Like The Orphan Needs Home Once Again

It's not Mother's Day, I know. But my mom leaves for Romania tomorrow, so today she gets her own blog.

That's right, my mother is going to Romania. My mom has been to Canada, TJ and Costa Rica. When she remembers Costa Rica, she always talks about the horrible roads (funny, they're not much worse than NOLA). And now, when she has plenty of vacation time saved up, and expendable income that could allow her a tour of the UK or another trip to Hawaii, she is going with Medical Teams International to help the children of Romania. She's going to train foster parents and teach parenting skills. And, of course, love on the small children. This woman sees a baby and goes crazy. Get it all out now mom...you gotta give your baby love somewhere.

But I'm feeling pretty selfish today. My mom is going to be gone for two weeks. Two weeks! Not even when I was in Centro did I go that long without hearing from my mother. I get an email or a text message every day. What if I have a crisis? What if something good happens? What if, once again, I go shopping and need to tell her what I bought? Oh, wait, I'm forbidden from that. But everything else--two weeks and no Mom to talk me down from my inflated crises or listen to my silly whines or check on me when I don't email her back within an hour.

Still, I'm so proud of you, Mom. You could've easily let your fears outweigh you. You could have given up before you even started, believing there was no way you could raise enough money to go. With all my medical issues, it would have been easy to fall back on that and use it as an excuse not to go. I know you're nervous. But the nervousness has not been enough to keep you from going. God has called you to live out your faith by using your talents. You have an incredible ability to care for people and to get them to share their fears and dreams with you. You will be able to show God's love in truly amazing ways.

You leave tomorrow, Mom. You will see things that break your heart. But you will experience so much that shows you how people mend those cracks, how we cope and how even those who seemingly have nothing are able to give everything. You will return and you won't be the same as you were when you set foot on the plane. You'll find it hard to describe to those that weren't there. But try. Try, because people need to know where there is pain and heartache and joy and wonder. You're not just going out to see somewhere new. You will carry a piece of the places you go with you. So be warned--this will change you forever.

Be able to be broken. It's worth it.

I love you Mom. And I'm so proud.

From all of the NOLA crowd (everyone together now): Be safe now, ya hear?

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Now playing: Led Zeppelin - Living Loving Maid
via FoxyTunes