It is amazing how much life changes even before the big move. My son Cole was an easy going baby/toddler. Did not do much to raise Moms blood pressure. (hahahahahaha) It is funny that as I am writing this so many memories come to mind where it did. I take it back. I learned with Cole that if you call poison control about him finding a pill on the ground and not knowing what it is, but then later knowing, you have to call them back and tell them. I remember I was at work and Cole was able to be with me. He found a white pill and put it in his mouth. Not knowing how many were over there, I grabbed the one out of his mouth but the outer coating was sucked off that I didn't know what it was or how many he had taken. I called poison control and they wanted him rushed to the hospital immediately. Apparently, someone saw numbers on the back of the pill and knew that it was not Tylenol but Asprin and the poison control lady had said that if it was Asprin, he would be fine. So I didn't take him in. About 30 min later, poison control called back, not very happy with me (made known by the tone in her voice as well as the volume). Apparently they inform the hospital staff of your arrival and they are ready for you as soon as you get there. Oops....lesson learned.
Wow, I could write so much more.... :)
But the reason for this blog, is that now, when one of my kids get hurt, my first reaction is what would I do if we were in Vietnam. Liam cut his finger on a piece of glass and my first reaction was to take him to the doctor. But instead, holding it tight for 30 min (wonderful advice from a great friend) the cut sealed and all that was needed was a band-aid and a tape to hold it on.
Last night, Liam took a face smack to the tile floor. Thankful his blanket took most of the impact I grabbed him and tried to calm him down before I took a look. As I turned him towards me, that is where I saw blood pooling in his mouth. It is funny how my first reaction is automatically take him to the hospital. But as we cleared the blood and found the cut (amazed how much the mouth bleeds, but also how quick it heals) and was able to avoid the ER. As a side note to this...my emotional bank was drained last night. Your kids get hurt, it happens. I understand that. But when he is only 13 months old, you can't help but feel responsible, and your heart breaks that I couldn't protect him. Just some mom feelings.
So as the adventure continues, so does the learning. One of the first signs that we are leaving soon came when I was buying laundry detergent. I grabbed for the big bottle to only put it back because we wont be here long enough to use it. Wow....its really happening.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Step 7: The Middle of The Road
SATURDAY LATE NIGHT:
Had a very interesting evening tonight, and since this is a blog, I wont make a long story short. :)
Mark has been gone for a month from the house and trying to shop with a four year old and a nine month old is nearly impossible when you are buying gifts for them. Could it be done...yes...but knowing that Mark would be home and I could join all the other procrastinators at the 24 hour Walmart, I waited til Saturday Night.
I didnt spend much time just picking a little something special for the boys (who am I kidding, it was closer to an hour but what can I say..I am a midwest girl who grew up in Walmart). But I checked out and got in my car and headed to the 24 hour grocery store across the street to pick up tomorrows dinner. Not much drama..I know...I am getting there. I get in my car and head home.
So here is all the excitement you have been waiting for:
On my way home, I like to take the back roads that not many people travel on or know about. The speed limit is 45 and there is little to no street lights. All of a sudden I find myself swerving to miss a girl that is SITTING in the middle of the ROAD (she was wearing all black might I add). I am not one that ignores something and hopes that someone else will handle it. I quickly make a u turn and watch as another car doesn't even see her and literally brushes her with his car. He kept driving...it was obvious that he had no idea that she was sitting there. As I got closer to her I noticed that there was another boy with her. He was standing next to her. Aware that this is a situation where they want you to stop so they have someone waiting to take your car, I drove by them slowly, rolled down the window, and asked what was going on. He looked at me and said an ambulance was on the way (there was no sign that anything physical was wrong, or why she had to wait in the middle of the road for an ambulance). I didnt stop to talk to him, so that was all that I heard as I drove past. She remained in the middle of the road. I was afraid that someone might hit her, so I made another uturn, stayed about 15 yards away from them and put my hazards on and my high beams on them, and called 911. I have to say that every thing in my being was on awareness. I kept my eyes all around in case there was someone that wanted to hurt me. As I talked to 911 the two people stood up and cussed me out to leave them alone. WAS THIS SOME SUCIDE ATTEMPT? I cant even begin to explain all the emotions that were going on. First, my heart was racing as I realized over and over again that I almost TOOK A LIFE, second, I was alert at the fact that this could be just a plot to get someone out of there car to do who knows what, and third, feeling the need to help these young people out becuase it was obvious that they were not okay...SHE WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.
