The beauty surrounding Fiwagoh

Africa is a country with a rich and beautiful landscape.  From Fiwagoh we were blessed to be within walking distance of just a small portion of that beauty!

When looking off the balcony of the main house at Fiwagoh, we were able to immediately see to our left the Ugali Hills.

Breathtaking and beautiful in the distance.  We stood and took in the view.  This is a very popular hiking spot for tourists and I found out while staying that there are several lodges in very close proximity to the orphanage that cater to hikers.  My research indicates that to get to the top of the Ugali Hill takes about 6-9 hours (roundtrip) depending on your level of fitness. 

However, once we were told the nickname for the hills, we promptly forgot the given name and only referred to it as the Sleeping Warrior.  If you are having difficulty seeing the sleeping warrior, the head is in the center of the photo, (chin jutting to the sky) and the warriors body follows to the left, as he lies on his back sleeping.  

To the right of the property when the haze has lifted, is Lake Elementaita.  The lake is a soda lake, (a salt lake with high contents of sodium) located near the town of Gilgil.  Elementaita is a word derived from the Masaai word for muteita "dust place" which in the seasons of July - October and January and February, the lake is very low and dry. During our visit the lake was very shallow and was bordered by mud flats.  Typically this is a wonderful season to see wildlife in their natural habitat (zebras, warthogs etc) because they have to go further out from the vegetation get to the watering holes. However when you are walking with 275+  of your closest friends and family, I believe that the wildlife runs and hides!!

The entire Fiwagoh family took a Sabbath walk to the lake.  On the short journey, less than three miles round trip, we saw goats and donkeys, a grasshopper and tried to rescue an injured baby bird.

Upon arriving to the lake, the view was spectacular! It was a bright clear day.  

This lake has been known for many years as an attraction for flamingos. Many photos and paintings have been done from this lake location depicting 100's of visiting flamingos. 

Currently you can find over 400 varieties of birds in this surrounding area.  The story of the decrease in the flamingos visiting this place is somewhat sad. They used to flock to this area when transitioning towards Tanzania.  In 1962 however Tilapia were introduced to this lake, and the flamingo population decreased significantly because the Tilapia brought birds of prey that ate the flamingo eggs and chicks.  Now the flamingos are said to be seeking refuge at Lake Natron in Tanzania.

Lake Elementaita also used to be the home of rhinos.  However because of poaching and because of their increased aggressive behavior, all the rhinos have been removed from Lake Elementaita and relocated to other lakes in the surrounding areas (with less human visitors) or to preserves.

The mud flats were plentiful, but as I said the wild life scarce.  That did not deter my group of young women doing their best to find some "wildlife". 

Salome pulled this small organism from the shallowest of the waters by a mudflat.

This was the only "print" that we saw in the mud, and we confirmed that is was just your standard variety cow from the neighbors farm. 

Some grasses growing that would allow the wildlife a snack and a drink at the same time. 

While we were walking all the children talked about the hot springs.  We were not sure what the hot springs were or where they were located, but the next day were blessed to take 164 of the children (ages 5-13) on a walk that Pastor Benson described as "just a small walk, over the highway 104".  

Eager to not miss any part of the beauty surrounding us, we lined them all up, counted them off and started out on a trip that was a little further than "just over there"... we estimate that the total round trip hike, uphill was about 5.5 miles.  But oh were the views amazing!! 

Upon arrival the squeals of joy that came from the children, made the uphill trek even more exciting because this was clearly a treat for them!  The boys immediately clamored into the trees or to the water, leaving behind their shirts and shoes, while the girls started picking flowers and climbing the rocks!

We traveled a bit further up hill to the start of the hot springs, and this is when the boys all went for a "real"swim.  The girls after waiting patiently for their turn, then took of their shirts and pulled up their skirts for modesty and went for their swim.  I did feel bad for the locals as they shared the swimming hole with 164 super excited kids!!  

Like one would expect, there was some difficulty rounding up the children, having them find their shoes and shirts and get back in line to begin the return trek.  I was struck by the forward thinking that some of them had. Many boys wore two pairs of shorts to the hot springs, so they could swim in one and have a dry pair for the walk back!  One young man even carried that ball the entire time just so he could play with it in the springs. Some brought bottled water.  Others extra shirts.  Again, there was hardly a complaint amongst them.  We witnessed many helping each other out with piggyback rides and holding hands to get back to the main road.  This is a family thrown together by misfortune, but that looks after it's own in all instances!  

