Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Meeting Esther's Son William.... Haiti 2017

Over the moon excited to introduce this young person. This is William everyone.  He is Esther's son.  Seemed appropriate to update this blog then start fresh. Esther's story of how we met her and cared for her in 2015 is below.  Truly, Yvonne and myself never thought this would actually happen in real life - God always has a plan.  It is better than any storyline written by Hollywood.  It's REAL. 

William is 14, lives with his grandfather and was the oldest of Esther's children. He does not live with his brothers and has no contact with them which is unfortunate since he would like too.  Circumstances prevent that from happening. I pray that in Gods ultimate wisdom that these young sons of hers some day be re-united for a time.

William, for the first time in 14 years is going to school.  Something we take for granted in our country.  He is one of the "Save a Seat" children that we sponsor through GSLC and 3-strand cord (it's $300.00 a year for EVERYTHING, including one hot meal a day). Can you imagine school for the first time at 14? 

God always has a plan and this moment was a huge goosebumps moment for the entire team that knew Esther's story and cared for her. He truly didn't know what was happening, everyone kept coming up and hugging him and he couldn't understand a word we were saying. We had one of our interrupters help us with the language barrier. We told him how much impact his mother had on all of us and how we started a fund in her name (2016) to directly hands on help with continued medical care for a handful of people we see in clinic that need additional care.

In a day or two I will post pictures and stories of our Haitian patients who we were able to help this year from the Esther Good Samaritan Fund.  A woman with breast cancer (the tumor is so big the skin is splitting on her breast), 2 toddlers with hydrocephalus, a toe amputation and a dog bite, to name a few.  Of course William too -  He was seen and card for by one of the pediatricians on the team. He has asthma and needs inhalers and they are difficult and extremely hard to find in Haiti.  I would like to personally thank everyone who contributed to the fund this year.  The $1400.00, is changing lives.  

Our Lord, savior and king is full of surprises.  He knew back in 2015, that if we kept up our medical mobil missions and continued to help the folks of Haiti that we would be rewarded.  We thought the book was finished and just like God, he came up with another chapter.  He gave us the book of Esther and now he is adding a chapter for William.  


The following follow up is from March of 2015 after my 60th BD.  
Follow up and follow through.  Several of you graciously donated to our Good Samaritan - Esther Fund.  (This is where I start tearing up while typing).  In lieu of people buying cards and gifts (at this age I don't need or know where to put stuff - exception tequila and champagne (I know where it belongs at the right time). I was thinking if (no obligation), we collected $200.00 for the Haiti fund next year that would be GREAT.....  Another blessing from my gracious friends, we have checks and cash totaling almost $1500.00.  Absolutely blown away by the generosity of so many for my passion.  WOW WOW WOW. Trust me the Haiti team will use this next year to glorify the kingdom, directly hands on in some passionate way next January. Some of you may recall reading the blog with my story of Esther this past January.  She changed the lives of several team members.  Fabienne, our/my Haitian, friend and sister has continued to keep me updated these past two months on Esther.  I received the following messages from Fabienne on March 27th.

My Dearest Jackie. I found out that Esther passed away peacefully this week. Her two children are being cared for by family who have been very thankful for all you and the team have done in help and concerns. Please continue to pray for them. I love you. Fabi.

FabI
Thank you... I sent a reply to your email. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Take a look when you have a moment,.. Hugs... Love you, Jackie

Fabi then sent the following message:
I read it and did some research. It took the pastor a week to get up to where Esthers family lives up in the hills and a good 4 days to get back down. I am understanding that she passed in the early part of march but it took some time for the mssage to get to me. I pray for you, that March be a time of light hearted- ness and not heaviness. I used to feel like that for june. Not anymore. Your generosity is intense and beautiful. I can't wait to see you at home. A few more weeks. Fab


although this was sad news it was not unexpected. Hard to explain what and how the spirit can move you at times. Esther, was a gift for a few short hours in my life. She is helping me daily keep things in perspective here in California. Thank you, all so much for the birthday gifts that will help other people like Esther and her family in the future..... HONESTLY, this is one of the best gifts I have ever received to be able to do more. We can't do everything, we can't necessarily fix the problem but we can do something. That is powerful (reaching for that tissue again).

