Doing a little shopping...

So this weekend I went to Dick's to check out the prices on the bug stuff.   I ended up buying them!  I also found some cheap flashlights (with batteries) at Walgreens:

The sunblock is 85spf - I know that is on the high side - but better safe than sorry!  =)  I got the right stuff to spray my clothes with that doesn't melt plastic - that is the big yellow can.  The stuff laying down is for me.  The guys at Dicks said I should get two - I got 3 just in case!  =) 

Since my battery operated heating pad was a bust, I went ovet to the hunting department and asked them what the hunters do in the cold weather to keep warm.   He showed me this:

He said that it reflects your body heat back to you.  I decided to get it - it was only $5.00.  So far it seems to be working a little - At least it is comfy - I've been testing it at work today (doesn't go at ALL with my red chair!)!  But my best bet is going to be the thermal heat wraps I think. 

I also saw this at Walgreens:

I'm going to get it tonight!  I hope it works - it LOOKS comfy!  Details to follow!

And THEN I saw Walgreen's ad:

How awesome is that?  The girls from work and I were going  to go out next Tuesday evening and get the medicine from when work surpirsed me with the cookout/fundraiser - but with a BOGO deal - we can't beat that!  So we are tentatively going this Thursday on lunch.   We aren't buying any liquids because they'll take up weight in my suitcase - I hope to unload their shelves for them!  And then we'll go get the rest of the stuff at Sam's club next week!

Speaking of Thrusday - one last team meeting before we go! 

Can you believe it is only two weeks away?

Busy Weekend!

It's been a busy weekend - I picked up more things for my trip.  Bug stuff, flashlights, a new heat pillow to try...I'll post pictures (as soon as I find my camera) and details hopefully tonight!

2 weeks and one day.  

WOW! - I'M SO NOT READY!!

Welcome to the Mathare Valley....

This is another post from the same writer from last Sunday.

The captions don't line up  - but I'm not sure you need the captions - the pictures speak a million words.

Please take a moment to read:  Welcome to the Mathare Valley

21 days and counting...

and a month from today I will be getting back.

Freezer Meal Planning....

So my boys don't live on frozen pizzas, ramen noodles, pizza rolls and carryout while I am gone, I decided to do a little cooking ahead of time and pack my freezer.

And cooking is always more fun with someone!

So I called my sister Nikie (hi Nikie!) - and we got together to plan a menu and schedule a cook day. My goal was 4 or 5 meals - family size - so that there is enough for two dinners from each meal. We will double all the recipes so that Nikie will have the same for her family!

Here is the menu:

• Chicken enchiladas - which my friend Beth Ann (hi Beth Ann!) swore were fabulous!
   
• King Ranch Chicken - Not sure where the name came from - no ranch in the recipe!
   
• Stuffed Shells
   
• Meatloaf meatballs - yummy! We love this recipe at our house - we use a full pound of Tennessee Pride HOT sausage - give it a KICK!
   
• Pork Chop Casserole - Nikie's family calls it Dog Food (don't tell my boys) - 'cause that is how it looks - but she promises me it is yummy!

 We will buy the ingredients over the next two weeks - and on Saturday the 11th I am going over EARLY to start cooking and preparing. We are going to put everything in aluminum pans and cover the tops with aluminum foil. I'll write all the instructions on top of each pan so the boys will know just what to do!

  

It's not that they would eat all that junk food while I am gone -they both know how to cook (and are pretty good cooks if you ask me) - but part of it is just me wanting to take care of my boys! I know this sounds weird, but I'm missing them already.

Wonderful weekend!

We had a good weekend!  Busy but good!

Saturday my RLS was REALLY acting up.  Medicine walking - nothing helped.  Michael and I ended up going swimming at Papas, but it was actually pretty chilly to swim.  Believe it or not it was actually a decent day!  Thank goodness too - our air is still out!  Sunday after church I went to Nikie's to plan a menu to make some freezer meals for while I'm gone. We planned the menu and the went to the winery so she could show me around.  Still not a wine drinker, but I did try a few.  We went out to the vineyard and looked at the grapes and the picked some apples from the tree!  Swimming on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon  - it was nice.  Although Andrew was called into work so we missed him there.  We were kinda sad because gone are the days of Marco Polo and Baseball.  It's hard.

I made a few cards Saturday night.  I'm experimenting with vellum.  Here is one card I made:

This one has clear stamped flowers in the background that I heat embossed.  I wish I had used a bigger butterfly stamp or no stamp at all.  The vellum is the strip across the bottom that has eyelets holding it in place.  Michael doesn't like the gold wrapped around the scalloped area.  Oh well...just trying something new.  It's hard to get the vellum to stay to the card because you can tell if you glue it...and any adhesive shows through.  That is why I used eyelets.  

