Honduras Mission Trip

The Lord has really blessed Dusty and I with some amazing friends!! We are so thankful for all of them!!! One of the couples we are extremely thankful for would be Trey and Heather Powell. They are such a great couple and wonderful friends! We always enjoy our time with these two!! Plus, our dog Nash and their dog Delta are B.F.F., so we have lots of fun when we get together! Dusty met Trey during their first year of medical school and really hit it off! In fact, Trey was a groomsmen in our wedding. Heather and I soon became friends as well and I love spending time with her! She is such a sweet person and a GREAT cook! ( As long as she doesn't make something with green peas) :) Heather just recently graduated from medical school at UAMS and will be starting her residency soon! A little over a week ago she went on a medical mission trip to Honduras. Dusty and I have been praying over this trip since we found out she was going to go. I had actually planned on posting about her trip and asking everyone who reads this blog to pray for them as well. Then I was going to have her guest blog about her time in Honduras. If you read this blog then you know this obviously didnt happen and I. Feel. TERRIBLE about it! Seriously! I feel like the worst friend ever!! Luckily for me Heather is a sweet sweet friend and still wanted to share her trip with everyone who reads this blog, Did I mention she is really sweet? ok. Anyways, ya'll welcome my first guest blogger Heather Powell....

Greetings! I am so excited to share a summary of my experiences on my recent mission trip to Honduras!The trip was truly a blessing for our team members. We arrived safely in San Pedro Sula on Saturday, May 28th and began our 7 hour drive to the small coastal village of Limon. We had to stop in La Ceiba to buy groceries for the entire week as it was a 4 hour drive to the nearest grocery store from where we stayed in Limon. Upon arrival we unloaded the medications to replenish the supply in the pharmacy at the clinic. One of the unique characteristics of the clinic we worked in is that it operates perpetually. Different teams from the states come throughout the year. For instance, we were leaving on a Friday, and another team of physicians was arriving on Sunday to work the following week. This clinic is able to provide year round care! When patients run out of their medications, they simply come back to the clinic, see a doctor, and get their refill.

Having just graduated from medical school one week before, this trip was especially meaningful for me. One of my desires when I entered medical school was to be able to use my skills as a physician in the Lord’s service through medical missions. Finally after 4 years of medical training, I was able to serve in the mission field as a physician. The joy that I felt on the first day of clinic as I ministered to the people of Honduras by treating their physical ailments is indescribable. I had the overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where God wanted me to be at that moment, and I knew that I was there only because of His provision in my life in all of the experiences that brought me to this place.




My first day in clinic as a "real doctor"


Throughout the week, we treated many of the illnesses that we see in the United States: Diabetes, Hypertension, Ear Infections, Gastritis, Reflux, etc. However, there are other medical issues that we rarely see in our society. The city of Limon is on the “Mosquito Coast” of Honduras so this leads to a high prevalence of Malaria. Also, due to the extreme poverty and lack of a public sewer system, there are issues with sanitation and potable water sources. Many of the people, especially the children are infected with parasites and amoebas as a result of sanitation problems. Due to lack of access to nutritious foods, we saw children who were anemic and malnourished. In spite of all these things, the people were joyful and grateful for our presence.

The children were so sweet. The kiddos in the states always scream when I try to look in their ears, but the little ones in Honduras sat perfectly still and never complained.

This sweet lady put on her Sunday best to come see the doctors.

We had the opportunity to go and have clinic in two local villages. One of these villages was an hour away, and the terrain was rugged, requiring a truck to get there. Unfortunately, even with most of our team riding in the truck bed, we only had access to two trucks which was not enough to transport our team of 22, including missionaries and interpreters. We prayed that God would provide a way for us to go to the village of La Fortuna. One night as we were eating dinner, there was a frantic knocking on the door of the mission house. There was a lady having chest pain and shortness of breath. She thought she was having a heart attack. She was brought in to the clinic and we discovered that she had recently stopped taking her blood pressure medication. She was found to be extremely hypertensive and she was very anxious as a result. We calmed her down, gave her medications to lower her blood pressure, and within the hour she was feeling much better. As the docs treated this lady, our mission leader was visiting with her husband, who happened to be the Mayor of Limon, who also happened to own a truck. He was so thankful that our team had helped his wife that he graciously agreed to let our team borrow his truck so that we would be able to make the journey to La Fortuna. This story is just one example of how God provided for our team through the week. We are so thankful for all of the people we had back home, partnering with us in prayer.

