This week I may have made a slightly minor impulsive decision. I know this may not surprise many people, but this was even a little crazy for me.
The story begins after Nojah's recent surgery. I called our surgeon Dr. Rose to ask whether or not Nojah should play football this year (that's another story) and at that time he informed me that he was headed to Bangladesh again in December for a medical trip for 10 days and invited me to come along. This is something I have yearned to do and have talked about since before I even got my nursing license.
When Tob got home I could barely wait to tell him the news. I probably spent over 20 minutes telling him all about how wonderful this opportunity was and I understand all the pro's and con's and I REALLY really want to go and he said "Just do what you need to do honey." (this is one of the many reasons why I love this man) However, keep in mind I have gotten excited about other opportunities much like this one, that I have never followed up on. So the question is....
Did he believe me?
Nojah overheard me talking about the trip and stated that he wanted to go. Jokingly (or not) I said "well, maybe you could go with me, then Lex and I can go to Haiti and work next year." He thought that was a great idea. I think Tob ignored us. I smiled and then put the thought in the back of my mind for then next 2 1/2 weeks.
Talking with some girls at work I found out the deadline was Aug 3rd to sign up, so I quickly did some figures in my head and everything seem to work out, so I asked for the time off, after all it was only 4 out of the 10 days I needed off to go. I was told by my boss if I could cover it myself then I could go. Lucky for me I have the BEST nurse friend ever who in less then 12 hours checked with family and called another nurse to help her cover the 4 days and then so kindly told me to GO. I love her for this and many other reasons as well.
After receiving Chelsea's email I talked with Dr.Rose and fully committed to going on this trip. Here's the kicker....During this time I was also talking with the doctor about Nojah maybe coming along and he replied..
"I think Nojah could come. He would have fun playing with the boys at the orphanage, and helping with some of the medical. My two older daughters will be doing VBS programs, so Nojah could help them with that too."
Well, Tob has been away on a fire with no cell coverage, so not only did he not know I was going he had no idea I intended to drag his son 1/2 way around the world to one of the poorest countries in the world.
So that being said, I continued to leave Tob messages, please call me when you can. When he did call I started with how his week was going, slowly moved into by the way I committed to the Bangladesh trip in December and then said....
"However, I couldn't commit to someone else going until I asked his father."
Then he said "You want Nojah to go?" I said "yep" then again described all the pro's and con's and talked up what extraordinary experience this would be for him. Eventually he said yes without much hesitation. Another reason I love this man, because I have to say if I was on the other end as a mom I would have a hard time letting go and sending my child and husband off 1/2 way across the world to a 3rd world county without coming along.
I have had both perma grin and butterflies since I have fully committed me and Nojah to this exciting adventure. Here is the 1st paragraph of the info Dr. Rose sent me in regards to the trip. This is what excites me so much.
I would like to say again that you all are embarking on an opportunity of a life-time! The country of Bangladesh is one of the poorer countries in the world, along with being the most densely populated country in the world. Because of this, Bangladesh has opportunities for service at every turn. (Bangladesh has ½ the population of the US, but the size of the country is the same as the state of Iowa!) Bangla Hope is an organization who’s founders have been working in Bangladesh for nearly 16 years. Currently Bangla Hope owns and operates an orphanage with 104 kids, along with 13 Primary level Village schools with over 500 students. In addition, they operate a dental clinic in Dhaka, and have just recently built a medical clinic (see www.banglahope.org).
So we will be gone from December 27th through January 6th for this amazing trip, only a month after we get back from Spain and Morocco. In 3 months we will have traveled in 3 different continents. WOW! I encouage everyone to check out the banglahope organizations website. I personally know those who run it and it's a 100% valid organization where everything benefits the people of Bangladesh.
Medical Clinic
The story begins after Nojah's recent surgery. I called our surgeon Dr. Rose to ask whether or not Nojah should play football this year (that's another story) and at that time he informed me that he was headed to Bangladesh again in December for a medical trip for 10 days and invited me to come along. This is something I have yearned to do and have talked about since before I even got my nursing license.
When Tob got home I could barely wait to tell him the news. I probably spent over 20 minutes telling him all about how wonderful this opportunity was and I understand all the pro's and con's and I REALLY really want to go and he said "Just do what you need to do honey." (this is one of the many reasons why I love this man) However, keep in mind I have gotten excited about other opportunities much like this one, that I have never followed up on. So the question is....
Did he believe me?
Nojah overheard me talking about the trip and stated that he wanted to go. Jokingly (or not) I said "well, maybe you could go with me, then Lex and I can go to Haiti and work next year." He thought that was a great idea. I think Tob ignored us. I smiled and then put the thought in the back of my mind for then next 2 1/2 weeks.
Talking with some girls at work I found out the deadline was Aug 3rd to sign up, so I quickly did some figures in my head and everything seem to work out, so I asked for the time off, after all it was only 4 out of the 10 days I needed off to go. I was told by my boss if I could cover it myself then I could go. Lucky for me I have the BEST nurse friend ever who in less then 12 hours checked with family and called another nurse to help her cover the 4 days and then so kindly told me to GO. I love her for this and many other reasons as well.
