Feeling better

(please excuse the grainy webcam pic!)

I'm feeling better the last few days AND so thankful for a friend C. for putting the MAT application on the website for me. I have seen a lesser amount of emails coming in for that, which is good for my time management.

I was getting sick of my hair the last few months, and decided to go short. I had it short when J. and I first met in high school, and it's been short off and on. I thought it would also be better for time management. Just trying to get life in order for big things to come!

What a week, already!

I got sick on Friday night, it just came on all of a sudden; backache, headache, sinus ache, chills. I went to bed as soon as the kids fell asleep. (they were sent to bed early!) Then I was woken up by two little boys. They usually sleep pretty well, but they chose the night I felt like crap to wake up at 2 am. And of course my husband was working, so I was on my own. I texted him to complain, and see when he would be home. He got home after we fell back asleep, but I heard him tell me he was taking Saturday off! I was so thankful to hear this. I slept in, and laid around most of the day. I missed the homecoming of Isaac and Robert. I went to bed early again. Sunday I still felt bad, but better. J. went to work and I survived. We actually went out to Sarah's house for a little party to welcome Isaac home. It was so fun to see E. and I. together again. They seemed to remember each other, and by the end of our visit were hugging each other!

Yesterday was I was busy catching up on emails. I have had a LOT of people inquire about becoming a host family. I need to figure out a way to get the host family application on the MAT blog. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not very computer savvy. Sarah suggested maybe scanning it and having it on a jpeg file. I thought that would work, but it's a four page application. We have had a lot of activity with MAT, and a lot of drama with Haitian kids and immigration. Please pray. I took a break from the computer to help E. with a potty accident. He had waited too long to get to the bathroom. As I was changing his pants, I returned to the living room to see S. with a bottle of curry powder (he had climbed in the pantry cupboards). There was yellow powder all over my keyboard and the floor! I was not happy. I felt like I just could not catch a break. I spent last night ordering some childproofing items online at One Step Ahead. And I also bought this... I am sure the boys will love it and it will be great for their occupational therapy! I did have a wonderful chat on facebook with a woman caring for our daughter in Africa. I was so glad to get to know her better and hear a great little story about her personality. (if you want to read my private blog please send me an email- on side)

Today started off poorly too, with both big kids missing the bus, at two separate times! How does that happen? L. forgot to set his alarm, and when he realized he had slept in he didn't want to wake me up. He thought he'd be in trouble! L. is very responsible most of the time, and has never slept in before. I would not have been upset, but now I was, since he didn't let me know he needed me to wake up and drive him to school! J. was working out at the gym and I knew he would be home soon. I waited for him to arrive and he got L. off to school in time. All the other kids were up early, so C. was ready for school in time. Except I noticed she had not changed her clothes! I made her go change, and got her out the door. THEN realized she had come back in to grab another piece of bacon as the bus drove by. Thankfully J. was able to take her to school on the way to work.

I was in a pretty bad mood this morning. I don't like waking up to children fighting, not doing what I ask, or them talking back to me. I don't like feeling overwhelmed and buried in paperwork. I don't like burned toast or bits of burned sausage in my scrambled eggs. And I don't like when my 2 year old won't stay out of things and has knocked three of my pottery dishes on the floor by climbing on the table! I don't like that he doesn't "get" that it's not safe to climb up or into things. (we have still not determined if it's a cognitive delay or just that he's a very active two year old boy) I don't like waiting for papers for our adoption. I don't like that UNICEF is causing hang ups for adopted children from Haiti to come home to their families. I don't like that my house can never stay clean for more than a few minutes. I don't like that this precious little girl lost her life way too soon. I don't like that there was a devastating earthquake in my boys' country of origin effecting millions of people, some whom I know well.

It really helps to blog about my rough times. But the best therapy is reading God's promises. I especially loved reading this verse in the Message translation:

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.

