Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. The 5 stages of grief have been outlined in a variety of books, articles and internet pages. I’ve heard about how these stages are not often linear but cyclical, intertwined, and complex. Grief has certainly never been linear in my experience. But this week I am fully practicing grief in…
Month: June 2019
Care & Share Thrift Shoppes
Over the last four months we have slowly been downsizing everything we own to a few suitcases, some storage tubs, and a couple pieces of furniture. That’s meant donating a lot of our belongings to thrift stores. Today I took a load of our belongings to the Care & Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton Pennsylvania…
Vaccinations
Today we went to a travel clinic recommended by our Pediatrician to get the vaccinations for our move. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following for visits to Cambodia: All Travelers: Measles and Routine Vaccinations Most Travelers: Hepatitis A and Typhoid Some Travelers: Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria*, and Rabies. *There is…
Last Day at Peaceful Living
This morning I ran out to the store around 5:30AM to pick up ingredients for stuffed bitter melon. When I stepped outside I saw a rainbow in the sky. The angle of the dawn on the morning mist was just right. What a sign as today was my last day at Peaceful Living. I have…
So delicious – ស្ងោរម្រះ
Today is the monthly potluck Sunday at Plains Mennonite Church and I’m bringing something very special. Bitter Melon stuffed with Pork. When I lived in Prey Veng I was told that Bitter Melon treats diabetes, cures cancer, and lowers cholesterol. I was surprised to discover that there’s a basis for each of these claims! Bitter…
It was three years before I visited S21
Crystal’s recent reflections on visiting Tuol Sleng have had me thinking about my own experience. I lived in Cambodia for almost three years before I visited Tuol Sleng. I saw Kang Kek Iew (Comrade Duch) in person before I set foot in the place where he committed his most horrible crimes. This will be a…
Last Day at Salford
Yesterday was Charlotte and Catherine’s last day at Salford Mennonite Childcare Center. We were first introduced to the center long before we had children when Crystal’s father, Dan Graber, was the interim pastor at Salford Mennonite – the congregation that hosts the Childcare Center. It was our first choice when Charlotte started day care but…
Sending mail to Phnom Penh
During my first term in Cambodia it look months for mail to arrive from the United States. At that time mail was directed through Thailand and then – eventually – made it’s way to Cambodia. If there was civil unrest in Thailand the mail would take even longer to arrive. While Crystal was in Phnom…
Moto Helmets for the Girls
While Crystal was in Phnom Penh she was advised to get moto helmets for the girls here and take them over. I did some research on options – looking for safety & breathability – and ordered the following. LS2 Youth Pink/Black/White 392J Flutter Helmet Typhoon White Pink Butterfly Youth Full Face Motorcycle Helmet Charlotte said that…
Start the Countdown
Our tickets have been booked! We leave for Phnom Penh on August 8. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s going on for us between now and then. Tomorrow: Our first meeting with the wonderful support group from Plains Mennonite (our wonderful home church) June 7: The girls’ last day at Salford Mennonite Childcare Center June…