Hello,
Today's second visit was nice. "Owen" had a bit of a biting-the-cushy-rails time when he was mad about not being allowed to play with the Christmas toys, but we recovered. Today we listened to Italian Concerto all the way through, and Violin Concerto in Em (I think, the site was Italian). He also spent time chewing over the picture of Mama & Papa, which (according to Maurice Sendak) is a great compliment.
Much time this evening was spent finding open-access music that wasn't Bach. I love Bach. But I also love Carnival of the Animals, Pictures at an Exhibition, Ma Mere l'Oye, Bolero (I'm especially curious about his reaction to this one - if you know it, you'll know why), and some Palestrina. And more Bach (Christ lag in Todesbanden, anyone?). And some Vivaldi and Purcell, to round out the week. We'll see what he likes.
Oh, and I just found some Cape Breton sets - grand fine stuff. I know Ana would like it, so here's hoping.
Also, I just got a small mission - see if I can find anything out about "Paul". So, we'll see.
And I keep drinking ginger+lemon+salt in hot water and eating raw garlic. They're starting to get sick at home, so I wish to be fortified. Plus, my poor translator is getting sick, too. Your prayers for health and endurance are appreciated!
In Christ,
Papa
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Day 2, Visit 1
or
"Owen" eats a banana
Today was the social worker observation visit, which I inferred from its similarity to last time with Ana - way too many people in the room, talking loudly. My translator mentioned it on the way out - 'Oh, I should have told you. That was the child protection officer.' Indeed.
But the visit went well - many fewer door attempts today, and I was able to let the nurse block many of them. "Owen" was interested in playing, ate a picture of Small Porgies (recoverable), and chewed some on Christ the Good Shepherd, which Aunt Cathy assures us is what kids are supposed to do. I mean, I guess Eucharist and all that.
"Owen" let me swing him on the play swing for a while, which was good. Most of the time, my pocket was playing lo-fi public-domain Bach that I found online. We listened to Brandenburg 1, and to the first two movements of the Italian concerto in F. This seemed to be well-received, and I added Violin Concerto in E just now. Maybe I will make some more playlists if I can get my phone to cooperate and find good stuff.
The nurse brought a banana, which seemed to be a rare treat. He wanted to eat the peel. He stuffs. He wants to have his hands on the food. But he chewed and swallowed. My handkerchief saw a deal of duty. Tomorrow I am supposed to be able to observe/help feed lunch.
But the visit went about 50 minutes, until "Owen" was determined on the door, and we said Ciao. I think it was productive. Though he's very willing to try to get any adult to play with him, he seemed content to be redirected to me most of the time.
Now I have a drink of ginger, lemon, and salt, since the translator is sick, and I feel like I may be getting it. I've popped two cloves of garlic already, and have lots. So maybe you can pray that we stay healthy over here. And that Mama and the kiddos don't get sick, in case this is an AZ bug.
And my head is healing. Big scab, but behind the hairline, so not very gruesome. Hopefully vespers tonight - the apartment is two klicks from the church, but the driver says he will drop me off and pick me up. Perhaps he will come, too - he is "just regular Christian", which is funny to hear, since in America (from an adult, anyway) it is often an evasion because a) you don't go to church, or b) you're ashamed of belonging to some oddball fringe group and don't want to explain. Here it means Orthodox, and possibly (a) as well.
Thank you for your prayers. Please keep it up. God is the Lord and has appeared unto us, granting the world the great mercy!
In Christ,
Tatko
"Owen" eats a banana
Today was the social worker observation visit, which I inferred from its similarity to last time with Ana - way too many people in the room, talking loudly. My translator mentioned it on the way out - 'Oh, I should have told you. That was the child protection officer.' Indeed.
But the visit went well - many fewer door attempts today, and I was able to let the nurse block many of them. "Owen" was interested in playing, ate a picture of Small Porgies (recoverable), and chewed some on Christ the Good Shepherd, which Aunt Cathy assures us is what kids are supposed to do. I mean, I guess Eucharist and all that.
