I've lost my marbles

Colorful Marbles, originally uploaded by pieceofheaven.

Sometimes I think my husband is sure that I have lost my marbles....LOL

The other night we were at our JMP meeting discussing what we would like to do on our vacation days after working at the orphanage. I quickly piped up and said that I wanted to go parasailing...I have always wanted to do that, to be high above the water and looking down at the beautiful landscape (especially of Jamaica). Doc commented that you know they have spots for 2 people and so I looked at Rob and smiled....He's not quite as "adventurism" as me. Rob is the practical, down to earth....let's just say he's the brains of this couple....LOL!!

He has always been an amazing supporter of the crazy things that I have done throughout our life together....all the little businesses that I started....but never stuck to.....let's see if I can remember them....there was selling Mary Kay (but I hated selling anything because I really just like how organized all the products looked on my shelf). There was the shirt painting...the craft booths...the card making....and the one the lasted the longest....scrapbooking. I taught Creative Memories for several years and I have to say a lot of good did come out of that one...There are probably plenty of other ones that I have blocked out of my memory.

Rob was also very supportive when I began running. During the races he would bring the kids and they would come to different spots along the route to cheer me on. And when I returned to school he was very understanding when it was Semester Final time and they lived off of cereal.....LOL!! He highly agreed that I needed to go help with Hurricane Katrina and now he is supporting me in my writing. Rob has always been my biggest fan in everything I do.

There is one thing that he wasn't supportive of...  In fact he was down right upset with me. Which is the main reason that I didn't tell him until I had already done it :-/ Summer before last I took my daughter and our exchange daughter to Wisconsin Dells to cross something off of my "bucket list". I went Bungee Jumping!! ...Yep...Crazy! It was about 130' and the only good thing about it was the nice view from up top. I was just looking at some videos of people jumping at the Dells and they were like 2 min long....My video was like 7 min....LOL...I kept thinking I was ready and then.......uummm, wait....Finally what made me do it is that I knew that if I just went back down that it would still be on "my list”. There would be a day that I was going to have to try again…Dang nab it!!! So it was easier just to get it over with so I could cross it off my list...I know...I know....

The worst part, obviously, was telling your brain that it was okay for your body to fall over the side of the ledge into midair. My brain and my legs were not agreeing at all. But of course after the initial drop it was sort of fun....Fun enough that I would ever do it again???.........uuummmmmm .....NO!!!!

When I called and told Rob what I had done he was MAAAAD!! Rob never gets Mad at me...I mean yeah if I don't turn the lights off when I walk out of the room he gets irritated. But he never gets MAD but this time I knew what was coming...."Linda, What were you thinking????" ooohhh and he never calls me Linda....I knew I was in deep trouble….I don't think "Peeps" would have had the same effect....LOL!!! What it came down to, and I knew it, is that he was scared that something would happen to me.....everyone together.........aaaaaawwww, how sweeet.......

It's funny that when we met Rob was the guy in the racecar and I was in a Ford Escort. Maybe that's why I was attracted to him I thought he was adventursm (sure it had nothing to do with he was just plain Gorgeous) but the reality is that he probably bought that car because it was in good shape and at a good price....(Just kidding Rob – you know I Love You )..!!

But the two of us do balance each other out. Without Rob who knows what a mess my life would be. I need someone to tone me down sometimes....Sometimes dreams just need to be that...dreams...And Rob knows that without me he would not have had the adventures and travel that he has had. We talk about all of this often and how blessed we are to have found each other.

So back to the parasailing adventure....well that has yet to be determined....I am giddy excited about it....Rob not so much....He hasn't said no. He just gives me this look with a little grin like...You really aren't going to make me do this are you?....And he knows full well that just about every adventure that I have talked him into he was grateful for afterwards....with exception of the Roller Coasters....I don't think that will ever happen again….:-)

Today I dream for you....an adverture!!!!....Make someone think that you have Lost Your Marbles....LOL!! Life is to short and there is so much to do......If you need ideas let me know – I will share some of mine with you!!

Have a wonderful day friend….

How Jamaican Mission Program Began...