While I was unsure for the majority of the walk back to Fiwagoh, if we had the same number returning home as we brought... it seems that everyone was accounted for by the gate keeper upon our return!! 

Another item of interest so close to the orphanage, that we observed on this hike, were large deposits of diatomite.  I do not have any photos of this mineral, however I did a bit of research prior to writing this, and here is what I discovered.  Diatomite is a deposit in the earth made up from skeletons of billion of single cell organisms, algae and phytoplankton.  It is 85% pure silica, the material that is found in quartz sand. They have been mining it in Africa since 1950.  Additionally, the material is uses as a filter aid, and in cleaning agent for stainless steel, and as an insecticide.  It is odorless, white in color, non toxic to humans and soft to the touch.  

The cactus and trees in the area area also amazing and lush.  Right now I am a bit upset with myself for not taking more photos and having more beauty to share with you!  

I can share with you that I had a lot of interaction with one type of tree in particular that was not my friend at all!  The Acacai tree!  The Acacai tree was referred to by the older children and adults as the "African tooth pick tree" because all the branches and the trunk of the tree are covered in sharp prickly thorns about an inch long.  As the tree dies and dries out the thorns are easy to break off. (Similar to de-thorning a rose.) However, even with closed toed shoes, and gloves, those thorns found their way into your feet and hands and arms.  If you were lucky they just brushed by you and scratched you.  For those of us not so lucky, they could come through the soles of your shoes and stick in your feet or any other body part that was exposed.  Speaking from experience, they hurt going in, but hurt more coming out, and left a welt under the skin for about three days.  

It is amazing in reflection, how the world that we live in is so vast and so different from state to state and country to country.  The Lord has provided for such vastness and uniqueness I believe so that we can not only enjoy new and exciting things when we travel or move, but so that we can also view our everyday surroundings with a renewed sense of awe and expectation.  

In Genesis 1 you will find the creation story: 

Day one: Night and Day

Day two: Sky and Sea

Day three: Land and Vegitation

Day four: Stars, Sun and Moon

Day five: Sea Creatures and Birds

Day six: Animals and Man

It is such a simple story, but when you start to look at the vast and unique areas of the world, and put into perspective all the types of birds and sea creatures, the many many land masses and plants it can be a bit overwhelming to consider all this was done in six days.  No wonder the 7th day was a day for rest!  

Rejoicing in the vastness of the world I live in and the beauty that surrounds me!  I am so glad I don't have to make this stuff up, because my imagination is not this grand!  

These were a few of their favorite things!

I believe each team that travels to Fiwagoh brings "treats" for the children, and our team was no exception! We discussed in advance that we would only bring things that the entire group could utilize, and so we paired down our ideas to sidewalk chalk, bubbles, soccer balls (footballs) story books, inflatable balls and jump ropes.

What I did not expect was the many creative ways that they had already come up with to entertain themselves! I am not saying that they did not love the new soccer balls, bubble machine, or the jump ropes, because they did, and asked for them regularly, but left on their own they had amazing strategies for playing individually and in small groups!

Round lids with sticks that rolled as they ran behind pushing them. Discarded containers that could hold run off wash water that became homemade bubbles, with wands made from a paperclip or other piece of discarded metal. Trucks, cars and heavy work equipment fashioned from metal scraps and the strips of shredded tire that they used to tie them together.  Scraps of fabric from the sewing room.  Hanging and climbing on the bars and railings inside the big delivery truck! Scrap nails or pipe cleaners, yarn and threads from their clothing, were all repurposed and went to some creative new toy!   Clapping games, games of signs... the list really is impressive! Of course I have personal favorites, aside from the boys hand made vehicles, a produce bag and cement bag used for playing dress up!

It was refreshing to see that the things that we consider as trash, were to them avenues for creative play and ingenuity.  A few times the team would even wonder after we finished with something (like a Pringle can) what the kids could or would do with that if they found it in the trash, and should we save them the effort of digging in the trash and just let it sit someplace for someone creative to see and scoop up for play?!