Again to anyone reading this, I just want to say to all my party going, lei, coconut, grass skirt , Hawaiian shirt wearing friends. You all have a place in my heart. You are gifts. Would you all not agree I am blessed?

Don't cry because it's over. Smile Because it Happened. Dr. Seuss 
(one of Rich's favorite sayings)

My Dr. Seuss quote:
SOMETIMES YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE VALUE OF A MOMENT UNTIL IT BECOMES A MEMORY.

LOVE, HUGS, ALOHA, BLESSINGS .... GOD BLESS.

Jackie



Following is the original story from the Blog.




Note: this is not an experience story for the faint of heart about Haiti. I promise to post more about the mission with pictures and better times shared by the team in the next couple of days. But this has been heavy on my heart since it happened. And the good Lord is not going to grant me peace until I get it out there... Additional experiences and stories by the team with, pictures on the church mission blog too.  Be sure to visit that site as well.         Here goes! 

HOW do you explain something you can't explain? You try really hard to explain, you can hear words that I attempt to use to describe this experience but you can't feel them. Haiti is something I feel. It is found in my heart after this 3rd mission trip. It has taken up residence, the experience has taken over a section of my heart, it lives and breathes with every beat (I know really deep). Not the island of Haiti -  it's about Haiti's beautiful resilience people that have taken over a section of my heart and that of the Haiti 2015 GSLC team too.  

How do you make someone see and feel a story about a woman named Esther who came into my life for a few short hours that I will remember and think about until the Lord calls me home.  How do I explain, Yvonne my friend who took such compassionate loving care of this beautiful soul along with other team members. How Yvonne and myself will alway have the Esther experience living in us.  

Let's see if I know how to express the experience...  Day 1 clinic, the bus arrives to a courtyard of people waiting, the team sets up and gets to work.  Laying in this crowd of people on a cloth is a woman named Esther (seen in the picture above). She has arrived by scooter (which seems like a miracle in its self), with her father and her brother to be seen by one of the providers.  She is weak and needs to be carried into the church building which is our mobile clinic today. She is placed on the one and only gurney that is probably from the 50's, that was rummaged from the building next door.  We are happy to have it.

Through our translator and her family we learn Esther is 30 years old, she has at least two children and perhaps three.  Her husband has left her (probably because of how she looks), and her family is trying their best to take of her.  Esther is dying.  Her left eye is bulging white and extended out of the socket she is blind in her left eye. The left side of her face is swollen, she can barely move her lips and can mumble some to the translator.  Protruding from and in her mouth is a huge mass covering her teeth inside of her gums, she can no longer close her mouth, that side of her face is badly swollen. She has a foul smell an odor.  The tumors are infected, open and the smell is from the tumors and infection, she is rotting from the inside out.  She is beautiful to us. 
(Picture of Dr. John and his translator with Esther, awaiting test results).

We were told by a brother that 10 months ago she had a baby and that is when the tumors started.  He wanted to blame the baby (not entirely his fault it's his lack of understanding being born and raised in Haiti with lack of world knowledge). Yvonne informed him that in no way was this the fault of the baby It was cancer.  Esther had been turned away 5 times, we were told by Haitian hospitals, they had no money to pay for care or treatments. He kept repeating this is going to be so much work, over and over.  She was going to be a burden to her family forever how ever many days she had left on earth and that was a big concern for them.

Yvonne, took amazing care of her running the few test we could do in our mobile clinic to rule out HIV and malaria, giving her meds for pain and fever, two IV's for dehydration, instructing the family on her care, how to give her water through syringes. I was doing whatever Yvonne needed me to do and giving Esther as much comfort as I could in between.  Constructing an adult diaper for her from baby pampers and duct tape... (Yes it's true and it worked).  Taking a wash cloth and wiping her head and neck to try and help the fever. Other team members fitting her for new shoes as she lay on the gurney and she let us know by the feel which ones were perfect for her.  A pink and black pair of water shoes were the ones she mumbled fit the best. She made us smile. 
(Esther laying outside waiting to be seen... Yes those are  several feet around her head and this picture was taken from a much further distance, cut and cropped so you can see)

I will never forget Esther's hands as I gently washed them one finger at a time, how as I let go of one she would lift the next one waiting for it to be washed. Talking to her in my calm American voice telling her she was beautiful and all the while seeing these protruding tumors and knowing I could not endure for one minute what she was enduring.  She was brave and strong and her looks were not for the faint of heart. But here was a women, with children who's life was being shortened by where she lived... She was our sister in Christ. 