The original group that went to Jamaica in 2008

The following are a few  exerpts from our website explaining how our organization began ...

http://www.drbryanmyers.com/Jamaican_Mission_Program.html

The Jamaican Mission Program was formed in 2008 by a group of 13 people interested in encouraging and supporting mission work in Jamaica.  The roots of the organization began when Bryan and Nichole Myers first visited Jamaica in 2003. During this vacation they noticed the beauty of the island and the kindness and generosity of the people.  They also noted the disparity between the wealth on the resorts and the poverty of the island.  They first returned to preform mission work in 2005.  These initial trips involved running a free medical clinic in Montego Bay and assisting at Westhaven and The Place of Safety.  They wanted to spread the personal rewards they received by working in Jamaica with others.  In 2008, they encouraged a group of 13 people from Richland Center, Wisconsin to come along and volunteer.  This group, pictured above, saw the same poverty but also witnessed the help and joy that a few volunteers can provide.  As a result, this organization was began to increase and support future interest in Jamaican Mission work. In 2009, the first JMP group consisted of 17 people who worked on multiple projects at Westhaven.

Information on Westhaven Orphanage

Westhaven Children’s Home is an orphanage for handicapped children in Jamaica. It was started in 1986 by a group who saw the need for a residential facility to assist children with disabilities to reach their full potential. The first cottage opened December 17, 1991, two more were opened in 1993, and the fourth cottage was opened in 2003. There are currently four fully operational cottages housing up to eighty children, ages three to twenty seven years old, with a wide variety of abilities.  This varies from children with mild cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, and mental retardation to children with more profound handicaps.  Full time care givers at Westhaven provide all necessary care including physical therapy and education.  The home is located on a former sugar plantation in the city of Copse. Copse is a small mountainous village outside of Montego Bay.  The drive from the hotel takes about 45 minutes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Jamaica.  This former sugar plantation is also home to the Copse Place of Safety. The ongoing operational costs of the home are supported, in part, by the Jamaican Ministry of Health. However, the largest daily support comes from continuing donations from local and overseas individuals and groups.

Sample Projects:

1) Daily cares:
Every morning, Westhaven staff must assist with bathing, dressing, and feeding all of the children.  This daily work involves up to 80 children with various disabilities.  Any help is appreciated.  Volunteers can help with bathing, dressing, feeding, caring for and loving these disabled orphans, aged 2 to 27.  Others may decide to spend time with the children; talking, playing, walking with, and listening are all great ways to help brighten up a child’s day.  Other volunteers will assist the Jamaican physical therapist in exercise programs for the children.  Volunteers with classroom skills can organize classroom teaching and learning activities. A schoolroom is available for the about fifteen children from Westhaven that regularly attend school.

2) Fifth cottage:

Volunteers began the construction of a 3,600 square foot fifth cottage in 2004. This long term project is designed for the older children at Westhaven and has been coordinated through The Westhaven Board of Director’s Building Committee. Over the last 4 years, volunteers from various organizations have dug and poured the foundation, built block walls, and started framing the roof.  In 2009, the JMP volunteers framed and paneled the interior walls of this cottage.


3) General maintenance:
As one can imagine, housing up to 80 children in a topical location with yearly hurricanes requires regular maintenance to the property.  This has recently included; roofing repairs, painting, replacing floor tiles, and other general repairs. In 2009, Rob Wanless repaired a dangerous metal gate and Micah Piasecki reframed new locking doors for the school.

4) Water tank:
With extra time in 2009, we built a 3 feet platform for the water storage tank to get it off the ground. The tank had been placed o the ground and since the washing machines are gravity fed, this obvious didn't work real well. We finished this project and were able to autograph the concrete slab.

I realize I could have written my own information about JMP but I think this sums things up so very well. There is more information on our website including our next trip date and approximate prices.  Also you will see that we use the term Vacation With A Purpose.  The week that we spend in Jamaica is not all spent at the orphage. We have 2 sight seeing days which is beneficial to  Jamaican tourism....not to mention that we have a wonderful time seeing some of the most breathtaking partsof the island. Feel free to spend some time on our site....we would love to hear what you think....




Today I feel silly so.....I dream for you the chance that somebody has already done the work for you so you can take time to play....just like Bryan and Nichole keeping up our website so I could just copy and paste.....thank you both for all you do and for including us in this journey!! Have a wonderful weekend friends.....

Kerry Ann...(3rd post of JMP)

Kerry Ann wearing My Jamaica Hat....it ended up staying with her...LOL!

