Seven down and counting........

Hello friends, family and world. If you chose to travel with this blog it is because you know me, have worked with me, are one of my young'uns or you just happened across it somewhere in cyberspace. Regardless, I am happy to have you along for the trip which will last approximately 4 and 1/2 months. Some days I feel witty and some days not but I intend to have fun with this new form of communication. New ?? you say? Well, yes, for me it is new and rather challenging because I am old by all standards, at 67.

I am originally from Live Oak, Florida but finished raising my family in Cross City, Florida. I love Cross City because the people thtere are so kind and friendly and the country atmosphere helped formulate the personalities of my children, Sarah, Mark and Rachael Hender who all graduated from Dixie County High School.I am also the Mother of Lindy Vasquez, Bobbi Davis and Grady Jones, Jr.

Humanitarian service is Bible based. The Lord spoke about being of service to others many times and showed it by washing the feet of his disciples. That is one of the reasons I volunteered for this project aboard the USNS Mercy. I decided that Heavenly Father would prefer I give of myself rather than donations and I am not getting paid for this trip. Yikes!!
Four months with no income!!!

We will be performing surgery on the people of Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Timor Leste over these next months...surgeries that these people would never be able to receive, either because there are no surgeons here to perform these surgeries or they do not have the money to pay.

All things will be processed according to US Navy regulations and I will certainly attempt to have photos and videos for your perusal and, hopefully, enjoyment. This initial posting is a trial because I have to learn how to do this correctly. It is seven down and counting because I board the ship in 7 days. I may not always have internet access so bear with me if you don't see anything new for several days. I guess there are no internet towers in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

I am getting excited about going but dread being weaned from my family and friends. But, here goes nothing and "God Save the Qu......Man the torpedos and al......No Man Is an Islan...." Oh, what the heck.....Lets get goin'.

Your Bud.....Dolores Talanoa, RN, CCRN