Fall Fun!

It's FALL in Haiti!  The last few days have been rainy, cloudy and chilly! 
As a family we have celebrated this change in season by carving pumpkins.  The boys still remember some things that we used to do in the states during this time and thanks to the West Ridge team who came to visit us a couple weeks ago we were able to enjoy pumpkin carving here in Haiti.  The boys had a blast...got all messy and gooey.  Then we roasted the seeds and had a great snack too.  It was so much fun! Thanks again to the West Ridge team!

Laughter

My boys are sooo funny! They LOVE to laugh.  Ethan will tell Cameron to say something funny just so he can laugh.  And Cameron will literally tickle himself in order to laugh.  They remind me everyday to laugh.
It is hard to admit but sometimes I don't want to laugh!  I put on my "that's not funny" face and I try to stop their laughter because I am in not in the mood to laugh.  Something has happened in my day to frustrate or get me down.  However, after a few minutes I can't keep it back and I allow myself the freedom of laughing.  What freedom!  Allowing God to fill you with joy in the midst of struggles is an amazing feeling!  Praying that someone makes you laugh today and that you allow yourself the freedom to indulge!

Fun in Computer Class

Wow, yesterday was an Fun day in the new Computer English class.  I walked 25 students through the process of turning on the computer, logging into the computer, logging off the computer, and shutting down the computer...twice. It was quite the process and we all cheered at the end of class. We all clapped and had huge smiles on our faces.  We had accomplished something amazing!
It may sound funny to say that actually turning on a computer and walking through those processes could be something "amazing" but it was!
Some of these students are JUST learning English, some of them have NEVER turned on a laptop or computer...so, to all of us it was amazing! 
Watching some of them after class was probably my favorite moments of yesterday...they were GLOWING!  I am so thankful that I get to be used by God in this way everyday!

Please continue to pray for these students.  Even though I am teaching computers, I want them to first and foremost see Jesus in this classroom.  See him in ME.  I want them to feel His love in this classroom filled with computers and desire to go after Him.  Please pray that with me!

Have a great day and go find your own "amazing" moment today!

What I Miss...

I am sitting in my kitchen with the smell of mangos. I am in my running clothes but I haven't gone and won't be going running today. It was rainy here in Haiti yesterday so the streets are muddy right now.  But, as I sit here I started thinking about the differences of the two worlds that I exist in.  If you go for a walk/run here in Haiti you are NEVER alone.  Everyone is out on the streets. They "live" outside.  This summer while in the states I could go for a walk and never pass anyone, or maybe pass one or two other walkers who would quietly say, "good morning" and keep on going.  Here in Haiti-not the case! When my friend and I go for our run together we are yelled at, greeted with someone who wants to run with us for a few seconds, honked at by taxis telling us to get out of their way...it is just LOUD.  I MISS quiet morning walks in the states!
And yet, when I am in the states I miss the faces of my friends and just sweet people greeting me as I pass them.

There is always something to miss-no matter where I am. So thankful that God is never missing-He goes with me wherever I go!

We had such a GREAT summer...here are some of the moments we captured...

My mom and dad

                                                            Fun with the cousins

                                                            Family picture in Branson

                                                        My two amazing sisters!

                                                   Again, fun with the cousins!!

                                                One of my favorite people: Uncle Vernon

                                                          My brothers and my sister         

                                         Ethan and his cousin Cale...can't keep these two apart!

                                                        Trout fishin' with dad

                                                             Fun in Myrtle Beach

Home again, home again...

Wow, we are HOME!  It was such a great summer and when I have time I will share with you some of the things God allowed us to do and experience while back in the states.  He is GOOD!  However, this is just an update to let everyone know we are home safe and HOT.  We didn't have water most of the first day and night so that is always a little bit challenging but we are so thankful to be home.
I am sitting in my NEW classroom because this is where I have internet...none at the house.  It is exciting to be starting something new. 
Please keep us in your prayers as we start a new year.  God has amazing things in store!  I am ready to watch him work here in Haiti and so thankful that I get to be a part of it!

An End and a Beginning

Wow, it is so hard to believe that we are finished with another year in Haiti!  This year has been difficult and amazing all at the same time.  God really taught us a lot this year in unexpected ways...it wasn't always easy going through the situations but it was such a blessing to see God's hand in everything!

God not only taught us a lot this year - he spoke too!  For the last few months he has been speaking loudly.  At the beginning of 2014 Scott mentioned to me that he wanted to start a computer program at SBC and said I should come help.  I said I would pray about it but in the back of my mind I thought, "Yeah right...I think I am good as the fourth grade teacher." So in all honesty I didn't pray or think about it too much after that...until a couple of months ago.  God started putting the thought in my head.  I honestly started thinking about it more than I had ever wanted to.  He continued to speak clearly and loudly so that I couldn't miss his message.  I felt a peace that I could have never imagined.  I never wanted to be anything but the fourth grade teacher. 

Well, God has other plans.  He has changed my focus and has allowed me to be excited about something other than 4th graders...he has been developing in me a passion for the college students and for computers.  I don't know what God's "big" plan is but I do trust Him!  And next year I am choosing to be faithful and work at SBC starting a new computer program.  I will be helping in specific ways with the Academy still but no longer as the 4th grade teacher.  I have such a peace about this decision that it feels weird sometimes to not be sad about stepping out of the role I have loved and enjoyed for a total of 7 years.  All I can say is that God is guiding, directing and providing peace through this change.

So, next year I will be teaching at SBC to start a computer program for theology students as well as for the community here in Port de Paix.  I am excited to see what God is going to do through this program and through me.  Please keep us in your prayers as this will be a big change for our family and our ministry here in Haiti.

4th Grade Highlight

When I ask my old students what they remember most about being in my fourth grade class the most common answer is...THE OVERNIGHTER!  Every year I have an overnighter for my students to celebrate the year and it is definitely the highlight! 
I think it is a highlight for me as well!  Even though I am extremely tired the next day, that night has given me so many memories!

The night is filled with games, food, and lots of laughter but my favorite part is our time on the roof.  Each year I take the kids up on the roof of the school just before the stars come out.  We have a time of worship, a time of prayer, a time of remembering the year (good and bad and silly)...it's a time that brings us closer together.  Every year, that is always my favorite part. 

This night is a night where my students get to just be kids. All of them don't come from homes where they get to just be a kid for a whole night.  They don't have to clean or do chores...their only responsibility is to have fun and they are good at it!  I fall in love with them even more during the course of this night because their true selves come out and some of them are just down right funny!  They don't complain about anything! This time we had some major issues with the TV...tried two and neither worked.  They didn't complain at all! 

My students amaze me during this night!  They SHARE everything, HELP everyone, and LAUGH with their whole body!  I love watching them be KIDS!