tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61331160266239421482024-03-13T18:45:36.842-06:00CAREFREE TIMELESSNESS...smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-65400035372121507162015-10-04T22:36:00.001-06:002015-10-04T22:36:26.626-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week my companion and I witnessed a miracle. Like a big one. Coolest thing ever. So last week I talked about that woman who got all of her stuff stolen by her daughter in law. So she had no money and borrowed about $150 bucks to buy a new machine and some coconuts to start making money again. Last week we met with her and after we gave her our lesson Elder Brewer said the closing prayer. He asked God if Ming could have a miracle in her life. We left and then came back a couple days ago. We rode our bikes to her little hammock place and she told us something that just blew my mind. She said the day after we prayed with her she was walking and just found a bag of money on the ground with like 200,000 rial (60 bucks)!!!! Which is an insane amount of money. Especially in Prae Choo. She already payed a lot of the money back before she found the bag so now she is almost done paying back all the money! Man, that experience just totally reminded me that God truly knows us. He cares about everyone even old sugar can juice ladies in the little town of Prae Choo. She shared the coolest testimony yesterday. SO SICK<div>
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So right now we have about 6 investigators with baptismal dates, but the other day we were visiting some of them and we found two of them totally drunk or in the process of becoming drunk. I was so mad cause we pulled up to Om june's house and he was sleeping, or I thought he was he was just so drunk he couldnt even sit up. He saw us and then got up and started to yell all around to the other little huts to come learn with us. Ha it was way funny cause he made no sense but also way sad cuz he hadnt dranken anything for like 2 weeks and he was supposed to get baptized soon. So we got to wait a while for him now. Alcohol is just so dumb. It literally ruins so many lives here. Lots of dads just get super depressed because of how hard their life is and just give up. </div>
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I think it was on Wednesday, we started to wait on the rode to hop on a car to get to our other area. We were walking down on the rode and this lady with her toddler girl came up to us with some pretty desperate faces and was asking for money. I opened up my wallet and gave her 10,000 rial which isnt even 3 bucks and handed it to her. Apparenly that is a ton of money to give a beggar here, but i didnt know that, she looked at the bill and just started to cry. Like a lot. She got on her knees and was just saying thank you thank you and crying. She got up picked up her kid and was on her way smiling still tearing up. That experience was just one of those moments in your life where you just reevaluate everything. If 3 dollars can make someone that happy, I need to change some stuff. I just, idk ,me feeling bad about myself not knowing anything didn't really seem that important anymore. Every day im just realizing how truly blessed we are. Sometimes we just have no idea, and I’m finally realizing it. </div>
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Funny story, the other day we were in a lesson and Elder Brewer pulled out his scriptures and when he was passing them across the bamboo table this purple goop fell from the banana leaves that were covering us and landed on his scriptures. We looked up and this semi big lizard was just staring at us. It totally pooped on his scriptures and left a nasty stain! HA the little kids were dying. Oh and another thing happened that was just wierd. We were teaching like this 60 year old woman (idk thats just how old she looks) and in the middle of the lesson this little kid came up on her lap and she just started breast feeding right in front of us with not a care in the world. It was just one of those moments where you're just like whoah is this actually happening, and then that turned into when you cant stop smiling or laughing, and it wasnt even funny but like I couldnt stop smiling and laughing. I just did my best to bite my tongue and just stare at her face. We shared for a little longer and then left. Way funny. </div>
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We had zone conference last week and let me tell ya President and Sister Christensen are some of the coolest people ever. They are just so passionate about making this mission amazing. I love it. President Christensen talked about being an accidental disciple and a deliberate disciple. He pretty much told us that most of us were accidental disciples and how we all needed to transition to become a deliberate disciple. He said its your choice to CHOOSE if you are going to be someone who follows Jesus Christ because you have to or becuase you truly want to because he is your Savior and your older brother. Im definitely butchering it, but man he killed it. It was so awesome.</div>
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The mission is going good, I still barely understand anything but I'm trying my best. The Church is true and I love how happy it can make sad people. It truly gives people hope and a divine purpose here on Earth. Love you all</div>
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ELDER SMITH </div>
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Beautiful ruins</div>
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We got really lost.</div>
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smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-71743510736135705902012-12-23T09:01:00.003-07:002013-02-03T19:35:22.712-07:00Give a little bit...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are people all of us have met in our life that capture our hearts from the moment we meet them. At first we may not even be able to recognize why we are so drawn to them--but for some reason, they stand out amidst the hundreds of people we know. The feelings may come through admiration for what they have accomplished or overcome in their life. They may come as a result of a common interest or goal. You may feel drawn to them simply because of the way you feel when you are around them. An orphanage in Cambodia did just that to our family's heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we were on our humanitarian trip last year the first place we visited was an orphanage in Cambodia called the Cambodia and International
Children Friend Organization or CICFO. The name they decided to call the orphanage
still makes me smile. It is a small orphanage that is home to around 35 children. I hesitate to even call it an orphanage because the
images and feelings that come to mind when you hear that word
are usually negative. But what makes CICFO so amazing is that it truly feels like a home. The children are happy and thriving. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is hard to explain what it feels like when you are there. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even though these children have been through so much in their life, I never felt anger from any of them. They were genuinely happy and worked together for the common good of all. </span> They respected each other and were full of gratitude for a place to live and the opportunity to go to school. But even more than that, was a great feeling of belonging. They knew they were loved and were part of a family. They all contribute to various chores to make it run smoothly... </span><br />
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I never saw complaining or frustration when it came time to help out--unlike my home where we have been known to have weeping and wailing when it is time for Saturday jobs, dish duty, toilet scrubbing, laundry folding, or the dreaded play room clean up. I was hoping some of their willingness to pitch in without complaint would rub off on my kids :) I loved what I felt there as the children all worked together--they knew it was a combined effort to get everyone fed and have clean clothes, to understand schoolwork, and clean up. That was one of my favorite things about CICFO--they all worked and helped each other. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These are the two women who started it all--Botevy and Vanneth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICM6X7zeB0Fkfezy_Kcz-XOJF9WY1D-xlsythUtJZqymUxCHk_xq3LiOr_iQ0F5uT_z5xlKWBbQVZaa57NUGpT0barXFUPoc7GEJRJdH15AmonoEbROrpZSsCnZ6cJRTmyojAxI3pM7fT/s1600/IMG_9852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICM6X7zeB0Fkfezy_Kcz-XOJF9WY1D-xlsythUtJZqymUxCHk_xq3LiOr_iQ0F5uT_z5xlKWBbQVZaa57NUGpT0barXFUPoc7GEJRJdH15AmonoEbROrpZSsCnZ6cJRTmyojAxI3pM7fT/s640/IMG_9852.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In 1975 Pol Pot overtook the Cambodian government with his Khmer Rouge, a communistic group. (Please take a moment and read</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cicfo.org/content/orphanage-story">here</a> and</span></span></span> here (except the link is not working so google carefreetimelessness Pol Pot and it will come up) to see how this affected Botevy and Vanneth personally. It will help you understand the background to CICFO.) Pol Pot was a dictator who reigned until 1979 and was responsible for killing 3 of the 8 million<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Cambodians living at that time. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, professors, business men, officials ranked in the military, and anyone who wore glasses or knew how to read were killed. Millions of others were starved or tortured to death. There was nothing left after his reign. This beautiful country had to completely start over. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There were many orphaned and abandoned children. In 2004 Botevy and Vanneth decided to do something to help these children. Botevy would stop them and say, "Why are you not in school?" The children would tell her they did not have enough money to buy a uniform. This really saddened Botevy and Vanneth so they slowly started taking children in to help them. Soon after CICFO was created. What a blessing it is to all who live there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Botevy and Vanneth refer to all the children that live there as their own. On one of the last nights we were there we gathered under the stars outside and sat together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The children shared a little bit more about themselves and what they liked to do. But without question, not one of them finished speaking (through a translator) without sharing their feelings about Botevy and Vanneth. The expressions of sincere gratitude for them was deep rooted and part of their very core. They were very tender, emotional words. The amount of love and respect they have for their "mothers" was felt and noted by all who were there. When someone takes you out of your current conditions of poverty, uncertainty, hunger, and emotional heartache and gives you a humble home but the opportunity to go to school, have 3 meals a day, and feel unconditional love--your heart is forever theirs. Botevy and Vanneth are changing the stars for all of these children one by one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later on that night my mind kept wondering back to the starfish analogy. I am sure most of you have heard the story of the starfish numerous times, but if not I will share it here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Strolling along the edge of the ocean, a
man catches sight of a young boy. Drawing closer, he sees that the beach
around him is littered with starfish. He is throwing them one by
one back into the sea. The man lightly mocks the boy, "There are stranded starfish
as far as the eye can see, for miles up the beach. What difference can
saving a few of them possibly make?" Smiling, the boy bends down and once
more tosses a starfish out over the water, saying serenely, "It
certainly makes a difference to this one."</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone could say the same thing to Botevy and Vanneth..."There are so many children in need here in Cambodia. How is your little orphanage of 35 going to make any difference at all?" But when you go there, and you become friends with these children and see how Botevy and Vanneth have given them hope, a family, unconditional love, education, and a vision of what life can be for them--it is absolutely awe inspiring. 35 children will now have completely different lives, which matters very much. Families will be created and those 35 children will turn into hundreds of people... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before coming to CICFO two siblings at the orphanage yearned to be able to go to school. They lived with their grandmother who was very old and trying to support them. They were very poor. She would make Cambodian desserts for the children to sell. As they walked around selling these desserts they would see other children dressed in blue pants or skirts and a white shirt on their way to school. How they wished that they could have a uniform so they could also attend school. They said that they would sell their desserts as quickly as they could and run over to the school. They would crouch down outside the classroom window and listen to the teachers teach the students. As she spoke they would repeat the things she said out loud so that they could also learn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those siblings went from being sweet humble children like this: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To a sweet humble child like this...all dressed up in a school uniform. </span></div>
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They now have dreams of going to college, becoming professionals, giving their future children a stable home, and helping their families. The stars have changed for these sweet children. It makes me smile just thinking about it.<br />
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One thing that is a constant battle for CICFO is having enough funds. Since CICFO feels very much like a family, we didn't want to start a program where children were sponsored individually. We did not want to create a spirit of competitiveness or have some children saddened because they were not sponsored. The feeling at CICFO is very much, "all for one and one for all" and we didn't want to do anything that would take away from what Botevy and Vanneth have worked so hard to create.<br />
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Would you consider donating to the orphanage as a whole? Every penny donated goes straight to the children. There are no administrative fees, as everyone on the board or involved with CICFO is a volunteer. Your donation would help buy food, pay for the children's education, (school is not free in Cambodia), clothing, and other daily needs. Eventually we would like to start an endowment fund for the children for their college education. But for now, we are concentrating on getting their immediate needs met. <br />
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If you would like to donate, you can do a one time donation or set up a monthly withdrawal from your bank account. It is very easy to do and even $20 a month is a huge help to them! You can donate anything from $5 a month to $150 a month which is the amount needed to provide for a child at CICFO.) Under the donation bar there is a place where you can write a note. If your family would like to be a pen pal to one of the children there write it in that box. The children would love it! <br />
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I read about a family that wanted to teach their children to give back. They wanted their children to have to <b><i>sacrifice</i></b> something for someone else. They got a jar and put it in their kitchen. They decided that they would give up certain things so they could donate to a charity. So on the weekend when they wanted to go to the movies, they would go to redbox instead and pop their own popcorn. They would total the cost of going to the movies and subtract the redbox from it and put the remaining money into the service jar. Same thing with going out for ice-cream--they would go to the grocery store and buy a half gallon of ice-cream and eat it at home and put the saved money in the jar. They did this time and time again and the children felt so good inside. When the jar was full they donated the money to a charity of their choice. I LOVE THIS IDEA. It gives them ownership, empathy, and teaches them the value of giving.<br />
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Service and sacrifice walk hand in hand. I am convinced <i>there is no better feeling in the world</i> than to know you have eased someone's burden, brought happiness, or lifted another to higher ground. No one ever regrets it. And just so you know, once you start to give of yourself and you feel what it feels like to give, you won't be able to stop yourself :) A beautiful magnet is formed in your heart that will keep drawing you back to those in need. <br />
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Take a moment and click <a href="http://www.cicfo.org/donate-to-cicfo">here to donate</a>. It will take you to their website where you can choose the amount of your one time donation or set up a monthly withdrawal. Thank you in advance for helping out the sweet children of CICFO.<br />
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ps- If you would like to someday do a family humanitarian trip to Cambodia to visit the children go to <a href="http://www.theglobaloutreach.org/">www.theglobaloutreach.org</a> . You will get to visit CICFO and also build homes for needy families in Cambodia. It is an amazing experience. Global Outreach Alliance is a non-profit company who takes people or families to Cambodia and Africa to build homes, provide clean drinking water, and volunteer in local schools. Steven Wrigley (founder) is a man in his late twenties who uses 100% of his fees toward the project you are working on--fabulous.<br />
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smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-90606288248527410462012-05-05T05:55:00.001-06:002012-05-05T06:25:56.794-06:00Micro Lending in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever heard of Micro-Lending? It is an inspired program that helps people who have a will to work get started. Rising Star has their own program for the locals at the leprosy colonies. It is fantastic. There was one man they told us about who wanted to borrow some money for some wood working tools. I can not remember the exact amount, but it was not very much money-less than $100 for sure. He now employs over 40 people and has a thriving business. There are so many who want to work but do not have the means to just get started.<br />
We were able to meet this man who borrowed $12 for a pair of scissors and a few supplies to be a barber. He now has his own little place where he cuts hair and gives men a great shave.<br />
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Doug got a haircut and a shave and looked great :)<br />
Now imagine cutting hair and shaving people when your foot feels like this...<br />
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There is a reason he has to sit down and cover his leg (look in the above picture) so no hair will get stuck in his wound. When he took his little bandage off we all could not believe he was working so long without complaint. I am sure he is in great agony all day while he is working. When we washed his wounds it was evident. But he was so grateful to have work and to have a way to provide for his family. You see when he got leprosy his wife left him. When she heard that he had this business and could provide for them she came back to him. This sweet man's life would be one of misery and destitution-all alone with no family. Look what $12 did for him. I LOVE IT. I love Rising Star for giving people their life back, or creating one they never had.<br />
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Brandon, my little pre-med boy, was able to wrap his wounds. He did it ever so carefully and with such skill. The nurse told me, "Your son wraps better than you do." That was no news flash to me-he is a natural. <br />
After we finished cleaning all their wounds we went in to the place where all the elderly live together. One side for the men, one side for the women. This colony had a sort of "assisted living" center. I have no other word for it, maybe I should just call it a living center.<br />
I have a grandmother who is one of my greatest treasures. She is 89 years old and has always been the kind of grandmother that everyone dreams of. When you are with Grandma Logie you feel genuinely loved. She is an incredible cook, will play with the children all sorts of games for hours, she reads stories, she will start food fights, she can beat anyone in Croquet. She would take us bowling and fishing and to the local strawberry patch. She was an absolute dream. When you were with her she was never distracted with other things she had to do. We were it to her and we knew it. She is getting older now and it starting to need more care. When I walked into the building I immediately thought of her trying to live in this environment. It brought tears to my eyes for all these aged people. It is on my list to come back here and help these elderly people become a little more comfortable. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sheets, no cozy blanket, her pillowcase is an old rice burlap bag. This bed belongs to the sweet lady below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This man was so incredibly cute. I loved how he made his little area his own. He got some sticks and tied a piece of fabric to it to make a little canopy bed. He has a little radio and some pictures and a calendar. All that he owned was on that bed and look at that fantastic smile. These are the souls who find happiness in any circumstance and who have a sure spot in heaven.</td></tr>
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It is neat to see the children go and befriend these souls. Sam was "chatting" with this man and decided to take off his "live strong" bracelet and give it to him. I think there is a lot of symbolism in that. Sam in his own little way was trying to tell him to keep holding on, to endure to the end--that someday he would feel no pain and would have a perfect body of his own. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Sam gave him the bracelet the man leaned down and handed this picture to Sam. It is a picture of a painting that he made. Honestly, these souls have such little material possessions and then what they do have, they give away.</td></tr>
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Material possessions are such an interesting thing. There are possessions that we absolutely need in life and then there are those that are just kind of fun to have. Then there is a whole different category. It is the category of constantly needing more all of the time. I went and visited my school in Switzerland and there was a poster on the wall that I thought said it perfectly.<br />
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It is so well said. It causes reflection doesn't it? Do we really need a new handbag, pair of jeans, cell phone, designer shoes, or latest flat screen tv? Does there come a point where we put the jeans back on the shelf just to have some self-denial? ...to not give in to every want. Do we tell our children that we have enough clothes and we will make do with what we have already? Even if we can afford it, there is something to denying ourselves. I heard a quote once that said, "If you always give your children everything they want, they will never stop wanting." That goes for adults too. I want you to ask yourself a question. (myself included) How much time in your week is spent just looking. Looking for a new decoration for the house, surfing the internet for a deal, wondering the aisles of Target, just running from here to there buying things that we don't really need. Wouldn't it be interesting for one week to add all that time up? Then the next week tell yourself that you are only going to shop for what is needed like food or other household items. I am thinking we would gain a lot more time and save some money. I am not talking just about shopping and material things. There are other things that we can be addicted to...reading, constantly cleaning...obviously those things are great, but they can also be done in moderation. (a little disclaimer here--I know most of you reading this are probably in the thick of it raising children and that is what you should be focusing on 100%. But, if you are feeling like your kids are getting a little older and you have some extra time on your hands then this is for you.)<br />
Now, what if we took that one step farther. What if we took that time that we were mindlessly wasting and decided to use that time to serve someone? We could donate the money we would have spent to a food bank or use it to buy a gift card to Walmart for someone in your life that is struggling financially. The point being is that I think if we all become more aware of the way we spend our time, we will find that a lot can be cut out and used to lift others. But, I do think you have to schedule it at first. I think after awhile it will become second nature, just part of who you are, but at the beginning I think we will have to say, "Okay this Tuesday morning from 10-12 I am doing something for someone else." Doesn't matter what it is. It can be making cookies for an old friend and stopping by to let her know you were thinking of her. It can be sitting down and writing a letter to a family member and let them know what you love about them. It can be going to your local assisted living facility and asking them if there is someone who does not get visited regularly and would like some company. It can be setting up a scheduled time to volunteer at the soup kitchen or local boys and girls club. It can be making something crafty that your could sell and donate to a charity. There are just so many things out there to do. It is just a matter of making time for it.<br />
I am telling you right now that if you can get your teenagers to serve on a regular basis you will eliminate a majority of their ...what's the right word for it...complaints, selfishness, laziness, and boredom. They will complain at first, but don't give up. Ignore it. They will thank you someday.<br />
I remember reading an article one day about a young man who was struggling. He was disobedient, unhappy and just having a hard time. His mother had heard about an older man who needed help getting to bed each night. He needed help getting his medication, brushing his teeth, getting his jammies on etc. She volunteered her son to do it. At first he was just mad that he had to do it. He complained and had less than a desirable attitude about it. I am sure you can guess what happened. That young man grew to love the elderly man. A relationship formed and grew and he started to look forward to his time with him. His heart was changing. He started to care less about himself and more about others. It is a natural consequence of service--outward thinking. <br />
One other note. This post is not to bring guilt. It is quite the opposite. It is to help us all, mostly myself, look at what areas I can improve on to make more time to serve with my family. I am scared to death to go home and just get busy in life again. We go home in 4 days and I am trying to figure out a way to keep all that we have learned and felt right in the center of our lives. It is also important to "not run faster than you have strength." There is a time and a season for all things, so if this is not your time, let it go and keep it in your heart for when it is manageable in your life.<br />
Okay, back to the leper colony.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte just fell in love with this lady and kept picking her flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two ladies were sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This man was sooo tall and he was a yoga expert. We loved looking at his photos, pretty incredible.</td></tr>
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This is one of my all time favorite experiences. (Did I already post about this? If I did, skip on. ) This man spoke really good English. He asked Sam what he wanted to be when he got older. Sam told him he wanted to be an entrepreneur. The man did not hear him right, and he said, "You want to be a doctor?" <br />