So today I get to share with you stories about My Kerry Ann. I'm not even sure how we even first started getting close. I suppose it was just from pushing her wheelchair up and down the bumpy yard singing songs. That is probably what sticks out most in my mind is her singing. At some point I had a video of her singing and somewhere along the way it has been misplaced. But I can tell you it is probably the most precious sound you could ever imagine. The first time I heard her we were sitting under the shelter in the middle of the property and I asked her to sing something to me and I asked her if she knew the song - Open the Eyes of My Heart.......Oh My...That was probably when we connected. I sat at watched this girl sing these words to God and truly speak to Him. This is a girl who has been confined to a wheelchair her entire life with Spinal Bifida. Has been through pain like I can never even imagine. One day I watched as Njoki lifted her tiny mostly limp body into her wheelchair one morning and I cringed as she winced in pain until she got adjusted. And then to be left in an orphanage to be raised by others because her family doesn't have the ability or finances to take care of her. If anyone should be in a pit it is this young girl. And yet on that morning when I saw her connect to God I knew I wanted to be in her presence. And so now she is "my girl.." and it is mostly selfishness on my part. I push her wheelchair and sit and hold her one good hand and rub her face. And then I tell her that she is SPOILED and she does her laugh where she lifts her body and looks up and away like she is embarrassed.

Goodbye Hugs are always the hardest...

The first time I ever told her that it was just adorable. We were sitting in the "dining area" and she reached into her little purse and pulled out some J (Jamaican money) and handed some to one of the boys. She said something in the language I dont' think I'll ever learn and off he went. I didn't really pay attention until awhile later the boy came back with a grape soda. I looked at her and I said.."is that what you told him...to go get you a soda..." - "yes" - "and then he just runs and does what you say..." - she just sort of giggled....And so I told her "Kerry Ann, you are spoiled...do you know what that means?.." She said that she didn't know the word...So I explained it means....Everybody Loves Kerry Ann and so Everybody does anything that Kerry Ann Wants...and I said it to her in a sing songy voice...and so that is our little joke now...Every time I say it to her she just giggles and giggles....

My second year at the orphanage was probably the most difficult. Kerry Ann and I spent alot of time together and on the last day of working there she was acting very upset. One day we were in the school room and I was holding her hand and loving on her. She wouldn't color or do anything like the other children. I kept asking her if she didn't feel well and she would just look away. Finally all of the sudden she just burst into tears. The teacher came over and was talking  to her in Patwa and so I had no idea what was going on. She was so good with her and was comforting her but my stomach was in a knot because I had no idea what the problem was. One of the girls pushed her wheelchair out of the room and the teacher and her went to
the side of the building so she could calm her down. Finally the teacher came over and explained to me that she didn't want me to leave...That just broke my heart...So the rest of the day we just spent time alone and I tried to explain that I would be back the next day to take her to church.

Rob pushing Kerry Ann up the hill to church...and of course she was Singing

So the next day at church we found a place over by the window. The children in wheelchairs take up the outside isle and then people sit on a small bench beside them. So we found our spot in the middle of several other wheelchairs and began to listen to the woman sing and Pastor Douglas began to preach. His sermon that day was powerful just like every other time we have been there. But this sermon was about healing. He told the story about the men that brought their sick friend to see Jesus. They couldn't get inside so they climbed up on the roof and lowered him down through the ceiling and asked Jesus to heal him. I looked around at all these children scattered among the local people. Children that couldn't speak or were deformed from birth. Did they understand what he was saying? Did they pray for that? Did they lay in bed at night and asked to be healed? And then my eyes rested on Kerry Ann. I was holding her hand and she was staring directly into my eyes. What were her eyes saying to me? Did she want me to pray that for her? What if I were strong enough spiritually to believe that God could heal her right there. Was this God testing my faith right there? Did he give me the gift of this girl to be able to witness a miracle if only I had the faith...And in my soul I felt myself say.."no"...I couldn't..literally within seconds Kerry Ann began to weep - uncontrollably weep..There was no where to go - we were jammed in like sardines and it wouldn't have mattered anyway. The church is on a Steep hill and Kerry Ann has to be carried up by several strong men. So there we were. I rubbed her face and put my head close to her ear and just began to speak softly and try to comfort her. Letting her know that I would be back to see her and that I would call and talk to her...which I do but not near as often as I should....Gradually she began to calm down...Services were over and we took the children back to the orphanage and said our goodbyes. It was very difficult but Njoki promised me she would take good care of her....We drove away and I began to weep. I realize that my group thought it was because of leaving Kerry Ann and it was in part. But at that point my soul was breaking. I knew that morning was a turning point. It had to be....That evening I sat out by the water where it was quiet and I talked to God. Why would He do that to me? How could I be put in that position? Was He really asking me to do something so bold or was it my vivid imagination. And what if he was and my response had now changed this girls future and my obedience could have dramatically changed the direction of the faith of the people I was with and all those people in that room and people I would never know.....What if I would have said Yes???? I don't know...I honestly don't....Maybe I think much to highly of myself to think that God would have used me in that way....Honestly - Who Am I???? And so I switch from It could have happened if I would have only obeyed to thinking that I am crazy.....

