tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51250626202283350132024-03-04T22:53:08.141-07:00FYI on Rach and RyRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.comBlogger578125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-63216372605194997102017-11-06T21:21:00.000-07:002020-08-09T14:56:55.573-06:00I started a podcast!Hello, friends. It's been a long time since you've heard from me. I have been pouring every spare moment into a passion project that I am super excited about. <br />
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After over a year of thinking about it, I decided to finally just do it, and I started a podcast for moms! It is called <a href="http://3in30podcast.com/" target="_blank">3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms</a> because each 30-minute episode includes three doable takeaways for moms to try with their kids that week. <br />
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It has been so much work! Much more than I expected it to be, honestly. But it's also super exciting and gives me a little spring in my step. It is really fulfilling to me to teach and to share strategies, tools, and solutions. Plus it just feels so good to actually follow through on a big goal that I set. It makes me feel more confident in every area of my life. (Does that make sense?)<br />
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I record in my closet, where the sound is supposedly better (very classy and professional), and then I edit the podcasts and get them posted to <a href="http://3in30podcast.com/" target="_blank">my website</a>, iTunes, Stitcher and other apps, and social media. It's definitely a part-time job, but so far I am loving it. <br />
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I'm on my fourth week, and we've already had some awesome topics and guests. Check it out:<br />
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And actually my very favorite episode is the Intro episode because I get to talk about the arrivals of my miracle babies and the inspiration for the podcast. I just love these two little miracles!<br />
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I would love it if you followed along! The website is <a href="http://3in30podcast.com/">3in30podcast.com</a>, and you can stream any of the episodes directly from there. You can also subscribe within any podcast app, that way you never miss an episode. Just open the app and search "3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms" and it should come up. Then hit "Subscribe."</div>
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I've been really active on Instagram, posting follow-up tips and videos after each episode, so find me there as well! My handle is the same everywhere: 3in30podcast.</div>
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So what does this mean for the ol' family blog? Truthfully, I don't know yet. I haven't blogged consistently in over a year, but it's hard for me to say I'm letting it go completely because I do still feel like it's so important for my kids' lives to be chronicled. (I've actually already devoted an entire podcast to that topic.) I use Chatbooks, but not for everything, and I just love writing lots of details about their personalities and milestones. I think if I could manage my time better, it could be doable to do both, but thus far, I have been so consumed by the podcast that everything else (including cooking meals and cleaning the house) is on the back burner. I am praying everything will normalize soon and so it doesn't feel like so much work.</div>
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But in the meantime, I am enjoying the feeling of reaching a goal and working toward something great. And I would especially love it if some of you readers found me on the podcast!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-53866147089059512542017-08-23T01:25:00.001-06:002020-08-09T14:57:30.847-06:00Spring FlingI called this post "Spring Fling" because I am
going to fling up some of the best photos that cover a four month span
and call it good! I have got to get caught up on this blog or else I am
going to give up on it altogether!<br />
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Noah got to
take a special weekend trip with his dad to be at Callum's baptism! The
plane tickets were too expensive for all of us to go, but we really
wanted Noah to be there for this milestone in his best-cousin's life.
(Noah doesn't have any other older cousins, so this is the only baptism
he will really get to be excited about until his own.) Sarah and Logan
were also performing in <i>Lamb of God</i> that weekend, and Ryan had never seen it, so we decided that he should go with Noah and be there for both events.<br />
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Noah
was so excited to go and celebrate with Callum that he even made his
own count-down sheet and checked the boxes diligently each morning right
when he woke up.<br />
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While
the boys were gone, Sally and I enjoyed a weekend of girl time. I love
this photo of us riding her plasma car with the spring blossoms
overhead.<br />
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We
spent Easter this year in Pocatello with our Nielson grandparents and
cousins. It was a crazy and fun time, as always. Look at all these
little children! It's madness! (And check out Sally's impressive choke
hold on poor Gracie! Ha!) Grandma also bought the world's cutest
playhouse for them, and they spent hours enjoying it out in the yard.<br />
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And
I'm sorry, are my kids not just the cutest in their Easter outfits?
And I love all of Sally's expressions--she was so excited for Easter.<br />
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After
four years of working with the Young Women group at church, I helped to
plan my last New Beginnings for them in March. We did a values fashion
show and got them all beautified--it was a super fun and meaningful
night. I started out in YW as the Mia Maid advisor, and then I got put into a
new presidency. Four years is a <i>long </i>time to work with the youth (I
calculated that I had spent about 190 Wednesday nights and Sunday
lessons with them), but I grew to love them so much. I feel like if I
made a difference to anyone during our time in Twin Falls, it was the
girls I worked with.<br />
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I also grew so close to the leaders I worked with. They became some
of my best friends in Twin. Serving in the church is such a blessing
for that reason alone!<br />
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Noah
played in a little soccer league with some of his buddies. I can't
tell if he really likes soccer or has any sort of a natural knack for
it, but before the season started, I made him promise that he would
actually play instead of just lying in the middle of the field like he
did last season. Ha! I said, "You DO NOT have to play soccer. If you
don't want to, that is fine with me! But if you tell me that you want
to and I pay the money, then you can't whine and you can't mope around
the field." He said he wanted to, and I am pleased to report that he
kept his end of the bargain and got out there and hustled.<br />
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Noah "graduated" from kindergarten. (Why is that even a thing?) He had a <i>great </i>year.
Since he is so young for his grade, and I wasn't sure if he was ready
to sit quietly at a desk, I put him in an alternative kindergarten that
is based on Waldorf-style curriculum, and it was a perfect fit for him.
They did so much building, experimenting, frolicking in the mud, and
exploring nature. They built a "wormery," watched baby chicks hatch,
developed models of the solar system, created fairy houses out of
natural materials, and all sorts of creative, hands-on learning. I am a
little concerned that they didn't do much reading and writing, and thus
Noah might not be quite ready for 1st grade, but I still think the
kindergarten was the right choice for him. It was most important to me that he learn
to love school--and he did! He is excited to go to a Spanish immersion
school this fall.<br />
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His
best friend from school was a darling little boy named Porter. They
called each other "Porty" and "Noey" and hugged each other upon arrival
at school every day. ;)</div>
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For Mother's Day weekend, I asked Ryan to take the kids to Pocatello so I could spend the weekend organizing before our move to Hailey. The irony was not lost on me: Happy Mother's Day to me, now please get these children out of my hair!! Ha! The biggest project that I wanted to tackle was organizing all of my lesson plans, papers and materials from my 5-year career as a high school English teacher. I had six crates packed with materials, and it took hours and hours to sort through. But I now have neat and organized binders for each of the books/units that I taught, and I condensed it all down to <i>two </i>crates of my very best stuff. Such a big project, but I am so happy that it's done. I am hoping to tutor high school and college students in Hailey, so it feels great to have my materials ready to access and use!</div>
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Our favorite Ashlyn got married! The Sumpsions have been a huge part
of our life in Twin Falls these past four years, and we will always be
grateful for their friendship and the way they have loved our kiddos.<br />
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And
speaking of those cute newlyweds, they watched our kids for a few days while Ryan and I went to Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend. He
had a dental conference there, and I couldn't resist tagging along
because I wanted to see my little sister! Laura and Sam moved to
Virginia about a year ago, and they live super close to DC. So Laura
and I hung out and saw the sights while Ryan went to all of his nerd classes. Ha! He really does love his CE courses and when he goes to conferences, he is not there to vacation--he is there to learn as much as he can. I could hardly convince him to leave an hour early a few of the days so he could spend time with me. I love that little dental nerd of mine.<br />
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Some of the highlights of the weekend included: seeing Taylor Hawes, one of our best friends from the Buffalo years, who happened to be in town for a lawyer conference; spending time with my insanely cute niece and nephew; spending time with my wacky sister who makes me laugh more than anyone (we decided that we need some serious selfie lessons); eating all sorts of delicious food, such as homemade doughnuts (it's possible we went more than once); and of course going to the inspiring and patriotic memorials around DC.<br />
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My favorite memorial was FDR. I have always admired him and how he lead the country through the Great Depression. Walking around the memorial, which was so beautiful and peaceful with the waterfalls and gardens, I loved reading his quotes on the walls and thinking about the service that he gave to our country for so many years. I loved the corner of the garden that was devoted to Eleanor, as she was my childhood hero and I read all the books about her when I was in elementary school. ;)</div>
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Another highlight was going to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. There were so many American flags, and it was just beautiful. I feel like so much awe and respect was in the air as visitors thought about the upcoming holiday and how much these men and women had sacrificed for our country.<br />
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A few of the lowlights of the trip were getting lost in a torrential downpour as we tried to find the Metro--and then getting on the wrong Metro line and ending up lost again. Ha! Despite a few bumps, it was a fabulous trip. <br />
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We made it home just in time for our new niece to be born! Emma Mae was born on May 31, which just happens to be my birthday!! Yay! So now I have a birthday buddy, and I've sealed "favorite aunt" status forever. She is a precious little bundle, and we are so happy for Ashley and Nate. And yes, the babies on Ryan's side of the family just keep coming!<br />
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Other than the excitement of Emma's birth, my birthday was pretty chill this year. I figured the trip to DC was my gift, and I didn't expect anything else--but Noah made sure that I felt extra special that evening when he planned a birthday party for me. It had a "princess" theme, and the guests were Ryan, Noah, and Sal--which worked out perfectly because those are my three favorite people! ;) Before the party began, Noah went out to the backyard and told me that under no circumstances was I to go out there. When he came back in, he insisted that I put on my Elsa dress (ha!), and then he explained that he had set up an obstacle course where the brave knights (he and Dad) had to get through all sorts of obstacles and defeat a horrible monster in order to save the princesses (me and Sal). Not exactly a feminist plotline, but it was so darn cute that I didn't care!<br />
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I absolutely love that he came up with all of that on his own. It made me feel happy to know that the birthday parties I have planned for him have made an impression, and that he wants to show me that he loves me, too. I ended the night by reading him stories in the hammock, and it was just perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better end to the day.<br />
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It was a great spring with lots of happiness and family time. And I had no idea what was coming for me at the beginning of June...during the very week that we were moving. I will give you a hint: It's kidney stones. More on that nightmare in my next post! <br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-65896387938392474922017-07-26T11:58:00.001-06:002020-08-09T14:57:41.574-06:00Pura Vida with the Daytons<div style="text-align: center;">
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I wrote in my last post how hard this past winter was for me. But in the midst of that long, hard winter, we had a <i>really</i> bright spot: We got to go to Costa Rica with our best friends from the dental school years, the Daytons! We had been talking about going on a trip with them forever, but I had been hoping to do IVF again in the fall or winter. Once we found out that IVF was off the table for a while due to my health issues, we decided to just go ahead and take the trip.</div>
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It was paradise and just what my sad little heart needed. We laughed <i>so much</i>. That's what I will always remember most from the trip--all of the laughing. Adrian is a natural comedian and cracks jokes about everything, and it just makes everyone else comfortable making witty comments constantly. I love people who love to laugh, and that's definitely the Daytons. They make life fun.<br />
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They are also great conversationalists and deep thinkers, and we had lots of good talks about life over delicious dinners and during our long car rides around that beautiful country. That was another highlight of the trip--just the long, beautiful drives. We rented a car and were so glad we had the freedom to explore. It was actually easy to get around with the help of the Waze app, and we were able to spend some time inland in the beautiful Arenal Volcano region and then head to the coast to see Manuel Antonio for a few days.<br />
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Some of my favorite memories from the trip:<br />
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-Pulling into our resort in rain forest of the Arenal Volcano region, blasting Shakira's "Try Everything" and singing our lungs out. This became our theme song for the trip. We were greeted at the Concierge with fresh fruit smoothies, and we were ready for the fun to begin!<br />
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-Adrian serenading us with his ukulele. Our first hotel room had a great jungle view, and we sat out on the porch overlooking Arenal Volcano and sang the Lava Song, of course.<br />
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-Going for sloth hunts. I became slightly obsessed with these slow-moving, lazy, likeable creatures on this trip (I decided they are my spirit animal), and we were on the look out everywhere we went!<br />
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-Mountain biking around Arenal Volcano. This was so beautiful and such a unique experience! We could've paid for an expensive tour company to take us to do this, but instead we rented mountain bikes in town and somehow got them into our tiny car, then we drove to the volcano and paid the $10 fee to ride the path ourselves.<br />
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The area is called Arenal 1968, and it's beautiful to bike or hike. You can do long trails or short trails, and I will say that I could've been done after the initial loop--it turned into a really long, hilly, and muddy ride. But it was still totally worth it for the views! I'm just grateful that the Daytons and Ryan were willing to wait for me because I was definitely the sloth that was slowing the group down by the end!<br />
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-Pina coladas. Need I say more?<br />
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-A day with Ryan hiking to the insanely, amazingly, stunningly beautiful Nauyaca Falls. I've seen some gorgeous waterfalls in my life, but none of them compared to this. Two levels of waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs in the heart of the jungle. It was a hot hike to get there, but oh boy was it worth it! There was a big, deep swimming hole at the bottom, and we spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing in the sun. <br />
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Of course Ryan had to devise a way to jump off the waterfalls. No one else was doing it, but there was obviously a safe ledge to jump from--the trouble was how to get to it because there was no easy path up the rocks right beside it. So Ry scaled up the opposite side, walked across the waterfall itself, and got to the ledge. And just because he's a maniac, he did a gainer into the water and nearly gave me a heart attack. (One day he will realize that just because he still looks like he's 20 doesn't mean he actually is! Ha!) <br />
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We ended the day by hiking back to the car and talking all about the dental practice we are buying and discussing dreams for the future. This was such a nice day with just him. The Daytons had gone on a ziplining excursion for the day, and we missed all the laughs and adventures that inevitably would've happened if they would've been with us, but it was also fun to just have a chill day of talking with Ryan.<br />
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<br />
-Beach days! Is there anything better? The boys got to surf, and the girls got to parasail. We literally stayed from about 8 a.m. until sunset and every moment was pure perfection. We watched the sun go down and Adrian even did a few of his old gymnastics moves so I could get some fun photos (he was the BYU mascot, Cosmo, while he was in college.) <br />
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-Tobacan Hot Springs, especially sneaking into Shang-ri-La. One night we went to some really posh hot springs near Arenal. A river that is a natural hot spring runs through the property of a fancy hotel, and they've created all these different pools and waterfalls and secluded spots, and it was absolutely lovely and romantic to snuggle with Ryan is the warm water under the stars.<br />
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<br />
But the real fun began when we saw a sign for an area that was "Hotel Guests Only" called Shang-ri-la. A sign like that might as well have Adrian's name written on it--because there is absolutely no way he is staying away after he sees an area where he is forbidden to go. "Let's go check out Shang-Ri-La!" he kept saying. "What's the worst they can do--tell us to leave? I bet they won't even notice! We'll just walk in there like we own the place!"<br />
<br />
I am a total rule follower by nature, but it's either Adrian's persuasive abilities or the fact that getting older has made me stop giving a damn about getting in trouble for things--but we walked right into that Shang-ri-la and hopped into the exclusive pools and aint nobody was gonna stop us.<br />
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I'm pretty sure the rich people knew we didn't belong, but we didn't care. We are rebels.<br />
<br />
-Amazing scenery, sunsets, and animals everywhere we went. We woke up to the sound of howler monkeys in the trees around our hotel, we walked through lush rain forest on hanging bridges, and we found all sorts of fun waterfalls and adventures.<br />
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<br />
In Costa Rica they have a saying that is used everywhere, all the time: "Pura vida," they will say instead of thank you or when they are acknowledging something good happening in their day. Directly translated it means "pure life," and I love that. Going on a trip with our best friends, seeing God's amazing creations, definitely felt like Pure Life to me.<br />
<br />
So, Adrian and Natalie, where are we going next??<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-18839105824695235462017-06-02T00:52:00.001-06:002020-08-09T14:57:49.893-06:00Moving...and catching up from the winter!We are moving in one week, and I am starting to freak
out. I have done a ton of organizing and purging, but I haven't packed a
single box.<br />
<br />
Panic is beginning to set in, so obviously
I'm blogging. Because I like to avoid the task at hand when I am
feeling anxious. And I also realize that if I don't slap the photos
from this winter onto the ol' blog, it might be another several months
before we are out of boxes and I'm ready to post again. Gotta get this
done.<br />
<br />
Yes, we are moving again. AGAIN. Last summer, we
moved from one rental to another, just within Twin Falls--but this
summer (eh hem, in one week), we are making a big, permanent
move. We bought our first home and everything!<br />
<br />
We are
moving to Hailey, Idaho, which is about 20 minutes outside of Sun Valley
in the mountains. Ryan is going to continue working for the same
dental office, but he is buying in as a partner, and he is going to run
their small satellite office in Hailey. I think it will be a great fit for him,
with a slower pace in a mountain town that he loves. He grew up going
to his grandpa's cabin in Sun Valley, and he is excited to teach our
kids to ski, mountain bike, fish, etc.<br />
<br />
I am up for it
too, though it will be an adjustment. Hailey only has 10,000 people and
no stores like Walmart, Costco, or really any chain. I don't think I
would be able to do it if it weren't for Amazon Prime!<br />
<br />
But
honestly the thing that scares me the most is the longer winters.
Because man do I struggle emotionally in the winter. (More on that in a
second.) And in Hailey, winter will be longer and colder and snowier.