This card:

I made for a friends fiancee.  I wanted to say thank you for a donation towards my mission trip, but I wanted it to be masculine.  Michael said he liked that one, so I guess it'll work!

Spent time Saturday getting the suitcases out for my trip.  It was sad to cut the Hawaii tags off of our suitcases.  So now instead of boxes in my living room there are some suitcases!  But they are still in the way.  =)  The mission trip ladies and I were going to get together tonight for dinner, but that kinda fell through.  So we are going to try again in early September.  22 more days!  Tomorrow night I was going to go shopping with the ladies from work for medicine, but we had to postpone that a week as well.  I'm actually kinda glad - I was going to be gone every evening except Wednesday this week and I don't like that.  

We should have Andrew's senior pictures in the next day or two!  I'm so excited.  Oh, the boy grew last week.  Why do they always grow AFTER you go school shopping????  He was complaining about being so hungry he was shaking - now we know why.  Honest - he is starting to flood his new jeans.  Murphy's Law.  

All else is good.  The weather is seeming to break (knock on wood) - so things are a little bit easier on Michael.  And it's a little bit easier to keep the house cool.  The mission trip has depleted all of our extra funds right now, so we plan on getting it fixed with our tax check.  I have to get a few things from Gander Mountain and one more shot - that should be the bulk of costs.   Hard to believe how close it is!

Daddy's birthday is Thursday.  All of us kids are getting together the first of October to do a bunch of yard work for him.  Pulling out bushes and then getting the yard ready for new landscaping in the spring.  Guess what we'll be doing in the spring!  =)  So far Nikie and I are making cookies to take to the auction house for his birthday.  If we each make a few batches of something we'll have enough for everyone.  Just gonna make the day special for him!

I'll update again soon.  So for now we are hanging in there.  Things are good - all is well!

The Cost of a Drink....

Found this blog last night - thought I would share it today since it tied with my post from Friday.

Please take a moment to soak it all in. Yes, that was a pun on words.

Food for Thought...

So I participate in Swagbucks - just an online tracking service but you get 'bucks' for gift cards and the such.  There are different ways to earn swagbucks - and the easiest one is the Daily Poll.  Yesterday's question got me thinking...

How would you answer??

What Is Something That Is A "Luxury" In Some Standards That You Would Miss The Most

•  Running Water
• Electricity
• Internet  
• TV
• Phone 
• Other

I thought how it was interesting that they put something that we consider a normal everyday thing as a 'luxury'  - think about that...

When was the last time you actually thought about any of the above as a luxury?  Or do we really get upset if we don't have it?  By golly it's my right to have running water and electricity.   When the power/Internet/electricity/cable goes out - how upset do we get? How do we cope? 

Yet there are people all over the world that don't have these items.  Not so much by choice as it is a fact of life.  They live in area's that don't have running water/flushing toilets.  Electricity isn't even a thought.  They don't need Internet or a TV to entertain themselves - the thought of either has never been introduced.  Gosh, when was the last time you felt lost without your cell phone?  Hard to believe sometimes that these things are luxuries...we don't NEED them...yet in today's world we "HAVE" to have them.  And not only have them...but the newest and best.  I'm guilty of that.  I'm a geocacher - and I have a really cool GPS'r.  But yet, there is a new one out - several in fact - that are geocaching friendly.  Even MADE for geocaching. Boy oh boy do I want one of those!

But I don't NEED it...

We need food.  We need a clean water source.  Can you imagine the state of the world today should we truly look at our lives and examine want vs. need?   Yes, we work hard for what we have.  Yes we are blessed to live in a country that has resources to help those that need help.  But how often do we consider what we have and what others need?

What about those whose government forgot about them?  And those that, even in our own country, are going without the basics.  Those that are lucky to get one or two meals a day?   That's where I'm going.  That is what is all around us, closer than you think.

Just my little soap box here, but can you imagine (I'd ask you to close your eyes and imagine -but then you'd never get to the end of this post!) - just imagine - not being able to feed your kids.  No matter what they want to eat...just that they get to eat?  We have medical care readily available - yes it's not the always what we think it should be - but if you have a medical emergency in your family - your kids have access to care.  It just makes me wonder the difference in this world today if we each reached out to those in need.   I challenge each of you to think this through and see how you can help - right in your own neighborhood.   You don't have to do expensive things - just something to make a difference.  Did you get a buy one get one free bag of potatoes at the store? Give one away.  See someone at the pump only getting $5.00 of gas...go in and pay for $5.00 more.   Sometimes you get scammed and burned - as I have - but you have to keep on keeping on.  Someone need leaves raked?  Sidewalk shoveled?  Have a single parent in the neighborhood?  An anonymous gift card can sure lighten the load.