Wow! Is that convicting or what?

tonight

It's been a while since I have updated the blog about my grocery challenge. I have really fallen behind on that but I believe I am still on track. The whole Haiti thing has really put things in perspective for me and I realized that in the big picture I would rather spend my time volunteering for the Medical Advocacy Team right now than record grocery spending! I have been glued to the internet and news... and heard great news tonight that orphaned Haitian children who were in the process of being adopted will be granted a visa or humanitarian parole! How exciting for these waiting families. I knew that something good would have come out of the rubble. I have been quite depressed the last few days, after the reality of this sunk in. People I have met, and places I have visited are forever changed. The footage and stories I have heard just break my heart. And yet, our lives here continue on. The Medical Advocacy Team is working full force to get things lined up for the kids we were working on before the quake. There may be more coming. It will be interesting to see how this all happens. My inbox has never seen so much action! There are many people wanting to help. I also created a facebook page for MAT, so you can join and keep up to date there. My home and kids have been a bit neglected this week, but they are just as concerned for the Haitian people as I am. They have been asking about the kids we have helped in the past. I have heard that Clepson is ok, but have not heard from anyone else. I would love to know if S.'s birth family is ok.

Pray with me please, and praise God that there are so many people who desire to help!

Medical Advocacy Team on facebook

I created a facebook group for the Medical Advocacy Team. Please join us, anyone is welcome.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=277582552497&ref=mf

Help for Haiti

The Medical Advocacy Team's website has a list of places to donate funds for Haiti. A team of people is being coordinated to go there to help as well. They are looking for nurses, doctors and other medical trained people who can travel there soon. Here is the link.

Burdened

I feel weary. I cannot even begin to explain how sad my heart is at times. I have suffered with the gift of compassion for many years. I remember the feelings I had as a young child while watching a "feed the starving children" type commercial on tv, or caring for a sick pet. I have these same feelings now, tenfold. I get so emotional at the thought of a child suffering, whether it is in the same county as me, or across the world. There are so many, and we can't save each one. It is just not possible for us to do it on our own. We can make a difference in a few lives though.

I believe that God brought several people in my life for a specific reason. I met my friend Sarah several years ago at my kids' homeschool program. She had adopted from Children of the Promise in Haiti. I was eager to learn the details. J. and I had considered adopting in the past, and the seed that had been planted by a Focus on the Family radio program had begun to sprout.

Sarah and I became fast friends and soon we began volunteering together. We traveled to Haiti and helped save the lives of a few precious children. We've been through heartbreak and experienced great joy. Sarah and Salem both started the MAT from the ground up. I soon became the host family coordinator.

Though our adoptions, traveling to Haiti, and helping several children, my life has changed. My priorities are much different and I feel happier about the little things in life. My relationship with my Father God has changed too, and for that I am most thankful.

I do, however, carry this burden. The burden of hearing about a little girl, orphaned and abandoned because of an illness. Unable to obtain medical care because of the country she was born in. Her story is so similar to our son's. I want so badly to help, but I am limited to what I can do, because of finances and circumstance.

I did not seek her out. The Lord brought her story to me. The timing is not perfect for us, we are busy, and I have a lot going on in my family. But there is something about her that is calling out to me. I am not sure why, I feel the need to do what I can to save her life. I am reaching out to others, so that they can experience the same joy and blessings I have experienced by helping a child.

It is the best feeling in the world.

Psalm 28

Of David.

¹ To you I call, O LORD my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

² Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.

A Beautiful Poem

God Sent to Me an Angel

Written by Paul Dammann

God sent to me an angel,

it had a broken wing.

I bent my head and wondered

"How could God do such a thing?"

When I asked the Father

why He sent this child to me,

the answer was forthcoming,

He said "Listen and you'll see."

"My children are all precious,

and none is like the rest.

Each one to me is special,

and the least is as the best.

I send each one from Heaven

and I place it in the care

of those who know my mercy,

those with love to spare.

Sometimes I take them back again.

Sometimes I let them stay.

No matter what may happen

I am never far away.

So if you find an angel

and you don't know what to do,

remember, I am with you,

love is all I ask of you."