What makes this story that much of a heartache is that while I was on the phone with 911, somehow our signal was crossed and even though I was talking to an agent, I was also hearing all the other 911 calls come in that night. I listened to 3 calls in a row of young girls crying out for help because there friend was committing suicide. The terror and fear in their voice made the situation that much more real. I could hear the girls give there address to the police and I so badly wanted to drive over and help. I felt helpless. I felt the need greater than before of a generation that is hurting. I am not always aware of what to say and what to do, but tonight I know that it is not about that. It is just about caring, being there, about loving. I know growing up was difficult for me, and the one thing that gave me hope was knowing that there was someone that loved me, cared for me, and was willing to fight for me. It is a generation that is more in need of Jesus than ever before. We cant ignore this situation anymore. We have to fight for them.
I am not aware of what happened with the two young people. But tonight I saw the generation that is hurting, the ones that are hidden in the phone calls, that no one else hears, but need help.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
I wrote all the above while the emotions were raw and real last night. Today in church I kept having to shake my head to try and dislodge the visual image that plays over and over in my head. An inch later...or a second faster...or....plays over and over. Then I realized that I cant play it like that. I have to see it that God knew what he was doing when he had me drive in that direction. I wasn't meant to hit her, I was there to protect her. I wish I was able to get out of the car and talk to them. Just even letting her know that I cared enough about her life that I would wait there all night til help came. That I DIDNT keep driving. I stopped. I cared.
I dont know. It is one of the situations you ask God about.
Closing thoughts. In church today there was a scripture that stuck out. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, wants to lift the veil that has been placed over their faces. There is a generation screaming out for help. I know, I heard them on the phone last night.
Had a very interesting evening tonight, and since this is a blog, I wont make a long story short. :)
Mark has been gone for a month from the house and trying to shop with a four year old and a nine month old is nearly impossible when you are buying gifts for them. Could it be done...yes...but knowing that Mark would be home and I could join all the other procrastinators at the 24 hour Walmart, I waited til Saturday Night.
I didnt spend much time just picking a little something special for the boys (who am I kidding, it was closer to an hour but what can I say..I am a midwest girl who grew up in Walmart). But I checked out and got in my car and headed to the 24 hour grocery store across the street to pick up tomorrows dinner. Not much drama..I know...I am getting there. I get in my car and head home.
So here is all the excitement you have been waiting for:
On my way home, I like to take the back roads that not many people travel on or know about. The speed limit is 45 and there is little to no street lights. All of a sudden I find myself swerving to miss a girl that is SITTING in the middle of the ROAD (she was wearing all black might I add). I am not one that ignores something and hopes that someone else will handle it. I quickly make a u turn and watch as another car doesn't even see her and literally brushes her with his car. He kept driving...it was obvious that he had no idea that she was sitting there. As I got closer to her I noticed that there was another boy with her. He was standing next to her. Aware that this is a situation where they want you to stop so they have someone waiting to take your car, I drove by them slowly, rolled down the window, and asked what was going on. He looked at me and said an ambulance was on the way (there was no sign that anything physical was wrong, or why she had to wait in the middle of the road for an ambulance). I didnt stop to talk to him, so that was all that I heard as I drove past. She remained in the middle of the road. I was afraid that someone might hit her, so I made another uturn, stayed about 15 yards away from them and put my hazards on and my high beams on them, and called 911. I have to say that every thing in my being was on awareness. I kept my eyes all around in case there was someone that wanted to hurt me. As I talked to 911 the two people stood up and cussed me out to leave them alone. WAS THIS SOME SUCIDE ATTEMPT? I cant even begin to explain all the emotions that were going on. First, my heart was racing as I realized over and over again that I almost TOOK A LIFE, second, I was alert at the fact that this could be just a plot to get someone out of there car to do who knows what, and third, feeling the need to help these young people out becuase it was obvious that they were not okay...SHE WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.
