Poetry?

By Kaitlyn

I'm taking a creative writing class this semester, and the first half of the semester we are writing poetry. Now, I love to write, but I am not a poet - I've only written a few poems in my life, so this class is stretching me in my creative thinking. The wonderful thing about it is the freedom we have to write poems about anything we want. Anyway, tomorrow I have to share a poem with the class so that they can "workshop" it - basically critique my poem, tell me what they like, what they don't like, and how I can improve it. I'm pretty nervous about this, since the whole class will have a copy of my poem and I have to read it out loud. So, I thought I'd try to get over my nerves by posting my poem on here first:)

Haiti’s Child

Little fingers wrap around
the orange gate as brown eyes
light up, as excited shrieks escape
little mouths.

I hesitate. If I enter their world
I will never come back.

Haiti’s child is the
song my heart is waking up
to sing –
to belt out loud and strong
with no inhibition.

I cannot hide this song,
so I open
the gate to twenty pairs of arms
reaching up to me,
just me,
and they’re not even a fraction.

Haiti’s child is hungry,
thirsty, sick, poor, illiterate,
orphaned.
I am wealthy, educated,
well-fed, comfortable,
loved.

I know, I have seen,
I am burdened.
Haiti’s child is a passion
burning fiercely inside
at a frightening rate,
threatening to overtake me.

Random Thoughts From Dad

Here are some thoughts out of my mind on this Monday Morning (with apologies to Bob Talbot, the old Detroit Free Press writer who wrote a weekly column entitled "Out of My Mind on a Monday Moaning"):

Loved seeing the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I despise the Patriots. I have always loved rooting for the underdog - it's something I learned from my Dad while watching sports. Unless he was a fan of one of the teams, he always rooted for the underdog. I find New England is so cocky and arrogant. Bill Belicek is a cheater and Tom Brady is a pompous idiot in my book - so it was fun seeing them get beat. Also enjoyed seeing former Spartan Plaxico Burress catch the winning TD. It was a touching interview after the game when he broke down and cried. I also enjoyed Tom Petty's halftime performance, but he sure is looking old.

I'm enjoying winter in Cincinnati. We had a sunny weekend around 5o degrees. I went for a walk on the walking trail near our house on Saturday with shorts and a sweatshirt. This evening it had to be near 60 degrees. I was outside on the back porch trimming my goatee without my shirt on - and I wasn't cold. It's suppossed to be 66 degrees tomorrow. I thought I might miss the snow, but it's really nice to not have any lingering snow. It snows here, but it generally does not stay. The first snow of the year, I woke up and shoveled the driveway. At work, I told everyone that I was surprised that I was the only one in my neighborhood to shovel. The people at work laughed and said, "we don't shovel, because it will be gone by noon."

I'm really enjoying the primaries and the entire political process. I really like John McCain, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. We have brute honesty and integrity (McCain), brillance and a total command of the issues (Clinton) and a true charismatic, electric person with new ideas (Obama). It will be interesting to see what happens. I predict Clinton versus McCain with a Clinton victory as America has it's first woman president.

It's January, so it's the busiest month in the club business. Work is busy, but I'm enjoying it for the most part. Nice, kind people - members, staff and the Mercy administration.

Karen and I are enjoying our new "wellness" life. You wouldn't believe Karen. She is buying Bison meat, cod liver oil, coconut oil, range free eggs and all sorts of other healthy treats. We are also getting five workouts in per week. Karen is totally into spinning now and never misses her Monday evening spinning class. We both feel great and are looking forward to getting our weights down. Karen is focused on following the Chris Johnson On Target Living method of getting the cell healthy.

Well, it's time to go to bed.

I'm looking forward to seeing Kaitlyn and Nick come home for spring break towards the end of the month.

Take care and blessings to all,

Mike

kaylee and kylee are 6!!!

Happy Birthday Kaylee and Kylee! I love these little girls so much. They have brought so much joy to our family. For those who don't know, Kay and Ky were adopted from Haiti by my sister and her husband, Karla and Rod. They have been home since April 2003, when they were 14 months old. They are in Kindergarten and are learning to read already.

Happy Birthday and I love you very much!

Love,

Aunt Karen

Nick Finally Posts...

I haven't posted in a GRIP (in Nick language, that means a long time). Things are going well in East Lansing, and classes have had a pretty good start. Like Kaitlyn, my desire to study has been extremely low. I like my German classes: I am in one class that is strictly a German language class (GRM 302) and one that is a German Culture/Lit class after 1918 (GRM 342). I am also taking a class called Applications of Biomedical Science, which is actually very interesting. My fourth class is called Music and Society in the Modern World. We are learning about jazz. This class is very boring. I am trying to change my attitude though. I think..no I KNOW..that we have the choice in life whether to enjoy something or not. I can make studying a pain, or I can enjoy it and make it fun, not a chore. We can't change our circumstances in life, but we CAN change how we respond to them. I choose to respond positively.

Yesterday I worked something called the Assessment Center. It is for people applying to be Resident Mentors (RA's) and they are placed into groups and have to do activities. I was a judge, determining who would continue in the Mentor Selection process and who would be cut. I wasn't looking forward to it, but it ended up being fun. I felt bad when I checked the box that said "DO NOT HIRE" for one girl, but you got to do what you got to do!!!

I am officially going to Germany this summer for a study abroad. I will be gone May 15th to June 30th. I am very excited!

Church was good today...great worship. A lady fell asleep in church and I BUSTED OUT LAUGHING. tough crowd!

dr. appointment

I had another check up at the doctor today. I will have another MRI on my remaining breast next Wednesday, otherwise no changes. I will see him every 3 months until July, then go to every six months after that. The MRI is because six months ago they saw some "lesions" that were not "defined" and they think it is just because I went to a new place and the technique is different, but they want to compare this MRI to my last one.

