D-Day Invasion- "Strange"-ly Imminent!! TRIP REPORT IS UP!!

[jordanyosh]

See! That's what I'm sayin'; a pinch of cayenne, or at the very least a few red pepper flakes. You know your stuff!

I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog right now...that sounds so good.

 

[marvali]

Okay Liesa, I don't think I was ever going to catch up, so I figured I would just join you here and try to hang on to this thread like riding the RnR at DHS! I can't wait to hear how things are progressing as your trip draws nearer!

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay Liesa, I don't think I was ever going to catch up, so I figured I would just join you here and try to hang on to this thread like riding the RnR at DHS! I can't wait to hear how things are progressing as your trip draws nearer!

Hold on tight...this puppy moves fast.

 

[winkers]

This was the reason that I had to find out what "American cheese" is - processed cheese.

"american cheese" is just nasty!!

I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog right now...that sounds so good.

do i hear a bell ringing???..........

ok, now I'm singing..."do you hear what I hear"...

 

[that's nice]

I remember that post! Bless your heart! We would have requested a room change - that is our dreaded POP view!!!

We usually are in the room to sleep so it really didn't bother me too much. I think being next to the staircase and ice machine was worse.

I thought I remember it being you. Glad my long-term memory stands in tact.

Hurray for you!!!!!!!!

You are good!

I had to laugh at this. I've lived just minutes from New Haven my entire life and I've still yet to have pizza at Pepe's or Sally's. When I was in college this was a source of endless fascination to the NY guys who would drive all the way out there just for pizza.

I will admit that Pepe's isn't my favorite but it is a nice treat when down in the New Haven area. Did you know there is a Pepe's at Mohegan now too?

CT pizza is the best.

 

[All7OfUs]

HI All,

I WILL get an update out sometime (my) today, but lots going on right now. Our passports with new visas are ready and we have to go get them, we sold the van today, and need to clean it out, etc....

Will also get to responses too! Thanks for being such a fun chatty bunch!

 

[TrayRene]

Maroo - I'm so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and in the hospital. I hope that they can come up with a diagnosis and fix you up quickly! I am praying for a speedy recovery!

 

[TrayRene]

Hi Liesa,

Sounds like a busy day ahead of you!

Just got all caught up. My sister and nephew from Boston came to visit for a few days. They left this afternoon.

Back to the Sanatoria - I think I would have been more comfortable sleeping back at the field where your husband was sleeping the first night of your trip! And the oatmeal - I like me some oatmeal but I think I'll stick to Quaker Oats! The hike however, looked heavenly!! The flowers were so pretty! And what a beautiful photo of you!

What a wonderful story of the man who found his way to God!

I would love to have seen pictures of the soldiers at the road block - but as Glenbo said - you probably would have landed in the pokey!!

The ginger carrot soup looked delicious! I'll have to try the recipe.
I love carrots - cooked or raw!!

Hope to see pics of the pups soon!!

Oh - and I have a spider story for you!! Sunday night my son came home from a friend's house and went up to his bedroom. He called out to me "mom - come up here - I have a spider in my room. Two seconds later he started screaming - mom -get up here quick - baby spiders are crawling all over my wall!! When I ran up to his room there were a ton of clear/greenish baby spiders on one of his walls, his T.V. and on the ceiling!! I felt like I was in the middle of a horror flick!! I sucked them up with the vacuum cleaner and had to spend the next evening vacuuming his whole bedroom - ceiling, walls, furniture,wash the bedding, etc - just in case there were any stragglers left (which of course there were)!! I found out his screen was out of his window and he left it open for days!! A spider must have come in and laid eggs!! All I kept thinking as I was vacuuming these creatures up and creeped out that they might be crawling on me was "the things we do for our kids!! He finally got the nerve up to sleep in there tonight. Thank goodness we haven't seen spiders in there for the last 24 hours!

