I have been reminded a lot lately about peace. Yesterday our family spent the day with friends in a beautiful garden. It is away from the city which makes it an amazingly quiet place. We heard the birds, the trees moving in the wind, and laughter. We didn't hear dogs barking, people shouting, taxis honking, music blaring or phones ringing! It was a place designed to make you feel at peace! It was beautiful!
This morning I got up and during my quiet time I came across Isaiah 26:3-4. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
I thought for a long time about what perfect peace would truly look like...I would think that all the things I long for would be apart of that perfect peace. Love, true joy, laughter, compassion, rest, no worries...if we truly had perfect peace then those things would accompany it!
God promises us this kind of peace if we only trust him completely. I KNOW that I can trust him with everything: my life, my family, my friends, my future...WHY don't I? Deep down I BELIEVE he wants what is best for me and that he loves me with an incomprehendable love! Why do I let worry and doubt creep in?
My prayer for this day and all to come is that I will keep my mind steadfast because of my trust in this incredible God who wants to be my father, comforter, friend, healer, protector, guide...my ROCK!
I want to REST in his beautiful peace no matter what noise is going on around me!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas!
It's still pretty early and yet it has already been an eventful Christmas Eve! My friend Susan and I went for our run this morning. On that run lots of unusual things happened. We run often but all these things happened for the first time today...must be the holidays! We had 4 people make a "kissing" sound at us, it poured down rain so we were soaking wet, we saw a beautiful rainbow, and we passed a "crazy" man who had two huge rocks aimed at us. That one ended up being just a joke...they thought scarying us would be pretty funny. And honestly after all the frustrations of the morning I actually had to laugh...I think I was so thankful that it was just a joke and not real!
Christmas here in Haiti is different than Christmas in the states in lots of ways. If you walked down the street you would have no idea it was Christmas here. No lights, no stores filled with "Christmas" things, no Santas on the corners, and definitely no snow. However, Christmas is Christmas no matter where you are! It is such a sweet reminder of why we do what we do. The moment when you hear a song that brings tears to your eyes as you think of Jesus as a tiny baby coming to save us...We have an amazing God who loves us with an indescribable love! We get to share and remember that here in Haiti and you wherever you are! That will never change!
It has been a beautiful Christmas time here in Haiti! Sunny, warm and relaxing! Just like we like it. The boys do talk about the winters they remember in Elgin...making snowmen, snow angels, snow ice cream...they think it would be fun to be in the states during Christmas sometime. I am definitely missing family and friends but not the COLD!
Have a Merry Christmas!!! Our prayer is that you are able to remember what this time is truly about no matter where you are!
Merry Christmas from Haiti!
Scott, Lindsay, Cameron and Ethan
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thankful
Last night as I was sitting on my patio with my boys and Scott I had an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness!
For the last few weeks I have been sick. A blood test confirmed that I had malaria. I was very weak and missed a lot of school. I also missed my time with my family! My boys were so helpful. Cameron made me dinner one night and they would both run in and kiss me as they walked by my room. I longed to be WITH them-not just listening to them in the other room. I just didn't have the strength or energy to get up!
Now, I am healthy! My time of "rest" gave me hours of quiet time! I was able to pray and think about all the things I am thankful for. God has been so faithful! I have an amazing, thoughtful, and funny husband. I have two precious, loving, smart, and sweet boys. I have a job I love, 17 beautiful students, and a home in a place I love: Haiti! Last night I couldn't help but think of all those things and feel so blessed as I watched my boys and my husband playing with the fire, seeing the stars shine, and listening to Christmas music...I was overwhelmed!
We have had a long weekend. Today we had a Haitian holiday so there was no school. We had a FAMILY weekend! It makes me smile just thinking about all we did together-just the four of us. We had pizza night, 3 amazing movies, star gazing on the roof, fire on the patio with s'mores and sticks to play in the fire with (the boys could do that for hours), wii, chicken enchiladas (which made me think of my mama-she makes the best), skyline (which made us thankful for Jess and Lorie Adkins who provided us with that skyline), and peanut butter ice cream...just so many fun moments filled with laughter!
One of the nights as we were on the roof watching the stars, I asked my boys a question..."What is your favorite part of living in Haiti?" Ethan said, "playing with all my friends." Cameron said, "Being able to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them." I thought that was kind of a "churchy" answer so I said "Yes, it is amazing that we get to do that but what is your favorite part?" He wouldn't change his answer! He said, "I love everything about Haiti (which he does) but my favorite part is that we get to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them!"
