Hi there!  I read some great great news today.  Here is an update on Buday - the boy our family is helping to sponsor in Nepal.  Here is Maggie Doyne's blog which you'll also find at http://maggiedoyne.squarespace.com/

"Your messages really really helped me.  Thank you.  Buday is doing better.  He's sitting up.  When I just brought him his lunch I forgot to give him a spoon and he said "chumcha," spoon in Nepali.   He's more coherent.  He still can't stand or walk but eating a TON of greens and pumpkin soup and rice and lentils.  I asked him if he wanted to take his medicine this morning and he said yes, swallowed the two tablets on his own.  I'm learning a lot from him as are my children.  

Once we get him stable again (ie. eating on his own, and going to the bathroom) there is a chance that he can go to live more permanently in a facility in Kathmandu that I have a contact with.  The life is back in him again this morning and I'm convinced he wants to live.   

If anyone knows of a rehab center that we could put him in for one-two months in either India or Nepal where we could stabilize him, please let me know.  We will pay for treatment.  Also I have him on Oral Rehydration Salts but wondering if anyone knows of any other specific foods good for a severely malnourished child?  And I learned that all you have to do is put Vicks Vapor rub on your nose when you're cleaning him up.  It helps a lot for the smell.  Thank God for Rich Douris!  Thank God for blogs and friends!    

I also realize from that I'm not the only person in the world taking care of a sick child or elder or disabled person.  There are people all over the world who have done and are doing the same thing.   I really have a greater appreciation now.

Mangali happened to stop by yesterday to drop off some firewood for us.  She has offered to take care of Buday while I'm away and for as ever long as we need her.  Her mother will pitch in and take care of her 11 month old while she is here during the day and we have enrolled her three older children into school.  Yesterday we fixed her husband's drum, (he is a road side musician) and she spent the day with me learning the ropes of how to care for Buday.  She does a better job than I do.  She calls him baboo, (baby.)  That's so sweet isn't it?  Breathing deeper today.

Bathing, clothes washing, and haircuts today with the little ones.  Closing up some last minute details before I head home.  Good news to follow.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Buday."

You can see a photo of Mangali at the site I listed above.   What a Godsend she is.  She is 22 and in an arranged marriage with an older man who is blind.  She is the breadwinner and has 4 children.  Wow.  I pray that this job will be a double win - a HUGE win for Buday - as well as a financial blessing for Mangali.  She was previously doing some pretty heavy labor to support her family from what I've read.

We had a really nice couple of days.  Last night I went to our Church's Women's Christmas dessert with my mom and was very blessed.  Today we took both boys to see Santa at Lakeside Center for Autism where they had a Santa that allowed all the time needed for a photo.  Casey wasn't sure at first when he saw Santa.  So he did what he always does when he's embarrassed....he got down on all fours and pretended he was a dog.  Haha.  He managed to climb up on Santas lap and had a blast.  The whole rest of the day he'd look at me starry eyed and say, "mama....I met SANTA!"  Cody got on Santas lap at the same time as Casey and managed to only pull a handfull of hair out of Santa's beard.  :)

Cody had a nice day today - lots of smiles and hugs.  He is finally scribbling with crayons and markers - something we've been working on for about 2 years.  Granted, it is kind of meaningless to him - it's more that he think it's a chore or direction to follow.  But hey, that's the first step toward finding any meaning to it. 

Tomorrow is church and preparing for the week to come.  And what a nice start knowing that Buday has found at least temporary respite in the arms of a one on one caregiver.  I pray she is a mother figure to him, and that he finds comfort in her.  I also pray the Lord forms a bond between them - so that she sees his beauty despite the fact that he is not a 'typical' child. 

with love,

Shawna