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He then took both of Sammy's hands looked him right in the eyes and said, "Always use your knowledge to bless the poor people of this earth." What a wise soul. Shouldn't that be the goal for all of us? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High fives are a universal language :)</td></tr>
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<br /></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-67083566950198879452012-04-25T14:08:00.000-06:002012-04-25T14:08:20.131-06:00Galilee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is really just going to be a journal entry for myself. I will add pictures later, but for now I just want to get some of my thoughts on paper. Being in the Holy Land does something to you. There is a reverence that comes. I can literally feel myself more at peace. My mind is slower. Not slower in the sense of not being able to think straight. Slower in the sense that I don't have a million things running through my mind. I naturally have not been interested in things that might detract from the spirit that is here. I have such a yearning to feel what is to be felt here. <br />
When you sit on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and look out over it stories that you have learned about your whole life start to play out in your mind. You envision the Savior walking on water and reaching out to save Peter. You see Him calming a storm. You see him calling his apostles to come and follow Him. You see Him gathering His disciples to teach and train them. You see him performing miracles. And what you really see and feel is that the Savior loved. He loved the little children. He loved the blind. He loved the downtrodden. He loved the sinners. He loved his mother. He loved his apostles. He loved giving the people understanding of the gospel. He loved to teach. He loved to heal. He loved. He was perfect. He never hurt anyone's feelings. He never judged. He never wanted his happiness over anothers. He was temperate. He was patient. He was </div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-12471223531306772492012-04-23T14:04:00.002-06:002012-04-23T14:05:14.629-06:00Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our family is now on a tour of the Holy Land. My husband and I both did a study abroad program through BYU at the Jerusalem Center in Israel. It was life changing. I count it as one of the most significant experiences in my life. We were there for 5 months and grew to love the Holy Land. So many times during these last 17 years my mind has wondered back to the feelings of this special land. There are 3 places that stick out in my mind...The Sea of Galilee, The Garden Tomb, and the Garden of Gethsemane. The feelings I felt in those places often float above the pages as I read in the scriptures. They are still so fresh.<br />
Coming back to the Sea of Galilee today was like coming home. We spent a few weeks here when I came before, so I have a lot of memories. I used to climb this one tree and sit in the branches and read the New Testament overlooking the Sea. As I read I would look out to where the stories actually took place and it all came alive. It was a time in my life where all I had to think and worry about was myself. I had all the time in the world to soak up any information I wanted. I would wake up early to sit with the teachers at breakfast and try to glean any extra angles or facts from them. I loved that morning time. I would sit out overlooking the city of Old Jerusalem and read and think. I came to Israel with a testimony of the gospel. I left Jerusalem having gained an unquenchable thirst for more. More understanding, more studying, more pondering, more prayer, more gratitude. It was like my whole life I had been living on appetizers. I had not taken advantage of the feast before me.<br />
When I sat along the Sea tonight the feeling was exactly the same as I had all those years ago. I felt peace. There is a calming effect that washes over me. I feel still inside. I can feel a reverence take hold of my hand and help me to just listen. In my mind's eye I envision the Savior there beckoning his apostles to become fishers of men. I see the Savior reaching his arm out to Peter to walk on the water to Him. So many stories...but what is a common thread between them all is the love behind all that the Savior did. His intentions were always pure. His love was perfect. He wanted the best for everyone. He cared for the one. Individuals were important to Him. <br />
Throughout our service trip I have realized that we are experiencing just the tip of the iceberg. I feel like I am gobbling up appetizers again. The feelings we have felt and the joy that has been ours is leading us to the feast. We can not go home now and not continue to give of ourselves. We know too much now. We have felt too much to go back and just be. <br />
Everywhere any of us turn there are those in need. When we help here and there on a service Saturday or at Christmas time we are enjoying the taste of the appetizers. We feel happy when we do that. Happiness is a direct consequence of serving others, but when it is inconsistent and few and far between we do it less. Why? Because we forget the feelings we felt when we did them. We forget about the pure joy that comes. We forget that if we would do it more often the problems that we have would dissipate. They might not go away, but they would be easier to bare. I promise you that. <br />
As you read I am sure your mind is thinking, "I want to help, I really do, but I just don't know how." What I have learned and have gained an unshakeable testimony of is that if you want to, you will be guided. Simple as that. As you do research and ask around in your local communities you will know what is right for you and your family. It will just feel like it fits. A couple of years ago I read an article in a magazine-I think it was Family Fun while sitting at a doctor's appointment. It was all about how different families across the U.S. helped those around them. A couple of them stuck out in my mind.<br />
The first family found out that peppermint is one of the only tastes that those going through chemo actually like. They decided that every week they would make and package homemade peppermint ice-cream and bring it to the cancer wards at their local hospital. One of the mother's told that family that their ice-cream was the only thing that their daughter would eat the last few weeks of her life. They were so grateful to them for providing such a service to their family. Now, they might have thought at the beginning-"It's just ice-cream. Is anyone really going to like it? What if nobody wants it?" I promise you as you start to want to serve those voices will come into your head. They will tell you that your little act of service is just that--small and insignificant. They will try to talk you out of whatever it is you want to do. But, you just push through that. You ignore them. There is not a person on this planet that is not touched or grateful for a simple act of kindness. Follow your gut-that is the best advice I can give.<br />
Another family decided that they would deny themselves of certain things and put that money in a jar to donate to a charity. So when they wanted to go out for ice-cream they would say, "Ok, let's go buy a gallon of ice-cream at the store and bring it home and eat it instead." They would add up what all the separate cones would have cost and they put the difference in a special jar for their charities. Instead of going out to a movie they would rent one instead. I love that idea because the kids are feeling the feelings of, "I will give up something I like to help somebody else."<br />
Whatever it is, pick something. Gather your families together and counsel with each other. What is your family passionate about? What is something you could do that comes naturally to you? What is something that doesn't come naturally but would be really good to break through and see you can do hard things together? There are hundreds of possibilities. It is everywhere, all around us. Think. Ponder. Pray. Find out what it is that you and your family can do to begin feasting from the joy that comes when we give of ourselves to others. It is a win win. Others are blessed, we are blessed. I love how the Lord works. </div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-50868136770639001442012-04-18T00:31:00.000-06:002012-04-18T00:31:12.690-06:00Our goodby at Rising Star...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have weeks and weeks to catch up on as usual, so I will go back and forth a little in my posting. We have not had very much internet access as of late. Thank you for the well wishes and thoughts over my Delhi Belly issues. After over a week of a migraine and vomiting issues I am finally coming out of it. Boy was that a long week. I started to panic that I was pregnant because it just wouldn't go away. I have no idea how I did that 6 times. So, so grateful I did it, but not sure I could do it again. I'm old now.<br />
We left Rising Star and it was a very emotional goodbye. Lots of tears and promises of keeping in touch and coming again. We received so many gifts from the children. It was the widow's mite for most of them. We received dozens of letters, pieces of their own jewelry, little rocks, Olivia was given one of the girl's chudadar dresses (which I am sure was probably one of 2 that she owned), belts were given to the boys, a Jenga game, lots of bracelets, Matt got a tie, and a soccer ball which took one of the boys 2 solid months of good behavior at school to earn...it was one of those moments where you want to give it all back to them, but when you try the look of hurt is worse. They want to give it away. They wanted us to have a part of them. We wondered how we were going to fit a soccer ball in our already over backed bags, but there was no way we were going to leave that behind. The letters were my favorite. Here is one of them...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8RFuzESwATXcxGgTnCxYh238p6P26zFDoXuHw03cqixR3G9XSV_bs_9U8OtA7Rak8vFd8a2ie3QruiRf4oU3EzHV_26VjwlC0cDHlJSItNxX-JethTkujZp9Ycu6yvBFmBCPZEjx6Nkf/s1600/IMG_4373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8RFuzESwATXcxGgTnCxYh238p6P26zFDoXuHw03cqixR3G9XSV_bs_9U8OtA7Rak8vFd8a2ie3QruiRf4oU3EzHV_26VjwlC0cDHlJSItNxX-JethTkujZp9Ycu6yvBFmBCPZEjx6Nkf/s640/IMG_4373.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v53zvgRGHa38AiGoHCt1r6aWk9QKKZn-ajQ2AUjA9O1WiFihdhxWkmY8lFwNQXNEDMogbS2fWhgSGQYEnLo-3HUHWuRDa6R7kRwiw3sXlVg4My900_f-ngYjIhTxm4Rl3aCOQj0bZ43Y/s1600/IMG_4448.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v53zvgRGHa38AiGoHCt1r6aWk9QKKZn-ajQ2AUjA9O1WiFihdhxWkmY8lFwNQXNEDMogbS2fWhgSGQYEnLo-3HUHWuRDa6R7kRwiw3sXlVg4My900_f-ngYjIhTxm4Rl3aCOQj0bZ43Y/s400/IMG_4448.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my sweet girls came up to me and carefully took out this little stone from her pocket. She put it in my hand and folded my fingers over it. I know it was special to her and I will keep it in my scripture bag to remind me of all that I learned in India. Notice all the little bracelets--my other hand had twice as many. So. sweet. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnzQygWL6G5K_GWgBu_hk-_WOI7tfkbUf2HAXpFjcBiv-UZMVngiM1-fwE7j2qCCZHqZYFMTSrj7lI6pwHbNBoe3XLBuUT7XI8nmyI4LnHZMgH44xE2JD5rr9oymNOFsAr34wsM2cm9gc/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnzQygWL6G5K_GWgBu_hk-_WOI7tfkbUf2HAXpFjcBiv-UZMVngiM1-fwE7j2qCCZHqZYFMTSrj7lI6pwHbNBoe3XLBuUT7XI8nmyI4LnHZMgH44xE2JD5rr9oymNOFsAr34wsM2cm9gc/s640/IMG_4371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I am in love with this picture. It is so funny that they put Charlotte on Matt's shoulders. She was always up there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyddAqRDt9EzrCH73mJoed1Wz2c0eyQvysF1vmPI0ZB8F9Y9aqzJSfHBB-CXtQYaFh2Lppo-v7WqVKK8cwcXf9NARGnzV3F-uehy1VR4hdfCMCE6OJ0WHLHe3XM2k_eqtECJBJJ_vEAu3/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyddAqRDt9EzrCH73mJoed1Wz2c0eyQvysF1vmPI0ZB8F9Y9aqzJSfHBB-CXtQYaFh2Lppo-v7WqVKK8cwcXf9NARGnzV3F-uehy1VR4hdfCMCE6OJ0WHLHe3XM2k_eqtECJBJJ_vEAu3/s640/IMG_4343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devi and Miryam just loving on Olivia the night before we left</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm21fE86P9vuecBC7ZnHp2iKzYrajgXF9kH1KQLheWevpsQB5RGDFHOkQD2Mh571xuJRS1C29x-Qkdg9fpRQiNbWJLw9YCMAde_OUxOHpwDF_zwACXzvhc323Ba0Ng55KCLt-pXPIDYuh/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm21fE86P9vuecBC7ZnHp2iKzYrajgXF9kH1KQLheWevpsQB5RGDFHOkQD2Mh571xuJRS1C29x-Qkdg9fpRQiNbWJLw9YCMAde_OUxOHpwDF_zwACXzvhc323Ba0Ng55KCLt-pXPIDYuh/s640/IMG_4342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK4bC6jPYBjw887w1dkAlYZrv7L5REi5oPN3vfI-bRIqM3k2Qp5jWMtteEC2cs2H2B4By-5tMT_x0L0VxIOhZZ8brgXBeG1HY_7FP9GY2XmHaTb9VoYOYBTAsYkQ0YvaM0OcXmvIDSYry/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK4bC6jPYBjw887w1dkAlYZrv7L5REi5oPN3vfI-bRIqM3k2Qp5jWMtteEC2cs2H2B4By-5tMT_x0L0VxIOhZZ8brgXBeG1HY_7FP9GY2XmHaTb9VoYOYBTAsYkQ0YvaM0OcXmvIDSYry/s640/IMG_4266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little cutie is Jennifer. We became so close to her. She spoke very good English. She is the one who gave Olivia this dress of hers. Salt of the earth. Look at that smile.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipidOV4Dkn2Vh6ahIA_yIa7U0xDigoMWmv6QJz7J7Vfdqggb26E6z6JbcMYyByGIAw2lAkz-aLXRdXVpf40XH_-kRPpEZLbK5dLdKbVeKBZ4EnPTK27PYGRYNa8cRSk3UJUipEYoD5NirS/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipidOV4Dkn2Vh6ahIA_yIa7U0xDigoMWmv6QJz7J7Vfdqggb26E6z6JbcMYyByGIAw2lAkz-aLXRdXVpf40XH_-kRPpEZLbK5dLdKbVeKBZ4EnPTK27PYGRYNa8cRSk3UJUipEYoD5NirS/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This is my house family. Every night we would go over after dinner for a couple of hours and help with homework, do their nails, dance, paint, talk, and just feel like a family. They all called me Mommy and it melted my heart. Once again wishing I could bring all 15 of them home with me. I miss them so much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34QdJv5ADIvNiD8gbJSHXFs0Sk-QyCDJfufIStjxQ47vU3t7ANLaVXsco5rP-0y9ULm8p1iRLSAW_7FEba54ohIa4RLf7SdE6ZOH8MCkUjfoKmdgIhy7WW8fJqMYwXL8ajNibYDdHk-S7/s1600/IMG_4337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34QdJv5ADIvNiD8gbJSHXFs0Sk-QyCDJfufIStjxQ47vU3t7ANLaVXsco5rP-0y9ULm8p1iRLSAW_7FEba54ohIa4RLf7SdE6ZOH8MCkUjfoKmdgIhy7WW8fJqMYwXL8ajNibYDdHk-S7/s640/IMG_4337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This is Matt's house family. The kids kept asking us to all come together because they had a surprise for us. They were so incredibly excited to show us. We got up there and they had put a ribbon over the door that they cut when we walked through with balloons and a heartfelt message on the board. Have I told you how much I love these people?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQxZbrh3XsEXr1oReMkjWf2shHr-130xpIfY5IjKsDNIyW6-4OVZ5siHbuT7UAIZSYbwgkvmI-VvFNWlaxO3MEiPQZ_QOYbLu87LfXhtRStuuXlU1xsVbCacYwA2OIiVZLnqVuNaCQLPx/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQxZbrh3XsEXr1oReMkjWf2shHr-130xpIfY5IjKsDNIyW6-4OVZ5siHbuT7UAIZSYbwgkvmI-VvFNWlaxO3MEiPQZ_QOYbLu87LfXhtRStuuXlU1xsVbCacYwA2OIiVZLnqVuNaCQLPx/s640/IMG_4384.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the tie they gave Matt. I'm sure it will get much use because of the gift behind the gift. We have no idea how they got it, but it will be treasured.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcmpO-Xxmx_Vvsh9Q8G_M1M6qcKFUn1lDRplfx9mY6c45611uttG3cdWaoCvgD9Y3TJKW0xsLqH6ETgVq6gbCUYjtlq2rAyJ5Iwux7PouOs65IPgvkWM-0l1XYn4ot8_7JIPULWSbrqoq/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcmpO-Xxmx_Vvsh9Q8G_M1M6qcKFUn1lDRplfx9mY6c45611uttG3cdWaoCvgD9Y3TJKW0xsLqH6ETgVq6gbCUYjtlq2rAyJ5Iwux7PouOs65IPgvkWM-0l1XYn4ot8_7JIPULWSbrqoq/s640/IMG_4394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc9XLL8ckNFhci8scbFVYqTB1Y1uy7QRawue7YlOR0-9DOWqQDP6gvEJ61xjQ346v2u1ZX_oFh71SDNy9o-a1uH195gw7m7UvcAZVAUg4tD5vJ9qXlGBsMLkjEp7mwv5tAjYELC_CyLkY/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc9XLL8ckNFhci8scbFVYqTB1Y1uy7QRawue7YlOR0-9DOWqQDP6gvEJ61xjQ346v2u1ZX_oFh71SDNy9o-a1uH195gw7m7UvcAZVAUg4tD5vJ9qXlGBsMLkjEp7mwv5tAjYELC_CyLkY/s640/IMG_4397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu92_dY9XXsfD3LbQ6gCV5tDcgAsPO6AUZKGS5XwzhATt4xOHOicC5CmMmxPQ11WGQ7z-pBGF1TUczFUWf7oL9IIzeLQsskYhFH8tGzAwn3M7YNHVUjl50okQg_z5n5lSmiB_WqqQvoX/s1600/IMG_4400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu92_dY9XXsfD3LbQ6gCV5tDcgAsPO6AUZKGS5XwzhATt4xOHOicC5CmMmxPQ11WGQ7z-pBGF1TUczFUWf7oL9IIzeLQsskYhFH8tGzAwn3M7YNHVUjl50okQg_z5n5lSmiB_WqqQvoX/s640/IMG_4400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see the flowers in my hair? The house mother in my family got up early to make it for me as a goodbye gift. They gather flowers and tie them together with string. That is now drying in my scriptures as well. Love those gifts from the heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_gN6Qe-RHSgByD_FrGJ0usWSHhzLFEqJvyqKRhHZs8eXyUTwzPI-OpXpvaw7oL4gT7ZCyehE1a36u6t8O0uyXay3Oe0CHCkYlBy97EwlAxVR0pmkzUce5ChN9_ERikn2dqn01iJBnHC5/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_gN6Qe-RHSgByD_FrGJ0usWSHhzLFEqJvyqKRhHZs8eXyUTwzPI-OpXpvaw7oL4gT7ZCyehE1a36u6t8O0uyXay3Oe0CHCkYlBy97EwlAxVR0pmkzUce5ChN9_ERikn2dqn01iJBnHC5/s640/IMG_4410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy, Sammy. The girls were all love sick over Sam. They wanted to always see pictures of him on my computer. They would touch the screen and then kiss their fingers all while saying his name and laughing. So funny. I don't think he minded the celebrity status.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr4WMJfRQzbEQPUG2G1pNeCLpVcoJLnJLnHMuMZq46T9hYtrJ5Kyr10oShpUuMVPHT7NSz0g1Jspm7CNG5UN3jma8sa4ULaKfpdWR-nxoei6tjRrynV-Xee69guZMaKV-1fZBNXPyesTK/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr4WMJfRQzbEQPUG2G1pNeCLpVcoJLnJLnHMuMZq46T9hYtrJ5Kyr10oShpUuMVPHT7NSz0g1Jspm7CNG5UN3jma8sa4ULaKfpdWR-nxoei6tjRrynV-Xee69guZMaKV-1fZBNXPyesTK/s640/IMG_4416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon has always been a friend to all</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGzRppU68Y-_7qRiwuXUBch4oOLH6f25mj686qeOrNX1RAE3E1NY8YEbgQmHvM3Suld0pQguv5OstMdyMGiH4AAxi1W92yjL6GeZaDm1IkFyvMcq5s0f5rKMjUJWPUNitGgbDMeKUWek/s1600/IMG_4417.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGzRppU68Y-_7qRiwuXUBch4oOLH6f25mj686qeOrNX1RAE3E1NY8YEbgQmHvM3Suld0pQguv5OstMdyMGiH4AAxi1W92yjL6GeZaDm1IkFyvMcq5s0f5rKMjUJWPUNitGgbDMeKUWek/s640/IMG_4417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon had his share of followers as well. This little one in the front named Mymonisha was head over heels in love with Brandon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUXhv8ZqwaJBViA7iSo4CqQFQQJ7YSn6sioesVWk39yVGGzi-iGqGVgOuro7hfT8MUroi6DSytgo6hStc0ZfnijLWhXNHFKwCNmhJLLJEDpkd5-2XOR0D4ZVqtiI_Iz4BPP6G52NBjwp/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUXhv8ZqwaJBViA7iSo4CqQFQQJ7YSn6sioesVWk39yVGGzi-iGqGVgOuro7hfT8MUroi6DSytgo6hStc0ZfnijLWhXNHFKwCNmhJLLJEDpkd5-2XOR0D4ZVqtiI_Iz4BPP6G52NBjwp/s640/IMG_4426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally just had to walk away from my girls cause we were now really late for our flight. I turned around and snapped one last picture. We all felt a little deflated. Man I miss those girls.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUONf5FrXxkyaXq7QALNypUqyFj2nRvUVTapmX_UQZnSwSV2h0fQ0CZAtwKbXZ3BfWtIrgG0IgZ-kTQiZtEDfwow8jbvSq3eweQTTz_zOa4bNs8yJxeGhclB4G3tOZqW9TDyxuznA2lR4/s1600/IMG_4429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUONf5FrXxkyaXq7QALNypUqyFj2nRvUVTapmX_UQZnSwSV2h0fQ0CZAtwKbXZ3BfWtIrgG0IgZ-kTQiZtEDfwow8jbvSq3eweQTTz_zOa4bNs8yJxeGhclB4G3tOZqW9TDyxuznA2lR4/s640/IMG_4429.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg675StLf833Qy7qNLIGvixOvYDDEbFnwK3lR0TjmCYgqQFwKU4YuZqPP7_LgRseVYsJrsB6EucWwKElhQZChldo8DmaOFD6BGUpvhidGadsetqP2LGJDPKNqiX0yexHcWS-nOAihmPhyhS/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg675StLf833Qy7qNLIGvixOvYDDEbFnwK3lR0TjmCYgqQFwKU4YuZqPP7_LgRseVYsJrsB6EucWwKElhQZChldo8DmaOFD6BGUpvhidGadsetqP2LGJDPKNqiX0yexHcWS-nOAihmPhyhS/s400/IMG_4441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the necklace and earrings?-more little gifts from the girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>M.Rojul is the teacher in the 10th Standard here. We had been at Rising Star a couple of days and she came over and sat with me. She said, "I have been watching you with your family. I am so amazed. I want to have a family just like you." You know what words like that do for a mother, especially when you have those days where you feel like you are anything but a good mom. We became friends over the next 3 weeks. I found out she has liked a boy since she was in high school. He is of a higher status and so their families will not allow them to get married. She says, "So, we will just wait." More of the story came later when she told me that it was her grandmother that was so opposed to the marriage. So, they are waiting very patiently to see if hearts will change and they will be allowed to be married. A love marriage! That does not happen very much around here.<br />
I look so weird in this picture because I was crying having to say good bye to her. She handed me this letter-<br />
Dear Smith Family,<br />
Thank you so much for your help at Rising Star. I am very happy to meet your family here. Every day I was watching your kids! There are amazing! Allyson and Matthew you are an amazing pair and you have wonderful kids. I learned from you how to understand, how to be kind, how to be good parents. In my future-if , then she crossed out if and wrote when I have a child I will follow your habits to grow (teach)my children.<br />
Samuel-He is very good boy. He has open minded. He is very nice and kind.<br />
Brandon-You are so cute and brilliant boy. You are very good teacher. You teach the kids how to be kind.<br />
Olivia-You look like an angel! You are very kind and loveable girl. You have a beautiful smile. You are amazing and will have a very bright future.<br />
Tyler and Ashton-Keep smile always! You two little boys I love you so much!I can't believe how much you helped our kids here. Have a good luck.<br />
Dear cutie girl Charlotte- You are like a baby but you obey your parents nicely! I like the way you kiss. All the kids love you soooo much here.<br />
By love with, M.Rajul<br />
I'm hoping to get a marriage announcement in the next couple years! She is a gem and a fabulous teacher. She has only learned English in the past year.<br />
The night before we left we had a dance party. These kids can dance!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUoMO7sA9OHNk9qF9GLv8UVcKzYhV_0GS0hduO2exzOtqr0qGQWE3idY6v4DMB6EVR5nWmtI7V6sROii6rbsfmepAgzXX_Ny7BDeE52tDUAAHG_PJ1EF_yyYdnR8KL5Pw8iPmctkMW8C/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUoMO7sA9OHNk9qF9GLv8UVcKzYhV_0GS0hduO2exzOtqr0qGQWE3idY6v4DMB6EVR5nWmtI7V6sROii6rbsfmepAgzXX_Ny7BDeE52tDUAAHG_PJ1EF_yyYdnR8KL5Pw8iPmctkMW8C/s400/IMG_4290.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> The ONLY one Charlotte ever let hold her. She just loved him-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOfd4q7YJGkLKR6uNA71XahcbWLincq2u29Q4_TjHew8VnHSEF_F3mAz2SlmmugKxT0rPazTV7hG66GcIAdpC1j3IuvHdY6dJ00D9O1yzEoROGjVZqHLteOnwRs8TBnuxpjMJ91bD4sa/s1600/IMG_4292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOfd4q7YJGkLKR6uNA71XahcbWLincq2u29Q4_TjHew8VnHSEF_F3mAz2SlmmugKxT0rPazTV7hG66GcIAdpC1j3IuvHdY6dJ00D9O1yzEoROGjVZqHLteOnwRs8TBnuxpjMJ91bD4sa/s400/IMG_4292.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtETQtzdMcNKlGq_r7fE6n4wKSOHgQpIukucYuWPWwCuVN78pmA6ZWV_by6Xfs4HIc6RTwwzBrCkS9JFmdCn4AIyFXFnYXwFRrBZNQxvdB1CwBGVphYWeXTCP5HByPfP1UvyBufuhIMy/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtETQtzdMcNKlGq_r7fE6n4wKSOHgQpIukucYuWPWwCuVN78pmA6ZWV_by6Xfs4HIc6RTwwzBrCkS9JFmdCn4AIyFXFnYXwFRrBZNQxvdB1CwBGVphYWeXTCP5HByPfP1UvyBufuhIMy/s640/IMG_4301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My house family girls -Jennifer, Sagaway, Trischia, Miryam,and Monica</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKw_27I6ZCLWS-0t0Pf_wA0FHa5gdyUCkQc5QJxLbeWc9_pFeazp6iHgwZe9j8J1IdfIdbN4J8plcDa_A2IHEVCD843pSfjvw5hTaLvvGXKLsS3CqkP6HcpC6CqKFnDl6KKKQ4J7e4tZ/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKw_27I6ZCLWS-0t0Pf_wA0FHa5gdyUCkQc5QJxLbeWc9_pFeazp6iHgwZe9j8J1IdfIdbN4J8plcDa_A2IHEVCD843pSfjvw5hTaLvvGXKLsS3CqkP6HcpC6CqKFnDl6KKKQ4J7e4tZ/s640/IMG_4305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMfXJSB11vGkK0izM3tHSpnfrMpdjxJWpnm2YIelE58nuw8b4Thktc-7nK9-i01eBwktUBcyHwqoKWrty1m6NIQKswdMAAmsQbiRmX59I-Eto5i8HkXSFqzfiq6eUzT1j12-V_p4Hk0uS/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMfXJSB11vGkK0izM3tHSpnfrMpdjxJWpnm2YIelE58nuw8b4Thktc-7nK9-i01eBwktUBcyHwqoKWrty1m6NIQKswdMAAmsQbiRmX59I-Eto5i8HkXSFqzfiq6eUzT1j12-V_p4Hk0uS/s400/IMG_4315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolaji on the left was my reading buddy. We spent many hours reading Magic Tree House books together. He worked so hard every time. Love that kid.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKi2v6eJ5TFq2M7MA1eb-O-INw8Exi9vbj6IEhgMm1WT4z-8-GbVSwnhBaGod4d0_pJo03BoXFeV0um9KxytVo8VAVUYBBGAkt2GUdLQaj4nnLicpBC1_vDUXFs1On5XVYyJl4yLfoVtP/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKi2v6eJ5TFq2M7MA1eb-O-INw8Exi9vbj6IEhgMm1WT4z-8-GbVSwnhBaGod4d0_pJo03BoXFeV0um9KxytVo8VAVUYBBGAkt2GUdLQaj4nnLicpBC1_vDUXFs1On5XVYyJl4yLfoVtP/s640/IMG_4317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Rising Star changed me and my family in so many ways. Now that we are gone, when I look at pictures my heart just yearns to be back there. I miss how we felt when we were in the middle of heaven's best.<br />
One of the greatest things I learned through observation there was to not let happiness be determined by circumstance. Happiness is a choice. It is a choice to focus on what blessings are in our life even in our darkest hour. The people we have met here are shining example of that. <br />
<br />