Wow, that was a moment when I was a proud mama! I have the most amazing boys and I am so thankful to be their mom but there are times when they truly astonish me...MY BOYS LOVE JESUS! Is there anything better than knowing your children love Jesus? I love being a mom to my "missionary kids".
God, thank you for being so faithful! Thank you for allowing me to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them! Thank you for giving me two amazing boys to help remind me of this truth. Thank you for giving me a husband that I adore. THANK YOU!
For the last few weeks I have been sick. A blood test confirmed that I had malaria. I was very weak and missed a lot of school. I also missed my time with my family! My boys were so helpful. Cameron made me dinner one night and they would both run in and kiss me as they walked by my room. I longed to be WITH them-not just listening to them in the other room. I just didn't have the strength or energy to get up!
Now, I am healthy! My time of "rest" gave me hours of quiet time! I was able to pray and think about all the things I am thankful for. God has been so faithful! I have an amazing, thoughtful, and funny husband. I have two precious, loving, smart, and sweet boys. I have a job I love, 17 beautiful students, and a home in a place I love: Haiti! Last night I couldn't help but think of all those things and feel so blessed as I watched my boys and my husband playing with the fire, seeing the stars shine, and listening to Christmas music...I was overwhelmed!
We have had a long weekend. Today we had a Haitian holiday so there was no school. We had a FAMILY weekend! It makes me smile just thinking about all we did together-just the four of us. We had pizza night, 3 amazing movies, star gazing on the roof, fire on the patio with s'mores and sticks to play in the fire with (the boys could do that for hours), wii, chicken enchiladas (which made me think of my mama-she makes the best), skyline (which made us thankful for Jess and Lorie Adkins who provided us with that skyline), and peanut butter ice cream...just so many fun moments filled with laughter!
One of the nights as we were on the roof watching the stars, I asked my boys a question..."What is your favorite part of living in Haiti?" Ethan said, "playing with all my friends." Cameron said, "Being able to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them." I thought that was kind of a "churchy" answer so I said "Yes, it is amazing that we get to do that but what is your favorite part?" He wouldn't change his answer! He said, "I love everything about Haiti (which he does) but my favorite part is that we get to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them!"
Wow, that was a moment when I was a proud mama! I have the most amazing boys and I am so thankful to be their mom but there are times when they truly astonish me...MY BOYS LOVE JESUS! Is there anything better than knowing your children love Jesus? I love being a mom to my "missionary kids".
God, thank you for being so faithful! Thank you for allowing me to tell people everyday that Jesus loves them! Thank you for giving me two amazing boys to help remind me of this truth. Thank you for giving me a husband that I adore. THANK YOU!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Pictures: 4th Grade
crown waiting for us in Heaven!
My Kids: Gifts from God!
"To show God's power!" This was the answer one of my students gave when a question was asked that I didn't have an answer for. Our students are amazing!!!
Flowers every morning...I recieve 3-5 flowers every morning from my sweet students. They make me smile!
Hugs...I recieve hugs each morning from students I love!
"These are for you!"...marinad (haitian fried dumpling type food) from a student. She knows they are my favorite haitian food and she brings them to me every Wednesday. Yum!
"Thank you for my mom. She's so cute"...words from my son during his prayer! He copied the words from his father's prayer. They make my heart happy!
"Bonjou, bel madam"...words I hear from my neighbor every morning and afternoon during my break. It means hello beautiful woman. :)
I am so blessed! I know that God has put each and everyone of these people in my life to encourage me and make me smile!
Flowers every morning...I recieve 3-5 flowers every morning from my sweet students. They make me smile!
Hugs...I recieve hugs each morning from students I love!
"These are for you!"...marinad (haitian fried dumpling type food) from a student. She knows they are my favorite haitian food and she brings them to me every Wednesday. Yum!
"Thank you for my mom. She's so cute"...words from my son during his prayer! He copied the words from his father's prayer. They make my heart happy!
"Bonjou, bel madam"...words I hear from my neighbor every morning and afternoon during my break. It means hello beautiful woman. :)
I am so blessed! I know that God has put each and everyone of these people in my life to encourage me and make me smile!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Missing Albertha
It has been a very tough week for our family! On Tuesday morning we learned that our long time friend died. She had been sick for over a week but we had no idea it would lead to this!