"Owen" let me swing him on the play swing for a while, which was good. Most of the time, my pocket was playing lo-fi public-domain Bach that I found online. We listened to Brandenburg 1, and to the first two movements of the Italian concerto in F. This seemed to be well-received, and I added Violin Concerto in E just now. Maybe I will make some more playlists if I can get my phone to cooperate and find good stuff.
The nurse brought a banana, which seemed to be a rare treat. He wanted to eat the peel. He stuffs. He wants to have his hands on the food. But he chewed and swallowed. My handkerchief saw a deal of duty. Tomorrow I am supposed to be able to observe/help feed lunch.
But the visit went about 50 minutes, until "Owen" was determined on the door, and we said Ciao. I think it was productive. Though he's very willing to try to get any adult to play with him, he seemed content to be redirected to me most of the time.
Now I have a drink of ginger, lemon, and salt, since the translator is sick, and I feel like I may be getting it. I've popped two cloves of garlic already, and have lots. So maybe you can pray that we stay healthy over here. And that Mama and the kiddos don't get sick, in case this is an AZ bug.
And my head is healing. Big scab, but behind the hairline, so not very gruesome. Hopefully vespers tonight - the apartment is two klicks from the church, but the driver says he will drop me off and pick me up. Perhaps he will come, too - he is "just regular Christian", which is funny to hear, since in America (from an adult, anyway) it is often an evasion because a) you don't go to church, or b) you're ashamed of belonging to some oddball fringe group and don't want to explain. Here it means Orthodox, and possibly (a) as well.
Thank you for your prayers. Please keep it up. God is the Lord and has appeared unto us, granting the world the great mercy!
In Christ,
Tatko
The more it snows
tiddily-pom
the more it goes
tiddily-pom
the more it goes
tiddily-pom
on snowing.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Day 1, Visit 2
The second visit went well for the first 40 minutes, then "Owen" got bored. I was insufficiently clear; phrases like "He's worn out now" don't register with non-native speakers. Nothing bad happened, but "Owen" spent most of the last 20 minutes sidling towards the door, trying it, and being gently redirected. The translator had explained that the Baba comes at 4:30 - I thought we were waiting, so I only said the ineffective phrase twice. Now I am reminded to be clear and direct. I don't want visits to be interminable captivity in an overstimulating playroom, and I believe we are only required by law to have one hour each day. I cherish the time, but he seems big enough to know when he's done, and I wish to respect that as reasonably as I can.
All in all, "Owen" seems well, and seems to be well liked. But the presence of the Christmas-donation toys in the room (which are verboten) is not helpful. Oh well.
He seemed more interested in me, and we walked around the playroom a number of times, him tugging my hand if he wanted to me hurry up, me tugging his hand if he started fidgeting with mini blinds. He was responsive to this level of redirection, which is good. The afternoon nurse was not as well beloved as the morning nurse, but it was fine.
Now I've eaten supper, whacked my head on an open cabinet door (drawing blood - laminate corner!), and am about to put together the last section of my Thermo lesson for my dutiful students who are doubtless ready and waiting to see when Thursday's lecture finale will post early so they can watch...
Thank you for your prayers, and please also remember the Glewwe family as they travel next week - it's homecoming with a very delicate girl, many days of kicking around Sofia, and a long flight.
Please keep Mama and the kiddos in your prayers.
In Christ,
Papa
All in all, "Owen" seems well, and seems to be well liked. But the presence of the Christmas-donation toys in the room (which are verboten) is not helpful. Oh well.
He seemed more interested in me, and we walked around the playroom a number of times, him tugging my hand if he wanted to me hurry up, me tugging his hand if he started fidgeting with mini blinds. He was responsive to this level of redirection, which is good. The afternoon nurse was not as well beloved as the morning nurse, but it was fine.
Now I've eaten supper, whacked my head on an open cabinet door (drawing blood - laminate corner!), and am about to put together the last section of my Thermo lesson for my dutiful students who are doubtless ready and waiting to see when Thursday's lecture finale will post early so they can watch...
Thank you for your prayers, and please also remember the Glewwe family as they travel next week - it's homecoming with a very delicate girl, many days of kicking around Sofia, and a long flight.
Please keep Mama and the kiddos in your prayers.
