365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #37

FOOD SHOPPING IS A WORKOUT

I've been a member of Sam's club a while. I'm thinking since the day they opened here in Florence, ten or eleven years ago. So long the black and white fuzzy picture on my business status card is almost completely scratched off. Do I own a business? Oh, don't you worry about that, I have my connections and my ways. And of course now the ability to go there at 7:00 in the morning, M-F.

This particular Monday morning I hit the ground running. After dropping the kids off at school, I arrive at the almost empty Sam's parking lot.

I think.....

"This will be breeze, not crowded at all"

I raise my card and greet Betty as I slide in the side door for special members only. Just Delilah and I. We are on a mission. I'm motivated by the thought of this trip sucking-up most of my morning. No way, I've got better things to do. Like blog or something.

I squeeze 'juicy' girl into the front compartment of the cart.

"I'm too big Mommy, I'm too big"

In my heart I know this, but it's so much easier and faster with out a three year old under foot.

I promise her a capri sun if she would just bend her leg backwards a little more. Oh shoot, the other foot is caught, stalling the process, I'm burning day light, burning daylight...gotta move out. My strong coffee is doing it's job. I'm a little jittery but in a good, productive kinda way

"Mommy, it still hurts, I can't move, I'm stuck"

I move the cart forward anyway, whispering in her ear to keep her voice down. I reassure her the pain will go away soon. Sound bad? Well maybe not parenting 101 but my Dad was a Marine. I've got history people.....history. Love you Daddy....Siemper Fi all the way!

We roll around the first corner on two wheels, I see the light! This trip will shatter all previous records. In the distance stands a gi-normous super duper large plastic container of cheese balls. These will come in handy in about 20 minutes. They get tossed in the cart, right next to the numbed leg pre-schooler.

Fruit

Milk

Bread

Cheese

Eggs

Juice

Veggies

Chicken

Meat

All the basics...and then some.

I am making record time for sure.

I know this will horrify most of you

BUT

I don't really waste time with prices. Sam's doesn't take coupons which I stink at anyway. We eat the same stuff and I hardly ever shop anywhere else to compare pennies. Not worth the price of my sanity of another stop. I did consider store hoppin' and coupon cutting a few years ago. You remember when the price of milk went up to $5 a gallon? Yikes. I would day dream about buying a cow. At the time we were a 2 gallon a day family, cow maintenance might have been cheaper. Now with gas prices so high I'm pretty much dancing at the gym for travel expenses around town.

What can you do?

Says the old man behind me in line.

I purposely choose my checker outer lady, Ms. Darlene. She is fast with a good 'bed side manner'. Always sweet when talking to the kids. She has the patience of JOB when they ask her a million questions. Some days even letting them scan an item or two on the cool 'laser beam thingy'. Delilah helps me push my pin numbers on the credit card machine......nothing happens.

Oh no!

I say a quick prayer that my debit card goes through.

The bill is $502....so I ask GOD again.

Please, please, please let there be enough money to cover this.

Still nothing.

Darlene asks me to put my pin # in again, the buttons may have gotten stuck. I put La La down so I can really concentrate, sweat is forming on the tip of my nose. I'm beginning to panic, just a little. I have already opened several items. I mean we actually ate breakfast as we shopped. Remember the tub of cheese balls?

What would happen if my card was declined? Would they make me put away carts outside or stock the shelves before I could leave?

Breathe.... breathe.....breathe.

I wipe away the slimy orange residue from the key pad. I smile big, that's what made them stick.

Cheese balls

I release my breath as I hear the magic noise of a two foot long receipt being printing.

APPROVED

I look up at the warehouse ceiling....Thank you God, I owe you big!

I pull into my driveway at home. This food shopping mission is only half done.

Out of the van and put away.

Some say this part is worse than store shopping part. Not for me, I love Mom 'challenges'.

I grab my baking timer and give myself a goal.

20 minutes....tops.

Oh ya, I can totally do this.

UNLOAD AND PUT AWAY!

Apparently my morning Java was laced with something cause that is such a seriously un-realistic goal. I'm rolling my eyes at myself as I type. 20 minutes? Crazy talk.

