River of Hodgepodge

June is here, and so is the Hodgepodge. Many thanks to our host Joyce for the great questions, and to all who hop around the interwebs making visits to the HP bloggers. Just click on the button below to visit Joyce, after you have enjoyed my answers of course!

1. Have you learned more from success or failure? Explain.

I think we learn more from failure, hard as those lessons may be. In the words of Bill Gates:  "It's fine to celebrate success, but it's more important to heed the lessons of failure."

2.  What did you call your grandparents when you were growing up? If you have children, what do they call your parents? If you have grandchildren, what do they call you?

I called my paternal grandparents Granny and Gramp.

 My maternal grandparents were Pampaw and Mamaw.

Our children and their cousins call Jim's parents Grandpa and Grandma.

And my parents are Nana and Boomie to their grandchildren. I suppose the Boomie needs a bit of an explanation. Our son David, the first grandchild, liked to play my brother's drum when he was at my parents' house. Since he could say 'Boom Boom', like the drum, my dad taught him to call him that. It eventually evolved to Boomie or The Boomster.

And I'm Granny to our three (soon to be four) little grands.

3.  You're invited to a luau.  In keeping with that theme, what dish will you bring to share?

Hmmmm.... something with pineapple, I guess. 

Pina colada?

4. Besides Jesus, what one person's life story do you think everyone should know about?

There are many strong, brave, and inspirational people, and it's difficult to choose just one. I'm sure there will be lots of interesting answers, but my first thought (two thoughts, actually): Anne Frank and Mother Teresa.

5. "Don't sweat the small stuff." Agree or Disagree? Why?

Agree. And it's really all small stuff.

6.  June is National Rivers Month. When were you last on a river? What's the prettiest river you've ever seen? What's a river you'd like to see?

The last time I was on a river was last September when we took the ferry across the Mississippi from New Orleans to Algiers.

As for the prettiest river, you really can't beat the view of the Ohio from the point at Hanover College. I attended Hanover for three years before finishing my degree at Purdue, so I'm an honorary alumni. :) The alma mater makes reference to the river in the first verse:

High above a stately river,

Far from mart and town, Stands our noble Alma Mater, Looking proudly down.

We, her children, sing her praises, Live our loyalty.

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater! Hanover, hail to thee. 

And, of course, I can't forget Jennifer's famous reference to the 'Atomic River'. Atomic, Potomac, whatever.

A river I would like to see? The Seine, because that means I would be in Paris.

7.  Speaking of rivers-paddling, fishing, swimming, or bird watching safely from the shore? Which activity would you choose? Yes-you have to choose.

I can't answer this question without recalling a canoe trip down the Little Miami River with my Uncle Bill and cousin Kent when I was about 12. Uncle Bill thought it would be great fun to take Kent (around age 6) and me on a canoe trip. We rented a canoe from a livery that trucked us upriver, put us in the water, and pointed the way back to our starting point. We were novice canoeists and weren't prepared for the rapids we encountered along the way. After making it through a couple patches of rough water, we came to a spot where the water ran fast, flipped the canoe into a low tree branch, and spilled us all into the water. Uncle Bill yelled for me to stay with the canoe, which was wedged into the branches. He went after Kent, who was floating down the river in his life jacket saying, "Dad, there goes our lunch! Dad, there go the paddles! Dad, there goes your hat!" Fortunately, Uncle Bill retrieved Kent, sat him on the shore, came back for the canoe and me, and we continued on our way. It was always one of Uncle Bill's favorite stories to tell.
And with that memory refreshed, I will choose bird watching safely from the shore. :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today is the birthday of my dear friend Ruthann. 

You may remember that she is currently undergoing treatment in her battle with leiomyosarcoma. Please say a prayer for her today, and if you would like to send her a birthday greeting or word of encouragement, you may do so on her Caring Bridge site or by email at rsmithdrbgs@icloud.com.

Happy Birthday, Ruthann! You are loved.

Diplomas and Dogs and a Birthday

A little Monday morning miscellany to start off the week. School is out in our neighborhood. High school graduations are done, and summer is officially started. If you haven't had the chance to read this post by Jen Hatmaker, it is a humorous (and honest) description of the way moms (and teachers) sometimes feel by the end of the school year. I remember that huge sigh of relief when the last project, last field trip, last awards program last spelling list, and last late-night announcement of something due tomorrow, was done for the year. Keeping track of five book bags, lunch monies, assignment books, Book-It lists (remember those?), and AR points (nearly the death of me) often made me feel like I was barely keeping my head above water. When that last bell rang on the last day of school? Ahhhhh, blessed summertime!

This year, our baby, Adam graduated from Purdue University. He received his diploma in the mail last week, making it official. And I am proud and happy and excited for the next phase in his life, and proud and happy and nostalgic for hectic school days, homework evenings, and crazy mornings getting everyone out the door in time for the bus. Don't blink.

Grandson Matthew also received some important documents as he finished up the third grade. Way to go, Matthew!

He spent his first day of summer vacation with me, and we started off with a trip to town for donuts, a stop at Rural King, and back home for a little building project.

Later, we went to the post office, checked out the farmers' market,

and had lunch at the Dawg Haus Diner with Adam.