In Christ,
Papa
Visit 1
I wish that I could post photos of the visit, but I can't. It was a delight to see "Owen" again after about two and a half years. He is very verbally receptive, still no expressive language, and very energetic (hyper was the word Toni used...). The play room at DMS-3A is much improved, and really quite astounding. If I had to design a playroom, it might have looked like that.
But, it's the visit playroom (though it was so new, I didn't have a sense of whether the kids use it regularly), and it was a lot for "Owen" to take in, so he was somewhat overwhelmed - ball pits do that.
However, I sat and talked and watched and tossed an O-ball around with him a bit. I have so little Bulgarian that I can't say much to him, but I can read some from his face. He wasn't much interested in me until the nurse stepped out for a bit, then he warmed up and tried to make me open the translator's water bottle to get him a drink. I offered him mine, but he was quite insistent on the crackly disposable one, and used hand-over-hand to show me what he wanted me to do - this was pretty great. He's very able to communicate his desires. The nurse brought him a tin of water to drink, which he did by himself, using two hands, with minimal spilling (the bouncing induced by lots of stimulation I suppose).
Speaking of stimulus, he appears to have a few of the "standard" institutional stims, like playing with clothing, occasional head bonking (on the soft rail of the play area, and not violent), and chewing (on the same rail). Some kind of mouth-toy will probably be a helpful transitional object.
He's on 3 meds, and I got the BLG-pronounced names, but I need to get an actual med sheet before I go. The report on his self-feeding was good (and his drinking was fine). Tomorrow I have asked to be with him at a mealtime, either to help (if needed) or observe.
He has some gait issues, but nothing looks terrible, just like a boy who hasn't had enough outdoor time and running. He was mildly interested in photos of the kids, but has no reference for rabbits (pictured with Took & Porgies). He can sit on the toilet, but uses diapers due to signaling issues - something we presently understand from Porgies... who doesn't use diapers, and just occasionally uses the floor if he's too focused. He'll have a friend...
Praise God, they were happy to have two visits per day, so we return in about 40min. Now I am recording thermo lectures in the flat we have rented, which is very nice (once you are inside). Photos below.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for he is good, alleluia, for his mercy endures forever and ever, alleluia.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Papa
But, it's the visit playroom (though it was so new, I didn't have a sense of whether the kids use it regularly), and it was a lot for "Owen" to take in, so he was somewhat overwhelmed - ball pits do that.
However, I sat and talked and watched and tossed an O-ball around with him a bit. I have so little Bulgarian that I can't say much to him, but I can read some from his face. He wasn't much interested in me until the nurse stepped out for a bit, then he warmed up and tried to make me open the translator's water bottle to get him a drink. I offered him mine, but he was quite insistent on the crackly disposable one, and used hand-over-hand to show me what he wanted me to do - this was pretty great. He's very able to communicate his desires. The nurse brought him a tin of water to drink, which he did by himself, using two hands, with minimal spilling (the bouncing induced by lots of stimulation I suppose).
Speaking of stimulus, he appears to have a few of the "standard" institutional stims, like playing with clothing, occasional head bonking (on the soft rail of the play area, and not violent), and chewing (on the same rail). Some kind of mouth-toy will probably be a helpful transitional object.
He's on 3 meds, and I got the BLG-pronounced names, but I need to get an actual med sheet before I go. The report on his self-feeding was good (and his drinking was fine). Tomorrow I have asked to be with him at a mealtime, either to help (if needed) or observe.
He has some gait issues, but nothing looks terrible, just like a boy who hasn't had enough outdoor time and running. He was mildly interested in photos of the kids, but has no reference for rabbits (pictured with Took & Porgies). He can sit on the toilet, but uses diapers due to signaling issues - something we presently understand from Porgies... who doesn't use diapers, and just occasionally uses the floor if he's too focused. He'll have a friend...
Praise God, they were happy to have two visits per day, so we return in about 40min. Now I am recording thermo lectures in the flat we have rented, which is very nice (once you are inside). Photos below.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for he is good, alleluia, for his mercy endures forever and ever, alleluia.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Papa
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Warnings that could have happened
...but have not yet:
"We respectfully request that guests refrain from eating bread over the lavatory sinks."
"Will the party whose toiletry bag is labeled 'Acorn Squash' please report for additional screening."
