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Published: January 3rd 2007
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New Year's Eve in the Airport
We hated to see him go, but got this picture as close to the New Year's as we could! Happy New Year!!
So many things run through our minds when we do the whole “new years resolution” thing, and reflect on what the past year has brought to us, and what we “vow” to change for the New Year. Why is that? I think it is because we are a people who are never quiet satisfied with who we are and what we are doing. I am too fat, too thin, too short, spend too much time at work, don’t spend enough time working, don’t spend enough time with family, spend too much time watching TV; and the list goes on and on. Some of us need that critical insight - some need tweaking, some need an overhaul!
Our past year has been a BLURR!
Our one and only son graduated, was accepted to college, worked his first real paying job, and moved away from home to college, leaving us home alone. Anthony and I both quit our jobs, sold our house, auctioned off our “stuff” (including Anthony’s Kubota tractor with front-end loader - this one was a big deal so it had to be mentioned!), packed what belongings we had left into a big metal box,
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Took us alllllll day to get this stuff in this truck ..... hugged everyone goodbye, cried a lot of tears, and boarded a plane to Africa. Once here we have been living in Cy and Steph’s house, out of 4 suitcases (our things are still in boxes), got a great Christmas present in Joshua’s arrival, only to have to say goodbye yet once again December 31st and stand outside the glass and watch him go through security until I couldn’t see him any longer. I cried in the car.
And if all that isn’t enough drama for one year - after leaving the air port and driving home we noticed a semi truck parked in the road with it’s flashers on. Not unusual as they are breaking down all the time here and stay in the road where ever they break. We also noticed a man under the truck. A mechanic? NO … a man, yes .. but he was trapped under the wheels of the truck! He had been hit by the truck and was still under the wheels!!! We pulled to the front of the semi, put our flashers on and Anthony went to see if there was something he could do. It was dark and the cars just
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Didn't we just put this stuff IN the trailer?? Took less than 2 hours to UNLOAD kept coming by. My prayer was that those trying to help the man were kept safe themselves. Just a few minutes went by Anthony came back. The driver had pulled the truck forward off the man and they were bringing him to the truck so we could take him to the hospital! They wouldn’t wait for us to take the truck back to them …! Here they came... a little boy was carrying his feet crying the entire time, probably in shock himself, one man held him around his thighs, and yet another man had him under the arms. They would not listen to us to be careful, he needed stabilizing! It was obviously a serious compound fracture of his right leg. (Me being the Dr. that I am diagnosed this), possible needing to be amputated as dangly as it seemed to be! But I was pretty sure it was broken by the way it bent where it should not!
I just couldn’t believe this! New Year’s Eve - we were already hurting that we had to send Joshua home... then this! I will have to say the partying spirit was NOT in the car! We took him to
Babies caring for Babies
I caught this little girl mimicking her mother putting a baby on her back. They have to care for thier siblings at such a young age!! the hospital, which thankfully was very close. We were thanked for our help and the nurse took over. We drove home - mostly in silence.
The ironic part - we are here to help teach the people a better way, yet this man was so drunk he stepped in front of the truck, and was so inebriated he barely made a sound of pain. He didn’t care where he was, only that he was escaping reality - reality, however found him.
SO …. A new year? You bet .. What has been, what was, what is to come. But one big truth remains - you all have been there with us through most of our journey and we thank you for sharing it with us! I can not explain in words the emotions that seem to come at the most inopportune times within me. At times I can not contain the joy of being here and could talk of what we have seen and experienced here already for hours. And then there are times when I see something that reminds me of home, Joshua, family and friends and I can’t keep the tears in. It’s like remembering when your
Njiro Meeting
While Joshua was here for Christmas he preached at a meeting we were having at a small village called Njiro. kids were little. You are glad they are growing up, you know it’s all part of life, but the memories trigger that tug on your heart and you find yourself watching a commercial for some fabric softener and all of sudden you are boohooing in your shirt sleeve!
That’s when we know, we’ve done something right. When our range of emotions spans hurt, anger, love and yes even pity, selfishness, and a few we don’t like to mention, we know we have had a full life. I don’t want a life of numbing calm - I want my life, as it is, better than it has been, and will be with what is given to me.
Our life is full - full of events, full of adventure, and full of friends and family. Thank you for helping making our 2006 so amazing! Our prayer for you is that yours was just as full, and that your 2007 will hold more laughs, tears, and smiles than you think is possible. God Bless you All! Anthony and Shasta
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Shastagail
Shasta Brown
Thanks so much!!! We loved having Joshua here and thanks for the words of encouragement. As for the quilting I was TOTALLY shocked at how well they have done. We are close to having the first set of lap quilts ready to be tacked to take to the children at the orphanage. And don't worry I have LOTS of pictures .. so when we get a little further on the project I am going to do a whole blog on just that. We have met formally twice so far, but meet and talk after Church to at least one or two of the ladies each service. They bring me the ones they finish and I give them more to sew for that week. One lady told me "This is the best gift I have ever received"! What a compliment! We hopefully will be able to get a reported to take the story when we go to the orphanage. A great boost for the ladies of the Church!