My only saving grace is that in spite of the snow and cold, it is
actually sunny there year-round (hence the nickname "Sun Valley") and
that could make all the difference for my mental health and state of
mind. I think I can deal with winter as long as it's not six months of
gray and dreary.<br />
<br />
Which leads to the real topic of this
post...photos from the past winter. I just have to admit upfront that
this winter was a doozy for me. I was still adjusting to my medications
for Intracranial Hypertension, so on top of my regular seasonal
depression, I had intense depression from the meds. I think it was
probably the lowest I have ever been, mostly manifesting in total apathy
towards everything in my life. I could barely muster the motivation to
get out of bed, which is not like me at all. I <i>finally </i>convinced
my doctor to switch me from that particular medication, and I am happy
to report that I am feeling so much better. This new medicine isn't
without uncomfortable side effects, but it is 50x better than trying to
function with that level of mental fog and depression.<br />
<br />
So
that was no fun. And when you add to that that Idaho had the snowiest
winter it has had in decades, it was one heck of a few months. In
January and February, we literally had feet and feet of snow envelope
our city. The local schools had something like eight snow days, and
there were just huge snow drifts everywhere, which is really unusual for
Twin Falls. I heard that we had more snow this winter than in the past
twenty years <i>combined. </i>I'm not sure if that's true, but these photos of this year's spring run-off at Shoshone Falls seem to back that up! Crazy!<br />
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Noah and Ryan spent <i>a lot </i>of
time shoveling. Sally and I helped a little, but the boys enjoyed
doing it so much that we decided to just let them do most of the heavy
lifting. ;) And hey, when they came inside with their red cheeks,
we had hot cocoa ready!<br />
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Noah truly loves shoveling snow, and he could play outside in it for
hours. One day he came in and proudly told me that he and his dad had
built a "tremendous snowhill!" Ha! I love that kid's vocabulary. And I think he will enjoy life in snowy Hailey just fine.<br />
<br />
Noah
and Ryan also got away on a little adventure with friends one Saturday
morning: ice fishing! It was a first time for both of them, and they
loved it. Noah caught a big one!<br />
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We
went tubing as a family one Saturday afternoon, and I gave myself a "good mom point" for getting out in the cold and making it happen.<br />
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Bapa
came to see us one weekend and spent lots of time playing with the
kids, going for pancakes at McDonalds per tradition (classy!), and skiing
with Noah! All the fun wore everyone out. ;)</div>
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And speaking of skiing, Ryan said it was a truly epic ski season. Sun Valley reported having some of their best snow <i>ever</i>, and Ryan was itching to get on those slopes every chance he could get! </div>
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We
even got Sally out on the slopes for a day. Dad took her on the big chairlift and everything! She enjoyed whizzing
between her dad's legs, though she mostly wanted to talk about having a
hot dog at the lodge when she was done. I was standing at the bottom of
the hill taking a video, and I could hear her jabbering about her hot
dog all the way down. Ha!</div>
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When
we got into the lodge and got her a snack, a nice man walked by and
asked her if she had gone skiing that day. I said, "Yes, it was her very
first time!" He made a big fuss over her, and she said, "Do you want to
see me skiing??" and grabbed my phone to show him a video. ;) He was such a good sport to
watch a two minute long video of her slowly winding down the hill
between her dad's legs, and she was grinning from ear to ear the whole
time he watched. </div>
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In between the various winter sports and outings, there was <i>lots </i>of
downtime at home, with Mom not feeling good. The weather kept us
trapped inside a lot and when school got cancelled for days and days in a
row, the days felt so long and hard. </div>
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But
I have to admit that as I flipped through these photos of the everyday, crazy moments with my little ones, I started
to hear that corny old country song playing in my head: "You're gonna
miss this, you're gonna want this back. You're gonna wish these days,
hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good years, so take a good look
around. You may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this."</div>
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From
colorful baths and smoothie mustaches, to terrible mornings when the
kids crawl all over me and fight with each each other, to chaotic dinners when Ryan tries to read us
the scriptures and not a soul listens...to Noah's endless creations and
Sally's endless mischief...from boat building to jumping off the mantel because it's too snowy to go to the
playground...it's a good good life. </div>
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And when they are grown, I know I'm going to miss it. Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-50362662317164946042017-05-15T00:15:00.000-06:002020-08-09T14:57:58.089-06:00For Katie, On Mother's DayIt's Mother's Day, and I am thinking about Katie. I always do this time of year. Yesterday was "Birthmother's Day," and she and I texted a little bit about our precious little boy who has brought so much joy to both of our lives. It feels so sacred to share that kind of love with someone.<br />
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Today, I have felt the overwhelming urge to share more with her--more than just our hearts from a distance. I've wanted to give her a piece of Noah to take with her this week--to fill her up and make her smile. Because she will always be his first mother, and Mother's Day will always be about her, too. <br />
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It has been a long time since I've written an "update" post about Noah, and I've been meaning to for months. So even though it's 10:30 p.m., I am going to do it right now. For Katie, as my Mother's Day gift--so she can carry the stories of this remarkable little boy in her heart this week and marvel at the amazing person he is becoming.<br />
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At age 5 1/2, Noah is one smart little cookie. I'm allowed to say that because it's not my genetics. He still has a huge vocabulary and it makes everyone laugh. Just today he told me that his younger cousin has "developed a new ability" by learning how to pump on the swings. ;) Here's to all of us "developing new abilities"!<br />
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A few months ago, he told me that Sally wasn't napping well because she has an "instinct" that makes it difficult for her to sleep with an unfamiliar blankie. I said, "Noah, what is an instinct?" He said, "It's like this data that you have inside of you. It is kind of programmed so that you do certain things and you don't do certain things." I thought that was a pretty darn good explanation!<br />
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He can also articulate complex emotions, which makes it so much easier for me to teach and talk to him. He recently told me that a little girl in his kindergarten class is getting bullied (break my heart!), and so we talked about how he can be a leader and stand up for her. He thought about this and then explained some really adult emotions to me, things like, "I guess I haven't had the courage to stop it because I'm afraid that the other kids will start picking on <i>me </i>instead." He also admitted that he wants to feel "connected" to the kids who are doing the bullying, so it's hard to stand up to them. We talked about how all of these emotions are completely normal to feel and how he can work through his fears to do the right thing.<br />
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At the end of the discussion, I told him that he is a natural leader and everywhere he goes, people want to be around him and be his friend (which is <i>so </i>true). I told him how special it is to have this gift because he has the unique opportunity to be a leader who stops bullying. He said, "Mom, I think I want to be a leader who just stays out of it." Ha! I just love his honesty and how much I can relate to his emotions. We will continue talking about empathy, and I hope he grows into a brave and kind young man who is a big influence for good.<br />
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He really does draw people to him. Everywhere we go, he makes friends. He is super outgoing. We recently met up with a family who is new to the neighborhood to go bowling. Before we arrived, I told Noah that we would be getting to know some new friends, and he was thrilled. He and the little boy who is close to his age hit it off right away. When I took Noah up to the concessions counter to get a cup of water, I heard him chatting up the teenage worker. He sat at the counter and told her, "We are getting to know some new friends tonight." She was so amused by his matter-of-fact small-talk and asked, "Oh yeah, how is that going?" And he responded, "It's going really well!" I almost died from the cuteness.<br />
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His Primary teacher at church absolutely loves him and has told me some hilarious stories about him. She said that one day they were drawing pictures to give to someone they were thankful for, and he told her he was drawing a train for his Grandma. But then at the end of class, he said, "Actually, I drew this for my teacher" and gave her a big exaggerated wink. Then he handed her the picture and walked out. ;)<br />
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He is a builder. He still amazes me with his engineering skills, and he never needs any help. The other day at the cabin in Sun Valley, I looked over and he had built this multi-level "skycoaster," as he called it. I was impressed!<br />
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We recently toured the elementary school where he will attend first grade, and we stopped by the technology and engineering room. The 1st graders were in there trying to build marble runs with an upside down loop, but they couldn't figure out how to keep the marble from falling out. The teacher invited Noah to join a group, and he immediately solved their problem. The teacher quieted down the class and asked Noah to explain to everyone what he had done and why. He said, "I made the runway longer and higher, so the marble could build up enough speed to get over the loop with no problem." Proud mom moment!<br />
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This past week we were working on potty training Sally, and I asked him to take her into the bathroom and tell her about it to get her excited. He took her in there but then I heard him say, "And you just stand right in front of the toilet and pee, like this," so I rushed in there and said, "No no, remember she's a girl--she can't do that!" After a moment of thought, he motioned to the toilet grandly with one arm and said, "Mom, will you do the honors?" I was happy to be the model for his demonstration.<br />
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We were at the grocery store not too long ago, and I said, "Oh darn it, Noah! I forgot my list at home!" He looked at me seriously and said, "That's just the way life goes sometimes, Mom. You just have to roll with it."<br />
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Today at church, a man was giving a talk for Mother's Day, and he
mentioned that his mother had always kept an "immaculate" house. He
went on to explain how orderly and clean every square inch was, how
dishes were done right after dinner, etc. etc. During this talk, my
kids were at my feet playing/coloring/raising hell, and of course I
didn't think they were listening to a word. But all of the sudden Noah
pipes in and says, "Well our house is always a mess!" Ha! I must admit,
he will never be able to say that his mom was a master homemaker!<br />
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But in my defense, and as I pointed out to him, it's not <i>me</i> making all the messes! For example recently he stripped down and changed for his swimming lesson and left his clothes on the
locker room floor. I called after him, "Hey Bud, come back and pick up
your clothes!" "Sorry," he responded casually, "but I've got a swimming
lesson to catch!" Oh my goodness! Don't worry, he caught his swimming lesson after he'd picked up those clothes. ;)<br />
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When I woke him up for school recently, he rolled over and said sleepily, "You didn't know I was wearing an electric super-powered jet pack, did you?" That must've been one awesome dream!<br />
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I love that he is <i>all boy</i>. He climbs trees like a pro; he rides his mountain bike down the trails in the canyon and hoots and hollers; and he loves to get dirty.<br />
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He recently lost his first tooth, and it was a pretty momentous day for the entire family. His dad had told him that the Tooth Fairy only comes for teeth that have been well-brushed and cared for--and <i>phew</i>, she did come that night so we were all relieved. I must say, he is a complete wimp when it comes to pain, and he cried and whined every time he ate a meal in the days leading up to his tooth falling out. Now another one is loose, and I'm hearing the whining all over again...heaven help me. <br />
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One of his most classic quotes lately took place in the car. We were driving home from school, and he started bombarding me with questions and demands. I said, "Noah, I don't know. I just need ten minutes of think-time when we get home to get my life under control." He thought about that for a second and then said, "Mom, if you get your life under control, does that mean you won't let us watch so much TV??" Hahaha! <br />
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Our favorite thing to do together is read chapter books. Every night, I snuggle into his bed and read him a chapter or two of a book, and he can always follow the story perfectly, even when there are no pictures. I am amazed by how much he can absorb by simply listening! We started with several of the <i>How to Train Your Dragon </i>books, and we've now moved on to Roald Dahl (we've read <i>The BFG </i>and <i>James and the Giant Peach</i>) and E.B. White (we are working on <i>Charlotte's Web)</i>. This is one area of motherhood that I feel like I do well. I'm not very good at playing on the floor with my kids, but I could read to them all day long--especially now that we are reading interesting chapter books instead of just picture books.<br />
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I love hearing Noah's laugh when we read. He often bursts into giggles, and once he gets going, I can't help but join in. He was so amused when the wicked Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker got flattened by the giant peach in the Roald Dahl classic, and he laughed uncontrollably and hid his face in his blankets saying over and over, "This is too good, Mom! It's just too good!" I think that will always be one of my favorite memories.<br />
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He's a snuggler, and I love it. He gives hugs and kisses freely, and he lets me cuddle him every night. I feel like it's our common love language, and it's something that brings us together and makes me feel so peaceful, even after the roughest days.<br />
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I was recently having one of those days, with everything going wrong, and we were 15 minutes late to swimming lessons (keep in mind that a lesson is only 30 minutes). Then I discovered that Noah had taken his goggles out of the swim bag right before we left home, and he refuses to swim without them, so I just decided to throw in the towel, and we headed back home.<br />
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On the way he started badgering me about what he would do when he got home and demanding to be entertained, and I'd just had it, so I snapped at him, "Figure it out, Noah! Go outside, play in your room, I don't care what you do--just figure it out!" He was silent for about 30 seconds and then he said, "Mom, what's wrong?" My heart softened immediately--it was the perfect question for him to ask. He didn't cry or scold me for being grumpy. He recognized that I wasn't at my best and there must be a reason. I felt like he gave me the benefit of the doubt. It was just a really sweet "payoff" moment for me as a mom.<br />
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So I explained to him how tired and overwhelmed I was, and how sometimes as a mom you feel like you do the same things over and over and nobody appreciates it, and everything that you do gets undone by the end of the day. He listened, and then he said, "So it's sort of like when I spend a lot of time making a big castle out of Magformers, and then Sally comes in and crushes it, and I feel like all my work was for nothing, and it makes me feel really sad and mad and overwhelmed." I said, "Exactly!" And he said, "So you're not alone, Mom. I've felt that too." Oh my gosh, sweetness! Where do these flashes of maturity come from??<br />
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It's truly amazing to see the little person that he's becoming. I love this age. Don't get me wrong, he's still very strong-willed and can throw an epic fit on occasion, but overall, I'd say he's mellowed over the past year or two, and he is mostly just pleasant and fun to be around. Our biggest battles are probably over food (he is <i>so </i>picky) and over the way he and Sally fight (drives me insane!)--but overall, he really has become a helper in our house and, dare I say it aloud, pretty easy to parent. He's my little buddy.<br />
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I am so so so beyond grateful to be his mom. I think about it every single day. We recently faced some uncertainly with some plans for our future, and everything felt up in the air. I was tempted to become super anxious over it all, but I thought about the experience of waiting for and adopting Noah, and I knew that everything would be okay. It took us much longer to become parents than we had anticipated, but in the end, Heavenly Father knew exactly what we needed: We needed Noah. That experience has taught me that when life doesn't go as planned, it is usually headed somewhere better.<br />
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As I tucked Noah in that night, I told him that the experience of adopting him will always give me more faith throughout my life when I have to wait. "You were my first miracle, Noah," I said. He hugged me tight and said, "And you were mine, Mama."<br />
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But tonight I've been thinking about how <i>Katie </i>was our first miracle. She was my first miracle because she brought me my Noah. And she was Noah's first miracle because she chose to give him life--and a life that she wanted him to have that she couldn't yet provide for him.<br />
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On August 1, 2011, she made me a mother and she became a mother--Noah's first mother, our first miracle.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day, Katie. Words can't express how we love you.<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-48732612088667423272017-04-05T14:32:00.001-06:002020-08-09T14:59:13.244-06:00Two and a Half!<br />
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Our Sal is two and half! She still only weighs 23 lbs, which is something like 3rd percentile for her age. She is a tiny little thing. But you know what they say...Dynamite comes in small packages. And that is definitely true for our Sal. <br />
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This girl is full of spunk, sass, and spirit. She's a tornado. I thought Noah was strong-willed, but we might be taking it to a whole new-level with this firecracker. She is one independent and fiery little lady, and she exhausts me and challenges me for sure. But at the end of the day, I would not change her indomitable spirit. I hope she never loses the sparkle of mischief in her eye and that devious little dimple.<br />
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Here are some stories to give you an idea of how Sally has kept our life exciting the past few months:<br />
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At Noah's music class recently, I was helping Noah with his bells when another mother started motioning to me with wide eyes and pointing to the back of the room. I turned around to find Sally stark naked, smiling at me knowingly, as if to say, "Oh yes I did, Mom, and there ain't nothing you can do about it." As Noah said later, "Sal was wearing her birthday suit in front of all the moms and kids at my music class!" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯<br />
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I sang a solo in church a few weeks ago, and afterward, I was holding Sally in my arms when an elderly gentleman came up to tell me what a great job I had done. He said, "And does this little lady have a beautiful singing voice like her mother?" Sally looked at him for a second and then burst into song: "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg!" I have to admit, in that moment, I was pretty sure I have the most amazing kids on the planet. <br />
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Another song that I have heard her singing loud and proud lately is one that she must've learned in her beloved Nursery class (she adores Nursery) with a little twist: "I hope they call me on a mission...to teach and preach and work as missionary <i>dudes!" </i>(For those of my friends who aren't Mormon, the original song says, "missionaries do." I like her version even better!)<i> </i>I hope that Sally does go a mission and all sorts of adventures someday--and I have no doubt that she will keep up with those missionary dudes!<br />
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Speaking of music, she doesn't like to hear me sing. Humph! She often covers my mouth with her little hand when I try to sing her lullabies. I've tried to tell her that many people enjoy my singing, but she is not convinced. I guess I'll save my musical performances for elderly gentlemen at church who have hearing aides.<br />
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Even though she doesn't like my lullabies, she loves to be rocked and have her back scratched. This is pretty much the only way that I can get her to nap anymore, and I actually enjoy it because it's the only time of day that I can get her to cuddle. She is not a snuggler <i>at all</i> and will almost never give kisses. But for these few precious minutes some afternoons, I get to hold her, and then I lay her down for a doze.<br />
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She cut her own hair. Oh yes she did. She hid in her room and just started snipping away. Fortunately, Ryan realized that it was entirely too quiet and went in there before too much damage was done. When Sally saw him, she said, "Uh, I'm not doing anything in here, Dad! You can go away now--thank you!" <br />
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She managed to give herself a pretty good mullet, but my friend Tanille is a whiz with hair and did her best to clean it up. Some parts were so short that she had to leave them, but it's a pretty cute little bob when the hair is pulled back. When the hair is down, it looks a little bit like a 90s bowl cut, but whatever--we do urchin well at our house. Just ask Noah and his boots.<br />
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Sally tries to put a hex on me when she's mad. I am not kidding. She got this from an episode of <i>Sofia the First </i>where one of the characters decides to be a good little witch instead of a bad one, but I guess Sally would rather be a bad one? When she's not happy about something, she storms off and gets her little magic wand. Then she hides behind a corner or opens her bedroom door just a crack and sticks her wand out, so just her hand is showing, and waves it around at me. I can only imagine the curses she is muttering in her head. So hilarious.<br />
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She has this little move that we call "The Scorpion." She will just be walking along, and suddenly she pops down on all four and sticks one leg up in the air and holds it for a few seconds like a yoga position, then pops up and keeps walking. So random and funny. <br />
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She doesn't like to help. Shouldn't two-year-olds still like to help? Shouldn't the "Clean Up Song" still be kinda exciting and effective? I remember Noah being pumped about his little jobs, but Sal flat out refuses to help with <i>anything. </i>This morning when I asked her to hang her cloak on a hook (yes, she wears a cloak), she said, "I'm too busy, Mom." Uhhhhhh???? <br />
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Sal in her cloak:</div>
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As a friend said after watching me trying to discipline Sally for a day
recently, "Let me know how it goes when that little girl is a
teenager." I'm telling you, she is a pistol. I have my hands very
full.<br />
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Last month, I tried to be a good mom and bake muffins with her. She really wanted to add some water from her sippy cup and kept trying to unscrew the lid to pour some in. I patiently explained that the recipe didn't call for water, and I let her add other things to the mixing bowl, but she would not give up. Finally she just took a big swig from her cup and spit the water directly into the mixing bowl. Ha! I was so stunned, and even a little impressed by her problem-solving, that I couldn't do anything other than move her out of the kitchen and turn on a show. No more cooking with Sally for a while!<br />
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She has THE cutest little voice. It's kinda raspy, and I love the way she says certain words, like "Otay!" She calls herself "Sal" all the time, and it's so funny to hear her talk in the third person: "Sal do it!" She also often calls people "humans" which is just hysterical. She will say things to me like, "Mom, stop talking to those humans" when she wants me to hurry up so we can go home. She really does like humans though--she is super friendly, just like her brother. She will willingly go to just about anyone, and she waves and says hello to people everywhere we go. We have two very outgoing kids. It's fun.<br />