What makes this story that much of a heartache is that while I was on the phone with 911, somehow our signal was crossed and even though I was talking to an agent, I was also hearing all the other 911 calls come in that night. I listened to 3 calls in a row of young girls crying out for help because there friend was committing suicide. The terror and fear in their voice made the situation that much more real. I could hear the girls give there address to the police and I so badly wanted to drive over and help. I felt helpless. I felt the need greater than before of a generation that is hurting. I am not always aware of what to say and what to do, but tonight I know that it is not about that. It is just about caring, being there, about loving. I know growing up was difficult for me, and the one thing that gave me hope was knowing that there was someone that loved me, cared for me, and was willing to fight for me. It is a generation that is more in need of Jesus than ever before. We cant ignore this situation anymore. We have to fight for them.
I am not aware of what happened with the two young people. But tonight I saw the generation that is hurting, the ones that are hidden in the phone calls, that no one else hears, but need help.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
I wrote all the above while the emotions were raw and real last night. Today in church I kept having to shake my head to try and dislodge the visual image that plays over and over in my head. An inch later...or a second faster...or....plays over and over. Then I realized that I cant play it like that. I have to see it that God knew what he was doing when he had me drive in that direction. I wasn't meant to hit her, I was there to protect her. I wish I was able to get out of the car and talk to them. Just even letting her know that I cared enough about her life that I would wait there all night til help came. That I DIDNT keep driving. I stopped. I cared.
I dont know. It is one of the situations you ask God about.
Closing thoughts. In church today there was a scripture that stuck out. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, wants to lift the veil that has been placed over their faces. There is a generation screaming out for help. I know, I heard them on the phone last night.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Step 6: I FELL IN LOVE WITH VIETNAM!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry for the delay.
WOW!! I thought life would slow down enough to get a blog out, but I guessed I lied to myself. So here it is....
See you in Cambodia!!
WOW!! I thought life would slow down enough to get a blog out, but I guessed I lied to myself. So here it is....
I FELL IN LOVE WITH VIETNAM!!
I guess I could end it there but most of you would prob not like that much, so I will go into a little detail.
The flight was interesting. I spent most of the time imagining what it would be like when we took this trip with only a one way ticket. You would think that a 15 hour flight with 2 children would be miserable, and the thoughts that go through your head when you are wondering what lies ahead would make it a very long trip, but as we got on the airplane, both children closed their eyes and what felt like only a few hours, we were landing. I could not have asked for any more amazing children.
After another 4 hour flight and a 4.5 hour drive we were able to step off the bus onto our property for the first time. Here is a video.
One of the ways that you know you can survive in another country is the food. IT WAS AMAZING!! Everything is fresh, and our home has the best fruit on it. Here is a table full of just some of what the land has to offer. All of it is so yummy, and great for you. There is a fruit there that some of the ladies were telling us about that they eat as soon as they get back from America because it flushes out all the bad things in our food. Oops...that wasnt a proud moment. :)
Most of our time in Vietnam was spent in Ho Chi Minh City. We spent 2 days working in a rescue home. Watch how these guys know how to praise. This went on for hours. There was much freedom and you couldn't help but enter the pit. (No I did not take the children in, I barely got out with my life, these guys are crazy amazing)
One of our trips we were able to take was about a 3 hour trek to get to these children, only to spend an hour with them. But well worth it. And the end of the time, we asked the head nurse what happens to these children, do they ever get homes? She looked at us and chickled, and translated back to us, ..."Who would want a throw away vegetable?" We walked away stunned. I am still in silence.
Link to Video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=665373550934
24 hours a day of bike horns and engines, and the constant sound
of an unknown language. Here is a video of just an example of what the traffic
looks like on a daily basis. It brought this Momma to tears when I had to cross
the street for the first time. Notice the lines and signs are just a suggestion
and a real life version of the game frogger.
MY FAVORITE VIDEO!!!