I guess I've been thinking about this a lot.  As the days get closer - although I'm excited - I'm finding myself trying to figure out how I'm going to...well, figure it out.     How am I going to be able to serve without my heart breaking.  Maybe that is what needs to happen.  I think the question  yesterday just triggered something deep in me and I'm trying to sort it all out.

What do you think?

What where the results you ask?  Do you agree with the results below?  What other items do you consider a 'luxury' that you don't want to live with out?  What items do you live with that you can live without - and find a way to make a difference for others.  

• Running Water
  39%
• Electricity
  37%
• Internet
  34%
• TV
  3%
• Phone
  2%
• Other
  1%

PS...I voted for Running Water. I think I'm in for an eye opening experience in just 25 days.

Departure Packet Scoop...

Whoot!

I went home on my lunch today (well on my way back into the office after Penn Station for lunch) and picked up my travel packet from my mailbox!  Love it when the mailman is early!!

Here is my travel packet:  (remember, you can click on any picture and make it bigger)

Someone said the man in the window reading the paper looks like a
man on an alpaca...now that is all I can see!!!  =)

There is a welcome letter from Lonnie with FAME followed by contact information for our team.  There are 8 of us going - 6 in the medical field, one previous medical transcriptionist and me.  I feel a little out of place!   There is another packing list - I missed it that we need to get a package of baby wipes...I'll add that to my list.  Here are a few other things to pack:

I don't have any stuff for #1.  

#2 is not an issue.  I've got comfy cool appropriate jammies.  

I still don't have a nice outfit for church to leave behind - I'm still working on #3.  

#4 made me giggle.  I've gotta pack my own toilet paper!!  Two 3 packs of toilet paper!  I would GUESS that is for us while we are down in the Valley each day - so I guess my big mega 4-pack of ultra strong Charmin won't work.  =)  

I'll go to the laundry mat and get a few small packages of detergent for #5.  Of all times to NOT get samples in the mail...  =)

#6 is easy to get - My sister Nece (Hi Nece!) gave me a great insulated bottle holder for a big bottle of water!

#7 is covered.  I went to Sam's club and got some snacks.  I got enough snacks to share with the others - we will split them up in our suitcases!

For #8 I'm going to pack my MP3 player, a few books (my brother Tim (Hi Tim!) has highly recommended the book "Love and Respect" and is mailing it to me...hopefully soon!), and my stitching.  And lots of leg pills.

#9 is easy!  I have that!  AND...thanks to Katie (thanks Katie!) I have a holder for my passport that so I can keep it around my neck at all times!  

And I might be set for #10 as well!  We need an adapter for our plug ins!

On to the next page:

Spending money (we need money for our layovers in the airport) and should we get dinner on the way home from the Valley and any souvenirs.  Everyone has given me ideas for my carry-ons.  Not sure what bag I am going to use yet.  Read #4... Electricity is being rationed.  Wow...can you imagine that?  Think of all the electricity you use - even as you read this.  I'm sure it'll be an eye opener.  

Boring airline restrictions next...blah blah blah.  You know I'll be the one in the group that messes this part up. =)  

Project supplies and medicines needed:

Thanks to the WONDERFUL folks at Schmidt - I'll have a suitcase FULL of medicine!  In fact, we are going shopping next Tuesday to get the rest!  I see that they mostly need Children's and Infant medication - so I think we'll focus on that!  

Denise at work (Hi Denise!) offered to help buy some candy for me to take!  I think we are thinking smarties or dum-dum suckers.  I think it'll be so much fun to give the kids a treat!! I've seen halloween candy on sale already -so hopefully we can get some good deals!

Now here's the sad news....

Looks like I won't be able to be in contact while I am gone. I know our dinky prepaid phones won't have reception over there.  That's gonna be the hard part - not keeping in touch with the boys.  I promise to keep a good journal and update EVERYTHING when I get back.  I promise!  I'll do a day by day journal and back date them so it feels like I am there...just a few weeks late.  =)

Lastly we have our devotion schedule:

Still working on that one...got a few ideas - but I'm trying to let God show me what He wants me to share.  And maybe it's not so much what He wants me to share as what He wants to teach me.  I'll have have something togheter before we go - but I'm also leaving myself open to changing that should He lead me otherwise.

Anyhow, that's the scoop!

School

We had parent orientation Monday night.  I forgot that orientation was 2 hours long - I didn't eat dinner prior to going - so when I got home at 9pm I was HUNGRY!

