Marco. Marco. MARCO!

Okay, so if you are a regular around these parts you know that we (read: I) usually don't throw out a fresh post the same days something actually happens. Right. You know that there are a basketful of reasons why posts are delayed. And anyone who discusses this blog with me has heard me say I am always, ALWAYS behind. Well tonight is a different story!

Tonight was E's first Swimming class....and. it. was. awesome! So awesome in fact that I just felt motivated to throw it out there, like garbage on the lawn.

The idea is simple. Bring your tot/toddler/youngin' and a bathing suit for a full 30-minutes of water-treading, circle-spinning, song-singing bunch of foolishness designed to introduce them to the pool and familiarize themselves with basic swimming techniques. Well, not to sound like a pair of Nancy-Naysayers, but we were a bit nervous about the class. First, we thought that it might be a bit late in the evening. E usually crashes around 7:30 - 8:00 PM and the class started at 7:00. Because it was dark on the drive there, she was sort of falling asleep on the drive. We found ourselves singing to keep her awake!

We were also a bit nervous that she would maybe be scared of the water. (Uh, hello? What were we thinking?). For the record, she hasn't been scared of anything yet! Well our fears were for naught. In fact, she enjoyed the water so much, we couldn't get her to leave!

We have ourselves a little fish!

The best part, for us, was listening to E talk out how much fun she had at the pool...while we were still at the pool. While we were changing to leave. While we were walking to the car. While we were driving home. And even while S was reading her goodnight books. Even during the prayer! S suggested that if she liked swimming so much, she should thank Jesus for allowing us to be able to go. And she did! These are truly great times!

We Just Love First-Thing-In-The-Morning Pictures

Warning: Morning "bed head" can be difficult to tame at times. Stop. Proceed with caution. Stop. You have been warned. Stop. Over and out.

Haiti Update - A Local Twist

While we have been praying for the people of Haiti, our church sent a small support team to ground zero. They left last week and we have been receiving email updates from the texts and short bursts the team has been able to relay back. They ranged in subject matter from "we're at the airport" to "we are here and slept on the dirt last night".

Below is the latest and most comprehensive update so far. It touched my heart and I thought I would share it here. Even with this description of the "new normal" in Haiti, still I can only imagine how their lives are truly upside down.

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Dear Orchard grove family,

In searching for the best way to meet needs, it seemed like going straight into the swelling tent cities would be the best place to start. Almost every open space is filling up with temporary housing made of bedsheets and blankets tied to posts of tree branches. The really fortunate have a tarp, the less have cardboard. Already these tent cities have some walkways that serve as streets and most people have a common "wall" (a sheet) with their neighbor.

Every home we went in received us graciously. We offered to pray in every home and everyone eagerly accepted. Our supplies were so limited that we had to "sneak" them in to the people we found to be most dire (not an easy job). Sadly the need far exceeds the supply. But we gave what we had until it was gone. The people were both gracious and patient but also desperate and pleading. We made a world of difference for a few, but felt like a drop in a bucket to the ocean of suffering.

Only the kids didn't notice. They still laugh. Still play. Still trust. Oh to have the faith of a child.
So much to share when we return but let me add a slice of an update from Scott Cornell...

After taking care of business the team split into 2 groups. PC, Evan and Shawn went back to the compound, picked up supplies, exchanged money, bought more supplies and met us at a tent city. Terry, Jordan and I visited a orphanage to find what foods they needed.

This orphanage is supported by a church in Garden City. There was an article in the Free Press last week on the church and their efforts. After visiting them, we went to the "City of the Sun", which is considered a slum in Haiti. We walked thru a church/school, which was damaged by the quake.

No one will go into it now, the kitchen was a separate building and was heavily destroyed. The classrooms consist of bench/tables with a chalkboard. There was still writing on the board, one was covered with physics equations. Terry prayed for the people there and we went to meet the other team at the tent city.

As we pulled up next to the city and jumped out we were passed by many Army vehicles, most of the soldiers were quick to return a friendly wave to a fellow American (we obviously stand out).

Like the other days, the first thing you see is garbage strewn all over, millions of flies, dirty brown water and then there's the odor. The small is over powering, but you just have to press on! Once spotted, the children in the city are the 1st to run and greet us, with smiles. They love attention and to play simple games. Its not long before your surrounded by kids, pulling you in every direction.

The team gathered together and found the friend of "Whitey" (our guide).
Her home in tent city consisted of blankets and sheets for privacy/protection from the sun. We came in with a large tarp and gave her a new roof and one wall. We used branches as tent poles and broken cinder blocks to secure it. She was very pleased with her new rook, we returned with rice, towels, baby wipes as well. We brought supplies hidden in a backpack so it wasn't obvious what we were doing.

Later on we helped another person with a tarp who basically had clear plastic bags up on branches. He also was so grateful for the gift.
Its deeply touching to give out these supplies, yet equally saddening when we didn't have enough for everyone.

