Honduras, Again

Friends will say that it is so good of me to travel to help the poor of Honduras. I am always uncomfortable with this statement. I really feel, it is a privilege and a blessing to be asked to help. It's a long trip and we have to be careful to avoid contaminated water and food but that is the extent of our sacrifice. The teams are always a different mix of people and each group seems to have their own dynamic. There is some I know and some I am meeting for the first time. When we sign up for a date, we don't know who will be going except for Mark and Becky who coordinate the trips. It is all in God's plan. It is for His purpose and praise. Here is our group of young and old, me being the old.

This year, after sleeping in comfort and hearing the sounds of the night (crowing roosters & barking dogs) we wake to clouds that burn off by the time we reach the surgery center. Each morning we have breakfast at the mission house and spend time in devotions before leaving for the clinic. It is a wonderful way to begin the day with songs of praise and prayer. We pray again with our patients.

In contrast to working in the states, there are no times set for the schedule. We usually care for the youngest patients first, then as they show up. Lunch break is when our meal is brought in and we shut down the OR for lunch. We stay until the cases are done for the day (6-7pm). Everyone helping each other and enjoying our work. No chaos. This year I worked with a plastic surgeon. We see a lot of cleft palates and cleft lips. Our patients are poor, they will never be able to pay for this surgery so it is such a gift. The parents cry with joy when they see their child after surgery. I heard a story about a Honduran woman who had this surgery at the age of 36 years several years ago. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she smiled and said, "I have never been kissed on the lips." We often take for granted the medical care we have access to in the USA. Here is a before and after photo.

We work for 5 days and then spend a day of recreation. This year, several of the team risked their lives on a zip line 1200 feet above the valley floor in the clouds. It was a cold rainy day but each one that went came back to us after 6 zip lines across the valley and down the mountain. I was not one of them. I couldn't imagine I would have the courage to hang from a wire that far above the earth. The next picture gives you some perspective of the platform and cliff.

More my style was our ride through the country side, photographing wild life and visiting a pottery shop.

This little girl was quite the sales girl. She is 7 years old and counted to 10 in English. I taught her to say "I love you" in sign language. Her grandma has the shop next to her home.

This was a fun group. We had lots of laughs and great devotions and discussions. Thursday night we had a Non Talent Show. That took all the pressure off for any expectations to impress. Everyone took part in the fun. We had a couple guys sing and dance a rap, one wrote a poem of our trip, another gave a lecture, a terrible guitar player, an 80s dance to Rocky, a quote of a very mediocre poem and an Amelia Bedelia style skit on how to make oatmeal and another skit of our work in the OR with props. Pretty much it lived up to its name as non-talent.

One of our team members remarked about how the year before he had such a calmness come over him during and after his Honduras mission trip. Jesus brother James says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you," James 4:8. We are filled with Christ as He promises and our work and time together is to His Glory and not our own. We are blessed, for sure but it is God's work.

Tennessee Thanksgiving

Talk about Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for Aunt Nancy, Em, Gary, Angie, Scott and Lisa, Aunt Jo, Aunt Suzanne and Aunt Patsy for their warm Southern hospitality that we enjoyed in Franklin, Tennessee! After a 10 hour drive from Michigan, we arrived at the log house, decked out with pumpkins and flowers. Lots of hugs inside and wonderful aromas from many dishes being prepared for the weekend.

The grand children's excitement of seeing their cousins after several months added to the fun. My favorite moment was all the hugs and kisses as they lined up to say goodnight before Dan read them a story.

Aunt Nancy opened her house for all of us. Beds for seven children and six adults in the main house and Tom and I had our own little "potting shed." This little cottage is nothing like my garden shed! Very comfortable and super cute with bedroom, kitchen, bath and living area.

We spent Thanksgiving Day at Scott & Lisa's home with a backyard like a park. Lots of action and things to do for the children and 70F. Got to love the south!

