Johnny Brooks in Kenya

Day 11

For the eleventh day of Kate's absence, I thought it would be good to remind you of the wishlist. We do not visit the U.S. that often so bringing back a few items is high on the priority list. Also feel free to be creative and contribute things not on the list, but consider that Kate has to be able to pack it and bring it back with her. Also, let me know when you purchase something so it can be crossed off the list.

Here we go:

• Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) Would like 2 sets (We were gifted with a Nintendo Switch a few months back and extra controllers would be nice. Games as well. We only have Super Mario Odyssey.) 
• OXO Good Grips Silicone/Stainless Steel Tub Stopper (This one is for Kate. She built a bathtub and now wants a nice stopper for it. If you have one other than this particular one that is fine. She actually wanted something decorative or fancy.)
• Maple flavor (You know something that can be used to flavor homemade syrup.)
• Nyquil (I hate colds.)
• children's fever/pain/allergy meds (Always nice to have for the kiddos and other folks kids as well.)
• Flintstones Children's Complete Chewable Multivitamin (Our kids are obsessed with vitamins.)
• Zahler Flax Seed Oil (Good for the brain.)
• Grownup Vitamins (Good for the body.)
• Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. - pad of 100 (as many as possible) (These are for Makena, and she is particular about this particular pad.)
• Bad Byron's Butt Rub (This is the best rub I have ever put on pork. Seriously.)
• Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2 Brainfreeze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (This is for the horse therapy sessions. The speaker we have is just not adequate. From what I can tell this is a nice reviewed speaker.)
• Pool noodles (Also for horse therapy)
• Frisbees (Again for horse therapy.)
• Dodgeballs (Not for horse therapy, but family therapy.)
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (To replace a damaged disk)
• CO-Z Bee Smoker (Cause we finally got bees to move into one of our hives.)
• A4 Portable LED Light Box (For Makena's artistic endeavors.)
• Hair clips (Cause duh, girls.)
• Watches (Everyone needs to be able to see what time it is.)
• Christmas ornaments (Fa la la la)
• Steve Jackson Games Munchkin Deluxe (This game looks awesome.)
• Reese's peanut butter cups (Just my absolute favorite candy of all time.)
• Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Newest Version (Another item for Makena. This will serve her well as she goes to school next year.)
• Microsoft Certified Surface Pen, Stylus Pens with 4096 Pressure Sensitivity (This goes with the above computer.)
• Huawei MateBook X Pro (This one is for me. I really could use and want a new computer.)

Care Packages

It has been a long time since we had an article about care packages, and it has been ages since we received one! Granted, they do charge us at the post office a percentage of the amount written on the customs form, but some things we just cannot find in Kenya, and we would love to have them. Here is our wish list! For my friends with horse connections, finding some items are quite difficult. We are extremely happy with used items as long as they are in good condition. I will post the horse items here first because they are difficult to find in Kenya, but if that is not an area of interest for  you, please keep scrolling. We really miss certain things like ranch seasoning packets!

Horse stuff: (I am posting links to products so you can see what we are needing, but if you have used items in good condition, we are happy to use those!)

• lead ropes (seriously, we have broken most of ours!)
• 4 hackamores (bitless attachment so our horses can be ridden without bits) see this link or this link
• 1/4" or 6mm thick parachord 100 ft long for making our own halters preferably turquoise or black, but not really picky!
• 20 pieces if possible 1" Stainless Steel O rings to make our own bridles
• 3 crops
• 3 or so (because they break over time, but one will do!) lunge whips
• bean bags (very important for our therapy sessions!)
• plush dice
• game idea books for horsey games (just search for some on Amazon) We aren't picky, and I don't have any!
• cones
• reins
• breast plates (3 ponies, one horse)
• Stirrup leathers 
• stirrups
• helmets
• Rope halters
• saddles obviously not easy to mail so designated funds to buy them here- $400 or so? I found one I really like! 
• extra money for hay (it is tripled in price at the moment, so we need about $400 for 100 bales)
• hay nets
• speakers and ipod for music for therapy. Our speakers are not loud enough.

Meds:

• Nyquil
• ibuprofen
• acetaminophen
• Children's meds ages 1 year and up
• vitamin C chewables
• pepto
• sore throat meds
• allergy meds
• bug bite meds
• antibacterial cream

Household:

• Mr. Clean erasers
• hand towels
• wash cloths
• silicone Popsicle molds
• LED solar twinkle lights (all sorts, these are fun!)
• flashlights
• hair bows for baby Starlette
• hair brushes (remember, we live in a country where we are the minority so finding good hair brushes is difficult)

Food:

• Ranch
• TexJoy
• butt rub
• seasoned sunflower seeds
• pistacios
• pecans
• almonds
• marshmallows (both large and small)
• hersheys
• chocolate chips
• peanut butter chips
• m&m's
• Reese's cups

school supplies

• Pens
• crayons
• coloring books
• erasers
• pencils
• paint brushes
• watercolor paper
• glue
• notebooks

Pet Supplies

• Dog sweaters for up on this cold mountain Size Great Dane
• Dog leashes
• Chew toys
• Flea control
• Dog bed

 

Out of Control

Have you ever played the 'trust game' where two people stand one in front of the other facing the same direction.  The person in front falls backward with the hope that the person behind him will catch him before he hits the floor?

There is a sense of helplessness as your body ascends towards the ground. Then suddenly, the strength and comfort of the catchers arms embraces you just in time!

The more times you play the game, the more trust you build between yourself and your partner.

Sometimes in life, when things don't go the way we hope, and we feel helpless and out of control, we need to fall into our Father's arms. There is a peace that Father will catch us.

Just keep falling. It's a crazy feeling, but I don't think you will hit the ground.

~Kate Brooks

A Future and a Hope, A home for orphaned girls in Nakuru, Kenya