Home Again, Home Again, Ziggity Zig

Oh how excited I was late yesterday afternoon when I saw I had a text message from Kat.  She was in the States and had turned on her cell phone.  I texted her back, hit send, and thought...."Oh no missy....you want to SPEAK to your baby."  So, I hit send and called her.  I would have been happy just to have heard her answering machine....I just wanted to hear her voice.  She answered and sounded so tired.  We talked for a brief few minutes and I let her go with a promise that she would call me when they landed in Atlanta.  They had another couple of hours of their Newark layover.  True to her word she left me a voice message about midnight Eastern Time and said they were headed home. Kat, Brian, and some others from their church have been on a mission trip to Moldova since last Monday.  Their mission was to love some orphans.....and knowing my daughter and her friends...that is exactly what they did.  They were working with Philip Cameron Ministries.  Prior to going on this trip Kat wrote a note on her facebook that I want to share with you so you can hear her story in her own words....
"I wish that I could be a more eloquent writer and that I could truly convey the overflowing emotions that I feel when writing this...
Hello Friends!
I just can't believe that Brian and I are leaving for Moldova in 3 days! God has been doing a mighty work in our lives in preparation for this trip. This trip is God's plan and desire for our hearts realized....Really...you cant even imagine. Let me just tell you a quick little story.  Four years ago, when I was working at the Chapter One office (with Janice, Kimmie, and Rachel). I heard this man on Faith Radio talking about this country I had never heard of....MOLDOVA. He told of the perils that young men and women face in Moldova. It broke my heart to hear about young orphan girls aging out of the system and being scooped up by horrible predatorial people. I went to work that day and talked about Moldova around the morning coffee with my coworkers....and after that I could never forget the name of the country....God has continued to burden my heart for the children there. I won't give you any history or polticial lessons on Moldova because you can read that for yourself if you so desire...I'd rather you know about the children there. Simply stated...Moldova is a poor country and there are MANY orphans there. Many of the children in the orphanages have families who are alive who either don't want them or would rather not waste money on their care. Can you imagine...knowing that your family is out there...but would rather see you raised by strangers? It breaks God's heart. Over the last few years God has continued to break our hearts for what breaks his...Moldova. Brian and I have spent lots of time in prayer for the children and people of Moldova. Philip Cameron Ministries (the man who I heard on Faith Radio as it turns out) has formed a relationship with our church. We have been blessed to hear the girls from Stella's House share their stories on many occassions (check it out at www.stellasvoice.org). In the spring the government of Moldova gave the christian organization, Philip Cameron Ministries, a previously state run orphange (that was in EXTREME disrepair). Anyway, Philip Cameron Ministries has renovated the orphanage and there are currently between 30 and 40 children there. We are going to be spending the majority of our time with these children just LOVING on them and showing them that we love them and that our amazing Creator does too! The orphanage is Providence Orphanage in Cupcui, Moldova. We will also be spending time with the Girls from Stella's House. This is Philip Cameron Ministries attempt to prevent these girls from being sold in to sex slavery. They give them a home, help them learn english, and help them establish and learn a trade ( all the while teaching them about and showing them God's love)...I'm telling you I LOVE this mission organization...and they are based in Montgomery, AL).  Ok...I realize that my story has gotten a little too long...and some of you are checking out mentally right now...so I will recap with bullet points to drive it home (thank you Brian Jones)
■Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe
■Poverty is rampant
■Child ABANDONMENT is rampant
■It is quite possibly the sex trafficing capital of Europe
■ There are children and young women there who need to see and know Gods love is real (THIS IS the MAIN PURPOSE of our trip).
I just wanted to give you all a chance to keep up with our team while we are in Moldova.
http://frazerumc.org/missionsblog/ 
Please pray for: 1. our safety as a team 2. That God will make a way for us to show His love to everyone we meet. 3. Flexibility as we adjust to Gods plan for our team and for our lives 4. Team unity and cohesion.  La revedere, (thats Romanian for Goodbye)  Kathryn and Brian"  Want to see pictures of their trip then visit the frazer link above and click on Moldova 2011.  Am I proud of these two....you betcha.  I am as proud as I can be.  They are an exceptional couple and I think they are both mighty spiritual warriors.  I can't wait for them to visit our church and share with our congregation about this trip.  I can't wait to hug them.  I thank God for their safe return and know that this is only the beginning of many trips to come....I heard that in her voice last night.  Happy Tuesday....I know mine will be....my baby is home!

