Grandma Nicole, Grandpa and I were proudly reporting to friends on what you are doing in Ethiopia. As it turns out, they were in Ethiopia in 1972 and Dr. Robertson, a gynecologist and obstetrician, worked with Dr. Catherine Hamlin, who founded a hospital there in Addis Ababa. They were interested in having your email address so they might contact you. I will give them this website. You will be home soon!

Lisa Nicole, Reading about your trip has been quite rewarding. I was touched by your last posting about the soup kitchen, the childrens reactions and realizations about waste. How we differ in our opinions when we have so much! I was alos quite touched by your comment that leaving would be difficult. You will never really leave there. The people and things you have come in contact with will forever shape you and will be with you always. You are making the world a better place just by being open to it all! Looking forward to reading more. Thank you for sharing so much with us all.

Alyssa Cousin!!! I have been behind in checking out your weekly updates and just sat down to read all of October - what an amazing time you are having! I am so proud of you. Especially for hiking, camping and sleeping in a tent! I never thought I would see the day where you would enjoy that as an adult. :) What was the reaction in Ethiopia to Obama's win? I remember when I was in Spain during the last election, the Spaniards were all well informed of American politics, more so than many Americans, and were all anxious to see who we would elect - just wondering if it was the same in Ethiopia. Everyone in Seattle was beyond ecstatic! I can't believe you are already in your last month there, how time flies. I can't wait to see you, though, and catch up with all of your adventures. Love you!!

Mama I'm glad that you had such a wonderful adventure touring Ethiopia. The photos are spectacular. I can't wait to hear more about it when you get home. Love you!

Uncle Dave Nicole, Your blog and photos are fascinating! It so great that you are sharing your adventure with us and I am looking forward to your next postings. It is fall here in the Pacific Northwest and the days keep getting cooler. Rosie and I took our kayaks out one more time on the Columbia River this morning and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors in the trees on the shore. What type of watercraft do they use in Ethiopia? Love, Uncle Dave

Grandma Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. Mother Teresa Seems to me, Nicole, that is exactly what you are doing! The memories you will carry with you will enrich you for giving is its own reward. Am so very proud of you! Grandma

Dad Hi Nicole, Fascinating blog last week, I loved reading it! You're writing so well and the stories are VERY descriptive. Good pictures of the traditional music & dancing, but what was that instrument being played, the one which looked like a tall crossbow on end? Best wishes to my favorite ferenge! love you -Dad

Charlene NICOLE! I just sat down and read all your blogs in one sitting-you are THAT interesting! It sounds like you are having the experience of a lifetime. When you get back I definitely want to meet up and hear more about your trip in person. Maybe I could help treat your and Rhea's head for lice...

Rhea Hey Nicole, I just read your blog about Anna getting head lice and I just want you to know that I am doing my practicum for the next 6 months at a homeless shelter here in Eugene and I work in the preschool there and many of the kids have head lice on a consistent basis and I am pritty sure I will get it eventually! So when you get home we could always have a lice party and treat each others hair:) LOL hopefully that party never happens, I just though it was funny that we both are at risk of head lice right now! I miss you and can't wait to see you!

Becca WOW Nicole- Your trip sounds so amazing and its such a refresh to read about your time over there. I also love looking at the pictures. I hope that you are having the time of your life and I cannot wait for you to come home and share all your stories in person. Anyways darling, I hope you have a great rest of your trip and I cant wait to see your beautiful face again.. maybe sit over som Starbucks and chit chat.. I sure do miss that! :) Keep in touch. I miss you tons!

Uncle Bob How refreshing to read about life in Addis, where people do not seem to be obsessed with our election, the appraised value of their McMansions, their 401-K balances, or the price of gasoline.... Love the pix, love the stories--it's great to hear from a committed volunteer doing good stuff and getting love back. Bob

Grandma Wow! I've discovered the message board. What fun it is to read the reports of your activities. Truly, you are having the experience of a lifetime. It is delightful to imagine how interacting with those children is for you. You have so much compassion. And you are fortunate to be removed from all the heated rhetoric of the political campaigning. Reviewing reports from Factcheck.org reveals how misleading both candidates are. Can't believe either one of them entirely. So, for me, it comes down to character and experience. I've shared some of the pictures with my friend, Ninni. Needless to say, they touch her deeply. Certainly hope the lice find other nesting places and leave you alone! Love you, Grandma

Kenny So I think you should bring back lots of silk! For reasons beyond my own understanding, I'm quite intrigued by the silk factory. I'm loving the updates. You make my life seem dreadfully boring, so I'm living vicariously through you. Have fun, be safe! -Kenny

Aunt Rosie Nicole - I'm enjoying your photos. Beautiful country. We think about you often. Looking forward to talking to you in person once you return, but I suspect you'll be in demand for awhile! SO proud of you . . . who ever would have thought!!! Much love, Rosie

Dad Hi Nicole! You picked a good time to leave the country. GW is trying to bailout the economy by borrowing $700 billion from the Chinese, buying up assets of failing banks in over their heads on mortgage-leveraged securities that might soon become worthless (Wait...wasn't him who said 3-4 years ago that "the economy is fine, home ownership is at an all-time high"?? Oops, appears another cabinet member fell asleep at the wheel watching re-runs of Candi & Rummy sparring over Iraqi damage control spin). Polls say we don't approve, and now the Republicans are suddently waking up in opposition saying "Hey, aren't we supposed to be anti-govt & pro-business?" Speaking of Iraq, the Shiites have prevailed there, routing the Sunnis outta their enclaves, inadvertantly making the "troop buildup" a mirage of semi-successful, military intelligence (oxymoron intended). Meanwhile over in Afghanistan the Pakistanis are shooting at our helicopters & troops, warning NATO forces there to be very afraid, because they have elephants ridden by crazed, sword-wielding, turban-wearing, holy warriors high on hashish just waiting in reserve. As if that wasn't enough, Hollywood has announced cutbacks on all the fall schedules, cancelling shows like 'The Office' and 'The Closer', while Estee Lauder released their new Sarah Palin line, complete with 'pit bull lipstick.' Ok, so I'm kidding. Thinking about you & hoping to to make you laugh! LOTTSA LOVE FROM ALL OF US BACK HERE IN SUPER-SIZED-SIM-CITY