I'm back! I promise

I know! I know! I have said this before but this time I'm really going to try to do it. Of all people, my husband wants me to get back to doing it so I am! A lot has happened since I was on last. We had done several more mission trips to the Dominican and I am planning a trip in feb. I can't wait. The house is currently undergoing some major remodeling so new pictures will come shortly. Anyway, hang in there with me!

Most perfect place on Earth

I am so excited that I am getting ready to return to the most perfect place on Earth! I will be leaving next Friday to return to the Dominican. We will most likely not be going across the border into Haiti but have decided to concentrate our efforts on the refugees from Haiti now residing in the DR. We will not be taking care of acute injuries but focusing on screenings for chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Please pray for us as our team tries to spread the word of God and help take care of these people. Pictures will follow when I return!

I have been to heaven on earth and hell on earth

I have been asked frequently how my trip to the DR and Haiti was since I have returned home. Heaven on earth and hell on earth is the best way I can describe it. The Dominican side of the island is the most beautiful, most peaceful place I have ever been to while the Haiti side of the island has to be hell on earth right now. Total chaos,total destruction,overwhelming loss and the blank faces of the people-that is what is etched into my mind about Haiti. Our trip began after a long day of flying from Atlanta to Miami to Santo Domingo Dominican Repulblic. 7 strong women-no men. All of us saw a a calling so overwhelming we had to go. We all had skills that we felt God was wanting us to use even though at the time we didn't know exactly how. We were greeted at the airport by pastor Pedro and travel what should have been a 4hr trip into Baharona but at night on winding moutain roads took about 6hrs. We finally arrived at the mission house exhausted but very happy to see all my sister's Dominican family. Not friends now-they are family. I was greeted by hugs of these people very grateful to see their "sister." Sister in Christ. The following day began with the group dividing into 2 smaller groups. Me,Vanessa a RN from Douglas and my sister Gale headed to a local small hospital that housed Haitian refugees. We didn't know what we would encounter. When we arrived there we were asked to care for these refugees by attending to their wounds. Many had amputaions that hadn't had any care since the initial surgery with sutures still embedded so tightly that they could barely be removed while others had their fractures addressed surgically but had not had any wound care since. These people were extremely happy to have their wounds addressed. We spent most of the day there then traveled into the countryside to one of the small villages in the middle of a sugar cane field. This place was called batey 7. I have never in my life seen a group of people have so little but be so happy. These people lived in small makeship homes but all the children had the biggest smiles on their faces. Many didn't even have clothing but even that didn't make any differnece to them. They loved having their photos taken as most of them had never seen photos of themselves. That night was spent back at the mission house sorting all the supplies we had brought in. Thanks to many people but mostly Vanessa and Roni Jo and the people of Douglas Georgia and University Hospital in Augusta, we had almost every wound care supply known to mankind and approx 25,000 doses of oral antibiotics. Our next day began around 4am while getting ready to travel into Haiti. It was about a 4hrs ride across the border. We were stopped numerous times by military roadblocks. I held my breath as we crossed to border hoping that we would make it and not get told to turn around and go back but we were told to go through. We finally arrived to a church compound outside of Port au Prince. The church had collapsed partially but a small room in the back is where we set up our clinic. We treated patients as the crowd gathered and the children played outside. The number of patients wasn't large but suddenly a young woman appeared walking with a stick and limping. We were told by the translator that her foot had been crushed in the earthquake and she had not had any medical care since it happened. Looking at the wound I was praying to mysellf that we would be able to do something for her. Vanessa worked feverishly cleaning this infected,foul smelling nasty wound while all the time knowing what she was working on was very serious. Once the wound was cleaned it was obvious that she had a very serious crush injury to her foot that was massively infected and the bones were broken and protruding through the skin. How on this earth she had been able to withstand this pain not to mention the pain of having the area cleaned is beyond me. I expressed my concerns to Pastor Pedro that this wound was very serious and she would most likely need to have her foot amputated and needed to be taken to a hospital. The team agreed to pack everything up and try to take this lady to a hospital. She had a 5 month old baby which she was breast feeding and 2 other small children she had to leave behind. Thank goodness we had baby formula with us so we were able to leave this with the father. We found a rural hospital. I finally got to talk to a Dr. that was an American Dr. who was overseeing this hospital and he made sure she was admitted. It was amazing that he was an American doctor but his father was also a retired doctor who at one time was the head of the radiology department at The Medical College of Georgia where I attended school. You can't tell me that God puts you where you are needed if only you will put your faith in him. When we left the hospital, we still had supplied that we wanted to leave in Haiti so our translator told us he knew where to take them. He took us into the heart of Port au Prince to the large hospital there. Riding through these streets was overwhelming. Seeing the massive amount of people in the streets among all the rubble was heartbreaking. We arrived at the hospital and met an International medical group and then were introduced to the Clinton foundation group who very gratefully accepted our supplies. We then headed back to the Domincan. The following day we returned back to the hospital to continue care for the Haitian refugees. The next day we began our long day of return travel home. I finally got home around 2am friday morning. I was physically and mentally exhausted but comletely fullfilled knowing that even though we were a team of just 7 strong women, we made a difference. If only a small difference, it was still a difference. We may have touched these peoples lives but they have touched ours more that they could ever imagine. If God is willing, I am hoping to return to the Dominican in June and continue working with these people in the Bateys. I am forever changed.