After receiving Chelsea's email I talked with Dr.Rose and fully committed to going on this trip. Here's the kicker....During this time I was also talking with the doctor about Nojah maybe coming along and he replied..
"I think Nojah could come. He would have fun playing with the boys at the orphanage, and helping with some of the medical. My two older daughters will be doing VBS programs, so Nojah could help them with that too."
Well, Tob has been away on a fire with no cell coverage, so not only did he not know I was going he had no idea I intended to drag his son 1/2 way around the world to one of the poorest countries in the world.
So that being said, I continued to leave Tob messages, please call me when you can. When he did call I started with how his week was going, slowly moved into by the way I committed to the Bangladesh trip in December and then said....
"However, I couldn't commit to someone else going until I asked his father."
Then he said "You want Nojah to go?" I said "yep" then again described all the pro's and con's and talked up what extraordinary experience this would be for him. Eventually he said yes without much hesitation. Another reason I love this man, because I have to say if I was on the other end as a mom I would have a hard time letting go and sending my child and husband off 1/2 way across the world to a 3rd world county without coming along.
I have had both perma grin and butterflies since I have fully committed me and Nojah to this exciting adventure. Here is the 1st paragraph of the info Dr. Rose sent me in regards to the trip. This is what excites me so much.
I would like to say again that you all are embarking on an opportunity of a life-time! The country of Bangladesh is one of the poorer countries in the world, along with being the most densely populated country in the world. Because of this, Bangladesh has opportunities for service at every turn. (Bangladesh has ½ the population of the US, but the size of the country is the same as the state of Iowa!) Bangla Hope is an organization who’s founders have been working in Bangladesh for nearly 16 years. Currently Bangla Hope owns and operates an orphanage with 104 kids, along with 13 Primary level Village schools with over 500 students. In addition, they operate a dental clinic in Dhaka, and have just recently built a medical clinic (see www.banglahope.org).
So we will be gone from December 27th through January 6th for this amazing trip, only a month after we get back from Spain and Morocco. In 3 months we will have traveled in 3 different continents. WOW! I encouage everyone to check out the banglahope organizations website. I personally know those who run it and it's a 100% valid organization where everything benefits the people of Bangladesh.
Medical Clinic 
12 comments:
Wow! I am really happy for you. I know Tim has expressed wanting to do something like that (not medical, of course). I am not as adventurous but think I need to rise above my fears. I sponsor a young girl in India through Rising Star Outreach. She just recently sent me a postcard with her photo on it. Perhaps someday I'll get to meet her. I was just reading about volunteering there and maybe it's time for Tim and I to save up some money... I am so excited for you and I think it's a GREAT opportunity for Nojah. Your kids have no idea how blessed they are to have these opportunities. Good for you! http://risingstaroutreach.org/
I realize I got ahead of myself in my comment. Not only did I just get a postcard from Angeline I also get handmade notecards from her expressing her love for me and also telling me about herself, etc. I have received emails with pictures of activities, etc. she is involved in. Rising Star is an organization that helps leprosy-affected people. Because the children of those afflicted with leprosy are also considered unclean they are often left to fend for themselves. Rising Star has a school for the children and also makes micro loans(?)...I can't remember what they're called... to the leprosy-affected and all kinds of good works. It amazes me that one mom started the whole organization and how it has grown. I am going to check out Bangla Hope for more inspiration. People are good and I love knowing about the good in the world and not focusing on the bad. Anyway, I love you and am proud of you for your decision!!!
Oh, another BTW... You have an AMAZING husband!
soooo glad you get to go!! sooo glad you have such a nice nurse friend!
I have to say how proud I am of you, Dawn. When you were a teenager, I never would have dreamed that you would be traveling all around the world providing humanitarian aid. You are awesome. What a great experience for you and Nojah. You are setting such a wonderful example for your children and fulfilling a dream that you have talked about since before you graduated nursing school. Needless to say, I am a proud mother and grandmother. the people of Bangladesh will be lucky to have such a compassionate person even if for just a few days. ILY.
It occurred to me that I probably should have written a more personal email with all that stuff (above) in it. Sorry for that!
Don't be sorry, I love all the comments :-) Nojah and I are both very excited. Karen you are right I do have one amazing husband and Chelsea, you are right I have one great well appreciated nurse friend, Thank you!
wow- awesome! I can't imagine packing up all the time and traveling! You are so adventurous! I think I have too much anxiety to do what you do! I'm glad you are so excited and you get to do what you love!
Nojah must think you are the coolest mom! 3 countries in 3 months is so exciting. I know the service opportunity will set such a good example for Nojah in the future. I'll be anxiously waiting for pictures from all your adventures!
WOW!! That is awesome! Chris would love to travel around the world, and maybe someday we will. What an amazing opportunity! Oh, and awesome hikes in your last posts. I'm so jealous of all the time you get to spend in those beautiful mountians. Oh, and say "hi" to Sandy for me. she used to practically live at our house....she and Crystal were really good friends
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