The 3 year was only gonna get in the way so I set her up with a show on TV. Yep, chapter two on parenting, right after nutritional breakfast ideas...coming soon.

1,2,3.....GO!

Every trip in and out brings a new challenge. I'm hoping over bikes not put away correctly in the garage. Tripping over straps of stuffed soccer bags. I know I should stop and clear a path, cut my losses on the clock but this seems

'more funner' this way!

It's Spring time, birds are chirping and trees are bloomin. My hands are full, I can't possibly close the door behind me every time. Cute little birdies are trying to rescue crumbs and fly in the house. Game over if one of those little suckers makes it in the house. No problem, I learn to work the handle with my new pink Nikes.

JUST DO IT

The pile on my table gets bigger as the back of the van gets emptied out. I go to check the timer, see how I was doing but I can't find seem to locate it. I stop to take pictures from every angle. Coming of my coffee high, I'm out of breath and sweating trough my shelf bra tank. I rub my head....where did I put that timer....think think think. I admit defeat as I hear it screaming at me from another room. Twenty minutes of cardio, not bad. No music, no gym....just straight up life. I check on Delilah, she's fine. Mickey Mouse Play House is home schooling her at the moment. I plug my IPOD up and start cutting up the fruits and veggies. Gotta have these on hand, for the kids to make good choices, ya know. And to balance the cheese ball choices already made.

What can you do?

Says this worn out Mom from the kitchen.

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #36

03/30/11

"OH, YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL"

I took this picture as a joke but after seeing it full screen, it's now one of my favorites. Not super clear or in focus, setting on camera was off for sure. Oh well, those details aren't important.The main idea and 'characters' of the picture are very clear and most definitely the right setting.

I feel as if I'm looking in the mirror when I look at this picture.

OK, stop laughing people. I am in a realistic bubble here as I type at my computer, I swear. I do realize I am not five foot ten with long blond hair impersonating a Workout Barbie. My kids are messier, a little denser and have bigger Zybko heads for sure.

What I mean is, her hands are full. Full of children and full of love.

The drop off transition from our weekly play dates are sometimes tricky and at times lengthy. My kids unbuckle as I put the van in park, 'ninja style' they totally slip under the radar, not even closing the door behind them. They LOVE Ms. Jennie and her 'gaggle of girls'. (You too Mr. Brian) Kids are smart and quick, they fully take advantage of me as I catch up with my BFF.

We talk about the days adventures:

Behavior of the kids

Flowers picked for Momma

Scrapped knees

Picnic lunch menu

Bike races

Special slushy treats

Kind words spoken

Kind words not spoken

Secrets told

Funny made up stories

Back to my point. The old me used to get a little defensive when people would comment in public

"Oh, I see you have your hands full"

It seems as if it always coincided with the kids not listening, the baby running straight out into the parking lot after loosing grip on her sweaty hand, or maybe, just maybe one of them being caught pounding the other one on the arm behind my back.

What I heard was.....

"This woman can't handle her kids"

I used to get irritated with strangers who felt it necessary to state the obvious.

Yes of course my hands are full....duh.

My irritation stemmed from hearing the truth out load.

I am usually out-numbered.

And I do at times 'appear' to have lost control of the herd of little ones.

OK, seriously lost control.

Even after years of being a 'Momma Duck' I'm still learning.

I get things wrong all the time.

I say the wrong things.

I pack the wrong things in the wrong kids lunch.

The list goes on.....and....on.

I know there is no exact formula or right way to how this parenting thing goes.

Each kid is different. What I do know is, I'm trying my best.

My hands are full!

My life is full!

My heart is full!

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #35

03/24/11

WHAT DO KIDS DREAM ABOUT?

It took me forever to give up film. My first BIG GIRL camera, a Nikon N65 made me feel like a grown up. Could barley hold down my excitement as I marched into Sam's to get them developed. My chest lifted as I proudly held the black containers with the 'tough to open' grey lids. I was certain each roll I dropped off would have the next 'Christmas' photo in it.

Well, millions of dollars and blurry pictures later some really super smart people invented digital technology. Oh my stars, you can see the picture right there on your camera? No waiting? Do you have to shake it like a Polaroid picture?