Outstanding Special Ed Teacher.....MY DAUGHTER!

Today was a very special day in the life of my daughter Kat.  On May 15th she will be graduating with her Ed.S(Education Specialist degree).  This degree is the last step before obtaining your doctorate(Most people stop here because there is no dissertation that goes with it.).  Well....Friday at AUM they had an awards ceremony and Kat was honored as the Outstanding Special Ed. student.  What an honor....I mean...I already knew she was great....but it was so great to know other people know it too...LOL!  After the ceremony we headed back to her school to begin final preparations for the Children's Center fundraiser.  They were having a spaghetti dinner/talent/follies program and I had agreed to help out....and in layman terms, for me that means perform.  Somehow during the course of the afternoon we wrote a script for transitioning the acts, did the program, did a SAM's Club run, put up some sparkling stars, practice, stirred 9 huge crockpots of spaghetti sauce, cooked a gazillion packs of noodles, decided at the prompting of her fellow staff members that Kat and I would sing Sentimental Journey together....acappella.  Kat's sweet husband stirred the sauce on 30 minute intervals....and he took his job seriously.  He also boiled a ton of noodles with one small stock pot and a sauce pan....he is a genious.  Kat was running on nervous energy.....and the big feat here...is that Kat has never sung on stage like that....so she was nervous.  I told her during practice...just to look in my eyes....and that is just what she did...and it was GREAT!  The people began arriving, food was served, the entertainment began and it was so much fun....some of the staff did Cupid Shuffle, there was a lip syncing Sonny and Cher, operatic music, interpretive dance, the son of one teacher did a Michael Jackson dance to "Billy Jean" that was phenomenal, Mrs. Agnes sang one of my favorites....Lean on Me, and scattered throughout the night...I sang....and God Bless the USA was the finale.  For the low low price of $10.00 it was a great night.  Hats off to the staff and faculty of the Children's Center....YOU GUYS ROCKED!

The Thought Processes of a Fourteen Year Old - What Did I Know?

When I was about fourteen years old, a philanthropist from our church offered me a chance of a lifetime. Actually, she offered it to two of us, Mark Aliopoulis and me. She offered to pay for us to go to Juliard to study. One small problem...I had a life, a boyfriend, friends, and was a solo performer in our youth choir, New Dawn. I politely refused her offer and my parents supported my decision. Mark, on the other hand, said yes and went to Juliard in the fall. It has been almost 40 years and I have never seen Mark again...I graduated from high school....went to Junior College, was engaged, was not engaged, moved to Alabama, married, had Kat, finished college, taught, got a Master's degree, was an NEH fellow...and felt I had a full life. Mark went to Juliard, never married, studied in Vienna, played for the Vienna Boy's Choir, played at Carnegie Hall, traveled all over the world, was part of the Boston and New York Philharmonics, did I mention never married? One day someone asked me if I regretted the youthful decision and I had to say...no. I don't regret it. I was meant to be Kat's mom...and if I had gone to Juliard to study music...true I might be a Beverly Sills Opera singer today....BUT would I be Kat's mom? That to me is one of the greatest accomplishments I have ever done in my life....I have been Kat's mom. Kat made every day a joy. She was a little piece of heaven on earth....and to be honest I would not have traded one moment at Juliard for her. I believe we all make choices in life and those choices effect outcomes. I may never be a success in the world's eyes...but I am a success in my daughter's eyes. She thinks I am something special....and I would not trade an audience at Carnegie Hall for that...ever! She rejoices in my successes and cries when I get knocked down. I wish you all could know her. She is so very special. Oh I know...if I had gone to Juliard...I never would have known that I missed out on having her...but that is ok. I made a choice...and what a difference it made in my life. Success do come in different shapes...my group, Still Magnolias did open for George Jones....it was not Carnegie Hall...but he is a Hall of Famer. Life does not get much better than this!