Yvonne, continued to do everything she could for Esther and it was almost time to send her on her way, everything we could do we had done. It was decided that a small gauze patch be put over the bulging infected eye with saline solution to keep it moist after I had seen a small bug land on it ( think about that, she couldn't feel or know bugs were in her eye) and it was something people would gaulk at if not covered. 

As we prepared her to leave I found pastor Ryan and we decided we should pray over her and with her family. I had helped care for this beautiful soul not knowing her name.  When the translator said her name was Esther, I almost broke down in tears but I know Yvonne and I needed to be stoic, for Esther and her family.  We joined hands with the family around Esther's gurney as PR prayed to our Lord and Savior and the translator repeated it in cerole, praying for her comfort, relief from pain, praying for her family, her children and giving thanks for all the help we were able to provide with what we had available, giving thanks and peace for the love of Jesus that surpasses all understanding.  It was a huge God moment praying over this young woman.  The prayer was calming and gave everyone peace. 

Hours later, a few duct taped diapers (peeing is a good thing, she had extensive dehydration and the two IV's really helped), lots of instructuions to the family, meds, new shoes, her hygiene kits, my personal lip balm for her dry lips, some loving touch and a new pair of sunglasses later and it was time for her to go.  We are not sure how she was able to arrive by scooter but we couldn't send her home  on that mode of transportation. She had just had more medical attention than she had probably received in her short life time.  She was calm, relaxed and we didn't have the heart to put her sandwiched between two or three people on that scooter. Yet the family didn't have money to pay for a tap-tap (basically this is an old Toyota truck with a camper shell on the back where they take about 20 passengers at a time to their destination, Drivers are maniacs and it looks totally unsafe but it is what they have for transportation) or a taxi.  We had the father call for the taxi and we would fund Esther and her family getting home as comfortably as possible.  Here she is walking out with her new shoes and glasses, assisted by her family.  What a joyful moment for us.


I feel like God wants Yvonne and me to know How to tell Esther's story and share it the best way we can  - put into words...   To talk about the injustice for Esther and her people at the lack of health care in Haiti. We live in America and have commercials on our TV everyday about the abused and sick animals (no sugar coating here), they are still animals not humans. If she could have received an 8th of the health care we were blessed to have for Rich and her symptoms could have been diagonised  at an early stage her outcome would be very different than how it is now.

For a short time in our lives we were forever changed and better for the experience because I believe God gave Esther to us for comfort, caring, compassion and love for those few moments. I can't tell you how much it hurts my heart to know Esther's story. Just sharing a story that impacted the life of Yvonne, the other mission team members, and myself.  Telling a true life, hands on story so that you will have more AWARENESS and insight into a woman named Esther who lives in a third world country without the basics we take for granted everyday.  If you can or want to get involved to help Haiti there are many ways.  Just be sure they have a direct benefit.  Yes, Good Shepherd will be going for their 5th mission trip in January 2016.  Praying God will bless with me what will be my 4th trip next year.  

Now back in Irvine, in my beautiful home, loving friends and family and reflecting on Haiti.... I wouldn't change a single experience (ok maybe the mosquito bites and a shorter flight home), that happened or I personally experienced on this mission. I am a believer and Jesus died for me.  I know I will see Esther again in heaven.  She will be there with Jesus and Rich to welcome me into eternal life in our new and perfect bodies.

Esther is a book in the bible and I am not a bible scholar, I knew she had a mighty impact but didn't remember in what capacity and how.... So I picked up my NIV, Life Application bible.... These are the first words I read:

MEGATHEMES explanation/importance
The book of Esther tells of the circumstances that were essential to the survival of Gods people in Persia. These circumstances are not the result of chance but of God's grand design. God is sovereign over every area of our life.

