tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91138951829853462332024-03-14T05:09:24.141-05:00POWER AT WORKlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-83390221520162543972010-03-06T20:40:00.001-06:002010-03-06T20:42:05.610-06:00NEW SITE - LIVINGWITHPOWER.ORGThis website has officially moved.<br /><br />the new and improved site is now Living With Power!<br /><br />livingwithpower.org<br /><br />please visit my new site for blogs and updates on my life and thoughts.<br /><br />thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />Linalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-5186434029515172322010-02-28T07:32:00.003-06:002010-02-28T07:40:36.785-06:00for my parents who don't have facebook!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH5209wRU65bSjoPiCVDNp0jFTiBGs-Iuyh1umkhROtI-NhTU0tInJ1NLSOtlbs4cHpffl4cwGx_Qkrx1dMHEMj3TT3kAeW-fedEUNUOM3wnmQFDMoy5WlhLrJiywTeIyg9k7-a4azio/s1600-h/IMG_1041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH5209wRU65bSjoPiCVDNp0jFTiBGs-Iuyh1umkhROtI-NhTU0tInJ1NLSOtlbs4cHpffl4cwGx_Qkrx1dMHEMj3TT3kAeW-fedEUNUOM3wnmQFDMoy5WlhLrJiywTeIyg9k7-a4azio/s320/IMG_1041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443287777839649698" border="0" /></a><br />guys just being cool<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk1ng1ghK1irrT_w-X7xU9o68H7j760Nta8D-wtM-5X0zeNN8NetyqUCGzmD2BCkog-KSEBmSeF3D7a9WmrW09uWx149GUYm1iSh8ybCoT3g8au4PLn7P0KnZ2pE9VQjwpF-PJgoos60/s1600-h/IMG_1044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk1ng1ghK1irrT_w-X7xU9o68H7j760Nta8D-wtM-5X0zeNN8NetyqUCGzmD2BCkog-KSEBmSeF3D7a9WmrW09uWx149GUYm1iSh8ybCoT3g8au4PLn7P0KnZ2pE9VQjwpF-PJgoos60/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443287767392615874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />me and my sister in law patricia<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkQbDxQ3Jy_zOKlrSlq6yK4ekzivbYwzadY7W0pKOdOwhbqEDQWH70QnQH-M4adYkv0dVtUKhgHa4qtWJKtvAjJMCtrZfFj3dqS2Q__MI79p9bKeXsvtyMOsW-MH4VQd0AO3vZ8_k9uQ/s1600-h/IMG_1080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkQbDxQ3Jy_zOKlrSlq6yK4ekzivbYwzadY7W0pKOdOwhbqEDQWH70QnQH-M4adYkv0dVtUKhgHa4qtWJKtvAjJMCtrZfFj3dqS2Q__MI79p9bKeXsvtyMOsW-MH4VQd0AO3vZ8_k9uQ/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443287764947395954" border="0" /></a><br />waiting to see a great great shedd aquarium show called "Fantasea". it's 2 extra bucks and worth every cent of the admission price.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7TojwyYsmyHduZVqcNmIet3WV8hyphenhyphenXsdP4ks4xJU_Tqwd2gF9_Rszutz6_32TGeUH2n3T75HmbmqtYVqDiWYN5yX7VAJ6dp2KJOhI62eA0AMi2DyVDMnHuGHgRtoE4eqgRVlsuHX2bXo/s1600-h/IMG_1076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7TojwyYsmyHduZVqcNmIet3WV8hyphenhyphenXsdP4ks4xJU_Tqwd2gF9_Rszutz6_32TGeUH2n3T75HmbmqtYVqDiWYN5yX7VAJ6dp2KJOhI62eA0AMi2DyVDMnHuGHgRtoE4eqgRVlsuHX2bXo/s320/IMG_1076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443287753416978978" border="0" /></a><br />the penguins are behind us. they are my favorites.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEKzEELZeh11nN4qTGUS9ARjMtVqVFfqzlIgUxqd29A_0j5ZbmuqjPAujTvwUC-Dbx5hqwoL60MSGBDbh-xb8mpYHpzTJNB3HzM5ODcnF_YM5Wfz8ishhgOn7ZSSVzk-Y4oszTjfiQ_k/s1600-h/IMG_1007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEKzEELZeh11nN4qTGUS9ARjMtVqVFfqzlIgUxqd29A_0j5ZbmuqjPAujTvwUC-Dbx5hqwoL60MSGBDbh-xb8mpYHpzTJNB3HzM5ODcnF_YM5Wfz8ishhgOn7ZSSVzk-Y4oszTjfiQ_k/s320/IMG_1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443287744448036194" border="0" /></a><br />stupid enough to wait in line for over an hour to get into the shedd on a cold chicago day. i didn't have socks on, my nephews didn't have gloves.<br /><br />ya, i'm not used to grab and go with kids. didn't have a mom bag full of paraphenalia....linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-38300473315870896572010-02-27T21:54:00.001-06:002010-02-27T21:56:03.443-06:00the princess and the frog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmkEDGtVv2YMYpVHg9f7OPlgwy3Ty01FtoPhc7NYKs6Qzd-YyVJDX3RStkHMZIG6eM-CFB2n3TQ2WVN3ERNayHT9E3vh2mO1n8iannWtjXNwl4bOWlSB3Wzty7_Oge3xNqisxYQMCYrU/s1600-h/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmkEDGtVv2YMYpVHg9f7OPlgwy3Ty01FtoPhc7NYKs6Qzd-YyVJDX3RStkHMZIG6eM-CFB2n3TQ2WVN3ERNayHT9E3vh2mO1n8iannWtjXNwl4bOWlSB3Wzty7_Oge3xNqisxYQMCYrU/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443138006958459570" /></a>i think this picture says it all.<div><br /></div><div>and no, the frog doesn't actually change into a prince.</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-64538176402550347402010-02-27T09:43:00.003-06:002010-02-27T21:08:17.766-06:00dangera couple of months ago i went to the grocery store to buy some things for a recipe.<br /><br />now, let me make a little disclaimer before i go on....if you know me or have ever met me, that right there is a pretty crazy statement. i included the word "I" and "grocery store" and "recipe" in one sentence, but yes, it's true, i did go to the grocery store to buy some things for a recipe.<br /><br />it was around christmas time, and i had spent more money than i wanted to on gifts, and frankly, i was looking for a good deal.<br /><br />the guy sitting at the table inside the entry to the grocery store did not strike me as someone to avoid. he even had his walker next to him. and he looked like he was giving away free cubs shirts and stuff. so when he talked to me, i stopped and listened.<br /><br />turns out he was gonna sell me an 8 week subscription to a local chicago newspaper in exchange for one of 3 possible gift card choices: $5, $10, $25.