Have You Ever Eaten at Jason's Deli?

Wow! I have you ever eaten at this place? Well, today my parents and I took Kat out to lunch for her birthday and she wanted to go to Jason's Deli. I had never eaten there....so I was very agreeable. I love deli food. I grew up with a fabulous Jewish deli nearby...and pastromi on rye...with swiss cheese and spicy mustard...and of course a pickle spear rings my chimes. Of course, I know...I can't have that...because I am watching my calories...and with that sandwich...I would eat all my calories in one meal. We got there...and I had cup of tomato basil soup with a fruit plate that had some of the best looking strawberries and pineapple on it. I ate most of my lunch...but not all and sent the rest of the fruit home with Kat to enjoy later. My dad had a New York Yankee (my dream sandwich)...it is made of hot pastrami and corned beef with swiss cheese and spicy mustard on rye bread. My mom had a stuffed potatoe with broccoli, bacon and cheese. It was huge! I have never seen a potato that large in my life. Kat had a southwestern style soup that looked wonderful and a fruit plate too. After lunch we went back to her house and she opened her presents. My mom got her the traditional pajamas...she expects to get them and is disappointed if she doesn't. I gave her a passport holder she had been eyeing....and Itunes card...we both have Ipods....AND a new journal. She was thrilled. Brian had come through on Tuesday with a Wii fit(now we both have one), a Spa treatment day (lucky girl), and a new CD she had been wanting. She had some great other gifts too. It was a great day....but...if you are ever in Montgomery...or near a Jason's Deli...and you like deli food...this place is a must!

My Girls - The Bow Heads

Kat and Jill have been friends since they were born. It was a simple thing....Jill's mom was my friend....I am Jill's godmother...Deborah was my daughters second momma....when they were 4 and 5 the bow head girls pictures started. We took the first one at Jill's fourth birthday....and they lasted until they were out of high school before they finally said, "NO MORE!" But...once when they were 4 and 5 I was at Gayfer's Dept Store (it is now Dillards)...in the foundation department being fitted for a bra. I had the girls with me....Deborah was in another area of the department. The girls got very quiet...and then the sales clerk and I heard this angelic giggling....but we could not find them....when we did...they were sitting on the platform in the bridal fitting room....looking at themselves in the three way mirror. On their sweet little heads was a Quad X sized bra....nude....a cup on each head...and the strap was attached under their chins. The whole department was hysterical....as was I. Of course, this was in the days before cell phone cameras....and I was not the camera nut I am now....so I did not have my Nikon in my purse. The only picture that remains...is the one in my memories....and those of the sales clerks. It was one of those Master Card moments....Priceless!

In My Daughter's Eyes

I was married for over 20 years the first time. It was not always easy....and I had many internal battle scars when I finally got the courage to walk away. It was not all bad though...something good came from this union....you see I have the most wonderful daughter in the world. She is not only my daughter...but one of my dearest friends. She has been my friend since the day she was born. I can't imagine life without her...but...that is not what this post is about. Many moons ago...when she was very young, Kat made me the ultimate Mother's Day card. I still have it and read it every single day. The front of the card...had a picture of a mom and little red haired girl....with a tree, bird, and flower. The construction paper was bright pink...of course...now...20 years later...it is almost white....and the words are almost gone....but I have them buried in my heart...When you open the card...there is her precious sentiment. It reads, " Moms are great, moms are grand, moms are everything but a man!" This card was my empowerment card. When her father and I separated and then divorced...I made sure I took it....so I would always remember...just who I was...in my daughter's eyes. If I never get another Mother's Day card in my whole life...this card...this card....made an impact on me. In my daughter's eyes....I am special! Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's in the blogging world. I hope you realize....just how special you are.

My Blessing

God creates a special gift in His heaven above

A gift that is full of joy and laughter

Full of sunshine and of love.