Matthew chose a tenderloin over a dog (or dawg, if you prefer).

And this is how he let me know he was done with pictures for the day. Adam agreed.

On Saturday, Jennifer and Bryan left their dogs here while they attended a party. This blur is Bentley racing around the house.

And this is Emma wondering what in the world he is doing. Oh Bentley.

This was the perfect morning we saw on the way to church.

And this is my favorite son-in-law (with my beautiful daughter) who is celebrating his 30th birthday today. It's gonna be an exciting year for them! Happy Birthday, Bryan!

To Fondwa Went Dave and Jamalyn

Last night, we spent an evening celebrating Dave and Jamalyn's ten years of ministry in Haiti. And what an exciting ten years it has been!
I put together a little slide show for the party, and it was fun to look back on the photos of their journey. Here they are in Haiti ten years ago.

Dave and Jamalyn went to Fondwa

To Fondwa went Dave and Jamalyn

They were newlyweds

Ten years ago

See how their love has grown. 

And grown!

(A little ditty sung to the tune of Father Abraham. More verses to come.)

And here they are last night at the celebration.

We even had a very special visitor join us for the party. Sister Simone came all the way from Fondwa via a night spent in the Dallas airport due to weather-related flight delays. Quite an experience for someone who speaks very little English and doesn't carry an American cell phone. She made it though, and was still smiling to be with her David and Jamalyn.

Dave and Jamalyn met many friends

Sisters Simone, Carmelle, and Father Joe

They learned to speak Kreyol

Ten years ago

See how their love has grown.

And grown! New friends!

These are the women who helped with the party, although I believe I was an accidental member of the committee. :)

Table decorations included little Haitian flags.

The party also served as a fundraiser for some special projects in Fondwa. We are hoping that enough money will be raised to start a sustainable farm for the orphanage. Guests at the party were given the opportunity to purchase a pig, goat, or cow to help meet this goal. Want to buy a goat?

Dave and Jamalyn, they loved the kids

And all the kids loved Dave and Jamalyn

They taught them arts and crafts

And English too

See how their love has grown.

And grown! New friends! The kids!

We also hope to raise money to build a house for a family that does not have one. There were some handmade Haitian items for sale as well.

These beautiful carvings are made by some of our friends in Fondwa. They look great hung on the wall, or could be used in the center of a table.

Jennifer and Bryan have theirs hanging on the wall with their wedding photos.

Sister Simone made Kremas for the party. As the sign says, 'it is a sweet, creamy alcoholic beverage native to Haiti.' It is similar in consistency to a milkshake, and is served during the holidays or on special occasions. Yum! (I even got to bring the leftovers home with me. Cheers!)

Our family was well-represented at the party. 

Jen, who went on the trip with us in November, served as MC for the program part of the evening. Here, she is thanking folks for coming, and sharing ways for them to support the ministry. A cow would make a great gift for Father's Day!

Jamalyn's mom, Lois, wanted to add a little humor to the evening (shocking, I know), and did a little roast to her daughter. You may remember that Jamalyn gets in all sorts of predicaments in Haiti... hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. Lois used Jessica to model the necessary survival items for a trip with Jamalyn. It included a forehead reflector, rope, toilet paper,

and a little tiny bottle of Jack Daniels. To keep everyone calm.

Many friends of theirs went to Fondwa

They went in teams with Dave and Jamalyn

Now all those friends of theirs

Love Haiti too

See how their love has grown!

And grown! New friends! The kids! Work teams!

Here she is with a 'goat jaw bone' in case you need to make soup. Oh Lois!

Not a hurricane or quake of earth

Could crush the hearts of Dave and Jamalyn

Their hope and faith in God

Secure and strong

See how their love has grown.

And grown! New friends! The kids! Work teams! Strong faith!

The crowd enjoyed the entertainment.

As did Sister Simone. She may not have been able to understand everything that was said, but she could feel the celebration and love in the room.

The little ditty, mentioned above (remember, the tune of Father Abraham), was performed by a cooperative group of volunteers, including Jennifer, Jonathan, and Lois. The others in the group, Lisa, Deb, Holly, and Jen, were the coordinators of the event.

I, being the author and director, got to sit on the floor and hold the cue cards. :)

And for all of us who love Fondwa

Because of our friends Dave and Jamalyn

We look forward to

The next ten years

See how their love has grown.

And grown! New friends! The kids! Work teams! Strong faith! Ten years! AMEN!

After the silliness, Jessica gave a heartfelt toast to Dave and Jamalyn and the lives they have touched, the impact they have had, and the future of their work in Haiti. "To changing lives!"

Dave and Jamalyn, shy though they are :), had an opportunity to respond with thanks of their own.

Dave talked about going to Haiti together as newlyweds, never dreaming it would last ten years.
The commitment to Haiti, that is. Not their marriage. :)

He did have to clarify that one. Oh David!

And they wrapped it up by thanking everyone who has had a part in contributing to their home in Haiti. God has truly blessed their ministry, connecting each of their 'homes' along their journey: Duke -> Haiti  -> Milroy -> Greensburg -> St. Luke's.
They are gifted at making everyone they meet a part of their family, and that family continues to grow and connect and give and love.
Just like Dave and Jamalyn. AMEN!