We're Back

Perhaps I have confused you with my onslaught of posts about Victoria, and then my silence about it.  No, I did not fall out of love.  No, nothing terrible happened.  Yes, I'm back, and extremely happy about it.  You see, only three short weeks into our Victoria adventure the boys and I had to return to Calgary to take care of a few things, the most important of which was that I had to attend a birth, as a doula.  Although the baby chose to come a week late, and although I was itching to be back in Victoria, I was so glad to have been there.  I love what I do!  It was an amazingly beautiful birth, the momma laboured for 15 1/4 hours, pushed out her sweet baby in only 4 contractions, and nine minutes, held her newborn bundle on her chest for half an hour before any measurements or anything were done on her, and then breastfed right away. It could not have been more perfect!  I can't believe how much I love each of the couples and babies that I work with.  My favourite part is watching the dads comfort the moms.  The love I see in the eyes of a husband, watching his wife go through that to bring their baby into the world is absolutely priceless.  Honestly, I love what I do!

If you are wondering what happened with the Slave Lake collection, I'm happy to report that my friend Katey and her family we able to take full advantage of all the wonderful donations.  She still hadn't been home when she came by to go through the bags and bags of things, and she was able to take so many things that she needed for her family.  I was so overcome with the generosity of those who donated as I went through the rest of the things to organize it for donation.  With the outpouring of love from so many people, the people in Slave Lake were pretty specific about what they needed to be donated.  I was able to give what they needed, and anything that was left over I made sure it got to women in need in Calgary (through a few different shelters and organizations.)  Again, thank you so much for showing me what charity really is.  I wasn't the recipient of the donations, but I certainly gained from the experience.  To all of you who helped out, thanks!


Also while I was in Calgary I spent two entire weekends with Jared's family.  It was wonderful.  My nefew, Henrik (I saw him being born, too) was blessed at church, and there was a big family party afterward.  I love baby blessings, because everyone gathers together, not only to welcome the baby into the world, but to welcome them into the gospel, and as part of the plan of salvation.  I love seeing the babies surrounded by the arms of the Priesthood, held up by the worthy members of their family.  It is such a wonderful metaphor for the rest of their lives!  I love baby Henrik so much!

The next weekend I went to a Hudson Family Reunion, Jared's mom's family. I am so blessed to have made it into such a wonderful family. Seriously.  Some would think that a weekend with 50+ people would be a little overwhelming, but for me it was total comfort.  I wouldn't know what to do without the madness of such a big family around me.  We went to the zoo, partied at the church together, and otherwise just caught up on the lives of each other since the last Hudson gathering. I'm not sure how many people are as lucky as me to have in-laws that are as much family as their own. 

 

 Trying out ape arms.  Check out Eli's mean ape face.

 

 Eli helped Rhiannon be an ape, too

 You should hear Silas's peacock call. It's actually quite accurate.

Eli and Uncle Michael watching some baby goslings out the window (and yes, I realize that "baby goslings' is a little redundant, but that's what they are.)

 Silas and Aunt Rose.

And while we were at the zoo, we saw this guy:

He was over here, too.

And I think that brings me back to Victoria, where we have just two more weeks to see and do it all. I wish it were a month, or two, but I plan on making the most of it.  I really do love this place!

People Are Good

Yesterday I called for help for the people of Slave Lake, Alberta, who have been displaced from their homes because of wild fires on Sunday.  It's been amazing to see how people have come together to offer that help.  I've had phone calls and emails and visits to my home from people who want to help.  I love being able to watch it!

For those looking for an update, the town of Slave Lake has released a damage assessment of the town.  Being the technical genius that I am, I can't figure out how to put the image on the blog, but go to this link, and you will see it. Katey's home, luckily, is green. Green is good on this map.  The light pink is okay too, it just means taht your house is damaged, but it's still there.  The darkest pink: bad.  Those houses aren't actually there any more. They're gone. Destroyed.  Katey's is green.  That's good. But, here's the image showing you just how close she was to being pink.

See where the little computer hand is?  (Yes, I took a picture of my computer screen - maybe I am a genius.) That's where Katey's house is. Dark pink on one side, light pink on the other.  Katey said that the tree outside of her house is still standing and green.  However, no one has been back in to see the state of the contents within.  Smoke can be terribly damaging.

Looking at that damage assessment, you can see just how much need there is in Slave Lake.

If you missed it, I'm collecting donations for the people in Slave Lake.  Katey, specifically, and beyond her family, the entire community.  Katey's husband is in a position to be able to distribute the donations, so you know it will go to those in need. You can drop off any donations at my house in Calgary, or you can make monetary donations to my paypal at jennyvangy@gmail.com.  I will make sure that 100% of the donations get into the hands of those in need to rebuild what they have lost. You can also email me at the same address if you have any questions.  I have already been so impressed at the hearts of the people who have read my blog and reached out to help, and as I continue to pray for the people who have lost so much, I know I will continue to be amazed!

Call for Help

This past Sunday, May 15, the small central Alberta town of Slave Lake was engulfed in a wild fire that spread through the entire community destroying more than 40% of the buildings.  Their library was burned to the ground, their town hall decimated, the local radio station destroyed.

All 7000 residents were evacuated safely and are waiting impatiently to find out if they are among the lucky ones who have a home to return to.

My dear childhood friend Katey and her family are only a few of those residents, waiting in nearby Edmonton for official confirmation that their home still stands.  From aerial view photographs, and confirmation from a volunteer fire fighter, Katey is confident that her house is still there, but she has no idea the extent of the damage to the contents within.

Check out this facebook album to see more of the gravity of the fires.  I honestly am just so sad for all those people who have lost EVERYTHING!

I'd like to make a difference here, help out the people who have lost it all.  I have spoken with Katey, who is feeling lucky just knowing her home is still standing, but she will still be displaced for who knows how long, and she knows many people who have nothing to go back to.

So, I am starting an unofficial Slave Lake Fundraiser.  Please, this is the time to help out some people from your community.  I need to help, and this is how I can do it.  Are you in?

This is how we'll do it. I am happy to be the drop off point in Calgary for anyone able to part with some clean, nice clothes, bathroom and other necessities, and even fun toys, to be sent up to Katey and her community.  I am specifically thinking of Katey, who has three boys (who are 1, 3 and 5) and even though she knows her house is still there, she has nothing with her and will surely not be allowed back in for a long time.  I would like to make sure she is well taken care of.  I will ensure that the donations make their way to Katey next week, who's husband, Jason, is a member of the Branch Presidency (our church's congregation in Slave Lake), who will make sure that they are distributed to those in need in Slave Lake.  Go through your closets, your bins of clothes in your basement, call on your neighbors for help too.  Let's pull together to bring these poor folks some of the things that they have lost.  If you can't donate things, but have a few dollars to spare, please donate some money.  I will make sure that 100% of the money gets to these families. You can bring me a check or cash, or send me money through paypal.  My paypal email address is jennyvangy@gmail.com  You can get a hold of me at that same email address for any other questions regarding this fundraiser or to find out my address if you don't know it.   

This isn't a tragedy that has struck in some distant land. It isn't just something on the news. It is something that has happened to our neighbors and our friends, and now is the time to do something! Please, let me know what you can do.