Lessons from a non potty trained cat

Over the weekend I finally was able to speak with the community outreach woman.  I'm so glad that we could finally speak but the end result was very disappointing to say the least.  Seems that the expectation that I had was misplaced and the interest in hospice and palliative care is not here and the focus is generally in building buildings, and other infrastructure for the local hospital.  There is some being done in community health but there isn't a place for another nurse at this time.  I must say that I was very saddened with this realization and it took me several days to resolve my disappointment.

I have now put my plans away and will wait for some other time when the possibilities for health work come available.  This does not mean that I don't wish for it and will not be available if it comes to be but it does mean that I cannot spend my time here pushing and prodding for a service that isn't, at this time, viewed as necessary or important.  Life is too short to spend kicking against a closed door.....and frankly, it is too painful and rather dumb to persist.....takes me longer than most to come to these type of realizations but that's ok.....We all get to the "ah ha" moments in our lives at different times.

So I spoke with my daughter in law, Sophie, and she gave me good advice.  She said, don't obsess on this, and instead see where else you can serve the people here.  Great advice.....gently given and gladly received.......so.....today was the first day of a new focus.....

Since arriving here the drivers have been asking for English lessons.  It is true that it takes time to learn Portuguese and so it is difficult to get around without a dictionary...and I'm sure very frustrating for the drivers.  So I again got help from Sophie and found sites on the internet for teaching English to foreign learners.  Now when I was living in Thailand, after the children had all graduated high school, I took a class and became certified in teaching English.  I then taught Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai women students and thoroughly enjoyed it.  In fact I have all my materials coming in the shipment that will get here sometime this year....but the drivers asked for lessons starting now...... So I went to the office building to start the classes.  Now things here generally have a glitch or two to stretch your resolve and this was no different.  I arrived and waited for 30 min while the drivers got permission to come into the building for the class.  I realize that this conference room isn't available all the time but thought that since the drivers need to wait at the office, where would it be more convenient that to be at that location.....we don't all think the same......anyway, first there were 6 students that arrived and by the end of the hour, there were a total of 15......so clearly an interest.....we did introductions and it was fun, I think......and well received enough that when I told the lead driver that we couldn't use that room any longer and he would have to come up with an alternative location, he did!!!!!  Immediately!!!  There is an annex in the back of one of the houses and Jan, who is helping me teach, agreed to have the classes there.  There will be plenty of room and a fan will keep the air moving......it is definitely workable. 

It is great to have a project again....something to work toward to make a difference.

Oh, one last thing.....the toilet training of Ms Kitty.....we had a major setback......I thought since she has been using the toilet with the kitty litter under the seat in a bucket then it wouldn't be a problem to remove the litter and she would go over the water......well, again she held things for 24 hours and then I found the bathroom rug all wadded up in a corner.....you guessed it.....she used the rug well actually, Bryan thinks she used the floor and tried to hide it under the rug.....so the litter is back and I guess I need to keep an eye out to reward her when she uses the toilet so she will want to continue to go there for a treat......who knew that potty training a cat would be this difficult.  Our other little kitty in Thailand taught herself......and maybe that is the point.....her choice, not mine......and cats aren't known for their teach-ability........Hmmmmm  so am I like this cat?......Seems it takes me a really long time to be willing to change my focus and to learn from my teacher, God, who is placing me in situations that are not easy and against the grain for me......so that I can be a better servant.....and it seems to be as hard as Ms Kitty learning to give up the kitty litter........