MY FAVORITE VIDEO!!!
The people here are amazing and LOVE my children would be an understatement. Here are some pics of some of the amazing people. (some of the cutest pics, I cant post for saftey, but these are cute to.) They love to hold babies and they fell in love with Coles red hair and blue eyes. Parents were throwing there kids in the pictures so that they could have one with Cole. Cole plays shy, but he loved it.
All in all, Vietnam was a warm feeling trip. I will get into the 'dirty, heavy duty" stuff on the next blog. I will be honest and let you know that it is hard to write these blogs. Pictures dont just tell a story...they also tell when and where a picture was taken. Many photos I have will never be seen on this site for the sake of those girls. It is a battle unlike I have ever seen before.
But to leave in a good moment...here is a picture of a quail egg. Unlike Marks last trip where he pained himeself all the way through swallowing it, I found it quite tasty.
Here are some photos I can share:
See you in Cambodia!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Step 5: "The Blog Before The Blog"
So we are home, enjoyed a great meal for Thanksgiving and now continue on the battle of jet lag. Both Liam and Cole did amazing on the trip and are doing amazing at home but we all find ourselves up at 3am wondering what to do. I know time will fix it, until then, it is a fun memory. Mark and Cole shared a 3am grocery run the first night because they were both wide awake. Cole enjoyed it and found it to be his special treat.
So I wanted to get a post on the blog because I know that many of you have waited patiently. So this is kind of like the blog before the blogs. I am putting together two blogs, one from our trip to Vietnam, the other from our time spent in Cambodia. As I would love to post all the pictures I have, and talk about everything we did, I have to be cautious. Many of the places that we went have people there that are at high risk of trafficking, either they have been rescued, or being at high risk of being sold. There are amazing people out there, doing amazing things, and they need to be protected. So, many times the stories I tell will be vague, but that shouldn't take away from anything. This is the main reason I did not post much while I was over there. That and I had a 5 month old attached to me for about most of the day and then when it was bed time it was time for bed. :)
I hate to jump on the bandwagon with this next comment, but I am realizing how true it is. As Americans, living in the States, who have never been out of the country, it is so hard to understand the concept of freedom. Visiting a country that basically tells you when to eat, sleep, and drink, and where most people run to Cambodia because that is the closest thing to what they believe is freedom and a better life, I began to understand what I took for granted my whole life. Even the poorest of poor in the States seem wealthy to the slums of Vietnam/Cambodia. Children eating in trash piles, and sleeping in the city sewer, and PAYING $5 a month to be able to do that. Unthinkable. (I will write more on this and post pics in the Vietnam/Cambodia blog) This Thanksgiving I am thankful for EVERYTHING I have and for those that fought and those that gave their life for me to have it. I was always thankful, but my heart never really knew the way that others had to live without freedom. My heart is with the children in Vietnam today and those in Cambodia that are unable to fight, that are forever in my heart.
To say all that, I am not taking away from America and what we have. As Christians, shoot as Humans, we need to be aware of those around us, and help. Doesn't matter where, just do it.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
So I wanted to get a post on the blog because I know that many of you have waited patiently. So this is kind of like the blog before the blogs. I am putting together two blogs, one from our trip to Vietnam, the other from our time spent in Cambodia. As I would love to post all the pictures I have, and talk about everything we did, I have to be cautious. Many of the places that we went have people there that are at high risk of trafficking, either they have been rescued, or being at high risk of being sold. There are amazing people out there, doing amazing things, and they need to be protected. So, many times the stories I tell will be vague, but that shouldn't take away from anything. This is the main reason I did not post much while I was over there. That and I had a 5 month old attached to me for about most of the day and then when it was bed time it was time for bed. :)
I hate to jump on the bandwagon with this next comment, but I am realizing how true it is. As Americans, living in the States, who have never been out of the country, it is so hard to understand the concept of freedom. Visiting a country that basically tells you when to eat, sleep, and drink, and where most people run to Cambodia because that is the closest thing to what they believe is freedom and a better life, I began to understand what I took for granted my whole life. Even the poorest of poor in the States seem wealthy to the slums of Vietnam/Cambodia. Children eating in trash piles, and sleeping in the city sewer, and PAYING $5 a month to be able to do that. Unthinkable. (I will write more on this and post pics in the Vietnam/Cambodia blog) This Thanksgiving I am thankful for EVERYTHING I have and for those that fought and those that gave their life for me to have it. I was always thankful, but my heart never really knew the way that others had to live without freedom. My heart is with the children in Vietnam today and those in Cambodia that are unable to fight, that are forever in my heart.