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A few months ago, we were at a petting zoo and Sally was so excited to feed the goats. She absolutely loves animals. Well she quickly became incensed when she saw that the big goat was hogging all of the pellets from the littler goats. "Stop it, Goat!" she kept shouting. When he wouldn't listen, she finally got fed up and just punched him right in the nose. I loved it. A Shakespearean quote came to mind: "Though she be but little, she is fierce." I hope she is always a defender of the undergoat.<br />
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She insists that she is "Queen Elsa of Arendelle" (don't forget "of Arendelle" or she will quickly correct you) and she pretty much refuses to take off her beloved Elsa nightgowns. It's hilarious, endearing, and infuriating, all at once.<br />
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When I was diagnosed with Intracranial Hypertension a few months ago, I started seeing a counselor again, and one day I was telling her about how wild and crazy Sally is--and how it is sometimes hard for me to connect with her, especially when I am feeling crummy. She doesn't like toys or books or songs...there is literally not one toy that she will play with. What am I supposed to do with her all day when I don't have the energy to chase her around or take her to the park?<br />
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"All she likes is <i>Frozen</i>!" I vented. "She refuses to take off her darn Elsa dress!"<br />
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"That's it!" My counselor interjected. "<i>You </i>need your own Elsa dress!"<br />
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I was stunned. "<i>Me</i>??" I stammered in surprise.<br />
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"Yes!" She insisted. "An adult-sized Elsa dress, and you two could have tea parties and dance together.'"<br />
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I let that image sink in for a minute, and it was just so absurd that I burst out laughing--and didn't stop laughing for the thirty minutes after my appointment as I searched the options on Amazon.<br />
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So I did it. I bought myself a silky, sequined Elsa dress--with a long tooule train, no less. And it is every bit as ridiculous and awesome as you would expect.<br />
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As you can imagine, Sally absolutely <i>loves </i>dressing up together, brushing our hair, putting on red lipstick, and dancing to <i>Frozen.</i> We've choreographed our own little routine to it, so even though it's not really in my nature to be playful--I like to get stuff <i>done</i>--when she says, "Mommy, will you dance with me?" I try to take a deep breath and let it go (see what I did there?). I slip on my dress over whatever I am wearing, and we have a grand old time twirling and building imaginary ice castles in the front room for a few minutes. We have big windows, and I often wonder what the neighbors must be thinking. Ha!<br />
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I love this crazy little Elsa with all of my heart. And she has her daddy wrapped around her finger as well, as you can see by their little manicure session at 7:30 a.m. one morning. Sally is the perfect mix of a diva and a tomboy. <br />
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We sure love you, Sally Grace Nielson! Even when you fall off of counters and get black eyes, get into my lipstick and smash the tip, and cut your own hair into a nasty mullet. We wouldn't trade our Spunky Sal for anything in the world! <br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-70357539161135639092017-02-20T22:04:00.000-07:002020-08-09T14:58:29.444-06:00A Letter to My Body <br />
To my precious body,
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh my dear one—we have been on a journey together, haven’t
we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together every day, every step of
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly, of everyone in this
world—of all of my kindreds, my friends and family whom I’ve tried to describe
my struggles and my battles to—no one <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really
</i>understands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has felt it all
and experienced it all with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
but you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have suffered with me, borne my griefs for me,
willingly, when I couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my
heart was breaking as I watched my mother disappear, you let me try to
disappear too—and you let me pound you into the gravel of the running path each
morning and you let me try to starve the ache away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when I wasn’t caring for you, you were
caring for me—sustaining me, keeping me on my feet, keeping my heart beating.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish that I had cared for you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the pain was so deep, so biting, that I
didn’t even know I was carrying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After years of loss and grief from the time I was a little girl, it’s
like I didn’t know how to care for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I didn’t even notice that you were caring for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pressed on in my habits of too much and too little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stuffed you, I punished you, I even blamed
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not my fault—I didn’t know how
to cope with my grief any differently—but all the while, you were my
ever-patient friend, adjusting for the fluctuations, keeping me going, staying
with me, doing your best to not run out of energy—believing in me and that I
would eventually come to a place where I was ready to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that day would come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dear body, you’ve been so faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know you’re tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s becoming evident from the ways you’re
acting lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve done such a good job of taking care of
me these past 15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been
there for me through some of the hardest times of my life, and I am so
grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for being the other half of my
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s my turn to take care of
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’m finally ready.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
want to do so much better at listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s going to take time for me to learn how, to get to know you
again—but it’s what I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what I
promise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can trust me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am listening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s take care of each other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rachel</div>
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-->Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-45301942958534228332017-01-27T14:00:00.003-07:002020-08-09T14:59:26.010-06:00They Said I Might Have a Brain Tumor...This fall, I started noticing weird problems with my vision--not so much so that I was <i>super </i>concerned, but enough that I took note. It was just sorta blurry around the edges of my vision and something was a little off.<br />
<br />
"My prescription must be changing," I thought. "I might need to call for an eye exam."<br />
<br />
I was noticing other things too. I was having really frequent headaches. I found myself popping ibuprofen most days, sometimes multiple times a day.<br />
<br />
"I'm a busy, tired mom who doesn't take good care of myself," I reasoned. "I just need to get more sleep and drink more water."<br />
<br />
But then it was weird stuff like dizziness and pressure changes when I stood up--the world would go sorta dark for a moment. And I felt pain behind my eyes, in my eye sockets, a lot of the time.<br />
<br />
"Do I have sinuses right above my eyes?" I asked Ryan one morning (because obviously a dentist would know this...ha!). "I feel like I have clogged sinuses right in the back of my eye sockets!"<br />
<br />
He sorta shrugged and left for work, probably thinking his wife was insane. Which I am. I am definitely a hypochondriac, so I can't take myself too seriously when I have medical concerns, and neither can he.<br />
<br />
So I just kind of ignored all of these weird things, but then one afternoon I decided to call the eye doctor about the blurry vision stuff, and when I started describing all of the other symptoms, they said I should come in right away--which honestly surprised me. And worried me a little.<br />
<br />
So I zipped right in there, and sure enough, when the doctor looked in my eyes, it was what he suspected: my optic nerves were extremely swollen. This can be a sign of two things: Idiopathic Intracranical Hypertension (IIH) or a brain tumor.<br />
<br />
He assured me right away that it looked like a textbook case of IIH, which is basically unexplained increased pressure in the skull. It causes extreme headaches, and it pushes on the optic nerves which causes vision problems, and if it goes untreated, it can cause loss of vision and eventual blindness (horrifying!!). But it is treatable, and we had caught it early enough that my vision hadn't been compromised. (See! It pays to be a hypochondriac!)<br />
<br />
But since all of the symptoms also mimic a brain tumor, obviously they had to rule that out immediately. I was scheduled to see a neurologist and set up for an MRI and a spinal tap. Just a tad overwhelming, particularly for a girl whose mother died of cancer.<br />
<br />
I drove home in a tearful blur. When I pulled into the driveway, the kids were playing outside with Ryan, and Sally ran up to the van calling, "Mommy! Mommy!" and waving with such delight, and I just lost it.<br />
<br />
In my heart, I didn't think I had a brain tumor--but all of the sudden, life just felt so fragile. I just cried and cried thinking, What if I<i> did</i> have a tumor? What if I got cancer and had to leave her? Or what if I lost my vision and couldn't <i>see her anymore</i>? What if I couldn't see that sweet face and that little dimple and that twinkle in her eye?<br />
<br />
Sometimes life just feels <i>heavy. </i>This year has been heavy. With my sister's extreme depression (she has been doing Electro Convulsive Therapy since the summer, and it has been so difficult), Katie and Drew's divorce, and now this sudden diagnosis...it just felt like, what's next??<br />
<br />
The next few weeks were rough. The MRI was so hard for me with my anxiety--the enclosed space, the loud noises while in the tube, the expectation to lie perfectly still, the fear of what they would find in the scans. Right when the MRI tech put me in the tube, I actually panicked and asked him to pull me back out so I could take a Xanax. Not even kidding! (Remember the Xanax that I didn't take on the airplane to South Africa?? Hahaha!)<br />
<br />
Then the spinal tap...NOT comfortable. These past few years when I have found myself in hospital beds for my various fertility issues, getting poked and prodded, I find myself feeling this resigned sort of patience and humility, but also this sadness and lack of humanity almost. And I always think of my mom and wonder how on earth she did it for so long.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, the scans came back clear--I don't have a brain tumor. So thankful!!!! But the IIH isn't a picnic. They think the pressure in my skull has been building over time for a couple of years. So it's going to take a while for the pressure to come down with medication.<br />
<br />
As grateful as I am for modern medicine, this is a devil drug. It makes me nauseous and extremely fatigued. I often fall asleep with Noah at 8:30 p.m. and sleep through the night--for a night owl like me, that is unheard of. And even after all that sleep, I never feel rested. I am always so tired.<br />
<br />
The medicine also makes me feel anxious and depressed. I have not been myself lately, which is so hard. I always struggle with anxiety and depression this time of year, but the medicine has made it even worse. The months of November and December were a bit of a blur, as I tried to do the holidays, the fundraiser for South Africa, and motherhood/ life while my body adjusted to the drug.<br />
<br />
The good news is, they don't think I will have to take it forever. Despite the crummy medicinal side effects, the condition itself is responding well to the medicine, and the pressure inside my skull seems to be decreasing. My optic nerves are less swollen, and probably by summer I can try weaning off of it and see if the pressure in my skull stays down.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, we can't try to have another baby for probably another year to make sure that things stay stable (we were hoping to do IVF again this month, but that is obviously on hold indefinitely), so that was super disappointing--but I have sort of become resigned to the fact that family planning has never and will never be in my control. <br />
<br />
I will be honest and say that I have felt sorry for myself these past few months. I have felt angry that I have this body that does weird things and is so unpredictable. I have felt sorry for myself that I have hormone issues and pretty much never feel that good. It's unclear whether this newest issue is related to my PCOS and endometriosis, but it seems like it all must be connected somehow.<br />
<br />
So that was the last big challenge of 2016. It was a soul-trying year in a lot of ways. In 2017, I am looking forward to recharging my physical and spiritual health. I hope the new year brings lots of peace, health, and happiness for me and for those I love.<br />
<br />
We got these family pictures taken in Denver when my dad got the extended family photo shoot. I love seeing my people and realizing that no matter what obstacles we face, we have each other. Not that things are always butterflies and roses in our home--they aren't. Motherhood is a challenge for me--it stretches me every single day--and even marriage, which has always been pretty easy for me and Ryan, was difficult this past year with all of the stress of the medical problems and big decisions with his career and such. But at the end of the day, I love these people fiercely, and they love me. We are "Team Nielson!" as the kids say. They are my best friends.<br />
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<br />
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that I have to live each day with them, and I continually try to accept the mantra that one of my favorite church leaders used to say: "Come what may, and love it."<br />
<br />
Life is good, even when it is hard. Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-45627039038497587632017-01-26T15:13:00.000-07:002020-08-09T14:59:43.871-06:00Home for the Holidays: Part 2We kicked off the holiday break in Pocatello with a visit from Santa Claus a few days before Christmas! We couldn't believe it when he came walking right into the Nielson home! Noah was so shocked that he fell off the couch where he was sitting. Ha!<br />
<br />
It was actually Ryan's uncle Kelly who dresses up as Santa and does parties and stuff around the holidays as a little business--isn't he absolutely perfect?? The kids loved it!<br />
<br />
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<br />
On Christmas Eve, we had a feast made my Grandma, and then we acted out the Nativity story as Grandpa read it from the Bible. The kids were so excited about this. One of the highlights of the night for me was hearing Noah whisper to Kate, "Isn't this so fun??" as they waited to come in as Mary and Joseph. I love the memories these cousins are making as they spend time together.<br />
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As I was tucking Noah into bed that night, we talked about the possibility that the Polar Express might come for him that night. He said he was pretty sure it was "just an old railroader's tale," but he asked if he could lay out his snow clothes just in case. He wanted to make sure he was ready to hop on the train and stay warm if it came for him. My heart truly exploded on the spot--I cannot get over how much I adore that imaginative, smart, innocent, playful little boy. I made him promise that if the train came for him, he would come and kiss me goodbye before leaving the house.<br />
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The next morning, the kids were so excited to see what Santa had brought for them, and we snapped this photo of them waiting on the stairs before they ran into the living room to discover their loot. Christmas morning is definitely the most magical day of the whole year.<br />
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After presents it was time for breakfast, and these two little Elsa and Anna cousins "helped" Grandma make her famous pumpkin waffles. Sally got these Frozen nightgowns for Christmas, and she has pretty much refused to take off the Elsa nightgown in the month since. And anytime Lucy is around, Sally insists that Lucy be Anna. ;)<br />
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Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year, we were excited that we would get to go to church and worship the Savior that afternoon. I was looking forward to getting the kids all dressed up in their red church outfits and going to sing carols about Jesus. Unfortunately, we had a massive storm in Pocatello, dumping over a foot of snow, and church was cancelled! I was actually quite disappointed, as I really wanted a spiritual focus for the day, and it's so hard to do that with little kids around. But Ryan gave a little family devotional and we made the most of it. And we decided to end the day with a wintery walk, pulling the kids on a sled and walking up and down the streets to look at the lights. It was magical.<br />
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The day after Christmas, we headed up to the family cabin in Sun Valley for a few days. As always, it was one big party! Sally was so exhausted from all the fun that she even fell asleep in the sled one afternoon when we were out on a wintery walk! (Or maybe it was from the stomach bug that she had basically the entire week? It didn't slow her down much other than that, amazingly.) <br />
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We went tubing beside the cabin, visited Sun Valley Lodge, spent long days in the cabin with the little ones while the dads skiied Baldy and then took Noah and Kate on Dollar Mountain, played in the hot tub, played Pie Face and laughed our heads off, and made the most of the week. <br />
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We are so blessed to have these people in our lives and grateful to have such a fun place to gather with them each winter!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-60373276644973420682017-01-21T20:14:00.000-07:002020-08-09T14:59:53.126-06:00Home for the Holidays: Part 1Traveling with our kids to be with family for the holidays is not easy. It involves long drives, exhausting flights, wild toddlers hitting their heads on the marble floor at the airport and blacking out (yes, this happened to Sally this year!). <br />
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It includes having the kids sleep on our bedroom floor for the week, dealing with the inevitable stomach flu or nasty cold that passes through all of us pretty much every year, and listening to the screaming (or gleeful playing) of a houseful of kids under the age of seven.<br />
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It's the constant picking up of toys, making of meals, breaking up of fights...<br />
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In the midst of it, I always question if it's worth it. I am always completely exhausted and overwhelmed. <br />
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But then there are those magic moments with family that I would not trade! And seeing the relationships that my kids are developing with their cousins and grandparents is completely priceless. That alone makes all of the hassle of worth it!<br />
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This year we spent Thanksgiving in Denver with my family. One day we visited the Denver Aquarium, and when we got home, the kids set up their own aquarium in the basement with stuffed animals. They set up all sorts of different displays and tanks. Then they hung hilarious advertisements all over the house and tried to charge people $1 to get in. So funny and creative and <i>totally </i>something my sisters and I would've done at their age. <br />
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A few of my favorite signs were "Go! Go! Go! The 5566 acwareeum is the best acwareeum!"" and "100 is the best and the 5566 acwareeum gits 100! yes! yes! yes!" "Awesame acwareeum daoon stares! Only $1!" These kids are the cutest!<br />
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Callum, who is in second grade, has been taking Strings class at school and has started playing the violin. It is truly terrible to listen to, but Noah thinks it is just amazing. ;) He truly worships everything Callum does. One night they started their own band, with Luke on the piano, Noah on the recorder, and Cal on the recorder. Heaven help us all (and get us some earplugs!).<br />
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In addition to ear-splitting band concerts, there were communal baths in Bapa's big tub. I wonder when these cousins are going to get too old for this? Boys don't care about modesty, right? Ha!<br />
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We also spent lots of time with Great Granny and Grampy, who have all of our hearts. The kids helped Granny decorate her tree and spent lots of time reading with Grampy.<br />
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We also got some professional family photos taken with them. Who knows how many years we have left with these two, so we just love to soak up every moment.<br />
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Probably my favorite part of the week was snuggling my fat turkey butterball of a niece, Alice. Oh my gosh she is scrumptious. I don't get to see her enough. She lives in Virginia now, and it's not fair. Too far away!!! Waaaaah!<br />
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So in spite of all the effort it takes to get there and to manage the chaos once we are there, it is totally worth it to go home for the holidays! I mean, cultivating relationships like this is what life is all about! <br />
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Part 2 about Christmas in Pocatello/Sun Valley with Ryan's family tomorrow!<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-2775045159130508932017-01-20T17:41:00.002-07:002020-08-09T15:00:01.738-06:00Ahoy, Mateys!After <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-grinch-who-stole-halloween.html">last year's</a> ambitious Halloween costume, I was done. I promised myself I would never go all out like that again. And I meant it.<br />
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So this year when Noah said he wanted to be a pirate, I was thrilled. He'd had a pirate birthday party, so I knew we could reuse his party t-shirt and hat, cut up some sweat pants, and have a zero stress costume.<br />
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But then he started talking about how he wanted to turn his bike into a pirate ship, and I was like, "Uh no...Mama is out!!!"<br />
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Fortunately he has a father who truly loves to do this sort of thing, so those two boys started scheming...and then they started spending hours together out in the garage.<br />
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Ryan convinced him that a bike wasn't going to cut it. They needed a wagon. And they needed to expand the wagon with wooden pallets...and cardboard...and wooden masts and sheets and flags and rope. Ha!<br />
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Every night after dinner, Noah would say, "Dad, can we go work on my pirate ship?" Cutest thing ever.<br />
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So although it is ridiculous to spend this much time and effort on a Halloween ensemble, when it is the result of hours of father-and-son bonding time, I think it's pretty awesome.<br />
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BEHOLD, ME HEARTIES....</div>
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Captain Noah and his First Mate, Hairy-Chested Sal... </div>
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Never has chest hair been cuter!!</div>
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Isn't that pirate ship completely amazing?? A few people told Ryan that if dentistry doesn't work out for him, he could go into building floats for parades instead. The kids actually rode around in it as we Trick-or-Treated. Noah had a little too much fun shouting out commands and ordering us to pull the ship this way and that. Hilarious.<br />
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Another highlight of the evening was Katie came to Trick or Treat with our little pirate crew, and she did her own spooky makeup, which Noah, of course, loved. So fun. </div>
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People ask how we will ever top this. Truthfully, we won't try. If it happens naturally like it did this year and Noah and Ryan are excited about some elaborate project for a Halloween in the future, we might do something big--but if it doesn't and the kids end up in rags from the dress up box, that's fine too. Halloween is about family fun, not stress, right?<br />
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All I know is that it was arggguably one of our best yet, and we will never forget it! </div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-51959295340114077222017-01-17T13:01:00.000-07:002020-08-09T15:00:10.548-06:00Our Autumn We had a long and lovely autumn here in Twin Falls. And we enjoyed it and spent lots of time outside. There were hikes in the canyon, bike rides at Auger Falls, sunsets at Dierkes lake with friends, plasma car rides in the driveway (and Cheerios snacks on the cement...NBD), playdates with fat babies at the park, and family trips to the Tubbs Berry Farm hay slides.<br />
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We spent time with cousins and grandparents (funnest!), and our favorite Drew came for a day to go to the pumpkin patch and carve them with us. It is so precious to see how sweet Drew is with both of our kids, and how much he and Noah are looking alike these days!<br />