</div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-25903901471753144482012-04-01T23:22:00.002-06:002012-04-08T15:23:19.462-06:00One of those looks again...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUt-UtTyn72jTLP6emlaeYGHBI7tNILti91YvwGZk5xzQAetPyuykznSrBTWzTeIfDHBZXKn3Mvhy1Zn4UGBrKLa9HmUQAgYCnE_zXihSXGhPVaSnKp7Eq4Sq8uB74S7JceSeZKpZORuB/s1600/IMG_3772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> The other day when we were on our way to the Vandalore Leper Colony we had to stop for a minute to pick up some medical supplies. We waited in the car while the nurses went shopping for about 20 minutes. The kids and I were playing in the back of the van and out of the corner of our eyes we saw a man sitting on the curb behind us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J22wF9RSCNAvy-WcBANfwNOWTOOVp7YOFCqPkMLkHyv3fCp19kmgq2Vv93EYl2J3KTX6eBTRNo1Zaz0gpzcWSU6_s-6Bli436xCh246DSoB0y5qMFB4GPNy1D8SMZR2zUzHmcM5wOwoM/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J22wF9RSCNAvy-WcBANfwNOWTOOVp7YOFCqPkMLkHyv3fCp19kmgq2Vv93EYl2J3KTX6eBTRNo1Zaz0gpzcWSU6_s-6Bli436xCh246DSoB0y5qMFB4GPNy1D8SMZR2zUzHmcM5wOwoM/s640/IMG_3773.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He looked downtrodden. He looked tired. He looked like he was just waiting for someone to recognize his worth. We could all feel his worth as the car went silent. We have seen a great deal of poverty here, but for some reason this man stood out. During the rare silence in our car I took a moment to look at the faces of my children. When they see first hand those who are truly in need there is a look that surfaces from their inner most self. It stems from the gift that God gave all of us to want to lift burdens and feel sorrow when someone is suffering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE7IlN38jS5wQ04CMZVtvGqQqZ4OTMHx5YDTzuRUV3bp7vf3CEwbVVb31sm0UIIIWOO7OuN7MPlCglfCGUZdnp5RZL7gk4sv-Ql3OWabDc4yRw8gcwDCzokd7Z1RyN3n1p5sbcwInL6wC/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE7IlN38jS5wQ04CMZVtvGqQqZ4OTMHx5YDTzuRUV3bp7vf3CEwbVVb31sm0UIIIWOO7OuN7MPlCglfCGUZdnp5RZL7gk4sv-Ql3OWabDc4yRw8gcwDCzokd7Z1RyN3n1p5sbcwInL6wC/s640/IMG_3774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So much emotion comes back as I look at these photos. Matt got out of the car and gave him some money. I wish I could replay a video for all of you to look at the scene that transpired. I apologize for some of the quality of the pictures-they were taken through a dusty car window.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfeoXgb0fZ2KitOrDZKry-dudDclvTzXZ5_mSGhcRCqeXZNmA-CGsw4gXs2RJ9Wm-usVqOwY2Aw07Sz8grWwz6PJlIgtBXEEclNjTT4G6OjT8Gi289GvnWbfM06ejHA7Lau4mH_FVnSmB/s1600/IMG_3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfeoXgb0fZ2KitOrDZKry-dudDclvTzXZ5_mSGhcRCqeXZNmA-CGsw4gXs2RJ9Wm-usVqOwY2Aw07Sz8grWwz6PJlIgtBXEEclNjTT4G6OjT8Gi289GvnWbfM06ejHA7Lau4mH_FVnSmB/s640/IMG_3780.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgXEUKWXEZgUBmJRp-YH2PllkYhvWYsS8RDiV8mH753p8MKXB53jhLi_dE60C71mFSmxqo4Tp3yBr3nUpmgOm8vY-FPt3A1_69nrmuNqMC1wlfeQG5exVZnt7dLkEDRQGiucvDOqYfUlD/s1600/IMG_3782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgXEUKWXEZgUBmJRp-YH2PllkYhvWYsS8RDiV8mH753p8MKXB53jhLi_dE60C71mFSmxqo4Tp3yBr3nUpmgOm8vY-FPt3A1_69nrmuNqMC1wlfeQG5exVZnt7dLkEDRQGiucvDOqYfUlD/s640/IMG_3782.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0nAF1sNhKg9GhA4ZtoRrAU3rKOJgniQLSqcqWH6C7uYUYh-78LLh4g26suV_K13nSpdqWAgKeT8_OWok5HBDZ0X-R52KbdmJPx41VKqP90Plh4gxRUTRFWSwGx6roWLUavagjp6kjyDu/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0nAF1sNhKg9GhA4ZtoRrAU3rKOJgniQLSqcqWH6C7uYUYh-78LLh4g26suV_K13nSpdqWAgKeT8_OWok5HBDZ0X-R52KbdmJPx41VKqP90Plh4gxRUTRFWSwGx6roWLUavagjp6kjyDu/s640/IMG_3784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMONbiQLiTsAC6s8huC40dgmX6uAuhdoiuD3N0DzJ1JQ5O1Vg0Ilf9d1k3Wy37RwWTiu4tLIvC65vVYzldMTolw12cuHMMrSZREp0tlutrq-Vl2vOxepPs8h4jaHvqCEJo5JT8J7L4S8lI/s1600/IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMONbiQLiTsAC6s8huC40dgmX6uAuhdoiuD3N0DzJ1JQ5O1Vg0Ilf9d1k3Wy37RwWTiu4tLIvC65vVYzldMTolw12cuHMMrSZREp0tlutrq-Vl2vOxepPs8h4jaHvqCEJo5JT8J7L4S8lI/s640/IMG_3787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> His face is unforgettable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISmxG7pVZyBEOm5sQlZPeqd1FAeHTma5sbolZ1xrW-oUunAsf-ptcePPYnjsvbRugA92FqAHKm1IaDolAvrWEYp3YfMVbCS69_tSLaHb8RTMVAtGSh0zq79QaP8qvue_9qO9wRjxjO1Qn/s1600/IMG_3782+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISmxG7pVZyBEOm5sQlZPeqd1FAeHTma5sbolZ1xrW-oUunAsf-ptcePPYnjsvbRugA92FqAHKm1IaDolAvrWEYp3YfMVbCS69_tSLaHb8RTMVAtGSh0zq79QaP8qvue_9qO9wRjxjO1Qn/s320/IMG_3782+-+Version+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He wasn't begging. There was no sign asking for money. But when Matt handed him some Rupies his face brightened. I honestly think that more of his glow came because someone showed genuine love and concern for him. I was surprised he was even out in the city. Lepers do not usually leave their colonies. So, for someone to come near him and help him was, I am sure, a different experience for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His simple, but deep joy was palpable. He was so incredibly grateful for what we gave him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMONbiQLiTsAC6s8huC40dgmX6uAuhdoiuD3N0DzJ1JQ5O1Vg0Ilf9d1k3Wy37RwWTiu4tLIvC65vVYzldMTolw12cuHMMrSZREp0tlutrq-Vl2vOxepPs8h4jaHvqCEJo5JT8J7L4S8lI/s1600/IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMONbiQLiTsAC6s8huC40dgmX6uAuhdoiuD3N0DzJ1JQ5O1Vg0Ilf9d1k3Wy37RwWTiu4tLIvC65vVYzldMTolw12cuHMMrSZREp0tlutrq-Vl2vOxepPs8h4jaHvqCEJo5JT8J7L4S8lI/s400/IMG_3787.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a moving experience for all of us. I still think of him. I still regret that we couldn't stay longer to help him get back home and make sure he had a place to stay, food to eat, and just make sure he was taken care of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is something in these poverty stricken leprosy patients. It is hard to explain it properly. They have hopeless lives, but exude such gratitude for the smallest of gestures. Whenever we do the smallest little thing for them their faces light up being a natural reflection of their countenances. How can people with such hardships exude such heartfelt happiness and I dare say contentment? I have found it over and over again. Do they wish they didn't have leprosy? Yes, I am sure that they would prefer it that way, but with this disease that continues to cause problems even though they have been cured, they are not hardened or grumpy or mean. It is absolutely amazing to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the nurses came back we were on our way to the Vandalore Leper Colony. This is what we were welcomed with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXtnObcXRVhzKZyFIJcWqjIEwJbI1dPpkSTg83z79oJsXP5FoNMjST0Oc9H3tNLpYNb611H6dRbf7UTWiU1wCb2dgp80Rh9b-ZPn2OFu1EVQZZgLF8GgwN8sO0ZQf6o7sf_g2sQwvlIy0/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXtnObcXRVhzKZyFIJcWqjIEwJbI1dPpkSTg83z79oJsXP5FoNMjST0Oc9H3tNLpYNb611H6dRbf7UTWiU1wCb2dgp80Rh9b-ZPn2OFu1EVQZZgLF8GgwN8sO0ZQf6o7sf_g2sQwvlIy0/s640/IMG_0834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPEJI2pXEOZAWQoOamcyrDZ0sP7ZDuzlvxPudLlhzdqhtHOV3veH6chpcjNcmag14MJpFou-EmftYQdmAaVJvrVrzr_daMz9TLopUfwwPuO2bmLOoEewEtcegOmiO6O0B2S7Vf73IqL4L/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPEJI2pXEOZAWQoOamcyrDZ0sP7ZDuzlvxPudLlhzdqhtHOV3veH6chpcjNcmag14MJpFou-EmftYQdmAaVJvrVrzr_daMz9TLopUfwwPuO2bmLOoEewEtcegOmiO6O0B2S7Vf73IqL4L/s640/IMG_0845.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONcuhrj6WM6EN5KAWp86JpHC34ycpPptN4mp5y_bNAwsNwYlYpnzyy5NrxDPCiPBEiDJTdtbe1TKFM5boIiCKxTkbWvVuaKkcDv23LK_-M1GarXLqyGb-w2auqXP2RP_WafGBX3HXByhS/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONcuhrj6WM6EN5KAWp86JpHC34ycpPptN4mp5y_bNAwsNwYlYpnzyy5NrxDPCiPBEiDJTdtbe1TKFM5boIiCKxTkbWvVuaKkcDv23LK_-M1GarXLqyGb-w2auqXP2RP_WafGBX3HXByhS/s640/IMG_0846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were jumping up and down and making faces at us. They were edible. These kids steal my heart over and over again. The one funny thing about India is they all want a picture taken of them. Then they go get all of their relatives and want individual pictures taken of everyone, family pictures, aunts and uncles, sisters etc. They never get photos of themselves, so I have a lot of printing to do when I get home for them. Here are some of the classics...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWNQ70nY0Z7KBXuf34tofN9meEXucxPRxppk6v5dlHFNzsJKKDt-fH08j5OOeFY751d_JqEzk3n6sohcI_aiHagRWK6VQQkzpL09sUSxnXoLVNEzBJXwjxFRbo5W6IGFTQ6uwHiJrtl9N/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWNQ70nY0Z7KBXuf34tofN9meEXucxPRxppk6v5dlHFNzsJKKDt-fH08j5OOeFY751d_JqEzk3n6sohcI_aiHagRWK6VQQkzpL09sUSxnXoLVNEzBJXwjxFRbo5W6IGFTQ6uwHiJrtl9N/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUt-UtTyn72jTLP6emlaeYGHBI7tNILti91YvwGZk5xzQAetPyuykznSrBTWzTeIfDHBZXKn3Mvhy1Zn4UGBrKLa9HmUQAgYCnE_zXihSXGhPVaSnKp7Eq4Sq8uB74S7JceSeZKpZORuB/s1600/IMG_3772.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a>Aren't they all so cute? I have about 200 more :) <br />
One of the sweetest things I have seen on this trip was of a young married man carrying his grandmother everywhere she needed to go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH1LVy3s-ZKr17bDlJ_wPf5cc9SN4FolLWQVLsNitsaNkiSdT8w1eIcNWZVHBjUgHEMdX4AeoOgaWP9Rv5GhpGoPHd2ud3PyL2yv1Rht9Ow3TrWpVTuxFZWpR4YPBT5IvX9r3xUE9y48a/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH1LVy3s-ZKr17bDlJ_wPf5cc9SN4FolLWQVLsNitsaNkiSdT8w1eIcNWZVHBjUgHEMdX4AeoOgaWP9Rv5GhpGoPHd2ud3PyL2yv1Rht9Ow3TrWpVTuxFZWpR4YPBT5IvX9r3xUE9y48a/s640/IMG_0894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>He was so gentle and tender with her. I hope my children will always show such tenderness to their grandparents. He is a man among men. He epitomizes the type of person the Savior wants us to be like. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictVMgWKLUltD3UdVkOv0slj7y6JLhn_FSKxwex2l5CyZfizcaVwsvlTn6i722WJUdikV1dWzC2pDgUMTx-W-cTS6kwx7hYcEduxq5F6-zHysFjbB7euliLy9QPghDcZmnujP5KnwWIdI_/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictVMgWKLUltD3UdVkOv0slj7y6JLhn_FSKxwex2l5CyZfizcaVwsvlTn6i722WJUdikV1dWzC2pDgUMTx-W-cTS6kwx7hYcEduxq5F6-zHysFjbB7euliLy9QPghDcZmnujP5KnwWIdI_/s640/IMG_0897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This lady was in such pain as her wounds were being cleaned. My heart just ached for her. I looked down and Sam had instinctively reached out for her hand and held on to it until the cleaning was done to comfort her.<br />
I love seeing those innate responses in my children. It melts a mother's heart.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEop6zaM85GtWqtBRE1qYQephRREQlz_5cKjTT_dqSQiIvjbrvVIIWV_aCkqNV8gXlyvLDgLJ_-4I03H5ww3XZuFnV-0ZEX69-Nur6J1x3KgCiusxZghRSXLykxEz2jSMoqEIBa2oqtVG/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEop6zaM85GtWqtBRE1qYQephRREQlz_5cKjTT_dqSQiIvjbrvVIIWV_aCkqNV8gXlyvLDgLJ_-4I03H5ww3XZuFnV-0ZEX69-Nur6J1x3KgCiusxZghRSXLykxEz2jSMoqEIBa2oqtVG/s640/IMG_0909.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyP88gxf7FBd5TNzdVQY_T7M-A7bqd9UjTdqkkFs7UFfDHr0zKDh-XIskCLzAP5hJa_ChesC4DzqV6-n3FFtrksTQXJYFF5br-oJ8h9or3FiitoqXmjvEwz6_vQ2ljX7ySPa_4Nwto6c86/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyP88gxf7FBd5TNzdVQY_T7M-A7bqd9UjTdqkkFs7UFfDHr0zKDh-XIskCLzAP5hJa_ChesC4DzqV6-n3FFtrksTQXJYFF5br-oJ8h9or3FiitoqXmjvEwz6_vQ2ljX7ySPa_4Nwto6c86/s640/IMG_0936.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYHMJMElZ5Rnqtf_WyiCbtCOHAfRBS6Dmg-8MVShIZHHf0xNFvPz8fqxsj1pYSbygbx9kEQAajCOmg1g79CBA9F18S7cukJ5KjjrdCfaxSNk35klHYH_lbCWmGFBjCIYnZa7TsROeZ0fg/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYHMJMElZ5Rnqtf_WyiCbtCOHAfRBS6Dmg-8MVShIZHHf0xNFvPz8fqxsj1pYSbygbx9kEQAajCOmg1g79CBA9F18S7cukJ5KjjrdCfaxSNk35klHYH_lbCWmGFBjCIYnZa7TsROeZ0fg/s640/IMG_0935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This is how the Indians tell you they love you. They grab your cheek and then kiss their fingers. So cute. My computer is going to die, so I'll post the rest of this post tomorrow morning. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzukkjMMz_f5bXFtKpq0ngTJ2E3BgFLVh5fH72Vej2dkYQuTwzd6oMyqwefG7bquYFd7t5axNJVaTfu51kWVeokJ9yGNOupU2CClh6BXCYh8z6HWiV_sjiPtVE6niFhdCVLA6Q_ynzgl4/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzukkjMMz_f5bXFtKpq0ngTJ2E3BgFLVh5fH72Vej2dkYQuTwzd6oMyqwefG7bquYFd7t5axNJVaTfu51kWVeokJ9yGNOupU2CClh6BXCYh8z6HWiV_sjiPtVE6niFhdCVLA6Q_ynzgl4/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-35398858123614057022012-03-30T00:05:00.030-06:002012-04-13T01:13:25.593-06:00Our goodbye at Rising Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have weeks and weeks to catch up on as usual, so I will go back and forth a little in my posting. We have not had very much internet access as of late. Thank you for the well wishes and thoughts over my Delhi Belly issues. After over a week of a migraine and vomiting issues I am finally coming out of it. Boy was that a long week. I started to panic that I was pregnant because it just wouldn't go away. I have no idea how I did that 6 times. So, so grateful I did it, but not sure I could do it again. I'm old now.<br />
We left Rising Star and it was a very emotional goodbye. Lots of tears and promises of keeping in touch and coming again. We received so many gifts from the children. It was the widow's mite for most of them. We received dozens of letters, pieces of their own jewelry, little rocks, Olivia was given one of the girl's chudadar dresses (which I am sure was probably one of 2 that she owned), belts were given to the boys, a Jenga game, lots of bracelets, Matt got a tie, and a soccer ball which took one of the boys 2 solid months of good behavior at school to earn...it was one of those moments where you want to give it all back to them, but when you try the look of hurt is worse. They want to give it away. They wanted us to have a part of them. We wondered how we were going to fit a soccer ball in our already over backed bags, but there was no way we were going to leave that behind. The letters were my favorite. Here is one of them...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v53zvgRGHa38AiGoHCt1r6aWk9QKKZn-ajQ2AUjA9O1WiFihdhxWkmY8lFwNQXNEDMogbS2fWhgSGQYEnLo-3HUHWuRDa6R7kRwiw3sXlVg4My900_f-ngYjIhTxm4Rl3aCOQj0bZ43Y/s1600/IMG_4448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v53zvgRGHa38AiGoHCt1r6aWk9QKKZn-ajQ2AUjA9O1WiFihdhxWkmY8lFwNQXNEDMogbS2fWhgSGQYEnLo-3HUHWuRDa6R7kRwiw3sXlVg4My900_f-ngYjIhTxm4Rl3aCOQj0bZ43Y/s400/IMG_4448.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my sweet girls came up to me and carefully took out this little stone from her pocket. She put it in my hand and folded my fingers over it. I know it was special to her and I will keep it in my scripture bag to remind me of all that I learned in India. Notice all the little bracelets--my other hand had twice as many. So. sweet. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnzQygWL6G5K_GWgBu_hk-_WOI7tfkbUf2HAXpFjcBiv-UZMVngiM1-fwE7j2qCCZHqZYFMTSrj7lI6pwHbNBoe3XLBuUT7XI8nmyI4LnHZMgH44xE2JD5rr9oymNOFsAr34wsM2cm9gc/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnzQygWL6G5K_GWgBu_hk-_WOI7tfkbUf2HAXpFjcBiv-UZMVngiM1-fwE7j2qCCZHqZYFMTSrj7lI6pwHbNBoe3XLBuUT7XI8nmyI4LnHZMgH44xE2JD5rr9oymNOFsAr34wsM2cm9gc/s640/IMG_4371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I am in love with this picture. It is so funny that they put Charlotte on Matt's shoulders. She was always up there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyddAqRDt9EzrCH73mJoed1Wz2c0eyQvysF1vmPI0ZB8F9Y9aqzJSfHBB-CXtQYaFh2Lppo-v7WqVKK8cwcXf9NARGnzV3F-uehy1VR4hdfCMCE6OJ0WHLHe3XM2k_eqtECJBJJ_vEAu3/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyddAqRDt9EzrCH73mJoed1Wz2c0eyQvysF1vmPI0ZB8F9Y9aqzJSfHBB-CXtQYaFh2Lppo-v7WqVKK8cwcXf9NARGnzV3F-uehy1VR4hdfCMCE6OJ0WHLHe3XM2k_eqtECJBJJ_vEAu3/s640/IMG_4343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devi and Miryam just loving on Olivia the night before we left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK4bC6jPYBjw887w1dkAlYZrv7L5REi5oPN3vfI-bRIqM3k2Qp5jWMtteEC2cs2H2B4By-5tMT_x0L0VxIOhZZ8brgXBeG1HY_7FP9GY2XmHaTb9VoYOYBTAsYkQ0YvaM0OcXmvIDSYry/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK4bC6jPYBjw887w1dkAlYZrv7L5REi5oPN3vfI-bRIqM3k2Qp5jWMtteEC2cs2H2B4By-5tMT_x0L0VxIOhZZ8brgXBeG1HY_7FP9GY2XmHaTb9VoYOYBTAsYkQ0YvaM0OcXmvIDSYry/s640/IMG_4266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little cutie is Jennifer. We became so close to her. She spoke very good English. She is the one who gave Olivia this dress of hers. Salt of the earth. Look at that smile.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipidOV4Dkn2Vh6ahIA_yIa7U0xDigoMWmv6QJz7J7Vfdqggb26E6z6JbcMYyByGIAw2lAkz-aLXRdXVpf40XH_-kRPpEZLbK5dLdKbVeKBZ4EnPTK27PYGRYNa8cRSk3UJUipEYoD5NirS/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipidOV4Dkn2Vh6ahIA_yIa7U0xDigoMWmv6QJz7J7Vfdqggb26E6z6JbcMYyByGIAw2lAkz-aLXRdXVpf40XH_-kRPpEZLbK5dLdKbVeKBZ4EnPTK27PYGRYNa8cRSk3UJUipEYoD5NirS/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This is my house family. Every night we would go over after dinner for a couple of hours and help with homework, do their nails, dance, paint, talk, and just feel like a family. They all called me Mommy and it melted my heart. Once again wishing I could bring all 15 of them home with me. I miss them so much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34QdJv5ADIvNiD8gbJSHXFs0Sk-QyCDJfufIStjxQ47vU3t7ANLaVXsco5rP-0y9ULm8p1iRLSAW_7FEba54ohIa4RLf7SdE6ZOH8MCkUjfoKmdgIhy7WW8fJqMYwXL8ajNibYDdHk-S7/s1600/IMG_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34QdJv5ADIvNiD8gbJSHXFs0Sk-QyCDJfufIStjxQ47vU3t7ANLaVXsco5rP-0y9ULm8p1iRLSAW_7FEba54ohIa4RLf7SdE6ZOH8MCkUjfoKmdgIhy7WW8fJqMYwXL8ajNibYDdHk-S7/s640/IMG_4337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This is Matt's house family. The kids kept asking us to all come together because they had a surprise for us. They were so incredibly excited to show us. We got up there and they had put a ribbon over the door that they cut when we walked through with balloons and a heartfelt message on the board. Have I told you how much I love these people?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQxZbrh3XsEXr1oReMkjWf2shHr-130xpIfY5IjKsDNIyW6-4OVZ5siHbuT7UAIZSYbwgkvmI-VvFNWlaxO3MEiPQZ_QOYbLu87LfXhtRStuuXlU1xsVbCacYwA2OIiVZLnqVuNaCQLPx/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQxZbrh3XsEXr1oReMkjWf2shHr-130xpIfY5IjKsDNIyW6-4OVZ5siHbuT7UAIZSYbwgkvmI-VvFNWlaxO3MEiPQZ_QOYbLu87LfXhtRStuuXlU1xsVbCacYwA2OIiVZLnqVuNaCQLPx/s640/IMG_4384.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the tie they gave Matt. I'm sure it will get much use because of the gift behind the gift. We have no idea how they got it, but it will be treasured.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcmpO-Xxmx_Vvsh9Q8G_M1M6qcKFUn1lDRplfx9mY6c45611uttG3cdWaoCvgD9Y3TJKW0xsLqH6ETgVq6gbCUYjtlq2rAyJ5Iwux7PouOs65IPgvkWM-0l1XYn4ot8_7JIPULWSbrqoq/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcmpO-Xxmx_Vvsh9Q8G_M1M6qcKFUn1lDRplfx9mY6c45611uttG3cdWaoCvgD9Y3TJKW0xsLqH6ETgVq6gbCUYjtlq2rAyJ5Iwux7PouOs65IPgvkWM-0l1XYn4ot8_7JIPULWSbrqoq/s640/IMG_4394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc9XLL8ckNFhci8scbFVYqTB1Y1uy7QRawue7YlOR0-9DOWqQDP6gvEJ61xjQ346v2u1ZX_oFh71SDNy9o-a1uH195gw7m7UvcAZVAUg4tD5vJ9qXlGBsMLkjEp7mwv5tAjYELC_CyLkY/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc9XLL8ckNFhci8scbFVYqTB1Y1uy7QRawue7YlOR0-9DOWqQDP6gvEJ61xjQ346v2u1ZX_oFh71SDNy9o-a1uH195gw7m7UvcAZVAUg4tD5vJ9qXlGBsMLkjEp7mwv5tAjYELC_CyLkY/s640/IMG_4397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu92_dY9XXsfD3LbQ6gCV5tDcgAsPO6AUZKGS5XwzhATt4xOHOicC5CmMmxPQ11WGQ7z-pBGF1TUczFUWf7oL9IIzeLQsskYhFH8tGzAwn3M7YNHVUjl50okQg_z5n5lSmiB_WqqQvoX/s1600/IMG_4400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu92_dY9XXsfD3LbQ6gCV5tDcgAsPO6AUZKGS5XwzhATt4xOHOicC5CmMmxPQ11WGQ7z-pBGF1TUczFUWf7oL9IIzeLQsskYhFH8tGzAwn3M7YNHVUjl50okQg_z5n5lSmiB_WqqQvoX/s640/IMG_4400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see the flowers in my hair? The house mother in my family got up early to make it for me as a goodbye gift. They gather flowers and tie them together with string. That is now drying in my scriptures as well. Love those gifts from the heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_gN6Qe-RHSgByD_FrGJ0usWSHhzLFEqJvyqKRhHZs8eXyUTwzPI-OpXpvaw7oL4gT7ZCyehE1a36u6t8O0uyXay3Oe0CHCkYlBy97EwlAxVR0pmkzUce5ChN9_ERikn2dqn01iJBnHC5/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_gN6Qe-RHSgByD_FrGJ0usWSHhzLFEqJvyqKRhHZs8eXyUTwzPI-OpXpvaw7oL4gT7ZCyehE1a36u6t8O0uyXay3Oe0CHCkYlBy97EwlAxVR0pmkzUce5ChN9_ERikn2dqn01iJBnHC5/s640/IMG_4410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy, Sammy. The girls were all love sick over Sam. They wanted to always see pictures of him on my computer. They would touch the screen and then kiss their fingers all while saying his name and laughing. So funny. I don't think he minded the celebrity status.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr4WMJfRQzbEQPUG2G1pNeCLpVcoJLnJLnHMuMZq46T9hYtrJ5Kyr10oShpUuMVPHT7NSz0g1Jspm7CNG5UN3jma8sa4ULaKfpdWR-nxoei6tjRrynV-Xee69guZMaKV-1fZBNXPyesTK/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr4WMJfRQzbEQPUG2G1pNeCLpVcoJLnJLnHMuMZq46T9hYtrJ5Kyr10oShpUuMVPHT7NSz0g1Jspm7CNG5UN3jma8sa4ULaKfpdWR-nxoei6tjRrynV-Xee69guZMaKV-1fZBNXPyesTK/s640/IMG_4416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon has always been a friend to all</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGzRppU68Y-_7qRiwuXUBch4oOLH6f25mj686qeOrNX1RAE3E1NY8YEbgQmHvM3Suld0pQguv5OstMdyMGiH4AAxi1W92yjL6GeZaDm1IkFyvMcq5s0f5rKMjUJWPUNitGgbDMeKUWek/s1600/IMG_4417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGzRppU68Y-_7qRiwuXUBch4oOLH6f25mj686qeOrNX1RAE3E1NY8YEbgQmHvM3Suld0pQguv5OstMdyMGiH4AAxi1W92yjL6GeZaDm1IkFyvMcq5s0f5rKMjUJWPUNitGgbDMeKUWek/s640/IMG_4417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon had his share of followers as well. This little one in the front named Mymonisha was head over heels in love with Brandon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUXhv8ZqwaJBViA7iSo4CqQFQQJ7YSn6sioesVWk39yVGGzi-iGqGVgOuro7hfT8MUroi6DSytgo6hStc0ZfnijLWhXNHFKwCNmhJLLJEDpkd5-2XOR0D4ZVqtiI_Iz4BPP6G52NBjwp/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUXhv8ZqwaJBViA7iSo4CqQFQQJ7YSn6sioesVWk39yVGGzi-iGqGVgOuro7hfT8MUroi6DSytgo6hStc0ZfnijLWhXNHFKwCNmhJLLJEDpkd5-2XOR0D4ZVqtiI_Iz4BPP6G52NBjwp/s640/IMG_4426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally just had to walk away from my girls cause we were now really late for our flight. I turned around and snapped one last picture. We all felt a little deflated. Man I miss those girls.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUONf5FrXxkyaXq7QALNypUqyFj2nRvUVTapmX_UQZnSwSV2h0fQ0CZAtwKbXZ3BfWtIrgG0IgZ-kTQiZtEDfwow8jbvSq3eweQTTz_zOa4bNs8yJxeGhclB4G3tOZqW9TDyxuznA2lR4/s1600/IMG_4429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUONf5FrXxkyaXq7QALNypUqyFj2nRvUVTapmX_UQZnSwSV2h0fQ0CZAtwKbXZ3BfWtIrgG0IgZ-kTQiZtEDfwow8jbvSq3eweQTTz_zOa4bNs8yJxeGhclB4G3tOZqW9TDyxuznA2lR4/s640/IMG_4429.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg675StLf833Qy7qNLIGvixOvYDDEbFnwK3lR0TjmCYgqQFwKU4YuZqPP7_LgRseVYsJrsB6EucWwKElhQZChldo8DmaOFD6BGUpvhidGadsetqP2LGJDPKNqiX0yexHcWS-nOAihmPhyhS/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg675StLf833Qy7qNLIGvixOvYDDEbFnwK3lR0TjmCYgqQFwKU4YuZqPP7_LgRseVYsJrsB6EucWwKElhQZChldo8DmaOFD6BGUpvhidGadsetqP2LGJDPKNqiX0yexHcWS-nOAihmPhyhS/s400/IMG_4441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the necklace and earrings?-more little gifts from the girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>M.Rojul is the teacher in the 10th Standard here. We had been at Rising Star a couple of days and she came over and sat with me. She said, "I have been watching you with your family. I am so amazed. I want to have a family just like you." You know what words like that do for a mother, especially when you have those days where you feel like you are anything but a good mom. We became friends over the next 3 weeks. I found out she has liked a boy since she was in high school. He is of a higher status and so their families will not allow them to get married. She says, "So, we will just wait." More of the story came later when she told me that it was her grandmother that was so opposed to the marriage. So, they are waiting very patiently to see if hearts will change and they will be allowed to be married. A love marriage! That does not happen very much around here.<br />
I look so weird in this picture because I was crying having to say good bye to her. She handed me this letter-<br />
Dear Smith Family,<br />
Thank you so much for your help at Rising Star. I am very happy to meet your family here. Every day I was watching your kids! There are amazing! Allyson and Matthew you are an amazing pair and you have wonderful kids. I learned from you how to understand, how to be kind, how to be good parents. In my future-if , then she crossed out if and wrote when I have a child I will follow your habits to grow (teach)my children.<br />
Samuel-He is very good boy. He has open minded. He is very nice and kind.<br />
Brandon-You are so cute and brilliant boy. You are very good teacher. You teach the kids how to be kind.<br />
Olivia-You look like an angel! You are very kind and loveable girl. You have a beautiful smile. You are amazing and will have a very bright future.<br />
Tyler and Ashton-Keep smile always! You two little boys I love you so much!I can't believe how much you helped our kids here. Have a good luck.<br />
Dear cutie girl Charlotte- You are like a baby but you obey your parents nicely! I like the way you kiss. All the kids love you soooo much here.<br />
By love with, M.Rajul<br />
I'm hoping to get a marriage announcement in the next couple years! She is a gem and a fabulous teacher. She has only learned English in the past year.<br />
The night before we left we had a dance party. These kids can dance!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUoMO7sA9OHNk9qF9GLv8UVcKzYhV_0GS0hduO2exzOtqr0qGQWE3idY6v4DMB6EVR5nWmtI7V6sROii6rbsfmepAgzXX_Ny7BDeE52tDUAAHG_PJ1EF_yyYdnR8KL5Pw8iPmctkMW8C/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUoMO7sA9OHNk9qF9GLv8UVcKzYhV_0GS0hduO2exzOtqr0qGQWE3idY6v4DMB6EVR5nWmtI7V6sROii6rbsfmepAgzXX_Ny7BDeE52tDUAAHG_PJ1EF_yyYdnR8KL5Pw8iPmctkMW8C/s400/IMG_4290.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> The ONLY one Charlotte ever let hold her. She just loved him-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOfd4q7YJGkLKR6uNA71XahcbWLincq2u29Q4_TjHew8VnHSEF_F3mAz2SlmmugKxT0rPazTV7hG66GcIAdpC1j3IuvHdY6dJ00D9O1yzEoROGjVZqHLteOnwRs8TBnuxpjMJ91bD4sa/s1600/IMG_4292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOfd4q7YJGkLKR6uNA71XahcbWLincq2u29Q4_TjHew8VnHSEF_F3mAz2SlmmugKxT0rPazTV7hG66GcIAdpC1j3IuvHdY6dJ00D9O1yzEoROGjVZqHLteOnwRs8TBnuxpjMJ91bD4sa/s400/IMG_4292.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtETQtzdMcNKlGq_r7fE6n4wKSOHgQpIukucYuWPWwCuVN78pmA6ZWV_by6Xfs4HIc6RTwwzBrCkS9JFmdCn4AIyFXFnYXwFRrBZNQxvdB1CwBGVphYWeXTCP5HByPfP1UvyBufuhIMy/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtETQtzdMcNKlGq_r7fE6n4wKSOHgQpIukucYuWPWwCuVN78pmA6ZWV_by6Xfs4HIc6RTwwzBrCkS9JFmdCn4AIyFXFnYXwFRrBZNQxvdB1CwBGVphYWeXTCP5HByPfP1UvyBufuhIMy/s640/IMG_4301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My house family girls -Jennifer, Sagaway, Trischia, Miryam,and Monica</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKw_27I6ZCLWS-0t0Pf_wA0FHa5gdyUCkQc5QJxLbeWc9_pFeazp6iHgwZe9j8J1IdfIdbN4J8plcDa_A2IHEVCD843pSfjvw5hTaLvvGXKLsS3CqkP6HcpC6CqKFnDl6KKKQ4J7e4tZ/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKw_27I6ZCLWS-0t0Pf_wA0FHa5gdyUCkQc5QJxLbeWc9_pFeazp6iHgwZe9j8J1IdfIdbN4J8plcDa_A2IHEVCD843pSfjvw5hTaLvvGXKLsS3CqkP6HcpC6CqKFnDl6KKKQ4J7e4tZ/s640/IMG_4305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMfXJSB11vGkK0izM3tHSpnfrMpdjxJWpnm2YIelE58nuw8b4Thktc-7nK9-i01eBwktUBcyHwqoKWrty1m6NIQKswdMAAmsQbiRmX59I-Eto5i8HkXSFqzfiq6eUzT1j12-V_p4Hk0uS/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMfXJSB11vGkK0izM3tHSpnfrMpdjxJWpnm2YIelE58nuw8b4Thktc-7nK9-i01eBwktUBcyHwqoKWrty1m6NIQKswdMAAmsQbiRmX59I-Eto5i8HkXSFqzfiq6eUzT1j12-V_p4Hk0uS/s400/IMG_4315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolaji on the left was my reading buddy. We spent many hours reading Magic Tree House books together. He worked so hard every time. Love that kid.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKi2v6eJ5TFq2M7MA1eb-O-INw8Exi9vbj6IEhgMm1WT4z-8-GbVSwnhBaGod4d0_pJo03BoXFeV0um9KxytVo8VAVUYBBGAkt2GUdLQaj4nnLicpBC1_vDUXFs1On5XVYyJl4yLfoVtP/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKi2v6eJ5TFq2M7MA1eb-O-INw8Exi9vbj6IEhgMm1WT4z-8-GbVSwnhBaGod4d0_pJo03BoXFeV0um9KxytVo8VAVUYBBGAkt2GUdLQaj4nnLicpBC1_vDUXFs1On5XVYyJl4yLfoVtP/s640/IMG_4317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Rising Star changed me and my family in so many ways. Now that we are gone, when I look at pictures my heart just yearns to be back there. I miss how we felt when we were in the middle of heaven's best.<br />
One of the greatest things I learned through observation there was to not let happiness be determined by circumstance. Happiness is a choice. It is a choice to focus on what blessings are in our life even in our darkest hour. The people we have met here are shining example of that. <br />
<br />
</div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-20845629209337592392012-03-19T03:03:00.025-06:002012-03-20T11:45:38.086-06:00Making a Difference in the Life of Another<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is so much to write about- I'm having a hard time wondering where to start. I could write a novel about all that we have seen and learned these last 3 weeks. Our time in India have profoundly impacted our family. We have seen more abject poverty than you could ever imagine. I am so grateful for the feelings of compassion and genuine love for others that has taken hold of our hearts. All of a sudden our lives and our needs do not matter anymore. I feel like I have woken up and been enlightened to a kind of life that other people have been living, but I didn't know really existed. It is a life that is focused on caring for the needy in whatever small or large way they can.<br />
Being on this trip we have crossed paths with some of the most selfless souls on earth. They use what they have to make a difference in the lives of those in poverty. Melvin J. Ballard said, "Unless we lose ourselves in the service of others there is little purpose in our own lives." Here is one example...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-gbGXEpM-JZJuw7gSuba3n-FUKf0IU8nCYrh6DvqDCnSbrs5601qAnxTx0KtTX04iqPA65qT_6nxtj5LDwXyPKZNoNR1JbYGkcq3jCMG4kfU42nBQxzkUNRf9R81R6JWnjiHR9ZUZNhW/s1600/IMG_3558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-gbGXEpM-JZJuw7gSuba3n-FUKf0IU8nCYrh6DvqDCnSbrs5601qAnxTx0KtTX04iqPA65qT_6nxtj5LDwXyPKZNoNR1JbYGkcq3jCMG4kfU42nBQxzkUNRf9R81R6JWnjiHR9ZUZNhW/s640/IMG_3558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Wendy, mother of 5, for the past 10 years has helped impoverished women in the Philippines make jewelry. She then sells it all over the world for them. She started another one in Thailand and now in India at one of the Leper Colonies. Her foundation is called "Pearls with a Purpose." She is so inspiring to me. She is just like you and me. She had no special degree or connections. She just started from a couple of emails and it has led to a foundation of hope for women. If you need a mother's day gift, or a birthday gift, this is the best thing to spend your money on. They are beautiful, well made, and most importantly you are supporting a great cause. To order go to www.PearlsWithaPurpose.org<br />