Albertha is an amazing lady! For those of you who have come and visited us you probably met her and she greeted you with a huge smile! She is the only one who has ever worked for us in our home. She helped us tremendously by keeping our house beautifully clean but she did so much more than that! Our boys loved her and she loved them! She was truly on of my best friends here in Haiti! I had the opportunity to learn from her...she didn't know english and she always helped me to speak creole correctly. OR she would just understand my choppy communication! I loved her! She was a part of our family, not just someone who worked for us!
She has two young daughters. Blandine is in my fourth grade class this year but I have known her and her sister, Dayanka (my student last year) since they were tiny! Scott and I met Dayanka just a few weeks after she was born when we were living here in 2001. Albertha worked for us during our first "tour of duty" too. She also has three older sons. Albertha was an amazing mother and friend! She will truly be missed-EVERYDAY!
I can't imagine having anyone else in my home! She was so sweet and honest and hardworking. I trusted her with all I have...even my children. She loved Cameron and Ethan as if they were her own and they loved her in return. It is so hard to believe this is really happening and that she will never walk through my door again! Never greet me with a huge smile, a kiss and a "bonjou se m" (good morning my sister).
I am so thankful that we will get to see her again! She loved God and she is with him now making everyone up there smile...for that I am thankful! Please keep her family and ours in your prayers...we have lost an amazing lady! I am sure God is glad to have her there with him but we will MISS her more than words can say!
Albertha is an amazing lady! For those of you who have come and visited us you probably met her and she greeted you with a huge smile! She is the only one who has ever worked for us in our home. She helped us tremendously by keeping our house beautifully clean but she did so much more than that! Our boys loved her and she loved them! She was truly on of my best friends here in Haiti! I had the opportunity to learn from her...she didn't know english and she always helped me to speak creole correctly. OR she would just understand my choppy communication! I loved her! She was a part of our family, not just someone who worked for us!
She has two young daughters. Blandine is in my fourth grade class this year but I have known her and her sister, Dayanka (my student last year) since they were tiny! Scott and I met Dayanka just a few weeks after she was born when we were living here in 2001. Albertha worked for us during our first "tour of duty" too. She also has three older sons. Albertha was an amazing mother and friend! She will truly be missed-EVERYDAY!
I can't imagine having anyone else in my home! She was so sweet and honest and hardworking. I trusted her with all I have...even my children. She loved Cameron and Ethan as if they were her own and they loved her in return. It is so hard to believe this is really happening and that she will never walk through my door again! Never greet me with a huge smile, a kiss and a "bonjou se m" (good morning my sister).
I am so thankful that we will get to see her again! She loved God and she is with him now making everyone up there smile...for that I am thankful! Please keep her family and ours in your prayers...we have lost an amazing lady! I am sure God is glad to have her there with him but we will MISS her more than words can say!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I'm sitting...
in my classroom. I am looking around at this room I have spent hours preparing and decorating for my new 4th grade class to enjoy. I will have 18 new students come into my door for the first time tomorrow. I am sitting here thinking of these 18 children. I am thinking of what their homelife is like, how loved they feel and if they KNOW that our God loves them! I am sitting here praying that God will use me this year to LOVE these kids! Please pray with me...
God, help me to show them you in all I do and say. Help me to show them you in the way I love them. Protect them this year. Help them to trust you! Help them to KNOW you! Help them to BELIEVE!
God, thank you for entrusting me with these precious smiles, faces, hands and feet. Thank you for allowing me to love them and teach them.
God, allow this classroom to be a safe place. Help these children to feel secure and free to be who you created them to be here in this place.
God, give me wisdom as I plan and create. Give me wisdom in what and how I teach these sweet kids. And, when they aren't so sweet, help me to LOVE them even more! Help my students to understand what they are hearing. Help them to work hard and to do their best in every subject. Help me to have YOUR eyes and see things that are hidden (their fears, challenges and struggles). Help me to see THEM through YOUR eyes.
Bless all 18 of these students, my assistant and myself this year!
God, help me to show them you in all I do and say. Help me to show them you in the way I love them. Protect them this year. Help them to trust you! Help them to KNOW you! Help them to BELIEVE!
God, thank you for entrusting me with these precious smiles, faces, hands and feet. Thank you for allowing me to love them and teach them.
God, allow this classroom to be a safe place. Help these children to feel secure and free to be who you created them to be here in this place.