So as my JMP friends read this I really have no idea what they may think....possibly yes that Linda is a little Wacky but we have come to expect that...but I do think that we have all had some pretty bonding experiences now that they know my heart...It has been a joy to have shared these special times with each of these people. If any of you have ever been part of something like this you will fully understand the impact that it makes on you if you invest in it fully. The people you serve with are connected to you forever...They have seen the faces...They have pried on shoes with you that were to small to fit the feet....They have cleaned and painted the walls of bathrooms covered in stuff you don't want to identify....It is a bonding experience and we are now like a family. We may argue or get irritated because of lack of sleep but each of us understands why we do what we do.....For the Kids....For Us....For the lives back home that will benefit from our changed lives and I am beyond blessed to have this incredible family called Jamaican Mission Program...

Today I dream for you the opportunity to truly serve from the depths of your heart...for you to impact and be impacted...for opportunities for God to speak to you...I have tried to let go of the guilt of saying No and live in the truth that He speaks if only we listen...I have to believe that He knew my answer before He asked so He was not surprised or dissapointed...He just needed me to be aware so when the opportunity arises in which I would give Him a Yes I will hear his voice....Have a blessed day my friends....

Njoki......(2nd Post of JMP)

Njoki preparing breakfast.....

On my first trip there were 2 girls that just grabbed my heart. Kerry Ann and Njoki are about the same age. By now they are probably 28 years old. But it's hard to think of them like that. They seem so young and fit in with all of the children in the orphanage. Even though they play and sing right along with everyone else they both are very good at "mothering" the younger ones.

Njoki has Downs Syndrome and has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes which is not making her happy. She is on a special diet and everytime I talk to Ms. Grant - the administrator - she says that Njoki is sad because of the food she has to eat. The orphanage is set up wonderfully in the fact that it is basically a home. All those who are capable have responsibilities that they have to take care of. But from what I see Njoki has alot of responsibilities and sometimes I just go and wrap my arms around her because I know the feeling of exhaustion of being the caregiver.

One of my first experiences with Njoki was probably one of my most difficult. Ms. Curry yelled at her...(they always yell - no one just talks..LOL...) "Njoki....go feed Mooni....." They say that Njoki is the only one that can feed Mooni. So Njoki takes me by the hand and leads me into the small kitchen in her cottage. She grabs a bottle that honestly looked 20 years old and began to pour some kind of thick yellow mush kind of liquid into it. She then screwed a nipple on that had the tip cut off that would allow the thick liquid to come out. She once again takes my hand and pulls me into one of the rooms. The room had about 8 beds but only one was occupied. Here lay a girl, probably in her late teens - her legs were bowed and her arms and hands were clenched and bent and she had the largest brown eyes I had ever seen. Njoki went over to the cupboard that held clothes. Clothes that belong to all the girls...you just take out whatever fits and that's what they wear. Well, Njoki reaches up and grabs a dress shirt that is made of a Satin like material. She puts the shirt across Moonies chest and under her chin to use as a bib. She proceeds to stick the bottle in Moonie's mouth and Squeeeze.... and Squeeeze....and she would turn and look at me and just smile and rub my arm while she worked. As she squeezed the yellow liquid covered Moonie's face and down her chin and cheeks...all over the bed and filled the "bib"....Njoki would take the satin bib and try to wipe Moonie but the fabric would just spread it everywhere. I just sat and watched the interaction. The more Njoki tried the worse it got and then I watched Moonie....she had the biggest smile on her face and laughter in her eyes. Njoki got done and patted Moonie, who was now a complete mess, and then grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door.

