Fresh Pineapple

Is it okay to say that my first week in Ghana has been extremely overwhelming?  I can't even pull together anything that could sum it up. The challenge of getting here was perhaps to show me that things I think are really difficult are not nearly as difficult as they seem.  Tomorrow we begin in our first hospital.  The thought of failing weighing heavily on my heart. Today I had my first fresh pineapple and it was the best thing I've ever tasted.   I am melting like a white chocolate easter bunny :) I'll try to write more soon. Love & Peace

Loving our own so that we may love others...

Every spring for as long as I can remember, my geese and I hunker down while it's still cool enough to need a blanket but warm enough that we know spring is close.  We make popcorn and earl grey tea and plunk this classic "Fly Away Home" onto the TV and watch.  I cry almost from the moment the opening song starts and my babies and I bond.  We each relate in different ways to the plot of the film and it is just 2 hours where everything around us slips away and I enjoy loving my kids.

My babies, remember on the 7th okay... Earl Grey tea, Popcorn with too much butter and sea salt... Bring a friend into your world and play a round of scrabble after... birth word scrabble yes?

Gotta fly :)

Head, Heart, Hands

Head,
Heart,
Hands,
Ready,
Aim,
Catch!


It is time! 
There is no try... only do (Yoda)

Ghana calling Mama Goose

While Aryn was on her first journey to Ghana, straight out of high school, she had a blog.  She called it "The Goose is Heading South."  I borrow the concept for the purpose of bringing some of her bravery along with me.  As often as I look ahead, I look back to reflect. Not stuck in either place, trying to be as "in the moment" as possible.  It's just that I am at a stage in my life where it seems natural to be looking and thinking about my past, present and future. It is easy to slip into a place where I forget to be present.  Must remember to be present.

In a few days, I will take the biggest leap out of my comfort zone ever. Following in Aryn's footsteps and heading to Ghana. This is a learning trip, an invitation that came to me because my daughter went before me and built relationships with good people. Even luckier that I have family and friends who understand and support me. My travelling companion, Karen is going from Washington.  I feel very blessed to know that we will be there together.  When I am a Pooh Bear, she is a Piglet and when she is in touch with her inner Pooh Bear, my Piglet like traits come out.  We will hold each other up to this experience.

I can hardly believe how blessed I feel. The mix of fear, joy and anxiety that I'm sure most new traveller's go through settled on my brain and heart weeks ago.  I decided early on that I would try not to let my fear overwhelm me.  In a way that I don't understand, I feel like I'm going home.  I wish I could take my kids along and yet, I know that this is something I need to do.

If you are interested in following my journey, I am happy to share it with you. Please add your prayers to mine and keep my kids on your heart while their Mama is away.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh”

~A. A. Milne