Tuesday, February 28, 2012

More baby steps forward...

Some exciting news to report: Carl's Captain approved his leave of absence request. It is now on to the final step of the process of getting his leave approved! His Captain said that she had never signed a leave request like his before! When I spoke to the head of my school district's HR department last week, Mr. Davis was supportive of my leave and said that my request would also be approved. This is very exciting! We are trying to think of things that Carl can take on this visit for the children he will be meeting. I think we are going to buy some basketballs and soccer balls for him to take. I can't stop thinking and planning and being excited for Carl's trip.  Anyone have ideas on what Carl should take with him? Bug spray? :)


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Getting Carl ready!

One week from today Carl will be arriving in Haiti to see the area, meet the children, and look for land for CHF's next big project. He will be there from March 4rd - 7th. I know he is nervous, and I wish I was going with him, but I can't leave our kids for that long and my passport isn't ready. I hope the trip goes well and I can't wait to post pictures!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CJ's eyes

We had a visit with our pediatric ophthalmologist yesterday that ended with some bad news: CJ may need another eye surgery withing the next two months :( Our doctor is awesome, and remained surprisingly calm and supportive when I told him that we are moving to Haiti to work with an orphanage. He is going to help us find a doctor to work with in Haiti that can continue monitor CJ's eyes, but we are meeting in three weeks to make a decision about the upcoming surgery. CJ has already had one surgery in 2009 and was diagnosed as legally blind in one eye at age 3. Due to a combination of patching, eye surgery, and prayer, CJ's eye has improved so much that he now has 20/50 vision in his poor eye (with glasses). I hope that his eyes continue to improve.

 ...thanks Dr. Spiegel!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Thinking about this huge change has me feeling nervous!

I can't believe it has been less than a week since we met with Robert and staff from Children's Heritage Foundation. We really want to help the children of the world, but now the reality is crashing around me as I think about the logistics of giving up our comfortable, easy Southern Californian lives. My biggest concern is that my kids will get sick or be hurt. I have to trust that they will be fine. I hope that they will learn that life can be celebrated and lived differently. I hope they learn that possessions are not what makes life beautiful. I hope they become better and wiser people without feeling bitterness or regret.

I can't believe how many doors are opening for us. I keep waiting for someone to tell us a big NO. My leave of absence form will be accepted by my school district. We are waiting to find out about Carl's leave of absence. Carl will be going to Haiti March 2nd to check out the area we will be living in. I am excited and nervous for him. The only other obstacle in our way is finding sponsors. I know that I would sponsor someone who wanted to do something as bold and giving as move their family to a third world country to help rebuild an orphanage, but I am afraid no one will want to support us and that we will be a burden to the company.

If all this works out, then we need to find renters for our house. I love our house so much, we saved and waited for almost 5 years in order to time the market and buy it. I should be planting our vegetable garden right now, instead I am trying to save all my money for the things we will need to take with us! My garden is one of the things I will miss the most. I know that moving to Haiti and helping to rebuild this orphanage is my life dream, but dreaming about giving up everything we own for altruistic reasons and actually giving up everything we own are two very different things. Carl keeps reminding me that if this is truly what we are meant to do with the next year of our lives, then everything will work out. I believe him, he has always seen the world differently than me, he has always been a more confident, positive person, and I have to trust him and God that this is going to work out.

Krystal