With God in charge, we can take courage . He can guide us through the circumstances we face in our lives. We should expect God to display his power in carrying out his will. As we unite our life's purpose to God's purpose, we benefit from his sovereign care.


BLUEPRINT:
The book of Esther is an example of God's divine guidance and the care over our lives. God's sovereignty and power are seen throughout the book of Esther. Although we may question certain circumstances in our lives, we must have faith that God is in control. Working through both the pleasant and difficult time so that we can serve him effectively.

Secondly (summarizing), because of Queen Esther's courageous act, a whole nation was saved. Seeing her God-given opportunity, she seized it. Her life made a difference. Read Esther and watch for God at work in your life. Perhaps he is prepared you to act in "such a time as this".

Pray for Esther, her family and children, that she have comfort, calm, care and peace for however long she has left on earth until the day she goes to heaven and receives that new and perfect body.  Perhaps he has already called her home.

These words are soon to be out there in cyber universe. I think my personal motto for 2015, is going to be to "make a difference"... Esther certainly made a difference.

Hugs, blessings and aloha from me.  




Sunday, January 3, 2016

Happy New Year and Dusting Off the Blog


River - our New Years baby.  What a great distraction.

Happy New Year to everyone near and far. We all ask this questions "where does the time go"??? I certainly don't know. What I do know is we need to "Enjoy today", it will be over in so many ways before we know it. I do enjoy blogging and writing but being with my Grand-babies is number "1" on my list along with napping (love a quick nap- all those in favor raise your hand), laughing and enjoying friends. So blogging has taken a backseat. There was not a resolution to do better and more  blogging in 2016. But sometimes life, adventures, travel and mission calls need words and need to get out there in cyber land... (we all have something to say and share).  As my 4th mission call to Haiti gets closer it is time to dust off the blog and share some of the experiences again.  




Happy NEW YEARS....
Marin the 4-legged male in my life.

Enjoying life and preparing for the mission trip that starts on Friday. Prayers for our team, the people we see in clinics and safety. Looking forward to sharing the love of the Lord. It is so powerful to stand in the clinics, energy zapped and feeling overwhelmed at the end of the day - knowing so many people are praying for you and that so many people had a hand in bringing you to this moment.  From the person in the factory who made the medications we distribute (and the M&M's we take along), to Faith in Action, the golf tournament and our families who put up with our antics while we pack and prepare. I have felt the prayer and the power.

Come along and as time, energy and the sketchy internet in Haiti works my plan is to share some stories and picture here on the blog and Facebook. If you have any questions myself or others can answer feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email. 

 Hugs and Happy New Year. 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Maui, Surfing and Photography 101.




Sitting on what I would pretty much call a deserted stretch of sand on a beach in Maui. Listening to the waves looking at lava rock sculptures coming out of the ocean, seeing all these little yellow butterflies flying everywhere (an occasional goat through the bushes), seeing God's creation. Enjoying the peace and tranquility, feeling a breath of fresh air down in my soul. This moment was brought to you by the Maui tourism board kidding -  not really but we're in a place called La Perouse            bay and Mike is out surfing in a place that not a lot of surfers get the opportunity to surf, that makes it unique. So unique it was only Mike and two other guys.



Being the brilliant photographer I am....Mike hands me his new GoPro and he wants me to capture this unique moment. It looks dangerous to me just walking over to the spot he is surfing. Over some lava rocks out to the point and standing on all these burnt pieces of earth and white coral on the jagged coast line. Waiting.... Waiting, waiting for Mike to find his wave. I am ready to go GoPro in hand. I have decided while standing and waiting that watching and waiting for someone to find their wave is like fishing or whale watching. A lot of down time in between nibbles, sighting and sets.  


Those way out there dots in the water... Mike and his surfing buddies. 