I have been to heaven on earth and hell on earth

I have been asked frequently how my trip to the DR and Haiti was since I have returned home. Heaven on earth and hell on earth is the best way I can describe it. The Dominican side of the island is the most beautiful, most peaceful place I have ever been to while the Haiti side of the island has to be hell on earth right now. Total chaos,total destruction,overwhelming loss and the blank faces of the people-that is what is etched into my mind about Haiti. Our trip began after a long day of flying from Atlanta to Miami to Santo Domingo Dominican Repulblic. 7 strong women-no men. All of us saw a a calling so overwhelming we had to go. We all had skills that we felt God was wanting us to use even though at the time we didn't know exactly how. We were greeted at the airport by pastor Pedro and travel what should have been a 4hr trip into Baharona but at night on winding moutain roads took about 6hrs. We finally arrived at the mission house exhausted but very happy to see all my sister's Dominican family. Not friends now-they are family. I was greeted by hugs of these people very grateful to see their "sister." Sister in Christ. The following day began with the group dividing into 2 smaller groups. Me,Vanessa a RN from Douglas and my sister Gale headed to a local small hospital that housed Haitian refugees. We didn't know what we would encounter. When we arrived there we were asked to care for these refugees by attending to their wounds. Many had amputaions that hadn't had any care since the initial surgery with sutures still embedded so tightly that they could barely be removed while others had their fractures addressed surgically but had not had any wound care since. These people were extremely happy to have their wounds addressed. We spent most of the day there then traveled into the countryside to one of the small villages in the middle of a sugar cane field. This place was called batey 7. I have never in my life seen a group of people have so little but be so happy. These people lived in small makeship homes but all the children had the biggest smiles on their faces. Many didn't even have clothing but even that didn't make any differnece to them. They loved having their photos taken as most of them had never seen photos of themselves. That night was spent back at the mission house sorting all the supplies we had brought in. Thanks to many people but mostly Vanessa and Roni Jo and the people of Douglas Georgia and University Hospital in Augusta, we had almost every wound care supply known to mankind and approx 25,000 doses of oral antibiotics. Our next day began around 4am while getting ready to travel into Haiti. It was about a 4hrs ride across the border. We were stopped numerous times by military roadblocks. I held my breath as we crossed to border hoping that we would make it and not get told to turn around and go back but we were told to go through. We finally arrived to a church compound outside of Port au Prince. The church had collapsed partially but a small room in the back is where we set up our clinic. We treated patients as the crowd gathered and the children played outside. The number of patients wasn't large but suddenly a young woman appeared walking with a stick and limping. We were told by the translator that her foot had been crushed in the earthquake and she had not had any medical care since it happened. Looking at the wound I was praying to mysellf that we would be able to do something for her. Vanessa worked feverishly cleaning this infected,foul smelling nasty wound while all the time knowing what she was working on was very serious. Once the wound was cleaned it was obvious that she had a very serious crush injury to her foot that was massively infected and the bones were broken and protruding through the skin. How on this earth she had been able to withstand this pain not to mention the pain of having the area cleaned is beyond me. I expressed my concerns to Pastor Pedro that this wound was very serious and she would most likely need to have her foot amputated and needed to be taken to a hospital. The team agreed to pack everything up and try to take this lady to a hospital. She had a 5 month old baby which she was breast feeding and 2 other small children she had to leave behind. Thank goodness we had baby formula with us so we were able to leave this with the father. We found a rural hospital. I finally got to talk to a Dr. that was an American Dr. who was overseeing this hospital and he made sure she was admitted. It was amazing that he was an American doctor but his father was also a retired doctor who at one time was the head of the radiology department at The Medical College of Georgia where I attended school. You can't tell me that God puts you where you are needed if only you will put your faith in him. When we left the hospital, we still had supplied that we wanted to leave in Haiti so our translator told us he knew where to take them. He took us into the heart of Port au Prince to the large hospital there. Riding through these streets was overwhelming. Seeing the massive amount of people in the streets among all the rubble was heartbreaking. We arrived at the hospital and met an International medical group and then were introduced to the Clinton foundation group who very gratefully accepted our supplies. We then headed back to the Domincan. The following day we returned back to the hospital to continue care for the Haitian refugees. The next day we began our long day of return travel home. I finally got home around 2am friday morning. I was physically and mentally exhausted but comletely fullfilled knowing that even though we were a team of just 7 strong women, we made a difference. If only a small difference, it was still a difference. We may have touched these peoples lives but they have touched ours more that they could ever imagine. If God is willing, I am hoping to return to the Dominican in June and continue working with these people in the Bateys. I am forever changed.