 

[jordanyosh]

HI All,

I WILL get an update out sometime (my) today, but lots going on right now. Our passports with new visas are ready and we have to go get them, we sold the van today, and need to clean it out, etc....

Will also get to responses too! Thanks for being such a fun chatty bunch!

Bummer...I am wired right now....have a good day

 

[All7OfUs]

The two young ladies appeared, sleepy-eyed, but friendly, and got us checked in. The conference liaison had called them to tell them we probably wouldn’t show up until the 15th, but to be ready anyway, since we weren’t sure; so it was no surprise that they did NOT have our accommodations ready. UGH! They showed us to a room that had 3 beds in it, and told us they’d bring another bed. Hmmm….. let me count us again… 1 Mommy, 1 Daddy and 3 kids. 1+1+3 has equaled 5 since I was in kindergarten. As far as I know, it hasn’t changed; but, they tried the old, “but your kids are so small” routine on us. It didn’t work. My husband put his foot down, and told them under no uncertain terms that they’d be bringing in two more beds, and quickly. He was in no mood to mess around after driving for 13 hours, and wanted everyone to have their own bed; we’d been skimping on real beds for too long, and this was the last straw. I think they got the picture. They brought in TWO more beds, and we were assured that tomorrow we’d be divided up between 2 triple rooms- with more than enough space. And a bonus: at the end of the conference, when it was time to settle up the final bill, we were not even charged for this night (just the breakfast and lunch the first day) because of the mess up.

WDW vs. A resort in Central Asia: There's usually a bed for everyone. The first time. Even if you roll in at 11:00.

Quite refreshed, even after having gone to bed around 12:00, we were up for breakfast, because we had to be. Remember, breakfast is from 7:30- 9:00- no exceptions. Besides, the kids were raring to go explore their new digs! They’d heard there was a pool – and a water slide. Once out the door, there was no reining them in; for the next 4 days we hardly saw them but briefly here and there. I LOVE area retreats! A break for me, fun for them! There was another “like-minded” group having their conference there too, but our group was in another section of the village. I say this, because that’s how my kids knew that the kids were with our own group.

WDW vs. A resort in Central Asia: You can sleep in until whenever you want, and still get to eat.

We ate the first breakfast together (the only meal we all eat together for the next 4 days), and they were off. It didn’t take them long to find the kids of the one other family that had arrived the day before too. Soon they were settled into a card game- and who knows what else. Frankly, I didn’t care, as long as they didn’t drown in the lake. Really, there was little trouble they could get into so we let them enjoy their time with their new found friends.

WDW vs. A resort in Central Asia: You have to watch your kids more closely at WDW- here in Central Asia you don't worry about perverts pulling them into the bushes.

Mike and I took the time to get our room situation worked out with the conference liaisons and the vacation village staff, then set out on an exploratory walk around the grounds. It’s amazing what a cooler climate and a little water will do. Here are some shots of the flowers and setting we stayed in. It was certainly a breath of fresh air for us!

I also took a jog this morning. I went back to Week 5 Day 1, as I thought the higher altitude might mess me up some. The only thing that ended "messing me up" was the time I had to dodge a dead, rotting sheep carcass on the dirt road. You think I make this stuff up, don't you?! I desperately wished I had had my camera!


After a while, the bus from our own country, the bus that picked up the group who came down from Russia, and the cars of the Kyrgyzstan workers rolled in, and registration began in earnest. It was a joyous reunion with some really wonderful folks we’ve known for over 10 years- some had gone through our company orientation with us in Orlando back in 2000. (The trip we took in which we went to WDW also, and I did my flashback TR on in Pt. 2? of this PTR) In fact, quite a few of us from that group in 2000 ended up in Central Asia. And miraculously are STILL on the field!!!!

I won’t go into great detail about the wonderful preaching and worship and area updates we got over the next 4 days, but suffice it to say it was VERY encouraging, uplifting, exhorting, and all that-





but we’re still leaving. It’s time. However, I thought you’d get a kick out of one of the activities we did at each session. It’d be a fun thing to do with any youth group or ladies retreat or such…

At the beginning of each session, you announce that it’s "merit badge time", and that the person who has the most badges at the end of the week will get a door prize. It really helped to get everyone to the conference room and seated on time.