God, give me wisdom as I plan and create. Give me wisdom in what and how I teach these sweet kids. And, when they aren't so sweet, help me to LOVE them even more! Help my students to understand what they are hearing. Help them to work hard and to do their best in every subject. Help me to have YOUR eyes and see things that are hidden (their fears, challenges and struggles). Help me to see THEM through YOUR eyes.
Bless all 18 of these students, my assistant and myself this year!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Home
We are home! I can't sleep so I decided to fill you in on the last few days/weeks. We had a GREAT summer! We were able to spend a lot of time with my family...such a blessing! For those of you who have been praying for my mom and dad, thank you! God has provided them with a new home. It is in the first phases and should be ready around the new year. They have been blessed and continue to praise God in all things...even in this storm!
We enjoyed our summer but we were ready to come home! We arrived in Port de Paix on Sunday after sitting in a little, hot airport for 8 hours. The flight from Port au Prince to Port de Paix was WILD! We flew in the rain...which I have never done in that little 18 passenger plane. It was a serious roller coaster ride. Ethan and Norma (Scott's mom) both got sick. Needless to say we were so thankful to land! Willy (our sweet friend) picked us and ALL our luggage up to take us home. I say ALL because it is not normal for everything to come with you on the plane. We have waited days for our luggage in the past.
Normally driving down the streets here in Haiti is routine and never changing but this time it was different. We saw some fun changes...a big church downtown completely changed the front of their building. It is beautiful. There were more roads that were paved too! Now, somethings were exactly the same...riding on the luggage in the back of the truck, dust in your eyes, little children yelling "blan" and waving..."Welcome Home" is what all that was saying to me!
We have been home for a few days now and we are already in the swing of things. I am working in my classroom getting it ready for my 18 new students. Last year I had 26. I am thrilled and excited to have a smaller class...please pray that God will use me in each of my students lives! Scott is busy getting things ready for SBC to start and the boys are holding up the dirt...playing non stop since we got home! I asked Cameron what he was most excited about now that we were home in Haiti. His response, "Just that we are here!" He was ready to be home!
We have a busy next couple weeks. All the staff arrives tomorrow. Then next week we start orientation. School starts on the 28th. I am ready to see all my students again...I miss them!
Please keep us in your prayers! Pray for us as we try share God's love with the Haitian people. Pray for our health and strength. Pray for our staff that we will work as a team. Pray for Sonlight Church. Pray for our students both young and old that they will believe and trust in God. Pray that we will follow the direction that God leads.
It's good to be home!
We enjoyed our summer but we were ready to come home! We arrived in Port de Paix on Sunday after sitting in a little, hot airport for 8 hours. The flight from Port au Prince to Port de Paix was WILD! We flew in the rain...which I have never done in that little 18 passenger plane. It was a serious roller coaster ride. Ethan and Norma (Scott's mom) both got sick. Needless to say we were so thankful to land! Willy (our sweet friend) picked us and ALL our luggage up to take us home. I say ALL because it is not normal for everything to come with you on the plane. We have waited days for our luggage in the past.
Normally driving down the streets here in Haiti is routine and never changing but this time it was different. We saw some fun changes...a big church downtown completely changed the front of their building. It is beautiful. There were more roads that were paved too! Now, somethings were exactly the same...riding on the luggage in the back of the truck, dust in your eyes, little children yelling "blan" and waving..."Welcome Home" is what all that was saying to me!
We have been home for a few days now and we are already in the swing of things. I am working in my classroom getting it ready for my 18 new students. Last year I had 26. I am thrilled and excited to have a smaller class...please pray that God will use me in each of my students lives! Scott is busy getting things ready for SBC to start and the boys are holding up the dirt...playing non stop since we got home! I asked Cameron what he was most excited about now that we were home in Haiti. His response, "Just that we are here!" He was ready to be home!
We have a busy next couple weeks. All the staff arrives tomorrow. Then next week we start orientation. School starts on the 28th. I am ready to see all my students again...I miss them!
Please keep us in your prayers! Pray for us as we try share God's love with the Haitian people. Pray for our health and strength. Pray for our staff that we will work as a team. Pray for Sonlight Church. Pray for our students both young and old that they will believe and trust in God. Pray that we will follow the direction that God leads.
It's good to be home!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Summer Fun
We are having a great summer in the states! Seeing family and friends, visiting cool places, and just having fun! Enjoy the pictures! PS... We head back to Haiti on August 10th. We are excited to go home but are thankful we still have a couple more weeks here to enjoy our family and friends!