To say all that, I am not taking away from America and what we have. As Christians, shoot as Humans, we need to be aware of those around us, and help. Doesn't matter where, just do it.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Step 4: "Seeing Our New World"
I figured it out...it the midst of all the Vietnamese, I found the english button. Thank you for waiting so patiently.
Well it is Midnight here on November 12. Most of you are honoring 11.11.11 as it is only 9 AM California time....(side note...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!)
Oh, where to start. I have to say that I have the most amazing kids in the world. They have rolled with everything that we have had to do. From LONG bus rides, to long days, and no complaining. Poor Cole, I think his face might be close to falling off. Being the red hair, white boy, he draws A LOT (and I mean a lot) of attention and as we walk through a crowd everyone women grabs at his face and rubs his hair. It is in a loving gesture, but can be a little physical at times. Cole just keeps a smile on his face and a look up at me silently screaming HELP!! :) With Liam, everyone wants to hold him, or play with his hands, or give him kisses. At one point, a sweet lady I let hold him, didnt want to give him back. She insisted I go about my business and that she would watch him for me. Momma bear kicked in a little and was able to 'nicely' get him back. Good times.
I have posted 2 new videos to the blog. The first being the first time that we stepped foot onto our new home as a family, and another being some family fun we had at the local resort that is only 10 min away from the property. Hope you enjoy the videos.
The property is AMAZING!! The video shows a little of how amazing it is, but nothing can compare to the actual view of the land. We were able to sit around the table and eat of the fruit that grows on the land. I have never tasted fruit so sweet and fresh. I crave it!! As Mark and I walked around, we could hear the children running and playing. It felt like home. We are excited to begin the process of getting the homes built on the property.
Well, I would love to write more, but we have an early morning and it has been a long, amazing day that I can’t wait to fill you in on....tomorrow. :)
Well it is Midnight here on November 12. Most of you are honoring 11.11.11 as it is only 9 AM California time....(side note...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!)
Oh, where to start. I have to say that I have the most amazing kids in the world. They have rolled with everything that we have had to do. From LONG bus rides, to long days, and no complaining. Poor Cole, I think his face might be close to falling off. Being the red hair, white boy, he draws A LOT (and I mean a lot) of attention and as we walk through a crowd everyone women grabs at his face and rubs his hair. It is in a loving gesture, but can be a little physical at times. Cole just keeps a smile on his face and a look up at me silently screaming HELP!! :) With Liam, everyone wants to hold him, or play with his hands, or give him kisses. At one point, a sweet lady I let hold him, didnt want to give him back. She insisted I go about my business and that she would watch him for me. Momma bear kicked in a little and was able to 'nicely' get him back. Good times.
I have posted 2 new videos to the blog. The first being the first time that we stepped foot onto our new home as a family, and another being some family fun we had at the local resort that is only 10 min away from the property. Hope you enjoy the videos.
The property is AMAZING!! The video shows a little of how amazing it is, but nothing can compare to the actual view of the land. We were able to sit around the table and eat of the fruit that grows on the land. I have never tasted fruit so sweet and fresh. I crave it!! As Mark and I walked around, we could hear the children running and playing. It felt like home. We are excited to begin the process of getting the homes built on the property.