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Aunt Dana came from Boise to spend a day with us, and it was so cute how Noah immediately took to her. He whispered in my ear, "Mom, is that Grandma Sally?" I told him, "No, but that's her older sister." Unconvinced, he went and got a little framed photo of my mom out of his room and held it up next to Dana's face to compare them and be sure. He's right, my mom and Dana really do look a lot alike! And I love being with her because she reminds me so much of my mom! It was so fun to take her on a hike around Dierkes Lake.<br />
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Our favorite babysitter, Taylor, got married and we had so much fun dancing at her outdoor wedding reception. She watched the kids about 10 hours a week this past year while I wrote for Power of Moms, did some editing for a friend's business, worked on a website for Ryan (more on that soon), planned the fundraiser for South Africa, and enjoyed some sanity. She was an absolute lifesaver, and as happy as we were to see her get married, we were also so sad to see her go. (She and her husband started school at ISU this semester.) We will miss our Taylor!! She cooked, cleaned, played with my kids (I mean, she made salt dough volcanoes with them!!)...I called her the babysitter sent from heaven. I'm not sure how I am going to survive without her.<br />
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Ryan did his annual 10-trillion-mile bike ride over the mountains in Sun Valley with his brother and his dad. He loves this ride and tradition with his family.<br />
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Ryan also got a truck! He's a real Idaho boy now. It took us weeks to find a used one online that was the color, style, and price that he wanted--and we were so relieved when the long process was over. And I have to say, it fits him perfectly. He's a hotty in that navy blue truck.<br />
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We of course spent the month of October gearing up for Halloween. We Nielsons love a good holiday. Our neighbors and besties the Sumsions helped us kick off the celebrations by buying our kids pumpkins (Sally approved--diva!) and then inviting us over to decorate "Apple Uglies." We had a competition to see who could decorate the ugliest caramel apple--really fun!<br />
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We went to the Jerome Farmer's Market and picked out some of their amazing colorful, unique homegrown pumpkins to put on our porch. This is my favorite Halloween decoration every year. I love living in Idaho amongst the farmers! And I love Sally's skeleton dress from Aunt Sarah! And her pig-tails and Converse tennis shoes! SHE IS INSANE.<br />
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Ryan's office dressed up as Superheroes for Halloween, and Noah was super excited when Ryan bought a Captain America costume because that meant they could be twinners! (Though this was not Noah's <i>actual </i>Halloween costume. Much more on that in another post!)<br />
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And PS...Sally kills me in this photo. ^<br />
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It was a wonderful autumn. The weather really was perfect which allowed us to have lots of adventures. So far it has been a very cold, snowy and brutal winter, so I'm glad we were able to soak up those extra months of temperate fall! <br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-24396826040537209312017-01-04T17:48:00.000-07:002020-08-09T15:00:18.495-06:00That Time I Went on a SafariIn addition to meeting amazing people in South Africa, I got to see some amazing sights, including going on a "game drive" one afternoon. That is what they call safaris. When I think of safaris, I often think of multi-day excursions through the bush, and this wasn't that--but it was certainly incredible to spend a few hours driving around in a jeep in a game reserve, seeing the wild animals in their element!<br />
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All of the wild animals in South Africa are contained in game reserves, basically national parks that are fenced off, but they <i>are</i> living in the wild--thousands of miles of protected, wild, natural habitat. <br />
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My favorite were the giraffes. I wanted to snuggle one. Almost immediately when we pulled into the game reserve, we saw a giraffe on the side of the road, just munching some leaves...no big deal. Ha! I mean, it's normal to see a deer doing that--but a giraffe?? I was smitten.<br />
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We drove a little further into the reserve and had lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the savannah. We could see giraffes roaming in the distance and a crocodile lounging in a murky pond nearby. There were also zebra roaming the grounds of the restaurant. Just a little bit cool. <br />
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I lived on the wild side (see what I did there?) and ordered ostrich for
lunch. It was surprisingly good--not as tasty as a sirloin steak by
any means, but not bad.<br />
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Then we loaded onto the Jeeps and went animal hunting!<br />
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We saw impala, rhino, water buffalo, more giraffes...so amazing!<br />
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The best part, by far, was when we were surrounded by a herd of elephants. They walked right by us, and one guy came within five feet of the Jeep, not kidding, and reached his trunk out as if he would touch us, before slowly meandering away. Just the coolest, most surreal moment ever. They seemed like the most gentle, wrinkly giants ever.<br />
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It was an incredible evening that I will never forget. But honestly, even those beautiful animals pale in comparison to the amazing people I met in South Africa. Nothing will ever come close to that!<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-65793889853948177842017-01-03T16:39:00.001-07:002017-01-28T15:51:15.095-07:00Final Thoughts on How My Heart Changed in South AfricaIt's the beginning of January, and I am looking back on 2016 with fondness and also relief that it's over. It was a good year and a hard year. The end was particularly difficult--with a scary health diagnosis (more on that in another post) and the fundraiser for South Africa that took so much of my time and energy.<br />
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But the fundraiser is over, and it was a success. Thanks to the generosity of a lot of people, we raised $25,000, and I am thrilled. So thrilled, humbled, and grateful. We still need $10,000 to finish the community center, but I have complete faith that God will provide. If being in South Africa taught me <i>one thing</i>, it's that God works miracles--and it's not always in the ways that we expect or through the people we expect--but He always has a plan. He is faithful.<br />
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During one of evening discussions with the volunteer group in South Africa, Crystal was telling us about how much she had wanted to raise the money to finish the building at Reagoboka the year before. She had decided to donate a portion of the proceeds of one of her products to the building, and she thought if she worked hard enough and had enough faith, it would happen.<br />
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But then it didn't, and she was a little disappointed, until a distinct impression came to her: God intended for someone else to help finish that building as well. He wanted someone else to be part of that story too. It wasn't all about her. <br />
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I loved that. I was so touched by her humility. I was also surprised to realize that too often I leave God's will out of the equation when I am looking at outcomes in my life. I simply rely on my own hard work.<br />
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Evening discussions like that one are a huge part of why my trip to Africa was so impactful. I knew going into my trip that I would be going with a very religious organization. I also knew that I would probably be the only Mormon and that I would be with born-again Christians who would introduce me to different ways of talking about God and talking with God. That's a huge part of the reason why I applied to go! Honestly, I was feeling a little stale in my beliefs and I wanted a little life and fire and "glory hallelujah" in my prayers. Ha! In my daily life, I am surrounded by people who share my faith tradition, and sometimes I feel so insulated. I love to be introduced to different ways to worship and draw closer to God. <br />
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Oh how the members of my group touched me. These people know God. I <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">already wrote about</a> Pete, who prays so fervently it brought me to tears to listen to him plead with his Father. There was also Candra, a volunteer in my group who is a mother of eight--yes, you read that correctly, <i>eight</i>--five of whom are adopted. Honestly when I first heard that, I thought she must be some sort of "holier than thou" whacko--but when I met her, she is the most normal, down-to-earth, likeable, real young mother you've ever met.<br />
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She told me her story of adopting her four sons from Africa and her daughter who has Cerebral Palsy out of foster care, and it was just so touching and relatable. She and her husband were truly lead by God and followed Him one step at a time into this life that He laid out for them. And it's been <i>hard. </i>But she and her husband are a team. And they rely on Him, and their mantra is "Risk is Right," and I have never met anyone (other than Pete and Wanda) who lives with such faith.<br />
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I am so blessed that I got to meet these people. Deciding to go to Africa was not easy. You should've seen the pros and cons lists that I made. I mean, who up and leaves their tiny children for ten days to go across the world to Africa? It felt insane! And on top of that, I struggle with anxiety. So getting on that airplane was not easy. In fact, on the days leading up to my trip, I called my doctor and asked for a Xanax prescription. (I wish I was kidding.) But then when I started to have a panic attack on the plane, I couldn't get myself to take the Xanax because I was afraid that it would make me feel or act crazier, so I just suffered through the anxiety without medication! (Ummm, hello, serious personal problems!)<br />
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When I was recently in the Salt Lake Airport with Ryan I started having flashbacks to how nervous I was the last time I was there, when I was on my way to Africa, and I said to him, "Ryan, I don't ever want to do something like that again. I am so glad that I did it, but never again. If I ever go to some far flung region of the earth with complete strangers again, <i>you are coming with me.</i>" Ha!<br />
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But it was worth it. It was so worth it to go and meet those people, both the other volunteers, the South African leaders of Take Action Ministry, and the local leaders like Gogo, Mokgadi, and Pastor Norman. They changed me and taught me so much.<br />
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I will never forget on one of our last days, we were all meeting together and Crystal asked the leaders of Take Action--Wanda, Annelien, Jonna, and Darrin--how we could pray for them individually. It was such a personal even sacred question, and she had no hesitation asking it. Then they each shared their hearts with us, told us about their struggles and their fears, the ways that their ministry was impacting their families, their hopes and dreams. And we gathered around them and joined hands and put our hands on their shoulders and took turns praying for them.<br />
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It was incredible. I have never been part of a prayer like that. It was the embodiment of true community. Why don't we pray for our family and friends like that more often? I think we often feel the desire to show our support in such heartfelt ways--but we are afraid. We are afraid to go there--to open our hearts to each other in such vulnerable and true ways. Being in Africa, I felt a part of my heart open up. And it felt scary but also so right.<br />
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Coming home was so good. I wrapped my arms around my babies and held them so close. My heart was so ready for them. I was different, and I knew it. I wasn't sure I could hold on to the ways that I had changed, but I desperately wanted to.<br />
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I brought home a little African dress for Sal, and she looks so precious in it!<br />
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In the months since I've been home, I have to be honest and say that I've mostly gone back to the way I was before--life has a way of doing that to you--but I still feel a little chamber in my heart opening up in a way that it wasn't before. I feel it pulling at me, asking me to slow down and listen. And I feel like 2017 is the time to make that happen.<br />
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So here's to a more vulnerable new year. Here's to reaching into the hearts of my loved ones and pulling out prayers, putting my hands on their shoulders and bowing my head and sincerely pleading for them and with them. Here's to coming to know God in a way that I haven't before, listening to Him and hearing Him and asking about His will for my life, instead of just plowing forward with my own plans.<br />
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I end 2016 on my knees--a little defeated, a lot exhausted, but mostly just very ready for whatever change God has in store for me and my heart.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-83337818701857598902016-12-07T13:37:00.001-07:002016-12-14T14:40:04.158-07:00It's happening...<br />
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The Power of Moms' <a href="https://powerofmoms.com/africa/">fundraiser for South Africa</a> is up on the site. It's happening.<br />
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I am a mix between excited, relieved, stressed, frustrated that I'm such a perfectionist, exhausted, super happy, did I mention exhausted?, overwhelmed by the complexity of social media, grateful that I have a husband who puts up with me, and also exhausted. (Oh wait, I said that twice already.)<br />
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I have been so preoccupied the past couple of weeks getting ready for it. I have been writing blog <a href="https://powerofmoms.com/trip-south-africa-taught-motherhood/">posts</a>, crafting the <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/africa">fundraising page</a>, coordinating with the <a href="http://fun-squared.com/christmas-fun-kit/">other bloggers</a> involved, recording a <a href="https://powerofmoms.com/ordinary-moms-can-make-extraordinary-difference-crystal-paine-rachel-nielson-episode-186/">podcast</a> for it, editing images, and just all matter of tasks, that of course I made 100x more difficult because I want everything to be <i>just so</i>. (I have problems.)<br />
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When I get immersed in a project like this, I hardly eat, sleep, shower, or pay attention to my family. I mean, I give them the basics, but my mind is elsewhere. So don't go thinking I am Wonder Woman and can do it all...I can't. No one can. Believe me, my house is in shambles, I've had a babysitter here a ton during the day, and my kids have been eating dry cereal for most meals, often while sitting in front of the TV. Fortunately, my kids like dry cereal and TV, so for now they're happy with this arrangement.<br />
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The other day during his quiet time, Noah asked if I could work in his room instead of mine, and I agreed, so he ran and got me my laptop, and then he snuggled up next to me and pulled out a book. Man, moments like this are just perfection. <br />
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I couldn't help but think that every child deserves to snuggle up in a warm bed with their mama and a good book--but unfortunately, that is just not the reality for so many children in the world. <br />
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SO, I hope that we can raise a lot of money for families in South Africa. I hope that all of this work will be worth it!!<br />
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Will you do me a favor and check out the fundraiser?? <b>And will you share it</b> on your social media and with people who might want to contribute??<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<u><b>There are three ways you can donate:</b></u><br />
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<b>1. You can donate directly <a href="https://www.purecharity.com/maubane-rivoningo-transformation-center">here</a>.</b><br />
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<b>2. You can buy a Power of Moms online program </b>(such as 5 Steps to Less Stress webinar, Organizing for School Success kit, Mommy Is a Person Video Training--there are 7 options)<b> and 100% of the proceeds go to South Africa. </b>Go <a href="https://powerofmoms.com/africa/">here</a> to read about the options and purchase. <b><br /></b></blockquote>
**This would also make a <b>fun Christmas gift</b>! If you really wanted to get fancy, you could right click on one of the beautiful Africa photos from my posts, save it and print it, and then write the person a note on the back telling them about this cause and giving them the program code to the motherhood program you bought for them! <br />
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<b>3. You can buy a $10 printable Christmas fun kit-</b>-8 activities you can just print and play with your kids over the holiday break--<b>and 100% of the proceeds go to South Africa. </b>Go <a href="http://fun-squared.com/christmas-fun-kit/">here</a> to purchase. </blockquote>
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This is the main fundraising page on Power of Moms that gives a brief overview of the entire thing: <a href="http://powerofmoms/africa">powerofmoms/africa</a>.<br />
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And <a href="https://powerofmoms.com/ordinary-moms-can-make-extraordinary-difference-crystal-paine-rachel-nielson-episode-186/">this is the link</a> to the podcast that I recorded with Crystal Paine from the blog Money Saving Mom, "How Ordinary Moms Can Make an Extraordinary Difference." I just love this big-hearted, hugely-successful but ever-humble woman who has become such a mentor to me!<br />
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I am grateful to have had the opportunity to plan this fundraiser. And grateful that it will be over soon so I can get back to just being Mom to my kids!<br />
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Surely the Christmas season will be much sweeter as a result my life-changing experiences in South Africa this past year, and oh how I pray that we will be able to pass along the word to Take Action Ministry that Maubane will have a new community center in 2017, thanks to all the good people who have come together to donate and to make this happen for them.<br />
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<b>So far we have raised just over $11,000....that is amazing. </b>Let's keep it going.<br />
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THANK YOU so much to those that have already donated and shared. <br />
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Click the <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/africa">links</a> to donate or share!<br />
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Much, much love to everyone. <br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-74085645465413983972016-11-30T01:08:00.002-07:002017-01-28T20:59:17.037-07:00Come With Me to Maubane...And Let's Help Them Build A School!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> It's the beginning of <span style="font-family: inherit;">the Christmas season</span></b></span></span>, my favorite time of year<span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span>a time when I am inspired to <i>give</i> and look outward and count my blessings. <span style="font-family: inherit;">T</span>o<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">day</span></span> I <span style="font-family: inherit;">want</span> to introduce you to one final hero that I met in South Africa. His name in <b>Pastor Norman</b>, and along with <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html">Gogo<span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span> Elizabet<span style="font-family: inherit;">h,</span> Mokgadi, and Pastor Robert</a>, Norman reminded me <span style="font-family: inherit;">that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> giving is a way of life. It's not just something that is reserved for <span style="font-family: inherit;">on<span style="font-family: inherit;">e special season of the <span style="font-family: inherit;">year. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pastor Norman lives in a community called Maubane, South Africa. It is a place known for its red dirt that sticks to your shoes and your skin--and its beautiful children that stick forever in your heart<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since leaving South Africa, I've known that I cannot just go back to my normal life. But what can I do? How can I put <span style="font-family: inherit;">into action everything that I learned and <span style="font-family: inherit;">how much I changed</span></span>? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've decided to raise money <span style="font-family: inherit;">to hel<span style="font-family: inherit;">p finish a school building at the</span> community center <span style="font-family: inherit;">in</span> </span></span>Maubane. I'm going to do that <span style="font-family: inherit;">by asking my friends and family to <a href="https://www.purecharity.com/maubane-rivoningo-transformation-center">donate</a>. (<span style="font-family: inherit;">T</span>hat's you!)<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I'm also planning a big fundraiser </span>with Power of Moms that launches next week<span style="font-family: inherit;">. (They will have eight of their <a href="https://hm156.infusionsoft.com/app/storeFront/showCategoryPage?categoryId=1">online motherhood programs</a> on sale, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">ALL</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> of the proceeds will <span style="font-family: inherit;">go <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">directly</span> to this cause.) </span>S</span></span>o the last few <span style="font-family: inherit;">week<span style="font-family: inherit;">s</span></span> I have been busy writing and wr<span style="font-family: inherit;">iting and writing--posts and podcasts and newsletter<span style="font-family: inherit;">s</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span>trying to put <span style="font-family: inherit;">my experience in South Africa</span> into words <span style="font-family: inherit;">to </span>explain th<span style="font-family: inherit;">is</span> cause<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and the life-changing people I met<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in South Africa.</span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It feels<span style="font-family: inherit;"> a little daunting. I want to raise $35,000. And that's a lot of money.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But I know, without a doubt, that it will be well used. </span></span></span></span></span></span>And I feel <span style="font-family: inherit;">that raising money to finish this building at Maub<span style="font-family: inherit;">ane </span>is the best way for</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">me</span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">contribute</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">something</span> meaningful long-term because <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">once <span style="font-family: inherit;">this school is</span></span> finished, <span style="font-family: inherit;">it</span> will qua<span style="font-family: inherit;">lify for government <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">grants for Early Childhoo<span style="font-family: inherit;">d Development</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span> So if we can just <span style="font-family: inherit;">help them <span style="font-family: inherit;">complete the</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> building</span></span>, i<span style="font-family: inherit;">t will be a donation that keeps on giving<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and giving and giving to these bea<span style="font-family: inherit;">utiful </span>children<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and to a community that has worked so hard <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">t</span>o better <span style="font-family: inherit;">themselves.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd like to give you some background on P<span style="font-family: inherit;">astor Norman <span style="font-family: inherit;">and this great work at Maubane<span style="font-family: inherit;">. As you read, will you consider </span></span></span>how you and your family <span style="font-family: inherit;">might </span>contribute? I would not ask if I did not <i>know</i>, from the bottom of my heart, that <span style="font-family: inherit;">any mon<span style="font-family: inherit;">ey that you donate </span></span>will make an incredible difference--and that it will be carefully, gratefully, wisely, and righteously used.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have <span style="font-family: inherit;">worked</span> with some great non-profits <span style="font-family: inherit;">over the years</span>, and I have never been as impressed with any non-profit as I am with <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">Take Action Ministry</a> and their <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html">local leaders</a>. Truly, the Maubane community is on the verge of an incredible transformation, and we could be part of their journey. We could help Pastor Norman achieve truly amazing things there. You can give <a href="https://www.purecharity.com/maubane-rivoningo-transformation-center">here</a>, or you can read on for all the details.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several years ago, Pastor Norman <span style="font-family: inherit;">began to dream</span>
of building a safe place for the Maubane community to gather and unify,
and he even got permission from the tribal leader to use a dusty <span style="font-family: inherit;">plot of land</span>, but there was no money to build a school, garden, or church. This is a <span style="font-family: inherit;">community</span>
of tin <span style="font-family: inherit;">shacks</span> that doesn't have consistent access to food or water.
