I Love New York!

Martha and I just returned from the most amazing trip to New York.  Martha was invited to speak at a fundraising dinner for the Rollstone Foundation.  Rollstone was started by a couple in New York that has been involved in special needs adoption for the past several years.  They helped our friends adopt their daughter four years ago, which brought us into contact with Martha.  They also helped with Martha's adoption, so they have been very near and dear to us for some time.  When they emailed to ask if we would be interested in coming to New York for their fundraising dinner, I was so excited.  I wasn't sure if Martha would be thrilled with the prospect of speaking in front of people that she didn't know, but her sisters talked her into it, and off we went.

The trip was just absolutely perfect!  The flights all went as scheduled.  We stayed with two delightful families.  Everyone treated us like honored guests.  I woke up the first morning to birds singing, and a soft breeze blowing through the window.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  I did manage to mess up the world's simplest coffee maker.  They patiently talked me through it, and I got my cup of Joe.  They took us out for manicures and pedicures.  We took the ferry to Fire Island and had lunch on the deck overlooking the marina.  It was literally the perfect day.  It changed my view of New York forever.

Martha did an amazing job speaking at the dinner.  I had typed out what she wanted to say, from her telling me her story.  She read through it, and kept the audience engaged.  She had a near heart attack when Pam asked her to stand in front of the podium to speak.  She came up to me very concerned and asked if I could help her.  Our gracious host, Jim, offered to let her stand on his back behind the podium if we couldn't come up with a better idea.  The DJ came to the rescue with two plastic dish racks making her the perfect height for the podium.  My goal for the evening was not to cry through my entire speech.  When Pam got up to introduce us, she told everyone about when she met Martha in Ethiopia.  I had tears streaming down my cheeks before I had even stood up.  It was a very emotional evening, but also very lovely.  Everyone treated us very well.  They praised Martha profusely which made her feel very good.  As soon as she sat down after her talk, her smile (and appetite) returned.  Micheal and Pam did a simply amazing job of putting the dinner together, and sharing their heart with their friends.

Thursday morning we got up, ate a quick breakfast and headed into the city.  Micheal dropped us off at the train.  We came up out of Penn station to the big city.  Martha and I were at Pam's mercy, which was a good place to be.  She got us to the Empire State Building and through the line in record time.  I think Martha was a bit nervous about being that far off the ground, but the view was spectacular.  She got to see the Statue of Liberty.  We walked to Times Square and had lunch at Planet Hollywood.  We did some shopping, and more walking.  We saw Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral.  We grabbed some pizza and headed off to see Wicked on Broadway.  Wicked was amazing.  We got great tickets, although not all together.  It was a very long day, but so very worth every minute.  We got to the train late, so Micheal had to drive a bit further down the line to pick us up.  We got home, packed up and dropped into bed.

The flights home were all very smooth.  We slept a lot.  The family was there when we arrived in Spokane.  It was quite a transition to hop back in the van with the teeming mob.  We went to bed early, and are just now getting our time zones straightened out.  It was truly one of the most blessed trips I have ever taken.  Everyone was so good to us.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to give back to Rollstone for the many treasures they have given us.  I am still very much in their debt, and always will be.

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Swimming Pools

Tall Buildings, with amazing views

Cities that never sleep

Buying souvenirs for children

New York pizza

Broadway shows, amazing voices, and sets.

The kindness of strangers

Gracious hosts bringing glasses to thirsty girls

Jim offering to let Martha stand on his back.  I really think he would have.

Pam listening to God calling her to serve Him.

Children excited to see those that have been away.

Lunch at Red Robin, table for 11?

Open windows with cool breezes.

Families flying home to see grandma and grandpa.

Welcoming hugs

Beautiful snow capped peaks, even in June.

Missing friends that have gone away for the summer.