Sweet Summer Sundays

Preschoolers. Wonderful friends. Productivity. New recipes. Delicious food. 

Pretty much describes today. What a wonderful Sunday.

 

Today was the move-up day at Sunday School. We had a whole new group of 3 year-olds start in our Toy Barn classroom at church. It was so sweet to see the kids come in, so shy, and watch how they unfolded and became comfortable with us. There was one little boy who, during Bible story time, just curled up next to me and took my arm and put it around himself. So sweet. I feel so blessed to be starting my second year in the same classroom with and awesome co-teacher and amazing kids. Seriously, those kids are sometimes the highlight of my week. The things they say sometimes, their expressions...hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. And

I found out that my best friend's niece, Kaiya is in my class this year, which is just so fun, because her sister Josie, was in my class when I first started teaching. I love those girls and their family. 

Also, I felt so productive today! That is always my goal for Sunday afternoons, just catch up on laundry, clean the apartment for the week, and start the week out strong with some type of healthy meal for dinner and lunch Monday. I even got some errands done this afternoon too. I love when I can run errands and take my time just browsing the stores, not rushing to get anywhere. I know, it may be a little boring, but I find afternoons like that refreshing. I just feel ready to tackle whatever the next week holds, when everything is organized and in order at home.

My best friend, Kristin, and her husband, Nate, were in town this weekend too, celebrating Josie's 5th birthday, and they were able to stop by today for a little while to visit! I haven't seen her since April, and since she and Nate live about 5 hours away, I don't see them as often as I'd like. It was such a great little visit, to see them and catch up a little about what is going on with each of us. I love those two!! I can't wait to go see them in Kansas soon! 

This weekend, I also bought a grill, which I am very, very excited about haha. It's just a little one, but it works great! I grilled chicken, potatoes and veggies, and made a new chocolate chip cookie recipe! It was so fun to try out these new recipes and the grill--with success!

Oh well, time to get ready for work tomorrow...and a good night's sleep!

Haiti. Joy.

Well, it's been a pretty crazy month! Coming back from Haiti, settling back into work and just the routine of life here, in Arkansas. So, I know an update from Haiti has been overdue.

To sum the trip up: Incredible. And this is such an understatement.

From the beginning, the group I traveled with all hit it off. Even though I hadn't met half of them before, we just all got along from the beginning and I really enjoyed the relationships we were able to build over the week. I will have some pictures up of all us soon! Not to mention the awesome hosts of the mission, the family that has such a heart for the Haitian people and for the teams that come to volunteer and learn. Bill Sr., the founder of Mission to Haiti, met us on the bus. He knew who I was, just from seeing my name come up in emails, and from that point on, the warmth and genuineness from him and his family, made me feel so comfortable and a part of them. They are people from whom love just pours out.

When I think back on Haiti, I see such a beautiful country and such a beautiful people. I miss that place and those people so, so much. I cannot wait to go back. But at first, I honestly was overwhelmed with everything I saw and experienced.

My first impression of Haiti was pretty overwhelming. Most of what I saw was chaos and devastation, not only from the earthquake, but the quality of life of the people I saw driving past. The smell was the first thing I noticed. You would think that being a port city, you would smell the ocean, but stronger was the smell of garbage that just sat in the heat and humidity, the smell of burning rubber, both mixed with foods sold on every corner by street vendors. Vendors were everywhere. You really couldn’t look without seeing SOMEONE yelling and trying to get you to buy something. Of course, I did :). But in all honesty, I have never seen such a densely populated area, with people, structures, and vehicles. Driving there was completely insane and kind of fun, but definitely scary at times. The first few days it seemed like there were no rules, just cars, buses, people, motorcycles all over the road, no lanes, and no traffic lights. Actually, I saw one traffic signal, but no one heeded it. The obvious lack of resources, devastation of the buildings and infrastructure and the seeming chaos of it all, was impactful.

However, as the week went those initial reactions and beliefs shifted. The people I met there really demonstrated three values that were consistent in my stay there and I took the impact of those values home with me.

First, the genuine joy that the Haitian people live out was incredible to me. Everywhere we met, we interacted with people who were so happy in life, even in the middle of very difficult situations. The VBS kids at the tent city in particular really impressed me. The kids truly have nothing. You walk into the camp and there are kids playing in trash piles with no clothes. They don't have access to education, because all education is privatized in Haiti and costs money. They barely have enough food, and they are living in tin shanties and tents made out of tarps. But they had huge smiles on their faces every day. They always wanted to play some game with us, they would grab out hands and follow us all over and walk us back to our camp. They talked a mile a minute in Creole and were so thankful and excited for the snacks, clothes and school supplies we handed out the last day.