Last night I brought my computer into my "family house." There are 200 children here and they are split up into families for their rooms and where they sleep. The 25 girls in my family all call me mom and they are so dear to my heart. We spend every evening together and I try to show them pictures of the different colonies I go to during the day so they can see pictures of their families. Last night I was showing them pictures of these women and one of the girls eyes got bright and she yelled, "That's my mom!" So Wendy, thank you for giving my "daughter's" mother a skill that is affecting generations!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w7KP8LhNOFSzP5IkE60HvbDgLzWYza0HQ1dsTeDaI7lh2_ohnn1HWp1RiKxFCYs08EQ2BCMva-hKcQEiSOMlKiqAaRZnavYRonttJrAaGGM5SyPq9obxo8whBrWGrSV34tJadPWbLRbH/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w7KP8LhNOFSzP5IkE60HvbDgLzWYza0HQ1dsTeDaI7lh2_ohnn1HWp1RiKxFCYs08EQ2BCMva-hKcQEiSOMlKiqAaRZnavYRonttJrAaGGM5SyPq9obxo8whBrWGrSV34tJadPWbLRbH/s640/IMG_3532.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>Would you like to hear another story? One of my favorite parts of this trip is hearing the stories of the people. I love hearing about their lives and their families. The lady in the above picture with the pink and green Sari on is one of the fortunate ladies to make the jewelry. Wendy started out with about 50 women who were making the necklaces and bracelets, but she could not get them all sold. So, she had to let some of the women go. She watched them and picked the ones who understood what to do and were good workers. This lady in the pink and green was slower than the rest of the girls and so Wendy was going to let her go with the others. One of the other girls there told her the reason she was slow was because she was deaf. The deaf lady said, "When you talk you are not looking straight at me, so I don't know what I am supposed to do." This lady had 2 children and a husband that made 100 RS a week-that is $2. She really needed the money and after hearing this Wendy was not about to let her go. I'm not sure of the timing of this but, soon there after when they were making jewelry an elderly lady came up to Wendy with 2 small children. She kept saying something over and over again to her but Wendy did not know what she was saying. Someone translated for Wendy and told her that this elderly lady had traveled 6 hours by bus to come and thank her for giving her deaf daughter a way to make money for their family. She thanked her over and over again and told Wendy she was a miracle in their life. Wendy buys every necklace from them and then hopes to sell them abroad. She has helped countless women be raised out of destitution. The deaf lady told Wendy that she is saving as much money as she can to get her family out of a grass hut and into a cement home. I.Love.Wendy. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGClue1P_d9GXgYylMSaEzaI5j-Q7LJtpeEo5RaxAOZX7Qi74ptIt8ct3WRIDM7TE_wOISfMfPKfQYqOhkINz1DrTJxkG4aGU8osqmZ8RqQXKV0dJOoTouJd4Lav60iuQwPY5sipSEz86H/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGClue1P_d9GXgYylMSaEzaI5j-Q7LJtpeEo5RaxAOZX7Qi74ptIt8ct3WRIDM7TE_wOISfMfPKfQYqOhkINz1DrTJxkG4aGU8osqmZ8RqQXKV0dJOoTouJd4Lav60iuQwPY5sipSEz86H/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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One more inspiring story. At this same Leper Colony (it is one of the bigger communities) a man from Austria noticed that these lepers had NOTHING to do all day. He was an artist. He came back and set up an art school and taught them how to paint. It was a very optimistic thing to try because most lepers have no fingers and no feeling in their hands. But look what he has done...<br />
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These are the artists that my children chose artwork from to hang in their room as a reminder of what they have learned and felt here. I love that one man came here, taught them how to paint, and has given them something to bring them joy in their life. They make money and they have something to fill their day. Incredible right? Those are just 2 of the examples we have seen on our trip of people taking the starfish analogy to heart! <br />
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But amidst this joy, was something that literally stopped me in my tracks and I couldn't do anything but just stare. I was in disbelief and my heart dropped. I had an inner battle of what to do. Do I pick her up and try to find her a place to rest? Do I leave her there because she looks so fragile and I might hurt her? Will she be upset if we try to move her? I wondered how on earth people could be walking all around her like it was no big deal--like it was normal for her to be lying there in the dirt moaning. The thing is, it probably is normal. <br />
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Look at the ground in the above picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNN57Imwp8YLl2HqsyTEHvLBW_IgZ6l2FUVfNRMncTtb-PXSlJByp8RGP-9w3ax_7w5xitJ2aXHUZw8K184Zy_hnuYkqKELZhxAkgRC05OqmZnWuPpypbQ9dAi-dh8ySe4QuaeKxLPBsw/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNN57Imwp8YLl2HqsyTEHvLBW_IgZ6l2FUVfNRMncTtb-PXSlJByp8RGP-9w3ax_7w5xitJ2aXHUZw8K184Zy_hnuYkqKELZhxAkgRC05OqmZnWuPpypbQ9dAi-dh8ySe4QuaeKxLPBsw/s640/IMG_3478.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEXmSanxz3p00SIB9rOx-w-W_dfFjHBuIhyphenhyphentfLA6PTlQ9IVgtDNNrcDvL_ivBo4y3mQtV9gVB_d73XvT7rL-jxmGsB8Fbx20QAhs6dKf1IsQWSge8NUvPg2KvoXYSwBHVBen-GOhqeLdp/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEXmSanxz3p00SIB9rOx-w-W_dfFjHBuIhyphenhyphentfLA6PTlQ9IVgtDNNrcDvL_ivBo4y3mQtV9gVB_d73XvT7rL-jxmGsB8Fbx20QAhs6dKf1IsQWSge8NUvPg2KvoXYSwBHVBen-GOhqeLdp/s640/IMG_3494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>There are no words. To see this elderly lady lying on the floor on an uneven surface with rocks and dirt under her was absolutely heart wrenching. How does this happen to someone? There is such surplus in the world. We need to figure out better distribution of goods. The doctor came over and helped her and cleaned up her wounds while we took care of the other patients. <br />
I have so much more to write, but I'm feeling pretty sick to my stomach from the Malaria medication. I better make a run for it!<br />
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</div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-31501020358049705932012-03-12T06:15:00.265-06:002012-03-14T11:46:49.982-06:00Can one day really change a person?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I write this post with complete reverence and humility. It has taken me awhile to be able to write the feelings of my heart because I fear that what I felt last week will not be able to be portrayed in the right way. I want so badly for this experience to be as tangible and life changing for you as it was for our family. It was a day in time that will forever be set apart from the rest. It was a day where we were stripped of pride. It was a day of complete, Christlike love for our fellow men. It was a day that renewed our desire to bless others until the day we die. It was a day of true heartache. It was a day where anything materialistic dissolved into oblivion. It was a day to remember. It was a day at the Moot Leprosy Colony.<br />
When we loaded up in the bus for a 90 minute drive to the leper colony I had a little prayer in my heart that my children would be respectful and to able to feel calm. We stepped out of the car after passing so many humble living circumstances with tender hearts...<br />
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So, with these scenes in our minds we walked off of the bus. We unloaded the van and set up our medical stations. Blood pressure, cutting off bandages, washing with antiseptic, cutting off dead tissue, wrapping wounds in bandages.<br />
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</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40U9pr2IMMhKB8IrricSvYv7Gvnin9rkI8Rdfhj9Z6JvYz_N8r2IenL0T4G4ufcguUViwuSgFwgYBdnd0lO26B1dEJ6MCWNbiK8da4MOUKEUaJDe4dwK07mWI-KXfmY4FVHjC553xYzPs/s1600/DSCF4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40U9pr2IMMhKB8IrricSvYv7Gvnin9rkI8Rdfhj9Z6JvYz_N8r2IenL0T4G4ufcguUViwuSgFwgYBdnd0lO26B1dEJ6MCWNbiK8da4MOUKEUaJDe4dwK07mWI-KXfmY4FVHjC553xYzPs/s640/DSCF4841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzEfapPf3ut3tP71XzeCG1LN_HuXfRNbrdEB62vK90_6566tGTFVT3nkFOYr6mUDvMvYRoIkWRrbth15PRIUzntL-0R3zbfjPFJBB1v98CC7aveBLFzHqN7QpSi_sEATQo7CFW9cpxQWe/s1600/DSCF4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzEfapPf3ut3tP71XzeCG1LN_HuXfRNbrdEB62vK90_6566tGTFVT3nkFOYr6mUDvMvYRoIkWRrbth15PRIUzntL-0R3zbfjPFJBB1v98CC7aveBLFzHqN7QpSi_sEATQo7CFW9cpxQWe/s640/DSCF4843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It is with no disrespect that I show these pictures, in fact it is with complete respect and reverence that I share these with you. I am quite sure that even though it is a picture, you can feel what this colony felt like. There was a sacredness and reverence there that I have only felt inside temple walls. The Lord is close to these souls. He spent His time with them while He was on earth, and I know it is no different now. My children were...I don't even know the right word for it. They were sweet, humbled, loving, sympathetic, and came away absolutely wondering why they have been so blessed in their life. Sweet little Charlotte kept saying, "How are you feeling?" There was no turning away, there was no look of horror, there were no innocently hurtful words, there was no shying away. They felt it. They felt the light that was there. I did not have to say a word.<br />
There was a man there named Jayraj. Jayraj is our new family HERO. He is a man with leprosy, shunned from society, living in a hut who exudes joy from every particle of his being. He had my kids dancing, laughing, and experiencing a little bit of heaven. <br />
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Amazing.<br />
Then there was this sweet lady-I was instantly drawn to her.<br />
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around. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13OAM0ao0pvyELHRQNxojewT2QAWuqzRUMy204j7R-tTZasGEzV2AkgtdrDXq-ZeGht6yd56HuLHt2vkkoCtTcV3du4tUSSUsiP9BdZT2ZbvlRGyJdZR2RAIVNjxaK09AIdhd1czdtNz/s1600/DSCF4839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13OAM0ao0pvyELHRQNxojewT2QAWuqzRUMy204j7R-tTZasGEzV2AkgtdrDXq-ZeGht6yd56HuLHt2vkkoCtTcV3du4tUSSUsiP9BdZT2ZbvlRGyJdZR2RAIVNjxaK09AIdhd1czdtNz/s640/DSCF4839.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
She wanted no pity. In her own way she was perfectly capable to get to where she needed to be. Even with the pain, it was all just matter of fact to her. Every time I sat with her, or one of my kids sat with her, she would rub our face with her hands. You could feel the love behind her tender touch. She would then kiss her hands and raise them up toward heaven thanking God. <br />
I imagine you are wondering what it feels like to be the recipient of gratitude like that. It melts your heart and makes you feel about 2 inches high all at the same time. It makes you want to be better, to strive every day to be as pure and meek as she is. <br />
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I get tears in my eyes just remembering the feelings I had there as I write this. I found out later how old this lady is. I thought maybe in her 60's-70's. How old do you think she is?<br />
She is 37 years old. The leprosy progressed rapidly with her before they found her. I think that is why I had such a pull towards her. She is exactly my age. Now I can see it. Now I can see passed the leprosy and see her youthful glow underneath her disease. That is why she could move as she did. I'm not sure when she contracted leprosy. I'm not sure if she was ever married or had children of her own. I'm not sure if her parents had leprosy. But what I do know is that she was so grateful for someone to love and look after her. I'll never know what it feels like to be an outcast, shunned from society and purposely forgotten. I'll never know what it feels like to be pushed out of the elevator at the hospital because people don't want you near them (true story)-- and then be forced to climb 4 flights of stairs with the remaining limbs that you have to meet with a doctor that doesn't want to treat you either. I won't ever know what it feels like to live in a community that is as big as my garage and never be able to leave. What I do believe is that these are the children of God who have already earned their reward. <b>When you suffer like these people do, and you still raise your hands towards heaven in gratitude to God, you have made it.</b> If all of us with our cushioned lives could only be so good. We would feel so much happier in our lives as well. The little, and I do mean little, annoyances or difficulties in life that we have would never even be thought of. We now refer to certain complaints or problems as "first world problems"in our family. We are joking, but not really.<br />
At some point in your life if you find a way to get out of America, take advantage of it. You just can not imagine the poverty in most of the world unless you witness it with your own eyes. It is absolutely life changing. <br />
A perfect example of this is my 15 year old son Samuel. Samuel is a typical boy in many ways, but also well beyond his years in other ways. He felt a strong connection to this man.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkMN-h5GBcS391G4MK_ZVxQIRhjmqR_JtWbIerVEOIfX82GAXqJj52BlSKZ4DTAJCE6P40jr1xHbl5XU_0Gn0wmpvrKU91Csc_g9LBmBwHSc7Ak0YQO7s1-hNH3MS5TfbpMSINdrPowYr/s1600/DSCF4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkMN-h5GBcS391G4MK_ZVxQIRhjmqR_JtWbIerVEOIfX82GAXqJj52BlSKZ4DTAJCE6P40jr1xHbl5XU_0Gn0wmpvrKU91Csc_g9LBmBwHSc7Ak0YQO7s1-hNH3MS5TfbpMSINdrPowYr/s640/DSCF4843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>He had little velcro shoes on his hands that he used to help push him around as he sat on a piece of wood with wheels on the bottom. It was very hard for Sam to see this. It really bothered him that this man was suffering so much. We all gathered together to take a picture when we were finished with the medical procedures. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf460l-OwR42VGq_xmo9ifW51P4WStrpqUXOE7UeMMU_kWaDYTM3iC-ST3NG5kORSXvup8Oe-N0rw3RMPDZaYzfllm_35n0of4BMvXK9MCRWG3Ye4-eOw_LKtu5oJ_D0m4Es10dEZwNnOU/s1600/DSCF4855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf460l-OwR42VGq_xmo9ifW51P4WStrpqUXOE7UeMMU_kWaDYTM3iC-ST3NG5kORSXvup8Oe-N0rw3RMPDZaYzfllm_35n0of4BMvXK9MCRWG3Ye4-eOw_LKtu5oJ_D0m4Es10dEZwNnOU/s640/DSCF4855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Sam noticed this man was not there and he went to find him. He saw him sitting alone in his room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-Dm-ZtNrZYv6Gs0HX0ukW8axasZvuwuIMcFGwtJ6-32nZpixlYkk_EaFOtAg53Jrx9GxCMzymNvicVy5c8je8reKxY4YVEeQrnhOS8BO38mvUIX0EmvFUZ_i7as1Gh40HDaUCaVL8c0L/s1600/DSCF4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-Dm-ZtNrZYv6Gs0HX0ukW8axasZvuwuIMcFGwtJ6-32nZpixlYkk_EaFOtAg53Jrx9GxCMzymNvicVy5c8je8reKxY4YVEeQrnhOS8BO38mvUIX0EmvFUZ_i7as1Gh40HDaUCaVL8c0L/s640/DSCF4863.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Sam went in to sit with him for awhile. He was making some sort of porridge for lunch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiFThfXciPJuPw9OfmDdpAR6wGIn4jD1RchHMrNnap7XWNK2IMwVSLnnRwak3gUw4y0Oy6cvEgBSWkS9oWXu4mlsnf1p4S6BcYG-Ku_0WdKNUf21VK5yuXUWmAWFcf73MPWPK36jI_v6z/s1600/DSCF4859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiFThfXciPJuPw9OfmDdpAR6wGIn4jD1RchHMrNnap7XWNK2IMwVSLnnRwak3gUw4y0Oy6cvEgBSWkS9oWXu4mlsnf1p4S6BcYG-Ku_0WdKNUf21VK5yuXUWmAWFcf73MPWPK36jI_v6z/s640/DSCF4859.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> He motioned to see if Sam wanted to eat with him. Sam said yes. He took a bite and said "Yummy!" really loud and the man grinned from ear to ear. He was so happy that Sam was eating with him and liked his food. Matt told Sam afterward that he did something that day that he did not know if he could have done himself. It was such a tender moment when we heard Sam did this not knowing how old the food was, if there were bugs in it, (we have had rice with maggots in it), or what it even was. He didn't even think about it, he just did it. Those are the kind of innate reactions that I have so hoped to instill in my children-- caring for others with no thought of themselves. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVae0Cp7DPAXRrM39Lvk8JAduMpszfBWClGsxS7aRPZ0Kp6P_bxG7HP1CWjN_JIHPykkW1AfmBAylHPfiOgQaX9cIRl2FnZ8LeNE8V4Ix3x8A3W9oQnovY4M7pPUpOAVAXbwgArcbSaLN/s1600/DSCF4861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVae0Cp7DPAXRrM39Lvk8JAduMpszfBWClGsxS7aRPZ0Kp6P_bxG7HP1CWjN_JIHPykkW1AfmBAylHPfiOgQaX9cIRl2FnZ8LeNE8V4Ix3x8A3W9oQnovY4M7pPUpOAVAXbwgArcbSaLN/s640/DSCF4861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Sam loved this man. He was showing a natural charity that I think even surprised him. It was a solemn, but happy day for all of us as we were taught the most important lessons in life in the middle of a leper colony in India.<br />
We said our goodbyes and got in the van and started the 90 minute drive home. It was a lot of time to be still and think about what we had just been a part of. I looked over at Brandon to see tears streaming down his face. He would wipe them away as he stared out the window, but more would just follow. Samuel had his head down most of the trip home. He was feeling the same things that Brandon was and tears started to flow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z7D-RAZdYl9RowBNVcRG14_wMee9z8czqXz2UAB1aX7d1xEgxUXV5kNCbBFcxYc2yje3GxmmFUCFPnLExLA-lzR8Nd4mfTT8uESYmp4uZfAmbMuzfsS5QUg_j_2c4bzY5DxFyzEHnS0e/s1600/DSCF4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z7D-RAZdYl9RowBNVcRG14_wMee9z8czqXz2UAB1aX7d1xEgxUXV5kNCbBFcxYc2yje3GxmmFUCFPnLExLA-lzR8Nd4mfTT8uESYmp4uZfAmbMuzfsS5QUg_j_2c4bzY5DxFyzEHnS0e/s640/DSCF4881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I think this day had the biggest impact on Samuel. He told us that night as we gathered together before bed that he felt so badly when they kept thanking him. He said he thought to himself, "Thanking me for what? For helping you because you have no legs and can't walk?" He said that when they thanked him he felt so guilty. He thought of how he would complain to himself about things in his own life that did not matter. Things like not having a pair the newest headphones or not getting another sandwich because they were all eaten, or having to work so much, or whatever. He said that his whole perspective on life has changed, and that he has changed as a person. Things that he thought were a big deal before, now have no appeal. He said that on the car ride home he promised God that if he ever made money in his life he would use it to help all these people who are suffering. It has been so interesting because ever since this experience Matt and I have not had to tell him once to study or do his homework. He said he feels very motivated to get good grades so he can help others. Melt. My. Heart.<br />
Needless to say, we will treasure that experience always. I hope these feelings last and that we will not forget our experience there as time goes on. We go back to a different colony for the next two days. One of them has over 100 people to take care of.<br />
The Cleggs (the family we are traveling with) went to a different colony on Monday. One of the men there had ulcers so bad that maggots actually fell out when they took the bandages off. Sandra said she just sat there and cried with him as she cleaned it out. He was raising his hands toward God for strength to endure the pain. Leprosy affects the nerves. For some it deadens the nerves and for others it makes them hypersensitive. This poor man was in great pain. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOSlIrfhD-qa_QS1HpZZTZrNM6SQR-fu0WbfVhfmsZR53zEl3I5kEx0Uw1qrinjSuTnSZwQ8A0tu5JXpUUTDz2FZMc26J-UgMY-Z3UlCJ3w4AiWYy1r-PImuugCXKgGq3iwx3__CXzmeA/s1600/IMG_0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOSlIrfhD-qa_QS1HpZZTZrNM6SQR-fu0WbfVhfmsZR53zEl3I5kEx0Uw1qrinjSuTnSZwQ8A0tu5JXpUUTDz2FZMc26J-UgMY-Z3UlCJ3w4AiWYy1r-PImuugCXKgGq3iwx3__CXzmeA/s640/IMG_0696.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart just aches for him. Can you see the maggots coming out of his ulcer? </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOW3ADfv6SeXeQiR9dwWF0PJ1BKVHj02ugsbcAgXUOoNSH55VJLN3tj4YXubqRr0G0-jWGA4NuEGYG1ZGiiML-qU6hqZ86rq8d0wp5L5X5nKuUvAK2da1sIMIz0Ch-Lptrryvn8ol6hOX/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOW3ADfv6SeXeQiR9dwWF0PJ1BKVHj02ugsbcAgXUOoNSH55VJLN3tj4YXubqRr0G0-jWGA4NuEGYG1ZGiiML-qU6hqZ86rq8d0wp5L5X5nKuUvAK2da1sIMIz0Ch-Lptrryvn8ol6hOX/s640/IMG_0715.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDy205NOb7WxDWBKZfLk-Zls6tu5JfzuaDd4elxBXcG44lun0kYdOHE4A9ecOFpfJVr_XvpdA8Qj7PK8AqSvqUYyVhIcvoTo-i9A7_y-sW7m4kY9Bf5ChoDiSJ_8fJMtOAdSsKLVVriEF/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDy205NOb7WxDWBKZfLk-Zls6tu5JfzuaDd4elxBXcG44lun0kYdOHE4A9ecOFpfJVr_XvpdA8Qj7PK8AqSvqUYyVhIcvoTo-i9A7_y-sW7m4kY9Bf5ChoDiSJ_8fJMtOAdSsKLVVriEF/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Can you imagine walking home on a foot that was infected like that? But, there he goes, carrying his burdens with such grace. So much to learn from people who have so little...<br />
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<span id="goog_2118783309"></span><span id="goog_2118783310"></span></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-3292708281033225742012-03-07T09:32:00.000-07:002012-03-07T09:32:53.906-07:00India :) Rising Star Outreach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I don't have a lot of time, and I am a couple of posts behind, but I just wanted to get some pictures of our India experience on Day 2. We are already smitten by these 200 children...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJS-lFCTgLmseEO3eBjsgJKGHpa-76TLZGunn6rJKFXP5e5sLBJ9l7Nnrqe8-ZUbawbxTEon8vkfpM02elUvd0a1Idwi31AHW_n8DsNOvaEtrhTaCf5iRV8Bor1S5CL2g_4bd756ihi2k/s1600/DSCF4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJS-lFCTgLmseEO3eBjsgJKGHpa-76TLZGunn6rJKFXP5e5sLBJ9l7Nnrqe8-ZUbawbxTEon8vkfpM02elUvd0a1Idwi31AHW_n8DsNOvaEtrhTaCf5iRV8Bor1S5CL2g_4bd756ihi2k/s640/DSCF4670.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children never want to let go of my kids :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utter beauty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping the children with their English reading</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching the 5 senses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte is an absolute celebrity here. The kids can not get enough of her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where ever Matt takes Charlotte, that is where the kids go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy was so earnestly showing me his splits</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls teaching Sam how to eat with his fingers...</td></tr>
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</div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-26758952111503500162012-02-29T18:21:00.005-07:002012-02-29T19:38:34.997-07:00Opening Day for the restaurant at the Home&Life Orphanage!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to start off with a little update on the coffee machine. There are not words to express our gratitude. Our goal was $1000. The idea being 100 people donate $10. Root just told me that after all the donations processed the total came to $2,250!!! <b> I love the power of people working together.</b> The extra money will go toward stocking the restaurant with other needed supplies-paper goods, appliances, and food items. <b>Thank you all so much!! </b></div><br />
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What a day it was. We got up in the morning and were so excited to get up there to finish up the last few things before the festivities started at 4 pm. We arrived shortly after 10 am. It was unusually quiet. We noticed a lot of shoes at the bottom of the stairs up to the restaurant. Then we heard some chantings that we have heard before by the monks here. We walked upstairs and saw such an incredible sight. <br />
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The Monks had come to dedicate and bless their new restaurant. I am not sure what they say when they all chant together, but I love to see other faiths and what they believe. Albert, the man who raised the money for the restaurant, said that he went to Root a couple of months ago and told him they needed to pick day to open. They needed a goal to end by. Root told him he would go to the monks and ask them what the best day to open would be. They did not get to pick the day it opened--the monks did. So, they came up with Feb. 26. I think they were inspired to do it then so we could be here! :)<br />
We all got to take turns filling 3 pots up with scoops of rice as an offering to the Monks. <br />
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I LOVE that our kids get to participate in these Buddhist traditions. Brandon's mouth is open because that particular bowl was SO hot. I wanted to do the same thing, but somehow managed to keep it together and hold it with only 2 small fingers :)<br />
The next thing they did was say a final prayer with everybody touching. The monks can not touch women so they got out some string and they held onto the string that went into all the people and then we all touched arms or backs etc. until everyone was connected. What a neat feeling!<br />
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The picture of everyone touching together is on my other camera which is out of battery so I will add it later because it is so neat. <br />
