So thankful Cameron is sitting on the couch! All day he has been lying on the bathroom floor or in his bed. He hasn't been feeling well today!
As I said in the last blog, I have been trying to find the blessing/gift in each moment. All of today's moments have allowed me to spend some more one on one time with Ethan...we made bracelets (thanks Danielle for the bracelet maker). We played bounce potatoe (Ethan's new made up game), made breakfast together, watched Frozen together, and right now he is sitting on my hip beside me playing MineCraft while I do a little work on the computer. I have also had the blessing of just sitting with Cameron and comforting him. He blessed me by making this comment, "A lot of children don't get to have parents like me." It is on days like this that I am reminded how much I love these two sweet gifts God has given to me! Thank you, God!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Not So Easy
Blogging is not as easy as I thought it would be! I thought it would be easier to let everyone know what God is doing here in Port de Paix, Haiti if we had a "blog spot". Well, it isn't! It is still a matter of getting online (when I can), thinking of what to tell you (which is always a struggle), and then taking the time to try and get it typed up and online before we loose connection or I get distracted.
Getting online is interesting sometimes. It comes and goes and we are very limited to the amount of downloading and uploading we can do...basically if it is fun we aren't suppose to do it. :)
Thinking of what to tell you is tricky. SO many things happen here every day! Some of it awesome, some of it scary, some of it normal, some of it not worth sharing. I wonder what part of our life here to share...Scott's job in the Bible College and how that is going, my time in the 4th grade classroom, Cameron and Ethan's adventures...I overthink it enough that I just don't do it...then there is GUILT.
However, God has really been working on me this year! I am in a place with Him that I have never been before and it is awesome! So, I am going to just be thankful that I have this way to communicate and do it when I can! (He is teaching me that living fully is being thankful in every moment! Slowing down and finding His gifts in every breath I take.)
So, I will just give a quick update on each of us...If you have anything specific you would like to know about email me mailto:4alexanders@gmail.com
Ethan: He is a funny kid! He still loves karate moves but it has transitioned into more of the break dancing moves. He loves soccer, chocolate, cookies, candy, jeans (won't wear shorts anymore), drawing/painting, and reading. I have a library checkout for some of the older grades but he comes in on Thursdays to check out a new book each week. (perks of being a teacher's kid)
Cameron: He is really growing up...makes me kind of sad! He is becoming so responsible and amazing! He loves to spike his hair up in front, wear the right style of jeans and shirt, read/listen to the Bible, make eggs and pancakes, earn money by getting water for us each week, and Duck Dynasty.
Scott: He is working hard with his professors and students...they love and respect him. I love watching the interaction between them! He is working on new church plants with SBC (Sonlight Bible College) students and pastors. Please pray wisdom for them as they work out how to make all this happen.
Me: I am blessed! I am busy but thankful! I get to spend my days with 4th graders who frustrate me, confuse me but mostly make me laugh. I spend a couple afternoons teaching a computer class for SBC. I love that too! It is challenging and yet they are so excited to learn!
There have been moments this year that were a little nerve wracking but God has kept us safe and protected through everything! He is our source of strength and I am so thankful for such a faithful God!
Please continue to pray for us as we live each moment trying to do God's will here in Haiti.
I will blog again when I can! :)
Getting online is interesting sometimes. It comes and goes and we are very limited to the amount of downloading and uploading we can do...basically if it is fun we aren't suppose to do it. :)
Thinking of what to tell you is tricky. SO many things happen here every day! Some of it awesome, some of it scary, some of it normal, some of it not worth sharing. I wonder what part of our life here to share...Scott's job in the Bible College and how that is going, my time in the 4th grade classroom, Cameron and Ethan's adventures...I overthink it enough that I just don't do it...then there is GUILT.
However, God has really been working on me this year! I am in a place with Him that I have never been before and it is awesome! So, I am going to just be thankful that I have this way to communicate and do it when I can! (He is teaching me that living fully is being thankful in every moment! Slowing down and finding His gifts in every breath I take.)
So, I will just give a quick update on each of us...If you have anything specific you would like to know about email me mailto:4alexanders@gmail.com
Ethan: He is a funny kid! He still loves karate moves but it has transitioned into more of the break dancing moves. He loves soccer, chocolate, cookies, candy, jeans (won't wear shorts anymore), drawing/painting, and reading. I have a library checkout for some of the older grades but he comes in on Thursdays to check out a new book each week. (perks of being a teacher's kid)
Cameron: He is really growing up...makes me kind of sad! He is becoming so responsible and amazing! He loves to spike his hair up in front, wear the right style of jeans and shirt, read/listen to the Bible, make eggs and pancakes, earn money by getting water for us each week, and Duck Dynasty.
Scott: He is working hard with his professors and students...they love and respect him. I love watching the interaction between them! He is working on new church plants with SBC (Sonlight Bible College) students and pastors. Please pray wisdom for them as they work out how to make all this happen.
Me: I am blessed! I am busy but thankful! I get to spend my days with 4th graders who frustrate me, confuse me but mostly make me laugh. I spend a couple afternoons teaching a computer class for SBC. I love that too! It is challenging and yet they are so excited to learn!
There have been moments this year that were a little nerve wracking but God has kept us safe and protected through everything! He is our source of strength and I am so thankful for such a faithful God!
Please continue to pray for us as we live each moment trying to do God's will here in Haiti.
I will blog again when I can! :)
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!
What an amazing year 2013 has been. We have definitely had some hard times as everyone has but God has always been faithful to provide and see us through stronger than ever. We are so thankful for the life that God allows us to live here in Haiti! Every year I think we become a little more Haitian! :) We definitely started this new year out in the Haitian style! However, I had to be a little American and do MY thing-soaking in the sun! It has been a beautiful start to this new year!
We had breakfast with our good friends Paul Emma and Kerlande: hot chocolate, pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread...YUM!!!
Dancing by the pool with our good friends the Shoaffs...the boys had a blast!
And we could forget to get the picture with Santa...a few days late but still a memory! :)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
PEACE
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!
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!
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!
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