TRAVEL SIZED

So...I went to the store and got some stuff for the trip.  I perhaps had a little too much fun in the travel sized isle.  I got Off to spray on my bedding and Organic Bug Spray for me...(under 3oz so I can carry it on everywhere) and some Band Aids just in case. Also; sunscreen, toothpaste, and baby wipes (which may replace a shower in some cases, says our mission leaders).  Can I just say that I am stoked now?  I leave in like nine days.  WOW!  NINE DAYS!!!

Now, I would like to tell you about what is going on spiritually in my life as I prep for this trip.  Sadly though, there is not much to say.  I wish I could say that I have been growing and feel spiritually equipped.  But I haven't and I don't.  I spend so much time teaching the kids in church that I have only been in service one day since I graduated college.  Not good.  And that one day, I cried like a baby while I sang the praise music.  Imagine not seeing the person you love the most for two months and not knowing when you will see them again.  Then multiply that by whatever number would make it equal to your creator..and you got the emotion.  Now, I am not saying that I don't hang out with God.  I still read my bible and pray.  But it is different when you can come to him in worship.  I really miss that.

Wow...I digress.  Anyway, here's to knowing that God doesn't call the equipped..He equips the called.  And I want God to use me in whatever way he decides.

Thank you guys for your support.
~Caroline

Packing List

I got my packing list today which is super exciting!  I have lost a little sleep though because I now have India on the mind all the time.  In India you are expected to dress modestly, which involves showing no leg.  It's going to be 100 degrees over there.  So, on our first day we girls get to go shopping for Punjabi Suits.  They are so beautiful (See the below photo).  I am so excited.  They are fairly cheap and our female mission leader recomends we get two for the time we are there.  I may get three and avoid handwashing so many clothes while we are there. I am excited to immerse myself in this way.

Anyway.  I will wear this back in the states too because it is so awesome! Just saying.

I want to take the time to thank everyone who has been following this blog.  The fact that you care enough to read our posts really touches me.  You guys are awesome.

Blessings, Grace, and Peace,
Caroline R.

An Update on Laura

I haven't heard much from Laura becuase it has been hard for her to get to the internet.  But this note I got from her this morning.

"A few days ago, I was working in the Nest, which holds newborns to 3 month olds and 2 new babies came from the hospital! I'm going to attatch pictures so you can see them. They're about half a month old.  They're sooo tiny."

                                                                             

I am glad to hear she is doing well! And I was sure that you guys would be glad to hear too!

Blessings,

Caroline

So...I bet you can guess what this is.  Yep!  My visa came through.  And I have bought my airfaire.. and picked up the malaria meds today...so everything is covered.  No more money to put into this trip.  YAY! So I guess all I need to do now to prepare is pray. Thank you everyone for all of your financial help...now I could use your prayers.                                                          

Grace and Peace,                                                         

Caroline

Saturday, June 4

The last few nights I’ve been on night shift, which is where we basically spend the night cleaning and feeding the tiny babies who eat every 2 or 4 hours. The first few nights were rough because I was so tired, but I’m getting more used to it now.

Last night, though, was very different. It was about 8:30 and we had only been cleaning for a little bit when we heard screams coming from the main house. The main house is attached to the nursery and is where all the adopted kids and family of TLC’s founder live. We stood there wondering for a moment if the kids were just rough housing, when we heard screams for help and one of the kids ran in and grabbed my night shift leader. In the next hour, we found out that a gas heater in one of the boys’ rooms upstairs had exploded, his room was on fire, and he had been badly burned. We rushed buckets of water upstairs and hurriedly carried the children downstairs into our nursery. It was really difficult because the kids were all in shock. Many had seen their brother’s burnt face as he ran out of the house screaming. (He ran to the yard and finally ended up jumping in the pool.) There was a 14 year old boy we found curled up in a corner of the kitchen unable to move, another boy was shaking too hard to hold a cup of milk, still another just stared unseeingly into space, and a little girl kept repeating over and over how scared she was. The boy who was burnt was quickly driven to the hospital (which is faster than waiting for an ambulance). Once we had all of the main house kids safely in our nursery, we wrapped them in blankets and hugged them tightly and told them they were safe. They were terrified for their brother. Most of the main house kids are kids who never got adopted, so the founder’s family adopted them. And to them, family is priceless. Soon after we got them into the nursery, we gathered around and prayed. I was surprised at how some of the youngest had the most profound prayers. One little boy asked for angelic presence in his brother’s hospital room! Praying together really seemed to calm them, although they were still very much afraid. Eventually we sent the younger ones to sleep at a volunteer’s cottage who they knew pretty well. The older ones watched a movie with another volunteer in their living room. And later we found out that the boy who had been burned was stable. Please pray for his healing and for the other children to have peace.

The rest of the night was pretty rough for us. Night staff was pretty shaken. The sounds of the boy’s screaming were haunting and I found myself jumping every time someone walked into the room. It wasn’t until I called someone and asked them to pray for me that I was finally able to calm down. Still, the light from the rising sun was a welcome sight. Dawn was beautiful and it was as if everything that happened the night before was just a vague dream.

In other news, on Friday I was able to join in on a trip to the hospital to pick up a newborn. When we got there, though, the baby hadn’t been born yet and we were asked to temporarily take care of the one year old sister. Pippa, one of the ladies who helps run TLC, wasn’t pleased although she mentioned it wasn’t rare for the hospitals to only tell her half-truths. So we took the little girl, Phiphi, for the night and went back today to return Phiphi and to pick up the newborn. (The mother wanted to keep Phiphi but felt she would be unable to also care for the newborn.) Since I’ve been here at TLC, we’ve had 5 adoptions and 2 babies come in. By the way, our new baby is gorgeous! In the picture, she is less than 24 hrs. old.

-Laura

INDIA?

So...I am expectantly awaiting July 8th.  Which is probably coming faster than I think it is...you know how that goes.  My visa application has safely arrived at the Indian consulate and I will know monday if I have been granted a travel visa or not.  Also, wednesday, I have a doctor's appointment to get my malaria meds' prescription.  So, I just need to buy my airfaire to the training in Colorado.  Whew!  This has been a long process.

Anyway, today I found Naan!  It was just sitting in the store, calling my name!  Naan (pictured below) is an Indian bread.  They just slap the dough to the side of a special oven, called a Tandoori (also pictured below).  And it cooks to perfection with garlic and spices...hmmm.

Let me just say, I ate way too much for lunch today!  I was just suprised to find it here.

In addition to that, I saw red bananas in the store.  "Hmmm...red bananas," I thought, "I have never tried them before.  I think I will!"  The are supposed to be sweet, soft, and have a slight raspberry banana flavor.  SUPPOSED TO BE...haha.  I, being the silly girl that I can be, found that I don't know how to tell if a red banana is ripe or not.  Well, I know now, that it was not.  That is why it tasted like a raw plantain but dryer and more bitter.  YUCK!  Anyway, I will wait a few days and try not to make that mistake again...haha.

Blessings to all,

Caroline