Getting Together in Colorado

Piano Lessons for Barley

Mrs. Ivy gives Amelia piano lessons at the piano source here in Albuquerque. Amelia then gives Barley piano lessons..but his paws are a little to big for the black notes. I (Malin) am competing with Amelia as we are now at the same skill (level 1 in piano adventures technique and artistry book). Amelia has nailed "Journey by Camel" and I can play "My Pony" almost by memory.

In praise of the church

Coming to Albuquerque we knew that we needed to immediately begin building community. We looked to the church as a natural place to meet and connect with people. Our experience in Akron during residency, of not connecting in a church we attended for 2 years and then having Meredith prematurely and realizing their was no one coming to support us, pray with us and help us taught us the importance of the church. And caused us to change churches and focus more time and energy in the church. This lesson continued as we relied on the support of several churches during our time Kenya.

So, we began "the church hunt" or "the church shopping". I think most of dread those terms as we sound like consumers: just looking for the church that will meet our needs. And yet we needed a church that would meet our loneliness and replace it with community and friendship.

Our second Sunday in Albuquerque we were invited to attend Hope Evangelical Free. And all I can say is that the people there have got it right from introducing by name and remembering our names, asking questions and taking the time to listen, inviting strangers to activities, and directing you to people that could help our family connect. We were immediately loved by that church and that in turn testifies to the love of Christ. We've learned that this welcoming didn't just happen, but took work and intentionality from the church. It also meant people willing to call us to go to playgroups, have dinner, join in on a BBQ, go running, meet for breakfast, introduce us to missionaries from Tenwek, invite us to a child's birthday partg, and play the piano as a means to get to know us. And so God's provision continues through the church.

Visitors #2

Thanks to Ana and John for coming as well to visit. We had a good time hiking, playing and eating with them as well. Malin and John also enjoyed a nationally ranked golf course (I didn't tell Malin beforehand that John actually really knows how to play). The girls loved having another uncle around to climb on, talk with and chase. We're excited to see Megan, Gary, Joel, Anna and Estee this weekend at Mesa Verde park and to camp with them. And then in 2 weeks Nana comes. It's been so good to reconnect with family!

Visitors #1

Thanks to Kiersten and Jason for coming to our house! We had a great time several weeks ago hiking, playing, and eating.

Making A Home

Bouldering

The Sandia foothills are essentially in our backyard. Amelia and Meredith have taken to evening hikes and climbing as many boulders as they can. Barley follows along and I'm often trying not to watch as they ascend something bigger. Meredith astutely commented, "It seems easier to go up, up, up but then tricky to get down." Yes, they both want to hike in dresses or skirts. And the camelback makes ever hike much better!

Settling In

Few Pictures of the highlights of our road trip to Albuquerque


Dinner with Auntie Kiersten and Uncle Jason


Movie night with the cousins


Great Sand Dunes National Park-- a little detour on our road trip to Albuquerque






Auntie Ana treating the girls at the American Girl Doll Store Denver






We arrived in Albuquerque 10 days ago and are beginning to settle into our home. It's good to have arrived here and reflect on the path God brought us on to get here. How would we sum-up the 2 years in Kenya?--I can't answer that question. How would we describe our time there? What did we think of the experience? What did we see God do? We intended this blog to continually answer those questions. The answers aren't short and the questions continue because they can and should be asked where ever you live and work.

Amelia and Meredith attended a new school last week; overall the experience was good. Malin began work and I will be starting on some research prior to starting the fellowship. We appreciate prayer as we seek out community here.

On the road....

We're in Rawlins for the night heading to Denver tomorrow. After an extended weekend there visiting family, we'll be heading to Albuquerque. Malin begins working April 4th. Amelia is traveling with us keeping Barley under control. Meredith flew with Grammie to Denver to spend some extra time with her cousins (but the real reason is that she's just not so great on road trips). Amelia has been bribed with a dollar per day she doesn't ask, "Are we there yet? or how much longer?" She's been creative and has asked, "What town do you think we'll eat in? What state will we sleep in tonight and are we in that State yet? Do you think I'll have enough time to watch Enchanted before we get there?" She's also reading out-loud to me in the car which is quite enjoyable. I was surprised when she asked me to continue home schooling her the next two months before I start fellowship. I'm still thinking about my answer.