Think of some things that at least one or more of your group could earn badges about; things that might have happened in their work or family or just life. They really aren’t meant to be bragging rights or such, but really a testimony in how God has been working in our lives, and a way to see that many others have gone through the same things as you. It ended up being a very encouraging exercise, as well as something that sparked a lot of fun story sharing times at meals.

Here’s the list of some that we used for our group, in case you’re curious: (The ones I earned)

The Handwritten ones were: from registration- everyone got one of those. We listed where we are serving and for how long.

The Frozen Chosen Award: If you live in a place that gets more than 5 months of winter.

The Great Faith Award: For those who have kids living on a different continent, and have to entrust them to the Lord’s care.

Sardines: For anyone who has survived a car trip, public transportation trip, or road trip in which 3 or more people were sharing YOUR lap space, or were close enough that you could tell what they had had for lunch.

When in Rome Badge: This was for anyone who had paid a bribe or “expedition fee” for any service- intentionally or otherwise.

Movie Star Badge: These were given to anyone who has been on TV, the radio or the newspaper in their host country.

Iron Stomach: A special badge for anyone who has eaten anything rotten, fermented, or raw in their host country.

Lightened Load: The badge for those who’ve been pickpocketed while out and about. Pretty much everyone earned this one.

I didn’t’ earn the following, but a lot of others did:

Revolution Badge: Those who’ve had to flee a host country, or have survived, a revolution or coup in their host country.

Survivor Badge: For those who are still in their 1st term, and are here to tell about it.

The Red Cross Badge: For anyone who’s had to go through a medical evacuation- you could have earned one for every time. Some in our group have actually done 2 or 3!

Live Bait Badge: for anyone who’s been bitten by a dog, cat, bat, or any other animal with real teeth. (I immediately thought of this badge, when I got bit this week, and was sad that I missed out on this one, by only a week!!! I could have gotten a brownie mix!)

There were a few others, but I don’t remember what they are.

WDW vs. A resort in Central Asia: "Merit badges" (ie. pins) cost around $7.95 each.

Next up: A few pictures of the water fun, and guys’ day hike…

 

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, how is your hand doing today?

Everyday is a LITTLE better. I really thought it'd be a lot better by now, but it is still so stiff, and owie! But I can do more with it now, and I'm sure my daughter is grateful she doesn't have to keep unbuttoning my pants anymore!

Liesa- congrats on the 5K. Oh and the soup looked tasty.

Maroo - you will be in my prayers. I hope you have a quick and full recovery.

Thanks, GB! It was really hard, but at least I know where I stand with it now.

I realize now I was in a hurry (kids' first day home for summer vacation!) and I didn't introduce myself. I know Maroo from over on the Wish Trippers thread. Our son Mark's Wish Trip was in Nov 2008 just as Maroo was becoming more and more active - and helpful - over on that thread. I hadn't seen word of her hospitalization over there yet, so wanted to be sure she knew she had my prayers too! It sounds like you guys have a fun trip planned...and I hope all of you are in 100% fine form leading up to your trip!

And Liesa: This time last year I was having a hard time running 5K, just felt like a slug. I decided to set an ambitious goal and...with many months to train for it...I'm happy to say I ran my first half-marathon a few weeks ago! It was slower than I'd hope because of the heat, but I did it...don't worry about speed, or running/walking...the important thing is: YOU DID IT!!!

So nice to get to know you!! Thanks for taking the time to let us know who are you a bit! I think I've entered that "time" pre-trip, that everyone does; where you sort of start praying that no big accidents happen, everyone stays healthy etc....

Slug is a very good word to describe how I must look while running. My DH timed my first two laps- one walking, one running. The walk was 4 min., the run was 3 and 1/2- so I'm just sort of laughing. Like, if I just walked a wee bit faster, I could probably do the 5K faster than if I just ran it.