Oh great looks like he is going for this wave... Fire up The GoPro, oh no where did Mike tell me that ON but was? oh here it is OK - it doesn't look like it is flashing. Didn't Mike say something about a little red light flashing on the front. OK let me just flip it over and look at the front - ahhh a close up picture of my nose, it was blinking. Mike will love that. I don't know - I don't know -  OK well now I'm aiming at the water I think it is blinking and on? better check flip it over.  Oh no this time it is a close up of my eye and nose… Oh no why am I squeezing the off button, again I missed it. Back to waiting waiting waiting... Next wave set is coming in just another few short 8 minutes…. (it is hot standing on this lava rock) hoping I will get it this time… Here he goes, I will capture this and it will make the sulfide videos of the week… Oh no not my nose again - again the same out come! Where was that on button…  Absolute GoPro fail. 

 I did manage to get a few with my big girl camera.   



Mikes review.  Loved it, good water, he wasn't alone in the water  (you should never be alone in the water you don't know what lurks underneath and it is just a good idea to have someone in the water with you.  Trust me besides not being a GoPro expert, I am not a lifeguard).  He said it was really amazing to look at the coast line from the water and see NOTHING man made and to surf such a unique spot. He called it the most unique spot he has every surfed.

This was a new place of discovery we had never been past Makena.  Great Hike to the surf spot, flat (my favorite).  If your on Maui we give it  4 pineapples.  Next time we need to snorkel here and look for the dolphins that the spot is known to have frequent it's waters.

My Date. Defiantly suffers from multiple personality disorder - so many faces. 
Met up with these lovely Irvine friends. 



Last nights Sunset. Beautiful - Love blue water but throw in a little pink and it is eye candy.... 

Found this in the lava when Mike was surfing.  Yes, thinking of Rich always with me.  It was 4 years ago on September 18, 2011, we stood on the beach steps from where I am blogging at this moment and renewed our wedding vows.    

Thanks for your legacy of showing us how to live Rich Hyland.  Aloha for now.  

Monday, June 8, 2015

Tahiti Amazing Experience! Review and Recommendation

Has it really been 2 weeks since my return to reality and life in Irvine. Tahiti, captured a piece of my heart and my travel loving enjoyment. Just about perfect is how I would describe a trip that almost didn't happen since the timing didn't seem right.  Proving once again, there is no time like the present and besides a lot can happen in a year - for that matter in a week. Take a leap, spend the time and the resources to do something different. I am so happy Kathi and I decided the right time for our trip was NOW. Truly, this was a vacation and not an adventure (although for me just getting on the plane and getting seated in one of the torturer seats is adventure enough for the first 12 hours after TSA has there way with you).

Janet Clarke, a good friend of mine who owns "It's a Snap Vacation",  put this trip together for us and between her and the Paul Gauguin people it was flawless.  I have to add it was probably one of the best valued vacations of my lifetime.  All top notch, top shelf and exquisite without being bossy (be here be there - you must do this) overbearing or intrusive.  Beautiful, unique and with so much to do to indulge your senses it is an experience and there is not a lot of down town, unless that is what you want.  Judges  - 9.8 to a 10 for overall experience.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS.... and a few photos.

Raise your hand if you have ever visited a motu!  A favorite for Kathi and myself has to be the motu on day 2 in Taha'a. We did a morning tour of the Island and then we were "tendered" in the afternoon to the motu.  When we found out what we had missed we both agreed MOTU is the way to go for the entire day, skip the island tour.  But we did discover later on in the trip not all Motu's are the same. This one was outstanding. WHY.... perhaps it had to do with the floating bar in the water (how did I miss that photo op), the BBQ with fresh foods, the gorgeous warm water, seeing all the PG staff having a great time and talking with other cruisers and getting to know them.

While eating our wonderful meal - Kathi and I were asked where our husbands were.... I looked at my drink in the coconut (a Mai Tai for Rich) and said why they are right here.  Rich and Bob affectionally became our coconut dates for the day.  Everyone enjoyed a nice chuckle as we briefly explained we were just two widows traveling and enjoying life. We didn't meet and talk with all 180 passengers on the cruise but, we met and shared time with several of them and became friends.  More on that later!