Njoki feeding Mooni.....(this wasn't the day with the purple satin bib though...LOL...)

Just sitting here thinking about her makes me laugh. She is very protective of the visitors. Especially when some of the boys come around. She knows that Franky may pinch or hit and so when he comes close you can see her just eyeing him....She knows Tony is just a flirt and always wants to be by the girls. She knows at any moment Beannie Mon might just drop his pants whenever he wants and so it's nothing to see her smack him upside the head.

Njoki protecting Joey from Tony...this is just typical Njoki....Love It!

This last time she was just hilarious. On the last day of working at Westhaven they always throw us a party with cake and ice cream. Which is a great treat for the kids as well. Kerry Ann always sings us a song and it always makes me cry....But this last time the kids had some music going and they were dancing like crazy. I just wish that you could see Njoki dance.....She just smiles and goes to town....It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

This last trip I didn't spend as much time with Njoki as the other 2 times. I realize that Kerry Ann is very jealous and gets upset if I am paying attention to Njoki. Last time I tried to juggle time with both and it exhausted me. While Kerry Ann was eating I would go for a walk with Njoki. Or when Kerry Ann was occupied with someone else I would hug on her....But this last time I realized that Njoki makes friends easy. It's not hard to find some other visitor that wants to spend time with her. So my main focus was Kerry Ann but I never passed up a chance to get hugs from her....

Njoki hugging on Kathy....Love that smile....

So there is my girl Njoki....Sometimes I just watch her while she works...I watch her talk to the other children in their own language...or maybe just give a look - just like a mom would...I watch her laugh and I see her sit and lean her head against a post and close her eyes just to catch a moments rest....She is remarkable and I am so blessed to know her.

Have you ever seen someone that you were just in awe of. Someone that you just sat back and watched how they move....Maybe it was a nurse that was caring for a loved one.....Maybe it was a mother with their child....Moments that just make you take pause and want to take in what is happening. I LOVE when that happens......Today I dream for you the chance to encounter someone worth "watching". Someone that you can learn from or just be in awe of.....Have an amazing day my friends.....

How did Rob and I get to Jamaica......(post 1 of JMP)

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Rob with Petagay - she adores Rob!!

Well since I had such high demand for this topic (okay, it was Tiffany B....LOL) I am finally getting around to writing about our Jamaican Mission Program. Maybe I will do this in several posts. I don't know if you have realized this yet but my posts have a tendency to get rather lengthy.

In 2008 Rob and I were beginning to plan what we would like to do for our 20th anniversary. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. But the more we looked into it the more we realized the prices were insane. One day Becca had a Dr. appt with a new Dr. in town. When we walked into his office I see photos on his wall of beautiful beaches. When I asked him where they were taken he told me it was Jamaica. He then proceeded to tell me that he had a group of people going to Jamaica in January to help with some medical missions. I laughed and explained that my husband and I were far from in the medical field. He said that there were other things to do, such as go to work at an orphanage for disabled children up in the mountains. I was very interested but knew the hard part was going to be convincing Rob. Well to my complete surprise Rob thought it sounded like something he would like to do and so we booked our tickets.

I could do a whole post just on the adventures of our trip but I will give you the condensed version. When we arrived in Montego Bay we went to get our luggage. Well.....No Luggage - not for any of us. And half of our luggage was filled with medical supplies for the work that part of the team was going to do. The story goes that we were the last ones to arrive at the airport that morning and so our luggage was the last to go on the plane. It was horribly cold that morning in Chicago and they weren't able to get one of the luggage compartment doors opened. So our luggage got left behind. So now here is the whole group of us walking along the beach once we arrived at the hotel with our blue jeans and long sleeve shirts on. Well, except Doc and Nichole, they were the smart ones and had a change of clothes. Doc spent most of his time trying to talk to the airport to get our luggage back to us. Now it seemed that once it arrived there were questions about the paperwork for all the medical supplies. FINALLY while we were sitting in the Lounge area watching the most amazing football game between the Packers and New York - Doc arrives with our Luggage - minus the little purple suitcase that had all the liquid medicine that had Exploded because of the cold in Chicago and was oozing out the sides - Doc left that with the people at the Airport...LOL!!

