Halloween...What's it to ya'?

For the record, I love Halloween. Funny thing is, when I was a kid my parents, who were strict in all matters of religious behavior loved Halloween too. Not only did we dress up, and trick or treat, my mom loved and encouraged scary costumes like witches, ghosts etc. Of course we were so poor, we found stuff around the house and created some really cool costumes every year, much better than anything you could find at Walmart.
Am I the only one confused or irritated by people who proclaim Halloween is the celebration of Satan? Come on now, relax, have a little fun, let your kids dress up and eat candy until their sick! Our church has "Fall Festival" like every other church in town and all references to witches are strictly forbidden. We would not want our children growing up and involved in blood sacrifices! Ok, may be that's a little sarcastic, bit you get my idea.... Do you have a problem with Halloween?
Well enough ranting, I need to go carve my pumpkin and learn my incantation chants. I'm Samantha and Wayne is Darren this year.

Macedonia- last installment

Enjoy my last post on my trip last week....

These kids were walking to school, munching on their version of Macedonian "pop-tarts"--- a loaf of bread.

Little girls love each other no matter where you go!

Relieving yourself in rural Macedonia is an experience! I did master the art of "squatty potty", but most of the time I preferred just dehydrating myself.

Part of the fun of an international trip is the friendships you make along the way. I got to know people in my group I did not know very well prior to this trip. I have never laughed so hard in my life! Great group, great friends---old and new!

Macedonia-Part II

Having Wayne with me this year made all the difference! I was not nearly so homesick, although I really missed the girls. Wayne is my rock! He keeps me steady and I was so glad to experience Macedonia with him, Besides, all the ladies loved him. Who wouldn't want glasses from such a good looking man?


I just love Gina, my new friend who lives in Turkey. She came and interpreted for us. I really was jealous that I did not know Turkish. It has the coolest ring to it when you hear it.

The view was amazing! This shot was taken right outside the clinic we set up in a local market. Incredible. More to come tomorrow!

It's a long way home....

We had such a great adventure in Macedonia. Will you humor me for the next few days while I highlight my trip?

The highlight for me was meeting up with my friend Guli ("Julie") who I met last year. I love her. It was a sweet reunion.

This year we had 6 different medical clinics and I met lots of new friends:


These precious twins were not really too impressed with me or my attempts to look down their throats. We made up afterwards. I even got a smile out of them.


This sweet lady became one of my buddies for the entire day. I had some coffee at her house.

More to come. Wayne and I are exhausted but happy to see our girls!

And we're off....

Suitcases packed,

Cats fed,

Doors locked,

Children kissed,

Time to go,

Macedonia is waiting on us.

People to meet,

Care to be given,

Fun times coming.

See God work

Let it spill on me.

Do what You do best..

See you in a week,

Hopefully spent out... and filled up!

It's outta my hands

I talked to Lynn tonight. She is my absolute favorite sister in law. Actually, she's really my sister, because I'm pretty sure she loves me more than she does Wayne.
Talking to Lynn is such good therapy, She helps me explore why I am feeling sad, makes my laugh hysterically, validates me when I feel like I need it and generally tells me what fantastic mom I am.
Tonight we talked all about a series of really sad things that seem to be happening at the same time in both our lives to people around us. We both have friends dying of cancer. We have both watched people around us act as if they have got no sense, we both are scared about the economy. Neither of us want to see Obama elected,and aren't much more excited about McCain, and both feel like God really wants to just pull us close and love on us a little. After talking about all these events we both agreed on one thing... it's almost cool when the trials in life are so big that nothing you can do can really make a difference. I said "You know, it's really out of our hands." Then I thought what a comforting thing to realize that life is actually too big for me to change, and I can relax in God's grip because it's outta my hands anyways. He can handle it. I'm just along for the ride.
By the way Lynn, don't tell Patricia you're my favorite. At least not until after Christmas!

What? Are you kidding me?

I went to the eye doctor yesterday. Let me just tell you my family is severely myopic and the entire clan has been cursed with coke bottle glasses. To give us the maximum advantage in finding a husband and producing grandchildren for my parents, they made sure we all were in contacts by the end of middle school.
My older sister, Kathy, who by the way is the most visually challenged, had Lasix surgery a few years ago, and swears it revolutionized her life. I just want to see the alarm clock at night, and make it to the potty without tripping over the dresser.
Can you believe that my my optician did everything to discouraged me from getting Lasix yesterday, and finally told me that I was getting past the age of maximum benefit? Give it to me straight... You think I'm too old? Are you kidding me?!?
So worse than that, he put me in contact lenses that cost a small fortune to combat the dry eyes that I have I guess due in part to my advanced age. This leaves me with a pair of glasses that by the time I paid for the laboratory assisted "thinning" of the lens, to make them more cosmetically pleasing, I think I probably could have had Lasix alot cheaper. It really sucks to get old!