If I ever come back to earth as a thing I hope it is a coconut on a Motu. As you can see a few of them were sacrificed, for our pleasure. Those are not just Kathi and my coconuts pictured.  Although that would be a story to tell!  Those things in the water are Sea Cucumbers and the story is that they are part of the reason the water is so clear. The ocean did look like a swimming pool (perfect temperature). POOLS OPEN.  Below: Kathi, modeling the motu! 


Above: clear, clean ocean water.  Although still really salty.  
A few pics from our morning tour.  It really poured rain this day but you dry quickly. Our tour guide, vanilla (not worms) and a giant leaf.  It fascinated me. 

People you have to have people... or however the song goes.  Life on the Paul Gauguin pictured below (yes it looks like a postcard). The ship holds 320 max and on our cruise there were only 180 passengers.  You better be nice to everyone since you never know who you might be seated next to at dinner (like the people who were in front of you for 8 plus hours on the plane and we are still laughing over that story). One night our new PG family got just a smidgen out of line and it was like we had scurvy, they stopped serving us wine and libations.  Truly, I don't blame them.  We finished dessert and headed for the nightly entertainment and after we would follow it up with some time at the Disco all 12 or 15 of us. It was never crowded which left more room to get down on the floor.  Which some people did including a guy we called Mr. Butter.  He was so smooth on that dance floor with his lady.  He had moves that would make John Travolta jealous. Like butter slipping off of hot corn on the cob!  Wow that was quite a discription.

The times we spent getting to know these people, which part of the country or which countries they were from, hearing about their real life back home.  It was all part of an outstanding experience.  And yes, we exchanged emails, became Facebook friends and all have standing invitations to visit one another.  


Below is our new PG family.  Someone came up with the name the ADAMS family for our group.  It might have something to do with this certain couple from Boston -  Kevin and Rosemarie?  We had so many laughs with these people that I would wake up giggling at night and in the morning you would have a laugh ache in your tummy.  Such fun.


We met Cristian Frew, the cruise director on our first night as we were embarking at 11:30 at night.  He was all smiles and so happy, we were just tired it was already 2:30 am at home and we still had to sign in, find our room and unpack.  He was an amazing fellow (great English accent too) and so accommodating and he LOVES his job as does everyone on the PG, which is probably why their staff is so serious about their job but friendly and accommodating.  I adopted two or three of the staff members.

After the motu (always "after" the fact I have great thoughts and ideas),  I said to Kathi we should have saved a couple of those coconuts for Bob and Rich. We each brought along some of their ashes and we thought it would be healthy for us to leave some of them in Tahiti.  They would have loved a tropical trip like this one. What to do, what to do.  We met up with Cristian again one day at Happy Hour  and he just happened to ask is there anything I can do for the two of you. I bet he was not thinking we would take him up on his offer.... Why yes Cristian, is it possible you can get us a coconut for our husbands, after the shocked looked (only momentary), we explained and he did.  A  few days later when he had the coconuts ready for us we went to pick them up.  He asked Kathi and I to join him for dinner.  Seriously, not an offer I have ever had in my life to have dinner with the Cruise Director himself.  Of course we would love to and we did! I think of the cruise director of a ship as perhaps a bit stuffy and stand offish.  Again not true with anyone on the PG. Very approachable and down to earth - Refreshing.  Thanks Cristian for making it really special for us with dinner and coconuts.



Look what else was in Bora Bora.   Yes, it is bottle of Rendarrio wine and yes that is a rainbow beaming from the top.  Kathi, brought this little gem to dinner one night and we shared it with the Adams family.

As the trip was winding down we decided Moorea would be a great place for our sweet hubby's. We were at a great beach (we went their by Taxi with our friends Ron and Vicki from Michigan) that Bob and Rich would have loved, a view of Tahiti, coconuts and flowers.  It just felt like the right thing to do for our loves. We snorkeled them out a little ways, let some of the ashes from the coconuts  go over the coral and sent their coconuts off into the vast blue of the pacific.  Kathi and I would have swam out a little further but the current was giving us some resistants and it was scary.  One last goodbye and we headed to shore.  By the time we got out with the currents we could have ended up in Hawaii! It was all worth it and thanks to Cristian for helping!  Although this is not a highlight you will find in the travel brochure on cruises it was perfect for us.  Sweetness and smiles has replaced sadness.