On Sunday (while we were still w/out our luggage) we took our first trip to the orphanage to take a group of the children to church. As the bus pulled up to the gates my stomach dropped a little. I didn't really know what to expect. We pulled through and children began to run up to greet us. Now I know it was Franky saying..."come on, come on..." and waving us in while touching his finger to his lips... along with Beanny Mon and Tony and so many others that I have now fallen in love with. I remember stepping off the bus and being surrounded by children - hanging on to me and pulling me around to show me things. We were the first mission group to arrive for the season. So the children were overly excited to see "white people.." As I walked along I did okay for the most part until I saw one child laying on the concrete of her cottage. As she lay there the flies were swarming her and she just looked at me with her big brown eyes. I smiled at her and I can clearly remember telling God...."okay, God, I can do alot of things - but I can not do that...I can't let me heart go out to a child like that..." I know that sounds mean or rough but I just didn't know how to process the things that I was seeing. So we took some of the children to church and it was Incredible!! Pastor Douglas is On Fire For God!!! I just loved the people! One of the most moving things for me at church was when a lady in front of me let me borrow her Bible when she heard me tell Rob that mine was still in my luggage somewhere between Jamaica in Chicago.  As I looked at that Bible I was speechless. Now I write in my Bible alot..I make notes and put dates and places where I heard someone speak about a verse. But this...This was Amazing. The Bible was years and years old. And I am not exaggerating when I tell you that every open spot in that Bible was filled. All different colors of pens, verses underlined and circled. I just sat staring in awe. When I talked about it later I realize that these people are dependent on God in a way that we here in America don't have to be. All they have is God. We have Ourselves, Our Gov't, The Bank....all kinds of places to turn before we have to go to God. They have none of that and so He is their strength. That was life changing for me.

The next 3 days we returned to the orphanage...(finally wearing our own clothes) I started by doing some laundry and working with some of the women caregivers. Their lives are inspiring. Slowly I began to spend more time with the children and began to "make friends". I worked in the school room helping them color and then I would help in the dining hall and help feed children. I became extremely close to 2 girls. Njoki was in her mid 20's at the time and has Down's Syndrome. She is the mother to the children........my mind is flooding with memories but maybe I will do individual posts about them individually later.....Kerry Ann is the same age and has spinal bifida and is confined to a wheelchair. As I worked with the kids Rob and some others worked on the construction of a new cottage. The days were hard and long and took much more emotional energy than I ever imagined.

The second day while working at the orphanage I was walking into one of the cottages and the little girl that I had seen on the first visit was sitting propped up against the gate. I took a deep breath and walked over to her and knelt down. I began to see closer her misformed feet and the way she moved her head from side to side. I reached down to stroke her soft warm skin and next thing I knew she leaped into my arms and wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder.....uumm - okay then....so I began to walk around the grounds just singing to her and patting her back. Finally after awhile I was walking by one of the workers and she said in that wonderful Patwa dialect...."Monic - wat you doin up on her?" then she began to explain that for most of her life Monic was unable to walk and she was only carried. But since the therapist has been working with her she has gotten much better at walking. But anytime she gets the chance she hops on someone so she can get a "free ride". She said she thinks it makes her remember when she was younger - sort of comforts her. So now when I'm there walking with some of the kids many times you can find Monic attached to me and I have a smile on my face.

Monic's feet

Monic....:-)

These are My Girls!!! Njoki and Kerry Ann.............<3

There are so many stories I could share and like I said maybe that is what I will do this week is just fill you in on what we do while we are there and some of the children and their stories. And then share with you some about our Jamaican Mission Program and how we actually started our own local organization.

Well, today my friends....Is there something that is difficult for you to look at...is there something that you keep telling God that he's wrong and "that just isn't for you..." What does he keep putting in front of you that needs your attention and you just feel too overwhelmed to do anything about it....It doesn't have to be something as big as helping a child in an orphanage - it could be something right in your own home, or school, or community....just listen....and when you finally give in and do what he is asking you to do I guarantee you will be glad you did....YOU get the rewards when you obey......Today I dream for you the reward from obedience...........have a blessed day my friend..........