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We felt so blessed to be able to witness that ritual. I have no doubt that their blessings over the restaurant will be granted!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Let's go back to the last few days before they opened...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiYM6658JZKS0SE-Tt2O-Eu7vysA0mc_j5ljzIJOQjzpt-Poolh25jqKhOY2hW7x8alIvd7MbclXYt5wtL6_Rtggz9W5jN3xYjRTiLRN17HW-151sQjNw91K69yQ1HICR8y6KWqOkUqiB/s1600/IMG_2081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiYM6658JZKS0SE-Tt2O-Eu7vysA0mc_j5ljzIJOQjzpt-Poolh25jqKhOY2hW7x8alIvd7MbclXYt5wtL6_Rtggz9W5jN3xYjRTiLRN17HW-151sQjNw91K69yQ1HICR8y6KWqOkUqiB/s640/IMG_2081.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the stairs up to the restaurant front the patio below</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1PgB5xccxWsAy8at33jsN7VKrtOjx95skHyiWr2ivlyhy5c2rJm-Bjy8h1QB-y0Ivn3nZ-Q2B6GQ3j3Ow_YtKs05S3_dflK_G82EttuywEcnpHOedaYvt5nwUmgoh5DYGK17puYC_s1_/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1PgB5xccxWsAy8at33jsN7VKrtOjx95skHyiWr2ivlyhy5c2rJm-Bjy8h1QB-y0Ivn3nZ-Q2B6GQ3j3Ow_YtKs05S3_dflK_G82EttuywEcnpHOedaYvt5nwUmgoh5DYGK17puYC_s1_/s640/IMG_2091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leveling out the dirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3II3P2Ccah0KqPdWa4kgQvy_1IesaWdbgktJjTijvf-4XLO6yAPTIOv17Y8hJFbrvtUBKYp6oXIWeN_psWmuztTzthla8KJeLL7-aZaFBPyYLVA0jLXtjluNVvwZ8-GV2YmeFgsCmAdc/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3II3P2Ccah0KqPdWa4kgQvy_1IesaWdbgktJjTijvf-4XLO6yAPTIOv17Y8hJFbrvtUBKYp6oXIWeN_psWmuztTzthla8KJeLL7-aZaFBPyYLVA0jLXtjluNVvwZ8-GV2YmeFgsCmAdc/s640/IMG_2094.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes we got tired of moving dirt, dirt, and more dirt...notice it is dark and about 8 pm at this point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwGdOKwMxC7pAOP4J668rNKiPmGaTew9QTTzInjkBjLy-kkS-BJ8lN-PyiMpwCoaAlxceyrLIANjhJo1Los_6sL0juisSuyALtgFOpDhUG5Plij03WRxvToLqWoOA64OmKLgoQpWVTyHM/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwGdOKwMxC7pAOP4J668rNKiPmGaTew9QTTzInjkBjLy-kkS-BJ8lN-PyiMpwCoaAlxceyrLIANjhJo1Los_6sL0juisSuyALtgFOpDhUG5Plij03WRxvToLqWoOA64OmKLgoQpWVTyHM/s640/IMG_2096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are so good at keeping themselves entertained in the dirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRkuYq2e7cDNcOylk5CDpBL9VHwGQdVm-yWNLAUF9oyTW56qsH5H5WtatVxma0-Fk5oXcIhzmUfv9BPiYloppgn3zNdyA_EINXZD7Gewb3zcpgM-SnsP6UkDq2o3klFBa4yTO4I40Z08g/s1600/IMG_2105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRkuYq2e7cDNcOylk5CDpBL9VHwGQdVm-yWNLAUF9oyTW56qsH5H5WtatVxma0-Fk5oXcIhzmUfv9BPiYloppgn3zNdyA_EINXZD7Gewb3zcpgM-SnsP6UkDq2o3klFBa4yTO4I40Z08g/s640/IMG_2105.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mook, Sam, and Fa-the best little helpers around!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBJh0WXYBOPJmY_9NlGNG0gnUsYZeXZfHL2WWmBJe-cEJxnLcTz_8CmjjoalNP0U-CiZlAaV9lt-QlrOagIh9-qOSkVQCTBflwOXGuG4_xCKT7vZ6ylMi6b7rmjDEfgTxfwYTEUr85OS/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBJh0WXYBOPJmY_9NlGNG0gnUsYZeXZfHL2WWmBJe-cEJxnLcTz_8CmjjoalNP0U-CiZlAaV9lt-QlrOagIh9-qOSkVQCTBflwOXGuG4_xCKT7vZ6ylMi6b7rmjDEfgTxfwYTEUr85OS/s640/IMG_2129.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving all the scraps of wood and concrete to be hauled away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMz2Vnq0BjTJ5gw8obUWEnVxKqKb3fT0h21DFfnQ1jDN8JYbbYgGAhyphenhyphendaDfjc9f1vNwBMzdr1TwLZgcZQe6_SLFdMpPf-cbLRLRntgmbdfl5p_hmCDQeQHQ3Vyw4yGZrxWBu8AWXrTZq5/s1600/IMG_2131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMz2Vnq0BjTJ5gw8obUWEnVxKqKb3fT0h21DFfnQ1jDN8JYbbYgGAhyphenhyphendaDfjc9f1vNwBMzdr1TwLZgcZQe6_SLFdMpPf-cbLRLRntgmbdfl5p_hmCDQeQHQ3Vyw4yGZrxWBu8AWXrTZq5/s640/IMG_2131.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pupe showing off her infectious smile</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4Sqgo5Xrws4Z2vseMOiZFwjnbT9FDMIHaJn4yARn-5Y4rRyCL-P81yXLg8IyzGhZUtTzjYxYSkuxw2LxFoBxCtV_7ldnN8Mki6_OksHNYP7HKOLNPFG2UxeOlbjPa3-VjlDx0akMSTab/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4Sqgo5Xrws4Z2vseMOiZFwjnbT9FDMIHaJn4yARn-5Y4rRyCL-P81yXLg8IyzGhZUtTzjYxYSkuxw2LxFoBxCtV_7ldnN8Mki6_OksHNYP7HKOLNPFG2UxeOlbjPa3-VjlDx0akMSTab/s640/IMG_2132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6482eExWDfv3tYvymHXZxlGZHpmDVEaECBNP3oYKwoktjSZmTF01kj_LSRmdBXMl5YKiNj-ON9jAoWVnEsPeDb_B4KbO1y06QHJrEpAqHEuRWnJbIq9MCjvzuaHvXtR0yzp_Cp40i5_6/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6482eExWDfv3tYvymHXZxlGZHpmDVEaECBNP3oYKwoktjSZmTF01kj_LSRmdBXMl5YKiNj-ON9jAoWVnEsPeDb_B4KbO1y06QHJrEpAqHEuRWnJbIq9MCjvzuaHvXtR0yzp_Cp40i5_6/s640/IMG_2142.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jillian, Alexa, and Kim (volunteers from Australia-we miss you guys!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hluaA_8De3rMzKF52ckkgXmW7M1udSb4-6REPh06oHn1PP_Q_nJiuQJyfDNoZ6VileiXSq3eWgYZoOdY-E5mB67M3YyjgbCu1Qp0soSwPF2QziueZbZKJWQBqRyyGgldtdWhGk8X9bP2/s1600/IMG_2085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hluaA_8De3rMzKF52ckkgXmW7M1udSb4-6REPh06oHn1PP_Q_nJiuQJyfDNoZ6VileiXSq3eWgYZoOdY-E5mB67M3YyjgbCu1Qp0soSwPF2QziueZbZKJWQBqRyyGgldtdWhGk8X9bP2/s640/IMG_2085.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great representation of what our children look like on a daily basis :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGsGopqk3nZSwVhVgFwF-DIAwjublP9FIyL2VEbOsBaFEtAktO5esQsMyYg8ypcJxSz2NnjYYYf0hnNPEebq1dbeAos5TrzYAIuk2KXzeBDtfIFLpkJYB2sq7jBrIQrgV_ic-as6sPjgl/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGsGopqk3nZSwVhVgFwF-DIAwjublP9FIyL2VEbOsBaFEtAktO5esQsMyYg8ypcJxSz2NnjYYYf0hnNPEebq1dbeAos5TrzYAIuk2KXzeBDtfIFLpkJYB2sq7jBrIQrgV_ic-as6sPjgl/s640/IMG_2144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making progress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JHKAvU9w74kI1SQkw8Qn6yUcrESlGki3fEkYpMb7SypzFqqd8laLgnmfcRmUczmj_chS1ag-mSaIxPJU_F0NUsNXso8Ow_DULro-IkfsGBqsi_8JczLNgTtfAh75KzkofECqO9w3g13A/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JHKAvU9w74kI1SQkw8Qn6yUcrESlGki3fEkYpMb7SypzFqqd8laLgnmfcRmUczmj_chS1ag-mSaIxPJU_F0NUsNXso8Ow_DULro-IkfsGBqsi_8JczLNgTtfAh75KzkofECqO9w3g13A/s640/IMG_2145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen is coming along...</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fUY93GckNSyloLaayALglKkodNsLKg5vEmPnjdkxyyPo9bA6S-_cvPwGdLzMMB_RdZM-vvKfxs2x_f4ETIAHs6yPNMbhZTzkkRtQ_sd-_xTwLMhY7afbu_TCvAIE4kXzWUqSHEAIdi4c/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fUY93GckNSyloLaayALglKkodNsLKg5vEmPnjdkxyyPo9bA6S-_cvPwGdLzMMB_RdZM-vvKfxs2x_f4ETIAHs6yPNMbhZTzkkRtQ_sd-_xTwLMhY7afbu_TCvAIE4kXzWUqSHEAIdi4c/s640/IMG_2160.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My kids feel like they have hit the jackpot when they get to ride in their car! We decided to give all the kids a little break to cool off in the waterfall up the street. Boy did that feel good after being in that hot sun :)</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII35nAieeWwBMbyG22jr795gG9jdooExqTDquOi9q9K6QYGbbnzfx8__fhRrxYs6DUM8x7K8lkXL0lmx8-6EDAtj_A2_Z6fvVPnoo8nNg_-jndk6jZVfgl4vC8QZm2HWD_OyS_EqYSakR/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII35nAieeWwBMbyG22jr795gG9jdooExqTDquOi9q9K6QYGbbnzfx8__fhRrxYs6DUM8x7K8lkXL0lmx8-6EDAtj_A2_Z6fvVPnoo8nNg_-jndk6jZVfgl4vC8QZm2HWD_OyS_EqYSakR/s400/IMG_2156.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this pic because it shows how sweet and loving these kids are</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBk0iRCdjj9Pq-0FwACtvJG3JcL6_aYqEVYNb2C0geqdTv3NM4f8488ubqnKzA5-6NKrbvHpjUKW0hzrznGqHqwwWh-jWRetMzjbASN9VSvpjOlUBWMXn72UKBsZECS8S3Q2Alwsmnvay/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBk0iRCdjj9Pq-0FwACtvJG3JcL6_aYqEVYNb2C0geqdTv3NM4f8488ubqnKzA5-6NKrbvHpjUKW0hzrznGqHqwwWh-jWRetMzjbASN9VSvpjOlUBWMXn72UKBsZECS8S3Q2Alwsmnvay/s640/IMG_2163.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtknysmHtKY3ddBGtlTMbf8stotjzzAwZJ2XeJcMZQGY_Qb2WifgY1P1-JVE7hnrob4M3MOU-pVsceYajqH-2n7wvoLMDBhmjf4Z7QjQFahlq-XqZ72LVhiFQ1C3DbaxDbKCw-lVHarnNz/s1600/IMG_2171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtknysmHtKY3ddBGtlTMbf8stotjzzAwZJ2XeJcMZQGY_Qb2WifgY1P1-JVE7hnrob4M3MOU-pVsceYajqH-2n7wvoLMDBhmjf4Z7QjQFahlq-XqZ72LVhiFQ1C3DbaxDbKCw-lVHarnNz/s640/IMG_2171.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOOlDroWaT5VrE0f0KqwlO7xwH3Rj5LRGIOOCXKN6hkNEqxjJyHIX7EWS1c1lr9a1cme8GlwlKe18jsisW3-TyjFNB8hsWbKAdngMEHdsm4kgJddKB290pRlFE_uENRXDSl_nxr-hX8Md/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOOlDroWaT5VrE0f0KqwlO7xwH3Rj5LRGIOOCXKN6hkNEqxjJyHIX7EWS1c1lr9a1cme8GlwlKe18jsisW3-TyjFNB8hsWbKAdngMEHdsm4kgJddKB290pRlFE_uENRXDSl_nxr-hX8Md/s400/IMG_2180.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBQ7nrFvvSuY1NYqRHLpp5FSeXScnoNuP3l3cbypTdkb8k68RD32MHhKPbjgMPyjN887K2VWQ-1UWpsuwADhH0gMNZxWUZ_VuTDI0fns4iFswtfOSQuCIin9Xcs8UUcWABXSLyU7N3WWR/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBQ7nrFvvSuY1NYqRHLpp5FSeXScnoNuP3l3cbypTdkb8k68RD32MHhKPbjgMPyjN887K2VWQ-1UWpsuwADhH0gMNZxWUZ_VuTDI0fns4iFswtfOSQuCIin9Xcs8UUcWABXSLyU7N3WWR/s640/IMG_2208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHX2jVUVgAV8JMWtkBh2v15PzaUkEiygFzlN3qzQoY0foiGJ7O5F-jeDE1S5lYE8a7K3wQRE2qqM3kGfiPWVhkxUaIbJ0KohivWHFc9czdmwuc48RIP97U7UP5DC48SP6Vzlp4FyV-1SK/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHX2jVUVgAV8JMWtkBh2v15PzaUkEiygFzlN3qzQoY0foiGJ7O5F-jeDE1S5lYE8a7K3wQRE2qqM3kGfiPWVhkxUaIbJ0KohivWHFc9czdmwuc48RIP97U7UP5DC48SP6Vzlp4FyV-1SK/s400/IMG_2214.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Bum. He helps run the bakery and is pretty much the nicest person I've ever met.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV88q_9lJPm4rRiit10Sj3zwLxMvFtA5yabNgxe2Nnns3u35yH6TJL_IRhwDazN9VJDPegWAnspFK-WfTp3o9wtmfbaO9JXLnS_Y6n9uOmheXz5z5j-Mtq7geIy4ttfI4AFQdENKBAsj2/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV88q_9lJPm4rRiit10Sj3zwLxMvFtA5yabNgxe2Nnns3u35yH6TJL_IRhwDazN9VJDPegWAnspFK-WfTp3o9wtmfbaO9JXLnS_Y6n9uOmheXz5z5j-Mtq7geIy4ttfI4AFQdENKBAsj2/s640/IMG_2268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mess with the bull, you get the horns. And Doug has some big horns my friends</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMErbYuPDtXkSsUL1bvdr4OSX7Zdzrl-RbzoUhh2GL68xw6Ilt_6z0GICMycz7IdWghGTNCYfgPUgV7DeG652hr6ck2X_uZJKyUdpQHb_61Kzf1Rbgtqf3GkEFjKhicUcVJEijyd4Xla1C/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMErbYuPDtXkSsUL1bvdr4OSX7Zdzrl-RbzoUhh2GL68xw6Ilt_6z0GICMycz7IdWghGTNCYfgPUgV7DeG652hr6ck2X_uZJKyUdpQHb_61Kzf1Rbgtqf3GkEFjKhicUcVJEijyd4Xla1C/s640/IMG_2290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNLItBulVxpzWARNVfe8KzzRoVArQeQtr86q9-fRdHfF1QESaEBdj0YDvA_SN3d-Ow_fATe_65nyRsJ3GoCr-L_ongnlKa2SVQT0bJy1Oa80sJ6tPx6518CZDNjT9d5PxOt0vCsmtwaG7/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNLItBulVxpzWARNVfe8KzzRoVArQeQtr86q9-fRdHfF1QESaEBdj0YDvA_SN3d-Ow_fATe_65nyRsJ3GoCr-L_ongnlKa2SVQT0bJy1Oa80sJ6tPx6518CZDNjT9d5PxOt0vCsmtwaG7/s640/IMG_2294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part of this picture is Emily's face up at the top. I think that fear overcame her desire to jump :)</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbPlizlXEnuUm0ySrUHxNXDh9p4tzjZ2GNEv4yxR0GOCb_J5pCfO_E9o7DYP7CA3MSSV4yTamRPlE8JsiuWdJL3FLoqVeWco7uDEVEn7AyicAgfPceFDn2HxwDyCDtG8jhaviVyZ7bwBv/s1600/DSCF4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbPlizlXEnuUm0ySrUHxNXDh9p4tzjZ2GNEv4yxR0GOCb_J5pCfO_E9o7DYP7CA3MSSV4yTamRPlE8JsiuWdJL3FLoqVeWco7uDEVEn7AyicAgfPceFDn2HxwDyCDtG8jhaviVyZ7bwBv/s640/DSCF4277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOiilx8HYss1fbJfgfKjYjhSBS9D9TLs9ANNdeMOzgc5-qKFP7OldYfsoYgfzANQBMheQ0O94-DEOo071wmwGkRtUK7QSgrkqvu950pfa4lr13r8isZxaFxfkl-ZOy9H-ValomfJmH3P1/s1600/DSCF4347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOiilx8HYss1fbJfgfKjYjhSBS9D9TLs9ANNdeMOzgc5-qKFP7OldYfsoYgfzANQBMheQ0O94-DEOo071wmwGkRtUK7QSgrkqvu950pfa4lr13r8isZxaFxfkl-ZOy9H-ValomfJmH3P1/s640/DSCF4347.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids have always been great little workers, but they have amped it up here. It makes my heart smile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNhzbUf6XxoDJ6YGNVaOKtNtl3Y0ITs0sBTCPVJPtaXsLG8iW7ojK_LHLhjb-CEuwdvtXjhrUbqLHOYO0bIaUDnCM0XPiVXmGR8vPdy4SAq2ofbXrbp_j9OkxBlTx6Zq5Qn5OZn4rJ2ry/s1600/DSCF4349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNhzbUf6XxoDJ6YGNVaOKtNtl3Y0ITs0sBTCPVJPtaXsLG8iW7ojK_LHLhjb-CEuwdvtXjhrUbqLHOYO0bIaUDnCM0XPiVXmGR8vPdy4SAq2ofbXrbp_j9OkxBlTx6Zq5Qn5OZn4rJ2ry/s640/DSCF4349.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it get any better than sweat, dirt, and sunshine?</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPx8Vs5qJIu0bhvdKu-uAYMsIcCAQY9gdQ3ZLALqKxt_FSaVYUvUaPIC053YSbEJU1F8jSCobSZ5gsSXqwfRA1Ld5vI_0UgwcMIk_eeT979LHGJnW4xK5dxie7WRIbxUbdcAJrpWImZct/s1600/DSCF4350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPx8Vs5qJIu0bhvdKu-uAYMsIcCAQY9gdQ3ZLALqKxt_FSaVYUvUaPIC053YSbEJU1F8jSCobSZ5gsSXqwfRA1Ld5vI_0UgwcMIk_eeT979LHGJnW4xK5dxie7WRIbxUbdcAJrpWImZct/s640/DSCF4350.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSFk1-A5jl6OHWZ_nIcSdVyDpQ__rcGZUC86010VugjvVVkWuzYCBvwwcXizfDy9TC1ZuLHwYp9-M5HhxUahdEOqQ91wf2_BCF3tIjq_SyJJ252x8W4YmMXbfB6PyI6GrsaAZ7huTfog0/s1600/DSCF4351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSFk1-A5jl6OHWZ_nIcSdVyDpQ__rcGZUC86010VugjvVVkWuzYCBvwwcXizfDy9TC1ZuLHwYp9-M5HhxUahdEOqQ91wf2_BCF3tIjq_SyJJ252x8W4YmMXbfB6PyI6GrsaAZ7huTfog0/s400/DSCF4351.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP8wKt-HDHdENN2zmpUOZU-Uw_bPX7lTsFXD2XO0DOZ6nLNfOXPhdkDy4JDZOuWT2MwFsRD-G6z2PRQ2GBNHlHMtCclsIub1zpvpMZst326B2pc060eWEmWt70gjg70MJN-Hcfr0M_Nx7/s1600/DSCF4353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP8wKt-HDHdENN2zmpUOZU-Uw_bPX7lTsFXD2XO0DOZ6nLNfOXPhdkDy4JDZOuWT2MwFsRD-G6z2PRQ2GBNHlHMtCclsIub1zpvpMZst326B2pc060eWEmWt70gjg70MJN-Hcfr0M_Nx7/s640/DSCF4353.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvZlQibqaKjRzGVqFxvoitz2LlQQZXQrAJs7pAQem7kBa8mDHhjyHFJXp3IfV8MNkqtoPdp6i-pAhyphenhyphenrQKAqKsV6cz7Lm5ZIR1TtxVyi89qELNUHLxXVPRbLwftxD9JV9BDaChJwLG5BAO/s1600/IMG_2308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvZlQibqaKjRzGVqFxvoitz2LlQQZXQrAJs7pAQem7kBa8mDHhjyHFJXp3IfV8MNkqtoPdp6i-pAhyphenhyphenrQKAqKsV6cz7Lm5ZIR1TtxVyi89qELNUHLxXVPRbLwftxD9JV9BDaChJwLG5BAO/s400/IMG_2308.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was so good at getting the dust and bugs off with her duster!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL6NMfhUGXSkTxYSUnoAotneMy2hNXl6Dl8xuVC7ISEJco9cDJ3DGVXQ1BCpEHsBwmu-6OQP5R2PmhhriA8n6k9JK1pWDw_EG_WM1r8Zs0wXf6NqKcUFU81kKvQG_XV22tW3KzpUIz_Aj/s1600/IMG_2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL6NMfhUGXSkTxYSUnoAotneMy2hNXl6Dl8xuVC7ISEJco9cDJ3DGVXQ1BCpEHsBwmu-6OQP5R2PmhhriA8n6k9JK1pWDw_EG_WM1r8Zs0wXf6NqKcUFU81kKvQG_XV22tW3KzpUIz_Aj/s400/IMG_2313.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old fashioned window cleaning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day of the opening...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5P71iUZU0bgpurkDEk4Cf7m9gG3SsACJ8OB4e0iP8E8BY1a36KJLiEAzZXe_-o0RLJs1aPcmEatoEricyNL8NDq7t4v24TdRjtePVjSgkX9CSKSgNCIj5zrcVImpTKYxdoEhItkBs5F1/s1600/IMG_2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5P71iUZU0bgpurkDEk4Cf7m9gG3SsACJ8OB4e0iP8E8BY1a36KJLiEAzZXe_-o0RLJs1aPcmEatoEricyNL8NDq7t4v24TdRjtePVjSgkX9CSKSgNCIj5zrcVImpTKYxdoEhItkBs5F1/s640/IMG_2348.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the bakery goods packed in their containers</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarfVi5nsxxz9qCYcf_HPfMYk7nJcP_BzPIlqZqzfZll3FqkfD80EK09GXPph64iqKKUUai398FfYrXCa23ecL3IChq6p70Y4ZD8ypnFU0t9kLOF-8GS9hVMEDuflMTGhjV6SyLgIM8PQ/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarfVi5nsxxz9qCYcf_HPfMYk7nJcP_BzPIlqZqzfZll3FqkfD80EK09GXPph64iqKKUUai398FfYrXCa23ecL3IChq6p70Y4ZD8ypnFU0t9kLOF-8GS9hVMEDuflMTGhjV6SyLgIM8PQ/s640/IMG_2350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-YarPc_RNaNnO9TdyHzauFBYwPc77QN_zZ7jL4i0_XCdqibFP19_Q6DYAwo8QWPKJqQVDU5WsGCJI4gN1QDDW_VknEEAD-atawgr0n7ZDyKvgw-YE3cyOJQZriAtcyndMgvdO9cWVaBL/s1600/IMG_2359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-YarPc_RNaNnO9TdyHzauFBYwPc77QN_zZ7jL4i0_XCdqibFP19_Q6DYAwo8QWPKJqQVDU5WsGCJI4gN1QDDW_VknEEAD-atawgr0n7ZDyKvgw-YE3cyOJQZriAtcyndMgvdO9cWVaBL/s640/IMG_2359.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is edible in every sense of the word.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHe7QShwgwlre5lSt3D2SKBB9K66IhCf6KytA3fKbZR9Z9DvB3wKfG5Eb_2EUwUNxaUBfpNGoCGDEYz5G3pNMZGjLn7B2440t2qai0pXaNDO_tTncd_Tto_IiEbOMenNDfRM5Vw_rlnqrK/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHe7QShwgwlre5lSt3D2SKBB9K66IhCf6KytA3fKbZR9Z9DvB3wKfG5Eb_2EUwUNxaUBfpNGoCGDEYz5G3pNMZGjLn7B2440t2qai0pXaNDO_tTncd_Tto_IiEbOMenNDfRM5Vw_rlnqrK/s640/IMG_2361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other day I took Ashton on a little date. While we were enjoying our ice-cream cone I asked him, "Ashton, what has been your favorite part of this trip?" Without a second passing he looked at me and said, "You." It was like he was saying, "Why would you even have to ask me that?" I tell you what, I am grateful every minute of every day that that little boy is mine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzM4RZ3A50nG2vWrtmNCRVltR3WbqqX3pPTpOzZ96igXr034yFFDHVqWudVd9Xgpum7SmpBH98gagw-zHiiAf_xJ5W4BEj6HXz3PmYGqG8Z_UDuQg6fKToftExAdiawKRIyXPX8UeeFE9/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzM4RZ3A50nG2vWrtmNCRVltR3WbqqX3pPTpOzZ96igXr034yFFDHVqWudVd9Xgpum7SmpBH98gagw-zHiiAf_xJ5W4BEj6HXz3PmYGqG8Z_UDuQg6fKToftExAdiawKRIyXPX8UeeFE9/s640/IMG_2369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may not be able to tell, but this bathroom floor was covered in grout, paint, cement, and dirt. Hours upon hours of clean up!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi2lO3LG_wckm8bt4JLo0R7Ow0ZwOqwQVn9j2Ckog6kl-s4rXgoNcvD362R7stjeoQIldA4LWrnhMxkSPqOf6jDdU3pT_kjlCYWT_Nin-gXjtWHyI-qgFEuh2JgtbaNYYbmFdHSmm8i65/s1600/IMG_2372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi2lO3LG_wckm8bt4JLo0R7Ow0ZwOqwQVn9j2Ckog6kl-s4rXgoNcvD362R7stjeoQIldA4LWrnhMxkSPqOf6jDdU3pT_kjlCYWT_Nin-gXjtWHyI-qgFEuh2JgtbaNYYbmFdHSmm8i65/s400/IMG_2372.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKLHJub-yvGwxDkpryD1pt43n00eLz44dat0UDpm7BBG2K17ho5B1SuC1LsF-4MwKxaef4p0-1s693JVfYFGhyDy7wwkbdb90Is-lbUj8ihn2OoP9A3uX58enomtxMpVgI9Ss-OkZna7r/s1600/IMG_2379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKLHJub-yvGwxDkpryD1pt43n00eLz44dat0UDpm7BBG2K17ho5B1SuC1LsF-4MwKxaef4p0-1s693JVfYFGhyDy7wwkbdb90Is-lbUj8ihn2OoP9A3uX58enomtxMpVgI9Ss-OkZna7r/s400/IMG_2379.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After hours of turpentine I finally put a mask on to keep me from flying away</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen, check.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs1ZzNQpW7lAU8EU6Z5yFVS670nhgTisMON1ed-_vzH1Bm3C68jn5BDSw_hbkUtrwecwiNI8sVilXvKgWyedaq-kvqJB3nNeBN1CvtN6VCLVP8TAH5tdDM81BA-2lX-5wl8hBwLfquNbX/s1600/IMG_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs1ZzNQpW7lAU8EU6Z5yFVS670nhgTisMON1ed-_vzH1Bm3C68jn5BDSw_hbkUtrwecwiNI8sVilXvKgWyedaq-kvqJB3nNeBN1CvtN6VCLVP8TAH5tdDM81BA-2lX-5wl8hBwLfquNbX/s400/IMG_2392.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prep kitchen, check.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ESV6Za7cbPuz5BsAdAALXAgDgNTU-gmd14zbTR0z3DWN14BecdMoIEKuKlq1LhE5iy5ywNUXfoqhpj-ZZtzV67VAtNoz_FJSnQ2hnMH5i0Yivu7EAhLnOnS8zCM1_osV43OTsJQ5WB71/s1600/IMG_2395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ESV6Za7cbPuz5BsAdAALXAgDgNTU-gmd14zbTR0z3DWN14BecdMoIEKuKlq1LhE5iy5ywNUXfoqhpj-ZZtzV67VAtNoz_FJSnQ2hnMH5i0Yivu7EAhLnOnS8zCM1_osV43OTsJQ5WB71/s320/IMG_2395.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrUPV8_9zpFvylqm459FZk8DnDG84-8D2FotZcZsFg3veFf9JoHv6aGTxjAr4tCnVZAu00BfRKu4mVLgCrk4YyfQrQYMj-DrBhFoKEE43TIdNnLCZCQJwtoFUvtYFJVsg8rHA7ivgDZrq/s1600/IMG_2396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrUPV8_9zpFvylqm459FZk8DnDG84-8D2FotZcZsFg3veFf9JoHv6aGTxjAr4tCnVZAu00BfRKu4mVLgCrk4YyfQrQYMj-DrBhFoKEE43TIdNnLCZCQJwtoFUvtYFJVsg8rHA7ivgDZrq/s640/IMG_2396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio, check.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkKE5wRyHwBNTVHKTOIWIHeCIiPW3NIKuNyn2LPSK5uLCJ8h9fWRdTWSr-wSKJ18jiiBkk3nEYFJObFMzLpxHeFrO5_CBWCY1s2FvMdSdpgfN7itZdr9QHuVSzqmDXM6UhtmemZq3_z8m/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkKE5wRyHwBNTVHKTOIWIHeCIiPW3NIKuNyn2LPSK5uLCJ8h9fWRdTWSr-wSKJ18jiiBkk3nEYFJObFMzLpxHeFrO5_CBWCY1s2FvMdSdpgfN7itZdr9QHuVSzqmDXM6UhtmemZq3_z8m/s640/IMG_2400.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom, check.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Boy did it feel good to get it done. What a blessing it was for all of us to be a part of this! This is a picture after the opening...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to do a post just on the part of the day as this post is turning into a novel! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-82796268220518888162012-02-26T07:34:00.001-07:002012-02-26T07:47:14.125-07:00Holland House Orphanage and Day Care for kids in povery-the cutest little kids on the planetOnce again I have about 5 posts to catch up on! It was so wonderful to be back at the Holland House. These children melt your heart, mostly wanting to just be held and get personal attention. I love watching our kids when we visit here. It is so natural for them to scoop up these children and love them to pieces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3m8Dwphd1ziAnFMqKOQedTayXnHua5oHXpK0lI8zUs3XHhU3kF3UZ0LJoYhDRYllw5l5fYy0YaI6B3aEMoRNQlw_bUqZvm9V4a6gLVNr0edi7JqKwIk5htSkMbbkv9bmjGm8qnBu12Ho/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3m8Dwphd1ziAnFMqKOQedTayXnHua5oHXpK0lI8zUs3XHhU3kF3UZ0LJoYhDRYllw5l5fYy0YaI6B3aEMoRNQlw_bUqZvm9V4a6gLVNr0edi7JqKwIk5htSkMbbkv9bmjGm8qnBu12Ho/s400/IMG_1647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBMgOYQ2SE6Gr7ybsVvK8NCjFkrQOJBWyU7Cy1tcn4xt7EEqbJv1Zr5cMQT646lXAXWYmODtWCLw7EL9iY3myzxiJ-JV6Np9A7YcjQJjE6uH-1L2yalzvSuOlIzqXJHBjbDey3xhZkpbL/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBMgOYQ2SE6Gr7ybsVvK8NCjFkrQOJBWyU7Cy1tcn4xt7EEqbJv1Zr5cMQT646lXAXWYmODtWCLw7EL9iY3myzxiJ-JV6Np9A7YcjQJjE6uH-1L2yalzvSuOlIzqXJHBjbDey3xhZkpbL/s400/IMG_1648.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little one has THE BEST smile and giggle. Love her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once there was a snowman, snowman...they laughed so hard at this song</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTby0OWcnsz_SnBmQgsYlzJwLMUke_JUqE3s37yfuTWveFD6FHwKpf2JRHTQG01H0GvCyqxbLtBPn4TtBYN5zqI-CcoJ5ZA_RdOYTnXeKfcAE-ceGzMkh0YJ5gzOObc6B0Cffrpq7mHtpd/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTby0OWcnsz_SnBmQgsYlzJwLMUke_JUqE3s37yfuTWveFD6FHwKpf2JRHTQG01H0GvCyqxbLtBPn4TtBYN5zqI-CcoJ5ZA_RdOYTnXeKfcAE-ceGzMkh0YJ5gzOObc6B0Cffrpq7mHtpd/s400/IMG_1633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the aftermath and lots of bubble spills later</td></tr>
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After we played we fed them. They always put their hands together and say "Kupenka." I am going to implement this at my home. Whenever I do anything for my kids they need to bow their head, put their hands together and say thank you :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4KYig2RxLET8Xm4UzvI19pfAj9j6K_CMiJEjM2WkE3sELdOhb7IM6ltfAGAyUA2SEOg-kiLglLVuiUhTRvMK3QXT8y_IwoPD9805TkmrHqj-yxI3zkOH7yzjWUzX-Ua42GuAZCwuzKn_/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4KYig2RxLET8Xm4UzvI19pfAj9j6K_CMiJEjM2WkE3sELdOhb7IM6ltfAGAyUA2SEOg-kiLglLVuiUhTRvMK3QXT8y_IwoPD9805TkmrHqj-yxI3zkOH7yzjWUzX-Ua42GuAZCwuzKn_/s640/IMG_1710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love that Charlotte is feeding a little guy her own age :)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZJ9jdvK8u7vPpJwY1wZemPinWgaHEQHoSOf4Ts5dZpPDaIjAIrSjJ4FCn2UxQSAwqjxYk_-vtwTAcexYzW9vPZz4kxMHRPUr-KeAUkMVNfJOH8L4QluRUiHTtpFUbshMYDpyi4EMs4lg/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZJ9jdvK8u7vPpJwY1wZemPinWgaHEQHoSOf4Ts5dZpPDaIjAIrSjJ4FCn2UxQSAwqjxYk_-vtwTAcexYzW9vPZz4kxMHRPUr-KeAUkMVNfJOH8L4QluRUiHTtpFUbshMYDpyi4EMs4lg/s640/IMG_1724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>These children are so well behaved. They all know to sit in lines, clear their dish, and then get in line for teeth brushing, shower, and nap. The order they have here is incredible. (The children do get hit with a little rod if they do something they aren't supposed to. I've never seen it, but the volunteer there has)<br />
Next are the showers...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq5w-OZn00vWVybfc5RZGFQREmKhJkOD9mtaV5Zh-eWjBZPs2-J1DvSRB79PYPkuFL_xfT5XXNVSLi0zY2OiybTzqycaDZ6-IhlPLDFmPa_0p2QnEJcgx-YteoofxU_0G-_E26lUkycyD/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq5w-OZn00vWVybfc5RZGFQREmKhJkOD9mtaV5Zh-eWjBZPs2-J1DvSRB79PYPkuFL_xfT5XXNVSLi0zY2OiybTzqycaDZ6-IhlPLDFmPa_0p2QnEJcgx-YteoofxU_0G-_E26lUkycyD/s640/IMG_1731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dishes :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx8AG8JL1b-ZR8YWMsXHrXgr5sk-r0FporDT1SzYAcF_FoJDjuxfLMZ8UxuNym61_rKNr9vomB0ra1VgnB1JkXwtvoaDeJ4Ws0vLzzRsDBZLtaMtYYERQAsGZ58CJ-o6DlRW7rqhXiOM2/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx8AG8JL1b-ZR8YWMsXHrXgr5sk-r0FporDT1SzYAcF_FoJDjuxfLMZ8UxuNym61_rKNr9vomB0ra1VgnB1JkXwtvoaDeJ4Ws0vLzzRsDBZLtaMtYYERQAsGZ58CJ-o6DlRW7rqhXiOM2/s640/IMG_1733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids brush their teeth, shower, and go to the bathroom all in the shower. It is so darn cute watching all of them in there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8gjPdjQF4JNd28OF0g6n5lgbh7BPjgfuP2XN8SMfg6SQibB_ELs8YegEbPgKFX5zSsDMB5BW5Va3Le33yIBiOe_EmVhxb1n1xBQ4OLXWqf_tKZwfuKd0cbyhumheDQxkWjsY7suFMNLV/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8gjPdjQF4JNd28OF0g6n5lgbh7BPjgfuP2XN8SMfg6SQibB_ELs8YegEbPgKFX5zSsDMB5BW5Va3Le33yIBiOe_EmVhxb1n1xBQ4OLXWqf_tKZwfuKd0cbyhumheDQxkWjsY7suFMNLV/s640/IMG_1736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgox_PapaFLDbScFS55XKbrtTtGGQlDxkSMW02H-EB4pPbMb9IdQ7BGMyaYPdgg4DoFk8PdX0BMw0u71IbAs5PaFxzYNh6yUOYSjgySdqJvg3YQK0-LnF3_Ov7FCwmRa0J_WnouB48Ptzb/s1600/IMG_1740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgox_PapaFLDbScFS55XKbrtTtGGQlDxkSMW02H-EB4pPbMb9IdQ7BGMyaYPdgg4DoFk8PdX0BMw0u71IbAs5PaFxzYNh6yUOYSjgySdqJvg3YQK0-LnF3_Ov7FCwmRa0J_WnouB48Ptzb/s640/IMG_1740.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They put baby powder on their faces to help with sweat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsUZQ-hPfuvVku6y15Wh8gZyH5XIiA0u0w2epcZvh5YiYsSXbHcF7IdwvMylK8fQpc9YJ8AglkjQHzxXN6QfqqnU0bukbY97B_mlZYxDOY_tZDeP-MrKZm70WLlFIUZmyrCAlpK-FinPy/s1600/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsUZQ-hPfuvVku6y15Wh8gZyH5XIiA0u0w2epcZvh5YiYsSXbHcF7IdwvMylK8fQpc9YJ8AglkjQHzxXN6QfqqnU0bukbY97B_mlZYxDOY_tZDeP-MrKZm70WLlFIUZmyrCAlpK-FinPy/s640/IMG_1746.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhcJtEZjRVO33dGrJC603kNDTkJQIatD8soqnlWSlwjvltPIwNNNjMJOT0YOhUetPmSOVgAcvyYAjLzy92Az0HptBtlamFTXZkCr0aZoyGm6JWKrnyJCqDT86fRHL1Ts6td5yaafKkQ1N/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhcJtEZjRVO33dGrJC603kNDTkJQIatD8soqnlWSlwjvltPIwNNNjMJOT0YOhUetPmSOVgAcvyYAjLzy92Az0HptBtlamFTXZkCr0aZoyGm6JWKrnyJCqDT86fRHL1Ts6td5yaafKkQ1N/s640/IMG_1758.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJTkK08g-FJv6mQM58qTyCdurlBRq6yJuQpBmUCtnXbAhs8N10onUBDzSdlM2BuAuZ9kpWTXSD76KzR6cLHF7XBAJ0i1E7nx7GgQQArPlafww6xFUzgix6G5ucm3TysedsK4yk5j2sSEh/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJTkK08g-FJv6mQM58qTyCdurlBRq6yJuQpBmUCtnXbAhs8N10onUBDzSdlM2BuAuZ9kpWTXSD76KzR6cLHF7XBAJ0i1E7nx7GgQQArPlafww6xFUzgix6G5ucm3TysedsK4yk5j2sSEh/s640/IMG_1762.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now nap time...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegquyCsrI_LGZ2zQ6Ig_8hytH4mUk9rB7SFFfAqfIAoRcVOuKZJF5bdZbMu2w9B9vu6hA77mp-ptre1Y8pyqmGbWYstUYO8Mg1IKlhZMflYTjgW0H1_fkWX8SCmOHdaFLQwzlZjRdGfaV/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegquyCsrI_LGZ2zQ6Ig_8hytH4mUk9rB7SFFfAqfIAoRcVOuKZJF5bdZbMu2w9B9vu6hA77mp-ptre1Y8pyqmGbWYstUYO8Mg1IKlhZMflYTjgW0H1_fkWX8SCmOHdaFLQwzlZjRdGfaV/s640/IMG_1771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZHK4jTzu-ZCiW_v2ct7D6_T8PXRhdLE8mBvjyt7IgpBPzdB73K2XfLLQ0xw0CCWjJ-3xUO_M0x4neG-GgbulSauJv2PuoMJh87lZ_FNbyuNJgjVqG_D7QQdUTvW8SlDuBWkq_gVlNof-/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZHK4jTzu-ZCiW_v2ct7D6_T8PXRhdLE8mBvjyt7IgpBPzdB73K2XfLLQ0xw0CCWjJ-3xUO_M0x4neG-GgbulSauJv2PuoMJh87lZ_FNbyuNJgjVqG_D7QQdUTvW8SlDuBWkq_gVlNof-/s640/IMG_1773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQV2E4DSKne3FlSz_VLEX6tnqERyEuQVTWODt6W6X57uwoovp72HZbPWpkmUisrnIMH6s2ht404piHLtVMBr8-zMXrz5XxwaBE7qcHRn1U7sEeNPVL_DYbh6MpKv5FGv-9pJOoZ_Pwu4w/s1600/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQV2E4DSKne3FlSz_VLEX6tnqERyEuQVTWODt6W6X57uwoovp72HZbPWpkmUisrnIMH6s2ht404piHLtVMBr8-zMXrz5XxwaBE7qcHRn1U7sEeNPVL_DYbh6MpKv5FGv-9pJOoZ_Pwu4w/s400/IMG_1795.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu1CC8WCxNItIrmPBE7J9TZqELQXLfhdXHw0EfX-J46IYtp7jovsiVyy203RyJcU0DM2Ml587dJPXiHqthMjOmQlrg-8eyHodyBjeTgBtkkZ4pNzZTGBaiGaBQ8uVknp2t2YZHg8eiIfx/s1600/IMG_1798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu1CC8WCxNItIrmPBE7J9TZqELQXLfhdXHw0EfX-J46IYtp7jovsiVyy203RyJcU0DM2Ml587dJPXiHqthMjOmQlrg-8eyHodyBjeTgBtkkZ4pNzZTGBaiGaBQ8uVknp2t2YZHg8eiIfx/s640/IMG_1798.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Sleep tight little ones!<br />
<br />
Every time we leave the Holland House we understand even clearer why the Savior always gathered the children around Him. They are so innocent. so naturally loving and forgiving. Their hearts are pure. They are submissive. They are joyous even though their circumstances are less than ideal. It has been such a honor to spend time with these little ones. They have taught me to love unconditionally and open my arms to new people. I hope by the end of my lifetime I will be closer to "becoming as a little child."smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-36980198343853447362012-02-24T19:42:00.000-07:002012-02-24T19:42:30.894-07:00We have raised $670-only 33 more people need to donate $10!Dear friends,<br />
We are so close to our goal! Are there 33 people out there who can donate $10? Don't forget, there are blessings that come to those who give! :)<br />
<br />
www.homelifethailand.com they have a paypal account -- Let's get her done!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pR9uecOibeMgkLVfBBCSBnpbzhtDs81bxX470bZuYEx879hh6NN7o796LWKhalkGCisXrMsLZOpoK84n3IftMIHJchBufK8QcKrcr697HVvysifQo_C5LnfkJmG36CdXXkM1oSmEyk98/s1600/IMG_1489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pR9uecOibeMgkLVfBBCSBnpbzhtDs81bxX470bZuYEx879hh6NN7o796LWKhalkGCisXrMsLZOpoK84n3IftMIHJchBufK8QcKrcr697HVvysifQo_C5LnfkJmG36CdXXkM1oSmEyk98/s640/IMG_1489.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-82337619244778882102012-02-23T19:19:00.001-07:002012-02-24T09:18:16.457-07:00$10 X 100 people in 24 hours- We are in need of a donation!Dear friends,<br />