Haiti update

My brother in law returned from Haiti yesterday following this stay there with a search and rescue team. They found 135 kids alive at the orphanage. He said it was worse than anything he could imagine. He told a story of seeing a young child at a clinic that had his leg crushed up to his hip. He said he was crying and when they asked what he needed, he said he was hungry. They went back to their bags and got whatever they could for him. This is truly heart breaking. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to go to Haiti. We have decided instead to go to the Dominican and work there where the people from Haiti are being brought in. We will be leaving on the 31st. Pictures will follow when I get back. Please pray for our team that God will continue to lead,guide and direct us. Pray that he works through my hands and receives all the glory. It's going to be a busy week getting all the supplies ready but I have never felt such a strong calling and can't wait. Maybe this is why I have done pediatrics and Emergency medicine for the past 15 years. Strange combination but now I am prepared to treat both adults and children. Will update you as soon as I can!

Hang on people of Haiti we are coming!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my brother in law is on the ground in Haiti. Hopefully I will be going Sunday. My brother in law is a small town outside of Port au prince at an orphanage. Last we heard was that they made it there safe but haven't heard anything since they arrived yesterday. It is a little nerve wrecking that we haven't heard anything since the new 6.0 quake this morning but I have faith that he is OK. I am such peace about going. Everyone at work ask me "aren't you scared?" NOPE!! When it's God will why be worried but continue to pray for all people there and those trying to help.

