Progress--From survive to thrive.

     Recently Dixie wrote a post 7 new babies admitted in the last 24 hours (Please read that first)… And I can’t help but share the progress on two of the seven. These two little boys have captured my heart. One hurt by pure neglect and one hurt by a lack of education but both loved by the nannies, nurses, volunteers and staff here at GLA. Both boys names start with J so I'll refer to them as J1 & J2.

     J1 is a 7 month old baby boy who first came to us in early January. All of the GLA staff worked together to get him to a healthy weight of 8lbs 5.5oz. Five days after he left, he came back to us, referred to us by Samaritans Purse again because he had diarrhea and vomiting while he was back with his mama. Mama fed him one meal of boiled plantains that he vomited and then she had not fed him again. On arrival January 30^th, his weight had dropped to 7lb 3.5oz (Yes, more than a pound in 5 days). Now, February 16^th he is gradually gaining weight and is at 8lb 4oz. Thankfully, he is becoming the happy baby we had seen glimpses of before. 

     J was also referred to us by Samaritan’s Purse. Mom says he’s one, but as you can see he is a big boy… Length wise! Mother has breast fed him his entire life. However long that is, we still do not know. J is such a sweet boy and his smile has captured my heart. We have been practicing standing and trying to gain muscle strength in his arms, legs and back. When he came to us he couldn’t bear weight at all; I know it doesn’t seem long but he is able to stand for 15 seconds while holding on to the edge of the crib… He just needs help to stand himself up! Joseph was 17lb 4 oz on arrival January 30^th and he is now up to 18 pounds thanks to Medical Mamba (Protein enriched peanut butter), love from his nannies, nurses, volunteers and staff here at GLA and God.

 

     These few pictures give just a glimpse into the boys progress from January 30th to now. J1 and J2 are two very special little boys. They continue to need a lot of extra attention, love, support and physical therapy. Both of them are currently at GLA for assistance and will eventually return to their families. Please pray for them as they continue to grow and learn how to thrive not just survive.


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." -Mark 10:27

…to be continued…

-B

More than enough.

This week has been a constant flow of packing, moving, emotions, giving away, goodbye's, etc... So forgive me for a rambling of feelings. As I pack up all of my belongings and give away/sell the majority of all possessions, I'm actually filling a bit of excess. Seriously, in my small one bedroom apartment, I managed to accrue a multitude of clothes, purses, shoes, nik-naks. I have to say it's a pretty weird feeling whittling your way through years of "stuff"... unnecessary "stuff". This is post isn't to make anyone feel guilty, I am just becoming aware of all the money I have spent on silly possessions that were completely unnecessary and perhaps were never even used or worn. 

I feel a twinge of sadness but mostly I  have a feeling of relief when an item leaves my apartment. My anxiety drops a decimal point with each item that goes out my front door, it's like each item is a small step closer to Haiti. I don't really have anxiety about moving, it's just about getting rid of my stuff. I don't want to travel to PA with it... I really don't have the means or money to do that... and it's nice stuff, stuff that could be sold & therefore money to be put into my student loans & such... The key thing is this stuff has to be bought. Alas, I am down to just needing to sell my couch & dining set. Just two more things!! Yay!!

Today/Yesterday was also a answer to prayer. My best bud Boo (my dog), has a home!!! A couple met him and took him home the same day! I think it was just meant to be! Boo is going to be loved and in a good home! Such an answer to prayers!!

So tonight I'm going to leave you with a song. This song came on just as I was finishing up packing for the night. One of my absolute favorites and the one song that could calm my heart. It reminds me that God is more than enough and provides for us more than we could ever ask or imagine. 

Chris Tomlin "Enough"

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every needYou satisfy me with Your loveAnd all I have in You is more than enough
You are my supplyMy breath of lifeAnd still more awesome than I knowYou are my rewardworth living forAnd still more awesome than I know
All of You is more than enough for all of meFor every thirst and every needYou satisfy me with Your loveAnd all I have in You is more than enough
You're my sacrificeOf greatest priceAnd still more awesome than I knowYou're the coming KingYou are everythingAnd still more awesome than I know
More than all I wantMore than all I needYou are more than enough for meMore than all I knowMore than all I can sayYou are more than enough for me



...to be continued...
-B

So there it is, take it as you will.