My Sister, Abby, and I at a baseball game.
The boys with their cousins.
Scott's birthday dinner at Maggiano's!!!
Our land...without our home! My family is doing great! They have been blessed abundantly through a lot of you...Thank You!
At my dad's house...they boys were in heaven!
My brother-in-law, Titus...him and Scott are hillarious together!
My dad's bird, Rebel...Cameron thought that was pretty cool!
Family get together in Branson!
The boys and MORE cousins!
Ethan LOVED the horses...he wants his own!
Fun at the lake!
Riley and Cameron having a blast on the tube!
Baseball night with my home church.
Monday, June 3, 2013
What to say?
No words...I have started this blog about 4 times in the last couple weeks. I can't think of how to put things into words on a page for you to read. It has been such a great year! Here are some of the highlights...
As most of you know, my family lost their home during the tornado that passed through Moore, OK. Right now I have no words to describle how thankful I am that my family is safe! Thank you all for your prayers and support for them...they are overwhelmed with blessings! I have no words...
- Cameron in my class
- students trusting God
- 14 students baptized
- Completion of SonCenter (our buidling used for Sonlight Bible College, Sonlight Church, High School classes)
- Started a girls Bible study
- Cameron and Ethan developing great friendships
- SBC (college) is advancing
- My boys have a heart for helping people
- Helpiing at the Creche (an orphanage)
As most of you know, my family lost their home during the tornado that passed through Moore, OK. Right now I have no words to describle how thankful I am that my family is safe! Thank you all for your prayers and support for them...they are overwhelmed with blessings! I have no words...
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
M fatige: I'm tired!
There are no words to express how incredibly tired I am...
Last night was my annual 4th grade overnighter...yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. 26 kids come ready and willing to stay up as late as they can while they eat, play and laugh at top volume!
First...I have to start at the beginning. Cameron has been sick for a week now. He has had a lot of pain in his stomach which is keeping him up during the nights...so, for this whole week there have been a few nights when I was up with him more than I was asleep. Scott helped a ton and was probably up more than me on most of those nights!
So, being extremely tired already, we had the 4th grade overnighter last night. It is always a fun night but it completely wears me out! We played kickball, dragon tag, parachute toss, steal the bacon,and a crazy spaghetti relay before heading to the roof. This part of the night is my favorite! We sit on the top of the school and have a time of worship. We also share fun memories about the year. Oh, this class is so funny and sweet! As we do this, the sky changes from blue to black and a million stars come out for our enjoyment! We talk about how amazing God is and we thank him for loving us! Then...
We headed back to our "sleeping room" and had a dance party, pillow fight, drag me across the floor game(this one was new to me), "let me show you what I can do" kind of thing (involved kartwheels, backbends...) and then 3 movies! Well, the movies started in the midst of all these activities. Finally, I made them get in their beds and "stay there". That is always the fun part because they are just so excited they really can't just stay there...they have to move around-so they crawl! :)
I think most of the kids were finally falling asleep around 2am. Now, normally I have to wake them all up the next morning so we can get things rolling...that was not the case this year! They were up by 6am on their own.
So we got ready, had some breakfast and headed home around 8am. Oh yeah, we had pizza and brownies last night for dinner too. :)
It is such a fun night for me to be able to see my kids out of our normal school setting...they are so fun to know!
I will do it again next year no matter how tired I feel right now because all I will remember in a couple days is how much we laughed! I love what I do!
(tried to attach pictures but can't get a great connection right now...pictures will come soon!)
Last night was my annual 4th grade overnighter...yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. 26 kids come ready and willing to stay up as late as they can while they eat, play and laugh at top volume!
First...I have to start at the beginning. Cameron has been sick for a week now. He has had a lot of pain in his stomach which is keeping him up during the nights...so, for this whole week there have been a few nights when I was up with him more than I was asleep. Scott helped a ton and was probably up more than me on most of those nights!
So, being extremely tired already, we had the 4th grade overnighter last night. It is always a fun night but it completely wears me out! We played kickball, dragon tag, parachute toss, steal the bacon,and a crazy spaghetti relay before heading to the roof. This part of the night is my favorite! We sit on the top of the school and have a time of worship. We also share fun memories about the year. Oh, this class is so funny and sweet! As we do this, the sky changes from blue to black and a million stars come out for our enjoyment! We talk about how amazing God is and we thank him for loving us! Then...