<br /><br />let's just say i was hooked. and the cubs hat wasn't even part of the deal...<br /><br />i walked out with my $10 gift card.....i guess i'm lucky but not that lucky.....with a grin on my face.<br /><br />little did i know that i'd been had.<br /><br />the chicago sun times is the absolute worst newspaper i have ever been embarrassed enough to get to my house and if i don't discontinue it asap, i am worried it'll be held against me if i ever run for office which God willing, and my mind cooperating, i will never be stupid enough to do.<br /><br />be careful what you read.<br />be careful what you let into your trust, and house, and mind.<br /><br />not everything that looks good for you actually is.<br /><br />in fact most trash out in our world is offered to us at what seems to be a very low price.<br /><br />but it never is.<br /><br />the cost is who you are and what you can become if you don't put an end to it!<br /><br />just thought i'd share.linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-62900933555767964952010-02-27T00:56:00.002-06:002010-02-27T01:07:00.257-06:00hopemy hope is built on nothing less<br />than Jesus' blood and righteousness<br />i dare not trust the sweet frame<br />but wholly lean on Jesus' name<br /><br />i love these words to this old hymn. matt redman has a great newer remake of this song if you like him. i must have listened to it 100 times driving today and it still hasn't gotten old.<br /><br />i think about all the things i do build my hope on. things like money, or a good retirement account, my house which was a good investment. sometimes i build my hope on people. i'm often guilty of that. i figure if that relationship would just work out, everything would fall into place. or i build my hope on the church and being involved in meaningful ministry. i even get in this rut of building my hope on my looks, or lack of them depending on the day! if my hair would just turn out right...other times i build my hope on the future, and my dreams. and when they don't actually become realized, my whole outlook is clouded and my vision is obscured.<br /><br />my hope is built on nothing less<br />than Jesus' blood and righteousness.<br /><br />not just words to a hymn, but my prayer for myself tonight.linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-87645955840842545542010-02-24T13:09:00.002-06:002010-02-24T13:18:39.164-06:00picture crazy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiop9VJai5xdPaPBguwNS5A0PMuX27qOGDhssGj9L9ugPfwTGQ22Eriu746PXZY-iO8y42EIqypNqueEL6GDB96TsXT9VMPvWwaTk_xiGrg5iwC_RlT3FpTgsRPxX8s6bMOjI4hcbJJw/s1600-h/IMG_0972.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiop9VJai5xdPaPBguwNS5A0PMuX27qOGDhssGj9L9ugPfwTGQ22Eriu746PXZY-iO8y42EIqypNqueEL6GDB96TsXT9VMPvWwaTk_xiGrg5iwC_RlT3FpTgsRPxX8s6bMOjI4hcbJJw/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441890973435457330" /></a><br /><div>i've never taken a lot of pictures in my life - my family can attest to that - but i just bought a camera for my haiti trip - and now i'm unstoppable!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIRdjdo2bgOCWjBIhSR8fY7io45c-V68SkIhfjQ-8BPrNT8VJt8YAzZAG_5ik29tsaTz121EJffn0XzWMuZnstEHIBpNi_KXm6s3lChbeSE5QS1-yuCGss_-_sdmkZrnTZxR-Azrt_iQ/s1600-h/IMG_0942.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIRdjdo2bgOCWjBIhSR8fY7io45c-V68SkIhfjQ-8BPrNT8VJt8YAzZAG_5ik29tsaTz121EJffn0XzWMuZnstEHIBpNi_KXm6s3lChbeSE5QS1-yuCGss_-_sdmkZrnTZxR-Azrt_iQ/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441890967627634658" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>me and my dad. i feel like i look exactly like him in that picture....yikes....i used to think i looked like my mom...ha!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDA9yqTrDALqceJUl6DdAspl05A0BvrIbQCkgHdo1H0zmepK8CNCGCaQNGW5T2U-Y1gl34hc34dClrt66x9pP6euDxLzAkyf14BJa-PZl5-y_eFWERjMum2TYFeqba4w3CXoFw2oaK9c/s1600-h/IMG_0975.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDA9yqTrDALqceJUl6DdAspl05A0BvrIbQCkgHdo1H0zmepK8CNCGCaQNGW5T2U-Y1gl34hc34dClrt66x9pP6euDxLzAkyf14BJa-PZl5-y_eFWERjMum2TYFeqba4w3CXoFw2oaK9c/s320/IMG_0975.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441890956420844514" /></a>then again how can you resist this smile?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLTtl4NhgYASgbaGVFu5_z-C6XyhRc-WPPe9DyFHYeCNRM3JZKiQTtwwwx3mrDVRi7MeytLxGcXEideik53zCS7Tax3-Yn2vOSF-PpRgZ06G3PzmavFQK41DkdXgFgmwmgqf68nNwlMk/s1600-h/IMG_0968.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLTtl4NhgYASgbaGVFu5_z-C6XyhRc-WPPe9DyFHYeCNRM3JZKiQTtwwwx3mrDVRi7MeytLxGcXEideik53zCS7Tax3-Yn2vOSF-PpRgZ06G3PzmavFQK41DkdXgFgmwmgqf68nNwlMk/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441890947466907634" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>i like that sunset. </div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-5916765614498906622010-02-24T12:58:00.003-06:002010-02-24T13:08:57.050-06:00visiting my folks<div><br /></div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy53vVzx45XZ0hRQASHGEVBsQMhp0Wzrq_RYuL49Icw8UHtvN12li9d4FIre3LQvsdVFb-ZzEoj5Dx1cTCPVB5KabYKBtncHaJ-6D97qK7I1sFwNKMfPI94dZgJ8xKITNhpkZAKe9ZcMU/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy53vVzx45XZ0hRQASHGEVBsQMhp0Wzrq_RYuL49Icw8UHtvN12li9d4FIre3LQvsdVFb-ZzEoj5Dx1cTCPVB5KabYKBtncHaJ-6D97qK7I1sFwNKMfPI94dZgJ8xKITNhpkZAKe9ZcMU/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441887757730592898" /></a>my parents have been married for 41 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>i think my mom married my dad for his good looks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmGRAThRtIx9eCAYHWr8k-sJJbFVGo3n6WMOZPBA2yc5rHNMI_7WpoABQOMsmJgVixOZLUULfar6eluhgmhQvJLQdybzLNKefSt8IEr7Szkc_TKs0Klaqi4rE25hrAA7csQ5JY0VRJ-0/s1600-h/IMG_0941.