We are slowly approaching the opening of the restaurant for the Home&Life Orphanage! We are so happy for them. We are all working hard to get it finished for Monday-(that would be Sunday for all of you!) It is going to be a big deal with political leaders and many people from surrounding areas coming for the grand opening. The girls will dress up and do their Thai dancing and the boys will do their Thai boxing! It will be a really neat day. We have bought lots of food, supplies, and a new espresso machine for them. But...we need your help!<br />
We are in need of one more thing for them. Their commercial coffee maker that they have used at their bakery for years just broke. Perfect timing :) They have tried to fix it and it works for a bit, but then it just breaks down again. A new one is about $1000. With your help I think we could raise the money in the next 2 days and have it before they open on Monday! It is imperative that they have this for their restaurant as it is one of the main things ordered here.<br />
As I was in bed this morning I was trying to think of a way that this could be done in such short notice. What if 100 people donate $10 in 24 hours? We could get it done!! This is a great organization to donate to as they are really trying to be self-sufficient. A man named Albert from Holland has been with Root and Rosa helping this orphanage survive since it's opening after the tsunami. He has done fund raisers and sought out donors to make this restaurant happen. One man making a huge difference for a worthy cause. I love it. Let's all do this one last thing to help them be successful!<br />
If you are reading this, can you PLEASE re-post this on your blog to get the word out? I also posted this on FB so you can copy it to your wall. To make the donation go to www.homelifethailand.com They have a paypal account there. Put down that the donation is for the new coffee maker. I will let you know when we reach our goal! Thank you in advance for helping out!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr-tQLKScmrhbqPXxNZBcmAqNef2kZcz4BY5SzGmAms9JLokUC5YS4_Xjh_DIe5XNXZgs0-Ha1g6vaZ4Ik4ddZEZegA4Iqz3kis_B3ujIa_RAuYVoqb6x9Wpbj2J2_Yq9IVD4LGdcq9O1/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr-tQLKScmrhbqPXxNZBcmAqNef2kZcz4BY5SzGmAms9JLokUC5YS4_Xjh_DIe5XNXZgs0-Ha1g6vaZ4Ik4ddZEZegA4Iqz3kis_B3ujIa_RAuYVoqb6x9Wpbj2J2_Yq9IVD4LGdcq9O1/s400/IMG_1494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They will be doing Thai dancing and boxing at the opening!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpNQCLA2tgSyk_2G7WnUt-vnSdJv9TaiQsgDaonUhUqF7ExgfDqDW6aQIRFgny91onQDvPxAPh_1px8tR4P7bnwFqNrQyV3-PhKUPWhdO620ZoG7RvziJWGxPM_JlyPY0ycYJVDVfBTWy/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpNQCLA2tgSyk_2G7WnUt-vnSdJv9TaiQsgDaonUhUqF7ExgfDqDW6aQIRFgny91onQDvPxAPh_1px8tR4P7bnwFqNrQyV3-PhKUPWhdO620ZoG7RvziJWGxPM_JlyPY0ycYJVDVfBTWy/s400/IMG_1865.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-66339869015811585092012-02-22T10:40:00.003-07:002012-02-22T11:05:15.609-07:00What a day :)Today was a great day. Nothing extraordinary about it. No major deed was done, or some fantastic experience. When we were planning the trip I imagined days like this. We were all together, kids were happy and helping, and we were making a difference for someone, somewhere. <br />
We were at the Home and Life Orphanage today. Our main goal that we had for today was to get as much of the indoor painting done that we could and to stain the large ramp that we built going up to the restaurant. Mission accomplished! All with 40 little helpers in and out :) So with 40 little helpers, paint, and being surrounded by sand it was quite the experience. I LOVE that the children are all eager to help. They want to be a part of it. So, we bought a million paintbrushes and kissed our ideas of a "clean and well managed painting day" out the window. Once again, Root never said or hinted that the kids couldn't be a part of it. He only said one thing, "Just tell the kids not to paint the light switches." This is not even my restaurant and I was worried about ruining his year of hard work. So we let the kids help all they wanted inside and out and then we just went back over it with another coat. Double the work, but double memories. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8X5M4WmVF4qTCeTk_hoEmJpqzzWWr_ZAxID8ED6k7lFiFRcRXM8GhQyRcQRP3zDuJTulSgPDh4cL9O3cbp-xW7WxQQ1Rqg4QN4uwe_MkFbwD2YTldudVsZyoNQdUgT5NMlL1jSXPEDFX/s1600/DSCF4239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8X5M4WmVF4qTCeTk_hoEmJpqzzWWr_ZAxID8ED6k7lFiFRcRXM8GhQyRcQRP3zDuJTulSgPDh4cL9O3cbp-xW7WxQQ1Rqg4QN4uwe_MkFbwD2YTldudVsZyoNQdUgT5NMlL1jSXPEDFX/s640/DSCF4239.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Took me a half an hour to get this off in the shower. Matt asked me how it was going during my shower--I told him I was tired :) Look at little Ashton. These pictures don't do it justice...Anyone want to mail some new shorts? We only brought 3 pairs, so I guess we are down to 2 :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxS4XXI3mGM4nFbcRhCApmOUUurueGbziDC1vW5ly0dKLnUN6Nz6sHeqa2mPJLlTrMDr8jEyJG2QHoDHvi2xm214wNEvKFF-1266XWLRtmrIdMsGzcdLcbVR49WtFB5-HK185B9CfhDa2/s1600/IMG_1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxS4XXI3mGM4nFbcRhCApmOUUurueGbziDC1vW5ly0dKLnUN6Nz6sHeqa2mPJLlTrMDr8jEyJG2QHoDHvi2xm214wNEvKFF-1266XWLRtmrIdMsGzcdLcbVR49WtFB5-HK185B9CfhDa2/s640/IMG_1907.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnxl7ofmDZXQK0YfeaXFXrpUKCeCaB7Md6WbhMlk_WSF66ReOA0ugENUZ6Xivknseawj3odth8NdE-ObSBLumSheBE5nBPXEpsTAkmIMW5za7-rW8yiVI-Jtns922oUuloA64Rm9Pwwr/s1600/IMG_1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYnxl7ofmDZXQK0YfeaXFXrpUKCeCaB7Md6WbhMlk_WSF66ReOA0ugENUZ6Xivknseawj3odth8NdE-ObSBLumSheBE5nBPXEpsTAkmIMW5za7-rW8yiVI-Jtns922oUuloA64Rm9Pwwr/s640/IMG_1908.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> Let's take a look at how he got this way...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD2rIf0kQhnfw9aat8lRorTNwXtqEwPkvL08F4QEPftSed4IIOoKONSTunHXymN2elrR5oTvLxsdYADPSiCVzQOZK9YDu32ZXMWvr937V-mCTgiLZPK6wWbFsan_ktRSVev2XPAZPFlQO/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD2rIf0kQhnfw9aat8lRorTNwXtqEwPkvL08F4QEPftSed4IIOoKONSTunHXymN2elrR5oTvLxsdYADPSiCVzQOZK9YDu32ZXMWvr937V-mCTgiLZPK6wWbFsan_ktRSVev2XPAZPFlQO/s400/IMG_1823.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily is such a darn cutie-look at this smock she made so that she wouldn't get paint on her clothes. Love it. She can even look cute in a garbage sack</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIXfuGR4cTmvN75XbWjhJI53fnxe5FzK-zlADiBgCBRuyREW92qhoqVLCEV_z5qaWNRev1lIz6SBqnsscdfL73gDr7DuXbYj8aEk2KVDu9R3m5Pt1WN18bRwtV6zjWSpKndVPIkeYT4tL/s1600/IMG_1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIXfuGR4cTmvN75XbWjhJI53fnxe5FzK-zlADiBgCBRuyREW92qhoqVLCEV_z5qaWNRev1lIz6SBqnsscdfL73gDr7DuXbYj8aEk2KVDu9R3m5Pt1WN18bRwtV6zjWSpKndVPIkeYT4tL/s640/IMG_1842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little Cinderella is trying to scrub off her paint drippings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little break. But this sand is what kept getting back on our newly painted ramp!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug adding some grip to the ramp. He is a working machine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Root, Bow, and Fa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1mFGQWz-PoZLONUM4F4ZhTR4upVGk9ZwnryDfLASE55g6H-oMYGUtjjP5a746pow2mzp0e6VwfBvmiT_KRoKBHbycKp_AjYB6A5nrA-Ivm6YnwqZxU21whZEEn25aoAJTYbMlsh_B-nG/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1mFGQWz-PoZLONUM4F4ZhTR4upVGk9ZwnryDfLASE55g6H-oMYGUtjjP5a746pow2mzp0e6VwfBvmiT_KRoKBHbycKp_AjYB6A5nrA-Ivm6YnwqZxU21whZEEn25aoAJTYbMlsh_B-nG/s640/IMG_1904.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished up the last of it with some flashlights. These kids worked their little hearts out today. Not one complaint.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Most of these pictures were taken before all the orphans got home from school. I am so bummed that I have no pictures of when the million kiddos were all helping paint! I think I was too busy managing kids walking on it with sand, the occasional paint fight, the slips, and the spills. That will just have to be a memory in my head :(<br />
<br />
Can you see why this was a perfect day? I loved every minute of it. The kids all worked so hard. I know they are feeling something different inside. It is proof that service makes us all happier. It shows that when we are doing something for someone else life is better. It just feels good. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-24642368435622513622012-02-19T10:07:00.001-07:002012-02-19T10:14:00.313-07:00What I Am Learning As A Mother Before I get into what we have been doing I wanted to take a minute and share with you what it is like doing this on a day to day basis. It is not all roses and sunshiney days :) 95% of this trip has been absolutely amazing, but I have had a few recent days where my kids were driving me nutty. I felt like we were all a little on edge. There has been very little down time and I think it started to get to the children. We are either home schooling or at the orphanages-- often not getting home until 9 pm. We are then up again early for seminary. It is also hard for the children because we are 8 people living in a 2 bedroom condo that is a 10 min walk to the beach that we never seem to get to. The beach is not the reason why we are here, but it is a tempting lure sitting there in the background! So, on Saturday it was nice to go to the beach with the orphans and have some great down time. <br />
During those harder days, I did a lot of self-reflection. I called for a family "pow wow" and we had a little family council. We talked about what was going well and what we needed to change or improve upon. This humanitarian trip is such a gift for our family. It will most likely never happen again, so I did not want us to waste time here frustrated or disappointed in how things were going. We talked about the importance of a positive attitude and how one person's actions or comments can change the mood of the entire family. Matt and I talked to them about how we did not want to have to be there every minute making sure they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. (We have had some issues with one in particular not doing their schoolwork.) We talked about how important it is to make efforts with their sibling relationships and respecting mom and dad. No more grunts or heavy breathing when it is scripture time or when they are asked to help! I tried to stay positive, but I also needed them to know that just because we are not home does not mean there is a free ticket to have no chores or no homework, or not act the way they have been raised. Sometimes I feel like they have never been let out in public before! I think part of that is because they have their friends here and so manners and social moray's have sometimes been thrown out the window. <br />
We set new goals as a family and we all decided we wanted to do better. I have such a testimony of family councils! A little while after that meeting one of my kids came up to me and apologized. He said, "Mom, I can see why you could be frustrated with me. I am sorry. I'm going to do better." It was simple, but so sincere. We have not had one problem since-he is doing his homework with out being asked!! It's a miracle. The next day the other one came and apologized. He said that he was walking home from eating and he looked at how he had been behaving and he was sorry. Now mind you, these were minor things they were doing, but it was enough to cause some frustration. The last couple of days after our pow wow have been so great. I'm so proud of my kids and I have learned once again how important it is to gather and discuss how things are going in our day to day life. And secondly, I've learned how important it is to set specific goals with each other.<br />
Now, I have had need to apologize as well. When my kids are off, I am off. When my title has been turned from mother into referee I get worn down. It takes me awhile to figure out why I am crabby. It's kind of like when you are making dinner, helping with homework, finding soccer cleats, and holding a crying child all at the same time. You suddenly realize one of your other children has been saying "mom" for the last 10 minutes and you finally hear it and answer them. Or there have been other circumstances when one of your kids is making a really annoying sound while you are trying to talk to someone. All of a sudden you say to yourself, "What in the heck is that sound!!" That is how I feel sometimes when our family is not quite in sync. It takes a couple of days, and then I finally can step back and see what is causing all the fuss. That is when it is time to regroup and start fresh.<br />
I started to feel overwhelmed and that whole "This is not going how I planned!" feeling was creeping in. But, when those feelings come, it does cause me to look at my own mothering skills and see where I need to improve. I am the first one to admit to my children that they are going to have to forgive me as much I forgive them and that I am trying just as they are. What I need to improve upon, or get divine intervention for, is knowing what to ignore and what to correct. I find it impossible sometimes to know how much to get in the middle of things. If I wanted to I could correct them all day long. Do not burp, brush your teeth, stop bothering him, do your homework, go to bed, do your chores, clean up your room, don't say that word, be nicer to your brother, sit up in church, sing the hymns, pull up your pants, bring your food to your mouth not your mouth to the food, don't throw ice at people 3 floors down, don't write on your brother's face while he is asleep, change your attitude...just writing that makes me tired of hearing my own words. I don't want to control my children or be after them all the time, but I also want them to have manners, to be kind, and know what is appropriate. Ehh! Now that I am conscious of it, I have done so much better at letting the little things go. When I do have to correct, I talk it through and remain calmer. We both walk away happy instead of angry. 4 days down 25,000 to go :) Although refining ourselves is painful, when we make progress and rely on help from above, it is attainable. God wants us all to be better and He will help us get there.<br />
We went back to the Holland House orphanage this week. We were so excited to get back to those kids from last year! This orphanage is a little different. It is an orphanage and day care for abused/neglected/single parent homes. It is free and there are many that take advantage of it. We were hoping that the same people were there! We pulled up and I did not recognize the ladies working there. Then one of them turned around and we both just smiled. She came over to me and hugged me and I hugged her and she cried in my arms. I have never had such a sweet welcoming reunion. I seriously just love her. She has a heart of gold and it was so great to see her again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mook--the most kind hearted lady!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At this orphanage we help with feeding and showers and changing, but we also just play with them and hold them. They crave to be held. Many of them, though they have a parent, are starved of affection. These children are so precious!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGuiwOwKtde05w31rzmDm9fFpQGNP_uyj4PZJxNYXimDm7ig1jXPacQ1EhuivTlEZUTMfkxd30pw70vl3f1xvNh7RW-r6Eqfc1P99Jt1t2HMR8Yw3gW7HmlXGIWJZRtEYnxLXB9m-ayg3/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGuiwOwKtde05w31rzmDm9fFpQGNP_uyj4PZJxNYXimDm7ig1jXPacQ1EhuivTlEZUTMfkxd30pw70vl3f1xvNh7RW-r6Eqfc1P99Jt1t2HMR8Yw3gW7HmlXGIWJZRtEYnxLXB9m-ayg3/s640/IMG_1020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We make beaded necklaces, we color, we play with dolls, we hold them, we play with animals, we do crafts. You just want to scoop them all up and take them home with you. I love watching my kids interact with them. They instinctively play and communicate without words. They get them to laugh and joke around. It makes my heart happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVjPQDwN7mLQ7N5fWEWS2xWZWpWRQPXD5gR3CYvp41dF5rCAaBG1pE9zS0_KgoFdv3GqwBJMLZtlJ2W3Tzy2lP12IgrhJXpKOnwHRGi-CSMrHqlLi43x6NViz_LNNd69ewamDUPuvu56w/s1600/IMG_0999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVjPQDwN7mLQ7N5fWEWS2xWZWpWRQPXD5gR3CYvp41dF5rCAaBG1pE9zS0_KgoFdv3GqwBJMLZtlJ2W3Tzy2lP12IgrhJXpKOnwHRGi-CSMrHqlLi43x6NViz_LNNd69ewamDUPuvu56w/s640/IMG_0999.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
This little one was sad the whole time. She just sat there waiting for her mother to come on her moped. She did not want to be held or play. It broke my heart. A child's love for their mother is endless and unconditional. No matter how bad the circumstances, children always need the love of their mother.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-gePp-8yo5sbBEkNtGF1iNMniWVTbv0XLOLYS2B4eCDhGo__-jeQAKZxMknmSHI0MhI1xHlSbVRAw38EJmCIgKCbBhmchFUggXdUAsy2kce9C-cvHuek8uZWXF8g355stOjz2StRYte9/s1600/IMG_1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-gePp-8yo5sbBEkNtGF1iNMniWVTbv0XLOLYS2B4eCDhGo__-jeQAKZxMknmSHI0MhI1xHlSbVRAw38EJmCIgKCbBhmchFUggXdUAsy2kce9C-cvHuek8uZWXF8g355stOjz2StRYte9/s640/IMG_1032.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> This is the sweetest story! Last year this little boy Urn was one of the orphans. He had to watch all the others leave and go with their parents while he stayed behind and lived at the orphanage. Mook told me that he had been adopted by this women 6 months ago! LOVE IT. Can you see that smile on his face? This is what he was looking at...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2uOxXRvTz0z2H_8nA4ptJA48XJ1Pcc55ntovimMvf6svJLTsfvcrevQ1fMKs5Xw_zu8LpwgFA2O17P6gel_J_wdLSIdwb5sLNYgpmaBXwYGlPszxns9PjfczLgdXmmg_2xNUYB7R3hvP/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2uOxXRvTz0z2H_8nA4ptJA48XJ1Pcc55ntovimMvf6svJLTsfvcrevQ1fMKs5Xw_zu8LpwgFA2O17P6gel_J_wdLSIdwb5sLNYgpmaBXwYGlPszxns9PjfczLgdXmmg_2xNUYB7R3hvP/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>These were some of the children that live here. He was not trying to say, "Ha ha look you have to stay here and I get to go." It was an innocent child so happy and grateful to get to speed away on a moped with his very own mother! Look back at his face-it is priceless!smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-57527946508462597722012-02-16T10:17:00.000-07:002012-02-16T10:17:07.269-07:00So great to be back in Thailand!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> While our hearts are still in Cambodia, we are just as attached to the children here. When we left this orphanage last year, I would never have dreamed we would be back this soon! We are truly blessed. We came to the orphanage before the children were out of school so we immediately jumped right into our work projects! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This first picture is of the new restaurant that they have built. It has taken a year, but it will open for the first time when we are here! It has been so neat to be a part of getting it ready because we had many conversations last year about how Root and Rosa wanted to build a restaurant in addition to the bakery they have to be a more self-sufficient orphanage. They were able to build it because of one amazing man. He is from Holland and he has dedicated his retirement years to helping this orphanage. He does fund raisers and networking and has even used his retirement money to build this for them. I tell you what, he has a first class ticket straight to heaven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Matt and Doug are in charge of building the walking ramp up to the restaurant. Both of their dad's gave them experiences in construction and taught them to WORK HARD. I have always been so grateful to my father-in-law for all the skills and experiences he gave to my husband. Matt and Doug are machines. They figure it out even with different tools and a language barrier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Matt's dad would tell his brothers and him to do something out in the yard. He would give them some money and explain what he wanted done. They were then left to figure out what to do. Todd, Matt and Jared would often look at each other and have no idea what to do. But, what their dad was trying to teach them was, "figure out a way and make it happen." He wanted them to use critical thinking and gain confidence in themselves. They would rent jackhammers and other large tools and eventually were always able to succeed. A key point in this story is that his dad never expected perfection. He made sure it was done to the best of the ability of a couple of kids, not what a hired professional with years of experience could do. It was brilliant of him. Now Matt is helping our boys do the same thing-love it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECD9Ke1vxcPwiRN3hiHrBdeC5xZdklcq2w090ehtMT9zIEUSSPA-U8aPvbh8jZbOmjDhe6jOkgyB_QAdJ7puVtbaV_PS7uUiI8v6J-aMWQZTPCh2jm1a5SQNO1JiORwuF1ZTmQ2evSsbu/s640/IMG_0549.jpg" width="425" /></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle wounds from nails sticking out of old wood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids all helped clear the dirt of old tile, wood, and concrete</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">collection of the "stuff"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared all the old wood out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little 3 year old is right in the middle of all the projects-she is one hard worker!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoriRoQdX8pxw6M4tf1fkgb_B3T6_IQK9ju3tWKSNXKhlzjETGr6GVb8rGqAgpBzdFxyFQ4cE8gApZvdgTTz-DEL7WeRzu_sibgUYBtJ-71hJRB8sjKUuk1toSqWfPRAwSUDmfVipheNEv/s1600/IMG_0577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoriRoQdX8pxw6M4tf1fkgb_B3T6_IQK9ju3tWKSNXKhlzjETGr6GVb8rGqAgpBzdFxyFQ4cE8gApZvdgTTz-DEL7WeRzu_sibgUYBtJ-71hJRB8sjKUuk1toSqWfPRAwSUDmfVipheNEv/s400/IMG_0577.jpg" width="266" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edible</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> One of my favorite parts about this trip is that everyone is involved. There is a job for every ability and age group. One thing that we noticed last year as well is that Root (the one who started the orphanage) is not concerned about perfection. He is all about having everyone involved and being a part of it. It has made me think of my own home...what do I do myself instead of letting my children learn a new skill? I am pretty good about having my children help, simple because I really can not do it all on my own, but I am a laundry hoarder. I always do it. I want to get the stains out, I want to make sure the right colors are together etc. So, as a result my kids do not know how to work our washing machine. They fold it and put it all away, but learning how to do laundry is a skill my kids need to have. I have decided when I get home, a couple of stained shirts are worth the casualty if my kids can gain a new skill and receive confidence in one more little area of their life.<br />
What is it for you? Is it not letting your kids mow the lawn because the lines need to be perfect? Is it not letting them do the dishes because you want them scrubbed right before they go in the dishwasher? Is it not letting the children help clean the house because it is just easier to do it yourself? Is it not helping your child through a tough homework question because it is easier to just give them the answer? It also could be disguised in a different way. Do we not ask our children's opinion on things because they are "too young?" Do we involve the children in family decisions so they learn how to weigh out circumstances? Do we let them make their own choices or do we make them for them so they will not mess up? Anyway, some questions to think about...Root and Rosa have taught me that it is more important to have them involved than to be on the periphery. Who cares if it is not done right or if a mistake is made. It is worth it for what the children are learning and for what it will do for their self-esteem to know they contributed and were an important part of the job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYg8dZp4Mc-97X8xBXf8zl1ss0ogJ_1Kktp9C4DD1gX0iVkHPnMb2KGQ9c6WOAlbjD7sGBknBehJ74NV4smg9iXk_jjh6aILxPE0pynEEhobhCMuwJyct4zhBDE8IkPLRPNNeGSHQlzCQ/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYg8dZp4Mc-97X8xBXf8zl1ss0ogJ_1Kktp9C4DD1gX0iVkHPnMb2KGQ9c6WOAlbjD7sGBknBehJ74NV4smg9iXk_jjh6aILxPE0pynEEhobhCMuwJyct4zhBDE8IkPLRPNNeGSHQlzCQ/s320/IMG_0751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Jillian wanted to be in charge of the new garden and sitting area. This picture is of Root going over Jillian's architectural drawings and ideas with her. He never said that she was too young or that he already had it figured out. It has been so fantastic to see her work with her Dad and Root figuring out all the details. And let me tell you, she is owning it. She is always there directing and working. She is also a positive motivator to the little kids which makes them smile from ear to ear and keep working harder. These boys are the recipients of her fantastic compliments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZpMJMmjbAtfdjFCqZz1WnqYpxv3uanTqzbQQzeY4mZt5J5m2En53MJbn2lzLYB-I-U1P3JZ03G0Yq4y_GZrQN8wQr2Q9UjqUPZdt_PHcDyQAI988w_IS6tjySxVCdJVoX21wY0BHnB96/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZpMJMmjbAtfdjFCqZz1WnqYpxv3uanTqzbQQzeY4mZt5J5m2En53MJbn2lzLYB-I-U1P3JZ03G0Yq4y_GZrQN8wQr2Q9UjqUPZdt_PHcDyQAI988w_IS6tjySxVCdJVoX21wY0BHnB96/s640/IMG_0556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are moving lots of dirt so that we can plant flowers and make a patio area for people to eat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>When I think about this trip, the timing of everything has been so perfect. We definitely felt guided as to where we should go when-- after lots of planning, it finally all just fit together like a puzzle. Home and Life is planning on opening in 10 days and there is a lot to be done before that. We will stay here day and night if we have to, but we will get it all done!!<br />
I will say this over and over again. <u>I absolutely believe that when people give up their whole lives to serve others in need God will not let them fail.</u> It might not be perfect, but He will direct whatever needs to be done to help. Whether it is time, money, helpers, food, manual labor or a new idea, God will make it happen. He is in this orphanage and He loves these kids.<br />
<br />
ps-I would love to hear your ideas on how you get your kids to feel like they are an important and contributing part of the family.<br />
pps-Miss Sarah T. if you are reading this, I tried to change our picture so it is more recent, but it is HUGE as you can tell and I don't know how to shrink it. I am begging for help yet again :) <br />
smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-66509810086095391652012-02-13T20:02:00.001-07:002012-02-14T09:26:04.222-07:00Our goodbye to Cambodia Saying goodbye to our new extended family in Cambodia was harder than I thought. The orphans wanted to come with us to the airport so they picked us up at Botevy's house in their school bus. It was so great to be with all of them. It was a tender moment as they walked through the door to help us load the luggage. A huge lump formed in my throat as I looked at all of them amidst all the noise and hustle and bustle. I watched them all instinctively hug and help. They were laughing and playing and I wanted so much to pack them up and bring them all with us.<br />
We gathered together for one last prayer and some words of gratitude. It was a neat experience for all of us. We got loaded in the bus and I couldn't hold the tears back any more. I just wanted to stop time somehow, or rewind time. Our time with the children went so quickly and I wasn't ready to leave yet. There were so many more things we wanted to do with them. I remembered so clearly the first few days we were there and how I kept getting all of their names mixed up. I had to ask them over and over again what their names were and then I would slaughter any attempt to pronounce them correctly. But now, even though we could not have long conversations together, I know them all. I know their little personalities. I know who likes to tease, who likes their hair done which way, and who likes hugs every couple minutes throughout the day. I know who is artistic, who is a hard worker, and who is quick as a whip in school. I know who likes to make bracelets and who loves soccer. I know who is quiet and who can dance really well. I know who is funny and who likes to work with their hands. Each one of them is so precious to me. <br />