Burdens and Blessings

• School begins on Wednesday. Rejoicing and worrying all at the same time.
• E. has been mean lately, mainly to me.  Is he mad that I left him for four days?  Am I just too sensitive?
• AWANA starts up soon. I recently signed up to help.  I wanted to go to women's bible study during AWANA, but they also offer it on Wed. morning.  Which is the same time as the playgroup  I wanted to go to with E. and S.   Decisions, decisions.
• A two month old baby boy has been missing for two days mere blocks from our home.  He was taken right out of his home.  Police suspect family or friends since his mother was recently sentenced to prison.  Praying little baby is safe and well.  I am uneasy.  
• The youth at our church shared about their mission trip to Guatemala.  It was moving and I am amazed by the spiritual maturity of these kids.  Praying about going on a mission trip next year if offered to adults.  
• Triage? Is this something MAT must do to help the children who need surgery?  Should we limit God's capabilities?  I am struggling with this.
• Needing to unpack clothes, do laundry and figure out a menu for the coming week.  Ugh.
• Glad J. is still on vacation and we have some time to spend working around the homestead. His birthday is coming up!  My mom bought him and I tickets to a David Crowder Band concert in Oct. for his gift.  How fun!
• We have many appointments coming up...doctor, eye doctor, dentist, therapy...times 7.  It's a lot.  I am so grateful for good insurance and benefits.  
• My K. is 6.  She is struggling lately with some not too big issues, but could use your prayers.  

Host Family Needed

There is a need for a host family in the LA, California area.  I don't have the details, but if you are interested please contact Robin at cotp_robin@yahoo.com

"Lord I left you in mon high"

Cl. had a list of praise songs he enjoys.  The minute he got in the car to come to our our house he asked J. if he knew the songs.  The first one was written "Lord I left you in mon high" in carefully printed pencil.  I laughed when I saw it after he was in bed.  It is supposed to be "Lord, I lift your name on high".  Cl. is a joy to be around.  He is certainly a teen, and already knows how to push the boundaries, but it's been a fun day today.  The kids are all getting along wonderfully.  The only thing I don't get about him: he doesn't like chocolate.  Crazy.  

Joy

While cleaning up the dishes tonight I experienced an overwhelming sense of joy.  My hubby J. was playing his guitar and singing worship songs while all of the kids and our visitor, Cl. were singing along.  It was like the Lord was giving me a hug, and telling me we are doing the right thing with our lives. At times I feel restless, frustrated and unsure about our direction.  But really, what control do I have to change the coarse of things?  NONE!  It is all in His hands.  I believe He is glad that we took the time to get to know Cl. better.  I am so happy my children have had the chance to meet friends from all different parts of the world.  L, C and K are patient, kind and understanding to other people's differences.  It is good to know how much they learn from these experiences and see how blessed they are to share their love, home, parent's attention, bedrooms and toys.  We've experienced heartbreak too.  It's hard to see kids leave after we have formed a bond.  We have loved a child who has passed away in another country.  The positives do outweigh the negatives.  We personally gain much from the experience, but the overall goal is to see families reunite with a healthy child.  That is pure delight.

If your family is interested in hosting a child through the Medical Advocacy Team, contact smithjklc@hotmail.com to get a host family application.

A visitor

We will be having fun with a visitor this week.  He is coming today and staying for a while.  Cl. is here from Haiti with the Medical Advocacy Team.  He had surgery,  is recovering well and will be going home to Haiti next month.  His host family is on summer vacation so we are helping them out and will enjoy his company.  Cl. is 13, just a half year older than our L. and speaks English well.  I am hoping he will feel at home and have fun being here.  While he is here he will be experiencing:

a rehearsal dinner for a wedding

an American wedding

our church

a possible trip to the water/amusement park

life in the country

and more

Local News

Veronica Solovey, a nurse at the Sumas Medical clinic, left, measures the height of Alex , 5 months, as J helps hold him steady at the Sumas Medical Clinic in Sumas on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. J has been caring for Alex for several months during neurosurgery conducted in Sacramento, Calif. Once has fully recovered from the treatment, he will be returned to his family in Haiti.
DANNY GAWLOWSKI


J, right, holds onto Alex, 5 months, as Veronica Solovey, a nurse at the Sumas Medical clinic, left, prepares to give him several shots at the Sumas Medical Clinic in Sumas on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. J. has been caring for Demosthene for several months during neurosurgery conducted in Sacramento, Calif. Once has fully recovered from the treatment, he will be returned to his family in Haiti.
DANNY GAWLOWSKI


