seriously…i want a mac!

7 months until the big 4-0.
August 30….here I come.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a birthday more.
I don’t think I look or act like I’m going to be 40 either - so am I really?
I want a MAC…I hope Pearlie reads this!!!
Here’s why  - ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Happy Nurse Anesthetist Week!!!

I love what I do. Nurse Anesthesia Week was my excuse to put together this video…of course on VIMEO. Just a few things you might not have known about the profession of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

1. The profession of Nurse Anesthesia is over 125 years old.

2. CRNAs administer over 70% of the 30 million anesthetics delivered in the U.S. each year.

3. CRNAs are Advanced Practice Nurses who have obtained a Master’s Degree of Science or Nursing with a focus in Nurse Anesthesia.

4. Our professional association is the AANA.

5. One of the best CRNA programs in the nation is right here in Middle Tennessee.

6. We are NOT ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, nor do we want to be, so don’t call me a doctor.

So the next time you go in for surgery or have that epidural placed for your baby’s arrival, say “Hi” for me to your Nurse Anesthetist….he might not know me though….that’s cool, we’re all pretty friendly like that!!!

Let me tell you about my son…

I’ve never walked up on my dad talking to one of his friends about me, but I’ve wanted to. I know he talks about me…he tells others what going on with me…he fills people in on my life and what is happening in it…he lets people know Jeff as seen, heard, and experienced by him. Dad tells me he loves me and that he is proud of me. I dig it when he does that, but there’s something about when he tells that to others as well. It’s stated differently. It has more of a story vibe to it, as he fills the person in on the background information and details that he would probably not mention when he tells me. So here’s my first shot at it.

Let me tell you about my son, Mateo…
Mateo was born July 16, 2007 in Amatitlan, Guatemala.
He and I initially met August 17, 2007 when Pearlie I accepted the referral from Special Delivery, International. We formally met face to face December 8, 2007 at Eagles Nest, where he lives in Guatemala waiting for his adoption into the Pope family.

Let me tell you about my son, Mateo…
He is a survivor. He is not a victim. His days on this earth may have had a difficult start, but his warm, soft spirit is full of life. His smile is contagious and already has the ability to activate mine. I have a strong feeling he will use this to his advantage in a difficult situation with Dad later in life. I am such the sucker for a fella that cracks me up.

Let me tell you about my son, Mateo…
He is an orphan that has been chosen by God to be adopted into our family. His name means “Gift of God”. He will always have me, as his father and a fellow adoptee, at his side, as he walks, at different stages of his life, through the pain and grief that his losses have caused him.

Let me tell you about my son, Mateo…
He is loved. I feel his love too. His eyes have told me. His breathing has whispered it. His touch has transmitted it. God made him and he can’t help but do it. Pearlie and I (and many family and friends) can’t wait to pour our love all over him to give him back the resupplying he needs to continue sharing his love throughout the rest of his life.

Let me tell you about my son, Mateo ..
He has a heavenly Father that loves him too. And just as I was adopted into the family of God, thanks to Christ’s gift to make that real both physically and spiritually, the same is true for Mateo… adopted again.

And lastly….Let me tell you about my son, Mateo…
He is who he says he is. Today, his DNA was confirmed and another step completed. Now we wait for PGN to “re-open”. Mateo Pope, my son, I love you and miss you.

my “take” on Dateline…the day after.

3 people today came up to me at the hospital and asked me if I saw Dateline last night. Now, that may not seem like very many to you, but I was at a small hospital today that our group covers and 3 is 20% of everyone that I came in contact with that knows me and my adoption quest.

I doubt you will ever see me blog on a network piece again just because….well, just because. So back to the Dateline piece -
This list of words simply describes my take on this piece titled, “To Catch a Baby Broker:”

Informative
Sad
Disturbing
Angry
Fearful
Wrong
Faith

The system needs changing and this piece pointed out ONE of the main areas of corruption. To fix the situation in Guatemala, I believe does not involve shutting the down the system, or even stalling it, like what is going on now with the new Central Authority, as it is now formed and starting to take cases. No one knows when though at this point. In my opinion with whatever system, wherever there is a U.S. dollar, there is a pocket waiting to have it.

The story was more about bringing into the light what some bad people have done to harm others that PUT themselves in a vulnerable position. That is the reality of International Adoption…it is risky. Choose wisely…your bank account and serenity depend on it. If you’ve read my adoption timeline you will see my wife and I started our adoption journey in Nicaragua. We didn’t like the hold ups…poor organization…lack of information, you name it….so we turned to Guatemala because like others, we could adopt a baby and in a timely manner, at least that is what we thought or wished for at the time. Plus, Nicaragua’s 2+ year wait was going to happen whether we went for another child from somewhere else or not. So, the real issue with Dateline: How does this affect me or How has it affected me in the past? That is really what Pearlie and I are wondering. Seriously, that’s where we go…How does this affect getting Mateo and Kaia home? In the big picture, probably little to none.

Now, I understand FEAR…I’ve had it…and to some degree have it still. But to not say my agency’s name or where my kids are is, is just, well…not what God is trying to teach me day in and day out – “Truth Telling”, and don’t be scared to be vulnerable because God has got it, more than I will ever know or even understand. My agency (Special Delivery) has been great, not perfect, just great….Eagles Nest is a special place that if you ever have been there KNOW God is there and He has tiny feet, He cooks and cleans, He is a special “mama”, and He carries out a mission there everyday.

I wish everyone’s adoption was smooth, had perfect timing, affordable, and without glitches, but is that ever the reality with anything? God’s will doesn’t always match mine and neither does His timing sometimes. It is hypocrisy to me to do this adoption thing any differently than how I run my daily life – simply. If you don’t understand this next statement it’s OK, I’m not going to “hate on you.” I GET OUT OF THE WAY. If I were to take an inventory of just today and the “problems” that arose, 80-90% would be Jeff induced. Plus, as I turn my life (and this adoption journey) over to my God/Saviour/Guide/Advocate, He gets to work His thing and show me my role and it’s not as manager…it is as servant/brother/friend/survivor/worker. (edited 1/22/08)

I do KNOW that EVERYTHING happens the WAY it is supposed to…..it ALWAYS does!!!

My nephew is a MAN…

Where has the time gone? I was going through some pictures I needed to edit before posting them on Flickr. I came across this one of me and Jason (top right) from the week of Christmas when he and Shannon came to visit. I love him so much…. Back in the day, 1985, he could sit on my knee comfortably (top left). I don’t think I want to try that today, I’ve already had on ACL repaired (no, I wasn’t a professional athlete….shut up, Steve). He’s got a beard now (below). I think it’s a Colorado thing (he lives in Denver)…or maybe not, it does looks cool. I wish I could grow a beard, I can’t and I’m almost 40 (the countdown ticks on). WHATS UP WITH THAT??? Love ya Jas!!

from the mouths of children

On the 12th of January I experienced a real treat. Little Kaylyn beautifully sung a song that now I love even more. My church is blessed with pews and pews of young people waiting and growing into service….with Jesus as their example and guide. Kaylyn is starting her service earlier in life than I know I did. What a gift her song was to me that Sabbath morning, thanks Kaylyn. I hope YOU enjoy it too. The words are below to follow (thanks Stephanie for the lyrics idea – I’m still listening to that song.)

Indescribable – Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God