Well, I would love to write more, but we have an early morning and it has been a long, amazing day that I can’t wait to fill you in on....tomorrow. :)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Step 3: "Get through The Insanity"
Someone please tell me why I thought it was a good idea to have a garage sale the day before we take off for Vietnam for 3 weeks. I guess the wonderwomen in me thought, "Hey, that shouldnt be a problem." But you know what? It had to get done, and when it is over, I know that I will be glad that I did it. But in the meantime, IT IS HELL. :)
Today my son Cole and I, cleaned bathrooms. It was fun. I got to hang out with my son that is quickly, before me, becoming a little man. I found myself looking at pictures the other day, amazed at how quick it has been. I feel like he was just born, and now he is a big "4 and a half Mommy" And that big four and a half year old can clean a bathroom like a beast.
So I am sorry that it took so long to get another post up, and that it is so short, but time is not very much right now and I have to move on. I think I hear laundry screaming my name.
Little Bunny Trail, and feel free to comment. But what is your least favorite part of laundry. I HATE putting clothes away. Washing and folding, ok. Hanging and putting away..PLEASE NOOOO.
Okay, Thanks.
Today my son Cole and I, cleaned bathrooms. It was fun. I got to hang out with my son that is quickly, before me, becoming a little man. I found myself looking at pictures the other day, amazed at how quick it has been. I feel like he was just born, and now he is a big "4 and a half Mommy" And that big four and a half year old can clean a bathroom like a beast.
So I am sorry that it took so long to get another post up, and that it is so short, but time is not very much right now and I have to move on. I think I hear laundry screaming my name.
Little Bunny Trail, and feel free to comment. But what is your least favorite part of laundry. I HATE putting clothes away. Washing and folding, ok. Hanging and putting away..PLEASE NOOOO.
Okay, Thanks.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Step 2: "Knowing Where You Came From"
It is 12:05am on the morning of my 31st birthday. My mother is funny, she has become a fan of the face book and any time one of 'the kids' has a birthday, we are showered with a day of 'tags' and posts of wonderful pictures that haunt our past. So today my mom posted this picture of me with that wonderful hair cut and my Daddy with those incredible glasses...and the best part is it is only 12:20 and I have 23 hours and 40 minutes left of pictures.
But this is my Daddy. I would like for you to meet him. He is the warmest, kindest, best hugger guy you will ever meet (besides my husband). He gave EVERYTHING of himself and asked for nothing in return. I know that my older siblings have their stories and memories but here are mine. We are in Springfield Missouri and my father a pastor of a little church called Eagle Heights Assembly of God. He was also a teacher at Evangel college and ran an inner city Sidewalk Sunday School program called His Kids. He was a busy man, sought after by many and loved by all. If you ask anyone that knew him, they were blown away by his gentle spirit. He LOVED to preach and teach. And he LOVED children. I know this is where I got my love for kids. I remember every Thursday afternoon when we did visitations to some of the homes of the children that came to His Kids. Sitting in rooms where there was nothing but mattresses laying on the floor and bugs crawling everywhere. Many times I left with a head full of lice, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I saw my dad love Jesus and love people.
This life went on for ten years till we moved to St. Louis. At this time my life was consumed with sports. I can hear his voice now as he instructed me on how to hit a softball. "If your gonna swing, then swing through the ball. None of this checking stuff" he would say. Say? No more like scream from behind the backstop. :) What can I say, he was an amazing baseball pitcher (or so I was told, lol) and I was living his dream. I remember playing catch with him during my brothers baseball game and as I stretched back to throw the ball, not noticing he turned his head, I let it fly. Screaming, "watch out Dad!! (which is so wrong cause he didn't need to watch, he needed to duck) I watched as the baseball crushed his nose and more blood than I have seen, was gushing out his nose. He remained calm. He didn't want to scare me. And in my tears, and his blood, he made sure that I was alright. See the black eyes in this picture? Yeah, I did that. :)
I remembered the day I called him to tell him that I gave up my college scholarship and was heading home. I was so sure that my Dad was going to be so disappointed. But I just remember the three words that makes everything okay "I Love You."
But the best memory by far is this photo. I was blessed and honored to have had the chance for my father to walk me down the aisle. He was nervous, I was nervous. What many people don't know, is he was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. The thought of having to remember to say "Her mother and I" was wearing on him. Right before we left the door, he asked me again to remind him. When we got to the front, and as he handed me to Mark, the words were gone and he stumbled through what to say. But you know what? If everything would have gone smooth, I don't know if I would have remembered that moment. We laughed at the time, and I still laugh now.
