GAME ON!

YES!
We received Visa approval. Or HE was approved, whatever. You get the drill.

that was it! it's the big call! the "honey, i think it's time" moment.

So I am buying tickets (yes, 4 there, 5 coming back) to Manila. the biggest layover is in Seattle - so we may fly out the night before and just stay with Grandma for one last night. Grandma is ALWAYS good for grandkids.

so it is looking like 3/3 - 3-11 ish. and YES that means my 40th birthday will be spend doing one of the best things of my life!

yipppeeeee!

Skyping with Rey

We get to Skype with Rerey every so often. Normally the line breaks down, or the picture is horrid - or the sound is bad. This was an exceptional call, on New Year's Eve - the boys were really connecting.

We would like to provide newer equipment to the orphanage so more families can begin connecting to their kids faster. It is a tremendous help - i know i will look back fondly to the good ol' days! (but i really can't wait to get his fanny here in the US!)

so you hear we're having a yard sale...

you may have read the note coming home last week saying that some friends are having a yard sale to benefit the Orphanage in Manila where our son is currently lives. Folks have been asking me a few questions about it, and i am guessing that there are more people wondering - they just don't ask. so here are a few questions and answers for you - i'll post more as they come.

• When is it?

It is Saturday, March 20th. Still working on the details, but the plan is to have it at Washington School on 15th between Lemp and Ridenbaugh. Looks like there will be drop off/sort night on the 19th after school. more details as we get close...

• Why can't we just ship items directly there? Why do we need to send money?
  

There are several reasons not to ship items - it is costly and SLOW and in addition, there's customs to deal with. I sent a Christmas package to Rerey and it took over 9 weeks to get there. i mailed it right ofter Halloween. Didn't make it until the new year.

another reasoning behind sending money is that often what we have to send is not what they need. For example, a used laptop (or computer peripherals or whatever) may not work with the power there - we'd be better off purchasing the items there - we have connected with many people there who will do our legwork.

You may have heard that we're bringing vitamins and other things - we will be bringing a suitcase for Rey to use coming back - and it WILL be packed full of supplies that are expensive, rare, or just a treat (hershey bars!!).

• The sale is after you return, don't you need the money to give them? If you have Rey home, why do you want to send money there?
  

We will pass the money to the orphanage. How much we raise will determine what all we do with it. We may label a portion for computer updates and give them the rest to do with as they se most beneficial. We will consult with social workers to see the best way to handle this.

we believe strongly that we need to continue to provide support to this great orphanage. They do amazing work there. If you want to talk to me more about their outreach and loving support, i'd be happy to talk!

• Can I just give a little money?

sure you can! (we'd be crazy not to take it!!) you can contact Catholic Charities of Baltimore : email Ellen Warnock ewarnock@catholiccharities-md.org, she'll get you to the right person. Tell her you want the money to go to My Father's House in Manila. Or you can give us a check (easire, but you miss out on the tax deduction...)


On a side note, we are so thankful to have a supportive community around us. This will be a really bittersweet time for a lovely boy leaving the only life he has ever known. You will be a huge part of helping him feel secure and rooted. Providing support to his friends back in Manila is an extremely large part of this. Thank you thank you thank you.