I recognize that in regards to creative and imaginative play the children (of all ages) at Fiwagoh are years ahead of our children here in the states!  In the states as the years progress, it seems our parenting style (for the vast majority) has sadly become one of convenience and cleanliness. We want them to stay clean, if they start complaining they are bored, or we need them to be quiet while we are out, we stick an electronic devise in their small hands.  Before we know it our kids are never out to see the light of day because it interferes with how well they can see the screens of their ipods, ipads and cell phones!

Observing and engaging in this creative play really took me back to my childhood, when playing in the yard was pulling out flowers and mixing them with dirt and water to make stew.  Setting up tree forts with logs and branches from fallen trees.  Using sticks and rocks to create statues and other works of art! I fear that my children did not do enough of that growing up in todays technological era.  Shame on me.  However kudos to Fiwagoh!  *as a personal note : When the Lord blesses me with grandchildren, we will be messy and creative in our play! Enjoying all the sights and sounds around us exploring and making memories!! 

Here are some of the new memories we made with the "toys" we brought from the states!  Bubbles are great, but bubble machines are greater!!! Jumping rope alone is fun, but together with friends is more "funner"  Tossing a ball is exciting, but it is more exciting when the ball is lightweight and catches in the breeze and has you chasing it all over the yard!  Sidewalk chalk can also be used on cement walls, to create beautiful murals!  Soccer is soccer (football) all over the world, and fresh new balls are always something to celebrate!  We taught them to play tic tac toe, and uno!  What a whirlwind of smiles and laughter from both them and our team!

I am not sure what the impact of our play time will be with them long term. In my American mind, I would love to arrogantly think that they will never forget us.  That they will always remember the time we spent with them, but the truth is we may begin to blend in with the other teams that came before us or the ones that will come after.  We have the gift of photographs that help us remember. They only have memories.

For me, it has helped me realize that slowing down has merit.  Taking the time to play a game, or share a conversation, even when I have another plan for that time, is how you build relationships. Observing the children in their daily activities was a great reminder that we all have a creative side.  We are all able to, but have just gotten too busy to just be still and enjoy the world around us.  Africa is amazing and beautiful, but so are the states that we live in.  The only thing that keeps us from enjoying our surroundings and our ability to create is our own selves.  When we are still, that is when the Lord can reveal to us simple truths that will help us lead a more fulfilled life.

So grateful for this time of reflection.  May the insight that I gathered, make a lasting impact on my actions and activities each day going forward.  Help me help others when possible to slow down, take time to evaluate, listen and learn! 

Fiwagoh Orphanage Mission School

It is my desire to chronicle the sights and sounds of Africa, especially for each of you that prayed and assisted financially to help with my trip and to finance our projects while in Fiwagoh. It is my hope that in sharing with you it will be a tool in helping you experience it from a far.   I have struggled to figure out the best way to organize my thoughts, for sharing with you because there is such a rich history and beauty in Africa and in its people.  I am going to start in the beginning overviewing the history of the orphanage, and my observations of life at mission home.  In all seriousness, this is also selfishly motivated so that as time passes, I will not forget this journey. 

Upon arrival at the Fiwagoh Orphanage, it was clear, that they had been preparing for our group with eager anticipation!  We immediately felt at home.  Our rooms were prepared, our beds and mosquito netting waiting for our arrival! Arrival was late in the night after over 30 hours of continuous travel for us, the team, and a broken down van, and two rental cars for the staff, as they headed to the airport to retrieve us in Nairobi. It was over a two hour drive to the mission home, even so late at night, so we quickly settled in as exhausted overtook us!  After experiencing a good nights sleep, we woke early to singing voices,  eager to face the new adventure that Monday morning brought!

About now you are either deciding to skip the words and just look at photos, which is fine, or you are making the choice to continue reading.  I want to encourage you to keep reading!  While your are reading, please be praying also, and perhaps you will catch the vision for this ministry and feel called learn more!

