The Wallpaper Paste

Sam, Annie and I went down to Dad's last weekend to help him put a border up in his bathroom.  I had gotten the border and grabbed what I thought was the paste, but it turned out to be the pre-prep paste - not the stick to the wall paste.  Dad wasn't deterred - he was determined to get it done.  

"I'm pretty sure I still have some paste downstairs.  Let me go get it."

"How old is it, Dad?"

"Maybe twenty years - I think your mom and I used it last in the kitchen, but it should still work."

Sam looked at me.  I looked at Sam.  I walked the dog.  He helped Dad put up the border.  As of yesterday, the border was still up and Dad was so happy to have it done.

"You know, that (yucky looking part of the wall) always bothered your mother.  We should have fixed it while she was still alive."  

Mom has been gone for over ten years.  It's good to know twenty year old paste is still sticking!

Thankful Thursday!

Today I am thankful for two things:

1. While walking Annie through Raven Lake, all I could think of was how thankful I am that the water I swam in this morning was so much warmer than the water the ducks and geese were swimming in today!
2. I am also thankful that my dear friend Heidi is willing to "pass out" the Stampin' Up orders from my party a couple of weeks ago - saving me time and energy that I just don't have.  It is a bonus that she was planning on seeing our Stampin' friends this weekend anyway - Heidi, you are a blessing to me!

A Day With the FOO's

We went up to Allison's yesterday and spent a day with the FOO's (Matt and Micah's Family of Origin) in order to celebrate February birthdays.  The party included two cousins Matt and Micah had never met, along with a great-aunt Matt hadn't seen since he was eighteen months old.  It was fun to explain the connections and who was who.  Check out the fun:

The Kids

The Men

The Trouble-Makers

 

Mum One

Mum Two

Oh, Poo!

My first class at the Y today was a parent/child.  I checked when we started and yes, everyone who needed them had on their swim diapers.

With five minutes left to go, we were practicing taking our little ones under the water.  As they came up, I noticed a lot of little brown chunks floating nearby.  I turned to the lifeguard and said, "Clear the pool NOW!" because I, for one, had absolutely NO desire to swim in poo!

I found it absolutely amazing how long it took some people to get out!  I mean, didn't they see it?  I sure did!  What was more amazing was that there was so much poo that the lifeguards were cleaning it out for the next HOUR!

The poor little guy's mom was mortified at first.  Then she found her sense of humor, "I guess going under water scared the crap right out of him."  I, in turn, asked her if she had bought bargain brand swim diapers.  She said, "No!"  Unfortunately, the number one choice of swim diapers for moms had split wide open!

Ana and I then spent the next hour convincing our little ones that swimming in the (FREEZING COLD) lap pool was great fun!  I'm not sure they pay me enough . . .   

Prinscio and the Ponseti Program

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I am so thankful for my husband, Sam.  His days as a fifth grade teacher with this particular class have been long and challenging.  Sometimes that makes my days long and challenging, too.  

When I found this song by Benji and Jenna Cowart, it made me think of Sam.  He is choosing the right way no matter the cost.  He knows Jesus is his only hope.  Day after day after day.  He is light in the darkness.  He will be blessed as everything is coming undone.

 

Celebration of Sight

This post is reblogged from pediatric nurse Jenny's blog, "Shine Bright."  It shares even more of the hope and healing provided by Mercy Ships.

Did you know that Mercy Ships also has an eye program?

In January, "Mercy Vision" kicked off in Benin with a goal to provide several hundred free eye surgeries! Removing cataracts is the main focus of this team and they will perform these surgeries on both children and adults over the next few months until the end of the field service. They also do other eye screenings and distribute reading glasses. Part of the program is held at the local hospital in Cotonou, called CNHU, where Mercy Ships volunteers train local nurses and surgeons so that these surgeries can continue after the ship leaves.

Many of these patients were born with cataracts; others developed them over time and have been blind for many years. A cataract is basically a clouding of the lens of the eye that blocks vision. I can't even imagine what it is like to live without sight - to be completely dependent on others to get around and not be able to work or care for your family!

Maurice waits hopefully at eye screening

A simple outpatient surgery to clear the clouded lens is performed in a few minutes and these patients go home the same day. It's incredible that this small procedure can change the course of a person's life - especially when that person has no hope to find a surgeon or pay the exorbitant fee to get cataract surgery in this country.

Last week, I was privileged to get to witness the first Celebration of Sight in Benin this year! A few weeks after their surgeries, the patients return for a follow up appointment and then they all join together for a time of praise and thanksgiving to God for giving them back their sight. Other Mercy Ships crew members are invited to come and join in this celebration of 44 people whose vision has been restored. There was music, singing and lots of dancing- as well as several testimonies from a few of the patients! Young and old patients alike shared stories of waiting years for someone who could fix their eyes or trying to save huge amounts of money only to be told their case was too difficult for the local surgeons. One after another they came to the front, praising God for bringing Mercy Ships to their country and healing their sight, until the chaplains finally had to limit the number for lack of time!

 

I want to declare this day, the 17^th of February, ‘The Day for the Celebration of Sight’!” Says Rita, who dances in her pink patterned dress, able to see for the first time in years. “Every year on this day, you must praise God with your family,” she shouts. “ Praise God that we have sight!!!

I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to attend this celebration. It was an honor to witness these transformations and hear some incredible stories of HOPE restored. The eye program did not run while I was on the ship last year so this is the first experience I've had with it. Vision truly is so important in life and I'm very glad the program is back again this year in Benin to change more lives one eye at a time! Just another way Mercy Ships is following the model of Jesus to heal the sick, give sight the blind and bring good news to all people.