Last week we had a Family Home Evening together. In our church every Monday night we get together as a families. We try to pause from sports, homework, and other activities to have time just as our family. We teach them a value or something from the scriptures, play a game or do an activity, and then close with a yummy dessert. We did this with the orphans as well. When we were out shopping that day I asked Botevy what the children would like for a treat. She said they would love an apple. I know I had a funny look on my face because fruit is not considered a treat at our house, it should be, but it's not. Ice-cream, Coconut Cake, Magic Layer Bar Brownies, etc...that is what I call dessert :) Here apples are a delicacy because they are imported. So we bought some apples. <br />
The night was one to remember. Botevy gave the children a chance to stand up and share their feelings about the last few weeks while we were there, their feelings about God, and about being able to visit Angkor Wat (something she said they prayed for every night for years.) It was so neat to be there, all of us sitting in a large circle under the moonlight, and hearing their tender feelings. Botevy translated for us and it was wonderful to be able to hear the feelings in their heart. These are some incredible children.<br />
All of them expressed their gratitude to Botevy and Vanneth to be able to live there. They shared their love for them and for their 30 brothers and sisters. Our family learned so much from watching how they treated each other. There was NEVER a moment of selfishness. Infact, my children always commented on how if one child was given something, they immediately wanted the other children to have it as well. If there was not enough, they would give up what they were given and give it to the other child. They were<u> always</u> more concerned for the other person's happiness than for their own. This is fascinating to me because they had so little. You would think that they would hoard anything new or maybe even gloat about it to the others. You know the old "Look what I have and you don't." Just last night at the orphanage in Thailand Kate made us the most wonderful dinner. She made little pieces of fried chicken just for our 2 families. (She is the most amazing cook. Lucky are we.) She knows that is something we Americans are known for. It was so sweet of her. We felt uncomfortable eating it ourselves, but they will not even think of eating until we are done. They are the most giving people. Sam was sitting with all the orphans and he had one piece left over so he handed it to Pat, about 12 years old. Pat then looked at the other children and they all passed it around and each had a bite. It really impacted Sam. He shared that experience with us last night and said, "You know, I don't know if I would have done that. If it was something that I really liked and I never got it, I don't know that I would have instantly turned and given it to someone else." That my friends, is why we are here. They are learning things that can not be taught. Examples are everything.<br />
Back to our Family Home Evening night. I was so touched by their simplicity. They have so much gratitude for a home, food, and family. They know what it is like not to have it, and they do not take it for granted. The feeling at that orphanage is how I want my home to feel. They all pitch in and help each other. There is no entitlement. They are loyal and look after each other. They entertain themselves. They have a great time with a worn out soccer ball and a couple of bamboo sticks to sword fight with. They are happy with a new coloring book and crayons. <i>Having less frees you from wanting more. </i> It frees you from always looking for the newest thing. The latest iphone, the newest Xbox, the latest brand. I have a brother in law who always makes his kids wait for a year after everybody else has whatever the latest and greatest is until he gives it to his children. Some might say that that is mean, others will think it is brilliant.<br />
I've got to go, but I have a lot more to write so I'll end with "to be continued." Here are a few pictures of our goodbye... :(<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUfApMmOWTsrDounHRyTCmMQo1Px5waGf6H0kLmVhpfPkEN7sIDqHXOjYdYxvIJEWe13LaxCcLz6DOo80Ug-HryINFzSEPLbIRWHnWb5sBPMnfRXTkUgSvd0ooK8Uqy38wpt3Gf6pECFh/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUfApMmOWTsrDounHRyTCmMQo1Px5waGf6H0kLmVhpfPkEN7sIDqHXOjYdYxvIJEWe13LaxCcLz6DOo80Ug-HryINFzSEPLbIRWHnWb5sBPMnfRXTkUgSvd0ooK8Uqy38wpt3Gf6pECFh/s640/IMG_0303.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> WE LOVE YOU CICFO!!smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-63517760415501262062012-02-10T09:18:00.001-07:002012-02-10T09:25:03.443-07:00Pol Pot<div class="MsoNormal"> Before I came to Cambodia, I had heard of the Khmer Regime and their leader Pol Pot. I knew that his leadership and goals resembled someone like Hitler, but I did not know the details of it. I was only 5 months old when his reign started and was just over 4 years old when he was overtaken (April 1975-Jan 1979). There were Cambodians who had miraculously snuck over the border to Vietnam where they received help from the Vietnamese Military and were able to run him out. Amazingly enough, Pol Pot escaped to the middle of the jungle and surrounded himself with land mines--no one was able to get to him to arrest or execute him. He died of a heart attack in 1998. He was an incredibly hardened and evil person. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> S-21 was the name of an interrogation prison as well as a torture chamber. This is where people were sent if they had been in leadership positions in the military before his reign. They were there if they had family members who had been in leadership positions. They were there if they could read or if they wore glasses. They were there if they were educated or if they felt that they were a threat to Pol Pot’s power. Over 20,000 people were sent to this prison for 3-6 months at a time to get information out of them. Only 7 survived to tell about it. (One of which was there and we got to meet him)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggsBG7PkhwmT3fvMQwlNAydsFmN-tm4vIyQfKxfFo84Irud73VEBcsefYrrBfjMvSYV9Fx9ZQZnLVx_7fqafyBdj4iBbldPkNGrV8rjqtDWa4czUmaMeEggANrH74riyyBRLEzbBzqkjM/s1600/P2040200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggsBG7PkhwmT3fvMQwlNAydsFmN-tm4vIyQfKxfFo84Irud73VEBcsefYrrBfjMvSYV9Fx9ZQZnLVx_7fqafyBdj4iBbldPkNGrV8rjqtDWa4czUmaMeEggANrH74riyyBRLEzbBzqkjM/s320/P2040200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Botevy’s father was killed because of his ranking in the army. Before he was killed he told his children to act stupid. He told them to pretend they could not read. Botevy’s mother acted crazy for the full 4 years to spare her life-- she should have been killed as well because of who her husband was. Pol Pot spared no one. He even killed members of his own family if he thought they were a threat to his power. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> There were hundreds of other prisons spread out all over Cambodia, but S-21 was the worst of them all. We left our younger 3 children home because we had heard that it was quite graphic. Botevy decided to come with us. I was so glad that she was coming, but also nervous for her as S-21 used to be her old high school. This would only be her second time going back in over 30 years. We went by Tuk Tuk and arrived at a typical school building right in the middle of Phnom Penh. When Pol Pot took over he had the entire city of Phnom Penh evacuated. Millions of people were forced out to the country to work in Pol Pots “work camps.” Within 3 days Phnom Penh was a ghost town, with only prisons left. The once bustling streets of street venders, children, mopeds, cows, water buffalo, cars, horns, and people were now silent and empty. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> We walked through the doors to an open courtyard. I felt my stomach drop. You could just feel a sort of eeriness in the air. I kept glancing over at Botevy making sure she was okay. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>We hired a tour guide to take us through and walked into the first classroom that was turned into a single cell torture/interrogation room. There was one rusty metal bed and a toilet box. On the wall there was a picture of that exact room with a man on the bed dead after he had been starved and tortured. It was not easy to look at.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wBbSrGsQ76MOAIqHbMzKSaDVAcp73u87ymAErP9_WImiSc14ytK2HtL9DUWinJGRlCzhYX6rvIjHJXzZqqgWbwMKbQoXKnz6e7qx8cFuwe7BfrV1wKv7kKDeTX16pBOJ6TkJhIIxFDJ5/s1600/P2040150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wBbSrGsQ76MOAIqHbMzKSaDVAcp73u87ymAErP9_WImiSc14ytK2HtL9DUWinJGRlCzhYX6rvIjHJXzZqqgWbwMKbQoXKnz6e7qx8cFuwe7BfrV1wKv7kKDeTX16pBOJ6TkJhIIxFDJ5/s640/P2040150.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlkwDmXiSkonDdfZM8_bbSWAjo-whs3-cGX8zoj80J_zo-_8rw5Pfh3rV0NOEsoMvJuI_t1NU-xxji0qAq-28Q4ycX-woSc88UfCMZPF8Fy5lSAhfN3YxEm_oEjDsTCWRtLdkL90IonLl/s1600/P2040151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlkwDmXiSkonDdfZM8_bbSWAjo-whs3-cGX8zoj80J_zo-_8rw5Pfh3rV0NOEsoMvJuI_t1NU-xxji0qAq-28Q4ycX-woSc88UfCMZPF8Fy5lSAhfN3YxEm_oEjDsTCWRtLdkL90IonLl/s640/P2040151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Your mind wonders instantly who could ever do such a thing to another person. The hardest thing for these people is that this genocide of killing 3 million Cambodians was done by one of their own. This was not done by an outsider. Pol Pot was a fellow Cambodian killing his own people for no reason. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> As the tour guide was speaking to us about how brutally they were treated I noticed that Botevy was not in the room anymore. When we walked out I saw her standing there looking out at her school wiping her eyes. I went over to her and put my arms around her and just held her as she sobbed in my arms. Oh how my heart ached for her. She whispered in my ear that 3 of her family members had died here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> I just cried with her and told her how sorry I was. It was a solemn experience to be in that moment with her. I knew all that she had been through in her late teens during Pol Pot’s regime was coming back to her. I am sure she was remembering how it felt to have her father killed and to be torn from her home and separated from her family. I am sure her feelings of being woken up every single morning for almost 4 years at 3 am to work in the rice fields and labor camps under the hot sun until 8pm at night and given only 1 bowl of rice a day to eat was fresh on her mind. The feelings of not having a change of clothes, being forbidden to talk to anyone, and wasting away to 88lbs was a memory she did not want to have in the forefront of her mind.. I thought to myself, “Bless her. Bless her for being able to forgive and not have a bitter seed in her heart. Bless her for sacrificing the rest of her life to help children in need. Bless her for moving forward and not looking back.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"> She took a minute to herself while we continued on looking at all of the different preserved rooms with horrid pictures on the walls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a92q5ncTzCO4daB3N-ZIwQ_biG6joSEYuwnnL8EwqSEDBPR0Z-yaykSveow3p1bmuZsEteW57fAMcv7TtFS1VmQxiESYcF8krCUWsLX2z9m_4cs-VzDlPvfD5SESctyHNonuI2Ri5GBL/s1600/P2040190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a92q5ncTzCO4daB3N-ZIwQ_biG6joSEYuwnnL8EwqSEDBPR0Z-yaykSveow3p1bmuZsEteW57fAMcv7TtFS1VmQxiESYcF8krCUWsLX2z9m_4cs-VzDlPvfD5SESctyHNonuI2Ri5GBL/s640/P2040190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEt4fDjRQYt-AkvOcz_qEaIqSdFjxi1kmo6YTq8PBIIP7Y05B91y5m2t7S5gTiWGQKnV4L6BUPAfEjfK5vPt48Pgp45U_fyQY7kthiWmppZRjbSwMQPhHlgBFMSAX8-1pR7R0MzHnRocz/s1600/P2040192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEt4fDjRQYt-AkvOcz_qEaIqSdFjxi1kmo6YTq8PBIIP7Y05B91y5m2t7S5gTiWGQKnV4L6BUPAfEjfK5vPt48Pgp45U_fyQY7kthiWmppZRjbSwMQPhHlgBFMSAX8-1pR7R0MzHnRocz/s400/P2040192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babies were torn from their mothers and either hit against a tree or thrown in the air and shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Botevy soon joined us again and we walked into a “classroom.” It was divided by brick walls that were no more than 3 feet by 6 feet.<br />
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were probably 8 cells per room.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was still blood smeared all over the ground.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was explained to us that they were beaten with hammers, hoes, picks, and shovels.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Alcohol was poured into their noses with a tube.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They were handcuffed to the sides of a wooden box with water in it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They had to hold themselves up.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When they became too weak to hold themselves up anymore they would drown.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Their fingers were clipped off with pliers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Their nails were pulled out with pliers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They were starved.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N6ZYCOMm9Jxsahe0Hd8yMPHe79wGQ6A_CENw_XI9asSClLZj8bOv0e9o4daDWqu317R6kEUQK_PRiNJ1ga82LLK0UHr5sI6xzpSSBCEZSBalbNMCfw7sMOZ2QvsQxyDNTIJUPBX_zyBq/s1600/P2040194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N6ZYCOMm9Jxsahe0Hd8yMPHe79wGQ6A_CENw_XI9asSClLZj8bOv0e9o4daDWqu317R6kEUQK_PRiNJ1ga82LLK0UHr5sI6xzpSSBCEZSBalbNMCfw7sMOZ2QvsQxyDNTIJUPBX_zyBq/s640/P2040194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> They were handcuffed with their hands behind them and then hung from an old exercising bar until they lost consciousness. They were then dipped into a large barrel filled with fertilizer and sewer water until they came to. I just sat there with my mouth open wondering who on earth thought of these things and who on earth could do that to another human being. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> We were then explained a little bit about who the people were who carried out these orders. Pol Pot went out to the small provinces and countryside and recruited uneducated 14-15 year old boys to join him. They were then brainwashed over and over again until they also became cold and disheartened. So sad, and so unfair. They were killed if they refused to follow, they killed others if they joined. A no win situation for these confused boys.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d9qWItLzwebX0cayxjw1CLsqi3stRNHLv8wPopLIWAz6DGkQ53KHflyTink5u4dXEFFP7sBRcVxd7ss-phwWUamNG6wOVhrROxzx9IN8PtbIWO-uCEUhrFcTCphyEHX-yWwhm1zQ404S/s1600/P2040161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d9qWItLzwebX0cayxjw1CLsqi3stRNHLv8wPopLIWAz6DGkQ53KHflyTink5u4dXEFFP7sBRcVxd7ss-phwWUamNG6wOVhrROxzx9IN8PtbIWO-uCEUhrFcTCphyEHX-yWwhm1zQ404S/s640/P2040161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how young the boys were carrying out these orders</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> We walked into another classroom and Botevy told us that this used to be her classroom. She had once run around these halls with her friends and now they were covered with barbed wire still left over from the regime. I can’t even imagine that. I tried to put myself in her position. I imagined myself walking into good old PV High after it had been turned into a torture prison and remembering how three of my relatives had been killed there. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Unbelieveable. I admired her courage, and after touring the whole facility I realized even more how hard coming here must have been for her. I wish I could adequately describe all the pictures, the tools used to torture them, the inhumane way these people were treated. This happened in our lifetime. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H31MfXMLTtN1w2WgWTb5GLf1sdaJbiSq-WU2GR1VrmITQRM0Og5UuA2JYvqde5d4Q-ynHnd66dRc4OUbE9uNi_hQlsQNDsKY2npSZXDa8eLQJDeywyWI-qC4owtBiPw-R3BL8-BhjKTR/s1600/P2040152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H31MfXMLTtN1w2WgWTb5GLf1sdaJbiSq-WU2GR1VrmITQRM0Og5UuA2JYvqde5d4Q-ynHnd66dRc4OUbE9uNi_hQlsQNDsKY2npSZXDa8eLQJDeywyWI-qC4owtBiPw-R3BL8-BhjKTR/s640/P2040152.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The list of rules when they were brought here</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZysf6bW72UAsVIGSCk5Pm7jiKqX94spfhvqSY49Z2e15qGSReYLDYq70U5lrXKpfiOLeqFDp54DoI5mwJr-r39ZT3Z4wz6qGC14q817sAn7EjlFxtF-pqUwNJ09D7gu4thWamoAhAuoq/s1600/P2040199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZysf6bW72UAsVIGSCk5Pm7jiKqX94spfhvqSY49Z2e15qGSReYLDYq70U5lrXKpfiOLeqFDp54DoI5mwJr-r39ZT3Z4wz6qGC14q817sAn7EjlFxtF-pqUwNJ09D7gu4thWamoAhAuoq/s640/P2040199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the remains that they found here when Pol Pot was taken over</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLPE92BIK26uSBFy47r7KZZSQF-RI90BUHApX_IulScxkhx5o3QMR89NHFQ4OTHDJD8tMfFxiOW5R7NrykPrBeOULgKWthFKpwLUSRf2pOznUgeeUufk1fqXeigEeqZ8IMVcpDJhqg2dH/s1600/P2040169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLPE92BIK26uSBFy47r7KZZSQF-RI90BUHApX_IulScxkhx5o3QMR89NHFQ4OTHDJD8tMfFxiOW5R7NrykPrBeOULgKWthFKpwLUSRf2pOznUgeeUufk1fqXeigEeqZ8IMVcpDJhqg2dH/s640/P2040169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> After we left there, I had a new respect and understanding of the Cambodian people. Their sweetness, their hospitality, their genuine love for others took on a whole new meaning for me. My admiration raised 100%. How could people who had been through such a horrific experience still be so good? Everybody lost family members. Everybody lost friends. Everybody had been affected. Botevy said that may times to us. "We all went through the same thing." No one escaped Pol Pot.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> I hope this post was not too graphic. I actually censored a lot of what was there. But, there is another piece to the story. It is that of the "killing fields." We went there after visiting S-21 and I will write about it in my next post. As horrible as it was to go to S-21 and learn about this genocide, I am grateful for the experience I had there. A new respect and love formed and I walked away filled with a new reverence for the Cambodian people. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-12062544009315957812012-02-08T04:06:00.002-07:002012-02-08T08:52:27.665-07:00Life is all about people I am so behind on this blog. There are at least 10 posts that I need to catch up on! Between the power going out all the time, being gone helping the orphans, cooking for 15 people with no oven and a camping stove, doing laundry and hanging it all out to dry, homeschooling, doing seminary, teaching pre-school, and hand washing dishes--there's not a lot of free time! But, we are loving every minute of it. I mean, really loving it.<br />
I want to take a minute and just share some of the feelings I have felt here in Cambodia. It is hard to put into words how being here, surrounded by so much need, affects you as a person. I have always had a soft spot for those in need. I remember being very young traveling somewhere with my family and seeing beggars and not being able to eat the food in front of me because I felt so sad. I remember sneeking away and buying a couple hot dogs and running it over to a man who was begging. I remember being at In N Out Burger and seeing someone begging on the corner. I said I had to go to the bathroom, but I took my food outside and gave it to the man on the corner. My appetite would just disappear. I still have to hand out money to people on the street whether the sign they are carrying is true or not. I don't say that to have everyone think I am some Mother Theresa, because I am nothing close to that. I say that because I think that feeling of concern, a yearning to help, and a desire to make a small difference in someone's life is innate. We all have it.<br />
One of the most endearing traits of the Savior to me is how he ministered to the people. He lifted up the downtrodden. He spend so much time with those who had no hope but in Him. He taught so perfectly by the way He lived His life that the purpose of life is to help others. It is about being present in the life of someone in need. It is about forgetting our own needs and focusing on others. Life is all about relationships. Relationships with family, neighbors, friends, strangers, teachers, grandparents, acquaintances, co-workers, and little ones. For the Savior it has always been about "the one."<br />
Being here it can be overwhelming because everywhere you turn someone is in need. It is easy to get discouraged and say, forget it. I'm not going to do anything because it won't make a difference. The other day we were driving home from the market after getting food to feed our hungry kiddos at home. They were all hungry, but they would get food that night. We stopped at a red light and there were cars and mopeds speeding all around us with not much order. About 3 children came up to our car and were begging for food. They were barely dressed and dirty and were so incredibly cute. I got out some baguettes we had just bought. I handed each of them one, and before I knew it there were 15 kids all with their arms in my window saying "Please sister, please sister." We had bought 15 of them so I was handing them out as quickly as I could but then the light turned green and the driver started moving. The children were running next to our car still wanting something, anything to eat. I kept handing them out until they could not keep up with the car, almost getting run over. My heart broke as some went away empty handed. But, we did help some and I knew I would help again. I just have to keep telling myself that so my heart will recoup after an experience like that.<br />
It makes me want to really do something to help the many children here. I found out that there is a man here who everyday serves breakfast and lunch to 350 homeless or needy children. Those children most likely do not go to school because they can not buy a uniform or the needed school supplies. That is what is stopping them from going to school and being able to change their life. When I think about putting a foundation together to provide such basic things to help these children, I say to myself, "Why not?" Maybe that is why we were led to Cambodia in the first place. (I'll write the story of that when I get a minute.) I feel like in America we have so many resources to be able to make it happen. We can combine forces, share contacts, and find philanthropists who want to help, but don't know where or how. America has been hit by the economy, especially where I live in Idaho, but when you contrast it to what you see here there is absolutely no comparison. There would never be children wondering the streets begging for food.<br />
We met a boy yesterday named Kavich who came to the orphanage. Matt spent some time talking with him and assumed that he had come from a wealthy home because he was attending the University here and knew English. Matt asked why he was at the orphanage and he said that he likes to volunteer there because he had been so blessed by others in his life--he wanted to give back. He came from poverty and a lady from Vermont sponsored him and sent him to school. Her gift of sponsorship to him changed Kavich's life forever. One person blessing the life of another person. Who knows how far reaching it will go, because he is now an educated Cambodian giving back. I love it. Couldn't we all do something like that? Botevy said that it costs about $150 to sponsor one of her orphans for a month. She only has 2 sponsored, there are 28 more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw32U3tFOmKuS3bX6C76LklTa9913SQsGR9swtWZhyhdIf0iJuNgEhFeoip5PJBLk1C2F1n9zJ6C9_SED4enSA1RzsZzQx6ke-DnDhq0XpZMachXh95mtazoYOUZWi24duCrGLVbYTLy9X/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw32U3tFOmKuS3bX6C76LklTa9913SQsGR9swtWZhyhdIf0iJuNgEhFeoip5PJBLk1C2F1n9zJ6C9_SED4enSA1RzsZzQx6ke-DnDhq0XpZMachXh95mtazoYOUZWi24duCrGLVbYTLy9X/s640/IMG_9880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Look at those faces!! Chenny, Monte, (Olivia), Sarong, and Selena. I'll keep you posted on the sponsorship opportunities :) <br />
