Playing Catch Up

I have now had three trips in the past 4 months and have done a horrible job blogging while I was gone. I would like to blame it on poor Internet connection (which did play a big part) but really I am just a big slacker. So in an attempt to give you all a glimpse into my recent trips I will be posting a few things about each of them. So if you have ever been curious about Kenya, Bangladesh or the Dominican Republic, stay tuned I hope to give you a bit of insight. Here are a couple of pictures to whet your appetite.

Kenya

Bangladesh

Dominican Republic

Oh my gosh, I'm one already...

So my niece, the cutest girl in the whole world, turned one this past weekend. I am a bit of a slacker getting a congratuatory message because I left for the Dominican Republic the next day.

Anyway, I have to say this year with a new baby in the house has been so much fun. What a special, beautiful addition to the Partlow clan. Marshall and Lindsay are wonderful parents and although I am sure this year has had its challenges, Morgan turning into one amazing little girl.

Happy Birthday little Morgan! I love you lots! (I realize she doesn't read yet but I thought I would express my sentiments anyway.) Here are some pictures from her first birthday party. Enjoy!

Pre-Cake Prep

Post-Cake Clean-Up

Ah the joys of international travel

Greetings everyone from Bangladesh! I have been here a few days now and have to say it has been an interesting experience. Currently it is their winter season, this means it is quite cold. Cold is really a relative term because being that I am from Colorado I think 80 degrees is actually quite warm. There is a lot of fog this time of year so it makes air travel in and out of Bangladesh quite difficult. My plane from London was diverted for almost 8 hours due to the fact the pilot couldn't even see the lights of the airport let alone the run way. We were then diverted to Kolkata (Calcutta) India to wait out the fog. At first this made me nervous since it was 2am when this was decided, but British Airways put us up in a Hyatt (which I am told is one of the nicest hotels in India). The bathroom as you can see is all marble. Pretty impressive really. Apparently India has huge natural resources of marble and granite so they are able to have really nice places like this.

Eventually I got back to the airport and we made the 20 minute flight into Bangladesh safe and sound. Yeah!

Happy Birthday Big Brother!!

Wishing you a fantastic year! Sorry I can't be there to wish you in person. Let's celebrate when I get home from Bangladesh. Happy 31! I love you lots!

Some Perspective in the Politically Charged Time

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

I think that pretty much says it all.

Probably the Weirdest Thing I Have Ever Done for Work

So last week for work we had a team building offsite. I know what you are thinking, because it is what I thought originally. You're thinking work offsite where you sit around and play cheesy ice breaker games and some how learn more about the people you work with. Usually these offsites are really more work than fun because you are all forced to do things no body really likes doing.

However, I was pleasantly surprised, or more acurately, totally shocked when I found out what we were actually doing. See below for a few pictures that speak for themselves.

I sure all of you are thinking to yourself. There is no way Heidi actually did indoor sky diving. She is not an adventurous person. Well that is what I thought myself. Fortunately I have some proof...

Here is the practice time with our instructor. This is the position you are supposed to hold while 100 - 120 mph wind holds your body up in the air. Here Derek is telling me that I need to bend my legs more. Oh and you are supposed to relax.


Here is me right before we went into the locked room. Do you like my Superman colored suit. Pretty sweet, hey? It even has red down the back like a cape. Everyone else was totally jealous. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of my actual flight since they wouldn't let us take any lose items in (go figure). I do have a sweet video of my flights if anyone wants to see it. If anyone has ever had the random thought to do this, it is totally fun. I give it two thumbs up!

My 750 Words of Fame

Well I have been published...well not quite. But I was interviewed for the Compassion Blog. I have to say being interviewed make me nervous (I say that like this happens all the time) but I guess some people really wanted to know about Compassion's Complementary Interventions ministry so I got the job of explaining it. I always have a hard time describing what I do so with the help of a professional editor, my friend Amber, we got it down on paper. If you would like to check it out visit Compassion's Blog (http://blog.compassion.com/) for October 10, 2008 or you can check it out here.