A different kind of horror

I spend time every week with a lady helping her with English. Her goal is to learn enough English to be able to work. She has a long road ahead of her. She's a smart person, but she is illiterate in her native language and so doesn't have basic literacy skills to transfer over.

This week I have been consumed with Haiti and the horrors happening there. But I still prepared myself and met with my English learner and I'm so glad I did. We were discussing clothes and she started telling me about her life before Canada. She shared her struggles wearing the burka and she shared the story of how her husband died (was killed). My heart just broke for her and once again, I was amazed with her courage and strength coming to Canada.

I want to help her, but there's so little that I can do. However, I'm more determined than ever to work with her no matter what the next few weeks or months hold. She deserves all that Canada has to offer and so much more.

Getting the message out

Robin spent yesterday getting the message out. He was asked by the media relations department in the RCMP if he would be willing to talk about our kids in Haiti as well as Sgt. Mark Gallagher. In the past we have never mentioned our kids in any media form. But these are special times. We want our kids to come to Canada on compassionate/ humanitarian grounds. And we want that now.....NOT 3 months from now. The situation is only going to become more desperate for all in Haiti.

The Chronicle Herald is up now with an article about our situation.

Robin interviewed by Carol Off on As It Happens last night.
Part 3 at the 16:20 mark.

Robin was interviewed by Tom Murphy on CBC Evening News in Nova Scotia. The clip was on after 20 minutes.

He was also interviewed by Evan Solomon from the CBC TV show, Power and Politics.

Melissa and Gerry from Moncton have also been able to get the word out.

There are people all over Canada and the US doing the exact same thing. I've seen and heard Dixie, our orphanage director, on so many shows. We're praying that this exposure will soften the hearts and restrictions for our children to come to Canada. Keep praying!

An update

We just talked with Molly on Facebook. She is one of the 2 AMAZING workers at our orphanage. She let us know that Peterson & Gaëlle are doing great. They both slept completely through the past 2 nights. Gaëlle doesn't seem to be the least bit fazed by everything. Peterson is taking his cues from the the adults around and they are all keeping their spirits up. They had face painting today. And on Monday they received a couple of rabbits so that is also keeping the kids entertained.

They are still missing/haven't heard from 2 of the nannies. Please keep them in your prayers. And all of the nannies have lost many loved ones. In spite of it all, they are rejoicing and praising God. It really is amazing to see their strength and their faith.

They all feel so helpless in the face of such devestation. The country needs medical experts and as everybody else is saying, they need money.

We have been asked by our orphanage director to beg our political representatives to let the children who are in the adoption process already, go to their homes on a humanitarian/ refugee basis. Please pray that the officials will be open to this and willing to allow a few children to escape the madness. It is really hard for me to even entertain a speck of hope. But Robin is full of optimism and he will be on the phones trying to plead our case.

If anybody knows an official who might be willing to listen to us, please let us know.

We are all so saddened to hear that Sgt. Mark Gallagher was confirmed dead. He was a great person... somebody that Robin worked with throughout his entire career. He didn't have to go to Haiti but volunteered because he wanted to make a difference. It really brings home the cruelty of this event. And I know that his family is but one grieving tonight.

Haiti

I know that in times of crisis we are all looking for a way to help... for a way not to feel so helpless. If anybody feels led to donate to the people of Haiti, I am 100% confident that you can trust the orphanage we are adopting from. The director and her husband are AMAZING! In particular, Dixie is very passionate about helping infants who are in crisis. I know that the staff of GLA will have their hands full just surviving themselves, but that won't stop them from reaching out all around to others in need.

Canadians can go to the Canadian GLA website on the right.

Americans can donate at the GLA website.

We're so thankful that our children are safe but we are still praying for Mark Gallagher. He is a member of the RCMP who is serving in Haiti and has not been heard of since 30 minutes before the earthquake. He was so supportive of us and our adoption in Haiti and even took a package for us to the kids.

Earthquake

This is what Dixie has posted on the GLA website.

WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!

2:30 AM on Wednesday We continue to have strong aftershocks every 10 minutes or so. the children are sleeping outside in the drive. Even our little babies are outside tonight!

Goodbye and Hello

On the last day of 2009 we drove Emily to the airport for her trip back to Thailand. This was quite different from September when we drove her for the first trip to Thailand. In September none of us really knew what to expect. We were a bit frightened of her long journey all by herself. Would she navigate the various airports? Would she find the right contact person when she finally landed in Bangkok? What would the organization she was volunteering with really be like? How would she survive on her own? Would she become homesick? And on and on...

This time we all know what was going to happen. We know Emily can handle all of the connections in her flight. She knows how to get herself back to her "home". We all know what to expect with her volunteer duties.

So was it easier or harder to say goodbye? Neither. It was just different. Because now we're not operating in fear, but out of knowledge. We all know what she's facing. Wonderful friends & staff, exciting adventures, safe living arrangements, and on and on...