We spend about 12 minutes or so in each of his classes following his schedule.  We get to meet all the teachers and see what they have planned for this year.   Baptist Academy is a small school and he's had many of the teachers multiple years.  And some years he has the same teacher for different classes.  It's nice because the teachers really get to know the kids.  And most of the teachers have known him since he was in K4.

I'm really excited about 2 of his classes.  The first one is Bible.  This year the class is on Bible Doctrines.  Here is the breakdown:

Bibliology - the study of the Bible
Theology - the study of God
Christology - the study of Jesus
Pneumatology - the study of the Holy Spirit
Soteriology - the study of Salvation
Ecclesiology - the study of the Church (with Church being followers of Jesus -not a denomination)
Angelolgy - the study of Angels
Eschatology - the study of last things

I am so excited for Andrew and this class.  I think the timing is perfect. I told him that I want to learn with him this year.  So I look forward to studying with him.  His first memory verse is Romans 10: 9-10.  I plan on memorizing them with him as well!

The second class I'm really excited about is his Family Living class.  His teacher is amazing and they are going to go through real life things.  The will be paired up and plan a wedding, honeymoon and even a funeral.  They will discuss marriage and childbirth - know that Baptist Academy is a conservative school.  The birds and the bees are for parents and their kids and heath class was segregated.  BUT these kids are seniors and certain things need to be discussed.  I have faith that it will be well done and handled properly.   Second semester someone paid for all the seniors to be able to do the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University for Young Adults.   I am SOOO excited for Andrew about that.

I think we are going to drop the Physics class.  It's not needed for college (no, he doesn't know what he is doing or where he is going yet) and we need to keep the rest of his class grades up.  I'm good with that.  He'll drop a study hall, pick up choir and work in the office last period of the day.  So that'll be good.

All in all I hope for a great year for Andrew.  Senior years should be amazing and fun.  And that is my wish for Andrew!

My Departure Packet Is Here!!!

I'll update as soon as I can...hopefully tonight!

Horray!!!

Checklist...

Checklist...

• One last shot - a week before I go
• Get a mosquito net
• Soak all my clothes in Repel Permanone
• Uh, buy Permanone  =)
• Get the insect repellent (got to figure out which one doesn't melt plastic!)
• $50.00 bill for my Visa when I get there
• Slip on shoes for the flights - Tennis shoes to waterproof and leave behind
• Prepare a devotion
• Get peanut butter  =) I picked up some fruit bars, granola bars and peanut butter/cheese crackers
• Go medicine shopping!  - Planned for NEXT TUESDAY!  
• Get 3 heavy duty trash bags
• Pick up my malaria pills

Tee hee...did you notice???

(on the calledtokenya.blogspot.com blog)


That the airplane countdown at the top when from months to days??? 

WOW!

=)  

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS!!!

Answered prayers...

We've had day after day of hot hot weather.  Up in the 90's - and lots of humidity.  Just down right nasty.  Sticky and stinky!  Hottest summer since 1988 - the year we got married.

A few weeks ago Michael put in to change positions at FedEx. He'd worked on the ramp for a number of years and moved to an inside desk job for the last 3.  He was thankful to be out of the elements.  But he found out that being inside at a sit down job wasn't doing his health any good.  Boy do I understand that.  Anyhow - he is back out on the ramp. And that started today.

Thankfully the weather broke this week!

Answered prayer!

Not that the weather may last long -but it sure did help starting out with cooler weather.

Michael came home hot and tired.  He took a long cool shower and that helped a lot.  He's sore now, but doing ok.  He did take some Tylenol PM and I don't expect to see him the rest of the night!

It's nice to have him on this shift - we have more "normal" family hours now - he used to have to go to bed early because he had to get up at 5am.  Now Andrew and I go to bed at about the same time and Michael follows.

Anyhow - keep Michael in your prayers. This will be an adjustment for - but one for the better!

Andrew's Baptism!

What an amazing honor to see your child baptized.   We went to church and found pews down near the front.  About 3/4 way through the service, Andrew grabbed his stuff and went back to get ready.  He was supposed to be the 3rd one baptized, but he was first!

Everyone went down to be a part and witness.

First he gave hugs:

And then Pastor Gary talked with him about his profession of faith:

Then Pastor Gary prayed for him:

Then Pastor Gary repeated his words which ended with "I now baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit":

And down he went!

Followed by wet hugs (and tears from mom and dad):

Followed by hugs from friends that shared the moment with us.   This was something Andrew had been looking forward to and sharing it with each of them meant so much to him. 

Oh, afterwards I had to get a picture of Andrew and Kenny - my boys:

Getting ready for tomorrow!