Riding in the back of trucks to the clinic at La Fortuna

The roads in the mountains were pretty bumpy

Our team of physicians! (Left to Right) Hunter, Heather, Kris, Clyde and Lloyene.

In summarizing our trip, I have to mention the orphanage in Limon called “Leonarda’s Home of Hope.” The Carolina Honduras Foundation which runs the clinic where we worked during the week partners with this orphanage to provide resources and funding. All 47 of the children who live at the orphanage are orphans from AIDS. However, all of the children are HIV negative. Though the living conditions at the orphanage are primitive, the children’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs are provided for. Through an abundance of financial contributions for the trip, our team was able to purchase tables and chairs for the orphanage. Prior to this purchase, there were around ten old rickety chairs and two tables at the orphanage. As a result most of the children simply sat on concrete floor to eat their meals. Now they can each enjoy their own chair as they sit at a table and eat their meals. Visiting “Leonarda’s Home of Hope” made our whole team aware of the simple blessings in life that we take for granted. For more information about the orphanage visit http://www.leonardashomeofhope.org/.

One of the kids at Leonarda's Home of Hope sitting in a NEW chair

Some of our team at the orphanage

Thanks to Allison for letting me share my experiences as a guest blogger and for her prayers and support for the trip. If you would like more information or if you would like to join the team next year, send me an e-mail at hlpowell85@gmail.com. I'd love to chat with you about future mission opportunities. And, if you are reading this, please send up a quick prayer for all the sweet children at Leonarda's Home of Hope.

Cupcakes and Cocktails!

Hello! Hello! It's been awhile since I posted. I have been super busy and just havent had the time.....sad! Even though it has been almost two weeks since my Mother's birthday I wanted to do a post on the little birthday happy hour we threw for her. 

So I decided I wanted to throw my mom a party when I found out my Aunt Patti and my Grandmother would be coming from Mississippi to join us for Memorial weekend. My mom's birthday was on the Thursday before so I thought it would be so fun to have a big birthday bash Saturday night with friends and family. After talking to a few of my mom's friends I quickly realized that a birthday party on Memorial weekend was NOT going to happen! I mean what was I thinking?!?!? It's such a busy time with cookouts, golf tournaments, lake trips, etc. It also didnt help that I decided to throw this party on the Monday before which gave me only a week to send out an invitation! Even though my dreams of throwing a big party were crushed, I still wanted to do something nice for my sweet Mom. So I came up with the idea of having a surprise Cupcakes and Cocktails happy hour at 5:00 on the Friday after her birthday. It was such a great idea if I do say so myself! It was a nice way to kick off a weekend of activities and I mean who doesn't love a Happy Hour!?!

I had originally planned on purchasing cupcakes from one of our fabulous cupcake bakeries in Little Rock. Then I stumbled across recipes for peach bellini and strawberry daiquiri cupcakes and decided I just had to make those instead. Since I only had a few days to prepare and it was a happy hour I really wanted to keep things simple. For food I decided on just serving cupcakes with few salty snacks to balance things. For my cocktails I did a "Tickled Pink" champagne cocktail and wine.  Then just decorated with a few flower arrangements.  I think it all turned out pretty cute! Plus, we were able to surprise my Mother which is nearly impossible to do, and everyone had a great time! Success!!!



Tickled Pink Cocktails



Some of the "bar food" I served in giant martini glasses





Extreme close up of one of the arrangements



Chilling the wine



I COULD NOT get this picture to rotate correctly, but I wanted a picture of one of the arrangements. So imagine it right side up or cock your head to the right. :)

 



Surprise!



Birthday hugs!



The birthday girl showing some of her guests some love!





Me and Sweet Shawna- Thank you sooooo much for all of your help!!!





Because every Birthday Girl needs to make a wish and blow out candles, I crammed some candles into a cupcake....Delightfully Tacky!!



Make a wish!



Cheers!

  It was such a fun time! Thank you to everyone who came and showed my Mother some Birthday Love! Also, a special thanks to my Aunt Patti who kept my Mother busy all day and to Shawna Young for all her help! I could not have pulled this off without you two!

* I realize there are not any pictures of cupcakes in my Cupcake and Cocktail post. The reason for that is I could not get them to load. It was drving me CrAzY!!!!!! So I gave up trying for today, but will try to get some up soon!

Ten Ways to Love

1.Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)
2.Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)
3.Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)
4.Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
5.Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
6.Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
7.Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)
8.Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)
9.Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
10.Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

Spinach and Orzo Salad

Last night for dinner I was in the mood for something light and easy. I also wanted something I could make without going to the grocery store. This salad was PERFECT! I had all of the ingredients aaaaand it was light, easy, and delicious!!! It's a great salad for those Hot Southern (or Northern) Summer nights! Try it!

