December updates

We received the updates a little early in the month because of the Christmas holidays.  It's always good to see Peterson & Gaëlle looking healthy and content.  

Another November update in December

November update in December

We just love this picture of Gaëlle. She looks so happy and full of life. She looks so healthy and is clearly growing. I have been waiting to post because we don't have an update for Peterson yet. Hopefully soon.

Thanksgiving joys

I haven't seen my son since we dropped him off at university August 14. He has been doing so well and he seems to love his experience, but we miss him so much. Finally we got to see him. He had a week off for Thanksgiving and so we all met up at my mom and dad's. Not only our family, but my brother and wife, and sister and family. A lot of people in one small house, but a great time.

New trick

This is not huge earth shattering news. But I can now add the accent to Gaëlle's name without going through a lot of hassle. I searched French accents and came up with the shortcut. About time. To get the 2 dots above the "e" just hit ALT and then 137. So simple. I'm posting this here so I won't forget. In case I ever want more, here is the page.

Our first package

We sent our first package to Gaëlle & Peterson last week. We really don't know how much they have been told about us. I'm kind of assuming they don't know anything and this will be their first introduction to us. The only thing the orphanage recommended was a photo album. We took our family photos and some of our town along with a picture of the kids playing in snow, and had each page laminated. Then we had the pages coil bound. I was really pleased with the results and think the album will be durable. Plus it can be added to if anybody at the orphanage is willing to thread new pages on. We included a doll and t-shirt for Gaëlle. Peterson will receive a t-shirt, soccer ball, and beaver stuffed animal. I also wrote small notes for each one. I'm praying it will be well received and their hearts will start to open to the idea of their new forever family.

Noel

Hurrican Noel plowed through our area Saturday, November 3. Which just happened to be my birthday. Fortunately, it didn't do major damage here in NS like it did in the Caribbean. On Sunday we took a drive along with all the other ambulance chasers to see the after effects. Again, fortunately we didn't see anything spectacular. But it was a beautiful day to just be outside. These photos were all taken at Blue Rock, a picturesque fishing village.

October updates

Our very first update from our orphanage. Things have been busy for them lately, what with a hurricane and all. However, they did have time for pictures and hopefully next month we'll receive a more personalized update. But for now pictures are fine. Here, Gaëlle is playing with the music instruments and partying hardy. Peterson is spending time looking at books and doing crafts.

Tell me why

I had this series of books when I was a kid, but this isn't the right cover. Well, it's got to be the right cover for some kids, but not this one. I can't describe the cover but I will know it when I see it and this isn't right. Unfortunately the books didn't make it past my childhood but I still love to ask the question, "Tell me why...?"

Tell me why some days I run and feel as though I could go on forever, and other days I feel as though I'm moving through molasses. (translation: Today I had a great run.)

Tell me why dogs try to eat their own poop and try to lick up their own vomit. (translation: This would be an ongoing question in the life of a dog owner.)

Tell me why some puppet performances, with the same puppeteers and the same routine, run smoothly and others fall apart from the get go. (translation: Today's puppet show was one disaster after another.)

Tell me why I am thinking about selling CTMH. (translation: I am going to sell CTMH for 3 months and see how it goes.)

Tell me why teens ask difficult, brutally challenging, seemingly unanswerable questions. ( translation: I have 3 teens of my own and 1 more living with us during the week.)

Tell me why I find highly recommended books flat and a bit of a disappointment. (translation: I've been working my way through River Rising and I think I'm about to bail.)

Well, I guess that's about all the questions for tonight. I'll let my brain cells have a bit of a break from the heavy stuff.

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Anthropologist, doctor, infectious disease specialist, professor, husband, father, co-founder of health project.... and the list goes on. Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer
, by Tracy Kidder tells the incredible story of a single man and how his passion transforms the world.

I've been bothered lately by the force of pragmatism in the world. Nobody seems to have ideals which withstand the ravages of life. Not only does Dr. Paul Farmer have high ideals and expectations, he lives them even in the face of extreme adversity.

He visits Haiti as a young man trying to decide the direction his education will take. Does he follow his passion of anthropology or his passion for medicine. He decides that he can't separate the disciplines and his love for all things Haitian is entwined in the mix.

Kidder spends quite a bit of time with Farmer as he goes back and forth between Haiti, the US and eventually other health projects around the world. He obviously spends a considerable amount of time talking with him and Kidder leaves us with the impression that he comes to know and respect Farmer immensely. Unfortunately, as a reader, I still don't think I come close to knowing the intricacies of such a complex person. However, I admire him and his devotion to his passions.

Paul Farmer is dedicated to providing medical service and resources to the poor. During a discussion on political correctness he and some friends discuss the importance of appearance.

The goofiness of radicals thinking they have to dress in Guatemalan peasant clothes. The poor don't want you to look like them. They want you to dress in a suit and go get them food and water.

Because of his ability to see the large picture and his success with major health projects, he is pressured to give up his Haitian practice and concentrate on the big issues of world health. However, he says that he hears the voice of a Haitian saying, "My child is dying." He seems to need both outlets, big health projects and rural Haitian clinic.

I don't agree with all of Dr. Paul Farmer's philosophies, but I found myself challenged by his life choices. I admire his refusal to see "common sense" when dealing with poor Haitians. He believes that they deserve the best he and the world can give. He doesn't need to be practical in parceling out resources, he just has to save lives. One man has changed the world.