Went shopping today at Goodwill for a few more clothes for the mission trip and for Andrew to get a few more shirts for school.  Andrew picked up 4 shirts to go with his new ones.  I found a hand full of shirts to take (and a few for work!)  - so we are set!  Question for you...since all the clothes at Goodwill are donated - why do my size clothes cost $1.00 more than others???  =(

We went to Family Christian store to get a T-shirt for his pictures tomorrow.  We found 4 that he liked.  So I didn't THINK we'd have a bunch of outfit changes tomorrow - but we just may!  =)  I'm just glad that we did well shopping together!  A few years ago it was rough, but we've learned!

I asked him what he was going to wear for his baptism tomorrow  - and he said his swimsuit (we have dark blue robes to wear).  I asked where his swimsuit was and he said - maybe I'll wear just shorts and a T-shirt.  =)  Papa's pool has been down this summer, so we haven't done any swimming.  He is pretty excited about tomorrow!

We missed all the rain today...so sad.  We really really need it.  I have to keep watering my tomato plants.  OH!  Speaking of my tomato plants...they are REALLY struggling this year.  I container planted 4 tomato plants - and I container plant every year - but this year, only one plant is producing tomatoes and that plant has only kicked out two cherry tomatoes!!  ARRGGG!!!  Nece said they are root bound and I need to get them in the ground.  Unfortunately, I don't have a spot that it would work well with enough sun!!

And my sunflower plants!  Andrew's favorite flower is the sunflower - so each year I try to plant some.  I planted about 12 mammoth sunflower plants (the big ones you see that produce sunflower seeds that you eat) - and the STUPID squirrels have been running along the fence and biting off the flowers and taking off with them!!!  Or they are jumping on the stalks and breaking them down!  They are also going after my  decorative sunflowers. They are just jumping on the stalks and bending them down...they usually don't take off with them.  So I've been cutting them and taking them into work....stupid squirrels!!!

That's it for tonight.  Andrew has to work until 10pm.  Kenny was going to spend the night, but it just didn't work out with Andrew working so late.  And then he's having trouble winding down - I think it is excitement for tomorrow and nerves for school on Monday.  Remember those days???  =)

One Month and Counting!

I was so excited to get the flight itinerary Thursday!  I organized the list they sent me (it was the itinerary for everyone) and typed up a flight by flight list that is easy to follow!  Just over 17 hours in the air - and 6 hours worth of layovers.  I think that is doable!  It's funny, just as I finished typing up my list, Amy e-mailed the team something similar!  Great minds think alike!   We have 5 from Indy going, one from San Diego, one from Baltimore, and one from Philly.  I didn't see the 9th person.  We are all meeting up in Detroit.

After the auction Thurday night I went online and took a look at my planes and seating.  I've got middle seats the whole way there (well, here to Detroit and Detroit to Amsterdam - we don't have seat assignments to Kenya).  On the way back I've got window seats the whole way.  I LOVE THE WINDOW SEAT!  Not so good with my RLS...difficult to get in/and out if I am squirmy.  But I love the window seat!

I was looking online last night for real time flight tracking information...I did that when Michael was flying back from Hawaii.  I can't seem to find it for international flights outside of Canada - but I'll keep checking!  It's just neat to see if it is on time and where it is at in the air!

We get updates almost daily now...so much information!  It's also nice to be able to e-mail back and forth.  Some of us are rookies you know!  Our departure packets will be mailed on Monday.  Final details of what we need. One of the e-mails contained the following prayer requests:

Please keep the FAME Kenya team in prayer and share these requests:

1. for team cohesiveness and open to God’s leading.
2. for me to be prepared as a leader and FAME representative as well as Indian Creek Christian Church representative
3. for Keith and Kathy Ham and their ministry
4. for the hearts of those we will be serving to be receptive to the gospel of Christ
5. for safety in our travels, our stay in Kenya
6. for our health
7. for our families while we are gone.

Can you please keep those requests in your prayers?  I did find out that there will be a contact from FAME on call the entire time we are gone.  That way if something happens here the boys can contact that representative to get ahold of us over there and same for over there to get ahold of the boys here.  That is a load off of my mind.  If you haven't heard about Andrew's broken wrist when I was gone for my Great Banquet weekend - remind me next time we are together!  =)  It's one of those..."it's funny now" stories.  =)

I've started my "don't forget to pack" list.  I would get it all in a suitcase and put it in there, but the cats would certainly make that their home.  

That is my update for tonight...I'll continue to share.

Thank you for sharing this adventure with me.  This is mainly a journal for me, but this is an experience that I truly want to share with others!  God has, and will continue, to do amazing things!