So I know that it is my birthday, and making a post about my dad is weird. But I think of it as this... he had a part in making it my birthday so I can write about him, lol. :) My dad is 2000 miles from me, in a home, with severe Alzheimer's. This horrible disease has left him speechless. I haven't been able to talk to him now for over a year and a half. But I thank Jesus every day that he is my dad. I love him so much.
I still contend for his healing. And I know that he is proud. And I know he gives me his blessing in moving to Vietnam. And I know if he could come he would. And I know he wants me to carry on his dream of rescuing children.
Hey Daddy,
I miss you so much. I miss your hugs, your voice, your wisdom. I am sorry that you are going through this. I am praying for you everyday. I am moving to Vietnam, there are some pretty bad things going on over there and I have to make it stop. Thanks for training me. I love you.
Your Little Girl.
But this is my Daddy. I would like for you to meet him. He is the warmest, kindest, best hugger guy you will ever meet (besides my husband). He gave EVERYTHING of himself and asked for nothing in return. I know that my older siblings have their stories and memories but here are mine. We are in Springfield Missouri and my father a pastor of a little church called Eagle Heights Assembly of God. He was also a teacher at Evangel college and ran an inner city Sidewalk Sunday School program called His Kids. He was a busy man, sought after by many and loved by all. If you ask anyone that knew him, they were blown away by his gentle spirit. He LOVED to preach and teach. And he LOVED children. I know this is where I got my love for kids. I remember every Thursday afternoon when we did visitations to some of the homes of the children that came to His Kids. Sitting in rooms where there was nothing but mattresses laying on the floor and bugs crawling everywhere. Many times I left with a head full of lice, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I saw my dad love Jesus and love people.
This life went on for ten years till we moved to St. Louis. At this time my life was consumed with sports. I can hear his voice now as he instructed me on how to hit a softball. "If your gonna swing, then swing through the ball. None of this checking stuff" he would say. Say? No more like scream from behind the backstop. :) What can I say, he was an amazing baseball pitcher (or so I was told, lol) and I was living his dream. I remember playing catch with him during my brothers baseball game and as I stretched back to throw the ball, not noticing he turned his head, I let it fly. Screaming, "watch out Dad!! (which is so wrong cause he didn't need to watch, he needed to duck) I watched as the baseball crushed his nose and more blood than I have seen, was gushing out his nose. He remained calm. He didn't want to scare me. And in my tears, and his blood, he made sure that I was alright. See the black eyes in this picture? Yeah, I did that. :)I remembered the day I called him to tell him that I gave up my college scholarship and was heading home. I was so sure that my Dad was going to be so disappointed. But I just remember the three words that makes everything okay "I Love You."
But the best memory by far is this photo. I was blessed and honored to have had the chance for my father to walk me down the aisle. He was nervous, I was nervous. What many people don't know, is he was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. The thought of having to remember to say "Her mother and I" was wearing on him. Right before we left the door, he asked me again to remind him. When we got to the front, and as he handed me to Mark, the words were gone and he stumbled through what to say. But you know what? If everything would have gone smooth, I don't know if I would have remembered that moment. We laughed at the time, and I still laugh now.So I know that it is my birthday, and making a post about my dad is weird. But I think of it as this... he had a part in making it my birthday so I can write about him, lol. :) My dad is 2000 miles from me, in a home, with severe Alzheimer's. This horrible disease has left him speechless. I haven't been able to talk to him now for over a year and a half. But I thank Jesus every day that he is my dad. I love him so much.
I still contend for his healing. And I know that he is proud. And I know he gives me his blessing in moving to Vietnam. And I know if he could come he would. And I know he wants me to carry on his dream of rescuing children.
Hey Daddy,
I miss you so much. I miss your hugs, your voice, your wisdom. I am sorry that you are going through this. I am praying for you everyday. I am moving to Vietnam, there are some pretty bad things going on over there and I have to make it stop. Thanks for training me. I love you.
Your Little Girl.
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