So here we go, from the top! I'll start with the link to the orphanage web site: Fiwagoh Orphanage

Pastor Benson and his lovely wife Florence, started ministering in Africa to hurting children 13 years ago in their rented two room house.  After spending two weeks with this amazing family and staff (all 260+ of them), here are my observations, in no particular order.  I can speak to their character, their heart for these children and their love of the Lord just through casually observed their daily lives.  As an additional blessing, we had the distinct honor of hearing their love story one evening when visiting one of the graduates in his new home.  I don't have their permission to share their story here, but I can say that they are an inspiration, and that the Lord certainly had a plan as He drew these two, like minded and God fearing people together for life!!

• Nothing goes to waste. Not a morsel of food, a teaching moment, or admiration of the beauty around them.
• All of the children are willing participants in caring for their home, and each other.
• The "graduates" from the home, are like celebrities to the younger children when they come "home" for a visit.
• At no time in my two week visit did I witness grumbling or complaining from a single child or adult, (keep in mind, I do not speak Swahili) but they do speak English on the regular and facial and body language needs no interpreter!  
• No matter how young or old, they all made eye contact when spoken to and could and did respond in a manner that was genuine and well spoken in greeting and conversations.
• Kids are kids all around the world!  Boys in particular! 
• Pure joy could be found on multitudes of faces at any given moment of any day because of a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, or a bubble machine !! 
• All of us want to be respected, loved, nurtured and cared for. At Fiwagoh, they have this mastered in how they care for each other and for their guests. 

This is a photo of the entire family in their school uniforms. The sweaters are what they are "showing off", as our team was able to replace all of their tattered and worn out school uniform sweaters (and socks) for the upcoming new school year that starts in September.  Yes, that is 264 children (aprox) ages 18 months though 18 years of age.  Thanks to each of you and your support as you were part of these provisions! 

When you look down the hill from the main gate, the chapel is in the first photo, and you will see class rooms, and training rooms for culinary, sewing and wood shop in the second photo.  While these buildings are fairly new, the roof tops were furnished by my home church here in Florida, (Woodland Community), the last time Pastor Benson was in the states, to share and update about his ministry at Fiwagoh. The red roof tops represent $9,000 US dollars.  By completing the roof project, the shops and classrooms and the chapel are now, and have been for some time, usable spaces, safe from storms and weather, and set up for teaching and training the children's hearts and minds.  

Because we were a small team, we got to do and experience so many wonderful day to day things with this family, which included; but are not limited to, laundry (washing and hanging), sweeping floors, grocery and staple shopping, riding in a tuk-tuk, gathering supplies at a local farm, purchasing building materials, banking, harvesting beans, carrots, sorting beans and maize, grinding maize to cornmeal, cutting fabric for uniforms, playing soccer, playing with bubbles, learning to play chairs, and signs (games the big kids loved) collecting firewood, hiking, exploring, side walk chalking, worship services, serving meals, doing dishes and good night hugs and stories!   (A more detailed blog with photos will come detailing all this at a later date.) 

The property is 23 acres which has grown over the years from the original 17 acres, and every area is used for a particular reason.  About 10 acres are farmed.  They grow bananas, sunflowers (for oil) mangos, papaya, kales, beans, carrots, potatoes and a recent addition of figs! 

They have experienced some hard times recently due to draught conditions. This has lead Pastor Benson and his wife to experience an even greater burden of caring for their 264 children.  The drought has brought uncertainty to the home due to dwindling food resources.  While in a good season the farm can support their vegan lifestyle, without good harvests in the past year,  the stock houses were running out of basics.  Our team, with your generous donations were able to bring relief and joy to the family by purchasing beans, maize and lentils for the stock house and rejoiced with them as the fields were being tilled for a new planting cycle and the hope of a hearty bounty with the return of rain.  Rain that waters crops directly, and restores their water tanks for the irrigation systems. 

Classrooms, and housing are other components of the acreage that they have. Boys and girls dorms. Staff housing that is provided for the teachers, gardeners, gate keepers, kitchen help, nurse etc.  Space for shipping containers, bathrooms (out houses) baptismal pool, playground and soccer fields, six green houses, tool sheds and water towers are just a few other structures or specific areas you will find throughout the compound. 

After seeing all those children, you may be wondering how they keep everyone organized.  

Such a very simple method is used ...