This and that!

I've been sharing so much about my mission trip, I've slacked off some on just stuff!

So here we go!

We are doing well.  Michael and I are no longer cranky.  =)  It happens in every relationship - but I'm glad when it's over!

Andrew starts school on Monday.  He is a little bit excited, but I think mostly not!  We did find out that he has to get the meningitis shot.  He's not overly thrilled.  He gets his senior pictures taken on Sunday.  A friend is running a senior special.  He has to decide what to wear.  I am thankful I don't have a girl...right Margie?  No special hairstyles or 7 changes of clothes.  =)

Sunday is also a very special day for Andrew.  He has decided to get baptized!  He has been thinking about it the last few years and had decided that this is his time.  The beginning of his senior year - and I honestly think his heart is ready!  Indian Creek (our church) is a little different than some churches, just because it is so big.  But we love our church, our pastor's biblical messages and our Sunday school group.  They are so supportive of him - it's truly a blessing.  Our Sunday school group ranges in ages from the 70's down to Andrew.  So many life experience and thoughts.  Anyhow...that is our exciting news for this weekend!  I'll share pictures - I have a few people going to take pictures for us!

Michael goes back out on the ramp next week.  It's gonna be an adjustment.  He was out on the ramp for 8 years and inside at a desk job for the last 3.  He's not in the shape he was and isn't looking forward to the sore feet and sore knees.  AND the weather has been pretty miserable here.  HOT HOT HOT.  And humid.  Thankfully it is going to get back down to the mid 80's..it'll help some.  It's an answer to my prayers anyhow - for the weather to break so he an adjust.

Michael's dad is doing well - he's not around as much - but he seems more stable.  Hopefully if he is in a relationship it is a stable one.  For both parties.  My dad is traveling a bit again.  I'm so tickled that he is keeping busy.  AND he has a new car!   He'd been looking at the 2011 Sonata's for awhile and finally gave in.  I'm watching his house while he is gone - which means lots of car trips to Popou's for Cocoa.

I think we are caught up.  I work on my cards when I get a chance.  My stitching is on hold...I'm planning on taking my stitching with me on the plane - I wonder how many I can get done on a 17 hour flight??  =)

Thanks for checking on me and my family.  My payer is for you tonight.  May you find His peace in all you do.  May He give you the comfort your heart needs.  May He give you His strength and wisdom and fill you with His grace.  Peace be with you....Amen and amen!

Flight Itinerary!!

Flight Itinerary!!

Leave Indy mid-day on 9/14

to Detroit

to Amsterdam

Arrive Kenya late evening on Wednesday 9/15
_______________________________________________________

Leave Kenya late on 9/23

to Amsterdam

to Detroit

Arrive Indy early afternoon on Friday 9/24
_______________________________________________________

Just over 17 hours of flying - not including layovers. We have most of our seat assignments - just not the ones to/from Amsterdam and Kenya!

This makes is so REAL now! We should get our depature packets next week or so...

...can you believe it??? One month from Saturday!

One Month (and 3 days) Checklist (and other random thoughts....)

Things left to do:

• One last shot - a week before I go
• Get a mosquito net
• Soak all my clothes in Repel Permanone
• Uh, buy Permanone =)
• Get the insect repellent (got to figure out which one doesn't melt plastic!)
• $50.00 bill for my Visa when I get there
•  Slip on shoes for the flights - Tennis shoes to waterproof and leave behind
• Prepare a devotion
• Get peanut butter =)
• Go medicine shopping!
• Get 3 heavy duty trash bags
• Pick up my malaria pills

I plan on taking my stitching and MP3 player for the flights. My medicine has to be in original containers. My heating pad was a bust. I have to send it back - they think I got a defective one. In the meantime my cousin (Hi Yvette!) suggested that I try the thermal wraps. I used them this weekend and seemed to have fairly good luck with them. I plan on buying some more for my flights. I went to goodwill and got some nice tops to leave behind. I still need to get a skirt/dress for church. Still trying to figure out what pants to wear. Someone offered to pick up some suckers or smarties for me to take to the kids (whoot!).

Got my hair cut up to my neck - it's just long enough to pull it up. It should be a lot cooler on the trip. We won't discuss the color... =(

Now that it is getting so close I'm really starting to get nervous/excited. It is feeling more and more real. It's on my mind constantly - and I'm dreaming about it more as well. I honestly can't imagine the living conditions for those that live there - and I really don't think I will until I experience it. I could really really use your prayers to mentally/emotionally prepare for this.

That's it for tonight - I know there is more, but my brain is tired. I promise to keep you posted!