J, center, holds Alex , 5 months, as Dr. Rod Thompson performs a routine medical check up at the Sumas Medical Clinic in Sumas on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Smith has been caring for Demosthene for several months during neurosurgery conducted in Sacramento, Calif. Once has fully recovered from the treatment, he will be returned to his family in Haiti. Dr. Thompson donates medical care to children involved in international foster care to receive medical treatment.
DANNY GAWLOWSKI



CAT SIEH

ANOTHER FAMILY HELPS

In early May, K. stood vigil, physically and emotionally exhausted, in a Sacramento, Calif., hospital room.

Alex, the 5-month old Haitian boy in her care, had just been through his second neurosurgery in two weeks, to repair a hole in his skull that had allowed part of his brain to push out and form a bubble over his nose. The deformity, which untreated can cause severe medical complications and even death, is called an encephalocele.

"I didn't really realize how emotionally it would affect me," said K, who has three young children of her own. "Even though he's not my child I was very nervous. I felt like I was going insane sometimes just from the travel and everything."

K, a stay-at-home mom, and her husband J, had long talked about adopting. After meeting the another family through a home school program, it was settled — the couple started the process of adopting a 2-year-old Haitian boy nearly a year ago.

While visiting the infant in March, Alex's medical visa coincidentally came through, and the Smiths eagerly agreed to be his host family as they waited for their adopted son.

"Having a baby in the house isn't weird or unusual," said J, "but it is humbling to know that somebody in another country who had no hope whatsoever is willing to give you their child. Everything is resting on us to care for this child and bring him back safely."

A month after Alex's last surgery, the swelling in the bump on his nose has gone down slightly, and the Smiths hope he'll need no more neurosurgery. The family monitors Alex for signs of vomiting, headaches and seizure activity, potential side effects of his condition.

"He's very happy and smiley all the time," K said. "He loves the kids and loves J especially. He's fit in really well."

SAYING GOODBYE

In about six months, the Smiths will say goodbye to Alex, returning him to his family in Haiti. And though it's a sign of success, it won't be easy.

"It makes me sad because I know that the medical situation is so limited that if anything would come up it would be hard for him to have care," K said. "It scares me, but I feel like it would be very positive for his village to see that they don't need to treat kids born with these defects differently."

The Smiths said host-parenting Alex has changed their lives and their children's lives dramatically.

"(Alex) was a complete stranger, and to decide we're going to give everything we can to him really changed everybody in our family," K said. "I used to be a lot more superficial. I cared about the kind of clothes I wore and that kind of thing.

"Before I learned what conditions were like in Haiti, I hadn't really wanted to think about it. Now, knowing that my son is in those conditions right now really made me want to make a small change, and I feel like I'm doing something while I'm waiting."

J said he and K are taking what God has given them and trying to bless others with it.

"The biggest thing is just prioritizing. Are we going to use our money to help somebody or are we going to go out and buy a four-wheeler?"

Story in the Sacramento Bee

Haitian baby comes through brain surgery in Sacramento
By Dorsey Griffith - dgriffith@sacbee.com
Published 12:17 am PDT Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B4

Alex rests in the lap of host mother on Monday after the baby had neurosurgery at Sutter Memorial Hospital.
Carl Costas / ccostas@sacbee.com


After the bandages came off Monday, it seemed Alex somehow knew the worst was over.

With his dark eyes darting around the room at Sutter Memorial Hospital, and a big, gummy grin, the Haitian infant showed he had come through a four-hour brain surgery like a champ.

Now the real healing can begin.

Wearing a tiny green hospital gown, the 4-month-old sat in the lap of his volunteer host mother, who had brought him from Haiti to Sacramento for the donated surgery.

On Friday, neurosurgeon Sam Ciricillo repaired a hole in the baby's skull that had allowed part of his brain to push out and form a bubble over his nose. The deformity is called an encephalocele.

It was the infant's second trip to Sacramento and to Sutter Memorial.

Last month, Ciricillo inserted a shunt into the baby's brain to drain fluid accumulating around the encephalocele, relieve dangerous pressure and prepare him for surgery.