Jamaican Mission Fair Fundraiser

Our Jamaican Mission Project Tent for the Fair

Last week was just a whirlwind of activity. It was insanely busy but I did truly enjoy myself. Our Jamaican Mission Program had a booth at the fair to raise money for a construction project we will do in January. I realize I haven't done a post yet about JMP and how we are involved but I will do that in the near future. But I just want to blog about this while it is fresh in my mind.

On Tuesday and Wednesday I got together with Bryan and Nichole to make marinade for our Jerk Pork. The marinade has about 19 ingredients - most of them fresh..(thyme, habeneros, banana peppers, onions, shallots, garlic, lime juice, soy sauce...and other things...)It was a very long process but the end product was worth it.

Working on the marinade for the Jerk Pork

On Thursday we got to the fairgrounds around noon to set up and began serving at 5 pm. We only had a few minor glitches with the electrical but it all worked out. We had plates of Jerk Pork, Pumpkin Rice and a roll - Jerk Pork on a Skewer - Jerk Pork Sliders - tons of homemade desserts and freshly made caramel apples and .50 cent soda. We were pretty steady on that night. After cleaning up we got home about midnight.

On Friday and Saturday we got much busier. I loved visiting with people and I guess word around the grounds was that we were the happening place. We had our music going and pretty much had people there a good part of the time. We had some incredible customers. Gary K ended up there 6 times atleast and one of the police officers had to be there just as much. Closing times were always fun. The officer and Thad (our cousin - who is now the fair coordinator) would come hang out with us - so much fun. Friday was a crazy long day. I had to be at the grounds at 9 am to help with the photography judging and then we started serving at 11 am. We got home that night at about 11 pm but I didn't get to bed until 3 am. We had 2 friends coming to visit and they didn't get in until midnight. So Dustin and I and the 2 girls stayed up talking and telling stories about "the old days" until we knew we had to get some sleep.

Back at the grounds at 9 am on Saturday trying to find some energy. We didn't have as much help that day so it made it Extra Long. Rob was competing in the Skid Steer competition at 3. Bryan and I both wanted to go but that left Nichole all alone so Lisa (my sister in law) filled in for me which was very sweet. At 5:30 Dustin's band, Feedback, performed. That caused another problem because it was rush time and we were short handed. Finally they just made Rob and I leave and relax for a bit. It was so very nice and I was so proud of those boys - they did an amazing job. We sold out of pork and so that night so we started cleaning up at about 9:30 pm. We got out of there at about 10:30...totally Exhausted.

Dustin (L), Ryan (M), Colton(R) and Steven(drums) - Feedback

Sunday morning we went to church and out to lunch with the Holley girls. It was nice to finally get to sit and visit. It was nice but it made me miss their family even more. Kiersten and Sam came to surprise D. They wanted to watch his band. They are such wonderful girls. So after lunch the girls headed back to college and the 3 of us finally got to spend some time looking around at the fair for a couple of hours. At 4pm we met Bryan and Nichole and Dave at the tent to "tear down". Let's just say it wasn't as much fun taking down as putting up. It took several hours and our lack of sleep was showing. After we were all done Rob and I went back to B and N's to help unload the trailer. Finally we sat out on the deck and had some supper and just relaxed. Even spent some time in the hot tub. A very nice ending to the weekend.

Dustin, Kiersten and Samantha

Today...well it's still not over. I have nescos to scrub and caramel apple stuff to clean up. Aprons and Flags to rewash. Tons of stuff that has to get put away. Figure out how I am getting Terry's trailblazer back to his house (and talk myself out of wanting one because I have Really loved driving it) get my Jeep from the Fairgrounds - the leftover buns to the soup kitchen (***I need to talk to you about that Sue, to see if you could use them. so if you read this contact me..LOL ***)All this and the stuff I need to be getting done at my house since I have neglected it for a week....

So there you go - A wrap-up of my week. I either bored you, overwhelmed you or just made you shake your head.... But today I dream for you the chance to "overwhelm" yourself. Dive in to something!! It might exhaust you and overwhelm you but you will make memories in the meantime. But I also dream for you the ability to focus on the positives and not the negatives (because there WILL be negatives)...Life is much to short not to flood it with memories.... Have a beautiful day my friends!!