On Mondays, I ride up to school on the back of moped.
I love it.
Clarification: I don’t love this picture, but I love the ride.
And I actually do this every day, not just Mondays, unless there is monsoon-like rains flooding all the streets, in which case I lug my 50 pounds of stuff to the bottom of the hill and try to nab a taxi in 3 feet of street water. It happens.
Sometimes on Tuesdays, we run errands.
Only the best kind of errands that are followed by more errands to the Coffee Dream. That is a real place, actually.
Every Wednesday I get to do speech therapy with this sweet little buddy.
Can I tell you about him? He didn’t speak AT ALL for the first few years of his life. He has started speaking since arriving at the shelter a few months ago, and now I get to help him practice specific speech skills and sounds like initial /k/ and /tr/. His cleft palate makes articulation very difficult, but oh-my-goodness. This little peanut has a spark in him that cannot be put out. He is really, really special and I soak up every second with him. Praise the Lord for the his thriving growth.
PS. Do you know what’s exhausting? Making the /k/ sound for 45 minutes.
Thursdays are good for ice cream outings.
Friday? Um, yeah.
There’s more where that came from comin’ up later this week.
On Saturdays we watch movies. Sometimes at home on the laptop, sometimes with the kids on the big projector.
For example, Boys’ Ten and Up Movie Night.
And of course, Girls’ Ten and Up Movie Night.
On Sundays we go to church. It’s so interesting and we love meeting the people there.
But our Midwestern bodies reeeeeeally struggle with the heat.
You know you’re not looking to good when an elderly woman takes a fan out of her purse and passes it down the row to you. Note to self: bring a sweat cloth and wear a thicker T-shirt.
Let’s follow that up with something to take your mind off me sweating. Like sweet nap time in the little girls’ room.
Seriously sweet.
So that’s what I do here, mostly. With whatever you’re doing (Labor Day? cabin? eating something with chocolate?) and wherever you are, I hope you’re having fun. Because you’re my favorites. 🙂
So amazing – good job!
You inspire me! 🙂
God Bless,
Bethany
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with ALL you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He shall keep your paths straight.”
I found your blog when searching for recipes on pinterest. What a blessing! My son spent part of his summer in Manila serving at an orphanage there called Gentle Hands. His heart’s desire is to now return there for more service. Thanks for sharing your journey and your recipes! God bless you and all those you serve!
Cindy
That’s awesome! I love hearing about other orphanages in the Philippines (well, anywhere, really). 🙂
Lindsay, I’ve been reading your wonderful recipes for a while now, but this post made me want to say “hello.” A part of me has always wondered what it would be like to do the important work of supporting an orphanage…it’s amazing that I can follow your story all the way in NYC. Thank you for sharing and doing what you do!
You blogs are my morning routine ( well that and a cuppa coffee ). I found you via recipes on Pinterest, Im so very glad I did. My family’s tastebuds are doing the happy dance . lol
We all think your doing an amazing thing working with the children in that orphanage, My 12 year old says ” kudos to Lindsay”.
I like this post.. You know what I like even more than this post?? The little pug in the bottom right of the page that pops up when I hover over it.. awesome.. just awesome! 🙂
well I’m not doing anything today except do some cleaning Tell me about that earthquake kind of scarry. Had lunch with your family after church ,met Bryce ,Kristen and Stehp were there of course .Mick is going to New O and help with cleaning up the mess there . I may visit next week end at Nancys for a few days hope alls well keep up the good work G’ma R.
love love love 🙂
What an awesome post! I love the scenes from your life – the moped, those bars and glaze, that sweet room with the pink valance…a fun peek into your world.
I absolutely love reading your blog and looking at your amazing photos! you make me smile and cry with it all! you and Bjork continue to be an inspiration to so many! best to you always!!
What a fun post! It sounds like you’re having a great time there (despite the heat)!
I absolutely LOVE reading about and seeing the pictures from your life in Cebu!!!
Great post 🙂 As a speech pathologist in Cairns, Australia I’m so happy to hear that kids with cleft palate are getting some of the help that they need! And yes, the /k/ sound can be exhausting 😉 Just out of curiousity, do they have therapists that come to visit the orphanages?
Yes! We have a therapist who comes every 3-6 months and trains some of the staff (like me) on how to do speech interventions. She also does lots of evaluating and writes speech goals for the kids. It’s awesome!
Sounds like you are settling alright 🙂 It did sound like a bit of a difficult start but I suppose its only normal when you go through such a major change of scenery:-)
It’s amazing you still find time and dedication to blog so frequent – well done:-)
There have definitely been ups and downs. 🙂 This week we’re on an up-swing.
Oh I just love these glimpses you share of your life….so inspiring. Who stole that middle desert bar 🙂 It is sweaty hot here in the midwest – crazy heat over Labor Day.
Thank you so much for what you are doing in the Phillipines! God bless you and your dear husband. I absolutely love to read your blog and keep up with what you all are doing.
Wow, blog friend Lindsay! You are truly the hands and feet of Christ over there … I loved reading your blog before you went to Cebu for the recipes, but now I read it for your Cebu updates! The Lord is using you powerfully over there – not only to show the children His love, but to share His love all over the world by sharing it on this blog! You are inspiring … can’t wait to read more! (P.S. – I’ve told my whole family about you! :))
Thank you for sharing your time and your amazing recipes with us, Lindsay. 🙂
Mabuhay! And again, salamat!
Love this insight into your life, you’re doing such a wonderful job there.
Absolutely glorious! Love the girls’ movie night! And even more, learning the real truth about the day-to-day! Ho-hum – your photo: so, pray, why were you not paid for that one? 🙂 !
You’re definitely lucky to have the strong conviction and determination that took you all the way to that end of the world to help those children, they’re lucky too!!!
Thank you for sharing a piece of your paradise with us!
Oh, Lindsay, my heart just aches for your sweet pile of “10 and up” girls. Each one of them deserves and will be such a blessing to their adoptive family. Thanks for capturing these faces and moments, these little glimpses into what is magical about your day to day life. You are SO missed!
They are quite the pile, aren’t they!? You would LOVE their spunky, sweet personalities. Lots of loudness and laughter with this crew! 🙂 Hope your first day back goes well!
The work you do is amazing! You are such a generous soul.
I just came across your blog and I love it! xx
adahliavolk.com
Hi. I work for an organization that provides free surgery and care for children with cleft lips and palates. My friends sent me this blog post and I would love to see if we can help with the boy you posted about. Please let me know as we’d love to help in any way that we can.
Hi Margot! Thank you so much for getting in touch! Our therapist has actually recommended that we hold off on another surgery for him for now, but I will keep your email (if that’s ok) and let you know if things change. Thank you again!! That’s so very generous of you.
Awesome post! I love all the pics! Brightened my day 🙂