What. are. we. thinking.

It is only a few days until the (cue dramatic music) MARATHON.

26.2 miles.

At one time.

Without stopping.

I'll admit - I am a bit freaked out. Not going to let it stop me, though.

As you may know, Ethiopia has a tradition of great distance runners. Jake grew up running cross country and track, and we had the opportunity to see some pretty great runners at some events here in our great state. There is a history of running here, thanks to Nike and Prefontaine.

One of the great runners we had the chance to see several years ago was Haile Gebrselassie, of the fantastic country of Ethiopia. Guess what he did last weekend? Broke the world record (which he held) in the marathon. He ran it in under 2 hours and 4 minutes. He looks pretty happy, doesn't he?


Odds are I won't look that good after the marathon on Sunday. And if you want to know how long it is going to take me to finish, try multiplying Gebrselassie's time by 3 or 4. No joke.

Be generous

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. -Winston Churchill

I've been thinking a lot lately about generosity and giving. Then, when I got on the computer this morning, I noticed this article about the decline in charitable donations in America.

I know it is tough out there these days. I mean, have you read the news? Things are looking kind of bleak out there for a lot of people. For many, even those who are in the adoption process, the idea of giving is not even on the radar. People are keeping what they have (money, time, resources) in preparations for harder times. It is not a bad thing to prepare for the future and plan ahead. Especially if your job or housing situation are not looking good, or if you know you have some big expenses coming up (adoption fees, tax bills, etc.).

While tough times are a good time to take stock of your life and finances, they are also a great opportunity to practice generosity. There are more people in need during tough times. And while the US may be going through a tough time right now, there are many people in the world who are permanently going through tough times. Rather than looking inward, we should be focused outward. It helps your problems to shrink when you are able to get the focus off of yourself and onto others.

I don't think that generous people have any more money, time, or resources than us -- they just have different priorities.

Think of Mother Teresa -- she had the same number of hours in her day as you and I have. What have I done with the hours I have been given? Monetarily speaking, I have much more than Mother Teresa had. Can I account for all the money that I have been given? I am a US born citizen, privileged to live in a country with endless resources. Have I tapped into those resources to help others?

For some, you can only do a little. For others, you can do a lot. If everyone just did something, we'd all be better off, don't you think? If you have money to give, find a worthy cause. If you have time to give, find a worthy cause. If you have resources to give, find a worthy cause. You will be blessed far beyond what you give.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa

Fair Trade: Peru trip

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures from my Peru trip. My boss (also known as my mom) and I went down to Lima to pick up an order of merchandise for the store where I work. There is a fair trade cooperative called Bridge of Hope that we have been working with for a couple of years now.

There are many principals to fair trade (not to be confused with free trade which is very different): fair wages to artisans, consumer education, community development, environmental stability, respect of culture, direct long-term relationships, and financial transparency. It is not about charity, but about empowerment. Fair trade seeks to promote sustainable and positive change in developing communities. Most people have heard of fair trade coffee (especially in connection with Ethiopia), but fair trade really reaches much further than that.

While we were in Lima, we visited an artisan family that makes tapestries/weavings and ceramics. The first picture (below) is the view when you first walk into the courtyard of their home. As you can tell, they were working on dyeing various shades of red yarn for weaving. It is hanging to dry.


Isn't it beautiful?! The colors were fantastic.


This is a batch of natural yarn being dyed blue. It is cooked (probably not the right word) in a pot until the desired color is reached, then hung to dry. All the dyes (and the yarn) are 100% natural.
Here is a view into the weaving area. There were 5 or 6 looms, all varying sizes.


I didn't get any good pictures of the ceramics studio, but here is a picture of me and my mom going through several of the very well packed nativities (notice Baby Jesus making an appearance with my mom).

Check out Partners for Just Trade to buy some things from Bridge of Hope and know that you are supporting a great partnership!

In a funk

I'm back from Peru (pictures coming eventually).

I'm in a funk. You adoptive parents know what I mean, right?

Paperwork is dragging me down. Just a few more straggler things to get done and we should be done with all the paperwork. Home study is being written right now. Bank letter is being written today. Waiting on Jake's insurance to change October 1 to get the final employment/medical insurance/life insurance letter for him. I am meeting a notary with a commission that goes through 2009 (last one only went to December 8, 2008...not long enough for the dossier paperwork) at my doctor's office on the 29th. We'll get some passport size photos taken this weekend.

Am I forgetting something? Like my mind? I think so. I'm emotional and tired and stressed and needing a long nap.

In the midst of my gloomy days, there are many things that make me smile. Jesse and Joy are having her homestudy done right now! Grace is in Ethiopia with her little babe in her arms! Ted and Lori have raised nearly enough to pay for half a well in Ethiopia! My best friend Karen has a teeny baby bump that is starting to show! And fall is here.

-b

A much needed break

I'm off to Peru this morning for a couple of days (it's for work...cool job, eh?). While I am stressed at the thought of all the things I need to do, the thought of leaving the country for a few days is comforting.

Paperwork is moving along just fine, but this whole notary thing complicates everything. I spent too many hours this week on the phone and in person with our bank and my doctor trying to get the right papers together. It all seems simple to me, but...

Thing I am most excited about: sleeping on the plane. I can sleep anywhere, and am usually out before the plan takes off. I'm giddy just thinking about it! I could use some extra sleep.

Adios, Internets. Try to have fun without me!

-b

To my adoring fans...

I know you are all dying to hear how the home study went. I'm sorry if you lost sleep over my lack of a post last night...if you did, well, may I suggest you take up a new hobby? Like cleaning my house? That is a hobby, right? It's just one that I don't have. Hence the reason for you to take it up.

Okay, enough with the chit chat.

Home study went GREAT. We have the best social worker, hands down. Wanna challenge her to a duel? I would think twice about it. This woman has 8 kids, so you will be no match for her.

Seriously though, I didn't once feel nervous during the 4 hours she was at our home. She was funny, encouraging, and down to earth. I didn't feel like I was being drilled...it just felt like we were having a great conversation. She really encouraged Jake in his art career and I think she has officially joined our fan club. And we have joined hers! Yeah for social workers!

That was fast!

Home study is scheduled for Monday! Our case worker said it should take about 4 hours. So don't call between 12-4 on Monday because I won't answer!

Any advice?

-b

Moving right along!

We got word today that our home study agency has assigned us a caseworker! Yeah! We should be getting a call soon to schedule an appointment with her.

I'm mailing our stuff to KBS Dossier. I thought I would do our dossier myself, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by the thought of it. KBS is experienced at doing this, and it will help me sleep better at night having someone else scrutinizing it all. (For those of you who don't know, our dossier is our big packet of paperwork that goes to the Ethiopian government. It involves a lot of notarizing and certifying and other specifics. All the paperwork up to this point has been for our agency and our homestudy agency.)

Do you guys know how cool Joy is? She is such a blessing to me and I am thankful for another friend going through this whole journey with us! I am pretty sure our kids will be BFFs. Thanks for being such an encouragement to me!