That's it folks!  That bell rings, and their feet hit for floor to start the day.  Another ringing of the bell and they hustle to morning worship, followed by breakfast.  If the school year is in session, yet another bell sends them all to their classrooms.  Once again, its tolling ends the school day, and starts the chores. Ringing again, at 4:30 begins dinner, and evening worship.  

I do not for one moment think that they are all happy all the time about the bell.  Like all other children around the world, they know when and how they can "push the envelope" but it is an effective tool for rounding up, starting and stopping group activities for the masses throughout the day. Regardless if you are in the fields, playing on the play ground, in your dorm, or at the gate, you know and recognize the signal for change in your day and routine.  

As a mom of many, of course I was intrigued by the day to day operations like brushing teeth and laundry. 

This is one of the boys toothbrush holders!  They brush outdoors by the spring and then place them here to dry during the early morning hours.  

Wet laundry can be laid out in the sun to dry on top of the stoney areas surrounding the dorms.  There are wash lines, but it seemed to me like there were never enough. 

Each child was responsible for their own laundry once they enter school (5-6 years of age) and while the older children do assist, as to do the matrons of the dorms, the responsibility falls to each them.  If you are too short to reach into the sink by standing in front, no worries, hop up and stand in the sink.  The wash room is made from solid cement sinks, with a floor that has drainage to the outside trenches used for irrigation of the trees and vegetation surrounding the buildings.  

Shoe racks just like in the department stores!  Although I feel like this was a staged photo because one night on my way to bed, I walked past the boys dorm and saw 50 plus pairs of shoes piled in front of the door in their haste to get inside!! 

What did I say earlier - kids will be kids?  

These boys were thrilled to have a set of monkey bars to play on while the bigger boys emptied the truck that was full of cement bags.  Best part about the truck coming with supplies?  Many hands made light work, and then we would all hop in and ride in the back to the parking area above!  It was about as fun as any amusement park ride I have ever been on!  But the best part was the joy on all the faces, big and small as they laughed and clamored around on the truck.  Nelson the driver, was patient and kind and allows the children this treat every time he comes in with supplies!  

Additionally, the girls also love all things "girly" and figures out how to improvise polishing their nails by using sharpie markers!  They also love writing and sending notes, and giggling and pranking each other late into the night!  

These kids are loved and well cared for by Pastor Benson, Florence and the staff at Fiwagoh!  There is no doubt in my mind after talking to these young people that they are being inspired to be their very best.  One day, I made it a point to ask as many children of all ages, what they desired to do when they grew up.  Doctors, Engineers, Road Construction Engineers, Nurses, Social Workers, Teachers, Missionaries, Policemen and Pastors were the repeated theme.  Their minds are being stretched, they are being encouraged to think and dream big!  They are being educated in math and science, are creative and industrious. 

All of these children would love to have sponsors, (some of them do already), so if you have a desire to speak into the life of a child, there is not a more deserving group than these kids at Fiwagoh!  They would love to write to you and share life with you!  When speaking to one of the older girls, she indicated that her sponsor is in Germany, and that she will get to meet her sponsor in the next few months as they are coming to Fiwagoh for a visit.  Her eyes sparkled and danced, as she has only written and gotten photos from her sponsor to date.  Meeting in person is something that she will never forget!  

It matters not how far away we are from these children, or for that matter anyone in the world less fortunate than ourselves.  God calls us to minister to the those less fortunate, the poor, the downtrodden, the widows and the orphans, as an extension of Him!  Fundamentally, poverty is a result of lack of options.  These children at Fiwagoh, because of the continued prayers and finacial support of many around the world, have options, and hope! 

When their lives could be filled with hopelessness, at Fiwagoh, they are being filled with hope.  

When they could be stuck in their past, living life through the lens of regret and bitterness, they are humble and gracious and looking forward to their futures.  

Their smiles are simply perfect,  shining with a joy that reaches their eyes and comes deep from a heart of gratitude.  

They do not hesitate to share that they do not know where they would be if it were not for their 

" Dad and Mum"!   

Feeling blessed not to have to make this stuff up!  Lived it, loved it, and would do it again!  

I have this amazing, funny, talented friend from years gone by, that got an idea to compile a book of true stories, based on how the Holy Spirit often times grabs our attention, working in mysterious ways, to make known God's glory in our daily lives.  