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmGRAThRtIx9eCAYHWr8k-sJJbFVGo3n6WMOZPBA2yc5rHNMI_7WpoABQOMsmJgVixOZLUULfar6eluhgmhQvJLQdybzLNKefSt8IEr7Szkc_TKs0Klaqi4rE25hrAA7csQ5JY0VRJ-0/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441887748226461330" /></a>here they are again. you can barely see the sunshine behind them because their smiles are so bright! ha...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcNzBu5kMDUBnc9vdgQHbVhiHnQUi8pZoWp8DnPsvH3RObW7eaRSR0Js8q7aRVCmElmxLjt7ngGBZp5_XuKgiHxzJDnhzq7oTO-UquQ41Ah3vqB7y92RBDDsASm8NuVDKoS_7j6PsnwE/s1600-h/IMG_0977.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcNzBu5kMDUBnc9vdgQHbVhiHnQUi8pZoWp8DnPsvH3RObW7eaRSR0Js8q7aRVCmElmxLjt7ngGBZp5_XuKgiHxzJDnhzq7oTO-UquQ41Ah3vqB7y92RBDDsASm8NuVDKoS_7j6PsnwE/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441887739791670274" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>me and my mom. she's the wisest woman i know.</div></div></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-34771029658352180782010-02-21T20:29:00.004-06:002010-02-24T12:58:51.417-06:00prayer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbO8GCD4hu9vB7Uvh9z45BYub6fMuQcvjHz38JuI0JvVtmHnoX2HH0JFp0hz7FfWviYT6M78c26SBDgE2eo2sUUfCFBP_D88xk4kRIWUC0r-K2TDRyNITaXay3AexQP4cJ8foT35Q7AI/s1600-h/IMG_0982.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbO8GCD4hu9vB7Uvh9z45BYub6fMuQcvjHz38JuI0JvVtmHnoX2HH0JFp0hz7FfWviYT6M78c26SBDgE2eo2sUUfCFBP_D88xk4kRIWUC0r-K2TDRyNITaXay3AexQP4cJ8foT35Q7AI/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441886452996221442" /></a><br />my mom lost her bracelet yesterday. we had just gotten home from dinner when she noticed her bare arm. i hate that moment when you realize something is missing. i mean, it could be missing for days, and it makes no difference to you until that moment when you notice that it's missing.<br /><br />i was already dressed for bed when i saw her make her way to the door committed to find that darned bracelet. i knew the bracelet wasn't a particularly expensive one, so i was a little annoyed by her focused energy at finding it, and honestly, i was in no mood to get dressed back up to go with her on this silly scavenger hunt. but even i am too polite to let my aging mother hit the town alone looking for a needle in a haystack.<br /><br />we started with "bealls", our favorite discount store where we had spent a few post dinner moments trying on various clearance items. we crawled around the store scraping the floor in search of a blue bracelet while a few scattered hard of hearing, near sighted retirees stared on convinced we had lost our marbles. even the ladies at the check out desk smirked when we asked if anyone had turned the bracelet in.<br /><br />my mom was devastated. she's not one to lose anything, and despite my reminding her that a fake bracelet means little in the scheme of starving children and hopeless people in the world, she closed her eyes and set out praying.<br /><br />we had almost made our way back home when something prompted me to call the restaurant where we had eaten dinner. now i was sure the call was useless but i figured i had little to lose in making the call. i was apologetic to the restaurant as i explained the reason for my call, and was astounded when they stated that they in fact had the lost bracelet.<br /><br />my mom was ecstatic as she affirmed to herself how much Jesus loved her and had answered her prayer.<br /><br />at first i chuckled.<br /><br />but as i think about this story today, i'm struck by how much deeper my mom's prayer life is than mine. there is no prayer request that is too little for our God, and there is no need that is too trivial. if you don't ask, you won't get. and if you ask, do it in faith. God hears. God cares.<br /><br />Go ahead. do it. you may just find that bracelet you think is lost.linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-55385569034748661632010-02-20T07:28:00.005-06:002010-02-24T12:58:00.997-06:00faithhave you still no faith?<br /><br />Jesus asks his disciples this simple question in the middle of a storm. he's asleep in the boat. unfrazzled. they are freaking out.<br /><br />mind you, they've already been with him for some time. they've seen him turn the water into wine, and heal the sick, and remove demons, and make the lame walk. they have heard him teach. heck, their whole lives have been radically transformed by him: from fishermen, and tax collectors to following this man who claims to be God.<br /><br />then a little wind blows and their lives are turned upside down. and Jesus is sitting just an arms length from them, but they accuse him of abandoning him, of not caring.<br /><br />i am amazed at how much my life and attitude reflects that of the disciples in the boat.<br />i believe Jesus is the son of God, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, predicted that he would willingly lay his life down for me, went around doing a million miracles, was wrongly accused and taken to the cross to die, but he agreed to this knowingly simply because a sinner undeserving like me needed a way back to God, and then he ROSE AGAIN! his body was never found. his disciples were so radically changed that each ended up dying for him. and christianity grew and endured much. and today i know Jesus and he lives in my heart. he's saved me. i've given my whole life to him. he has radically transformed me. he has protected me and provided for me, and proven to me again and again that he is God. he has answered my prayers and healed my broken heart, he has loved me through periods of failure and given me grace when i have not deserved it.