But we also know what she's missing; the security and familiarity of Canada. She's falling in love with kids that she will never see again after May. She's facing the hardship of different cultural realities. A faith system that throws away disabled children because they must have done something in a previous life to deserve that. A culture where you have to measure your words and actions carefully so as not to offend. And she loves the people around her and she honestly does not want to offend. She's missing a dynamic worship experience.

And so it was hard to say goodbye because I know that even with all of the excitement of living on her own, there are going to be struggles and heartache. I want to make it all go away. And yet I don't. I know that character is built through the struggles. I know the next 5 months will continue to shape her into the wonderful young lady God wants her to be. And that will make the "goodbye" all worth it.

December update

This month the caregivers at GLA all shared words they would use to describe the kids. I've included the list for both kids. I think it really gives insight into their personalities.

Peterson is...SMART, genuine, trustworthy, sensitive, people-pleaser, easy-going, ambitious, encouraging, willing, follower, protector, affectionate.



Gaëlle is... joyful, responsible, affectionate, energetic, carefree, girly, efficient.

I know I sound like a broken record but I did not think we would be here in Nova Scotia for Christmas and Peterson & Gaëlle would be in Haiti. It just never even crossed my mind last Christmas. Robin and I constantly were planning Christmas 2009.

Peterson & Gaëlle would be in the church play. Wouldn't that be cute? And wouldn't you know it, the children's church play was probably one of the best ones I've ever seen.

I would have to make their stockings? The material would be different but the style would be the same.

Gaëlle especially seems to have a sweet tooth. I wonder what she'll think of all of our Christmas goodies.

How will they handle the cold? We'll have to invest in good quality snow suits.

And on and on....

But throughout this entire process, I've determined to not do anything, not buy anything until the kids have our last name. That hasn't happened yet and so I've done nothing. Bought nothing. And Christmas 2009 will come and go and we're still separated.

I'm oh so thankful that GLA will make this time special for them. They've shared pictures of some of the December happenings and it looks like the kids are having a blast.

And Robin and I are not discussing Christmas 2010. No plans at all. We'll just wait and see what happens.

The kids are home

When we said goodbye to Emily back in September we didn't think we would see her again until May. So I feel so blessed to have her home for Christmas. I know the day will arrive when my children celebrate the holidays without us. But I'm glad it isn't here yet.



Waiting for our little girl to arrive.



Her flight from Thailand went without a hitch, except her luggage arrived 18 hours after her. But it did arrive.



She has struggled a bit with jet lag but I think she's finally turned the corner and is getting a decent night of sleep. She's having fun catching up with friends and also trying to figure out her plans for next year.

I think she's most happy to be with Kaylin again. Even though there is a 3 year difference in age, I'm so pleased that my girls just delight in being together. So much fun to see.

Josh has also come home, but we haven't seen much of him. He immediately went into band practice mode. And now he has gone on a trip to visit friends. So he's gone and he's taken the car. But we'll see lots of him in January before he goes back to school. So I'm just happy to see him out and about.

Gingerbread house... 5 years later

About 7 years ago we bought a gingerbread house mold. It has been well used. We have made gingerbread house kits for friends and Kaylin has held decorating parties. After taking a break last year, she resurrected the tradition and hosted the party once again. I dug out the photos from 5 years ago to compare to this year. What a difference!!! Where has the time gone?



Here we are in our 15 and 16 year old wonderfulness.



A cute 11 year old smile.



A 10 year old full of enthusiasm.



Lots of artistic thoughtfulness... which hasn't changed... just matured. So beautiful to see.

A yogic diet

Kaylin is loving her yoga and because of her gymnastics background, she is so flexible and strong, which means she can do all the advanced moves. So this week she has decided to add to her yoga experience and try the yogic diet. As she understands it, the idea is to eat fresh and unprocessed foods. She will also eat dairy products and seafood products, altho that will not be a pure yogic experience.

I initially thought this would be super easy for our family but it's actually not. I didn't think I used all that many processed foods, but I do. I use canned tomatoes in so many recipes. And we eat a lot of pasta. I could buy fresh tomatoes and stew them myself. But I won't. And I could make home made pasta. But I won't. I frequently make my own bread, as does Kaylin, so that won't be so hard, except I'll still use my enriched white flour.

Tonight's meal which Kaylin can't have. I think I'll set aside a little of everything except the canned tomatoes & beans and she can just add fresh tomatoes & maybe lentils to her taste.:

Curried Vegetable Stew - serves 4
1 large sweet potato chopped - 12 oz
1 medium onion chopped
1 medium zucchini chopped - 8 oz
small green pepper diced
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
15-19 oz garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained
14.5 oz diced tomatoes
3/4 c. veggie broth
1/2 tsp. salt

Sautee veggies in oil until soft- 10 minutes. Add seasonings - 2 minutes. Add additional ingredients and simmer covered until tender, but not soggy - about 10 minutes.

I serve over brown rice.