Goodbye 2011

Source: via Claire on Pinterest

Goodbye 2011.  Our family has had a pretty hard 2011 with a lot of lows.  Stefano, Ashley's husband died and Sean's grandpa died.  Dealing with those emotions and aftermaths have been difficult.  But Sean and I have been truly blessed by Jesus to move to Seattle, get big kid jobs, go to Haiti twice and have a great church family in the Palouse and in Lynnwood, WA.  Hope your new years is great and safe and that 2012 is going to be even better.  I sure hope so!

Hello Friends

I apologize for my absence, but I was not sure how to start writing.  I came back from Haiti late December 23rd right before Christmas.  It was difficult coming into my all time favorite holiday, when in reality, the children in Haiti will not be receiving one Christmas present.  Haiti was awesome and it was really hard to leave, really hard.  I wanted to stay forever, and hopefully, I will one day get the chance to live with Sean in Haiti one of these days.  I will explain more about Haiti in other posts starting in 2012 (crazy!).  But I will add some photos to share.  I was not sure how to start writing either.  I just did not know where to start or how to express in writing what I was going through.  I had every dream about Haiti and in Creole (or broken Creole) the language of Haiti and it was awesome.  It made me miss it even more though.

We went to Haiti to help the women.  I will explain more, but just a little recap.  We went into three different villages, two days each.  We had about 20-30 women in each that we taught them self defense, because rape is not a crime in Haiti and women are left powerless either to get help afterward or during.  They have no where to turn, even legally.  That was awesome seeing them empowered throughout the training.  Our pastor and his wife also spoke about how God views women, marriage, and that women should be loved and pursued not beaten or abused or used.  It was sad hearing their stories of how mistreated they were, but they were happy to learn from us.  We also learned a lot about their culture and how they as women are not so different from American women wanting the same things.

Christmas was awesome seeing family, a little overwhelming. I came home sick from Haiti, just a cold/flu and cannot seem to get rid of it so I was extremely exhausted coming home and then going right into Christmas.  I also have not written you, because Sean's grandfather passed away.  Just supporting him and his family right now.  I am excited for 2011 to come to a close!

Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed the Haitian people.

In the deaf community in Haiti and saying, "I love you"

In the last village with Sheelou.  Loved this little guy.  Such a charmer.

In the deaf community.  These ladies were awesome.  Miss them.

 Landscape view of the deaf community houses.

 My beautiful cousin Amber came to Haiti with me.  So proud of this girl.  More to come of her!

God blessed me to hold babies on this trip and cannot wait to start the adoption process.  Crazy how God works.

Got to see David again.  So excited for this reunion.  He is so special.

Thanks for putting up with me and listening.

Haiti Here I come

I am leaving for Haiti on Tomorrow!!!!!  Craziness!  I am so excited :).  I get to go back to the place that made me feel alive.  That my life had purpose, I was helping people or they were really helping me.  I was totally happy even though, I was hot and burning in the heat.  I loved it.  I cannot wait to go back.

It has been a crazy week in preparation, but all worth it.  Rudy has been such a trooper as well.  He even helped me pack (see photo below).  Sean is away for work...which makes it harder because we will not see each other for 12 days!!!!  I leave on Wednesday (December 13th) and return late the 23rd or even early the 24th so Christmas will be here!  I have already purchased all Christmas items, packed for Haiti, finished work items (sending out WSU Holiday Cards to high school counselors and students).  I am so excited!!!!  Plus, Sean, my hubby will be doing some posts while I am gone.  I am so excited!!!!  (Hopefully, he remembers because I will not be able to call or email while I am there).  While I am gone, please pray for our trip that we will get there and leave safely.  For the women we get to reach in Haiti during the self defense training and during our after party of praying and getting to know and serving these lovely ladies.  Also, please pray for Sean while I am gone.  Thank you all for following and caring for me!!!!!


Source via Hayley on Pinterest


Source: via Hayley on Pinterest

Rudy helping me pack...he definitely is sitting on my shorts.  Don't worry, I am bringing 2 WSU shirts to represent as well.

This was also the start of packing, I packed a lot more.

Christmas Letter from Jesus

I found this last year after Christmas looking at blogs and totally forgot the source.  Please apologize if this is yours, or please take credit.  I love this so much.  It talks about how Christmas is turning into Happy Holidays and away from Jesus, but to honor him in your own way to make a difference.  Hope you like it.  Please enjoy!  

Source: via Molly on Pinterest

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just get along and LOVE one another.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Christmas Lights

The girls

The guys

Sister Ashley and Cousin Amber.  Amber is going to Haiti with me!

My cousin Cory and I

oh, dad

Watched Christmas Jazz music

A fun free game we came across made of lights

Nativity scene

On the train ride

Love this picture, my dad is hilarious

My family and I went to Warm Beach, WA and saw Christmas lights.  It was cold, but we had a lot of fun.  So excited for the Christmas season.  Haiti is in 5 days!!!!!!!