Sunday, December 1, 2013

It is hard to say goodbye.

He is an old dog. His joints are stiff, hearing gone, sight diminished, mind confused. In fact he doesn't even know who I am anymore, but that doesn't make saying goodbye any easier.

I picked Zacchaeus out of a litter of puppies when I was 16 years old. A lady standing beside me admiring the wiggly short legged corgi puppies assured me that he was the best one. I am still not sure why my parents said yes when I called them asking if I could bring him home, but I am glad they did.

Zacchaeus and my other dog Jake became fast friends and my best friends along with my horse, Romeo. We traveled many roads together, they even jumped out of my pick-up and followed me into a Wal-Mart once! Zacchaeus loved to go horse back riding, most of the time he followed so close to the horse's heels you would think he would get hit, but he never did. When I was home in 2011, at 11 years old he was still walking old familiar trails with me.

It is hard to say goodbye and every time I do, I am reminded that I was never meant to ever say goodbye. Zacchaeus has been getting noticeably worse in the few months that I have been home. Tonight he seems to have taken a big turn for the worse and I am afraid that tomorrow I will have to say the final goodbye. I don't want to and it doesn't matter if it is tomorrow or the next day or the next day. I will never want to say goodbye….

I love you my little man, thanks for being such a good friend! 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Under a apple tree

God answered my prayer. 

When I was in the Philippines during one of our devotion times we all drew a picture of something we were asking God for in the coming year on a large sheet of paper. I drew a picture of myself with my six nieces and Clover under an apple tree. 

To many this may seem like a silly prayer request. But for me it had much significance. It signified that:

                I had ended my two years of midwifery training.

                          Clover had actually made it to the USA.

                                All my nieces and I were  together at last

                  Joy, peace and laughter were part of my days.

                             I was home, in a place I love, with people I love. 

 Thank you Jesus for answered prayers!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Saying goodbye

After two years of living at Abundant Grace of God, my time has come to an end. I was blessed by all the people who passed through my life while I lived and served there. New friends were made and new lessons learned. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made my training in the Philippines possible - the people who prayed, gave and taught me! Thank you for being God's hands and feet in my life and thank you for believing in me!

Only God knows what all the future will hold for me. But I do know that wherever I go and whatever life throws my way, I will strive to live Christ to those around me. I am so grateful for my skills as a midwife and I look forward to using them to serve women both here at home and in Africa.

Enjoy a few pictures of my last few special days in the Philippines.
With a group of women and babies that I helped give care for/deliver at a party I held for them right before I left - it was such a blessing to be able to see so many!  
One of my last continuity patients - she ended up delivering in the hospital.  
I will miss watching "my" babies grow up!
The first baby Tianne in the Philippines - she was not to sure about her name sake :)  
Aaron and his pretty mama
Happy boy Christian  
They were not able to make the party, so some stopped by the clinic to say goodbye - so sweet! 
Alice and her new baby, Chloe Grace, who she asked me and Aisling to name. 
A sweet gift from a patient
The day after my party I was honored by a small graduation ceremony. We have a lovely dinner and then Georgia presenting me with a neckless with original Kalinga beads on it and my certificate of diploma from New Life School of Midwifery. Two years of accomplishment - finished! The Filipino staff sang me a farewell song - so sweet!  

Georgia and I
The Filipino girls singing - love you girls! 
Spending time together.
Myself with Hazel and baby Cayleen - my very first catch! 
“Good bye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.” ― Walt Disney Company

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

And she's off!

The last few days spent in Manila with Clover were pretty uneventful. We went on our twice daily walks along the bay and got different reactions from the many people we passed by. My personal favorite was when people would break out in "Teach me how to doggy, teach me, teach me, how to doggy" while doing a little dance.

