br />and your night will become like the noonday.<br /><br />The Lord will guide you always;<br />he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land<br />and will strengthen your frame.<br />You will be like a well-watered garden,<br />like a spring whose waters never fail."<br /><br />Taken from the Bible, Isaiah chapter 58Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783419828039456531noreply@blogger.com0