ME CAVE WOMAN

ME NO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS
ME NO WANT ONE

I refused with both feet firmly planted. Baby daddy constantly assuring me I would get the hang of the computer part of it. Stick drive, flash drive, memory stick, chippy this chippy that...it was all like George Jetson futuristic lingo to me. I'm a computer spaz, I admit this openly.

I remember laughing at my Mom back in the 80's.

Vicky, can you program the VCR? I don't know what channel it should be on.
Mom, really? How hard is this?

Sorry about the rudeness Mom and thanks to my teenagers who still do ALL my I TUNES stuff.

That's a learning goal for next year, Jan 2012 for sure.

I mourned the day my Nikon died, refusing to make that awesome sound when I pushed down gently on it's magic buttons. A noise and feel a digital camera just doesn't make.

To make a long story......longer, We found a cheap Nikon N70 body on EBay and used my same generic lens.

Life hasn't been the same since. No going back. Remember when you only took ONE shot of something? Keeping your fingers crossed it would TURN out? Couldn't retake it cause you only had a 12 exposure roll. Good Times, Good times. I have a huge box of negatives in a closet somewhere, under safe watch next to the first cell I ever owned, which weighed in at about 22 and a half pounds.

ME CAVE WOMAN LIKE DIGITAL NOW

On the flip side of digital. I take too many pictures of everything, all the time. While cruising through my removable disc, yeah I just said that, I've come along way baby. I found 2 gazillion pictures of the kids sleeping. Really? How many angles do I need to capture this peaceful moment? I haven't had a picture printed out in what seems like forever. I do miss sending relatives hand cropped,sharpied with love on the back captions, along with a note in the mail. BTW, my Mom has come a long way too, she is the coolest TEXTING Grandma I know!

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #33

03/23/11

THESE ARE THE DAYS, I KNOW

I LOVE MY BUSY SCHEDULE, I REALLY DO

THIS THE GOOD STUFF PEOPLE

LIKE

THE MIDDLE PART OF MY CREAM FILLED DOUGHNUT

PURE JOY AND LOVE

CAN'T FIND A THING WORTH COMPLAINING ABOUT

EXCEPT

WEEKS ARE FLYING BY

JUST LIKE MY FAVORITE FRIED JUNK FOOD

GONE TOO FAST

GETTING PAPER CUTS AS

I FLIP CALENDAR PAGES

I'M RIDING ON TWO WHEELS AROUND MOST CORNERS



FISH TAILING TO GET PLACES ON TIME

I'M SERIOUSLY IN THE WEEDS, 100% OF EVERYDAY

MY HEAD IS CONSTANTLY SPINNING

Last week was an especially wonderful week. Diane home for Spring break and a surprise mid week visit from Baby Daddy. High School Soccer season in full swing and extra classes to teach at the gym. 3 hour weekly World Mission study class. Volunteering at school, coaching soccer and teaching CCD. All good stuff....perfect! So blessed I have the ability, strength and wisdom(at times) for the

'Good Stuff'.

Blah blah blah about a packed life, most of us live this way.

I don't want an award I promise. I just don't know where to cut and trim to ensure I don't eventually don't go postal. I'm a good listener, I think that is fair to say. I really LOVE people, y'all fascinate me. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about listening to GOD.

As much as I don't want it admit it, I am getting older. Kinda scary and exciting the 'changes' I'm going through.

I'm thinking like a mid-life puberty not mid life crisis.

Cause there is no crisis,

Just a ton of unexpected changes going on.

I'm learning to listen GOD

What does he want from me?

How is he going to use me to bring him glory?

This takes effort and work to obey.

It's super hard for me.

I think to myself,

If it's easy for me ...well then I probably didn't hear him right.

I won't lie and say I welcome the wrinkles on my once smooth face or the grey hairs that are invading my head of brown hair.

BUT

In exchange for all the superficial beauty stuff

GOD is softening my heart, like fresh play-dough from a newly opened plastic tub.

He is opening my eyes and my life to new experiences.

What a beautiful place! I'm good here, in this new spiritual season.

I lay awake last night, my knee is killing from class. I can't get up for Tylenol, not from the pain but not wanting to disturb the 3 babies who have fallen asleep in my bed. I'm surrounded by legs and arms. What a treat to hear them breathing, right next to me. My mind wanders to all the 'house cleaning stuff' I didn't finish today. I push the dirty toilet, wash and inch thick dust out of my head.