May I be among the first to introduce to you to Gina Napoli's newest creative compilation of stories:

Clunk on the Head

How the Holy Spirit Got Our Attention

Here is the back story.  In or around November of 2016, I received an email invitation, addressed to myself (and really anyone that is an aspiring writer), with an "Ah-ha", God inspired moment, that could be recalled in vivid detail and clarity, to share it with Gina and her team for consideration for inclusion in her compilation of stories entitled "Clunk on the Head".   

She had my attention! I have tons of stories as a mom of seven. Frankly, I am never far from a story that will make you laugh until your cry, or rejoice knowing at the end of reading my story you are not me, and your kids are much more "normal" than mine. Our antics in the Land of Lingle are always real, always true and always try to encourage others that they are not parenting alone!  

However, the tone and theme of her inquiry took me some time to really think and work through.  Each of us have those moments in time when we can look back and see how clearly the Lord was working out the details behind the scenes for our behalf and that of our families.  But were they actually "ah-ha" God moments?  Holy spirit "talking" to me moments? Times where the course of my life was altered or in any way changed through that moment in time??? 

As I contemplated and reviewed the last 25 plus years of my life and prayerfully considered how or what to submit as my "story" God clearly showed me through my quiet time, a section of notes in the book of Acts that I had handwritten in the white space of my bible pages while listening to a sermon on line in the late summer of 2006.  Enough said. 

As you see Gina and her team accepted my submission and included me in the compilation of stories about how the Holy Spirit got my attention along with the attention of 11 different authors!  

I am just a mom of many, who writes to keep stories and antidotes about our family in somewhat of a chronological order,  a highlight reel if you will, to pass down and preserve for generations to come.  

Additionally, sharing my crazy experiences I think often helps others know that they are not alone in their parenting journey regardless if they are parenting their own biological children, adopted children, foster children, or grandchildren.   The longer I journey, the more I am aware that the Lord many times has to "clunk" me on the head to get my attention.  For this I am grateful and humbled.  

If you would like to order your own copy of this compilation of stories, "Clunk on the Head", please click the highlighted link which will take your right to the Amazon page.  It is available in paperback and Kindle versions. 

I hope you are amazed and even encouraged by these authors transparency in the telling of their stories!  Thanks Gina for doing such a great job listening to the Holy Spirit's encouragement to share our stories to inspire others!  

You really can't make this stuff up!! 

Happily Making a Mess of Things

For those of you who have been following the antics of the kingdom for any amount of time, you will know that Happy has a knack for flying low on the radar, and cycling through some pretty mild, and often time funny offenses, which typically end up all coming to light at the same time, creating a hot mess for him all at once.

Here is some background on Happy for those of you that need to catch up.  He is 20 and is scheduled to graduate high school this May.  Due to his special needs, the Prince and I have full legal guardianship of him for life, which means we are responsible for the decisions in his life that require forethought, finances and health related choices.  At this stage in the game that includes, juggling school responsibilities, work related activities, social issues and his finances.  Happy is gainfully employed at a local grocery store as a bagger, and part of the cleaning crew on nights that he closes.

Let's rewind to early last week.  Happy's last scheduled shift at work for the week was on Tuesday. At his paying job.  I did not think twice about it because the schedule is released for the upcoming week on Wednesday's and so the potential for him be schedule for later in the week or the weekend was good.  Due to his school schedule and his "on the job training program",  he is required to work 15 hours a week at his real paying job, but then he also  "works" while at school three periods a day, to gain experience for this resume.  Through this program over the last 3 years he has held jobs as a dish washer, a supply gatherer for a hospital, a retail clerk at the goodwill, a maintenance man at the YMCA and most recently as a janitor at the school.  In addition, because he is typically a great worker, these on the job volunteer experiences have lead to paid employment as a dish washer and his current gig as a bagger at a local grocery store.

It is typical that Happy cycles through his behavioral issues about every six to eight weeks.  Sadly, most often, the staff and administration at his school and place of employment are a bit slow to report incidents and situations to us, which I believe causes Happy to think he is "getting" away with things and so he often ends up spiraling in a downward trend with his behaviors until one of the other groups of adults in his life has had enough and they contact us, or we start to pick up the clues that he is leaving behind (like 5 days of being off work) and start reaching out ourselves to his employer and the school.