Godbless this place

Seeing all the devastation on the news following the earthquake in Haiti really bothers me. These people have 80% of their population living well below the poverty level. Their extremely wealthy people are what we would call middle class here in the US. People do you realize how fortunate we are. We have roofs over our head and clothes on our backs and if you are ready this I am pretty sure you have food to eat. You have hope. You have a future. These people don't and now many of these people don't even have some of their family members. Can you even begin to imagine the devastation. I'm not trying to be a downer with this post but people take a minute and look around where you are sitting right now. Most likely in the warmth comfort of your nice home with your loving happy healthy family. Do you realize how fortunate you are? We all have aches and pains and things that don't always go as we had planned but in the grand scheme of things life is pretty good. Do you have any idea what could make this better? If you knew the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior it would be better. There would never be a need unmet or a want unanswered, Now whether you like the answer is another story! Our Preacher at church tonight preached from a great passage in the bible and I would like you all to read it and tell how reverent you think it is to what's going on in the world right now. Read Luke 13 verses 1-5. Do you know him? One thing is for certain and that is that tomorrow may never come. Live you life like you are dying and tomorrow is your last day because it may be. Wrap your arms around your loved ones and let them know you love them. You never know if it's gonna be your last chance. Smile like you have never smiled, dance like you have never danced, love like you have never loved and pray like you have never prayed! God bless you all!

Whew What a year!!

Well, What a year!! I am glad to see it go. This has been a tough one. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of his lung removed. The cancer hopefully is all gone and he came through it like a trooper!!
My father-in-law has been diagnosed with myleofibrosis and has developed numerous complication form this and isn't doing well. He has gone from being a loud, bousterous, jolly man to a shell of himself. I hope next year is better for him whether he gets better or the good Lord calls him home to a much better place but either was gives my mother-in -law peace to handle it all.
My husband and I have had several of the hardest years of our 21+ year marriage but I pray we are on the right track. My dream is to grow old with him and enjoy many years playing with grandkids and creating our own family heirloom memories.
My husband and his father have been distant for many years. We visited with them over the Christmas holidays and I can see that he and the children miss him and their relationship immensly so I pray it con'tinues for my family's sake.
Well folks! Lets wave goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010 with faith and hope of a new year!

The Big 4-0!!

Well yesterday I celebrated my 40th birthday. My age has never bothered me. Frankly I am just happy to be alive!!
My 20s were tough and I really don't remember much about them. And no it has absolutely nothing to do with the legal drinking age! I was in school at The Medical College of Georgia and it was a whirlwind!
My 30s were hard. They were filled with trials,tribulations and temptations but I have weathered them all. Sure I had goals for this age in my life, Some I reached and others I didn't. SO WHAT!!
I have learned a thing or two over all this time. I hope people have learned a few things about me. When I am no longer in this world I hope they can say the she was a wife that loved her husband. She was a mother who adored and loved ALL her children, She was a daughter who loved her parents and a sister who loved her siblings. She was an aunt who loved her neices nad nephews. SHe was a healthcare provider who loved her patients.But, Most of all, she was a Christaian who loved her Lord.
So goodbye 30s. I tip my hat fond farewell to you. I am waving goodbye to you with a huge smile on my face and fuly embrassing 40.
So 40 here I come full steam ahead and with guns a blazing!!! BRING IT ON!!!

Bon Appetit!

I watched the movie Julia and Julie last night and LOVED it!! My husband was fussing about having to watch a "dang cooking movie" but he laughed all the way through it too. He says I am the only person he knows that searches out gourmet grocery stores while on vacation. Well I found out I am not alone! I never knew Julia Child was such a character. Not to mention the whole jist of the movie is about blogging. Well, if you get a chance, give this movie a try. Two thumbs up from me and my crew!!

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas...

Well hello all!! The modest Christmas decorating is done and the holiday baking has begun! We always have an ornament night and this year everybody was home for it except Israel. He told me that he wasn't going to be able to come home until after Christmas because of preparation for the bowl game. (He plays football for UGA for those of you don't know) Well, he surprised me by coming his past weekend so all the kids got to get theirs. I pick an ornament out every year that reminds me and my husband of something the child has done over the past year. When they are grown and settledin their own homes, their ornaments will be theirs. Its fun pulling out the ornaments from year to year and reminiscing over why that particular ornament was chosen. There are also some pictures of some of my holiday tablescape and some updated pictures of my bunch. Hope you enjoy!!