<br /><br />and yet the minute the wind rises, and the waves grow, and the sun hides behind a cloud, i seem to forget that he is right there unfrazzled, unfazed by any of it. and when i finally slow down enough to listen to him speak, i hear his words clearly:<br /><br />lina, have you still no faith?linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-59752247986196711752010-02-17T17:58:00.001-06:002010-02-17T18:05:36.665-06:0024/7Where is your God he asks<br />And looks at me<br />With piercing eyes<br />In tattered clothes<br />All warmth evades<br />His mother dead<br />His father gone<br />The future bleak<br />Disaster real<br /><br />Where is your God she asks<br />Her child is sick<br />All hope is lost<br />No tears roll down<br />Her shattered face<br />She sits alone<br />In disarray<br />If God did care<br />Why does he dare<br /><br />Where is your God they ask<br />We used to pray<br />The word obey<br />But trials came<br />Along the way<br />Our shoulders bend<br />Beneath the strain<br />Of hurtful words<br />And broken dreams<br /><br />Then suddenly<br />the wind picked up<br />The sun came out<br />Behind the hills<br />And clouds began to<br />Disappear<br />And then too soon<br />In turn the moon<br />Shone brightly down<br />For all around<br /><br />My God is big<br />His presence near<br />By day by night<br />And come what may<br />In summer, fall<br />And winter, spring<br />There is no need<br />He does not see<br />Nor angry word<br />He does not hear<br /><br />He never leaves<br />No matter what<br />And just when I<br />Misunderstand<br />His purposes his plans his way<br />He still is near<br />And whispers clear<br />My child I’m here<br />Yes even still<br />I’m always here<br /><br /> labujamralinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-77310478343002132232010-02-15T18:16:00.004-06:002010-02-16T07:17:45.777-06:00welcomehi! <div><br /></div><div>welcome to my blog! </div><div><br /></div><div>if you are looking for blog updates on haiti, just scroll on down, or use the index of contents on the right. the first entry is called "day one", and the last one is "reentry".</div><div><br /></div><div>i hope you enjoy your time at this blog, and visit again sometime to see what's happening in my world!<br /><br />you can also follow me on twitter @Linamay.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lina</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-81895609908775850972010-02-14T15:43:00.004-06:002010-02-14T15:53:34.915-06:00costcosome battles are just not worth having.<br /><br />like the battle i just had with the guy at costco. i'm in the self check out line, everything is going just dandy, when this short hyper guy in jeans and a hand held scanner attacks my shopping cart and hollers about the inability of the machine to read the loaf of bread i'm in the process of buying. um, excuse me, but did anyone ask you to talk?<br /><br />ok, i don't know about you, but my main thought at that moment is "lay off, buster". as if he couldn't make matters worse, he orders me to leave the bread in the cart and loudly asks if i have ever used a self check out before.<br /><br />now listen, i may not know a whole lot about a lot of things, but like most women in the United States I have in fact used a self check out line before. and what's with the anger over the bread? it's not like i was trying to steal a rolex.<br /><br />i find that my sense of humor sometimes evades me when i need it the most. see, most normal people could just laugh such an incident off. but not me. no. my rights have been violated, i need a lawyer. or a store manager at least. by the time i've hunted for someone who cares, my blood pressure is through the roof, my items are not purchased, and no one is the better for it but my friend with the hand held scanner who couldn't give a darn what i thought.<br /><br />and i look over and see my sister just chuckling away.<br /><br />yeah. some battles are just not worth having.linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-7063136396997710932010-02-11T11:36:00.003-06:002010-02-11T11:41:49.729-06:00unanswered prayeri'm befuddled by your plan<br />perplexed by your way<br />confused by your road<br />certain i'm off base<br /><br />i'm frustrated by your speed<br />annoyed by your actions<br />irritated by your patience<br />certain i'm off base<br /><br />i'm discouraged by your answer<br />disappointed by inaction<br />discordant by nature<br />certain i'm off base<br /><br />i'm resigned to your goodness<br />submitted to your wisdom<br />surrendered to your word<br />certain i'm okay<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica,-webkit-fantasy;">© labujamra</span>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-47343541436961738892010-02-11T08:30:00.003-06:002010-02-11T09:55:27.601-06:00reentryi've been asked by many how i've adjusted to reentry to life in the United States since returning from Haiti.<br /><br />Easy.<br /><br />I've rushed.