We headed back to our "sleeping room" and had a dance party, pillow fight, drag me across the floor game(this one was new to me), "let me show you what I can do" kind of thing (involved kartwheels, backbends...) and then 3 movies! Well, the movies started in the midst of all these activities. Finally, I made them get in their beds and "stay there". That is always the fun part because they are just so excited they really can't just stay there...they have to move around-so they crawl! :)
I think most of the kids were finally falling asleep around 2am. Now, normally I have to wake them all up the next morning so we can get things rolling...that was not the case this year! They were up by 6am on their own.
So we got ready, had some breakfast and headed home around 8am. Oh yeah, we had pizza and brownies last night for dinner too. :)
It is such a fun night for me to be able to see my kids out of our normal school setting...they are so fun to know!
I will do it again next year no matter how tired I feel right now because all I will remember in a couple days is how much we laughed! I love what I do!
(tried to attach pictures but can't get a great connection right now...pictures will come soon!)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Fun Friday
Scott and I went to a party today that his English class had. It was fun! The food was awesome! Scott's students love him...it was fun for me to watch them interact with him! These students are learning more than English...they are learning that there is a God who loves them..I love what God allows us to do here in Haiti!
This was the view from outside the classroom where we had the party...I love this place! I love this picture because it shows beauty in the midst of the trash and destruction...God is truly here in Haiti and these kinds of things I see everyday remind me of that fact! Happy Friday!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Pictures from the Creche
This is the new boy, Jamesly and little Crista
This is my student, Audra: an amazing young lady!
Here is our lesson time-they are good listeners!
An afternoon with sweet kids...
We love Wednesday afternoons! I take creole lessons with Susan right after school while Cameron has tutoring and Ethan plays...THEN we go to the Creche. The boys and I and usually Susan and her girls walk down the streets of our neighborhood. They are muddy, narrow and littered with trash and yet they take us to an amazingly beautiful place. On the way there I pick up one of my old 4th graders who has an amazing heart! Audra is a beautiful young lady who loves to come with me and play with the kids.
When we get to the gate the kids just run to greet us. We can't even get fully into the gate before the hugs and kisses start...my kind of greeting! Huge smiles are shining on the faces of kids with no parents. Smiles beaming from the faces of kids who have lived and experienced more horrors than I could imagine. These kids are so precious!
While there we help them learn English, we play with them, laugh with them, joke with them, love on them and sing with them. I LOVE my Wednesday afternoons!
Please pray for these children. There is a boy who came a couple weeks ago who was severely beaten in his old home. You can see it in his eyes and yet he is starting to let us in. He smiles with us and wants us to love on him...we willingly do so! All of them have their own story...please pray for their little hearts to be healed and for them to truly believe there is a God who loves them with a forever love!
When we get to the gate the kids just run to greet us. We can't even get fully into the gate before the hugs and kisses start...my kind of greeting! Huge smiles are shining on the faces of kids with no parents. Smiles beaming from the faces of kids who have lived and experienced more horrors than I could imagine. These kids are so precious!
While there we help them learn English, we play with them, laugh with them, joke with them, love on them and sing with them. I LOVE my Wednesday afternoons!
Please pray for these children. There is a boy who came a couple weeks ago who was severely beaten in his old home. You can see it in his eyes and yet he is starting to let us in. He smiles with us and wants us to love on him...we willingly do so! All of them have their own story...please pray for their little hearts to be healed and for them to truly believe there is a God who loves them with a forever love!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Be Still...
Well, I have practiced this concept this week. We have been on our spring break this week and we have stayed here in Port de Paix the entire time. I have stayed here in my home wearing my pajamas most of that time...which has allowed me to do a lot of "being still."
I am thankful and yet at some moments I felt like I should have been doing other things. Don't we all feel like that sometimes...when we take a few moments for ourselves (or a few days) we feel guilty because there are so many things we should be doing instead of "relaxing" and "being still." I could have gone to my classroom and worked in there, I could have gone out in the community and met with people...I could have done a million different things. Because I didn't, at times I felt guilty. And then...I realized I am doing exactly what I need to be doing right now!
