David Schertz Photography – Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Metamora Portrait, Senior, and Wedding Photographer »

I guess this would be a good a time as ever to talk about new year resolutions. I’m laughing now because one of my new year resolutions last year was to blog more. Ooops. That was shortly lived. This year I going to try to stick to my guns… try….

So a few days ago, Tuesday to be exact, I got a Facebook message from a former coworker of mine. I shouldn’t really say coworker. We worked at Miracle Camp, a retreat camp. I was on the summer staff and Kyle was working full time. We talked from time to time, but didn’t have a chance to work together. I was too busy cranking out weekly videos for kids and making some Youtube videos from time to time. Kyle did all of the camp’s multimedia, commercials, and promo work. That was back in 2006

A few months back, Kyle posted on Facebook about OJM (Orphan Justice Mission) and right about then a friend of mine adopted a child from Ethiopia. Jason posted things all the time about Taye and how excited they were to finally be bringing their new boy home. All those updates got me thinking about adoption, my own past, and how I wanted to contribute to adoption in some way. Nicole and I have talked about how we wanted to adopt in the future, but I wanted to do something with my gifts that would help out. A few ideas ran through my head. One of those ideas was to message Kyle and let him know that if he ever needed my assistance he should give me a ring and we could chat.

Fast forward to last Tuesday. Kyle needed someone to go with his team to help document the orphans. He of course remembered our conversation, thought of me, and gave me a buzz. I couldn’t believe my ears (Eyes. It was on Facebook, but that’s besides the point). What a great opportunity. I wouldn’t even call it an opportunity. More like a blessing. A chance to not only use my gifts and glorify God, but to also be part of something that is a part of me. A part of who I am.

So last week I was running around like crazy trying to figure out what I needed to do. What meds I needed to take. What vaccines I needed to get. What documents needed to be updated. All while trying to stay calm and letting Kyle know if any of this was even going to be possible. Then he kind of threw a curve ball at me. I had to let him know by Friday. FRIDAY! FRI….. DAY! Um…. heck yeah it’s possible, but not probable.

I worked my Brazilian tushy off and here’s where I’m at so far.

1. I have to get my passport updated. Even though I have over 6 months left on it, I won’t when I come back. Certain countries require to have a certain amount of months left on your passport on your return date. Mine will be just under 6 months, thus forcing me to renew it. No problem. I just have to get it expedited which takes 2-3 weeks. That should give me a 5 day leeway incase there are any problems.

2. I called 19 different places to get vaccines. Most places wouldn’t even give me any information unless I booked an appointment. Once clinic was going to charge me $400 just to book an appointment. I got hung up on. Was given the run around. All the while trying to keep my composure and try to stay positive, but things were not looking good. LONG story short, Walgreens ended up having what I needed. Hours of pouring over the CDC website and Walgreens has it. C.R.A.Z.Y. I just  wish the government would update their site to help people out. I have an appointment next week.

3. Going to be calling my doctor to get prescription Malaria pills. Which may or may not be a simple task. I won’t go into details though.

So for the next few weeks I hope to be able to keep you all posted on this endeavor. Please check back often and comment below if you have any advice for me. I can use all the help I can get.

THANKS!

Dave