Local guys - below a coconut crab.  Apparently they do taste like coconut when you cook them and they live in the trees not the ocean... fun fact.


More from under the sea... a swim with rays and sharks





I won I won I won the map.




Our last night -  back in Tahiti... Great Entertainment every night.  Oh and I won the navigational map.  Everyone has to come visit it on my wall at Hylands' Island including all of our Gauguin family.  

A shout out to a wonderful perfect friend - Kathi, you make life bearable and your adventurous spirit your willingness for new memories and adventures with me is such a blessing in my life. You are the best. It took a few people a moment or two to figure out we were good friends, not an item or a couple. Which made us roar with laughter and run to the ladies room!


Hugs and Aloha 


and until next time PG and French Polynesia, and I can hope and pray next time would be very soon!


here is the link to Paul Gauguin and if you want my friend Janet's email or phone number drop me a note. 














Monday, March 30, 2015

Birthday Bashes, Living Life, Follow up and Follow Through....


Aloha, a blessing and a birthday Prayer.

I have to be one of the most blessed people that I know. Sounds funny to say that about myself but I am. Many of you who read my gibberish blog (when I get around to blogging), came to celebrate the turning of my birth clock to 60 (mentally 40). What a joyful day for me to see our friends and my friends from the past 60 years. Everyone is very unique and inspirational in my life. 

My mom, who was the only one in this group who was present at my birth (thank goodness). And why is it mom's always like to tell birthing stories no matter their age (mom is almost 79)?  Can I just say AWKWARD..... to hear my mother telling people at my age how I came into the world butt first, naturally (that explains a lot). 



Then we had Rich's friends from High School and the CDM water polo team, one of which is our family Dentist , Rich was the best man or groomsman for the other two. Forty-two years of friendship. They are the old school friends. 



Having my church friends come celebrate.  Truly, with all three of the Pastors stopping by for some prayer, tacos and socializing, I felt like a Lutheran celebrity. So many other church friends being there made the day outstanding!  Within that church family new relationships have grown and continue to grow with my Haiti family team. Two of my closest friends are in my life thanks to Haiti!  They are so supportive and I think one of them made me a mystery cake for my birthday.  

Pastor Tom always makes me laugh.... He is probably saying  "no worries we will pray for you. It takes a group in your case, Jackie".  Below PT and his wonderful better half Jane.  

Great  People... They can ROCK a Lei....  


Twins of different ages.  Mike and Chad.  Honestly these two could be brothers. Below some of my Haitian Team sisters.


Delightful neighbors, from the Eastmont/Shooting Star days and my Limewood neighbor friends (where does the time go? we have lived on Limewood for 12 years already).  Lifetime friends, Kathi, the Lawrence's. Having my grand-babies, sons, daughter in law and her family.  The other Hyland's who travelled from the central coast (Laura, I just include you as a Hyland).  A few of my Adhesive Sista's (scrapbooking), Monday Mom's,  Bunco Baby's, friends of friends.... the list goes on.


Hunter, we talked him into putting the Hawaiian shirt on so he could be like Papa Rich.  It may have been on for 3 minutes. Thus, the reason he looks uncertain in the picture. Below, niece Kelly with Jarred, my mom and great niece LeeAnn. Kelly's face painting at the party was a HUGE and FUNNY hit. 


Mom Hug


Central Coast Family Kevin and Laura

Aloha, this party was not even so much about celebrating my birthday but more importantly it was for me to be thankful for all the gifts I have in my life by the presents of all these amazing people.  I could humor everyone for hours with stories about everyone who was there. To often celebrations are held and people come together when someone has passed.  One thing Rich taught everyone is NOW.  Now is the time to celebrate life, love and blessings. For those friends, who could not come because of miles or prior commitments, you were all there in spirit.



