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

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 26

03/01/11

DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY STUFF AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY STUFF

I sometimes

worry about the little stuff, when I shouldn't.

I sometimes

complain about people, when I shouldn't.

I sometimes

stress out about the tidy-ness of the house, when I shouldn't.

STOP.....I just need to STOP.....and smell the flowers.

Others say I already do this. I must put on a good smiley face and front at times.

I know I could do better.

1 Peter 4:24

For,

All men are like grass,

and all their glory like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord stands forever.

When I found out that "dandy lions" weren't flowers, I was a little disappointed. I refuse in my mind to call them 'weeds'.

I love the color this 'flower' brings to a brown, boring field.

I love the softness of this 'flower' between my fingers.

I love blowing this dead 'flower' all over the yard.

(Sorry Dad, that was totally me all those years)

I haven't broken the news to Delilah yet. She doesn't quite know the flower petal poem yet. Instead

She sang happily out loud to herself as she pulled apart her flower.

Mommy loves me! Yes.

Mommy loves me! Yes.

Mommy loves me! Yes.
Mommy loves me! Yes.

I wanted to enjoy the moment.

So I put down my camera. Picked up a "dandy lion" and stopped.

to smell the flowers.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 24

2/27/11

RE-RUN POST

Day One In Haiti (part two)

I wipe my tear stained face, dirt already underneath my finger nails. I look around the hot, grungy van at the other members of the team. Laughing, smiling, talking, napping. They all look normal. Not me, my head is stuck in quick sand. I take deep breaths and talk myself through what is going on outside the smeared window. I hear my voice drone on, I begin to annoy myself. It sounds like I'm giving a 1979 BRADY BUNCH pep talk to one of my kids.
Everything is going to be fine honey.
Let's find the good in this.
What's life without adventures.
There is no I in TEAM.
BLAH BLAH BLAH
I was getting nowhere in my mind but the van continued to whiz, turn and bump down the worst conditioned roads I've ever been on. Is this for real? Every inch of the road is a dusty, filthy mess. Nobody seems to notice or care when other Haitians use the bathroom just inches away from their piles of fruit and raw meat for sale. I do wonder what THEY are thinking. 16 clean WHITE people with moist eyes and expensive cameras. Are they offended? Do they know why we are taking pictures? Not because we see beauty but in complete disbelief. Where is the other side of the tracks or better part of town? We have been on the road two hours, I'm beginning to think there is NO better...........

LIFE CHANGING..........NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.......SPIRITUAL GROWTH


Oh yea, we all heard the well wishers weeks and days before departing on this Haitian Vacation. I know now it wasn't just small talk or hot air. I'm already changing. My life is a cozy, easy breeze compared to what it is here........like Paris Hilton I live in SC. How dare I complain the white tile on my kitchen floor shows all the dirt?

At home I sometimes feel too lazy to get through bath time with the kids. Well, things change after watching a dedicated Momma bathe her toddler in a scummy roadside puddle. I will never see this warm, lavish, bubbly routine the same again.


As far as growing. I think I've just hit puberty. I want my mom to grab a ruler and measure me on the wall. She would be excited to see I've grown at least 2 and 1/2 inches....spiritually, that is.

My marathon conversation with GOD continues the entire ride to the hotel and well past lights out. Why? Why? Why? I dive into my beautiful new green travel Bible. Bought especially for this trip to Haiti. I push back the stiff front cover, smile at the embroidered dragon fly and search for answers. Different than at home..... it's quiet in my room, no babies, no snoring, no distractions. I read wherever my now clean fingers flip to. As I meditate on HIS WORD I'm very aware of my breathing. Long deep breaths........like cleansing Yoga. I'm still.......very still...... except for my lungs moving slowly up and down. I'm pretty sure I've never in my entire life been this quiet......I then could have sworn I heard a soft voice whisper........

It is about you Victoria and you are exactly where I want you.
I better get some rest, these Haiti days are L-O-N-G