As we drive I think of all that needs to happen once we arrive in Albuquerque, I find the extensive highway of 84 to 80 a perfect time to agonize over all that's coming, but it does seem that the speed of the car correlates with my anxiety level and so I'm reminded we are commanded by God to not worry, not to be anxious. So instead I think of all the ways God has provided in the past, confident He will continue to be faithful in the future.

How to get a puppy....

1. Find a breed that doesn't shed (this was #1 for me)
2. Ask your parents for 3 years.
3. Write a letter to your daddy about all you'll do to care for a puppy and that he can even decide on the name (because as much as you want to name him Fluffy--maybe daddy doesn't.)
4. Check-out library books about dogs every chance you get.
5. Look endlessly on the internet at dog breeds and tell your parents about them in detail.
6. Promise your parents that you won't ask for another animal (like a horse) after you get the dog.

So meet the newest member of our family... BARLEY!

"no wrong doing.."

It was more than I expected, but I am very grateful to have received an official letter from the Kenya saying there is no validity to the claims made against me and the hospital. Honestly I didn't believe resolution or even a favorable outcome was possible. And while I had committed this to prayer, along with many others, I did doubt that God would provide vindication. But there it is, written, clearly. How much peace this news brings!

A break..

I planned to take a little break from blogging, but that quickly turned into an entire month!

We just traveled from Oak Harbor to Bend to start what I see as the final phase before our move to Albuquerque. We did get to use snow chains for the first time crossing the pass today and so it was a long journey.

Thankfully Amelia was still able to say, "Goodbye," to her friends at Oak Harbor Christian School as last week the school closed for snow. We've resumed home-schooling for now. Meredith is eager to join in after going to pre-school the past 3 months.

These are the easy things to write about--the facts of our day to day life since returning to the States. The harder things, the things we're still working through and processing I'm not ready yet to commit to words.

Together again

Amelia, Meredith and I flew to Bend, Oregon and reunited with Malin for the next week (it's been just over 5 weeks since we've seen each other). While he's working, we'll still enjoy some cross-country skiing, swimming, running, and just being together. And of course the girls are excited to play with Grammie again. The girls and I left Papa to fend for himself until my Mom returns from Haiti Feb 2nd. It really has been so good to be geographically closer to our family for a while.

Haiti

By the time this is posted Mom will have already been in Haiti one week--which means I was remiss and should've posted sooner. For quite a while my Mom has actively supported and participated in a ministry called Children of the Promise (childrenofthepromise.org) which provides care for orphans in Haiti. They both seek adoptive parents and support Haitian family members trying to care for orphans. I've lost track of the exact number of times Mom has been to Haiti, but sufficient to say she has made a long-term commitment to this ministry through short term service, constant fundraising and awareness. Her passion for these children testifies to Christ's call to care for orphans and I'm proud of her service. This time she traveled with her sister Julie and we appreciate prayers for them and the team they are working with. Meredith's prayers for Nana go something like this, "Dear Jesus, Help Nana in Haiti. Help her know she can't stay with the babies forever that we need her here. Don't let her stay there forever. Amen."

God made me that way....

As I carried Meredith to the car after swimming lessons she said, "Wouldn't it be great if we had a bathroom in our car?" I said, "No, it wouldn't be great because guess who would have to clean it!" She retorted that then we could not only "tinkle" in the bathroon, but in the car as well and that would be fun particularly since "we can't go potty in the hot tub or the pool." I teased her about being one of the silliest 4 year olds I've ever known. She said, "Mom, I just came out like that. That's what God made me."

I think she's right. But have often wondered what parts of my personality God made and therefore are pleasing before Him and what parts of my personality arise from a sinful heart. Sometimes the answer is obvious. Other times I'm not so sure. When does driveness change from admirable to annoying or harmful to people around you? And there have been times I've heard, "God made me that way," as some pseudo-religous reason to engage in something like gossip. It'd be convenient if that phrase provided a spiritual exempt when we don't want to aknowledge wrong-doing.