Who cares? I'm certain GOD doesn't.

I decide to recite JOHN 17 instead, the chapter I'm working on memorizing.

I quickly find this to be a better use of brain power. The perfect way to end an over packed fun-filled beautiful day.

JOHN 17:5

I have brought you glory on earth by completely the work you gave me to do.

I know I'm no where near the finish line but I'm working on it.

I can actually feel my insides being squished and re-shaped.

Lucky for me I love the smell of play-dough.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #30

03/06/11

ALL BY MYSELF MOM

Mom, can I take pictures with your camera Mom?

Sure, let me show you how to use it.

No, I got it Mom. By myself.

No really Drex, Let me change the settings so it's just right.

Mom, I can do it, really, all by myself.

I constantly bite my tongue with my kids. Thinking to myself in situations like this one.

NEMO, YOU CAN'T DO IT. YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT!

But they can do it, maybe not perfect or the way I would do it. It's OK....breathe, breathe, let go of the control thing Victoria. Let them do it their way. A learning lesson and good for their confidence I know. It's super hard for me not to rush the kids or squash them by constantly correct their way. So today is DREXEL day blog! I very much wanted to retake some with a flash or switch out the blurry ones. And yes, perhaps I have hit rock bottom, as the last posted picture is of a toilet.

Hee hee hee ho ho.

I'm breathing and letting go people. Can you hear me?

Hee hee hee ho ho.

Yes Grandma, blogs are a good idea. This is good stuff, bathroom pictures.

Aren't you proud of me?

written by Photographed by Drexel:

THE GOODEST POWER RANGER IN THE WORLD

THE SECOND BESTEST POWER RANGER IN THE WORLD

THE NICEST MONSTER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

I'M IN THE ARMY, MY NAME IS DIANE

FAMILY OF SUPER HEROS

THE DARK GIANT

THE DARK GIANTS HOUSE

AND YES MOM, you gotta put this one in THE DARK GIANTS TOILET

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

03/09/11

DAY # 33

(Happy Birthday Te-Taw)

We get prepared and ready for

soccer season

swimsuit season

gardening season

football season

We even protect and prep various pipes and engines for a cold winter season.

That's fine and dandy......but

How and what do we do to prepare for the very special season of LENT?

It's here.....It's Ash Wednesday....already.

I am excited to be filling in and teaching for our 4th grade CCD class tonight. As I sit here and prepare for the lesson, my heart begins to race......feeling a little nervous. How do I teach and convey a message that I in fact am still learning myself......way into my 30's? How do I personally prepare for Lent? Hmmmm....how honest do I need to be here? Well let's just say I have over the years given up various foods during Lent. Never, ever making my agreement with God last until Easter. I stink, I know! So this year, I'm not given up some sort of junk food for Lent. I end up flipping it ALL around putting the focus on ME and MY love for sweets and fried goodies instead of than MY love for GOD. This year I'm diving in, head first. I want to focus on bringing Glory to God.

I want to be a "Glory Bearer"

I am taking a class called PERSPECTIVES about World Mission Work on Monday nights. I sit and soak up all the material covered. At times I am completely overwhelmed and feel totally in over my head. No problem though, I am into challenging my heart and soul these days. I scoot in late with my friend, rushing from having just taught at the gym.

We sit in the back and shovel our dinner in as quietly as we can. 2 and 1/2 hours of guest speakers, prayer and thought. I can't write down the information fast enough yet, other times I'm so moved I can't write at all.

This week the Missionary, Mr. John spoke about being a glory bearer. Within minutes of him talking he asked us to flip to JOHN Chapter 17 Twenty six powerful verses typed in red, words spoken by Jesus himself. I look over at my sweaty apple eating Bible memorizing BFF. I see it in her eyes, I know she also wants to challenge her heart. We decide to to memorize it. I'm positive it will help keep us focused. Preparation for the CELEBRATION of Jesus and his Resurrection can totally be personal, I know this, and get this. For me, I'm working on being more vocal, even if it's just typed on this blog, it's a start for this Catholic girl. Do me a favor, check back with me in forty days, I would love to recite 26 beautiful verses to you, from memory. I have an idea, let's meet at McDonald's. They have the BEST fries! Just saying......