The last night we even went for a buggy ride through China town and old Manila. It was dusk and raining, but fun. Well fun until we got back and the driver decided to try to guilt me into giving him more money - which actually worked, but not as much as he had planned for. Ah well.
Sunday evening buggy ride
Clover sight seeing on a buggy ride 
Clover had to lay on her bed, while I was adding the lining - too cute
Yesterday when I flagged down a taxi to take Clover to the airport and told him where I wanted to go he said "Oh I don't think they will allow her" pointing at Clover. I convinced him that yes they would :)  On the way he randomly says "why do you want a dog and not a man." In my head I thought "why can't I have a man and a dog?" To the taxi driver I said "Well dogs are loyal, they don't argue and they are always happy to see you" :)

At 3:30pm I left Clover in her crate at the KLM cargo area in Manila, where she would await her 7pm flight. I had a mix of emotions as I left her there: it is really happening, am I crazy, worrying for her during the 30hrs of transient and excitement of actually seeing her in a week at home.
The top of Clover's crate 

Weighing in 
Saying goodbye from afar :( 
I really can't believe Clover is somewhere between America and the Philippines at this very moment! Crazy! Praising God that He cares about the little things that make me happy!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Clover the traveling Asong Kalye

I never realized how unusual it was for me to make a pet out of a Asong Kalye (Philippine street dog) until I set out on the journey to bring Clover home. The bus to take from Tabuk City to Manila clearly states "NO PETS", however, I know people who they have allowed to take their little dogs on board. I was sure they would allow me to take Clover on board once they saw how nice mannered she was. On Saturday before I left, I bought the bus tickets, one for Clover and one for me. They were reluctant, but finally agreed to allow her to ride next to me in the back of the bus. On Sunday evening when I started to board the bus, they would NOT consider allowing her on. The conductor took one look at her and exclaimed "She'll bite someone! She must go under the bus!" Clover sat there calm as can be as Georgia and I pleaded our case. But they would not budge one tiny bit, so under the bus Clover went. I even cried, but there was no persuading them. 

Clover and I resting at the bus terminal in Manila
I checked on her at every stop we made and at 4am after 11hrs on the bus we made it to Manila. Since it was so early Clover and I settled down in the bus station for 2 1/2hrs. People walked by us giving curious stares. 

At 6:30am we flagged down a taxi, threatened to get out if he didn't turn his meter on (thankfully he did) and made our way to the vet clinic. The employees at the animal hospital were very kind and were the only people who didn't look surprised that I was taking a "street dog" to America. Getting her health certificate went pretty smoothly besides the hole it left in my wallet. 

Clover comes face to face with CATS at the vet clinic. She did very well for an avid cat chaser.  
From there we made our way to Malate Manila to the guest house we were booked at. They too were surprised to see how big and what type of dog Clover was. "Oh" they exclaimed, "we thought she would be little." Thankfully they did not turn us away after I promised she would not bark at night and have actually warmed up to her :) 

Clover and I have been passing the days walking the streets of Malate. It is a poor part of town, but everyone is nice and give happy smiles. I here whispers as I walk by "oh a asong kalye", people move nervously around Clover expecting her to bite them. Clover of course has no interest in biting anyone. She is busy dodging traffic, stray dogs and checking out the many cats that roam the streets. While both of us are reluctant of cities, we have enjoyed our time here and meeting interesting people along the way. 
Clover was supposed to fly tomorrow but her flight got delayed until Monday. So we will be walking the streets of Malate for four more days. Let the adventure continue! 
Seeing herself in a mirror for the first time - who is that dog? 
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital  
Clover viewing the ocean for the first time at Manila Bay where we walk every day 
Pretty view
I walked by a pizza place and HAD to get some! SO good! Pizza how i've missed you!
The view from my room
Clover discovered if she sat on the bed she could look out the window  
It kept her busy for a little while :)  
Tired pup! 
View from a walk over the road
Along Manila Bay  
It is a popular place to walk, sell your goods, fish, bike and sleep.  
Hanging out :) 

It is pretty, but also dirty. I sat looking over the bay and watched mange covered rats hop across the rocks. Even for an animal lover like myself I was a bit freaked out by them.  
Gotta love street food!  
Not sure what this guy is all about, but I thought it was neat. 
A little bit of nature in the city.  
Cute sleeping kitty along the road :) 
 Remedios Circle at the end of my street. 
Sea food restaurant next to my guest house.  
The guest house that is kind enough to let me stay with Clover

Friday, July 19, 2013

Let the little children come

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,  for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14