There is no electricity or indoor plumbing, and the needs can be <span style="font-family: inherit;">very</span> desperate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">But Norman pressed on in hope<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and started a small children's <span style="font-family: inherit;">church that met <span style="font-family: inherit;">under a tent</span></span></span>, and over time his congregation of little ones has grown to 400 children! They walk from miles around to feel his love<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and</span> to sing and dance to Jesus. With the help of Take Action Ministry, they've now buil<span style="font-family: inherit;">t</span> an outdoor pavilion with a paved floor and plastic chairs, and it's a beautiful place to worship.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When orphaned and vulnerable children show up at his services, <span style="font-family: inherit;">Norman</span> f<span style="font-family: inherit;">in<span style="font-family: inherit;">ds</span></span> out about their extended family situations and their needs, and if he c<span style="font-family: inherit;">an<span style="font-family: inherit;">'t</span></span> find anyone to care for them, he br<span style="font-family: inherit;">ings</span> them into hi<span style="font-family: inherit;">s</span> home, and rais<span style="font-family: inherit;">es</span> them as his own. He has <span style="font-family: inherit;">helped to raise</span> 22 children.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the young men whom he took into his home <span style="font-family: inherit;">i</span>s named Terry. Norman noticed right away that Terry ha<span style="font-family: inherit;">s</span> natural leadership abilities, and he mentored him, loved him, and taught him to reach out to others and make a difference. Today, Terry and Norman work side-by-side in their dream to build a community center at Maubane. They call it a "transformation center" because they truly believe that it will transform their community. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And it already has. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since 2013, <span style="font-family: inherit;">the Maubane Riv<span style="font-family: inherit;">oningo Transformation Centre</span>, run by this rem<span style="font-family: inherit;">arkable father and his adoptive son<span style="font-family: inherit;">, has given the people of Maubane hope<span style="font-family: inherit;">, by giving them reasons to gather.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hundreds of</span></span> children gather before school to receive a meal of vit<span style="font-family: inherit;">amin-fortified porridge</span>--<span style="font-family: inherit;">and f<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or many, it is the only meal they will eat that day<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Take Action Ministry help<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ed</span> them secure a grant for t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he p<span style="font-family: inherit;">orridge and helped them receive <span style="font-family: inherit;">funding for a simple kitchen ma<span style="font-family: inherit;">de out of a s<span style="font-family: inherit;">hipping</span> containe<span style="font-family: inherit;">r.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It is a miracle to see this <span style="font-family: inherit;">life-sa<span style="font-family: inherit;">ving operation in action!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The children</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> come back after school to get help with homework<span style="font-family: inherit;">, to</span> receive instruction in gymnastics and netball, and to play on the playground<span style="font-family: inherit;">, which is made of recycled materials.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">As I've mentioned in my previous posts<span style="font-family: inherit;">, m</span>ost of these children come from single parent <span style="font-family: inherit;">homes, and their mothers have to travel long distances by bus to work as domestic helpers in the city<span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span>so th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e community center gives the children a safe place to go<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And it's not just the children who gather at the community center<span style="font-family: inherit;">.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> T</span>here is also a community garden where adults are ta<span style="font-family: inherit;">ught to cul<span style="font-family: inherit;">tivate vegetables with methods that require ver<span style="font-family: inherit;">y litt<span style="font-family: inherit;">le water.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> They are mentored one-on-one by an incredible man named Dawid who patiently teaches them each step of the process<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. They use the vegetables both to feed their families and to make income. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the people don't have running water<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in their homes, Take Action Ministry helped them <span style="font-family: inherit;">build a community<span style="font-family: inherit;"> water point a few <span style="font-family: inherit;">years ago, which gives the women</span></span></span></span> a communal place to gat<span style="font-family: inherit;">her to do lau<span style="font-family: inherit;">ndry<span style="font-family: inherit;">, talk, </span>and fill their water buckets. This <span style="font-family: inherit;">is <span style="font-family: inherit;">also a very valuable</span></span> resource because i<span style="font-family: inherit;">t</span> has a large water storage tank <span style="font-family: inherit;">for <span style="font-family: inherit;">times of droug<span style="font-family: inherit;">ht, which<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>are very common.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All <span style="font-family: inherit;">of this gathering together has led to a beau<span style="font-family: inherit;">tifu<span style="font-family: inherit;">l</span> spirit of <span style="font-family: inherit;">unity at Maubane. </span></span>During my time there, I noticed many <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">teenagers with</span> their arms around each other,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as well as </span>older kids with <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">toddlers</span></span> on their hip<span style="font-family: inherit;">s or <span style="font-family: inherit;">helping them along, hand-in-hand</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A man named William who has cerebral palsy comes to the community center each day<span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span>just to sit <span style="font-family: inherit;">there and be a part of what is going on, because he feels loved and welcome. <span style="font-family: inherit;">If he can't find any<span style="font-family: inherit;">one to push him there, he </span></span></span>pushes himself <span style="font-family: inherit;">with his twisted feet, from <span style="font-family: inherit;">about a mile away</span>. The teenage boys at the center take care of him and incl<span style="font-family: inherit;">ude <span style="font-family: inherit;">him<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in everything that they are doing. It made my heart swe<span style="font-family: inherit;">ll with love just to witness it.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsynlqtUJTbqmLIJwicxYtCX5Ll-27Wfl8AlQ6ATuC48pa6TZALral3QyWrirmsytTToLMr4lCnZQKn2rdf4Z_YtvcUBsLpeEXxXm383ZSosUQ42juYb4pW7vq1nk-UUwDMTML9P93vSM/s1600/Maubane+Boys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsynlqtUJTbqmLIJwicxYtCX5Ll-27Wfl8AlQ6ATuC48pa6TZALral3QyWrirmsytTToLMr4lCnZQKn2rdf4Z_YtvcUBsLpeEXxXm383ZSosUQ42juYb4pW7vq1nk-UUwDMTML9P93vSM/s400/Maubane+Boys.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfZXV2n0-aEWMmw1Y-pkYr5Mg-Q7YH_HsB3LEa4HEG7itrTDg40qIlf0JvDzdwxCg0vXJB4tTitHY4B7F2JWaVu4wQ4DKe9z0elMhMkXUmc93AkPhUNlet5S1ELYg-t-70qC-H5OurgE/s1600/Maubane+William+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfZXV2n0-aEWMmw1Y-pkYr5Mg-Q7YH_HsB3LEa4HEG7itrTDg40qIlf0JvDzdwxCg0vXJB4tTitHY4B7F2JWaVu4wQ4DKe9z0elMhMkXUmc93AkPhUNlet5S1ELYg-t-70qC-H5OurgE/s400/Maubane+William+Friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I walked through the gates, t</span>he children swarmed around me, welcoming me, wanting <span style="font-family: inherit;">to hug me</span> and look into my eyes. They were fascinated by my <span style="font-family: inherit;">blonde</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> hai<span style="font-family: inherit;">r and wanted to touch it. I pulled it out of my <span style="font-family: inherit;">elastic</span> so they could stroke it and play with it<span style="font-family: inherit;">. I could've held those sweet children all day! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKEkNL3Hn3hect25dpjcHVVyeR7jiydHK5TeuQ1WMQUGRPPdBcYbYDfNgp0yHzLYrguBk0BdrmRt7XZgXZLTALROqrBWFK-F_IbMrBmpBAnEg2hQJL1RDqDKwMzQVEqvACQDZWTcNx2U/s1600/Maubange+Girl+on+Lap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKEkNL3Hn3hect25dpjcHVVyeR7jiydHK5TeuQ1WMQUGRPPdBcYbYDfNgp0yHzLYrguBk0BdrmRt7XZgXZLTALROqrBWFK-F_IbMrBmpBAnEg2hQJL1RDqDKwMzQVEqvACQDZWTcNx2U/s400/Maubange+Girl+on+Lap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My heart broke that their mothers can't spend more time with them. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They have to leave their children <span style="font-family: inherit;">early
in the morning and come home from work after dark. They are doing all that they
can to support them and care for them. They want what is best for them<span style="font-family: inherit;">, and I'm sure that having the community center is a huge relief and b<span style="font-family: inherit;">lessing for them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Truly, <span style="font-family: inherit;">the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Maubane Riviningo Transformation Centre</span> has become a place of hope where there was once only a dusty field. And it sprang<span style="font-family: inherit;"> from the vision of one inspired, f<span style="font-family: inherit;">aithful<span style="font-family: inherit;">, heroic<span style="font-family: inherit;"> man who believed that God can work miracles by <span style="font-family: inherit;">gathering</span> peo<span style="font-family: inherit;">ple together.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friends, <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">w</span></i></span><i>e </i>can come together to hel<span style="font-family: inherit;">p this miracle continue. </span></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel so passionately about this. We can do this!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next step in this miraculous transformation is to <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">help the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> people of Maubane</span> finish their <span style="font-family: inherit;">school building, which will h<span style="font-family: inherit;">ouse</span> their Early Childhood Development program and their After School Care program.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Th<span style="font-family: inherit;">eir preschool</span> is now being held in their outdoor <span style="font-family: inherit;">pavilion</span> area, but<span style="font-family: inherit;">, as I said, they do not qualify for funding yet because they a<span style="font-family: inherit;">re not in<span style="font-family: inherit;"> a buil<span style="font-family: inherit;">ding that meets government <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">requirements</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> <span style="font-family: inherit;">If they could get this funding it would make all the difference. </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">They could increase their enrollment and help more kids, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">run</span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">the program</span> without outside donations, and train their teachers <span style="font-family: inherit;">in best practices for <span style="font-family: inherit;">at-risk <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">children</span></span></span>. It would be an envi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ronment </span>similar to <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html">Gogo and Elizabeth's schoo</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html">l</a> at Rea<span style="font-family: inherit;">goboka</span>. <span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was at Gogo and Eliz<span style="font-family: inherit;">abeth's school, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I could <span style="font-family: inherit;">clearly envision </span>what is possible at Maubane, and I knew that I <i>must </i>work to make <span style="font-family: inherit;">that</span> possible<span style="font-family: inherit;">--because <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">that </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">is what every child deserves!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the<span style="font-family: inherit;">ir current preschool progra<span style="font-family: inherit;">m at Maubane<span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRm13RWdYVFLn_panurfG3VZe45GfO5eOQfSQAV-Ci4HzKCLhHc43z-FCzL38AlaR7WOL5PM9Ow-fkA0tb3_kA1M1z-3cL8HBYR6j8af__IRNugBfZY9aTLlBMVDZiE2ohQSF1I8NU48/s1600/IMG_7393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRm13RWdYVFLn_panurfG3VZe45GfO5eOQfSQAV-Ci4HzKCLhHc43z-FCzL38AlaR7WOL5PM9Ow-fkA0tb3_kA1M1z-3cL8HBYR6j8af__IRNugBfZY9aTLlBMVDZiE2ohQSF1I8NU48/s400/IMG_7393.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Th<span style="font-family: inherit;">is little boy reminded me so much of N<span style="font-family: inherit;">oah<span style="font-family: inherit;"> at that age. Such a <span style="font-family: inherit;">rascal</span>! I love the way the other kids are amused by him!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbICnFBNBsAqEjn_1UoCuvLsZHuKVcpY8EYZAyiCM1UiNj6qHHSgZIRmkoa-E0Ml-6Is-EcXzBJOITww2EB-ZGxTg70pJb5cBiYwPNaePKWfkAIpPQO2xecsNj3ubewdSgFa8CeRC6E4/s1600/IMG_7387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbICnFBNBsAqEjn_1UoCuvLsZHuKVcpY8EYZAyiCM1UiNj6qHHSgZIRmkoa-E0Ml-6Is-EcXzBJOITww2EB-ZGxTg70pJb5cBiYwPNaePKWfkAIpPQO2xecsNj3ubewdSgFa8CeRC6E4/s400/IMG_7387.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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We could get them out of the pavilion and into this building:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnAMec7vyV1XsuqWV0nkULh1jW2qViQ7JywrBOBuTbkK2ToDYklzK234Zn81jAKDDnfhcIaZotEtXbc6kYWh2SnTvheJAI2r_LEiiY94aMnD1eAb_e3m7n3eyK8Ec8x3XrrG01Q_hTnM/s1600/Maubane+Unfinished+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnAMec7vyV1XsuqWV0nkULh1jW2qViQ7JywrBOBuTbkK2ToDYklzK234Zn81jAKDDnfhcIaZotEtXbc6kYWh2SnTvheJAI2r_LEiiY94aMnD1eAb_e3m7n3eyK8Ec8x3XrrG01Q_hTnM/s400/Maubane+Unfinished+School.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was designed by an ar<span style="font-family: inherit;">chitect who specialize<span style="font-family: inherit;">s in rural development<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, so it is very practical for this community and its resources. As you can see<span style="font-family: inherit;">, it is well underway,</span></span> and as soon as they get the funding to finish the roof, plumbing, and interi<span style="font-family: inherit;">or, they will finish it and start using it<span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span> It will have two classrooms<span style="font-family: inherit;">, a communal area, and a small kitchen.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It will be used for preschool, after-school care, comm<span style="font-family: inherit;">unity <span style="font-family: inherit;">classes and meetings, and much more. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pastor Norman and the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> people of</span> Maubane have <span style="font-family: inherit;">proven
themselves faithful--they have worked so hard to transform their
community. I know that if we can help them get this building finished,
they will treasure it and work so hard to make it a thriving<span style="font-family: inherit;">, caring environment for th<span style="font-family: inherit;">ese amazing, <span style="font-family: inherit;">beautiful children. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We can make<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this happen for them. <b>Will you join me??</b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>I would love for Take Action Ministry to be able to t<span style="font-family: inherit;">ell them before Christmas that the money has been raise<span style="font-family: inherit;">d<span style="font-family: inherit;">, so there can be Christmas rejoicing <span style="font-family: inherit;">and praise in their community<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as they prepare for a new school.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">$<span style="font-family: inherit;">35,000 is a lot of money, but every little bit counts.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Pastor Norman<span style="font-family: inherit;"> taught me that big things are possible--anything is possible--with hope<span style="font-family: inherit;">, f</span>aith,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>God, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">the</span> gathering together of good people.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> make a difference to these kids<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in Africa. </span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Click this link right now and make a donation<span style="font-family: inherit;">, big or small<span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></span> </b><a href="https://www.purecharity.com/maubane-rivoningo-transformation-center">https://www.purecharity.com/maubane-rivoningo-transformation-center</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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And if you can't give financially, I could still use your help! Will you help me spread the word? Leave a comment if you're willing to help me share the Power of Moms' fundraiser when it launches next week. I would love for it to reach as many moms as possible.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXRG7HXf3ZCz6phvdGZ5hwzyw3_UfZXq3uBnbJ7zAiVzkrSV7clZngDyrJEDREAnnXHlUv7feMOZuZK622x1RGaGj-THAJYIeRoFwCMTnz9ckfIEe4fRZ4xbtZ-jMeil6ZvIr-BqYssQ/s1600/Maubane+Looking+Down+at+Girl+in+Lap.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXRG7HXf3ZCz6phvdGZ5hwzyw3_UfZXq3uBnbJ7zAiVzkrSV7clZngDyrJEDREAnnXHlUv7feMOZuZK622x1RGaGj-THAJYIeRoFwCMTnz9ckfIEe4fRZ4xbtZ-jMeil6ZvIr-BqYssQ/s400/Maubane+Looking+Down+at+Girl+in+Lap.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Thank you,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> my friends. I truly, truly love you.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*******</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For <span style="font-family: inherit;">more of my writing about South Africa...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">Take Action Ministry<span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">a<span style="font-family: inherit;">ka T</span>he People Who </a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">Changed My Life in South Africa</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Come With Me to South Africa and Meet the Heroes There</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-my-trip-to-south-africa-taught-me.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What My Trip to South Africa Taught Me about Mot<span style="font-family: inherit;">herhood</span></span></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-46089996376397694212016-11-12T22:25:00.002-07:002017-01-27T14:02:42.516-07:00Come with Me to South Africa and Meet the Heroes There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wish that each of you could've come with me to South Africa, to hug the children, hear the singing, feel the Spirit of the people, and have your hearts and lives changed. The next best thing I can give you is this full report of the people I met and the work they are doing. And thankfully, a super talented photographer was on the trip with me, Kyle Shultz of <a href="http://shultzphotoschool.com/">Shultz Photo School</a>, so you get to see his beautiful images along with my words. I hope it will give you a taste of my experience.</div>
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Last week, I wrote about the <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-want-to-introduce-you-to-people-who.html">amazing leaders of Take Action Ministry</a>, who are finding heroes within disadvantaged communities in rural South Africa and empowering them with the support and resources that they need to further their work. Today I'd like to introduce you to some of those inspiring community leaders:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoBz7AKlsZnlo8RkvRBVY50x0FuyZ-pnZbJ6A-fsLJEylThnROASO2_S6VyijmhYZx3n5jNp18VFxudqgHG-VGE5RupX8Ny9hg64KJegezdW1VDTgal7a8iRX7iIU0cXkpd8GAfWVtkc/s1600/Gogo+Preach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoBz7AKlsZnlo8RkvRBVY50x0FuyZ-pnZbJ6A-fsLJEylThnROASO2_S6VyijmhYZx3n5jNp18VFxudqgHG-VGE5RupX8Ny9hg64KJegezdW1VDTgal7a8iRX7iIU0cXkpd8GAfWVtkc/s400/Gogo+Preach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You already met the incredible <b>Gogo</b>. And if you missed <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-my-trip-to-south-africa-taught-me.html">that post</a>, please go back and read it because you are going to fall in love with this precious woman, just like I did! Of everyone on my trip, Gogo made the deepest imprint on my heart. I plan to frame a photo of her hands--weathered from a lifetime of service, immersed in the Word of God--to hang on my wall. She just exudes such closeness to the Lord. In fact after she read scripture to our group of volunteers, she said with tears in her eyes, "I know Him! I know Him!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63C6JRR0Qy5FVV7KTUuymIo0PCINvjFVMdT7_JcU1aJuAccKpRGsC6KvCIT-Y5oSDGj8BQgayhwO0SdQzu16I0l0h8V7-BJDx7pZTZdrCWLRgqMi5E0zu28b3B5iXAGLb1WSKUD8cIBw/s1600/Gogo%2527s+Hands.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63C6JRR0Qy5FVV7KTUuymIo0PCINvjFVMdT7_JcU1aJuAccKpRGsC6KvCIT-Y5oSDGj8BQgayhwO0SdQzu16I0l0h8V7-BJDx7pZTZdrCWLRgqMi5E0zu28b3B5iXAGLb1WSKUD8cIBw/s400/Gogo%2527s+Hands.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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I want to know Him too, in the way that Gogo does.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibgA_AgdxZTnmsOUXgBJjwiXSNpU2UNtJ2vKsCGXC14Yw-Nqnnqio0oNO9XIkrLm4MWvyLciBR0x_c-OkmQqzlKcV1CMHhzA6laRMEa9sFS96PWxw570tXv55wRSmGm-buzPEqJVrA5o/s1600/Rea+Elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibgA_AgdxZTnmsOUXgBJjwiXSNpU2UNtJ2vKsCGXC14Yw-Nqnnqio0oNO9XIkrLm4MWvyLciBR0x_c-OkmQqzlKcV1CMHhzA6laRMEa9sFS96PWxw570tXv55wRSmGm-buzPEqJVrA5o/s400/Rea+Elizabeth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gogo's daughter <b>Elizabeth</b> has built an incredibly powerful after-school program for the children in their community out of Gogo's small home. This is needed because many rural South African women are employed as domestic helpers in the cities, which means they have to travel to work two hours each way by crowded buses. Their children are left unsupervised before and after school, fending for themselves in communities that don't have consistent access to food and water. These children can also become victims of sexual assault or be targeted by drug dealers who want to use them to sell drugs. Most of these households do not have fathers in their home, and some are even headed by older children.<br />
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So Elizabeth started the Reagoboka Drop-in Centre to give these children a safe, loving place to go while their mothers are at work. It is amazing to see how well it runs: The children come right in after school and line up their backpacks, greet their caregivers with a gentle touch on the arm (a traditional sign of respect), wash their hands, and line up for a snack. Then it's time for homework help and singing practice. There's something in the children's eyes that says, "I am cared for. I am happy. I have a community that loves me." It is very different from many of the other children that I saw around South Africa. There is a beautiful spark of hope.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegtP6yrFt2AQplrxOKkGSrZZTAGMWgSbtvBaytoTYm_iSTdJSO0RzhmDFW4gDunStbiTWdwTbPvuktnZbWhoE_Bn8NILzfQBzoHcRDmpH6ju0OBr1jQPU03jafqxjqpTyltmTiytre2U/s1600/Beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegtP6yrFt2AQplrxOKkGSrZZTAGMWgSbtvBaytoTYm_iSTdJSO0RzhmDFW4gDunStbiTWdwTbPvuktnZbWhoE_Bn8NILzfQBzoHcRDmpH6ju0OBr1jQPU03jafqxjqpTyltmTiytre2U/s400/Beauty.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHo4KU0tGtXLaOU-hK1_lOS0eOtHRbaRup2LYPl77YR4_GA7h1-KSyXjcGV5snnRLXUGo8wKED2atRV38NTcw1pQBicChdzft49RRP3ZdQ-wVD9h8WcRko6zsh-bfnyfX8PPHZRzUu4g/s1600/Rea+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHo4KU0tGtXLaOU-hK1_lOS0eOtHRbaRup2LYPl77YR4_GA7h1-KSyXjcGV5snnRLXUGo8wKED2atRV38NTcw1pQBicChdzft49RRP3ZdQ-wVD9h8WcRko6zsh-bfnyfX8PPHZRzUu4g/s400/Rea+Kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNo9aPsBYdCU6oqYijW7aE5T0ZCtfytxYCGU9ah34SU1CIaYahveh_V6REVBfUtubisMcZ_TspQxzY9EuFpfPhuCs8in3MKONL9YK_KS6PSOlMSSUs2X11hamorlgnK-anmf6f_NIPxo/s1600/Rea+Singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNo9aPsBYdCU6oqYijW7aE5T0ZCtfytxYCGU9ah34SU1CIaYahveh_V6REVBfUtubisMcZ_TspQxzY9EuFpfPhuCs8in3MKONL9YK_KS6PSOlMSSUs2X11hamorlgnK-anmf6f_NIPxo/s400/Rea+Singing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The younger children are part of a preschool that is overseen by the lovely Miss Sophy. With the help of donations, Reagoboka was able to build a two-room preschool behind Gogo's house and receive funding for Sophy to be trained in Early Childhood Development, and it has made an immense difference. She has learned how to use a lesson plan, how to teach with questions and interactive activities, and how to problem solve to make her lessons more effective for young children. Surprisingly, most caregivers and teachers of young children in rural areas do not have the skills or natural instinct to teach in this way because they were not taught or raised in this way themselves. An incredible organization called <a href="http://abbaspride.com/">Abba's Pride</a> has an Early Childhood Development training program that Sophy has been able to attend, and she has really taken ownership of her classroom and "her kids" as she calls them. It is so beautiful to witness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE_MtpltmSFDrD8yLGKKnnqM_buzdBF_XkAbC4LN0Zk00kwem3_T0c8k9Y746IjffmUd9wznBqStq_FKQsKsb3_2ontco2ZUVpGs_gvXYZWT-gJjAyNNKnMkM0crOddHosq9mozErRFA/s1600/IMG_7523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE_MtpltmSFDrD8yLGKKnnqM_buzdBF_XkAbC4LN0Zk00kwem3_T0c8k9Y746IjffmUd9wznBqStq_FKQsKsb3_2ontco2ZUVpGs_gvXYZWT-gJjAyNNKnMkM0crOddHosq9mozErRFA/s400/IMG_7523.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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While I was observing all of this happy busyness at Reagoboka, I
caught Gogo's eye across the courtyard. She was sitting under a tree
in the shade reading her Bible, and when she saw me watching her, she
grinned and started pointing toward heaven with both hands, reminding me where to give the praise and glory. My heart about burst on the spot.<br />