Its amazing to see the people in the city carrying on with their lives, making do with whatever they have. Their strength is encouraging to me.

After we gave out our supplies we returned to the orphanage with 200 pounds of rice and 4 gallons of cooking oil. We stayed and interacted with the kids, playing basketball and games.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for praying for us and for the beautiful people of Haiti.
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If you feel the pull, you can donate your God-given resources to the people of Haiti in a multitude of ways. Here are just a couple:

• The Red Cross


• Hope for Haiti

1st Floor: Kitchen, Common Area, Play Time

She's An Organizer!

Love that, BTW! Rocketship is always stacking, counting, and piling up items. Sometimes by color. Sometimes by shape. Sometimes just to organize.

When asked to "put her shoes by the door", this is the result we found an hour or so later. We can't wait to know her when she's older!

Hope For Haiti Now

Tonight we were moved by the television special Hope for Haiti, which was not only coordinated on very short notice, but carried live by upwards of 25 of the largest television networks. It literally dominated the majority of our basic cable package. Large, well-known entertainment moguls used their presence (and some used their own finances) to start a movement that will no doubt put Haiti back together over time.
In our lives so far, this is the largest show of this kind we have ever seen.

And we were really happy to see people come together. Tragedy always unites.

On the radio this morning I heard a caller ask the host that “If there is a God, how could He let tragedies like this happen?” Tonight at home we were discussing this inquiry. It is strange for me to think that I might have asked the same question to someone at some point before today. Perhaps I don’t even remember asking it. It is funny and ironic to be in a position faithfully now and to understand the perspective that accompanies it.

What could seem like a tragedy from one perspective could easily be seen as opportunity from another. God definitely uses times like this to touch people’s hearts. He creates scenarios like this to change our lives, literally. How many of us could honestly say we would even be thinking of Haiti on a typical Friday night in America?

But the unfortunate you say. People have died – lots of them. People are hurting. Some are suffering. Some lost. I am not discounting them. Do you not think God is taking care of them? Do you know how easy this is for Him? There is so much positive coming out of this situation – certainly it outweighs the negative.

NPR reported earlier in the week that $88 Million dollars had already been donated to the Red Cross. Keep in mind this figure is a) just an estimate b) only represents Red Cross donations and c) is from earlier this week and definitely before tonight’s television show mega-marathon.

We can only imagine what the people of Haiti have to look forward to.

We live every day looking for hope. Whether you believe this or not, or whether you even want to believe it, you cannot make it through a single day without some type of hope in your life. We understand the importance of hope.

God bless the people of Haiti. God bless us all.

Time For Some Mother/Daughter Fun!

You know when you perform your usual routine again and again, it can become a bit monotonous. Sure, maybe injecting small changes here and there can stir it up a little bit, but overall the output is nearly the same.

This is why there has been a lot of excitement around here lately - because S decided to mix up E's typical go-to-school, go-home, go-grocery-shopping, go-to-bed routine. In her attempt to create some very special mother/daughter time together, and to create something just for E, S enrolled her in a gymnastics class!

The class (appropriately titled "Mom & Tot") is just a basic course where the fundamentals of balance coincide wit.....oh, who am I kidding? The class really allows the kids to do what they do best; run, jump, scream and tumble in a safe environment! Q: So, if it was a Mom & Tot class, why were you there L? A: (great question, BTW!) First of all, I was asked! Second, to take pictures of her first day! Too bad I forgot the camera at home though - the substandard picture below is from my cell phone! I was also there to familiarize myself with the particulars just in case I need to fill in for S one day for whatever reason.

They started by stretching (yes, I guess this is even an important task for the wee ones!) and then they warmed up by singing songs and playing with the "parachute". It was so funny because E, who usually never acts like this, was so nervous & timid when we first got there. Well, in her defense, I guess we can't really say she was nervous, but she certainly wasn't moving. It was as though her feet were glued to the mat! This is exactly what we were looking for - something new!

She really started to loosen up when the obstacle course was set up and demonstrated. Most of it can be viewed here as well as the parachute (in which the tots had been placed inside and were being spun in circles at this point).

In the obstacle course there was a balance beam (in which they held a plastic egg in both hands while crossing - like crossing the beam isn't challenging enough, right?), then a wedge they had to do a backwards somersault on (while being helped and spotted), a line they had to "walk like a bear" on either side of, then a large wall-like padded piece they all needed help over, a large rectangular foamy pad for jumping on, then another wedge to perform a forward somersault on, then the TUBE! Oh how all the kids loved the tube! And that was it! They circled several times and believe me, I think the parents were just as winded as the tots!

The best part happened at the very end of the session. After a cool-down period and a rendition of the "goodbye song", all the tots received a hand stamp. E cherished hers, pointing to it the rest of the day and saying "stamp". Here's looking forward to next week!