It would not have been a party without the help of Barbara, Yvonne, Summer, Nancy, Danielle, Dale and Diane. Dale was climbing ladders and hanging tissue balls (I love his Martha side) and Nancy climbing the waterfall rocks in the yard to hang decorations. The Eaton's and Albers for being the libation managers...!  Francheska, for the one of a kind birthday cake (you are so talented not only can you make cakes but you rock making a web site too). Mike, for cleaning scrubbing and trimming the Island. Special SPECIAL did I say Special thank you to Josh and Erica Render (kids too), for providing JJ as entertainment (if anyone ever needs some nice entertainment for an event call me we will get you in touch with JJ). Thanks JJ, Amber and girls!   





More Pictures to Enjoy....





Toby, makes me want to sing "Red Solo Cup" 


Flower Face painted Friends selfie.

Dale Rocking his Pineapple - Wave

These two are fresh off the plane from Hawaii....





Before and Below After... Honestly, these people put the "F" in FUN.





DOUBLE DOUBLE... Mike and Mike on one side and Kevin and Kevin on the other.... and they look alike too.
 Below Barbara, dessert Master.


 
Don't we all take pictures in our remodeled bathroom with friends. 
 Nothing says party like Bathroom. 

The cakes....


Franceska's Cake

Mystery Cake?????? Amazing - if anyone knows anything about this cake... I need more clues.
 I still think it was somehow related to the amazing SUMMER!




CHEERS and thanks again to everyone who made my day special. The flowers from my Prayer Partner and Tony and Family in Texas, Deslattes and Boyles for my fabulous Hawaiian Halo, direct from Oahu. A cute bottle of Tequila (yes, Tequila can be cute ), the champagne, angels and assorted other gifts and cards. Very much appreciated. 



Follow up and follow through.  Several of you graciously donated to our Good Samaritan - Esther Fund.  (This is where I start tearing up while typing).  In lieu of people buying cards and gifts (at this age I don't need or know where to put stuff - exception tequila and champagne (I know where it belongs at the right time). I was thinking if (no obligation), we collected $200.00 for the Haiti fund next year that would be GREAT.....  Another blessing from my gracious friends, we have checks and cash totaling almost $1500.00.  Absolutely blown away by the generosity of so many for my passion.  WOW WOW WOW. Trust me the Haiti team will use this next year to glorify the kingdom, directly hands on in some passionate way next January. Some of you may recall reading the blog with my story of Esther this past January.  She changed the lives of several team members.  Fabienne, our/my Haitian, friend and sister has continued to keep me updated these past two months on Esther.  I received the following messages from Fabienne on March 27th.

My Dearest Jackie. I found out that Esther passed away peacefully this week. Her two children are being cared for by family who have been very thankful for all you and the team have done in help and concerns. Please continue to pray for them. I love you. Fabi.

FabI
Thank you... I sent a reply to your email. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Take a look when you have a moment,.. Hugs... Love you, Jackie

Fabi then sent the following message:
I read it and did some research. It took the pastor a week to get up to where Esthers family lives up in the hills and a good 4 days to get back down. I am understanding that she passed in the early part of march but it took some time for the mssage to get to me. I pray for you, that March be a time of light hearted- ness and not heaviness. I used to feel like that for june. Not anymore. Your generosity is intense and beautiful. I can't wait to see you at home. A few more weeks. Fab


although this was sad news it was not unexpected. Hard to explain what and how the spirit can move you at times. Esther, was a gift for a few short hours in my life. She is helping me daily keep things in perspective here in California. Thank you, all so much for the birthday gifts that will help other people like Esther and her family in the future..... HONESTLY, this is one of the best gifts I have ever received to be able to do more. We can't do everything, we can't necessarily fix the problem but we can do something. That is powerful (reaching for that tissue again).

Again to anyone reading this, I just want to say to all my party going, lei, coconut, grass skirt , Hawaiian shirt wearing friends. You all have a place in my heart. You are gifts. Would you all not agree I am blessed?

Don't cry because it's over. Smile Because it Happened. Dr. Seuss 
(one of Rich's favorite sayings)

My Dr. Seuss quote:
SOMETIMES YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE VALUE OF A MOMENT UNTIL IT BECOMES A MEMORY.

LOVE, HUGS, ALOHA, BLESSINGS .... GOD BLESS.

Jackie