"Will the tall man in row 33 please allow the man in front of him to recline?"
"Church closing, you please go now bye bye OK?" (Well, this one did happen...)
On the Ground
I am here.
The here on the way to there.
The jet-birds flew far and fast. The weather is fair and cold. My shoes are wet, but I deserve it. Not wet through. And crumbs of brown bread fall on my computer.
I have devoured Michael O'Brien's The Island of the World en route. I do not regret it, but I regret it. I can never ride the same currents in the same way again, and they were wonderful. But there are always new currents to ride. He is a strange one. But it is a good tale.
Now I am at Budapest again - the hotel, not the city. And it is lunchtime - or early dinner - or whatever you call the last meal of a day that will end up being about twenty-eight hours long, eaten at 15:30 local time.
My shoes are wet because of walking. As soon as I put my bags in my room. To Sveta Sofia. By a long cut. Then to the dm for a shaver, and Billa for dinner: two sausages, apple, cucumber, mlyako, and the aforesaid bread. Time to dry the shoes a bit, then go back for vespers at Sv. Sofia at 5pm.
And we now have a Bulgarian Molitvenik. I will be combing it for good things for "Owen". So far I've found the Lord's Prayer and the Trisagion. I still have malka balgarski.
Please pray that I would get rest, that "Owen" and I would hit it off tomorrow, for Mama and the kiddos in the States, and for God's mercy through the hands of His people upon orphans and widows, of whom there are many in the world now.
Gospodi, pomiloyi - Lord, have mercy!
In Christ,
Papa
The here on the way to there.
The jet-birds flew far and fast. The weather is fair and cold. My shoes are wet, but I deserve it. Not wet through. And crumbs of brown bread fall on my computer.
I have devoured Michael O'Brien's The Island of the World en route. I do not regret it, but I regret it. I can never ride the same currents in the same way again, and they were wonderful. But there are always new currents to ride. He is a strange one. But it is a good tale.
Now I am at Budapest again - the hotel, not the city. And it is lunchtime - or early dinner - or whatever you call the last meal of a day that will end up being about twenty-eight hours long, eaten at 15:30 local time.
And we now have a Bulgarian Molitvenik. I will be combing it for good things for "Owen". So far I've found the Lord's Prayer and the Trisagion. I still have malka balgarski.
Please pray that I would get rest, that "Owen" and I would hit it off tomorrow, for Mama and the kiddos in the States, and for God's mercy through the hands of His people upon orphans and widows, of whom there are many in the world now.
Gospodi, pomiloyi - Lord, have mercy!
In Christ,
Papa
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Trip 1
Hello,
We are excited to announce that Papa will get to go for the first visit in the third week of January. Please pray for all parties involved, especially Mama at home with the kiddos.
The rubber is meeting the road! Thankfully, Ana will be back in school, but please pray for the peace of the brothers with their baby sister.
Thank you to those who have supported us in prayer and financially. The Reece's Rainbow page is linked again below, and we are very thankful for all those who love orphans.
http://reecesrainbow.org/104297/sponsorminer-2
(From the Great Litany)
For the peace of the whole world and the salvation of our souls let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
...
For seasonable weather for abundance of fruits of the earth let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
For travelers by land by sea and by air, for the sick and the suffering servants of God let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
...
Let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God...
To thee, O Lord.
In Christ, (because where else is there?)
Papa
We are excited to announce that Papa will get to go for the first visit in the third week of January. Please pray for all parties involved, especially Mama at home with the kiddos.
The rubber is meeting the road! Thankfully, Ana will be back in school, but please pray for the peace of the brothers with their baby sister.
Thank you to those who have supported us in prayer and financially. The Reece's Rainbow page is linked again below, and we are very thankful for all those who love orphans.
http://reecesrainbow.org/104297/sponsorminer-2
(From the Great Litany)
For the peace of the whole world and the salvation of our souls let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
...
For seasonable weather for abundance of fruits of the earth let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
For travelers by land by sea and by air, for the sick and the suffering servants of God let us ask of the Lord...
Lord, have mercy.
...
Let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God...
To thee, O Lord.
In Christ, (because where else is there?)
Papa
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