He places all of these wonderful things

along with a tender heart

inside a baby girl and blesses each precious part.

He gives her tiny rosebud lips

and the softest baby skin

and just when she seems perfect

He touches her once again.

Then he sends her to her family

through her earthly mom to be

and she blesses all who love her

for all eternity!

I know the Father does these things

that only He would do

for there is no other way to explain

a blessing such as you!

by Thena Smith

The first big outing at only 7 days old. In the south the Fourth of July is a definite Bar B Que must. She is not terribly thrilled with the concept of the hot outdoors and the smell of searing ribs.

Christening Day is here for Kathryn. She looks very excited about getting that christening gown off and something more comfortable on. I can't say that I blame here. The material they make those things out of would drive anyone nuts!

At the World's Fair in Knoxville, TN in 1982. How awesome to have been part of something so large when you are so little. Her favorite part was feeding the fish.

Dream on little broomstick cowboy, dream while you can......

They grow so fast....one day you turn around and they are holding on to your finger learning to walk and the next day they are readying for college......

BFF's at Eric and Roulaine's wedding at Mistletoe Bough - a local bed and breakfast. Kelli Knox, Raegan Lemmond, Jill Blair, and Kat. All the pretty maidens lined in a row.

And the last phase is....when they put on the white dress....and become someone's wife. Where did all the time go? I still have so many memories....and boxes full of photos.....but....I can't save time in a bottle.....and it truly does march on...whether you want it to or not. Jan and Kat both married the same year. Kat in May and Jan in June. It was a busy year for bridal showers, weddings, and parties. I would not have missed a minute of it.

The end....or is it? Her saga continues.....part 2 - Life with Brian

A Kat Tale Part 2

...I tried and tried to get my mother, who was in Albany, GA for the weekend, but was unsuccessful. The mother in me wanted to be mothered....needed to be mothered. About six that night I caught them as they walked into their house. Small talk eluded me, so I dropped the bomb and heard the connection break between us as the hum of the line replaced our voices.

Prayers continued. People heard the news and came. Kathryn slept. With the help of the medication the weekend slid by with ease for her. She needed to rest because the hard part for her was just beginning. Sunday and Monday we returned to the ER for dressing and debriedment(removal of the dead skin). Sunday was hard for us all. We had to take turns being with her for support as the treatment process took place. I lasted no more than ten minutes, Ronnie lasted even less. My cousin, Amanda, who is a nurse, was a real blessing. On Monday I felt at peace, so I stayed in the treatment room the entire time they were dressing her legs. Tuesday we had to see our regular doctor. Dr. Harrow was quasi-optimistic as he touched, sniffed, and then dressed Kathryn's legs. A million questions ran through my mind. Would there be scars? Would they be grotesque scars? How long would her legs take to heal? Dr. Harrow finished his examination and turned to face me. His comments left me feeling hopelessly hopeful. In his calm, reassuring voice Dr. Harrow shot straight from the hip. "Karen and Kathryn, I won't lie to either of you, this is bad. There is a great deal of damage, but Kathryn is young and the young heal faster than someone older. There may be some scaring and there may not be. Hopefully the burned areas will fade, but it will take a long time. Kathryn is such a fair-skinned individual. She will have to be kept out of all sunlight for the rest of the summer and you will really have to watch her sun intake for a long time. Anytime she goes out into the heat, protextion will be a must. You are one lucky young lady, Kathryn. I know you don't see this now, but in time, you will definitely see how fortunate you are." Dr. Harrow felt that physical therapy was a definite plus, so he scheduled us for ten days of whirlpool therapy and wanted to see us at the end of the ten day period to decide a further course of action. We left the office quietly. Kathryn and I had wanted Dr. Harrow to tell us that this would be better soon, and we didn't exactly get what we wanted.

When we got home I called the Physical Therapist to make an appointment for our first visit. The Therapist told me to make sure that Kathryn was well medicated when we came because the treatments would be very painful at first. I would not understand the full impace of these words until the next afternoon when we showed up for our bath and dressing....