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Beyond just caring for the children before and after school, the Reagoboka Drop-In Center also sends caregivers into the community to do home visits and check on the most vulnerable children's families. It reminds me of a social work program, but the social workers don't just show up to observe, make notes, and leave--they step in to really help. They will lend a hand with childcare, wash clothes, prepare meals, assess needs, make a plan of action, and really get to know and love the families. It is a remarkable model of Christlike love for the children and families of a community in need.<br />
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The Reagoboka Drop-In Centre is a place of overwhelming hope. It was like being washed over with a wave of joy and relief after witnessing so much hopelessness in other places we visited, and it helped me to envision what is possible at other community centres where Take Action Ministry is involved. I am clearly not the only person who has noticed this, as many other after-school centres in South Africa have been coming to Reagoboka to observe their model and their systems so they can emulate them. <br />
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Thanks to the amazing leadership and faith of Gogo and Elizabeth, the message of hope is spreading. Truly, as the kids sing in this video, "Let us go and praise the Lord!'<br />
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I want to tell you about another incredible after-school program that I had the privilege to visit.<br />
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This is <b>Pastor Robert Nemalili and his beautiful wife, Mokgadi</b>. They run Horn of Salvation After Care, and it is held behind their humble home. Like Reagoboka, kids from the community come after school to receive a meal (usually a bowl of vitamin fortified porridge) and to get help with homework and reading.<br />
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Amazingly, Pastor Robert and Mokgadi don't receive any sort of compensation for their work with these children--they just do it out of the goodness of their hearts. I can't imagine welcoming dozens of kids into my backyard every day after school to help them with school work, but Mokgadi and Robert consider it a calling and a blessing. <br />
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They all meet on a small patch of dirt behind their house, under a ripped tarp, and incredible learning takes place. Mokgadi has never been formally trained as a teacher, but she has a God-given talent for teaching children to read.<br />
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Starting in Grade 4, South African children must pass year-end exams in order to move on to the next grade. For children in rural schools, this is extremely difficult and as many as 50% do not pass. They start to fall behind, year after year, and many eventually drop out of school. Mokgadi is intervening and offering remediation for those students who need additional reading help, and last year, all but <i>two </i>of her students passed the national exam! (And the only reason that those two didn't pass is because they started with Mokgadi mid-year and didn't have enough time to catch up.) She is so gifted that teachers from around the area are begging to send more students to her after-school program.<br />
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Fortunately, thanks to help from Take Action Ministry with petitioning a Christian organization for a building and raising funds for its renovation, Horn of Salvation has just moved out of the Nemalili's backyard into a bigger, safer facility. They will be able to expand their services to bless more children starting this month!<br />
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I'm sure there will be lots of music and dancing in celebration of their new facility, as that his what these kids do best. We were privileged to see an hour-long music performance under the ripped tarp in the Nemalili's backyard. Mokgadi loves music, and she has passed that on to these beautiful children. It was an afternoon I will never forget.<br />
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You <i>must </i>see it for yourself! Click the video below. And watch their amazing swishy skirts--they made those themselves out of grocery sacks!<br />
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Reading, music, dance, joy, and love--all happening behind one humble little house in South Africa. I absolutely loved meeting the children there.<br />
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The last project that I want to highlight today is an amazing place called <b>Busetsa Wood, </b>started by Take Action Ministry and now run by a remarkable man named <b>Peet.</b><br />
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Busetsa is a Setswana word meaning "to take back or renew," and the mission of this woodshop is to help vulnerable young men take back their lives by becoming skilled woodworkers. Many of these young men come from broken homes without the influence of loving fathers; most have fallen behind in school and have had to drop out, making it impossible for them to find good employment. Peet teaches them how to use reclaimed pallet wood to build amazingly beautiful décor and furniture. He lives there on the premises with his wife and seven children, who also help to run a small orphanage there, and it's just such a beautiful ministry.<br />
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There are so many remarkable things about this work. First of all, the mentorship between Peet and the young men. It is truly an apprenticeship where he can work with them one-on-one, building their skills slowly until they have mastered what they need to know--and all the while, talking to them about life, the Gospel, work ethic, and what it means to care for a family. <br />
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Second, the job creation for local young men--and jobs close to home. As I already mentioned, most jobs are in the cities, which would take these men away from their families day and night. When Take Action set up the Busetsa woodshop, they purposely looked for a location that would be very close to the rural communities that they serve, so people could easily walk there. They hope that the woodshop will grow and create jobs for many men in the area, so they can stay closer to their families.<br />
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And finally, another really hopeful aspect of this work is its potential for growth. South Africa has developed industry and economy in the big cities, which gives small businesses like Busetsa a market and opportunity for growth. A lot of African countries have programs for locals to make handicrafts but no market to sell those products within their own countries (so Americans must sell the products in the USA), whereas Busetsa can really grow into a thriving business on its own, without being dependent on outsiders. They've already been commissioned to do all of the furniture for a restaurant within a nearby safari park, and they've been able to do some product bids with Toyota trucks and elsewhere. They also hope to eventually export to the United States and other countries. No doubt the company will continue to grow, as will their impact on the lives of many young men and families in the Hamaanskraal area. And to think, it's all made of reclaimed pallet wood!<br />
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Don't you just love the Africa that they made for each of the advocates that came on my trip? It is a treasure that I will keep forever.<br />
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So many amazing people and programs...and in every single case, it started with one person noticing one need in their community...and then taking one step to do something to help....and oh how it has grown and grown and transformed lives. It is truly amazing how God can do that.<br />
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I hope these people have touched you as much as they have touched me.<br />
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Last, I will tell you about one final hero, Pastor Norman--a man who is reaching out to a group of 400 children in his extremely rural community. This is probably the neediest of all of the communities that I visited, and while I initially felt totally overwhelmed by the need, my feelings started to shift as I saw how full of hope Pastor Norman is for what the Lord can accomplish there. My heart longs to help, and I will be doing some fundraising for this amazing cause. I can't wait to let you know how you can help too.<br />
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Click <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-maubaneand-lets-help.html">here </a>to read more... Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-75275750493337807432016-11-03T21:11:00.001-06:002017-05-06T07:44:23.576-06:00Let Me Introduce You to the People Who Changed My Life in South Africa<br />
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People often ask me what I <i>did </i>when I was in South Africa. Did I help build a school? Dig a well? Teach classes? Play with orphans?<br />
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They seem a little disappointed when I tell them that I didn't <i>do </i>anything. This trip wasn't about <i>doing</i>--it was about listening, supporting, and learning. And boy did I do a lot of that!<br />
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This was called an "advocacy trip," and it was so different from other humanitarian trips that I've been on in the past. When I've been part of more traditional mission trips, it has sometimes troubled me that we show up for a week or a semester, do a little service, and then leave. It's always an amazing and fun experience for <i>me</i>, but I often wonder if we've done any lasting good. <br />
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This is why I was so drawn to this particular service trip. Take Action Ministry, the South African non-profit that hosted our trip, has a beautiful and godly development model. Instead of showing up as the heroes who are going to bestow solutions on poor communities, they find powerful leaders <i>within</i> those disadvantaged communities--faith-filled relentless warriors who are already doing all that they can to help those around them, even with limited resources.<br />
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Take Action then becomes a temporary bridge to the resources they need to further their work. They discuss the vision of the local leader with them, and then they help them apply for government funding, build quality facilities, access donations, and receive training, mentorship, and education. They become advocates for these leaders who are changing their own communities.<br />
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This development model is sustainable because it is not dependent on
outsiders--it's about empowering those people who know their communities
best. They are aware of the political, social, and environmental shifts that affect the work. They can do more than just visit twice a year to oversee things; they are there day-in-and-day-out. They are in it for the long haul. <br />
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I went to South Africa because I want to help. I want to come along side these heroes in their work and become an advocate for them. I wasn't totally sure what we would be doing, and I didn't know anyone else who would be on the trip--but I felt so strongly that I should go.<br />
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Honestly, I was scared stiff about traveling that far, leaving my kids for so long, and contracting weird illnesses (I might have a <i>slight </i>issue with hypochondria and it's possible that I packed the entire medicine cabinet), but Ryan and I prayed about the opportunity, and I just felt like I needed to take this risk in order to learn and to grow closer to God.<br />
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I am so, SO glad that I did. It was one of the most life-changing weeks of my life, not only because of what I saw and experienced but mostly because of the people I <i>met. </i>They showed me a new way to live and give.<br />
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Today I want to introduce you to the leaders of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TakeActionMinistry/">Take Action Ministry</a>. In a few days I will introduce you to the remarkable rural community leaders and programs that they work with. Truly, I have never met people who so perfectly embody the scripture in Matthew 16: "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." I think you will see what I mean after you get to know them a little... <br />
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This is Wanda. She is the heart behind Take Action Ministry. She was living in Pretoria, a developed and beautiful city, but she had witnessed the heart-breaking poverty just minutes away in the rural townships outside the city, and she knew she had to do something to help. She started by reaching out to just one family--and over the years, her involvement with various communities, schools, and projects grew. A few years ago, she decided to make it official and started the non-profit with her incredible husband, Pete. <br />
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This is Pete. He just exudes love and joy--as you can see from the photo. He is a doctor who has devoted his life to service (he's been practicing for over 45 years!). He treated black patients during the years of apartheid, even though it was unpopular. I have never met someone with such a close connection to God--his prayers are so heartfelt, so sincere. It was beyond powerful to be lead in prayer by Pete. It's an experience I will never forget. These photos were taken when Pete was praying, and I feel like you can see the sincerity, just in the gestures of his hands.<br />
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Perhaps the most amazing thing that Pete and Wanda have accomplished together is their family. They got married a little later in life, after they had both lost a spouse, and they have loved and raised each others' children. And then in their later years, when most couples are settling into retirement and traveling, they have adopted four children from the rural townships. They came to know of their desperate situations due to their work in those communities, and they welcomed them into their home. A couple of their adopted children have intense medical needs, but they have thrived under Pete's medical care and Wanda's nurturing. So amazing. Their youngest is 4-years-old and Pete is 70--but he gives her piggy back rides and plays with her like any young dad, and it is just incredible to watch their bond.<br />
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Pete and Wanda have truly handed their lives over to God, and even though the sacrifices that they've made appear challenging to those of us on the outside, they radiate joy. Wanda said she is living her dream. I will never be the same after meeting this remarkable couple.<br />
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This is Annelien--the most beautiful woman I've ever met! Can you see the kindness in her eyes? It was the first thing I noticed about her when we met. She runs the administration of Take Action Ministry, managing the financials of all the various projects, communicating with local leaders, and coordinating all of their efforts. Here she is explaining one of their many projects, and she knows every detail.<br />
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She originally started at Take Action as a volunteer, but she eventually left her high-paying job in corporate finance to join the non-profit full-time. She is absolutely brilliant, so competent, and, most importantly, amazing at reaching out and connecting with people. Look at how these community leaders adore her because they can feel her genuine love and concern for them:<br />
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I grew to admire this woman fiercely in the week that I spent with her. This is one of my favorite photos from the trip because it's my two heroes together, both reading scripture--Gogo reading from her Bible in Setswana, and Annelein reading from her cell phone, translating into English. I want to be just like these godly women when I grow up!!
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This is Darin and Jonna. They are the only Americans on the Take Action team. They felt called to move to South Africa to work and serve, without really knowing exactly what they would be doing there. Talk about putting your life in the hands of God! They have lived there with their two children for 5 years, and rather than living in the nicer city and driving into the communities where they work each day, they live among the people that they serve. They live in a formerly abandoned house that they are fixing up, and their kids go to one of the local schools.<br />
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Jonna told me about how she has transformed personally as a result of their experience in South Africa, going from someone who felt lost and struggled with extreme depression to someone who is a powerful leader and a tenacious advocate for those in need. Seeing her with the people, she just <i>belongs. </i>It was absolutely incredible to hear about how much she has changed while in God's service.<br />
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And last, but certainly not least, I want to tell you about Crystal. Crystal is the American <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2016/10/trip-south-africa-taught-motherhood-rachel.html">blogger</a> that I mentioned in my <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-my-trip-to-south-africa-taught-me.html">previous post</a> who put together this advocacy trip. She initially got involved in South Africa when one of her friends, <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/">Lisa Jo Baker</a> (who is actually Pete's daughter) invited her to help with a fundraiser for a water point and playground for one of the community centers.<br />
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With the help of their blog readers, Crystal and Lisa-Jo raised the money, and then went to South Africa to see the project for themselves. Crystal fell in love with the country, the people, and the work that Take Action is doing. She felt convicted that she needed to stay involved and do more. She came home from the trip and asked her husband if they could fund all of the operating expenses of Take Action Ministry, and he agreed. Their family has been inseparably involved ever since, even bringing their three young children to visit earlier this year.<br />
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The next step for Crystal was to invite some of her blog readers to join in this work, and that's how I found out about it. I have followed Crystal's blog for a while and just admired and trusted her, so I decided to apply. Five other "advocates" joined me, and along with a few people from Crystal's team and from <a href="http://helponenow.org/">Help One Now</a> (the American non-profit that has partnered with Take Action), it was such a varied and amazing group. None of us knew each other before going, and we came away with such deep friendships and incredible shared experiences.<br />
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I will always be grateful to Crystal for having the courage to invite strangers into her experience--to extend the blessing to others, so we can hopefully pass that along. Like Jonna, Crystal told me her own story of transformation, from a very shy young mom who was shocked by her blogging success and refused every invitation to speak at conferences--to a power-house influencer who now presents regularly to huge audiences, runs her own extremely successful business, and commands group discussions with ease and grace.<br />
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And beneath all of her success and competence, she's still that gentle, humble, kind-hearted mother, and I think children can feel that. Everywhere we went in South Africa, kids flocked to her and wanted to be held.<br />
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Can you tell how blessed I was to get to know these amazing leaders? They made me want to live better, give more, and truly hand my life over to God. They taught me that risk is right and true joy is only found in doing hard things for God's purposes. Truly, they embody the scripture, "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." <br />
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Pete and Wanda, Annelein, Jonna and Darin, and Crystal have given their lives and hearts to God, and I want to be like them. I am better because I know them.<br />
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To read about the amazing leaders in the rural communities that Take Action Ministry works with, click <a href="http://fyionrachandry.blogspot.com/2016/11/come-with-me-to-south-africa-and-meet.html">here</a>!<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-56999145594919719152016-10-22T13:51:00.000-06:002017-01-28T21:19:05.725-07:00What My Trip to South Africa Taught Me about Motherhood<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4978e762-edbd-20b9-926c-4cf80df94945" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**I wrote this post for the blog <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2016/10/trip-south-africa-taught-motherhood-rachel.html">Money Saving Mom</a>, which is run by an amazing young mother, Crystal Paine. Crystal is a very influential blogger, and she organized this mission trip to South Africa. I was honored to be able to share some of what I learned with her blog audience this past week. I will be writing a lot more about my South Africa experience here on my personal blog (and inviting all of you to help me continue the work there!), but I wanted to start by sharing this post because I feel it really captures the heart of my experience. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first time that I saw Gogo, I was standing with my back against a crude brick wall, leaning into a pocket of shade under the hot African sun.<br />
<br />I heard her before I saw her. “Oh, thank you, Jesus! Oh, Jesus!” she was calling. And when she came around the corner, her wrinkled hands were clasped, her face tilted up toward heaven in praise.<br />
<br />She was wearing a navy stocking cap, a brown sweater and long skirt—and she reached out to each of us American visitors as if we were her family, squeezing our hands and whispering her thanks to God that we had come. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Gogo” means Granny in Setswana, and, truly, this woman is a grandmother to everyone she meets. Her heart is full of love, Spirit, and nurturing—in essence, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">motherhood</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Being near her, I thought, “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">is why I came to Africa. I came here to meet Gogo.”<br />
<br />When I applied to go on the South African advocacy trip with <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2016/10/trip-south-africa-taught-motherhood-rachel.html">Crystal Paine</a>, I was searching for a deeper understanding of motherhood. I couldn’t have put it into those specific words at the time—but now that I’m home, I can see more clearly what I was yearning for before I left.<br />
<br />I have always loved connecting with people in deep ways. I was a counselor at a camp for kids and adults with disabilities throughout high school and college. I spent long summer days in the mountains of Colorado with amazing campers who taught me about courage and endurance in the face of physical and mental challenges.<br />
<br />After I got married, my husband and I spent a semester living in an orphanage in El Salvador, planning scavenger hunts, playing rowdy games of Uno, and reading bedtime stories to children whom we grew to love like family.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When we returned to the States, I taught high school English for five years—a challenging career that I loved—while my husband went to school to become a pediatric dentist. Every summer we went back to El Salvador for a week or two to see the kids that we love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After all of my experience with children, teaching, and service, I thought that the transition to motherhood would be easy.<br />
<br />Famous last words, right?<br />
<br />I knew that it was a blessing to be able to stay home with Noah, but after years of connecting with people on a deep level, I felt lonely and unfulfilled much of the time. My baby cried a lot; my husband was in residency and we lived in a crummy apartment near the hospital without many other young moms around; and I missed getting to laugh with and learn from my students and colleagues every day.<br />
<br />I felt a bit trapped—not so much by my circumstances as by the dichotomy in my heart: I knew that my job as a mother was the most impactful role I would ever have, and yet I yearned for more.<br />
<br />Five years have passed, and we have since added another baby to our family, a spunky little girl named Sally. I have settled into my role as a mother much more, and I love spending time with my two little miracles. I have found meaningful work that I can do from home—I write for a motherhood website called </span><a href="https://powerofmoms.com/author/rachel-nielson/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Power of Moms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">—and I teach the teenage girls at church and reach out to friends and family as much as I can.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My life is so good and so full. And yet, at times I still feel that pull in my heart—the desire to learn more, impact more, give more. <br />
<br />I decided to apply to go to South Africa because I knew that I would meet people like Gogo. I knew I would gain new perspective and come home with more clarity, peace, purpose, and drive.<br />
<br />I wish I could write a book about the incredible mothers that I met when I was there—because that’s what it would take, a book! Meeting these mothers, hearing their stories, and witnessing the unique and powerful contributions that they are making within their spheres of influence<span style="color: black;">...</span>it filled my soul.<br />
<br />I realized that what I am doing at home with my little ones matters. My heart ached when I saw children who do not have loving parents to care for them</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span>I saw the sadness in their eyes, and I heard from teachers about the ways that their mental and emotional development are affected. It made me want to be a better, more invested mother.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It also made me want to do hard things</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">—</span>to make sacrifices </span> to extend my love beyond my own family to others who need “mothering.” I realized that I can involve my own children in this work. I can teach them to see a need in our community and the world and do something about it.<br />