Here are the ladies that made this meal happen (Angie, Lisa, Patsy, Suzanne and Jo) and what a meal it was! I can't remember a dinner with more choices.

Did you think three of those ladies looked related? well here they are with their brother, Gary, Angie's dad.

Lions fans all enjoyed most of the game but they have come to expect to be disappointed on this day. I've got to hand it to them, they are not "fair weather fans."

On the other hand, Kim, Natalie and Joy are enjoying the the fair weather of Tennessee.

The next morning we enjoyed a big breakfast of country ham, tomato gravy, biscuits, quiche, cheezy potatoes and fruit before heading off to tour Opry Land Hotel. I sure wasn't prepared for the beauty and magnitude of the gardens.

Now, that is a beautiful tree but I think those little ones in front of it are the most precious. Oh, just in case you are counting and wondering, Natalie is not in the picture and the two children on the left are Zane and Hazel, cousins to Dan's children. It was pretty busy in there and watching nine children among the crowds was a bit of a challenge, but Cooper helped us out with Natalie.

After another meal of left over turkey and dressing (YUM) we gather the children, bathe and tuck them into bed. How can a much anticipated visit go by so fast! Saturday is a day of travel to Georgia, Illinois and Michigan. We are thankful for these family times and the freedom we have to drive throughout our country, the abundance of food and beautiful places and those who have shared their gift of hospitality with us.

These three, Emily, Angie and Nancy our hostesses. Angie sure resembles her mother and her Aunt Nancy in physical appearance and spirit. Thank you.

Autumn's Splendor

My favorite time of year!!! I love the cooler temperatures, the blueness of the sky and the contrasting colors of the foliage. After a very hot summer, I expected the stressed trees to drop their leaves early and give us a short and maybe not so vibrant autumn. I was so wrong! This has been one of the most beautiful years I can remember. I just can't get enough of it.

These are photos of the perennials in our yard. The hydrangeas are deepening in color and the grasses are raising up feathering stalks. A few hardy plants are giving us a second bloom and the most striking plant is this beauty bush.

Even on a cloudy day, the tree branches that arch across the road are bright yellow and gives a sense of sunshine.

It would be wonderful to enjoy this beauty for weeks on end, but alas, the leaves do fall. I was reminded of this when I went out to the garden shed after a few days and discovered and invader.

I must admit that we truly need this lawn tractor and leaf vacuum when the leaves are the size of my head.

So here is Tom on his 3rd round in two days. It sure beats the back pack leaf blowers, tarps and rakes that Tom, Mike, Chris and Dan worked with for years. Autumn is glorious, a season of harvest. A harvest of color and fruits of our labor. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

Summer

I don't ever remember a summer that has been so warm. We traveled "up north" and "down south" and the weather remained hot and humid. I'm not so energetic in hot weather and my flowers and our yard suffered. I would water the annuals near the house and the recently transplanted but some of the grass died from heat exhaustion and drought. The summer will be remembered by the heat but my pictures reflect other memories. A quick trip to Alpena to see my sister, Kathy and pick up my home made Adirondack chairs, made by her friend.

Tom and I and our electrician and builder spent many hours creating a garden shed.

The beauty of the Atlantic Ocean is enhanced by the sea grass and sand of North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Our grand weekend and the innocence and joy of Natalie pushing Jack on a swing.

A short visit with my niece and her children who came all the way from Bainbridge Island. Cousins enjoying cousins.

A fun weekend with our great friends, enjoying their beautiful boat and lounging in Torch Lake.

Always a fun visit is the birthday celebration of Hudson and Claire,now a beach day on Tybee Island.

Savannah also has a great breakfast place at Huey's after a quick trip across the river by ferry. Tucker and Cooper add to the fun.

In spite of the heat, we enjoyed the sunshine,landscapes and fellowship with family and friends. Summer's days are past and now the most beautiful season of all is coming to bless us.