Jean Alex made the trip in the arms of Kim, a Washington state resident and volunteer with the Medical Advocacy Team, a program of Remember International Inc.

The nonprofit group recruits American surgeons and hospitals to provide free care to children who otherwise have no access to medical expertise in their own countries.

An American nurse who runs a clinic in rural Haiti where the baby was first seen, said children with facial deformities such as Alex's are often shunned. In rural areas, parents of children with such abnormalities are encouraged to let the babies die.

To repair the problem, Ciricillo said he made an ear-to-ear incision across the top of the baby's skull, removed part of his skull and then cut out the damaged tissue. He also made an incision over the top of the baby's nose to remove additional brain tissue before repairing the hole with bone material.

On Monday, the bubble was still visible above Alex's nose, but only because of expected swelling from the surgery, Ciricillo said.

Alex will be discharged from the hospital today and will remain with his host family in Washington another four to six months to ensure no complications arise.

Ciricillo said only time will tell whether the baby will suffer seizures as a result of brain damage caused by the deformity.

For information on the Medical Advocacy Team or to make a donation, go to www.medicaladvocacyteam.blogspot.com.

Surgery Dates!

I talked to the doctor's assistant today and we have a date for surgery! I was a bit surprised at how soon it is, but I know it will work out just fine. We are going to be going to Sacramento on April 28th and surgery is on May 2nd. I also learned that there is a house (kind of like the Ronald McDonald house) that I can stay in on the campus of the hospital. I think I am going to be going alone with Alex, and my mom might be coming for the weekend to keep me company. I can't wait to see what Alex looks like after surgery, I am sure he will be SO adorable!

Well Child Checkup

Today Alex had his first well child exam at a local doctor's office. Dr. Thompson is generously donating services for Alex while he is here in the states for regular doctor's visits and immunizations. We talked for a bit about Alex's history (which I don't have a lot of information about) and he looked him over. Alex is average height and weight and is very healthy, except for his encephelocele! He got 3 pokes in the legs for his first set of shots today and he barely cried. What a good baby! Thank you Dr. Thompson!

Alex is doing really well. He is a great baby, and really does sleep well most of the night. He gets up around 5 am, but I can live with that for now! He is happy and smiley most of the time and our kids love him so far! I am going to try to contact the hospital in Sacramento so we can set up some appointments.

Please PRAY

Pray for Alex and a little boy named Sonel. They went to get their visa's today and were denied because of paperwork and rule changes. The earliest they can get another appointment is Tuesday. Pray that they can get an appointment early in the week, and that they will get approved. Pray that we will still be able to bring Alex home with us as planned. I will be so sad to come home empty handed!

We are in Islamorada, FL right now. We flew in tonight and are staying with a friend in a cool loft apartment over an artist studio. Very artsy and I LOVE it, termites and all. She wants to move back to WA and I think we should trade houses. Wonder what her landlord would think about our kids running around through the art galleries? Hmmm.

Alex

The little guy pictured in the post below is a missionary. Bet you didn't know that? He is a missionary because he is coming to our country to do wonderful things. He will come here to teach us how to love like Jesus; the same Christ who loved the sick and dying. He will come here to teach us about faith; faith that God will give the doctors the gift to heal him. He will come here to show others that it is ok to have a disability, a birth defect or an illness; that these people are a viable part of society. Without them what would our world be like? He will come here to teach us about strength and courage; having brain surgery without close friends and family around him, in a foreign land. His parents are leading by example by giving their child this chance to leave and stay with strangers. Jesus loved Alex and planned for him to come to the U.S. Alex, in my eyes, is a missionary....I can't wait to meet him in a few weeks.

We leave tomorrow for Fort Lauderdale, then Saturday for Haiti. Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for Alex as we are traveling here with him, and for the impact he will have on the world.

Meet Alex

This is Alex (age 2 months). He is in Haiti with his family right now, and we are going to be meeting him in a few weeks. We are bringing him home with us on a medical visa, and he will be having surgery in Sacramento this spring. Alex should look completely normal after surgery. If he was not able to have surgery here in the U.S. he would die, or be treated horribly because of his birth defect.