<br /><br />Between finding a gas station with a working air machine to fill my semi flat tire, to starting a new job, to paying my now late bills, to catching up with old friends, and returning phone calls, and cleaning, and doing laundry, and shoveling snow, and updating the blog, and grocery shopping, and catching up on bible study, and and and....<br /><br />there hasn't been any time to worry about reentry.<br /><br />and yet, only 4 hours away by plane lies a country devastated by one of the worst natural disasters of all times, with over half a million homeless people trying to survive, and thousands of children still trying to find their parents, and hunger, and confusion, and anger, and illness.<br /><br />i don't want to rush by my life anymore. i don't want to quickly forget.<br /><br />i want to experience the pain of reentry in its fullness, the sense that i have too much, that i have led myself to believe that i need too much, that i have forgotten what life is really all about.<br /><br />my third grade teacher once wrote in my report card: "lina needs to take time to smell the roses".<br /><br />it's about time i learned that lesson.linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-5157963685304803142010-02-07T21:30:00.005-06:002010-02-07T21:41:14.173-06:00farewellHeart beating<br />thoughts racing<br />refusing to<br />leave behind<br />gaping smiles<br />and hopeful faces<br />Fists clenched<br />knuckles white<br />holding on<br />tighter<br /><br />Tears fill<br />eyes fixed<br />on rear view mirrors<br />of dust rising<br />and rubble fading<br />the moon watching<br />o'er people lined<br />on empty streets<br />afraid of<br />hunger<br /><br />And one by one<br />things held on to<br />dearly lose<br />their luster<br />til one thing remains<br />not wealth nor power<br />not self nor comfort<br />all else pales<br />only you shine<br />brighter<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica,-webkit-fantasy;">© labujamra</span>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-8309742932457055262010-02-07T20:08:00.001-06:002010-02-07T20:08:27.669-06:00return homeI made it home safely 6 hours ago. It is hard to comprehend the content of the last two weeks.<div>I shed my first tears on the drive out of haiti. I believe God gave our team the ability to work hard, to function at our best with some level of intellectualism in order to offer strong shoulders to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The tears have continued to come. I am sure it will take weeks and maybe even a lifetime to totally comprehend the impact this medical trip has had on my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am overwhelmed by God's hand over us as we went about doing His work. We were never hungry, never too hot nor too cold, never too dirty, never unsafe, and always aware of the privilege of being given an opportunity to offer ourselves in a sacrificial manner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you - each of you - for your prayers and support. Your support - whether in material things like medical supplies, or in thought - makes you part of our team. We couldn't have done it without you. May you continue to see fruits of this labor through our stories and updates in weeks to come.</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-86689752504662346952010-02-07T19:50:00.005-06:002010-02-07T21:44:08.337-06:00more memories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jviP0SIxz2tI8BhHdD9pGCSRxTn75gKkuyhy2_1YNyZIk9szPaS7d4JeYkv6PlRzFCEUlFdDMn1KcFc7hF1TnSfryTSF0EyeSMOAWKf0zHDad8JIkbUWIHDA25ICFNHK1dcsvXr-nqc/s1600-h/IMG_0773.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jviP0SIxz2tI8BhHdD9pGCSRxTn75gKkuyhy2_1YNyZIk9szPaS7d4JeYkv6PlRzFCEUlFdDMn1KcFc7hF1TnSfryTSF0EyeSMOAWKf0zHDad8JIkbUWIHDA25ICFNHK1dcsvXr-nqc/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435684444197371650" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The hardest part of doing relief work is hearing the stories of young boys and girls and seeing the sadness and despair in their eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I met Dol the first day of clinic at the soccer stadium. He told me he lost his mother in the earthquake. The next time I saw him was in the clinic. He came with his 2 y/o brother. His medical complaint to us was that he hadn't seen his 2 y/o brother smile since his mother died.</div><div><br /></div><div>on the third visit, he actually showed me a cell phone picture of his dead mother. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dol is the saddest little boy I have met. It's hard to find the right words to say to a 13 y/o boy in such moments. I will always remember Dol and keep him in my prayers.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_yYKjEmEOyZ6w6Gi5mZ2C5S4i4dri35HeCeayvsRGo4rjBKWtwsycVZnOYad-LGQh_AyJYH5fHt2y35F-oHOhZF3isKhWaisBd2xem1GAshy1ACXOSsxYUkwv0c33cEbeCVNDFFlIU/s1600-h/IMG_0753.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_yYKjEmEOyZ6w6Gi5mZ2C5S4i4dri35HeCeayvsRGo4rjBKWtwsycVZnOYad-LGQh_AyJYH5fHt2y35F-oHOhZF3isKhWaisBd2xem1GAshy1ACXOSsxYUkwv0c33cEbeCVNDFFlIU/s320/IMG_0753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435684432777183938" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The guys in the green shirts are the most amazing group of guys i have met. they were our drivers/interpreters/bodyguards/helpers all in one. Each of these men had lost immensely during the earthquake - some lost loved ones, all lost material goods and homes - yet they showed up daily with a smile and a zeal for work. </div><div><br /></div><div>They kept telling us that we were VIPs in their country because we were "medicos".