Thanks for sharing this experience with me!

A few cards...

Here are a few cards I've been working on...

22 years....and counting!

Last Friday, August 6th, was our 22nd wedding anniversary!

August 6, 1988 Michael and I were married.  I had just turned 18 almost two months prior.  Michael was 21.

In the past 22 years I've learned:

• I married my best friend.
• Marriage is lots of work.
• Marriage is knowing how to compromise.
• Love is not a feeling - love is a choice.
• You can love someone even though you may not like what they did/how they acted/what they said.
• Married people need time to be themselves - doing things they alone enjoy.
• Comfort is found in just being together.
• You DO get used to the snoring.
• Actual listening is hard to learn - but critical in a marriage.
• Random acts of kindness go a long way in a marriage.
• Praise your spouse in front of others.
• Laughing - both with someone and learning to laugh at yourself, is important in a marriage

And so much more!  I've learned so much from Michael over the years as to the person I want to become.  I thank God for bringing Michael into my life.

So to celebrate our anniversary we wanted to go to Brown County to pan for gold.  We saw an article in the local paper that you can rent the equipment to pan for gold in the creek.  We packed a lunch and took off.  It was a great drive down - twisty turn roads, beautiful scenery - just perfect.

We found the country store:

We also found this:

DOH!  We laughed and Michael started thinking about the National Lampoon's vacation and the Wally World scene.  The even FUNNIER part to that is that as Michael and his family were flying to Hawaii to live, the stopped in California to spend a day at Disney...and it was closed for two weeks!!  =)   

So we got a good giggle out of that.  We decided to loop around into Nashville and go to the shops.  It's a great place to bum around and check out all the neat little stores.  We got pole position parking (hard to do down there!) and started walking.  It was hot!  We ended up finding the little "sift for gems" store.  You buy a bag of dirt and there are gems in there to get out.  They have the running water stream and the screens to shake your dirt through.  So we bought a bag of dirt:

We sorted and shook:

and got some loot!

We got all kinds of gems.  Michael is really good at finding them!  We even scooped up extra dirt from the stream and sifted it and found a bunch of little ones.  The kids around would dump the dirt and only go for the big ones...so we collected the little ones.  

Are they worth anything?  No.  What will we do with them?  Probably put them away and hang onto them for years.  

Afterwards we ended up getting chili cheese dogs for lunch (sounded much better than what we packed) and we split an old fashioned banana split.  We really enjoyed outrtime today.  Even though we didn't get to sit in a creek and pan for gold...we had a great time together.  

It was a wonderful way to celebrate our 22nd anniversary!

Speechless...

And that says a lot for me!

Let me start at the beginning...

Last night the ladies and I got together for dinner at Fazolies to catch up a little.  We were tickled to find out that our trip director  - Ellen - and Lonnie from FAME - were  able to join us!  It was all planned last minute on Tuesday - with 3 busy women and then Lonnie and Ellen to be able to join us - was simply a God thing.

My work was having a pitch-in today and I had to go to Sam's Club last night to get the food.  Since the ladies and I were meeting on the west side I did the click and pick (or whatever it is called) so that Sam's club had everything ready for me when I got there.  That is an AWESOME feature! 

It was so nice to put faces with names at dinner.  I had my camera in my purse but completely forgot to get pictures!  DOH!

We asked questions and got a lot of great answers.  Here are a few of them:

How many are going on the trip:  9
That number is less than what they are used to going, so we will have to be flexible when it comes to running the clinics. 

When will we get our itinerary? 
Probably within the next two weeks.

How many suitcases can we take?
2 to check and one carry on.  One of our checked bags is for over the counter medicine we collect to leave at the clinics.  Limit of 50 lbs per bag.

What to pack:

Lonnie suggest 5 outfits or so - we can hand wash our clothes.  This saves on packing space.  Make sure we have a pair of comfy shoes for clinic days and a skirt and nice top for church on Sunday.  I still intend to leave my clothes behind to donate.

What in the world are the 3 heavy duty trash bags for?   This was my question!  =)

For trash!  =)  We need to keep our clinics clutter and trash free!  They also make great poncho's!

What do we do in the evenings?

We will have morning and nightly devotions - each one of us is responsible for at least one.  The admitted we'd probably be pretty tired in the evenings.  It was recommended that we bring card game or something like that - Lonnie suggested Phase 10!  I love that game so I signed up to bring it!!

Where will we be staying?

We will be staying in a guest house of our hosts - Keith and Kathy Ham.  It'll probably be two per room.  Electricity is probably a yes - but only as dependable as it is for the rest of the country.  Same with running water.  

How do we carry everything with us and keep it safe?