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #29

03/05/11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELANEY GRACE!

I could have sworn I bought a new #9 candle. Just recently, to be ready for Delaney's big day. No biggie, I'm sure I'll find it before Drexel needs it. For now it's math time to = 9. Delaney is a chip off the old sugar block so I guarantee she was more focused on the yummy icing than any lit accessory.

The younger kids were SO patient while the tantalizing sweet cake lay before their eyes.

Can I have a swipe Mom?

Can I have a swipe Mom?

Can I have a swipe Mom?

Oh my stars kids. Is it THAT hard to sit within inches of a Freeman's Bakery cake with a lick? Well, heck yeah it is, I already tried some myself.

SO

While the Birthday girl had her head turned,

I whisper sure, go ahead......but do it quickly.

Eyes as big as saucers, I am now up for Mother of the Year award. If only these two knew how to write an essay, I'd be a shoe-in.

It's late evening already. Where did the 'Birthday' day go? It came and went with out a ton of fan fare, balloons, hoopla or gifts. It was mostly a regular Saturday in the middle of soccer season, filled with mostly soccer.

Duh.....

I should have seen the writing on wall nine years ago, of course this how her Birthday would be celebrated. Lucky for me Delaney was born on a Tuesday afternoon, giving me plenty of time to adjust before coaching the boys game that Saturday.

I was only a tidy tad rusty with the whole Boobie-ing on the go thing. I caught back on quick, totally second nature by the end of the first half. Most people had no clue she was having breakfast under my sweatshirt as I cheered and paced on the sidelines.

Big brother treated her to breakfast at Burger King. Wearing her paper crown proudly she met us at Drexel's game. A quick visit from her favorite soccer Mom Deb and her grown babies, her day was shaping up fast. Already in her blue and white uniform she shuffles back and forth, anxious to warm up with her team. Before we scoot to the older boys game Daddy presents her with a birthday gift.

New cleats.
Perfect timing Daddy, thanks. I love them!

With just siblings around that HUGE cake it was a LITTLE strange.

New and different but OK. I'm learning to roll with this new season we are in.

Everything doesn't need to be BIG, LOUD and CHAOTIC to be GOOD.

Riding a min dirt bike, playing with her BFF til dark and her favorite taco dinner. Delaney's 9th Birthday may not be remembered forever. More than likely this day won't be retained in her memory bank. No Chuck-e-Cheese ticket counter excitement or late night sleepover madness.

Simple, sweet and apparently just the right 'size' for her. I look over at my new nine year old, snuggled in her blankie, legs kicked up comfortably on the oversized couch. She has fallen asleep watching "Good Luck Charlie" in the family room....in her dirty soccer uniform.

I'm pretty sure, for Delaney, that's the icing on her day.

Don't worry Diane, I will eat your piece. It won't go to waste.

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #28

03/04/11

GOD'S LOVE IS SHINING BRIGHT

GOD OUR FATHER

THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL DAY WE HAD TODAY
GOD'S LOVE IS SHINING BRIGHT

WE SAW YOUR MIRACLES IN THE SMILES AND

LAUGHTER OF OUR FRIENDS

GOD'S LOVE IS SHINING BRIGHT

AND IN THE WONDERS OF YOUR CREATION ALL AROUND US

GOD'S LOVE IS SHINING BRIGHT

BUT MOST OF ALL

IN THE LOVE WE SHARE FOR YOU AND FOR EACH OTHER

GOD'S LOVE IS SHINING BRIGHT

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER,

AND OF THE SON,

AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AMEN

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #28

03/03/11

SURVIVING A STAND STILL CARLINE

I COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT WHILE WE WAITED

IT WAS WARM IN THE SUN

INSTEAD, THE KIDS OPENED THE DOUBLE DOORS

LETTING THE BREEZE AND SUNSHINE FLOOD THE VAN

AH, YES.....PERFECT
LAZY BUT PERFECT

A FEW WRESTLING MATCHES AND KISSING GAMES
KIDS FLIPPING HEAD FIRST OVER BENCH SEATS

A FLYING SOCCER BALL HITS THE BACK OF MY CHAIR

HEY HEY HEY....KIDS, KIDS

IT'S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE KNOCKS OVER MY COFFEE

ACCIDENTAL BURBS FROM THE SPICY ORANGE DRINK
IN AND OUT TO GATHER WILD FLOWERS
GOOFING AROUND AND MAKING UP SILLY SONGS
A LITTLE WHINING ABOUT WHOSE FLOWERS ARE WHOSE