</div><div><br /></div><div>The truth is i have never met a more VIP group of men in my life. It was an honor to be a part of their life for a few days.</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-91596351984376961782010-02-05T15:39:00.002-06:002010-02-05T15:49:24.432-06:00Leaving Haiti by Jen McNulty, MDToday was our last day in Port-au-Prince. The medical team split into two groups; one went to the stadium to staff our regular clinic and the other went to the Petionville Club to evaluate another site for a clinic. I was feeling sad that this was our last day, but I was also looking forward to hugging my husband and children.<div>Sean Penn has a non-governmental organization that is here providing support to other relief organizations. They are set up adjacent to an army base at the Petionville Club. It used to be a country club and golf club. Now there are more than 20 acres of temporary housing set up on its grounds. The Israeli and Germans have been providing medical care, with the Army docs backing them up and providing transportation out of the camps to higher levels of medical care.</div><div>I am positive that we made a difference here in Haiti. There were many cases of only mild illness, but the patients clearly felt better just being listened to and having a stethoscope of an American doctor on their chests. When you look into the eyes of these children, they are sad. But behind the sadness rests strength, and these are a people that will overcome this devastation. If nothing else, they have taught me the meaning of human spirit, and I will never be the same. What an honor to have served them.</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-30581968445846256382010-02-04T17:12:00.003-06:002010-02-04T17:51:13.323-06:00always smiling<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFURY6Tdr0jU7aJf0pganSRanN9_VDVZT_yR_8mF-3_AWIbcGagnK-TTxI2gAyrTf7nS0WYuCUwfGGU9CWT0NgoPI7YnRjRNFgDzByyTUOHf97xrMg6txk1M9e9T5krcxEFGLzQKNz8n8/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434533474725074706" /><br /><div>this beautiful boy lost his parents in the earthquake. he came up to us at a gas station, and just wanted to talk. </div><div><br /></div><div>his smile won my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0BuBd6ztq66kI2-JdejF4Duq_0WSk1UtjxZWpUDSYigyYwIWi5dLvf5K9p4lnCj1U28pwWCxEkhp2MYmQtIYFlqlQ_ucOcM_2EkHHnNQtAGxlxKTq0SB9XRCN6JgouTSgafVWUCJGLg/s320/IMG_0642.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434533482379758002" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>the best part of doing any relief work - in my opinion as a pediatrician - is seeing smiles on the faces of children despite their difficult and sometimes impossible circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div>i have much to learn from these kids.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and below is a sweet sweet girl - already babysitting little brother.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIJY7pXs9zhCqDAOzd2_11xwQFwIGk-GW_SBc3fT12ri_n_ku88Yhcm5kQKIyRHE9lqpzn-5f0q1OS0zk2SIZTUhpeB341kaB2op5W5sBcXlOJQiug_qXsEFDtQGHiFkdPbM-0TmkFbc/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434533486511456706" /></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-1257570032488372892010-02-04T16:35:00.004-06:002010-02-04T17:11:52.263-06:00street wise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6I8Bu5Q90TLOfP6KGP8V2jga65tB50lU2kGe8gv4lou_llEYYWVf_3klYOY-NQWdtIikIXvgJZDNYKWA1ttHs5u5z4rs42MBaLux2-eudiTSB2UGQkXW51lgQHE28D7E3NCqfwtPqUo/s1600-h/IMG_0655.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6I8Bu5Q90TLOfP6KGP8V2jga65tB50lU2kGe8gv4lou_llEYYWVf_3klYOY-NQWdtIikIXvgJZDNYKWA1ttHs5u5z4rs42MBaLux2-eudiTSB2UGQkXW51lgQHE28D7E3NCqfwtPqUo/s320/IMG_0655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434527636011558994" /></a>you can be homeless, broke, even hungry, but there's never a reason to be dirty.<div><br /></div><div>i love this picture because it depicts so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>first, notice the pictures on the wall. despite the great tragedy that has hit haiti, people are still resourceful and looking for ways to stimulate the economy. i bought 2 beautiful paintings from a street vendor today.</div><div><br /></div><div>then notice the little boy. he's helping his father with this simple task. it's touching and real.</div><div><br /></div><div>finally, how can you not love the man who is better soaped than most people who own a shower if not two!!!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBntdIqSHh-cdl4j1G1j3RVWNHukcEPM7FH4-syK-dqrbm3AClXJPmRkP2Lt4pxgbtZY40r9niqZC4lUq-Rv_WL_paC5cjUoeU14O171Q-Qow8huvGmFpPj5JJAO6WO2hyphenhyphenKeQzm90iM8/s1600-h/IMG_0630.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBntdIqSHh-cdl4j1G1j3RVWNHukcEPM7FH4-syK-dqrbm3AClXJPmRkP2Lt4pxgbtZY40r9niqZC4lUq-Rv_WL_paC5cjUoeU14O171Q-Qow8huvGmFpPj5JJAO6WO2hyphenhyphenKeQzm90iM8/s320/IMG_0630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434527631790894786" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>we were driving home from clinic one day, stuck in traffic, tired and hot, looking out the window, and there in the middle of the street were these men playing cards. </div><div><br /></div><div>we initially got smiles from all three, but i think the sassy man could tell we needed to really laugh a little, so he taunted us to take his picture with his tongue!