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smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-43577980884551313712012-02-04T09:43:00.001-07:002012-02-04T09:46:01.451-07:00Making progress!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirHthyphenhyphenmNsQ5jgxe0oWU4mzpYsr7hpTdOJTcXHEs3diiYCm0GjFDdc4DonKKUiiWugzwojo_56FtusvRbgjYZuEvyupJ9WbTZgE5vEs9aQxShAVOxP8LjtGTt7cIPl_BrlySpqV-xJIjPs/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirHthyphenhyphenmNsQ5jgxe0oWU4mzpYsr7hpTdOJTcXHEs3diiYCm0GjFDdc4DonKKUiiWugzwojo_56FtusvRbgjYZuEvyupJ9WbTZgE5vEs9aQxShAVOxP8LjtGTt7cIPl_BrlySpqV-xJIjPs/s640/IMG_9695.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been so neat to work on this chicken coop with the orphans. They are hard workers and teach us how to do it with very little tools, or broken tools, or made up tools that are lying around. The nails are rusty and probably 20 years old, but it's working! We just make due, and that has been great for the kids to see that with a little creativity you can make anything work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I'll quickly show the different stages...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VO-15fNOtIPsIM0aRluwZlYcUX8VDoZqyMsUZxBm5n2xxNizWT8tZftITvDCYuIXqxRx6lD4lzQMMdb-K_gkwrN5u4lCvX-FlbU2lnAzHnO1_Fc02DIARtK8ZZwkCyOwFsRX2CMcrbMl/s1600/chicken+coop+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VO-15fNOtIPsIM0aRluwZlYcUX8VDoZqyMsUZxBm5n2xxNizWT8tZftITvDCYuIXqxRx6lD4lzQMMdb-K_gkwrN5u4lCvX-FlbU2lnAzHnO1_Fc02DIARtK8ZZwkCyOwFsRX2CMcrbMl/s400/chicken+coop+%231.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Clearing out the trees, roots, rocks, and debris</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls had some big muscles carrying load after load of rocks and clay like dirt in buckets--no wheelbarrows around here!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIG8weCVElhD4kF8AG5cWTxcTvxRfbbuhFEp1hBl_WVEURGnf4EbFr1DFzcR7mBzUOdOmEz6KCwJBw1s2YgNwhs8LH915_IzfIILMur_8J64ZEahOlSS4v1rjgEnsg1_DN-tlKqr0h_u6/s1600/cc%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIG8weCVElhD4kF8AG5cWTxcTvxRfbbuhFEp1hBl_WVEURGnf4EbFr1DFzcR7mBzUOdOmEz6KCwJBw1s2YgNwhs8LH915_IzfIILMur_8J64ZEahOlSS4v1rjgEnsg1_DN-tlKqr0h_u6/s320/cc%25233.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody had a job to do :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJweIY6eJJp8tXKRNShwAeYTg_ytQAmNXpjI-L3renHGHK33jXfKx7NyNPSH2CtCoaF2z8fqnXh4zU1JUG0GNY4LZmANAon-tGQjgyxjUEDEDc0rwPXdZ614htGnULgQZPx_qAB5KeQITY/s1600/cc%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJweIY6eJJp8tXKRNShwAeYTg_ytQAmNXpjI-L3renHGHK33jXfKx7NyNPSH2CtCoaF2z8fqnXh4zU1JUG0GNY4LZmANAon-tGQjgyxjUEDEDc0rwPXdZ614htGnULgQZPx_qAB5KeQITY/s320/cc%234.jpg" width="320" /><span id="goog_1871663532"></span><span id="goog_1871663533"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared out and ready for concrete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHZdcWrdUjKIgbMn1_0PNGP5WxffCp1Cqz63wyRqg1p8F_g9GnMUrY7wqIfvvupoCOfuWuBDba_krif0EdTXd074ZcRTYIL0RQh68UEaRxbszMascuyCITCbZUJ-QApm7zDRRscUyf9TW/s1600/cc%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHZdcWrdUjKIgbMn1_0PNGP5WxffCp1Cqz63wyRqg1p8F_g9GnMUrY7wqIfvvupoCOfuWuBDba_krif0EdTXd074ZcRTYIL0RQh68UEaRxbszMascuyCITCbZUJ-QApm7zDRRscUyf9TW/s1600/cc%235.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking up old bricks and tile for a base under the concrete. Boy were they sore afterwards. It was all done by hand with sledgehammers. We are making men out of these boys! They've got calloused hands to prove it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4pVtw85kZfJ5N0Zi4Xw-tEovoQ_YLWiM_SkbFbqccUp4LvxWTXkO41zbNP8UCjxBj931YVvuHpMIzvxhyphenhyphenSSdXOXzKu0jx9_kuKhrcVJSPC1JSzem056FyW0wB-n22m0yy0OK-QR5YdFE/s1600/cc%25236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4pVtw85kZfJ5N0Zi4Xw-tEovoQ_YLWiM_SkbFbqccUp4LvxWTXkO41zbNP8UCjxBj931YVvuHpMIzvxhyphenhyphenSSdXOXzKu0jx9_kuKhrcVJSPC1JSzem056FyW0wB-n22m0yy0OK-QR5YdFE/s1600/cc%25236.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just want to squeeze her? She worked just as hard as everyone else</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexNg8Uym_DZzS6HXfdsk-Xmk0HJFwCVD7dHdlfYXGbY6MuG-qyvvKuAYh3NA6uZ6vbOhpkA1Pfh4yVdtsbFkixVIrVXLq2U9y7gIRdpWxljw-X_7uTzHLV4yYkKQY9cx4YCiLZdVJnuzW/s1600/cc%237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexNg8Uym_DZzS6HXfdsk-Xmk0HJFwCVD7dHdlfYXGbY6MuG-qyvvKuAYh3NA6uZ6vbOhpkA1Pfh4yVdtsbFkixVIrVXLq2U9y7gIRdpWxljw-X_7uTzHLV4yYkKQY9cx4YCiLZdVJnuzW/s1600/cc%237.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO__skByxNLu_yGJVRO1mgJYYHtLc5410QhfI-VKSKngNaghKosKsHseFaZjTdi2r7p0hZWov6th8KLjxnERzc_lLW_E-ch8B5xIUf0JsneZkgQtuGt5FiKh3UtzvsQLblCIrFvr_HG3us/s1600/cc+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO__skByxNLu_yGJVRO1mgJYYHtLc5410QhfI-VKSKngNaghKosKsHseFaZjTdi2r7p0hZWov6th8KLjxnERzc_lLW_E-ch8B5xIUf0JsneZkgQtuGt5FiKh3UtzvsQLblCIrFvr_HG3us/s1600/cc+10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting the sand ready for concrete...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc-qiMi8-LqMZ5qCMGOjOk6h2uqx1hhpqZNmEjfWQTRknQOj0Dm6hBRLXx9pIvw9cg_iuqf2We9l_coev0MA8t09P5XcF90ZAHiGRpWF1mrisOUZT7uyNLZHTlWccNgP3Ex_bNmwc_epJ/s1600/cc+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc-qiMi8-LqMZ5qCMGOjOk6h2uqx1hhpqZNmEjfWQTRknQOj0Dm6hBRLXx9pIvw9cg_iuqf2We9l_coev0MA8t09P5XcF90ZAHiGRpWF1mrisOUZT7uyNLZHTlWccNgP3Ex_bNmwc_epJ/s1600/cc+11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Botevy and her husband Gen--the most selfless people on the planet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HIkS-VhEbX-DnrkId0y3kQ4zF2vvGRiev0eJnxI9jDMHdpu5NJWpG8QSXVd5Dd3Kn4rdJtxcU4iavc1D6q2hx72GIf8z4fgEX-e-8wneXaXK7Hgbgv-zcCdt4MmGbrFwqchYljqqNu0S/s1600/cc+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HIkS-VhEbX-DnrkId0y3kQ4zF2vvGRiev0eJnxI9jDMHdpu5NJWpG8QSXVd5Dd3Kn4rdJtxcU4iavc1D6q2hx72GIf8z4fgEX-e-8wneXaXK7Hgbgv-zcCdt4MmGbrFwqchYljqqNu0S/s1600/cc+12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing the concrete</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUySmACI_2yHfoz6jtRvG4RYbixw8_BDb35TZ860zoyz5_wahtnSeX5UeTIPtD8M2UJCwnGgErxDoskzP2bCLgaJ-WWfHIA-ovVVT_dejsYYoJCTWwHjIlHaiqfFxn78MDLqiKxdKbM63/s1600/cc+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUySmACI_2yHfoz6jtRvG4RYbixw8_BDb35TZ860zoyz5_wahtnSeX5UeTIPtD8M2UJCwnGgErxDoskzP2bCLgaJ-WWfHIA-ovVVT_dejsYYoJCTWwHjIlHaiqfFxn78MDLqiKxdKbM63/s1600/cc+13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I get to take do hair, nails, and art projects while the boys sweat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XE5l3CK_uAEP08FEDQvuvZ1Mbd_G3G8cmrKAF2JNuJUfA7OO8uCKOISIrfmjYpZfr7u5w8_aM5fl0Ip5efaXa5tVQS789b_toEkqmrA_yiRX-uFR-htntt-f1Z08nwWCPBEAqFZiq-QU/s1600/cc+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XE5l3CK_uAEP08FEDQvuvZ1Mbd_G3G8cmrKAF2JNuJUfA7OO8uCKOISIrfmjYpZfr7u5w8_aM5fl0Ip5efaXa5tVQS789b_toEkqmrA_yiRX-uFR-htntt-f1Z08nwWCPBEAqFZiq-QU/s1600/cc+17.jpg" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHSFIhw4wQZFw2th9xXjt9yeCQugkx6F7iXVx9F9Z4shyphenhyphen9X4brilSF1A6MMc5p-IOq-F9ajJRPqh9gvvKFyK6iJ1deho9rjiBHshv1OF3lXLDzW1uheclbVtHG1V6Cr2jR2hhFvGTDbIA/s1600/cc+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHSFIhw4wQZFw2th9xXjt9yeCQugkx6F7iXVx9F9Z4shyphenhyphen9X4brilSF1A6MMc5p-IOq-F9ajJRPqh9gvvKFyK6iJ1deho9rjiBHshv1OF3lXLDzW1uheclbVtHG1V6Cr2jR2hhFvGTDbIA/s1600/cc+16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step one-concrete done</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjEqFBmM0iyIhbHQbRLfjWEmmnqxngDc0q521eY-FWjErAbPSEcm40Iw-rFHgx93R5DQFHSR2XonSdxp9u4RMOe_6mQIyK3Np1CeyMZj8dKtxpWTQNl46fkq4-46Z3J-7K2yYXSBPP2Nf/s1600/cc+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjEqFBmM0iyIhbHQbRLfjWEmmnqxngDc0q521eY-FWjErAbPSEcm40Iw-rFHgx93R5DQFHSR2XonSdxp9u4RMOe_6mQIyK3Np1CeyMZj8dKtxpWTQNl46fkq4-46Z3J-7K2yYXSBPP2Nf/s1600/cc+19.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids here at CICFO are SO good to our kids</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I'd better get to bed...I'll post the next phases tomorrow. Doing this has been so great for our kids. You know the saying, "We can do hard things"--my children are learning that here. It is HOT, they are sweaty, usually hungry, have blisters, are bit by red ants and mosquitoes, and it is long hard hours working in a primitive situation, but I tell you what, there have been no complaints. I guarantee that if we were at my house doing this, there would be oodles of complaints and some whining. But, since this is for somebody else they are really enjoying it. So, I am hoping that their spirits here will linger enough to get them through their summer of chores :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-75795087197997525022012-02-03T00:05:00.000-07:002012-02-03T00:05:07.726-07:00If you would like to...Some of you have asked if you can help donate to the orphanage in Cambodia. Botevy told me today that they are in need of 5 more sleeping mats for the children. They have taken more children in and can not afford to buy them. Right now they are sleeping on the tile floor. They also are in need of 5 metal dressers for clothes. The mats are $30 each and so are the dressers. If you would like to buy one for the orphanage just let me know!smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-39887933507500982762012-02-02T09:50:00.000-07:002012-02-02T09:50:32.001-07:00A Mother's Prayer<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could tell a hundredth part of what we are experiencing here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to forget the things that are changing us here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so interesting how when you step into somebody else’s world for a moment, you realize all the blessings you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned that what we consider to be “hard” most of the time is just temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have hope that the trial will end in a reasonable amount of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things we worry about are not the things that will decide if we can feed our children or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not have to decide if we should give our children to an orphanage or not simply because we can not provide for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t imagine being faced with a decision like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the ultimate sacrifice of a mother to give their child up so they can have a better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a mother I can tell you that when one of my children is hurting, sick, sad, or just having a hard day my heart hurts for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything else seems to fade into the background and in that moment the only thing I care about is helping that child.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had an experience last week when we were touring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat with the orphans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 55 people that we were keeping track of-47 of which were children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom, if you are reading this, just skip the paragraph <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> We were at the last temple of the day and the children were playing tag wondering around the ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had Tyler, Ashton, and Charlotte right by us, but I let the older children run around with the older orphans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this particular temple we exited a different way than where we entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of us knew that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we finished exploring around, we all loaded up in the vans and counted heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to my panic, Brandon (12), Jocelyn (18), and Marcus (5) were not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was getting dark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that Jocelyn and Marcus were together because only a little while before she was holding his hand going to find their dad, but I did not know if Brandon was with them. The orphans that Brandon had been running around with were all in the vans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart sank and momma bear kicked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some set off on foot to find them, I ran over to a Tuk Tuk and begged the man to take me to the front of the temple, thinking he probably would go there if he got lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his broken English he said he was waiting for clients, but I think he saw the fear in my eyes and he took me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that Tuk Tuk ride as dust was blowing in my face I said one of those prayers that you only offer a couple times in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the most heartfelt prayers I have ever said in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was earnest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was full of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was pleading and promising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was given with complete humility and total dependence on my Father in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew He was capable of my request for us finding Brandon and the Cleggs safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the front of the temple and they were not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart was racing as the sun was setting .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver said he would report it to the police and that is when the tears started flowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were closing and the guard would not let me back in to look for them, but once again that momma bear came out and I looked him straight in the eye and told him I was going in to find my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, people in Cambodia speak VERY little English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tuk Tuk driver was so sweet and he must have explained something to the man while I was running away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called after me and said, “2 boy, 1 girl?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I heard those words shouted back at me, I felt peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran back with tears in my eyes and asked him if he saw them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said yes and that they had walked the other way out the temple with somebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been found!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so filled with gratitude for a God that hears our prayers and cares just as much as we do, if not more, for a lost child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that the feelings I felt that day for Brandon are multiplied by our Father in Heaven for all of His children who are hurting, or lost, or hungry, or suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cares about all of us more perfectly than we care for our own children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to imagine that, but I know it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for the power that comes from prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for a listening Father in Heaven who answered a scared little mother’s prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so aware of our day to day doings and He is interested and present.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I have seen much poverty here and it truly hurts my heart, there are so many things this culture can teach us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They live simply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of that is forced upon them, but all they want is basic human needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the ladies who volunteered at the orphanage for years asked the children what they wanted for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said they did not even know how to answer the question because they don’t have wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love coming home from the orphanage and looking out at the streets and whole families-kids, parents, grandparents are out eating together. They share bowls of food on a simple raised floor made out of woven reeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city is alive with friends and family outside enjoying one another’s company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not in a hurry to eat and get on to the next thing, because there is no next thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE seeing that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet little Chenna is 5 years old and she had on a little CTR rubber bracelet. I pointed to it and told her it was beautiful and she took it right off and put it on my wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard as I tried she would not let me give it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other bracelet she had on was a piece of string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give everything so freely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are happy about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the light of Christ to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people give and it makes them so happy to give it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people give when they really have nothing to give at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing anything for us is an “honor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t tell you how many times we hear that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so humble, the salt of the earth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are happy amidst hardship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They emanate joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t care that they are shoeless, or that they are 15 years old wearing a bathing suit from the movie Cars as shorts, or that they went to church in a pair of pants instead of a skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are okay sleeping on a tile floor with 15 other people per room and preparing their food over hot coals and a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such great people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the time comes and I am back home cooking on my 4 burner range and putting my laundry in a dryer and food down a disposal and dishes in a dishwasher and I feel like complaining because there is always so much to be done…I will stop myself and remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will remember that I have food to feed my children, a fridge that will hold more than one day’s food in it, a bed to sleep in and that my husband has a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will remember that I won’t have to think once that day about having to give my children up to an orphanage because I can’t provide for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will remember the blessings.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well ,on to what we have been doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cleared out the ground and leveled it so we could pour the concrete for the chicken coop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Botevy wanted another layer down on top of the bricks so the boys took a bunch of old bricks and crushed them up with sledgehammers for a base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They worked side by side with the older orphans and had a good time, although I am sure they are all very soar like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our family was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls were also a big help as they carried the buckets away filled with dirt, rocks, and roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got half the cement poured and all the orphans were able to put their handprints in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will finish the cement in the morning and start assembling the chicken coops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have never built one before, but I’m pretty sure Matt and Doug can build anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, they are Idaho boys <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also helping them with their mushroom planting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grow a type of mushroom I have never seen before and sell them at the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are soft and white and almost look like a flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They brought some home and dipped them in batter and fried them up for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were scrumptious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very different way of growing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grow them indoors in a bag with sawdust and rice powder and something else that I don’t know the name of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their mushrooms<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are not growing well because they are depleted of minerals, so we helped them purchase the items needed to start all over again so they can yield much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to learn how to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been brainstorming on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ideas of how we can help Botevy with the children after we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug came up with the idea of doing a life-sketch on each child and putting it on their website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would interview them and find out what they want to study and do when they graduate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could set up a system where families in the USA could sponsor them and help pay for their education here, or school supplies needed or a white shirt etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>School is not free in Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to pay for your teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the children here need bikes to get to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are things like that that would be so neat to have people sponsor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a thought, I’d like to know what you think!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children here are so bright and love to learn English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they have the right tools they will be able to get an education and help their families.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Time for bed, </span>love to you all!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; 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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nupgwhlpfswh-u7lnC4Kzg5WUHpKQqBHXl2st1i-CNFhZFR6IsTGsuLMkewuwn5JOx2uvinonttXFJdkoVyTvHlNKQA5eE5n7RGDFAt5tX24ZcdWSX679De03V4fIyZ4m8VQFhNtGf5S/s1600/DSCF3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nupgwhlpfswh-u7lnC4Kzg5WUHpKQqBHXl2st1i-CNFhZFR6IsTGsuLMkewuwn5JOx2uvinonttXFJdkoVyTvHlNKQA5eE5n7RGDFAt5tX24ZcdWSX679De03V4fIyZ4m8VQFhNtGf5S/s640/DSCF3851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clearing for the chicken coops!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never passes up a chance to get dirty!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfSRTaf6DrKfkUMtZpYryA1uKKUshg6JxrKOyBveunW6N8NAIUD1XVHlHXXsKMHBB9EzdqK1bjAVI9yGgkxe-i3Ag1XJF6jopOfo_fGDAEiDz5hseL1-SFdDWyhyphenhyphen0XinmdR6KFKSCWp-f/s1600/IMG_9366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfSRTaf6DrKfkUMtZpYryA1uKKUshg6JxrKOyBveunW6N8NAIUD1XVHlHXXsKMHBB9EzdqK1bjAVI9yGgkxe-i3Ag1XJF6jopOfo_fGDAEiDz5hseL1-SFdDWyhyphenhyphen0XinmdR6KFKSCWp-f/s640/IMG_9366.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">ps-We were invited to a wedding today of one of Botevy’s friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so wonderful to see a true Cambodian ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 2 day celebration with lots of food and music and rituals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the rituals is that the bride and groom cut their hair with golden scissors that are from heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they do that their marriage will be blessed from heaven…so great for the children to see different cultures! </div>smithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6133116026623942148.post-81321297606750058722012-01-30T22:29:00.000-07:002012-01-30T22:29:38.969-07:007 Days In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIJbppcZSya5ByjU8RaIKfxP70vWNV3UeJxJKrrkNKlFfwlpNosW8GFVKbiG3EDm9eMhtiNnduODCLvVotkeUD5pZxxWw6zri_vXfWDJ2DjACestV9ceVCpLp3Z9yOIdPk-QQyrUXI5sW/s1600/IMG_9205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIJbppcZSya5ByjU8RaIKfxP70vWNV3UeJxJKrrkNKlFfwlpNosW8GFVKbiG3EDm9eMhtiNnduODCLvVotkeUD5pZxxWw6zri_vXfWDJ2DjACestV9ceVCpLp3Z9yOIdPk-QQyrUXI5sW/s640/IMG_9205.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> We just got home from taking the children to Angkor Wat for the last 4 days. We rode for 9 hours each way in 4 vans to go 200 miles. Yes, 200 miles, not 700. I felt like we were playing a game of Frogger as we shared the road with pigs, water buffalo, cows, mopeds, bicycles, buses, Tuk Tuks, and pedestrians. Holy Moly were we ever glad we were not driving! The kids made the best of it singing songs and putting their hands out the window and high fiving the people on mopeds. The Cambodians laughed and thought the kids were pretty cute, but that does show how fast we were able to go the whole way. It was fascinating to drive that far and not see any variations the whole way. Most "houses" were on stilts and it was a one room home. The streets were lined with people selling everything you could think of needed for day to day life, which here, is pretty much food items.<br />
We have seen, felt, and experienced so much in the last couple days I do not even know where to start. The best part of the trip was getting to know all the orphans better. I am continually amazed at how naturally happy they are. It is absolutely amazing to me. Our kids every 5 minutes need a drink, or want some candy, or are begging for ice-cream, or a souvenir etc. while these orphans never ask for anything and always say no if you offer them something-- all with a smile on their face. I need a little bit of that to rub off on my kids :)<br />
It has been an eye opening experience learning about their stories from Botevy. I already have about 6 that I am going to take home with me. That is reasonable right? I am thinking 12 kids is pretty much the same as 6 :) Matt is already laughing at me, but don't be surprised if one of them makes it home with us. Most of the children here have parents still living, but they can not afford to feed them or send them to school. There are so many wanting to come to Botevy's orphanage, but there is not an endless amount of room. They just took 5 more children in a couple of months ago. Sray Mi is one of them that has only been here a few months. She is 12 and she is here because her father left their mother for another women. He gives all the money he makes to his girlfriend. So, Sray Mi's mother is left with 6 children to take care of and no way of supporting them. Botevy was able to take in only one of the children. Botevy told me that Sray Mi keeps asking her if she could go back and go back and get her 10 year old brother. That broke my heart. <br />
Sarong is 10 and is here because her uncle is a member of our church and heard about Botevy's orphanage. He like so many others pleaded with her to take her in because her family was "so poor." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkB5cAAIWspiXwjdktOC9TmyIBl2DXMY1GqTvyWCAUDs91kOIIjwWqsUZQVJiB4i6DZQv2beJFZqpkdhAsNVyKbvg692DOvot5brIN-_R5x53wkDbSmoEkaQwfutmDMpA28_X24J6Hv4TA/s1600/IMG_9310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkB5cAAIWspiXwjdktOC9TmyIBl2DXMY1GqTvyWCAUDs91kOIIjwWqsUZQVJiB4i6DZQv2beJFZqpkdhAsNVyKbvg692DOvot5brIN-_R5x53wkDbSmoEkaQwfutmDMpA28_X24J6Hv4TA/s640/IMG_9310.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Sarong is the one on the very right in the picture above. She's the one I'm bringing home :) Love that girl. Love all these kids! Monte is on the left, I call her Monte Carlo--and Jenny is in the middle. Look at all those smiles. Edible.<br />
There really is a great deal of poverty here. Yesterday we bought some boxes of Top Ramen. Botevy said it would be good to hand out to the people in the provinces who are "so poor." Botevy and her daughters Sunny and YaYa have hearts that never stop giving. On our drive home today we pulled over on the side of the road and started to hand out one pack of Top Ramen to each child on the street. Botevy wanted to do this for her orphans as well. She wanted them to remember how blessed they are to have food, a home, and clothes. It was so sweet to watch these orphans hand out the TopRamen to these children. They must have had mixed emotions as they were there because most of them had been in that position before in their life, and some of them as recent as December. <br />
Cambodians, children and adults, started coming out of the wood works. I will never forget that experience. They were so excited for one serving of Top Ramen. The children standing there completely naked holding onto their noodles is a sight that makes you just stand still for a moment. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1BOaCtq-1phwNeYuGqhpFQ5sv8fdkYDHUppGKZQkESMTFr52AWAkgdvPIgaIbLiVc5wuajPijHkADAzkLlE40oFNBaWM1qWdyaqa02YHDheWD7GqpHc8Ijh1D53vGXNoRaIMz42SV730/s1600/DSCF3813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1BOaCtq-1phwNeYuGqhpFQ5sv8fdkYDHUppGKZQkESMTFr52AWAkgdvPIgaIbLiVc5wuajPijHkADAzkLlE40oFNBaWM1qWdyaqa02YHDheWD7GqpHc8Ijh1D53vGXNoRaIMz42SV730/s640/DSCF3813.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjonAmXYpnJugOYYVhsFPt1rzRMAEwLt6lJM-SrWXb1c6Otu5dA6zOd-GXjILxrHiyqktljPdC6ozDmF4GAOzpOK6Fi5gFy4AUuB5uJlI5_d5NmzfeQAaLbFBY5xgyXtErgnEWXEhGjM/s1600/DSCF3812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjonAmXYpnJugOYYVhsFPt1rzRMAEwLt6lJM-SrWXb1c6Otu5dA6zOd-GXjILxrHiyqktljPdC6ozDmF4GAOzpOK6Fi5gFy4AUuB5uJlI5_d5NmzfeQAaLbFBY5xgyXtErgnEWXEhGjM/s640/DSCF3812.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
As a mother I took a minute to look at each of my own children's faces. They were somber. They were quiet. I knew they had never seen anything quite like what was before their eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtTwqxTvtp-Ks_OYipzoPm0obBiAsQaRq5WcvSnbRS3I_ORSaj76BbeXW6ssTFjbZw5ARBySxmW8jysFHrnjpyUuIv9wRRV3syxJBX539VQj9_RfOUvtwjhV6ZaWRD29Fk3M4Noy3NtUR/s1600/DSCF3816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtTwqxTvtp-Ks_OYipzoPm0obBiAsQaRq5WcvSnbRS3I_ORSaj76BbeXW6ssTFjbZw5ARBySxmW8jysFHrnjpyUuIv9wRRV3syxJBX539VQj9_RfOUvtwjhV6ZaWRD29Fk3M4Noy3NtUR/s640/DSCF3816.jpg" width="616" /></a></div><br />
The look on Brandon's face says it all. At that moment you want to take the shirts off your back and find any food you had in the car and give them anything you could. This might sound a little strange, but for me there was almost a kind of reverence there on the side of that busy highway. I worried about them, I still worry about them and I can't get them out of my mind.<br />
On Sunday we had another unforgettable experience. We went to see the "water village." It is on the border of Vietnam and Cambodia and there is a whole group of people that live literally on the river. Words can not describe it, so I will post some pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_-FYjstgYMYBojoBl-KXilVP37K44TaOPcUCPjkRtMpD1CAkUNDA4GEny4homqf-qmbd7JlGKkaKlEpeaC-ksZ3YfEXISVd-TGmRfNPslUXuh9l_VYCAkTAYfjwlAOWMBBSViIm7n35f/s1600/DSCF3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_-FYjstgYMYBojoBl-KXilVP37K44TaOPcUCPjkRtMpD1CAkUNDA4GEny4homqf-qmbd7JlGKkaKlEpeaC-ksZ3YfEXISVd-TGmRfNPslUXuh9l_VYCAkTAYfjwlAOWMBBSViIm7n35f/s640/DSCF3652.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>post more later, gotta go! XOXOsmithcrew8http://www.blogger.com/profile/09430263651918305838noreply@blogger.com6