Greetings From Cebu!!

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged for days! I get up at 5:00 AM and go to bed every night at 11:30 PM or later. I am all over the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and just love every single child I have met. Witnessing the surgeries and interacting with the team has been amazing. The Filipino people are very friendly and feed us well! Ugh. Our team's visits in the community have been incredibly warm and welcoming. We feel very privileged. Only a few minor misshaps on the trip, but other than Sarah's passport being stolen, the trip is going well. Never thought I would spend time at the Canadian Consulate on this trip. I am leaving you with some of my favorite pictures from the last few days and promise to write all about the experience when I return home. The island of Bohol was beautiful and it was so cool seeing a real Tarsier, live and in person! My favorite is a sweet little baby named "Honey." Look how cute she is in the hat and how grateful her mother looks! Thank you Dan, for affording me this opportunity! Mom says you are "frenzied, but hanging in there." I will be home soon. Love you all very much! XOXOXO

Off to the Philippines!

Hi Everyone:

I leave early tomorrow morning and have about 32 hours of travel and lay-over time before I finally reach Cebu. Next Sunday is the team day of rest and the Vice Mayor of Cebu is treating the entire team to an Ocean Jet ride to the island of Bohol. The water is like Windex and the sand is as white as can be. The island is famous for its "Chocolate Hills" and the Tarsier (world's smallest primate, but with huge eyes!) What a treat!

Please wish me safe travels and pray that my family will be safe and secure in my absence. I really appreciate Dan and the kids for allowing me this incredible opportunity. I love you guys!

My team has been asked to blog our story as "Field Reporters." Please be sure to watch for daily updates on http://operationsmile.blogspot.com

All my love, Tracie

Love is in the air!

Happy First Valentine's Day Abbie! :)

Although it is her first Valentine's Day, I feel like I am the special one experiencing it for the first time. This morning, while Dan was out shoveling mounds and mounds of snow, the little girls each woke up to a soft little stuffed puppy waiting for them. The squeals of glee and pure joy reverberated throughout the house. Abbie, who previously did not like stuffed animals, immediately latched on to her red and white puppy and gave it tons of loves and kisses. Then the girls had to make their puppies kiss me on the lips. Giggles abounded! Lastly, Abbie hopped up on my lap and said "Ai Le" (love you in Chaozhou) and kissed me on the lips. A drooly, but very sweet kiss! Happy Valentine's Day!!

ONLY SIX DAYS UNTIL CEBU!

I am very excited that the Philippines Mission Coordinator has scheduled visits outside of the hospital for our student team. We are privileged to be able to visit the children/adults of the following schools/homes:

1. Asilo dela Milagrosa is an orphanage with babies, high school & college students; it also houses the elderly - total of 79 (29 babies and toddlers.)

2. CIC – Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion - is a Catholic school run by the Daughters of Charity. Grade School is coed; secondary school is exclusively for girls.

3. St. Martin de Porres is a school for Special Children, deaf-mute and mentally challenged. 54 students are enrolled from Grade I – Fourth year.

4. Children's Help & Assistance Foundation Inc. is a Center for the Neglected and Abandoned children, ages 6 – 13. Total of 33.

What an amazing mission this will be!

Meili and Lili

I LOVE this picture of big sister Meili holding

"not so little sister" Lili. SO SWEET!!!!!!

XIN NIAN KUAI LE - SHU NIAN! HAPPY YEAR OF THE RAT!

Less Than Two Weeks!

Hi Everyone:

On February 19th I leave for Cebu City! I learned today that I will actually be staying at a Marriott Hotel. How funny is that?! I received our team roster and will have my travel itinerary this week. I am just so excited to have this experience!

If you would like to donate to my personal Operation Smile campaign, go to:
http://www.onesmile.org/campaigns/?tracie%20linne

Click on the big orange DONATE box! Every dollar counts and it only takes $240.00 and 45 minutes to change a smile forever!

Love you all, Tracie