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYWtPW7jdhuPlx7J_PkDS9HxmJQrPUre7oxErfs7TD6EZoUI96Yard-XuntvWJcWk9nczALlAm9380aDFo2GPLEyDwrWfogocMVScwUiUBxBAqACiMh2_3YKfP8ldDNfpx3SDM5te-6A/s1600-h/IMG_0668.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYWtPW7jdhuPlx7J_PkDS9HxmJQrPUre7oxErfs7TD6EZoUI96Yard-XuntvWJcWk9nczALlAm9380aDFo2GPLEyDwrWfogocMVScwUiUBxBAqACiMh2_3YKfP8ldDNfpx3SDM5te-6A/s320/IMG_0668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434527621919505922" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>this has become an all too common site for us. it's lines of people waiting for food being handed out by the UN. </div><div><br /></div><div>the haitians have given me a whole new perspective on patience and waiting. you may hear about riots on the news, but honestly, given the number of people standing in line in dire need of something to eat, i have never witnessed a more patient people.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-69768305307414789402010-02-03T23:21:00.010-06:002010-02-04T05:18:37.408-06:00doctors in action<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EPJzXHT3eMHbdG49mZvrFmhuYnP7yjrZiUcOAJ46IjDkpzjXwz-1vfbJtKB3z0MSDk-T-oX_vjmHAqJmGohd9EiU4UDuquiKmLE8gd9qi4pAyJvSXnzE1Xb7dMb9Mj0VsTjcKcFIZts/s320/20100202+Haiti+Medical+Mission+096-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434342829226747058" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszuxjwZHVDCBz5C6qqZ0xO6Iyn0F6o5dHUDbs4S3e2V_o4BcbwVlhcXgAhJKozAyT50XNdiIT_2nDOaxelUxocKlSNI74Ovrute3JKsPGCzHpPcVBdmQXu-rPSPniTtdSghUba3bUSec/s1600-h/Haiti+Medical+Mission+2010+058.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszuxjwZHVDCBz5C6qqZ0xO6Iyn0F6o5dHUDbs4S3e2V_o4BcbwVlhcXgAhJKozAyT50XNdiIT_2nDOaxelUxocKlSNI74Ovrute3JKsPGCzHpPcVBdmQXu-rPSPniTtdSghUba3bUSec/s320/Haiti+Medical+Mission+2010+058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434342837166109218" /></a>our team of collaborators: a haitian ob/gyn with a displaced private practice, a group of surgeons from the philippines, the heart to heart group, and us - the children's memorial/heartland alliance group. i'm way up on the left..<div><div>and the 2 crazy docs are jen mcnulty and yours truly....don't ask what we were doing!<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoJPLAIo6hwh8VYnqGxPbXYUa071Al65FoHl8zzQlC_t8KDLKl7QV0uzIuMvxsn9Mdla9S3_o-8nSfcEl3FbSojaf1M48ikApRjq0yzO-3CTFcuVjsrclgTVRGWw4EOki2lg-F7jx-co/s320/20100202+Haiti+Medical+Mission+054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434342849436551554" /><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>um....nice face...</div></div></div></div></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-28052696100890222742010-02-03T22:58:00.005-06:002010-02-04T06:24:36.109-06:00team workone of the greatest challenges we have faced in setting up a medical clinic has been maintaining an ongoing supply of medicines for the large number of patients we see daily.<div><br /></div><div>it was evident on day 2 of clinic that the supply we brought with us from the US would quickly dwindle to little as we hurried through hundreds of patients' chief complaints.</div><div><br /></div><div>we would quickly learn the bureaucracy of international relief work: multiple cooks in a small kitchen leading to slow supply chains and difficulty delivering resources to those in need.</div><div><br /></div><div>our team leader, jennifer mcnulty took the challenge by the horns and determined to overcome every obstacle to meet the need of the people we were serving. i think everyone at the UN, WHO, and UNICEF, as well as log base (the central meeting point of all relief organizations in a disaster area) now know Dr.Jen. </div><div><br /></div><div>the upside was that jen's determination bought us a little time and some additional necessary supplies to hold us over for another 2 days of clinic, but we still felt that we were short in medications and clinic needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>so about 3 days into our 2 week trip Jen's husband Kevin got to work on the matter from his glen ellyn home. i still do not know how kevin got the ball rolling and into the goal line so quickly, but within 2 days, kevin had over 400 tons of equipment and meds, and close to $20,000 donated by friends and family to the cause of helping the people of haiti. foremost in the donations is Children's Memorial Hospital who actually was the organization that got our team together and sent us to haiti in the first place!! </div><div><br /></div><div>by another miracle, Kevin managed to find a plane flying into Port au Prince (the plane is a CARES international plane, owned by Baxter corp), and we were ready to go with an abundance of supplies by day 6 of our 2 week stay.</div><div><br /></div><div>our clinic became a collaboration of several groups of physicians: our team of pediatricians and family doctors, the Heart to Heart medical team, a group of surgeons from the philippines, and a private practice OB/GYN haitian doctor who used to be in private practice but lost his practice due to the earthquake. </div><div><br /></div><div>thanks to kevin's hard work and the donations of every single person, we have become the major suppliers of free and necessary medicines to a population of thousands of haitians in the center of town!!