Boards

Taking the oral boards in Dallas last Thursday was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. It started with snow in Seattle (seriously, how often does it snow in Seattle?) and an hour delay which meant normally I would've missed my connection in Denver, but we had an "unusually strong tail wind" and made-up over an hour of time in route. Then Laura's Aunt Judy graciously met me at the airport in Dallas and showed me the highlights of the city and took me out for BBQ and a souffle. I don't think I've ever had souffle before and it was exquisite. Nothing like an amazing salvatory experience to distract from a test. After a near sleepless night, followed by a morning run, I put on the suit and shoes on the my friend Jill lent me (I'm so lucky to have a friend with good taste and a suit my size!).

The next part was 3 hours of gruelling questioning. Some questions I anticipated, most I did not. Naturally there were questions I thought of much better answers too after the test which ate at me for the next 5 days.

I boarded a plane that night and went to Denver to visit Ana for an extended weekend. Ana did everything she could to distract me from the obvious question: did I pass or fail? We had a great time eating-out, attending a canvas and cocktails class, running, shopping and generally just being together. She was patient with my perseveration on several board questions.

After returning to Seattle Jill brought me to the ferry and Dad drove me home. Amelia had waited-up and greeted me with chatter about all the fun they had with Nana and Papa and the exciting weekend staying with Auntie Laura, Uncle Dan and Si. Meredith was asleep and only said, "I'm too tired to pray tonight."

As much as I tried to concentrate on other things the only thing that eased my anxiety was reading this morning the word "Passed" on my ABOG page.

Reflecting on the studying, travel and test I see how many people supported and encouraged me in this process... perhaps you see a bit of that in reading this. I know also that there were many people, not as obvious to me, but just as important praying for clarity, calmness and confidence as I took the exam. Thank you.

Miscellaneous Pictures

Making Gingerbread houses with Grammie (and snitching a little candy too).

Papa pouring out Washington State Clams, Mussels, & Shrimp steaming hot!

Christmas Prime Rib...enough to make a vegetarian tremble with fear.
Malin giving surfing (longboard) a try at Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon Coast. Let me say if it was me vs. the waves..the waves won the battle.

Meredith, Amelia, and Sara hiked the Sand-Dune twice.

Partial Cichowski family picture (and Whidbey the dog).
The cousins with Amelia, Meredith, & Josiah.

So what is my job

It seems only fair after the last post to describe what a specialist in Pelvic Reconstruction does. First, the terms "vaginal rejuvination" and "designer vagina" are not recognized by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist and the procedures are also not sanctioned (although they are commonly presented on a certain TV real life series). So while it may be sort of funny to think of titles for cosmetic surgery of the vagina, that's really not what I am training to do.

Reconstruction is not synonomous with cosmetic. In fact the patients I'll be focusing on are patients with fecal or urinary incontinence and/or vaginal, urethral, bladder, uterine or rectal prolapse. These problems often occur from childbirth and are certainly not funny. And where medical care is limited, women can also develop fistulas from traumatic childbirth.

Sometime I'll write more about why I've chosen to focus on medical issues that predominantly impact quality of life, but for now I hope that clarifies my future area of expertise.

What do you do?

I think there's certain jobs out there that when mentioned sort of end the conversation. Perhaps I'm entering a career like that, here was a recent conversation that occurred when I picked Amelia up from school.

"Are you Jan's daughter?"

"Yes."

"Hi. I'm .... I served with your Mom on the school board. You're a doctor right and you've been in Kenya?"

"Yes, I am."

"What are your plans, are you returning to Kenya?"

"Well, we are still interested in medical missions, but I'm going to start a fellowship in pelvic reconstruction."

"Oh, so you're an orthopedic surgeon?"

"No, I'm a gynecologist."

A look of surprise, a slight smile and then, "Well, I better go get my kids."

Obedience

Yesterday, when I found Amelia's Christmas gift in disarray I asked Meredith, "Did you play with your sister's American girl doll?" Meredith cowered and said, "Mommy, it takes a lot of time to learn how to be obedient." I tried to hide my grin and remind her that that isn't an excuse to do something you know is wrong.

But Meredith is right. Obedience takes time to learn and involves failure. Particularly when it comes to obeying God. Scripture is filled with examples of people failing to follow God and God's forgiveness following, but only after repentance. And perhaps that's the bigger lessons I'm trying to instill in my children, not that they can be perfect and obey every rule, but that repentance is part of obedience.