But yes, I did it, and I know it will get faster over time. I'm learning to be patient with myself.

 

[All7OfUs]

I only run when i am scared, or someone is chasing me.
I am a server in a restaurant, so always in a hurry and on the move. I don't actually know how to walk slowly...

congrats on the run.

Maroo, we all love you and what you accomplish, which seems to be the impossible at times, for your wish kids. Please know that our prayers are heading to you at all times. Good luck sweetie.

I'm ready for another update....just saying.....he he

KIM

Hi Kim!

Sounds like you hate running as much as me then. I like to be "on the move too", but it just wasn't enough for the jiggly problems that were creeping lower and lower down the legs. If I didn't want it to get worse, something more had to be done. And I know for sure, I wasn't in good enough shape to be hiking anymore, and I am really looking forward to that when I move back to the Northwest!! But I stil hate it.

Update especially for you...

maroo Bless your heart for posting from your hospital bed (and blessings for many other things about you too ). I'm proud of you for being so brave! I'm a wimp when it comes to any type of test that requires prep or is invasive in the slightest. Keeping the prayer fire going for you, sweetie!

Liesa, the soup is certainly pretty!!

Hope that hand it a little better today!

And it's so tasty too! (in my best Lucy voice)

Thanks, Christine! It is a teensy bit better today.

I like cooked carrots too As long as they aren't too mushy. But if it's soup, I'd still eat it. I like the taste of carrots.




Is "barium" similar to magnesium citrate that (as politely as I can be here) cleans out your insides? My grandma, who is 90 years old, just went through that to get a colonoscopy and had to drink two bottles of the stuff. She was in terrible condition the night before her surgery. Poor thing. You're right. It does NOT look like fun.

I know you'd like this soup! Ginger in one of my favorites to put in food- it's great in green beans too.

Speaking of cleaning out your insides. I'm feeling really icky today in my tummy. I think we ate some meat yesterday (in Pakistani curry) that was over it's prime. Cramps and nausea- bleck!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog right now...that sounds so good.

Roof, roof.

Okay Liesa, I don't think I was ever going to catch up, so I figured I would just join you here and try to hang on to this thread like riding the RnR at DHS! I can't wait to hear how things are progressing as your trip draws nearer!

Excellent plan! It's a wild ride this one- it all sorta took me by surprise as well, but I'm loving every minute!

Plans are mostly in place, but I have a few more surprises up my sleeve, including a game staring in a couple weeks!!

Hold on tight...this puppy moves fast.

Roof, roof!

"american cheese" is just nasty!!



do i hear a bell ringing???..........

ok, now I'm singing..."do you hear what I hear"...

It's ok on a melted cheese sannie once in a while- a long, long while.

ding dong,

A song, a song....

 

[winkers]

If only your dog had bitten you before the retreat!

the scenery is beautiful! I love daisies...they're my favorite flowers.

 

[jordanyosh]

That retreat center ALMOST, keyword almost, looks like something you'd go to out here. The surroundings look beautiful.

Nice to have the kids occupied and safe. It sounds like it gave you time to do some good fellowshipping and to receive from Dad.

 

[All7OfUs]

We usually are in the room to sleep so it really didn't bother me too much. I think being next to the staircase and ice machine was worse.



Hurray for you!!!!!!!!

You are good!

True about being there to sleep, but this trip, I"ve actually schedule IN balcony time! I want to drink my coffee with a nice view! And I agree, near the ice machine would be the WORST!!

Thanks, Tim!!

Maroo - I'm so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and in the hospital. I hope that they can come up with a diagnosis and fix you up quickly! I am praying for a speedy recovery!

i missed my window to call her this AM, so don't have a clue how she's doing.

Hi Liesa,

Sounds like a busy day ahead of you!

My hubby left to go get the visas and pay, so I can sneak a bit of DIS time in now. But the car clean out will be a whole family affair. My tummy is rotten today, so I'm actually contemplating going to bed- we're out of pepto.