<br />While raising her kids, Gogo worked at a soup kitchen and started several preschools for vulnerable children in her community. In recent years, her grown daughter Elizabeth has followed in her mother’s footsteps and started a “drop-in centre” out of Gogo’s one-room house. It started with 18 children, and it has now grown to 180! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What began in Gogo’s tiny house has expanded. They’ve been able to receive government funding, build a small preschool next door, and hire a staff of dedicated teachers and caregivers. Vulnerable kids from the community come to Gogo’s house every morning to receive a bowl of vitamin-fortified porridge, and then they come after school to receive a snack, help with homework, and instruction in singing and sports. It’s like a Boys and Girls Club—Africa style!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It has become a family affair, with Gogo as the loving matriarch, Elizabeth as the powerhouse director, and even Elizabeth’s sons as administrators and cooks. Three generations of givers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Truly, this family has been transformed because of Gogo’s example —this family, and an entire community of children.<br />
<br />After spending a day at the “drop-in centre”—witnessing the hope in the children’s eyes, hearing their singing and joyful laughter—my American friends and I gathered around Gogo as she sat in a lawn chair in the shade, reading her Bible. She hugged each of us and took us by the hands, looking into our faces and thanking us for coming. I will never forget the feeling of her wrinkled hands, leathery from a lifetime of loving and serving. With tears in her eyes, she read scripture to us and then said simply, “I cry because I am rich.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity that I had to go to South Africa to learn from this hero-mother and many others like her. <br />
<br />Since coming home, I have felt a deep desire to continue helping in South Africa through fundraising efforts for the amazing projects there, as well as to find ways to invest right here in my community—and bring my children along with me.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_7305.JPG" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PaGH1by1_j88f9kvYqhJWrjZleYLOh28JkSZCvGfF4Rby0ssapdyMBsQO7AeOvOrBPX5MAxxRtdDb8y0xjGs0ep7zkoamBSjLhUqwQC7znZdFOuOOYa5u87QdJW4JTlDXFjqIwjc" style="border: medium none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
don’t know exactly what those efforts will look like yet, but I am
grateful to have been a part of a trip that opened my heart to the
everlasting impact of mothers. I know that I, and hopefully my children,
will never be the same.</span> </span></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-73787679452682707962016-10-08T23:23:00.000-06:002017-05-05T12:31:27.575-06:00In Summerrrrrrrr!<div style="text-align: center;">
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My favorite photo from summer 2016. I am almost passed out from their cuteness--and from the fact that they posed happily and calmly together! <br />
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We've been watching a lot of the movie <i>Frozen </i>at our house lately--it's Sally's new obsession. Honestly, I don't really mind: that movie (especially Olaf) is hilarious and so clever.<br />
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Here are my cute kids watching another favorite of Sally's, <i>Bubble Guppies</i>, in a car that we made out of a box. ;) I must say, I much prefer <i>Frozen </i>to <i>Bubble Guppies.</i><br />
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My kids watch more TV than they should. I am often working on writing projects that require focus, so Sally and Noah have a chunk of TV time every day. But in between the shows, we have a lot of family fun and go outside on adventures--so I'm not gonna feel bad about it.<br />
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Here's a recap of the way that we ended our summerrrr! (Imagine Olaf singing that.)<br />
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We met up with Drew and his mom for a fun day at Lagoon, riding the (kiddie) rollar coasters and drinking Icees. Nothing better! We sure love our Drew.<br />
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I know some of you long-time blog readers might be wondering, so I asked Katie if I could share and she said I could. She and Drew are currently separated. It has been such a hard thing for everyone--really heartbreaking. But they are on good terms and have handled everything with such maturity. They will both always be a huge part of our lives and of Noah's life. I recently got these drawings done for Noah's room, and I love them.<br />
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After our trip to Lagoon, the kids and I hopped on a plane for a last-minute trip to Denver!<br />
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My sister has been going through some super intense treatments for her depression these past few months, so I went to help. We are all praying that she will feel some relief and joy soon. So far, the treatments seem to be working...keep praying!!<br />
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We loved seeing Bapa, walking Callum to the bus stop every day, and even getting away to the mountains for a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Need I say that Noah was in heaven? Riding a train with his best friend, Callum?? Dream come true!<br />
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And of course we got to see my grandparents while I was there. As always, it's just priceless seeing them playing with my kids. Sally loved the car tracks, just like Noah did at her age.<br />
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Since I don't travel enough (wink), we also met up with our best friends from dental school in Park City, Utah for a weekend. It's been almost six years since we left Buffalo, and these people are still like family. There is nothing like it--just pick right up where you left off and talk for hours. They know us like almost no one else. Daytons and Majeronis, come be our neighbors!!!<br />
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That night, Dave snapped some photos of us and our kids with his fancy camera. I love these faces with wild hair on warm summer nights. <br />
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And while we were in Park City, we did a little alpine slidin'...<br />
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We also squeezed in an overnight camping trip at the end of August. I realized that we hadn't camped at all the entire summer, and I was kind of mad at myself for it--but then I remembered that we moved unexpectedly, went to the Dominican Republic for a dental trip, went to a family reunion in Oregon, and went to Colorado to help my sister. So I forgave myself.<br />
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One night in the foothills near our home was all we could manage this summer, but it was a great little outing. We drove there without a reservation, hoping that we would find a good spot, and we ended up finding a perfect, secluded wooded site, right on a lovely walking trail. Score! The highlight was when a moose walked right up to our campsite and startled us! Yikes! The kids are still talking about it. My favorite part of camping is the smores and early-morning cuddling. <br />
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In between the trips, we had adventures closer to home--such as floating an irrigation canal in a neighboring town, playing with cousins, going kayaking at the Garden of Eden (oh, it was actually Thousand Springs State Park, but you could've fooled me with the crystal clear water and lovely waterfalls!), watching the U.S. Open with Dad, going for walks downtown, and stopping for ice cream at a local Creamery...yum!<br />
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I have to say, even with all of that funness going on, my very favorite part of the month was a two-night get-away with Ryan for his 34th birthday. (34?? How is this possible??) I surprised him and took him to a mountain town about four hours from home, McCall, Idaho. I arranged for a babysitter and planned the whole trip without him knowing. That morning, I left him a note on the bathroom mirror: "Pack your bags--because tonight we are going away, just the two of us, for your 34th birthday!" So fun. I love surprises.<br />
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We kayaked, hiked, rode bikes, slept in, watched the Olympics, napped by the lake, snuggled in church and could actually listen to the talks, ate good food and huge ice cream cones, talked about the past, and dreamed about the future.<br />
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It was perfect. I told Ryan, "Why do people think they need to go to Hawaii for a week to have a true getaway?? I swear this was just as good!" (Okay, maybe not <i>just </i>as good, but pretty darn close.) I really think couples need to make it a priority to do something like this twice a year--or at least once. I came home on Cloud 9, feeling so in love. Ryan is my best friend. I couldn't do life without him.<br />
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And then, after all of that, I packed my bags and headed to South Africa for ten days. Ha! I'm insane! But South Africa was an amazing experience--truly one of the highlights of my life--and I can't wait to write a whole series of posts about what I saw, did, and learned there.<br />
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We are heading into winter now, but summer was oh-so-good, and I am grateful!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-45106213395133631692016-09-04T18:13:00.000-06:002016-09-05T14:15:07.688-06:00Noah's Pirate Parrrrrty!<br />
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Noah requested a pirate party for his 5th birthday, and it was really fun for me to put together. I consider it a genetic trait that I love to plan birthday parties: my mom was the queen of super creative themed parties, in the era long before the internet and Pinterest. It's fun to feel like I am continuing her legacy as I plan birthday fun for my kiddos and their friends.<br />
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Noah woke up on the day of his party to a pirate shirt, hat, sword, and eye-patch. He also had an amazing birthday cake waiting for him, made with love by his talented birthmom. He had requested a pirate ship with a monster attacking it, and Katie sure delivered. He was bouncing off the walls in excitement as he helped us prepare all the stations and decorations for the party that morning, and he bombarded his friends as soon as they started arriving with all the details of the fun that we had planned.<br />
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Here is Noah and his band of pirate mateys. My personal favorite is the little wench with the mustache on the front row. <br />
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Just then, who should come walking into the party? Why Captain Hook of course!<br />
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And as luck would have it, he was looking for some new members for his pirate crew! But in order to make the cut, they would have to prove that they could complete all sorts of pirate tasks. They proved that they could stay on a ship (hammock) in the midst of a wild storm; they completed an obstacle course which included walking the plank; they learned sword fighting skills from the master himself; and they defeated a "sea monster" with water balloons:<br />
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And finally they followed a real treasure map to a real buried treasure. This was my favorite part of the party--we actually buried a wooden chest in the garden for them to dig up. So funny.<br />
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Then it was time for cake, and I must say, not many boys are lucky enough to have Captain Hook lighting their birthday candles...<br />
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or a cake that bursts into flames during the singing. Ha! The sails
were made out of cardstock...oops. Well, it just added to the effect.
;)<br />
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Then he opened presents, and it was a chaotic free-for-all, and he literally got an arsenal of toy weapons from all of his friends. Nerf guns, water guns, cross bows...little boy heaven! And his little best friend, Alex, gave him Legos and Oreos, two of his favorites. Score!<br />
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At the end of the day, Noah went to bed one tired (and happy!) little pirate. It was such a fun day celebrating him. Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-52592768815886398062016-08-28T22:31:00.002-06:002016-10-07T13:16:03.592-06:00My Boy is FiveDespite my pleas that he stop growing up, Noah turned five on August 1st. We had an argument with the sun on his birthday eve: I commanded the sun not to set (so he could never grow up) and he commanded it to hurry up and go down.<br />
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That darn sun listened to Noah. As he said to me recently, "Mom, you can't stop life." Aint that the truth!<br />
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And speaking of the sun, at five years old, Noah is still my little ball of fire--meaning he can be the light of our family's universe one moment and a meteor crashing down to destroy us all the next. Ha! This boy has spunk, that is for darn sure.<br />
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I love him. I love everything about him. I am overcome when I think about the miraculous way that he joined our family. It will never get old. The other night he climbed into our bed and snuggled up to me, and he was all groggy when he said, "Mom, I'm your boy. I made you a mom." My heart burst right there on the spot.<br />
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As has been our tradition these past few years, Katie joined us for Noah's big day. We love having her with us on the day that we celebrate Noah's birth! Yes, Noah made me a mom, and so did Katie. I love these two with all my heart.<br />
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We could hardly believe that he is FIVE years old!</div>
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Snapchattin' with his favorite girl </div>
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Like his birthparents, Noah is so smart, so funny, so spunky. Here are some of his classic quotes from the past few months:<br />
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When he grabbed a toy from a friend and they were having a scuffle over it, I heard him say, "Takers keepers, Alex!" I'm not quite sure that's how the old adage goes.<br />
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When I thanked him and Ryan for making me cinnamon rolls on Mother's Day, he said, "It was our great pleasure, Mom!"<br />
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He was so cute on Mother's Day, taking extra good care of me and telling me sweet things like, "I don't just love you one day of the year, Mom--I love you <i>every day!</i>" And then the next day he informed me that it was "Son's Day," which meant that he got to do whatever he wanted and eat candy all day. <br />
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One day when I forgot to bring underwear for him to change into after swimming lessons, I told him to just slip his shorts on and we'd grab some undies when we got home. Offended by such a suggestion, he responded, "Mother, I can't go commando! That wouldn't be proper!"<br />
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When we were walking on the trail by the canyon rim, he said, "Mom! Don't walk so close to the edge! It's treacherous over there, and you might fall into the abyss!"<br />
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His vocabulary is huge. It is hysterical. This morning he asked for breakfast, and I said I was working on making pancakes. He said, "Well, in the meantime can I have an applesauce?" <i>In the meantime?? </i>Are you five or fifteen, kid? He's like a sponge and soaks in any word that he ever hears me say. Yes, that means that he says words like "meantime" and "abyss," but it also means that he says words like "crap." Oops. We are working on that!<br />
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In our family, we often use the phrase, "I love you more than my luggage" which is a quote from one of our favorite movies, <i>Steel Magnolias. </i>This phrase makes no sense, but Noah has latched on to it as well, and even came up with his own variation. The other day he told me, "Mom, I'd rather lose my luggage than lose you!" Ha!<br />
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He continues to love to build, and he astonishes me with his creativity. He's had the same train sets and cars for years, but he always comes up with new arrangements for them and imaginative ways to engineer roads, tracks, and tunnels. <br />
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Maybe he will be an engineer...or maybe a dentist like his dad. When I recently asked him if he'd gone potty before bed because "it's the most important part of the bedtime routine" (which it is! because otherwise he has nighttime potty accidents!), he responded firmly, "No, Mom, brushing my teeth is!" And then he added in a sing-songy voice, "Or else I might get cav-it-ies!" Spoken like a true dentist's son!<br />
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As funny and likeable as he is, he is feisty and can be very difficult to parent. He goes through phases where every time I ask him to do something, he says in a defiant voice, "Or what?" He wants to know what the punishment will be if he doesn't obey. It's exhausting! He's definitely my strong-willed firstborn.<br />
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I could write quite a list of the challenges of parenting him, but the bottom line is, I adore him and he adores me. He is a definite mama's boy. When Ryan was recently out of town, I slept with Noah every night, and he would cuddle up and talk to me about his worries or deep thoughts. He asked me about Heaven and my mom. Sometimes he would be half awake and say heart-melting things like, "I love you all the way to Jesus, then Jupiter, then around the world, and back!"<br />
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He has a tender heart underneath all his sass. I was impressed when he said in a bedtime prayer, "Heavenly Father, please bless everyone in this whole world--even the bad guys."<br />
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One thing that I love and admire about Noah is that he can play with anyone, of any age. Little kids flock to him and follow him around because he's so fun and wild, and he also has no problem playing with kids as old as 10. Like, they actually enjoy playing with Noah because he's so spunky! I've seen him play Nerf guns with kids twice his age for hours, and they never get sick of him. He is truly a people person.<br />
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He started kindergarten this week, and he is loving it. I decided to send him to an alternative kindergarten at the local college because he just barely turned five and their curriculum is much more hands-on, outdoor, and play-oriented than traditional school. So far he's come home covered in mud one day, paint the next. He's told me about weighing things on scales and building houses out of blocks. He is having a blast. The teacher in me is wondering if he is going to learn to read, write, and sit still this year...but it's only been one week, so I don't want to get concerned yet. At least I know he is learning to love school!<br />
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Here he is, with bedhead and groggy eyes, so excited for his first day!<br />
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Can you believe kindergarten starts at 8:00 a.m.?? I mean, the sun is barely rising here! But I'm happy to report that somehow we made it on-time every day last week. I'm giving myself a fist bump.<br />
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People keep asking me if I am sad about him going to kindergarten. Truthfully, not even a little bit. It's only three hours a day, four days a week--so it's basically glorified preschool. He loves it, and I love it. It's a win-win.<br />
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After kindergarten on his first day, I took him on a special lunch date to KFC (his request, obviously) and we conducted a five-year-old interview over macaroni and cheese. I will never forget how cute he was, excitedly chatting after his first day of kindergarten.<br />
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I love when we get to have one-on-one time. He liked talking about himself so much that he kept insisting I ask him more questions. ;) So here is our lengthy but fun interview:<br />
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<b>Who is your favorite person in the whole world? </b>Everybody!<br />
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<b>What is your favorite color? </b>Orangish-reddish<br />
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<b>What is your favorite show? </b>Ninjago, that you never let me watch (<i>said with a scowl</i>)<br />
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<b>What is your favorite outfit? </b>My pirate shirt and some black soft shorts<br />
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<b>What sport do you like best? </b>Mountain biking<br />
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<b>What song do you love? </b>"Everything is Awesome!" but not "Doh Doh" because Sal has asked to listen to it too many times!<br />
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<b>What's your favorite cereal? </b>Life<br />
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<b>Who is your best friend? </b>Callum and Alex<br />
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<b>What do you want to be when you grow up? </b>I can't decide that one yet--maybe a policeman.<br />
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<b>What is your favorite book? </b>My <i>Earth </i>book. I call that one the Bapa book because it's so big! Too bad it's so long that I never get to read it all.<br />
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<b>What are you really good at? </b>Playing with Legos<br />
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<b>What is your best memory? </b>Going to Disneyland with Mom and Dad, when I got to be the boss for the day.<br />
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<b>What would you buy if you had $1000? </b>289 fragile Polar Express trains<br />
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<b>If you could have a wish, what would it be</b>? That we could go to Lego Land every single day!<br />
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<b>Who is your biggest hero? </b>There are no heroes in this city!<br />
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<b>I'm not talking about superheroes. A hero is someone you love, admire, and want to be like when you grow up. </b>Oh, that's easy. Callum!! <i>(cue heart melting)</i><br />
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<b>What do you like to do best with your friends? </b>Play with them, mostly.<br />
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<b>What makes you feel sad? </b>When I go on a mission because then I won't get to see my family for a very long time.<br />
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<b>What makes you feel happy? </b>When I can someday build a humongous train layout in the living room of our house--or maybe I should build it at Grandma's house!<br />
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<b>What makes you feel scared? </b>When Dad showed me that stupid dog from the <i>Sandlot </i>movie. And now I can't sleep and I'm cranky!<br />
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<b>What makes you feel angry? </b>When I want something and no one gives it to me.<br />
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<b>What makes you feel "in the middle"? </b>(<i>Noah came up with this question</i>) When I have to leave home and it's my first day of school. I'm excited, but I'm also not super sure about it.<br />
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<b>What are your thoughts about your first day of kindergarten? </b>Ms. Bridges is really nice! There are lots and lots of toys and blocks. And in science, we got to weight peanuts!<br />
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<b>Why do you love Mom? </b>Because she's so pretty all the time!<br />
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<b>Why do you love Dad? </b>Because he wrestles me a lot!<br />
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<b>Why do you love Sister? </b>Because she's so <i>cuuuutee! </i>Too bad she bites me all the time.<br />
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<b>If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be? </b>Fun!<br />
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I agree, Noah--you <i>are </i>super fun!! I am beyond grateful to be your mama, and I am looking forward to another year of living and learning with you.<br />
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In the words of a very smart and spunky little boy I know, "I love you all the way to Jesus, then to Jupiter, then around the world, and back!"Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-66534475340709810142016-08-11T17:00:00.002-06:002017-05-05T12:17:02.190-06:00A Birthday Love Letter to a Wild Sweetheart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Darling Sal,<br />
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On the night of your second birthday--after a busy day of ginormous balloons, princess tiaras, and buttercream frosted cakes--I sat down to write a love letter to you. This is my tradition, I do it every year, so I opened my computer and fully expected the swell of adoration to come washing over me so I could write.<br />
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But I waited and waited, and the feeling didn't come. All I felt was exhaustion.<br />
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Perhaps this is something that I shouldn't admit in a birthday love letter. Perhaps I should skip over the weariness of motherhood and get right to the sweet scene of you blowing out your birthday candles. But I tell you the truth because one day you will be a mother. And you will know what I mean when I describe this exhaustion. Sometimes, you will simply feel overwhelmed and tired, and you might feel guilty that you don't feel all-consuming, gleeful, giddy love for your children all the time.<br />
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I want to tell you that it's normal. It's normal to be exhausted when you have little ones. It's normal to feel so utterly depleted at the end of the day that the thought of writing a sentimental love letter is just too much.<br />
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And so, on the night of your birthday, I shut my laptop and went to sleep. And in my bedtime prayer, the feeling came. The awestruck swelling in my soul--the awe that <i>I </i>get to be your mother. <i>I </i>get to see you grow and learn and become every day. On my knees by the side of the bed, I smiled into the mattress as I thanked God for the beautiful little birthday girl in the sparkly crown and red-checkered dress. I thanked God that you are mine.<br />
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Today is a new day, and I have a few moments of quiet to come back to this birthday love letter for you. I want to tell you all about the things that I <i>love </i>about you as a two-year-old.<br />
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I love your little voice. You have started talking so much in the past few weeks. People comment on your little voice all the time because it is low and raspy--so unusual for a girl your age. Maybe you'll be a growly alto like your mom and her sisters. Ha!<br />
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You actually do love to sing, and as you walk around the house, you sing the ABCs, Popcorn
Popping, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. You also sing along to the music in the car, and
your favorite song is "Doh Doh" as you call it (<i>Uptown Funk</i> by
Bruno Mars--it starts with a guy singing, "Doh, doh, doh" hence the
nickname). You screech, "Doh doh!" every time we get into the van until
I turn it on.