SOMEONE IS BITTEN BY FIRE ANTS
A DRINK IS SPILLED
A FEW TEARS ARE SHED
NO WORRIES, WIPED BY A FRIEND



TIME TO BUCKLE UP PEOPLE
WE ARE ROLLING OUT
CLOSE THE DOORS
HURRY
HURRY
HURRY

WITH COFFEE, BABY WIPES, IZZY'S AND GOD
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE


THANKS DREXEL,DELILAH, EVELYN AND CARLISLE.
BESTEST 13 AND 1/2 MINUTES IN CAR LINE
EVAAAHHH

365 Days of Team Zybko

Day# 25

02/28/11

Lots going on in my tiny little world. Struggling to keep my head above the scum line. Perishable goods from Sam's on the counter await me. Cheating on my challenge again today with a re-run.

DAY TWO IN HAITI:

STORIES FROM A HAITIAN PALACE

I wake up a bit chilled from beneath the crisp, white sheets. The unfamiliar smell and scratchy feel of the bed forces my mind to jerk quickly awake. What day is it? Where am I? And when did we get a pet rooster? The answers slowly fall from the air, settling onto the hotel pillow around my head. I'm in Haiti. Oh, really? I'm still in Haiti? YES....and it's only day two.

Well Di-Di, this college letter to you has suddenly evolved into a letter addressed to me. A letter to my heart. An expressed mailed letter to my tender soul. A letter worth a thousand lessons in any school.

A letter I will most certainly carry with me for as long as I live.

Before heading out the door I take a self portrait and gather my gear. Like a soldier in the Army, I stuff pockets and arm myself with the necessary items needed for survival. Bible, camera, sunscreen, safe drinking water, journal and a fresh fine tipped sharpie pen. Ok, now I'm ready! I take several deep breaths in, the room smells musty. I can do this! Right? After all, I'm an adventurous kinda of girl. A think outside the bun kinda Soccer Mom. Right? Well, normally I am. But my normal, real life seems a million miles away. Not sure what kinda person I am right now.

Hot Haitian air caresses my face the instant I open the door to my room labeled 108. Palm trees, painted blue skies and the sound of happy birds make me feel like myself again. I sit down comfortably beside my teammates on the freshly mopped, marble like steps. I already feel such a strong bond, like I have known these people my entire life.

Breakfast was delicious. Coffee, strong and black with a serious KICK, just like I like it. Even better than I prepare in my very own kitchen. GOD is GOOD I tell you, right down to the last drop.......of my third cup. The pineapple, mango and cantaloupe so juicy and fresh. Like visiting a sandy white beach with every bite. Filling our bellies and laughing off a Haitian coffee buzz with my new BFF'S. Were we really strangers two days ago?

Mr. Wick jerks us back to reality, he announces to the team, "People! People! Ten minutes until we leave for Church. " Wait, I'm not sure if I wanna go so soon. I panic, feeling like an 8 year old not ready for a spelling test. Maybe I have a stomach ache, a fever, a cough? It's so different outside the security gates of our "Five Star" palace. Can't we stay Dad, just one more cup of joe?
















The dusty security gates open slowly, they seem as reluctant as me
to show us the other side. 1,2,3 we are pushed out into real life. Not MY real life but the people of this island. Their real life. Everything seems to be severely opposite here. No grey ground. No wonder we are a "Circus Freak Show" rolling down the road. Clean, smiley, fed WHITE people in a dusty, desperate, starving BLACK Haiti.




The ten minute commute to the job site leaves the team speechless. Horns, dust, trash and barefoot children behind gated doors everywhere. The streets are in constant motion. What is everyone doing? Where is everyone going? And why are they in such a hurry?
You are either clinging to a scooter going 65 or sitting lifeless under a crowded spot of shade conserving energy.