Just got all caught up. My sister and nephew from Boston came to visit for a few days. They left this afternoon.

Hope you had a WONDERFUL time with them!! Family is most important.

Back to the Sanatoria - I think I would have been more comfortable sleeping back at the field where your husband was sleeping the first night of your trip! And the oatmeal - I like me some oatmeal but I think I'll stick to Quaker Oats! The hike however, looked heavenly!! The flowers were so pretty! And what a beautiful photo of you!

yeah maybe so. The cotton pads they had to sleep on were hard as rocks. By morning my hips ached!

It was a lovely hike- but straight up. Worked the kinks out of my aching hips, though.

What a wonderful story of the man who found his way to God!

Makes it all worth it! Many times over!

I would love to have seen pictures of the soldiers at the road block - but as Glenbo said - you probably would have landed in the pokey!!

The pokey is NOT somewhere I'd wanna be- talk about aching hips!

The ginger carrot soup looked delicious! I'll have to try the recipe.
I love carrots - cooked or raw!!

It WAS SO easy! I think it took about 20 minutes to make.

Hope to see pics of the pups soon!!

I have the pix actually, but need to upload them to photobucket. I'll try to get them posted in the next day or so. They sure are cute!

Oh - and I have a spider story for you!! Sunday night my son came home from a friend's house and went up to his bedroom. He called out to me "mom - come up here - I have a spider in my room. Two seconds later he started screaming - mom -get up here quick - baby spiders are crawling all over my wall!! When I ran up to his room there were a ton of clear/greenish baby spiders on one of his walls, his T.V. and on the ceiling!! I felt like I was in the middle of a horror flick!! I sucked them up with the vacuum cleaner and had to spend the next evening vacuuming his whole bedroom - ceiling, walls, furniture,wash the bedding, etc - just in case there were any stragglers left (which of course there were)!! I found out his screen was out of his window and he left it open for days!! A spider must have come in and laid eggs!! All I kept thinking as I was vacuuming these creatures up and creeped out that they might be crawling on me was "the things we do for our kids!! He finally got the nerve up to sleep in there tonight. Thank goodness we haven't seen spiders in there for the last 24 hours!

You are much braver than I! My DH would have been in there doing that special job! I have PTSS still from a couple of traumatic encounters with black widows growing up. I grew up in SoCal, and one time walked into a lawn mower shed and a few jumped out at me as I entered the doorway. That was the end of my getting too close! My dad's been bitten a couple times, and he sure was sick!

Bummer...I am wired right now....have a good day

Awww, I had already even posted the update when I saw this!! Hope you still could read it tonight! Sleep well!

 

[jordanyosh]

OH...I am still totally awake..

 

[All7OfUs]

If only your dog had bitten you before the retreat!

the scenery is beautiful! I love daisies...they're my favorite flowers.

Daisies always remind me of my aunt's wedding in 1971. Simple yet, pretty!

Yeah, I needed a dog bite before the retreat, so I could get the brownie mix.

That retreat center ALMOST, keyword almost, looks like something you'd go to out here. The surroundings look beautiful.

Nice to have the kids occupied and safe. It sounds like it gave you time to do some good fellowshipping and to receive from Dad.

You stealth poster, you! It really was a beautiful place! But unfortunately, the day we left, they had to close the entire place down for lack of business. They didn't have any more clients on the calendar for the summer. War is a nasty thing, and about 60 people lost a whole season of work becuase of it!! We were so sad, and prayed for them that day.

We were refreshed and filled- it's easy to take singing in one's heart language for granted!

 

[All7OfUs]

OH...I am still totally awake..

I guess it IS only 11:00 there. Early for a night owl like me. and you, apparently.

 

[jordanyosh]

I guess it IS only 11:00 there. Early for a night owl like me. and you, apparently.

I'll probably be up for another hour or two.

Singing in one's heart...hard for me these days.