(Oh the screeching! You are definitely a determined little lady!)<br />
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Your vocabulary is exploding lately, and it's so fun. When you sneeze, you say, "Bless you, Mom!" even though <i>you </i>are
the one who sneezed. You pretend to talk on the phone and
have entire conversations with your
favorite babysitter, Ashlyn, using that plastic purple phone. One of your favorite things to say is "Oopsie daisie!" when you make a mistake. And just this week, you started counting to
ten. I love hearing all the new things you have to say every day. <br />
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When you see babies, you shout excitedly, "Hold eeeeet! Hold eeeet!" Like your mama, you love a snuggly baby and grin from ear-to-ear when you are holding "it." Ha!<br />
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You love to pray and always ask to be the one to say it when I put you
in your crib at night. I lay you on your pillow, and then I kneel beside the
crib and say each line slowly. You fold your arms but keep your eyes wide open and smile
with self-satisfaction as you quietly whisper the last word of each
sentence that I say. Then at the end you shout, "A-men!!" It is the
sweetest. And the highlight of my night is when you stick your nose between the crib bars and ask for a nuzzle before I leave the room. Rubbing noses with you and giving you a little kiss is a perfect way to end the day.<br />
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I love your bedhead and your sloppy pigtails when you wake up from a nap. I love how much you adored this birthday card from your Bapa and carried it around the house with you saying "Bapa! Bapa!"over and over and pointing out the animals:<br />
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You are a diva and a girly girl. You are obsessed with princess dresses and shoes, and you love getting into my makeup. You came out of my bathroom the other day looking like this, and you thought you looked very lovely:<br />
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You are a fashionista with your leopard print swimsuit and signature straw hats that you insist on wearing everywhere!<br />
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You also love diva sunglasses, and you yell, "Bright! Bright!" and ask for them every time we go outside. Ha!<br />
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You love being the center of attention. On your birthday, you insisted that we sing "Happy Birthday" to you about five times, and you sang along, loud and proud, and blew out the candles with gusto each time. That will probably be one of my all-time favorite birthday memories of my children. <br />
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You are a handful. You have so much energy and spunk--you are much crazier than your brother Noah was at this age. You want to try everything and you are super independent. If I try to help you take your clothes off before a bath, you yell, "No, Mom!" You want to do things yourself.<br />
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You are joyful and mischievous--and <i>not</i> obedient at all. You almost always have a naughty little twinkle in your eye. <br />
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You climb on everything. You love to find ledges and walk on them--like the edges of sidewalks or planters. You have really good balance and can also climb the tall ladders at the playground. Future gymnast? You've started hanging upside down from the handles on the roof of the van and shouting, "Monkey bars!" Ha! I am always amazed by your strength. Maybe because you only weigh 23 pounds, it's easy for you to do these acrobatic moves. ;)<br />
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I mean, is this normal??<br />
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Yes, you only weigh 23 pounds. Noah weighed more than that when he turned one! You are 10th percentile for height and weight--tiny but feisty, strong, and loud. You know what you want in life, and you holler until it happens. We usually let you get away with it because we are suckers and we are tired and you are too cute for your own good.<br />
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You adore your brother, even though he teases you constantly and you two fight like cats and dogs. Aren't you too young to be fighting already?? I must say, sometimes when it's only 8:30 a.m. and you two are already shrieking at each other, I feel like I'm gonna lose my mind. But then the other day I was giving you a bath, and I had to go grab a towel so I asked Noah to watch you for a minute, and as I was leaving the bathroom, I heard you spontaneously say to him, "Hi, Noah! I wuv oo, Noah." My heart melted. Especially since I've never heard you spontaneously say "I love you" to anyone, not even Mom and Dad. I hope you and Noah always look out for each other throughout life!<br />
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You are super dramatic in your facial expressions. It is hilarious. When you see a mashed up banana or something, you will screw up your face into the cutest grimace and say, "Ewww, gross!" I can always tell by the look on your face exactly what you are thinking, whether it is disgust, joy, love, anger, or sadness. I love how expressive you are.<br />
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You started riding your tricycle this month, and you love it. You have to wear a backpack so you can reach the peddles because you're so short. I can't get enough of my little urchin on her bike:<br />
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You fill my life and my heart with joy, Sally. Yes, you are a menace (as we still lovingly call you), but overall, I think I am a much more relaxed mom than I was when Noah was little. It feels great to see that I am maturing and becoming more patient as a mother, more able to enjoy my children and savor the stage we are in. You <i>are </i>at a needy age right now--where you can't/don't really play by yourself, you hang on my leg all day, and you make huge messes--but when I start to feel really frustrated, I remind myself, "This is a stage. The hard parts of this stage will pass, but so will the perfect parts." In those moments, I try to just stop and get down on the floor and look into the eyes of my wild, beautiful, urchin-angel, and soak in every bit of your insane cuteness.<br />
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I love you, Sally Grace Nielson. Every night, not just on your birthday, I thank God that you are my daughter. Yes, motherhood is exhausting, and when you are a mom there will be some days when you just have to go to sleep and look forward to a fresh start in the morning--but it is so worth it. Someday you will be a mother, and only then will you understand just how much I love you. <br />
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Thank you for being mine and for filling each day of my life with your wild sweetness.<br />
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I love you, to the moon and back.<br />
Mama<br />
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-17428378174735361522016-08-09T23:37:00.001-06:002017-05-06T07:43:56.439-06:00Oregon Coast with the Nielson Clan<br />
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We went straight from the DR to a family reunion on the Oregon coast. Yes, the timing was crazy, but we couldn't bear to miss out on either event, so we endured exhaustion and made it happen. I thought Noah would be in meltdown mode with all of the traveling, but he actually did great. Sometimes I think I underestimate my kids or decide in advance that things will be hard for them. I'm trying not to do that so much!<br />
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The reunion was so much fun. Sometimes when we are all together, the little kids just fight and make things pretty miserable (there are eight of them under the age of five), but they did so well during this trip, and it really was a perfect time. My mother-in-law rented a beautiful home with a view of the ocean (and a hot tub out on the deck--score!), and we spent a lot of time on the beach as a family. The water was bitter cold, so we didn't swim, but we played in the sand, flew kites, searched the tide pools for starfish, played Slammo, and flew kites. It was just so relaxing.<br />
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As always, we attempted to get a photo of the grandparents with their brood of little ones, and as always, this is how that went:</div>
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So we decided to hire a professional. ;) We had family photos taken on the beach one morning, and I just love the colors and the way they turned out. The Oregon coast is stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful. And I love all of these people so much!<br />
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Ryan and his siblings. A group of stunners right there!</div>
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I love this one of the little cousin besties, and of course my peanut
Sally is losing her pants even though they are size 12-18 months. Ha!
These girls are full of fire and spunk, though they look pretty stinkin'
sweet in this photo:<br />
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Uncle Tanner is such a good sport to put up with eight littles who all want a piece of him. It gets super loud and crazy at these reunions, and he is so patient with all of them.<br />
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And finally, BEHOLD! Not all of the kids are looking at the camera--but hey, none of them is crying, which is truly a miracle, so we will take it!!<br />
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And speaking of the grandparents, one afternoon the little kids wanted to stand in the surf and let the cold water wash over their toes, so Grandma stood with them for almost an hour as they watched the waves come rolling in. I couldn't believe how long they wanted to stand like that! <br />
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Can we just talk about their cute Grandma for a minute? This woman is incredible. Looking at the photos of her with the grandkids almost makes me emotional. She just loves them so much, and they are so lucky to have her. We all are! She planned this entire vacation so the family could be together, and she prepared for the trip while also watching Sally for us while we were in the DR. She drove with Sally (who is not a good traveler) for 12 hours so we could meet up with them there. There is no end to what she sacrifices for us. She made all of the little girls matching dresses for the family
photos--yes, she sewed them--and she bought them all festive 4th of July
outfits for the big day. I am so grateful for her and for the memories that she makes happen for our family. She brings us all together, and she makes everything special for us.<br />
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The entire event was planned for Gordon's 60th birthday, which was the 4th of July. Sally had t-shirts made and we celebrated with patriotic cake, birthday dances around the house to the Mickey Mouse Happy Birthday song, and of course fireworks over the ocean that night. Magical!!<br />
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I am beyond grateful to be a part of the Nielson family. We will always treasure the beautiful time that we had with them in such a beautiful place!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125062620228335013.post-71771579159807873022016-08-03T14:52:00.001-06:002016-08-09T23:46:56.441-06:00Family Humanitarian Trip to the DR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the end of June, Ryan and I took Noah to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for a family humanitarian trip. Some of our best friends from dental school, the Cardons, went last year with their kids, and they invited us to join them this year.</div>
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It was a great experience. I have so many thoughts about it. Humanitarian service work is very nuanced, with questions about sustainability, ethics, respect for others, etc, and I did <i>a lot </i>of thinking throughout the week about how I hope our family can be involved in giving long-term. I felt like this trip was a perfect springboard for that discussion with Ryan. It was also a great happy-medium between service and vacation, which is perfect for a family with young kids. </div>
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I did a lot of humanitarian work before Noah was born, but this was my first experience since becoming a mom. I loved taking Noah with us. I hoped he would get a lot out of it and learn about poverty, other cultures, and gratitude for his blessings. Honestly, I think he just had fun. I don't think he learned much or changed much as a result (he's too young), but it was a great trial run for doing service trips in the future with our family. I think the perfect age to take kids on humanitarian trips would be about eight years old--that's when they would start to absorb and understand. But I was still glad Noah was with us because I loved spending that one-on-one time with him (Sally stayed home with Grandma), and I just loved seeing the world through his eyes. One thing that I loved was that he <i>didn't </i>pity the poverty. He didn't see himself as bestowing anything on anyone--he was just there to make new friends! I loved that and learned a lot from watching him.<br />
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So what did we do when we were down there? Well, Ryan did dentistry, of course. The organization that we went with (Ayuda Humanitarian) sets up temporary clinics in church buildings. They lay camping mattresses on tables, set up portable handpieces and cleaning stations using a generator, and get the word out to the local community. The people sure lined up! Some of them had never been to the dentist, and they were so patient with the long waits.<br />
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Ryan and a few other dentists worked all day for four days, and I think they did some good. That is something that I am always thinking about with humanitarian work: "Is this actually doing long-term good?" I asked Ryan about that, because some people had mouths full of cavities and couldn't possibly get everything fixed in the limited time that we had there. Ryan said that if he keeps people out of pain for a few more years, it's worth it to him--especially the children. If he saved a few baby teeth so they won't cause infection and pain before they fall out naturally, then he feels like it was worthwhile.<br />
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I must say, seeing Ryan at work made me appreciate him all the more. I assisted him for about two minutes one day, and I kind of wanted to die. It was so boring and hard. I can't believe he does it all day every day. Now I am even more inclined to give him a backrub and a kiss when he gets home from work!<br />
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While Ryan was doing dentistry, Noah and I played with kids outside the clinic. We brought games, art supplies, chalk, jump ropes, toy cars, etc. Noah bought the cars with his allowance money (with a little help from Mom, of course), and all the little boys were in heaven. They each picked a car and raced them down the ramp outside the church. We also drew roads out of chalk that they could zoom them around on. At the end of the day, Noah said, "My cars were a hit!" I think this was Noah's favorite day in the DR.<br />
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The kids <i>loved </i>the game UNO. I swear this game has magical powers--it transcends cultures and defies language barriers. I used it all the time when I volunteered in El Salvador in college. I would carry a pack of UNO cards around in my backpack, and if I ever encountered a group of kids that needed/wanted to be entertained, I plopped down in the dirt and started a game. Kids always catch on quickly and, even though my Spanish is super limited, they can learn how to play just from watching. We played UNO for hours outside the clinic. <br />
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Bracelets were also a huge hit. Some of the other dentists' families brought those little elastic rubber bands that can be woven into bracelets, and the Dominican kids loved doing that. When we do humanitarian work in the future, I definitely need to get a supply of those! I brought glass beads and elastic string, and I sat with a couple of little girls working on those for an hour or so.<br />
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I was amazed, completely blown away, by their patience. One little girl who was four years old strung her beads so carefully--only to drop the bracelet at the end right before I could tie it off for her. I expected a massive tantrum (that's what Noah would do), but without a grumble, she simply picked up all the scattered beads and started over. This happened about seven times, and she never cried or complained. When she finally finished that bracelet, she was grinning from ear-to-ear.<br />
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It seems like growing up without a lot of "extras" makes kids more persistent and patient. They develop an entirely different level of grit than most of the American kids I've worked with. I want to know how to help my kids develop this kind of attitude, even though they are growing up in a culture of abundance! Is this even possible? I hope that exposing my kids to a variety of places, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives will help with this--but I'm not sure that a few days in a foreign country can combat a lifetime of privilege. Hopefully I can weave some of these lessons into daily life, and I welcome all ideas on this!<br />
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On the mornings that Noah and I weren't at the clinic, we tagged along with a non-profit called the Dominican Starfish Foundation and witnessed the good work that they are doing. Their biggest project is rebuilding homes in some of the poorest communities in the DR. Families who need a safer home go through an application and approval process, and then the foundation helps them demolish the house that they are living in (usually made out of scraps of wood and corrugated tin) and rebuild it with cement. It is life-changing work.<br />
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We got to walk around that neighborhood and deliver food packs. I must
say that entering one of the little houses made of scraps was the most
impactful experience I had while we were in the DR. It was so
eye-opening. The entire house was the size of a tiny room in the US.
It was divided by a sheet: kitchen and living area on one side, bedroom
on the other. All five people in the family slept on one queen-sized
mattress on the dirt floor in the bedroom. I've witnessed poverty in El
Salvador, but this was a shocking reminder of just how blessed I am and
how much I should appreciate our three-bedroom rental home, which is
truly a palace compared to what we saw in the DR. <br />
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The Starfish Foundation takes the houses from this... <br />
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...to this! One family at a time!</div>
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Just amazing!!<br />
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Through the Starfish Foundation, we also participated in a local youth baseball game, which was a blast. I bet those Dominican twelve-year-olds never expected to see this chubby American mama running the bases! Ha! I actually had a small group of younger boys off to the side and we played our own little scrimmage. Then we pumped up balls to hand out to the kids, and of course, played a mean game of UNO on the floor of the dugout that smelled like pee. ;) It was a really fun day.<br />
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We also accompanied this organization to a local hospital to see conditions there, which were totally appalling. We went into the maternity area where they have one big delivery room with lots of beds. You give birth right along side everyone else--no privacy. And if you want sheets on the bed, you have to bring them yourself. Then you are taken to a big recovery room with everyone else, and then you are sent home with the new baby to fend for yourself. <br />
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Honestly, it was hard for me to be at the hospital. It just made me feel sad. It also felt really inappropriate to me. Many volunteers were taking photos of the babies and other sick patients in the hospital, gawking and just overall imposing at a time that I'm sure is very stressful for people. I thought to myself, "Yeah, because what I wanted right after I gave birth was a group of twenty strangers coming into my room to take photos of me and touch my newborn baby!" It made me feel a little sick to my stomach. This is why "voluntourism" often gets criticized--because it's easy to show up somewhere and pose for a photo with someone, but really, we didn't do anything to affect their lives long-term. It was all for show. I understand that the hospital administration wants (and needs!) people to donate money, and this is a great way to help Americans see just how bad the conditions are, but I feel like there has to be a way to do it that provides more dignity for the patients. This visit really got me thinking about humanitarian work and the ways that I want and don't want to be involved in the future.<br />
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Other than that "low point" of the visit, though, I truly enjoyed the work that we did in the DR. Hopefully Ryan kept a few people out of pain for a few more years, and hopefully Noah and I brought some joy to those kids for a few afternoons. We didn't change anyone's lives, but <i>our lives </i>were changed for the better by what we experienced. We<i> </i>learned so much and grew closer as a family as a result. Since we've been home, I have thought back to that two-room, dirt-floored house several times, and it has given me new resolve to be content with my blessings and to donate money to great causes that affect change. <br />
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And in addition to all that cool life experience we got from the service portion of the trip, we also got to stay at a nice resort and spend time in the pool and at the beach. Score! We spent most mornings out in the community doing
service and most afternoons back at the resort chillin'. It
did feel a little weird and
hypocritical to be bouncing between worlds, but we were grateful for the
nice accommodations that the Ayuda organization set up for our family, and I recognize
how much that resort helps the local economy of Puerto Plata. Like I
said at the beginning of the post, it's all just so nuanced. I could
spend the rest of my life thinking about it all (and I probably will), but overall, we just had fun and it was a fabulous vacation. <br />
<br />
Noah loved sipping pina coladas, hugging a dolphin and touching tropical birds at Ocean World, and playing with our friends' kids, Maddie and Boyd. He and Boyd played swords and called each other potty words all day long. (Oh the potty words! Five-year-old boys are something.)<br />
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I loved evening walks down to the beach with the Cardons, nice dinners with the family, and the afternoon that I spent
with just Noah, giving him a swimming lesson and eating chocolate
crepes on the beach. I sure love my Noah.<br />
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We also got to
go on a hiking/caving/swimming expedition where we slid down waterfalls
and jumped off cliffs. Super fun.<br />
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Overall, it was just a great learning and bonding experience, and though we won't be able to do something like this every year, we hope to continue traveling and doing humanitarian service with our children in the future! <br />
<br />
And speaking of, I have another adventure planned for next month: I am going to South Africa with an organization called Help One Now to work with a couple of community centers and schools there. I will have so much more to write about that experience, I'm sure. I am going with a small group of volunteers--I don't know any of them--and I am leaving my kiddos with their dad for the week. I am super nervous but I think it's a great organization, and I am honored to be involved with their work. I love seeing the world and trying to figure out my place in it and how I can help.<br />
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On to the next adventure! <br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07736424221463366337noreply@blogger.com4