Ramping Up

Here we go. Or should I say, here they come. As in, here comes John and here comes the holidays. Which means, here comes Jimmy too.

Preparations are required. John will grace our doorstep on Sunday, following the Northeaster up the coast from New Jersey. He has a pause in his http://www.mlb.com/  career because, did you know, baseball is not a year round sport? Kind of like a teacher's schedule, where there are a couple of months a year that everyone goes home, or takes vacations, or whatever. John's break is Nov/Dec. Yay for me, that's what I say!

So, Sarah, Kitty and I will rejoice come Sunday. I've got all the edible, prerequisite goodies in place because I've got to fatten that boy up. Living on your own, for a guy of 22 years, does not necessarily mean eating well or enough. We will take care of that!

And we will see Jimmy for Thanksgiving, which cannot come soon enough. But now that I think about it, it's right around the corner. And his flight is secured ;)

So forward we go.

In Compassion news, I received my final correspondence 'child' today, assigned to me from India. I seriously need to study up on this country and the culture because now I have 2 from here. Anyway, her name is Amala and she is 20 years old. When I get her picture via email I will post it. She is very pretty...and very grown-up! She is in her last year of schooling and lives at a hostel with other students. Her financial sponsor has only written to her once or twice so I get the chance to do that until she graduates and maybe afterwards, we will see.. Lucky me! I am so curious about her life, her family and her future plans...it's much different than writing to the little ones. I like it.
There is a book I am reading called Sheba's Song. It is written from the perspective of a young girl in India. She grew up in the 70's and 80's, sponsored through Compassion. Over the years, many letters were exchanged between Sheba and the middle-aged couple that sponsored her. At that time, she was quite shy and did not tell her sponsors a lot and did not answer some of their questions about her life. But as an adult, she wanted to finally answer all their questions. And that is the premise of this book. She presents their letters and answers their questions in detail. It's very interesting. You get a good idea of life for Indian girls. An eye-opener.

Did you know that children who receive letters from sponsors save every single letter? They treasure each one, keeping them in as safe a place as possible. They are highly valued by the children and their families, they matter. And that's what sponsors try to convey to these kids--that in the midst of poverty, they matter. They are important. And valued, just like every single letter they receive.

So good all around. Ramping up, as they say!

The Bed

Well, you've heard about "The Bed". I wrote about it a few posts ago. I was waiting to see if insurance would cover the full size for Sarah. A SleepSafe Bed. And they have decided that they will. So this is awesome news. And a little unsettling too. Change is always a bit nerve wracking when it comes to Sarah. Because usually, when there is change in Sarah's world, it means that I must change how I do things with Sarah. And this will definately be true with "The Bed". It means that I will have to lift her from the bed from a different level, put her in the bed at a different level, do her care while she is in the bed a different way and at a different height, use the side rail in a different way, put her shoes on a different way....so many little things that will be different. It's all in the details, you know. And it makes me uneasy. Because, right now, I have everything down to a science and Sarah knows exactly what to expect and when. She knows how I lift her, how I place her, how I pull her up to a sit. And because of this predictability, she knows which muscles to relax and which ones to tighten and exactly when to help the whole process along. It's like a symphony.

And now, it's all gonna change. Yes, in the long run, it is safer for her. but in the short run....not so good. We are going to be befuddled and out of sorts. We won't know what we are doing or when. She won't like a different mattress or a new view. She won't like that I am unsure how to go about things. She's going to be mad. I am not looking forward to it.

And another thing, it's a little sentimental for me to be changing Sarah's bed. It's like getting a wheelchair. It makes a statement. I love her little bed in the corner with the white siderail and pretty flannel sheets and white dust ruffle. It's sweet and girlie. We've had it for 14 years. And she is in it at least 14 hours a day. What's it going to look like when the monster bed is in there? Ugly? I don't know. Maybe it will be OK.

But this I know for sure: She will be safe. She cannot fall out. And she will have more room. It is better for her. So I guess I better get over myself and concentrate on the adjustment period that is coming. Fun times.

So here's the 'before photo', taken yesterday.

We'll see how it goes.

Wilawan

I didn't want to let anymore time go by without introducing Wilawan from Thailand. She is now a member of my Compassion Family! She will be 9 years old next month and lives with her grandparents. She is in third grade and helps out at home by making beds, cleaning and buying/selling in the marketplace. She likes dolls, bicycling, marbles, listening to music and playing hide-and-seek. I don't know if she has any brothers or sisters, but that information will come in time :)

I have sent her an introductory/welcome letter with a couple of pictures. I am just thrilled to become a part of her life. Isn't she sweet?

I have received 'first letters' from Kwame(Christopher) in Ghana and Habiba in East India! Each child has their own unique style, which makes it very interesting. Both of the letters are written in english(yay!). Both of these children are too young to write yet, so their communication is written for them by one of the center workers. Each drew a picture for me. Kwame drew a mango(lol) and Habiba drew a pinwheel full of colors. Kwame, in Ghana, has 3 sisters and one brother. He wants to know if I live in a 'storey house'. I am thinking he means  an apartment complex? He lives in a little village. He loves soccer. I sense that he is very shy :)

As for Habiba, I do not know the gender of this child. Compassion identifies Habiba as a girl, but the letter I received refers to him as 'a very cute boy'. So I called Compassion and they are sending someone from India down to Habiba's center to find out whether he's a girl or a boy. Anyway, his favorite color is pink and his favorite food is rice and chicken curry. He has one brother, who is 3. He asks me to pray for his mother's health. His(her) father is deceased. Habiba wants to know more about me.

So there we are. I have not heard yet from Eros. Every day I check the mail......

Sickie chickie

This week Sarah has been sick. With fever and a cold, which involves Vicks, vomiting, a vaporizor, daily prednisone and a doctor visit. Not to mention a decongestant and antihistamine. And a mama who can't go into work. However, I can say today that she is on the mend. All we have left is the vaporizor. Yup, just down to that last gasp. Or cough.
The doctor visit was supposed to be her 15 year checkup but we combined it with a sick visit. She could not get her flu shot because she was on the prednisone so I have to wait a couple of weeks now for that. Luckily for me, they bring it right out to the car in the parking lot, so i don't have to lug her in :)

Sarah is in the 1st percentile for height and weight.  How cute is that? My petite girl. Her BMI has improved, so the doc was happy. Here are a few shots of her this afternoon while we wait for the cable guy to hook up John's room.

And lastly, Jimmy was able to get to the World Series Game last night and I received this text :)

.................................................................................I love him.

Sarah's Sunny Sunday

Rolling along, we are

Sarah is adjusting to her new room. I still haven't gotten to drawers and  closets, but it looks good on the outside. Also, I have to get cable set up in John's new digs. My room feels overly large and empty without my sidekick in there with me. I'll get used to it, if it remains permanent.

Exciting news. I received my first letter from one of my Compassion Kids! Luisa, from Colombia. I was surprised it came so soon. She wrote in spanish and Compassion translated it for me on her paper. She tells me her mom's name is Elizabeth and here dad's is Elkin. She has a brother named Juan Andres. She listed all her friends and their ages. Her favorite food is red beans. She is hoping we will be good friends for a long time (awww). She sends a kiss my way. She has a few questions for me. She drew a picture of herself with me, standing in the grass with sun and clouds. She sent a Psalm.

How sweet is that?

And so this new journey begins. My journey with far-away children. I need to send them all Christmas packets in the next week or so. That way, they will be received in time for the holiday. Also, Eros John from the Philippines, turns 11 on December 24th, so that's on my mind too.

I know I am 'officially' doing the giving, but in reality, I find that I am receiving.