During the school week we are busy! At the school from 7am until 2pm. Quick lunch and then back to the school to prepare for the next day. On Monday afternoons I work out with a friend. On Tuesday afternoons I lead a Bible Study with the 5th grade girls and then teach voice lessons. On Wednesday afternoons I have Creole class and then the boys and I head over to the Creche to play with the kids and love on them and teach them a few words in English. On Thursday afternoons I have a Bible Study with our staff women. After all those things are finished I come home, get the boys cleaned up, start dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner, spend time with the boys, read books, then get them to bed. I don't stop until around 8 or 8:30 each evening. I am in no way complaining!!! I absolutely LOVE living and working here! I LOVE raising our kids here! BUT, I needed to BE STILL this week!
Even in this stillness, I have accomplished so many things and laughed with my boys a million times. It has been a week full of fire (my boys love to play on the porch with matches), clean rooms (lots of organizing and simplifying), movies, naps, good food (I had the time to make buscuits and gravy-Cameron said it was the best breakfast ever!), and most of all STILLNESS! It was good to think, pray, read and plan!
There are times when God wants us to be still! This week was MY time to practice being still!
I am thankful and yet at some moments I felt like I should have been doing other things. Don't we all feel like that sometimes...when we take a few moments for ourselves (or a few days) we feel guilty because there are so many things we should be doing instead of "relaxing" and "being still." I could have gone to my classroom and worked in there, I could have gone out in the community and met with people...I could have done a million different things. Because I didn't, at times I felt guilty. And then...I realized I am doing exactly what I need to be doing right now!
During the school week we are busy! At the school from 7am until 2pm. Quick lunch and then back to the school to prepare for the next day. On Monday afternoons I work out with a friend. On Tuesday afternoons I lead a Bible Study with the 5th grade girls and then teach voice lessons. On Wednesday afternoons I have Creole class and then the boys and I head over to the Creche to play with the kids and love on them and teach them a few words in English. On Thursday afternoons I have a Bible Study with our staff women. After all those things are finished I come home, get the boys cleaned up, start dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner, spend time with the boys, read books, then get them to bed. I don't stop until around 8 or 8:30 each evening. I am in no way complaining!!! I absolutely LOVE living and working here! I LOVE raising our kids here! BUT, I needed to BE STILL this week!
Even in this stillness, I have accomplished so many things and laughed with my boys a million times. It has been a week full of fire (my boys love to play on the porch with matches), clean rooms (lots of organizing and simplifying), movies, naps, good food (I had the time to make buscuits and gravy-Cameron said it was the best breakfast ever!), and most of all STILLNESS! It was good to think, pray, read and plan!
There are times when God wants us to be still! This week was MY time to practice being still!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Amazing Day
What an amazing day! It all started this morning before school...well, actually it started yesterday afternoon. I had a Bible study with the 5th grade girls (my old students that I love) and it was just amazing! We had some amazing conversation and talked about some amazing challenges we were going to try to accomplish as a group. Then we come to this morning...those same girls just make me smile! Every morning they cheer me up and get me ready for the day.
After school, Ethan and I went on a little journey to a small orphanage close to home. It is called the Creche. The children are just amazing! We took chalk along with us and you can imagine what 15 brown little children playing with chalk looked like when we were done...it was AMAZING! They helped me with my creole and I helped them with their english and we laughed and played. Ethan enjoyed himself so much he tried to hide from me when it was time to leave.
Then just a few minutes ago during our prayer time Cameron said an amazing prayer! He recited our science lesson from class today-thanking God for molecules, oxygen and other gases, water....and much much more. Say it with me..."It was Amazing!"
God is so AMAZING! He constantly gives us reasons to smile! He adds "little" things to our day to make it an amazing day! Oh, how He loves us!
After school, Ethan and I went on a little journey to a small orphanage close to home. It is called the Creche. The children are just amazing! We took chalk along with us and you can imagine what 15 brown little children playing with chalk looked like when we were done...it was AMAZING! They helped me with my creole and I helped them with their english and we laughed and played. Ethan enjoyed himself so much he tried to hide from me when it was time to leave.
Then just a few minutes ago during our prayer time Cameron said an amazing prayer! He recited our science lesson from class today-thanking God for molecules, oxygen and other gases, water....and much much more. Say it with me..."It was Amazing!"