Last week I was dropped a big clue that something was amiss when Happy's job coach called to say that he was missing from his school work placement, and had been for almost 40 minutes.  This incident however alone, did not alarm me at the time.

It seems that day, Happy was angry because he had to go to his old job placement the morning at the YMCA due to circumstances out of his control, and that made him upset.  Of course instead of using his words to express himself, he waited until he got to the Y, and then helped himself to the gator keys off the office key rack and went on a drive about. 

He toured the facility and then headed over to the school grounds and down to the pond, which is where they found him 40 minutes later.  When questioned about his antics, he reported that he was picking up trash, however there was not trash in the gator, and he indicated he did not see what the big deal was.   Here is where that lack of forward thinking enters as a problem for Happy.  It never occurred to him that he could not "help himself" to the gator (which is owned by the Y) and disappear without asking permission, taking an adult with him, or telling someone where he would be.  He did not like that fact that everyone was in his business, and could not understand that had he wrecked the gator, or he had been injured while in the gator no one would know where to find him.  When the staff at school, work, and vocational rehab tried to point these things out to Happy , things got a bit heated and so the overall incident lasted about 2 1/2 hours that day. 

Last week it took me until Thursday to notice that there were no shifts at the grocery store for Happy on the house work calendar until Monday, giving Happy six days off work. I questioned the dwarf before he left for school that day and he told me that since snow bird season is over, they are not that busy and they are cutting everyone's hours.  While that sounded like a legitimate scenario, he is still required (and they agreed to the contract) 15 hours of work a week.  I processed the oddity of that, and then contacted his job coach and asked her to investigate.   And this is where the wheels really started falling off the bus for Happy.

It seems that he has had some exciting days at work in the last two weeks.   He was cited for eating ice cream bars while using the floor cleaning machine at closing.  A big no-no, because if you do not keep both hands on the machine and run off the course you could clear whole shelves of product or take out entire end cap displays.  In addition to that write up, he was also cited for bringing the electric carts in from the lot, riding them while using his feet instead of his hands to drive them.  I suppose it never occurred to him that his foot could slip and he could veer into a parked car, or loose control in any other fashion....

Additionally he has been refusing to offer to push customers groceries to their cars and load them for them.  This is a service that the grocery offers at no cost, but for some reason as social as Happy is, this is not a task that he enjoys at all, so he just refuses to offer it while bagging.

After this quick report from his job coach, I figured it was now time to take things into my own hands and contact the store myself.  Little did I know there was yet one more surprise Happy incident awaiting me.

As I started talking to Happy's supervisor, which has changed since his original hire, I immediately recognized that she has no idea about Happy, his disabilities and the Prince and my guardianship of him.  I went through the normal speech indicating that if they do not keep us updated immediately about situations with Happy, that we are not able to back them up, reinforce what they are trying to enforce, and in the long run, we are setting Happy up for failure, where if we all partner together, he has more of a chance at success.  I found out in regards to the incidents, they did have the male store manager sit with him and have a stern discussion, and since that time, he has been tracking better, but again I reminded her that they can contact us and we can be present for those meetings, or if they had let us know about the first incident, perhaps the others could have been avoided.

Now during the conversation, I was assuming that Happy's hours had been so drastically cut as part of his consequences of poor choices and bad behaviors.  You know, like a week on the street without pay.  That, she assured me was not the case.  It seems that Happy, who was upset with his availability, and the fact that he is not allowed to change it himself (without the Prince or I's permission) or request his own time off from his job, took matters into his own hands by writing a letter  and sending it to the corporate Human Resources offices, in effect lodging a formal complaint against his current managers. 

The result of his letter of complaint, was that he got to adjust his availability.  He made himself available from 6-10 M, T, Th, F, and Sat.   This is not a shift time that they have.  So he essentially made himself not ever available for a shift at the store. 

Have no fear, I corrected that immediately for them.  He is available every day of the week after 1:30 PM except Wednesdays.   We also shared with Happy that with graduation less than a month away, he better get used to the idea of working 30 plus hours a week.  I think he is still processing that nugget of information.

You really just can't make this stuff up!