</div><div><br /></div><div>thank you to each and every one of you who has donated money to this cause. </div><div><br /></div><div>if you wish to donate more money towards the medical work in haiti, here are some ways:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>heartlandalliance.org</b> : donate to the relief work in haiti, and specify that you are giving for the medical relief work</div><div><br /></div><div><b>https://www.sbtbanknow.com/index.html</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">Become a fan of Suburban bank and trust on FaceBook and the bank will donate $1, up to $1000, to support their work for every new fan added through February 14th.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;">thanks in advance!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children's Memorial Medical Team to Haiti</span></div><div><br /></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-71208234681454709022010-02-03T22:48:00.004-06:002010-02-04T05:26:08.682-06:0015 minutes of famewe didn't come to haiti looking for attention or fame, but the reporters were everywhere. <div>of course, my friend and colleague Jen McNulty's only dream was to make it on NPR. we're not sure if her dream (and her husband's kevin mcnulty - more on him later) will come true, but we hope and wait!</div><div><br /></div><div>here are links of articles that have mentioned members of our teams:</div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2017583,6_1_NA29_HAITIDOC_S1-100129.article</div><div><br /></div><div>http://sec.wbir.com/photo/04Ar7Gr8wdeLl</div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.daily-jeff.com/news/article/4761444</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Arial; ">http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/photos/9/9fef7300-d30a-487e-b160-43bf4824d843.html?SITE=NMALJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</span></div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-35714364352189826542010-02-03T22:27:00.003-06:002010-02-03T22:48:11.698-06:00the medical clinic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgwIQzCq5A1EGwThBKpxdeLyY0O0SVxsZAtU9Jmv4kI_toNIm-lHQJluwvE9Uq1CBsxdtfjMmHSUr_2JZoJ3n49UtWE_2u4wXNRVZFJ0rJ5eNOQ8-LLRXMYBeLa7LfwaFVpYVBRO83wM/s1600-h/IMG_0397.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgwIQzCq5A1EGwThBKpxdeLyY0O0SVxsZAtU9Jmv4kI_toNIm-lHQJluwvE9Uq1CBsxdtfjMmHSUr_2JZoJ3n49UtWE_2u4wXNRVZFJ0rJ5eNOQ8-LLRXMYBeLa7LfwaFVpYVBRO83wM/s200/IMG_0397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434243942175649154" /></a>waiting for the doctor in dignity.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY8p2iFMSf8YT9tPRNOdWeG6sknpIhsN4flQ8FV8tm1N6T-xTEJI8ca80yHIPyfaNQD3uX9srX2_npVPCjPblUonEr0h4Hoz5dCqENFzBhqbdqIEcGjTuxgfYTa0h7Ex01QXq_59D6Cw/s1600-h/IMG_0388.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY8p2iFMSf8YT9tPRNOdWeG6sknpIhsN4flQ8FV8tm1N6T-xTEJI8ca80yHIPyfaNQD3uX9srX2_npVPCjPblUonEr0h4Hoz5dCqENFzBhqbdqIEcGjTuxgfYTa0h7Ex01QXq_59D6Cw/s200/IMG_0388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434243930268633586" /></a> the israeli medical group began this clinic site at the soccer stadium in the center of port au prince. later, a medical relief group called heart to heart would take over it, and we were lucky enough to jump in on the action and become one of the main group of physicians to provide care for this tent city of thousands with daily visits of 300-400 patients. we hope to run this clinic for at least 6 weeks under the support of heartland alliance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt8mXJcaTwgy85EICjz35r7t1IqdWx2ZdDlpqHhl7rVEV7X9CcQx_vEF7E6sXZuIAlHYezT58awZYgCY2Yqz0Uc98uAuY9ACTituw1M1ixhaqrcmCc168vSw3eafYmXkTEtiNbrseWZE/s1600-h/IMG_0383.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt8mXJcaTwgy85EICjz35r7t1IqdWx2ZdDlpqHhl7rVEV7X9CcQx_vEF7E6sXZuIAlHYezT58awZYgCY2Yqz0Uc98uAuY9ACTituw1M1ixhaqrcmCc168vSw3eafYmXkTEtiNbrseWZE/s200/IMG_0383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434243921909116338" /></a>our soccer stadium tent city is blessed to be on turf. we grew to love this community of haitians that we served in our clinic.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C7XWcZL4MBaDFp_h83l-2i2D2qnUlaGR_CE3W9tNQ8IUbcEQQTNjCrASFaluiYizKA3MQOPYgpaXJDzOX72x2P3sDNDr6TBu8xIn64B86VxMfSTgROrlLy6oLmtMiriYj2EDIxwRny8/s1600-h/IMG_0306.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C7XWcZL4MBaDFp_h83l-2i2D2qnUlaGR_CE3W9tNQ8IUbcEQQTNjCrASFaluiYizKA3MQOPYgpaXJDzOX72x2P3sDNDr6TBu8xIn64B86VxMfSTgROrlLy6oLmtMiriYj2EDIxwRny8/s200/IMG_0306.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434243913619397986" /></a> the first day of clinic we treated over 400 patients at the SOS children's village orphanage. the children are beautiful and well cared for.</div>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113895182985346233.post-63248724547598867572010-02-03T22:24:00.006-06:002010-02-07T21:36:28.982-06:00aftermathI hear the sound of dissonance<div>the cries of children rising</div><div>from deep within the earth, trembling</div><div>save us, Lord, save us</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear the sound of emptiness</div><div>of broken houses sinking</div><div>of lonely people wandering</div><div>help us, Lord, help us</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear the sound of hunger</div><div>of hands stretched out waiting</div><div>and hollow eyes despairing</div><div>fill us, Lord, fill us</div><div><br /></div><div>i hear the sound of silence</div><div>steady in the night, beating</div><div>and children under stars sleeping<br />heal us, Lord, heal us<br /><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica,-webkit-fantasy;">© labujamra</span>linahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12247271560130913057noreply@blogger.com0