Usually, I dread these doctor appointments mainly because it is a reminder of the whole cancer ordeal. Today wasn't so bad. I'm feeling so strong and healthier than I've been in a long time. I'm praising God for my joy and health!

I've also been in contact with the Cleveland Clinic regarding breast reconstruction. This is something I've prayed about and really want to proceed with this procedure. The CC is four hours away from Cincinnati so it will take some "juggling" to accomplish this. The surgery is pretty major, but I feel the outcome is well worth it. The procedure I want to have is called DIEP Flap Reconstruction. No muscle is cut and you basically end up with a tummy tuck when it is complete. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Clinic is the closest facility that does this reconstruction. Tim's observation (that I commented about under Mike's post about Tim) really spurred me on to make the call this week. Every time I look in the mirror it is a reminder.

Tim, Julia and I are having a good weekend, so far. They had the day off from school and wanted to open a savings account. Julia was so excited about this. When we left, she was practically squealing. She had saved up quite a lot of money. They gave her a "Jeannie" card to use and she had a lot of fun using it for the first time.

Mike, I hope you enjoyed The Breakers tonight with your family!

~Karen~

a lot on my mind

by Karen

This day has me thinking about a lot of things. I am encouraged and filled with hope, but am feeling anxious. I don't understand why.

In December, I met an adoptive mom from our church. Kim adopted a now 12 year old girl from the Ukraine. (why do you say "the Ukraine?). She and her husband are organizing a summer hosting program here bringing over 15 orphans ages 11-15. These kids may or may not be "adoptable" but they want to give them an experience of what a "real home" looks like and feels like. These kids have no idea as they are living in an orphanage. I know what that looked like for Julia and Mike and I know first-hand that they don't come with an attitude of gratitude. They come missing their "home" and missing their friends, not understanding the language, not liking our food, and have emotional issues that vary from child to child. Mike and I are praying about hosting one of these children. They would be with us for two months, so almost the whole summer. I am nervous about his and excited at the same time. I get excited thinking how we could have a positive impact on the life of an orphan who doesn't have a family. Then, I wonder, are we up to the challenge? I don't want to live my life in fear. I want to trust God and live my life for Him. I have a heart for orphans! Whether in Haiti, Russia or the Ukraine. God calls us to "......look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27b I just have a lot on my mind.

Mike is off to Florida tonight to celebrate Gramma Mary's 80th birthday. I am hoping he has a wonderful, restful, time with his family. It's just me, Tim and Julia for the weekend. Have fun Mike!

I've been doing pretty well with my new way of life! Every day is a challenge on some level. Today, I just wanted chocolate. I didn't have any....but the desire is there. I pray for strength. It is a mind game and I commit this to God when the desire comes. There have been some victories...I've lost 8 lbs and am down to two diet cokes a day. Yay God! I visualize my cells getting healthier when I eat my cod liver oil and flax meal. ;-)

Tim wants some attention. He is telling me I like blogging more than playing with him. Quite a guilt trip. Julia has a friend over, so he's feeling left out.

update from ann arbor

By Kaitlyn

It's been awhile since I posted, so I thought I'd update everyone a little on my life! I've been back in Ann Arbor for a few weeks now - those annoying things they call classes started again so I've been doing that. It's weird, I feel really "checked out" when it comes to school. I think it's called senioritis - and I have it, majorly. I have a bad attitude about school and I recognize that I probably need to change it, but it's a struggle. In my head, I know I'm very fortunate to be getting an education here, but when I'm living it out - going to class, doing my homework - I don't feel very thankful. Anyone have words of wisdom on how to change a bad attitude about something you should appreciate? I could use it. OH - the big deal around here lately is that the University emailed all the seniors and told us that we cannot have our graduation at Michigan Stadium - which is where it's traditionally held - because it will be under construction. Instead it's going to be held at Eastern's football stadium. A lot of seniors got really mad and protested so I guess it might get changed, we'll see. I think it would be a little weird to graduate from U of M on Eastern Michigan's campus. But for me, as long as my family can all be there and I can graduate and get my diploma, I'm happy:)

This semester, I'm continuing as a student mentor in a 5th grade classroom at an Ann Arbor elementary school. I'm in the classroom 3 days a week for 2 hours at a time. I've been helping in this class since September, and I love it. I've gotten to know all of the kids, and have a close relationship with many of them. They're great. It's so good for my heart to be around kids.. I feel like I'm in my element when I'm spending time with them. My role is to be a positive role model, help them with school work, help them set goals, and encourage them. I've formed a really special bond with one girl in particular, and I think she is the reason God has me in this particular classroom.

Hmm what else.. this past weekend I went on a retreat with my church! It was a good time. There were four sessions with worship and teachings throughout the weekend, and there was also time to hang out with friends and seek God on my own. I came back excited and encouraged - the sermons were thought-provoking and challenging and got me excited. In the few days that I've been back, though, I really feel like Satan is attacking and throwing lies at me.. mostly that I won't really be able to do anything for God's kingdom, that it will be "too hard". It's a battle.. but I know that my God is loving and gracious and that if my heart is to follow him then he will use me to do wonderful things for Him. I want him to continue to work in me so that the fruit of the Spirit is evident in my life - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. In one of Brian Tome's sermons, he said something like, "God's fruit in your life is not the cool things you do on the outside, it's the beautiful things that spring up on the inside." I like that. I want to stay engaged in the moment, to really be present in each moment. Live life and take it in and be here now.

I miss you, family - D, M, N, T, J - I love you all like crazy.

-Kaitlyn-