Thankfulness

Much has been happening and I rarely seem to have time to update my blog. So here's some updates and photos:

The MU President is far left in suit - others are area Chiefs

Official handshake

ADRA Malawi contacted me about the bicycle ambulances that they are distributing around Malawi. They asked if the communities around the hospital would be in need of them. We discussed and requested 15 set ups for the area villages that Malamulo serves. They came back and said they would give 14!! We arranged to have the official "hand-over" with the Malawi Union SDA church meetings so the president of the church handed them over to the "Head Chief" of the area. It was an amazing gift and neither me or the head of ADRA were the focus but rather what the church is doing in the community. We were merely facilitating and that was so wonderful! Now the communities around Malamulo that can't get vehicle access have a way to get patients to the hospital easier.

About 3 weeks ago Cristy and I went to Zomba Plateau to Plateau Stables to go horseback riding. Maggie and Brian run the place and are lovely people and we have ridden there several times. It was a beautiful day and we were so excited to be out in nature. We got suited up and I was riding "Duchess" who loves to gallop especially following another horse. You can guess - we were going at a good gallop, my horse closely following Cristy (thus you can't stop) and I began to feel a bit out of control in my English saddle. Suddenly the horse took a sharp turn on a trail to the left and I took a sharp turn to the right and landed HARD on my right hip. Thankfully I had a helmet and landed on pine needles so only had some deep bruises and scrapes. Needless to say my riding was cut short! I got back on and we rode back to the stable but I couldn't go much further.

Maggie was so sweet and offered for us to come to to their house so I could take a hot bath and drink some tea. While in the bath they decided that Cristy and I really shouldn't camp as we had planned but rather stay in their guest room and rest in their house. So instead of riding I got to rest, read, walk around their garden and take photos. It ended up being a lovely weekend (Cristy went riding again the next day) and we have made even better friends with Maggie and Brian. Bella also got to know their great dane/rhodesian ridgeback mix dog in hopes to eventually have puppies! Here are a few photos of the house and flowers.Thought I'd spare you the bruises and scrapes. :-|

hibiscus

The house - our room was the door at the bottom. Butch and Bella in the foreground.

View from the yard - spent some time on the bench.

bougainvillea

amaryllis

Thanksgiving was a lovely feast as was last year. We had about 40 people get together at Dave & Susan Woods' house in Blantyre. There was lots of food and good time with friends. This year we actually thought if EVERYONE was invited (American or not) there would be way too many people so we just tried to invite the Americans and a few others and still ended up with a houseful. We have many volunteers here now and also some additional families of Ryan & Sharlene Hayton, Randy & Nicole and all of their kids. Before eating Ryan gave us a 5 minute history lesson of what Thanksgiving is and where is started. After lunch Jacquie (Peds NP) pulled out her colorful paper, blow up balloons, and kept the kiddos entertained making turkeys, indian headbands, and balloon animals.

After making stuffing, finishing making the soup, and all the craziness of my long week I enjoyed sitting down and putting my feet up after stuffing myself! Sharlene's apple cranberry crisp was a hit as well as Drew's pumpkin cream cheese pie (and even better the next day).

Friday after Thanksgiving I was busy wrapping things up in the office and packing to leave Sabbath morning. Earlier that week we had 2 days of board meetings and the week before was meetings all week for the church. Needless to say I was exhausted and found it difficult to even find the energy to be excited to go home. (Some of that might have had to do with the people I was leaving behind in Malawi as well!) I have so much to be thankful for this year - especially for the life I've been given since last year's Thanksgiving. There have been many hard days, many happy days, tears, laughter, and for all of it I'm VERY grateful!