Ellen loves fannie packs, Lonnie hates them.  =)  They said whatever we need to keep our personal stuff secure and on us.   I will probably get a fannie pack and a lanyard that has a pocket for my passport - that way it I can wear it under my shirt and have it on me at all times.  No expensive jewelry was stressed. Keep your camera out of sight while in the Mathare Valley and the wrist band secure around our wrist anytime we use it.  Don't set anything down - make sure it is secure someplace (like a fannie pack).

Let's see - we went through a typical day would be like at clinic.  We talked about personal safety as well as food/water safety.  We talked about always staying together.  We talked about shots and shared stories.  We are waiting on a few more answers to our questions from the Ham's...I'll share those as we get answers!

Now - to digest some of that. 

Specifically one  - the suitcase of medicine.  We are all required to collect over the counter medicine for the clinics.  That is 50 lbs.  Wow.  Lori mentioned how she had been collecting it and getting ready. 

My heart sunk.

I've already spent house money on my shots.  I've collected the amount needed for my trip from friends, family and co-workers.  How in the world was I going to get this part done?

Sometime, we just need a little faith.

Today was the cookout at work.  We do them once or twice a year among other things (ice cream socials and pitch-ins and stuff.)  Just something nice to do for staff.  I am usually involved in the planning and buying (mostly because we have a Sam's club membership) and helping and setting up.  And I admit - I LOVE this kind of stuff.  We also do multiple fundraisers throughout the year - we raise money with bake sales and chili cook-offs and even do jeans day.  We get to wear jeans to work and we pay $2.00 to wear jeans and an additional $1.00 to wear tennis shoes.  The money we raise is used for different funds - Christmas families we adopt, Missions, Julian Center, Make a Wish....the list goes on and on.  One of the reasons why I love where I work.  Today was a jeans day!  We have been doing jeans days to raise money to buys cans for CANstrcution (the cans are later donated to Gleaner's Food Bank) - build day is tomorrow so one more jeans day to help offset that cost!

Today we were setting up for the cookout and one of the ladies in Interiors volunteered to help coordinate set up and stuff like that.  She had it all under control and basically chased me out of the conference room.   Right before the cookout I went to make sure everything was ready and I was told it was and to go make an all staff page that the cookout was running about 5 minutes behind.  We asked everyone to start in the lobby, go out the front doors and outside around to the grill and then back into the conference room. 

Everyone piled into the lobby, but Katie, my boss, was holding them up at the front doors.  I asked, and she said the cooks needed a few more minutes to get the hot dogs done so people weren't waiting on hot dogs. 

Next thing I know, she turns to me and says, "this cookout is about you Tricia.  We wanted to show you support for you and your mission trip" (my this time I am starting to cry and shake) - "outside is a suitcase with medicine and stuff for you to take on your trip" - (this is where speechless comes in).  I was floored.  I had NO IDEA!  How 85 people kept this quiet for 3 weeks is beyond me.  I like to think I have a pulse on things in the office but I had no idea on this one!  I was told I had to be first to eat (which was the last thing I wanted to do) so I head outside and this is what I see:

Suitcase Outside

So everyone lined up behind me to eat:

And they decorated the conference room too!  These items are actually from Africa!!

African Print

See everyone standing in line outside?  =)

Everyone ate:

And we had animal crackers for dessert!  That made me giggle!

I can't tell you how shocked I was.  I am still speechless.  Here is the stuff that was collected:

and...did you see all those people wearing jeans?  

Go back...take a look...

yea...you are thinking correctly...

All those people who wore jeans today?

They weren't wearing them for CANsruction...

They were wearing them to support my trip...

To help raise funds to purchase the rest of the medicine for my trip - to fill my suitcase.

So me and my surprise planners:

Are going to go shopping...

medicine shopping. 

Yup!

How much you ask?

I'm still speechless you know....

$300.00 worth!!!

That is going to be more fun than ANY shopping I've ever done before!

God has a funny way of showing Himself when you least expect it!  Time and time again He has proven His hand is on this trip.  EVERY time I have had doubts or questions or thoughts of how things are going to work out, He has shown me Who He is.  

As I type this my spirit is convicted yet again.  I doubt, I question, I struggle.  I need to remember Who is in control and to remember to have a little faith!

To those that were involved today...Thank you. For the surprise...for the support.  For the encouragement.  For allowing God to use you to show Himself to me yet again.  I said before I don't believe in coincidence.  I believe in Godincidence.  I truly believe that God had the dinner last night and the cookout today well planned in advance...it's all in His time.  I can't thank everyone enough - but know that I will not let you down on this trip.

Thank you, thank you...thank you!