God is so AMAZING! He constantly gives us reasons to smile! He adds "little" things to our day to make it an amazing day! Oh, how He loves us!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Prayers From Children
These are a few prayes from my fourth graders that made me smile...they have such simple faith and it challenges me. I can just imagine God smiling as he heard these! I pray you will too! (I am typing them exactly as they wrote them)
Dear God,
Thank you for sent your own son died for us. Thank you for wach my sins away. I believe in you! Amen
Dear God,
How are you? How are you doing? I want to see you. Thank you for waking me up today. God we loves you so much! Amen
Dear God,
Thank you for your love. Thank you for all you do for me. Please take care of me family, friends and teachers. You are so great and amazing to me. I love you so much. And I know that you love me. Amen
Dear God,
Thank you for sent your own son died for us. Thank you for wach my sins away. I believe in you! Amen
Dear God,
How are you? How are you doing? I want to see you. Thank you for waking me up today. God we loves you so much! Amen
Dear God,
Thank you for your love. Thank you for all you do for me. Please take care of me family, friends and teachers. You are so great and amazing to me. I love you so much. And I know that you love me. Amen
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Choosing to be BOLD
While sitting outside this morning on my patio I realized something. It is something I hear just about every day but just never really thought about it...singing. A tap tap just came down the street filled to over capacity with people. Crammed in the back of a small truck with dust flying everywhere and they chose to sing. They chose to share their love for Jesus in an audible way.
Almost daily, there are groups of people who boldly walk down the street singing and worshipping. It is so common I don't really think that much about it-however it does make me smile every time! I pray that I could be that bold some days! To shout it (or sing it) from the rooftops...I love Jesus!
Being a missionary doesn't make you more spiritual or different. Being a missionary just means (for us) that we live in Haiti instead of in the United States. But being BOLD isn't easy no matter where you are! My prayer is that I will be like my Haitian friends and choose to be BOLD today! You too?
Almost daily, there are groups of people who boldly walk down the street singing and worshipping. It is so common I don't really think that much about it-however it does make me smile every time! I pray that I could be that bold some days! To shout it (or sing it) from the rooftops...I love Jesus!
Being a missionary doesn't make you more spiritual or different. Being a missionary just means (for us) that we live in Haiti instead of in the United States. But being BOLD isn't easy no matter where you are! My prayer is that I will be like my Haitian friends and choose to be BOLD today! You too?
Friday, February 15, 2013
What to write on my first blog??? I want this to be a tool that I can use to share with you about our life here in Haiti. Some days are normal and ordinary! Some days I can see God's work so clearly I can't wait to tell you about it. Some days wish I could share the sights, smells and sounds with you. Some days I wish I could transfer you here so you can experience this place for yourself....and other days, I just want to share with you the small things that happen with our boys and in our day to day life here in Port de Paix.
...we are on vacation this week. It is Mardi Gras break. Around here the guys wear "scary" masks and walk along the roads performing their gift of cracking the whip. I have never enjoyed this time of year here in Haiti. If you ignore them they leave you alone but if you watch or act scared they play off of that. Our boys are complete opposites in their feelings about Mardi Gras. Ethan is excited and can't wait to go out and watch them when he hears them coming down the street. I think if i let him he would go out there and try cracking the whip with them. Cameron, on the other hand, will watch them but he is afraid of them and doesn't want to get close.
This year was pretty quiet though-which was nice. Not a lot of activity on the street. It has been a nice vacation full of rest, sun, ocean, sand, pizza, slumber parties, movie marathons, reading, making donuts with Mammy, and celebrating Valentine's day! Ethan and Cameron planned a surprise for me on Thursday...they sent me to the school to lay out and then they decorated the house with balloons and cards! I love my boys-all three of them!
...we are on vacation this week. It is Mardi Gras break. Around here the guys wear "scary" masks and walk along the roads performing their gift of cracking the whip. I have never enjoyed this time of year here in Haiti. If you ignore them they leave you alone but if you watch or act scared they play off of that. Our boys are complete opposites in their feelings about Mardi Gras. Ethan is excited and can't wait to go out and watch them when he hears them coming down the street. I think if i let him he would go out there and try cracking the whip with them. Cameron, on the other hand, will watch them but he is afraid of them and doesn't want to get close.
This year was pretty quiet though-which was nice. Not a lot of activity on the street. It has been a nice vacation full of rest, sun, ocean, sand, pizza, slumber parties, movie marathons, reading, making donuts with Mammy, and celebrating Valentine's day! Ethan and Cameron planned a surprise for me on Thursday...they sent me to the school to lay out and then they decorated the house with balloons and cards! I love my boys-all three of them!
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