Well, today marks 3 weeks until I am in Haiti! At this exact time in 3 weeks I will be on a south bound flight from Miami to Port Au Prince and will land in Haiti at noon Sunday, November 11th. Crazy?!? Isn't it! Sometimes my life seems so surreal. I'm still amazed by the opportunity God has given me. As I pack and sell/give away the majority of my personal belongings, I hang on to those things that have the most meaning... like my diploma's from Gwynedd & Drexel, a night stand that I painted when I was in high school, a dish my mom got me when I first moved into a place by myself, stuffed animals  (two of which are my sister's & one from when I was born)... Silly things but meaningful none the less. Each item has a particular meaning and represent a different phase of my life.

For me, moving around has always been pretty easy. I know God will take care of me as long as I follow His lead. This move is no different in knowing God will take care of me, but as any twenty-five year old would, I have my insecurities about the unknown... Every move I've had the same insecurities. Insecurities arise whether it's a change in job, moving to a different city (or country), choosing a new church, trying to pay off debt, meeting new people, trying ANYTHING new. They're just silly thoughts the devil puts in your head to make you think that you're not adequate enough, smart enough, pretty enough, cool enough... These insecurities make you think about old friendships & relationships; why they lasted or didn't last and the new friendships that are sure to arise. Yet, still there is a calmness inside knowing that God's got it covered. No matter what. He's got it. 

So, things to do in the next 3 weeks (Lord Willing):

**Find Boo a new forever home**

Empty out my apartment

**Find Boo a new forever home**

Spend time with friends and finish up my last 5 shifts at Duke

**Find Boo a new forever home**

Drive through VA to see Kevin, Susanna, Karaline, Audrey (& hopefully my newest nephew)

Drive to PA to see the rest of the family

Catch a 0615 flight to Miami & then a 1000 flight to Haiti on Sunday, November 11th.

Continue this great adventure that God has blessed me with at God's Littlest Angels in Haiti

So there it is  take it as you will... insecurities and all. 

I'll leave you with my life verse:

Philippians 4: 6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

...to be continued...

-B

Row, row, row, your boat...

In the last blog, I spoke about facing your Goliath and what weapon you would use to defeat whatever was standing in your way. God can choose anyone. He just asks that we are humble and willing. I have been reading Kisses from Katie and this book has been such an encouragement in my choice to serve in Haiti (when ever God chooses that will be). If you haven't read it. You should. This particular quote coincides with my previous posts.

“Ordinary people. He chose Moses. He chose David. He chose Peter and Paul. He chose me. He chose you. Common people. Simple people. People with nothing special about them. Nothing special except they said yes. They obeyed. They took the task God assigned them and they did it. They didn’t always do it well, but they said yes, and with His help they did it anyway. Extraordinary tasks.” -Katie Davis, Kisses from Katie

A little tangent... but, it's about to get a little deeper. As I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday, she reminded me that yesterday, August 20th, marked 30 years since my sister, Trisha, passed away from Leukemia. This October she would have turned 36 years old. Although, I did not know my sister, she has guided my life and choices I have made. I know it may sound weird but she is one of the main reasons I am a nurse today. I still remember my mom talking about the nurses who took care of her in the hospital. Trisha, was a spit fire to say the least. She was strong willed and spoke what she thought. She was strong and beautiful. In some ways I feel as if I owe it to her to live my life out to the fullest in whatever ways I can, I know she is sitting up in heaven next to Jesus watching over me and guiding my steps, while also laughing at all the silly mistakes I make. I want to make her proud. Although, I no longer have a biological sister here on earth. I am so thankful for my three sister-in-laws and my sister's in Christ who have had a major impact on me. Each person is placed in your life for a reason, whether they were physically there or not, they can still impact your life.

God is calling us all to something great. Love fearlessly. (borrowed from The 410 Bridge)

...to be continued...

-B

Oh and a little words of wisdom to end this blog from a 4 year old Trisha...

"Row, row, row, your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...Life is Tough."