Someone in the van pokes my shoulder, I audibly gasp as I try to comprehend what I see. Are you kidding me? Is this for real? As my head turns 180 degrees to the left my eyes focus on a unbelievable "screen saver" type picture. Miles of perfect white stones, seemingly put there individually by hand. My eyes follow the "sand" to clear blue-ish green waters, all naturally framed by tall mountains covered in lush green vegetation. I swing my head back to the right. Just in time to witness a woman hiking her torn skirt up to her waist. Squatting to use the beat up road side as a bathroom. Opposites again, fifty feet apart.

We pray in a hurry as we have somehow reached the job site fast this morning. We pray for safety, acceptance, an open mind and heart. We ask that everything we do and say today glorifies your name LORD. I step out of the van, my underwear already soaked. An elderly man with maybe three teeth, smiles and rides on by us on a rundown bike. What is he so happy about? I wave, he waves back with a book in his hand. I squint to read the title before he disappears forever.

NEW TESTAMENT

(We will see him several times a day during the week of our trip. We refer to him as New Testament Guy. He is most definitely my favorite so far. On the last day we find out from a translator he doesn't speak........at all. He only smiles and he loves Jesus. I'm convinced he smiles cause he knows Jesus)

I laugh at myself as we walk the rest of the way to the church. I keep stumbling, my footing wobbly in over sized hiking boots as my feminine flowered skirt is held prisoner between my sweaty legs. (note to self, another opposite) Not such a great look in Florence, SC. but here in Haiti, not a problem. It's liberating not to worry and fuss about clothes or looks here. That's not why we are here. I wonder why I don't feel this way at home?

The Church is already "alive" Praise music with only clapping hands as instruments. Heads turn as the "white people" walk in, smile and try to sing along with love for our same GOD. We are escorted like royalty to the best seats in the house. The only retreat from the fierce sun, shaded by a thrown together roof, a sagging LOWES like blue tarp.

It seems embarrassing to be segregated. I don't want to be treated special. I didn't walk miles with no shoes to get here to worship. I'm sure many haven't eaten or had anything to drink this morning at all. I think of our LAVISH feast. Did I really need 3 cups of coffee? My guilt is getting deep, already waist high. I'm quite certain I will choke to death on my American Culture by the end of this trip.

With the help of a super happy, energetic translator the service begins. He's a little man with a huge contagious smile, somehow making Haiti even brighter. I stare. I listen. I'm mesmerized by his light. A light, I'm positive can only be put there by the LORD himself. I somehow understood his love for GOD even when he speaks Creole.

The pastor's opening lines.

WE ARE HAPPY TO LIVE HERE IN HAITI.

WE ARE LUCKY TO LIVE HERE IN HAITI.

Oh my stars, what is he talking about? Do I have heat stroke? Who on earth would be HAPPY living here?

HERE IN HAITI WE ARE FREE TO WORSHIP AS WE WANT!

Oh! Yes, of course! I knew where he was going with that. I nod my head to let him and others know I agree. I'm lying to myself for sure. Truth is, I've never ever thought that way back in my Church at home. I sometimes sit in Mass on the padded pew thinking it's hot, is the air conditioning broken? I think about the kids making too much noise. I think about whats for lunch. I think about how scratchy my new pants are. Never once have I thought about what a privilege it is to honor GOD with no repercussions. Ashamed of myself,

I quietly and slowly reach down for my bag. I don't want to disturb or offend anyone...BUT I certainly don't want to forget any experience here. I must journal and sneak some pictures. These personal lessons are priceless. I tell myself, over and over again,I must not forget any detail.




They are obviously happy to have us here. Happy to have the help. Happy that we care. Individually we are introduced. We are praised to have given up everything at home to be here. Jobs, kids, school and familiar everyday life. I wonder if they know how much they are teaching us?

In their finest clothes they sit across from us. The relentless sun covering them from head to toe. The children are well behaved and clean. At the end of the service we are hugged and kissed by the grateful strangers. We live and look different but we speak the same language. No words spoken only moist eyes.

sweet girl in white dress with absolutely no stains

View of the ground in back of Church