You Can Too!

Marcus and I have some really cool friends.  I don't use that word "cool" lightly either.  I'm talkin' Criss-Cross-will-make-you-wanna-jump-jump cool.  It's impressive.

Erika is one of those Criss-Cross cool friends.  We met her at BYU.  And Mark Zuckerberg keeps our love  with Erika alive.  After graduating, Erika taught through Teach for America ~ cool, got a Masters Degree ~ cooler, and is now working in Haiti to help the Haitians get the mental health care that they  need ~ coolest.  BOOM!!!

Another really cool friend we have is our daughter, Callie.  We met her when she was days old.  And now, daily life strengthens our thick bond of love.  She reads ~ cool, swims and plays soccer ~ cooler, and can clean the toilets like a champ ~ coolest!
What's up now?!

So, this is how Erika and Callie are now connected.

Erika is trying to raise $10,000 to provide a safe, clean, secure counseling center.  This is their current counseling rented room.

No electricity, no running water, no protection from heat or rain, and no real privacy.  Not an ideal counseling center.

The other day, Callie saw a picture of Erika on Facebook.  I told her how I knew Erika.  Then, I told her what she was currently doing in Haiti.  We looked at pictures like these:

Guess where Callie wants to go now?!  Haiti.  She thinks this place is the best place on earth!  Then I showed her the other side of Haiti...the side that people don't like to think about when they go there on a family vacation to "get away" from the stresses of life.

Callie couldn't believe what she saw.  The stark contrast was completely shocking to her innocent eyes.  She honestly did not believe that the pictures were real.  We talked about these pictures, guessed what may have happened, how the people must feel, etc.  We talked about how much we have...how if we need anything, we can pretty much get it.  Our "difficult" isn't like this at all.

And I told her again about Erika.

So, Callie is taking action.  And we invite you all to join with us.  Callie is doing extra chores around the house.  She is walking a friend's dog once a week.  She's trying to raise money to donate to Erika's project.  I love her desire to help.  She is always asking what she can do to earn money.  We don't have a lot of extra money ourselves...so I'm not paying her too much.  But, she's earning money.  And it's become personal to her.  And I love that.

Go here to find out more and to donate.

And think about using this as an opportunity for your own kids.  Maybe they can earn an extra $10+ to donate to such a great cause.  It could change your child's life...but will most certainly change many lives in Haiti.

Brandon Flowers

Michael Ririe

Yesterday I didn't get too many pictures of Samantha.  I was busy.  She was doing well without me, and I was...busy.  (Possibly on post on that one day in the future.)  These were the two pictures I got of her.  At least they were happy, but not a whole lot to choose from to put on this here blog.

Yesterday, however, there was someone else at Now I Can taking pictures.  His name: Michael Ririe.  He's a photographer who has become...oh...invested, I suppose, in Now I Can.  I talked with him a little bit and I was impressed with his sincerity.  He's not just a photographer who has a good eye for a picture and what it can tell those who view it.  He has the heart for it as well.  He not only sees it, but he has that deep desire to share the story behind the photograph.  So, that's what he did with Now I Can.  When he came across this little 'ole therapy place, and found out what it is that they do here...how they help families and give hope to so many, he wanted to share that.  He asked founder Tracey Christensen if he could create a photo essay for Now I Can, and they immediately began working together.  The photos were displayed in 2 separate locations -- at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo and the Orem Public Library (Orem).  There was such a community response from his work, that he is now doing an additional project, which I believe is meant to become a book (proceeds to go to Now I Can).

Yesterday.  He was here.  Taking pictures.  And he caught some of our Sammy.  I'm not sure if she was in her best form, in fact, ok, I know...she wasn't.  But he said he'll be back next week as well.  If she's in the book or not...it would be cool, but it's the fact that this project is even happening...that someone felt so strongly about this program...and that he ~ Michael Ririe ~ would take time from him family and work to create something for these kids.  For my kid.  On top of that, he's just a cool guy.

Take a few seconds and check out his Now I Can photo essay that was displayed.  I love it.  I feel like he shows the reality of intensive therapy here.  There are smiles, but there are also tears and screams.  Why?  Because these kiddos are working their tails off.  They are being pushed to do things that few believed they could ever do.  One of my favorite pictures in the series is of a little boy.  He is standing in the spider cage, arms stretched out as Sergio stretches his leg back.  He is a very unhappy little boy.  He is definitely crying.  But, even though he's upset, he keeps his arm stretched out.  He knows what he needs to do....it doesn't mean he likes it, but he knows, or at least trusts, that this is good for him.  In the series of pictures, yes, you see tears, but you also see smiles, triumph, and victory.  Check it out.

Hang in there....

"Hang in there, many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." -Thomas Edison

I found this quote today and really liked it. Though I don't feel like right now I'm just trying to hang on...I do certainly feel that way from time to time. If I can remember this during those times, perhaps I'll be motivated to not only "hang on," but also fight a little harder too.