*Sorry I do not have a picture of this salad. My camera battery is dead and I can't find my charger....Sad!

Spinach and Orzo Salad

1 1/2 cups of uncooked orzo pasta
1 (10oz) package of baby spinach leaves, finely chopped ( I love spinach and this just wasn't enough for me so I added more)
1/2 pound crumbled feta cheese
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
3/4 c of pine nuts, - next time I make this I may try toasted pine nuts
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
A pinch of garlic powder
1/2 cup olive oil- (I actually did a TAD bit more than half cup)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar- (I actually did a TAD less than a half cup. I was worried 1/2 cup would overpower the other flavors!)
I really wanted to add chopped artichokes, but I didn't have any. So, next time I make it I will!

Directions
Cook orzo as directed. Then drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and add the spinach, feta, onion, pine nuts, basil, white pepper, and garlic powder. Toss with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate and serve cold.

See?! Now isn't that easy....give it a try! Let me know what you think and if you made any changes.

Love,
Allison

Impatiently Patient

  

 I'm trying to learn how to "patiently" wait and it is TOUGH!!! I want things right when I want them or think I need them, but instant gratification is not always part of God's plan for me. Sooooo, I am working on being more patient and trusting in the Lord's timing!  Please remember me in your prayers as this is something I am really struggling with!! Thanks so much!!

Love,

Allison

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him... Psalms 37:7

                                                               Just Wait

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; quietly patiently, lovingly God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate, and the Master so gently said, "Child you must wait."

"Wait? you say 'wait'," my indignant reply, "Lord, I need answers. I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked and am claiming your Word. My future and all to which I can relate hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me Wait?"

"I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign, or even a 'no' to which I can resign. And, Lord, You promised that if we believe we need but to ask and we shall receive. And, Lord, I've been asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate. As my Master replied once again, "You must wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut. And grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed, then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mind, and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead, cause the mountains to run."

"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have what you want, but you wouldn't know ME. You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint; you'd not know the power that I give to the faint. You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there; you'd not know the joy of resting in ME, when darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love as the peace of my spirit descends like a dove; you'd know that I give and I save (for a start), but you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart, the glow of my comfort late in the night, the faith that I give when you walk without sight, the depth that's beyond getting just what you asked, of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, what it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee." Yes, your dreams for that loved one overnight would come true, but, oh, the loss...if I lost what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to get to know ME. And though my answers seem terribly late, my most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".

A Rainy Day Read

If you have a dog or have ever had a dog then you should read this book...it is great!!



Praise for The Art of Racing in the Rain

“The Art of Racing in The Rain has everything: love, tragedy, redemption, danger, and--most especially--the canine narrator Enzo. This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human.” (Sara Gruen, Author of Water for Elephants )

“I savored Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain for many reasons: a dog who speaks, the thrill of competitive racing, a heart-tugging storyline, and--best of all--the fact that it is a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair.” (Wally Lamb, Author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True )

“The perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs; that compassion isn’t only for humans; and that the relationship between two souls...meant for each other never really comes to an end.” (Jodi Picoult )


All of this yucky weather has given me the perfect opportunity to snuggle up and read. I bought this book a year ago and lost it before I had the chance to read it, buuuuut what once was lost now is FOUND!! Wooo Hoo!! Anyways, have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? I find myself constantly curious about what goes on in our sweet little Nash's head! Like, I wonder if he likes my baby talk/voices or if he thinks I'm just a mumbling moron, or does he ever even have thoughts!?! Well, this book is all about what goes on in the mind of a dog. In fact, the whole story is told from a dog's perspective! Read this book..it is great! It is such a sweet read that also gives an answer to that age old question of, "what is my dog thinking?"

A little bit about the book
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.


I mentioned in another post when I finish a book if I really liked it I always say, "I hope they make this into a movie!" I did not say that about this book-only because I already knew it was being made into a movie! :) I believe it is supposed to hit theaters in 2012 which means you have plenty of time to READ the book BEFORE you see the movie!!!


In honor of this book I am posting some pictures of our sweet fur baby Nash. Enjoy!
Love,
 Allison
(P.S. I choose to believe Nash likes my voices and thinks I'm a complete genius, but that's just me!)



Sweet Baby Boy!

Snoozing!

  

Nash retrieving his duck