Also, the emphasis and desire for education in Haiti was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Comparing their desire for and dedication to learning to many Americans dedication to education was very humbling.

There were four young guys that hung out with us each day and accompanied us to the different camps. On our drives there and back we got to know the guys. Hudson, Dave, John, and Big became like brothers to us. Each of them was lucky enough to be in school and they talked to us about their goals of getting through high school and going to the university with such passion. Even the kids in the VBS were so intent on learning the memory verses we gave them…they would run up the next day and rattle off all the verses they learned in Creole. They were such fast and dedicated learners, I couldn’t believe it— I don't see a lot of American kids dedicate themselves to their studies like that.

The last thing I noticed was this huge sense of community between the lower class in Haiti. There is not middle class there—a very small percentage is extremely wealthy, but the rest is extremely poor. However, the community within the poverty was beautiful. They take care of each other even they might have nothing for themselves. One of the workers at the mission couldn’t afford to support his young daughter and another of the staff members has let her live with his family and is putting her through school. He has three kids himself, but was still willing to help out his friend.

By the end of the week I found myself realizing that those first impressions of Haiti had so much more to them. I wasn’t seeing as much of the physical devastation and prevalence of poverty, but two other things. First, the joy in the midst of so much devastation. Secondly, in spite of the individual struggle, selfishness was put aside and there was so much community and care for each other.

When I left Haiti on Monday, the impact of these two values really changed my beliefs that Haiti was ONLY poverty and sadness. Those things are prevalent, but if you look deeper, and you get to know the people, you can see that the people have so much hope, and they are doing what they know and what they can to overcome the oppression there. I absolutely love those people. I love their love for their country. Even though they are living in the devastation, everyone I talked to said they loved Haiti and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I think that was one of the  most powerful things I heard there.

Leaving that following Monday, I think the biggest question I've been thinking about lately is this: How am I expressing joy each day? At home, with my friends, at work, just day to day, am I first, receiving the joy that the Holy Spirit offers, and second, am I living it out as I should be? Haiti was humbling. So humbling. The joy and love that our team received from the people there is something that I will not forget. I can't wait to go back sometime!

And now, a few more pictures!

Standing on the most beautiful lookout. The view of Port-Au-Prince was incredible. I wish it hadn't been so cloudy but still...you could see the entire port, and both capes.

Here are some of the kids we taught at VBS in Gallette Chambon. We had about 100 the first day and around 200 by the end of the week.

All of us girls with Steeve! He was our translator and such a dedicated and godly man. Awesome friend!

I love the expressions of all the kids in this pic. They were such sweet kids. This is during one of our rides to Gallette Chambon in the tap-tap, a covered truck that we rode in the back in...public transporation in Haiti. Crazy, but fun trips!

I just love this picture of the kids examining the camera. Such sweet kids!

Fourty one and a half

As I begin this post, there are only 41 1/2 hours left until I leave for Haiti. 41 1/2 hours. Crazy in light of the fact I have been thinking about this since March! All the prayer, all the fundraising, all the meetings and prep are finally culminating in this huge trip. This will be my first trip to a third world country, my first trip to a country where poverty is dominant, not to mention the physical and emotional devastation that is still evident due to the earthquake in Haiti last year. I am beyond excited to see what is going to happen on this trip. Honestly, even though this has been almost 5 months in the making, I still feel unprepared for all that we will experience there. I feel so blessed to be able to share this trip with two close friends--the fact that God put this trip and these people on all three of our hearts unknowingly still amazes me and affirms the knowledge that he wants me on this trip. That, and the fact that through the generosity of so many friends and family, this trip was fully financially funded. That part of this whole experience still amazes me. I've never had need to raise so much for this trip and I'll be honest, it was intimidating. But I just have to say, I am in awe at how He provides. God has proven this time and time again in different situations in my life, and yet when he provided this time, I still found myself amazed. I think it was the fact that He showed me the depth of generosity of people and their desire to be a part of the opportunity to serve, that surprised me the most. Honestly, I just felt surrounded by love and support when I would receive checks and little letters and notes filled with prayers for our team's safety, work, and the Haitian people. It was a type of generosity that I've never experienced before and it was beautiful. 

I cannot wait to meet some of the Haitian people who I've heard so much about in the last few months. I am so looking forward to building relationships with them, hearing their stories and gaining a more true and realistic awareness of what their lives are like day to day. I am just praying that God will allow me and my team to be open to what they have to share, to have me listen and understand with a heart that is willing to put aside my biases and my preconceived ideas of what life is and should be like for these people. I think, most simply put, I just want to learn to love as Christ loves. I know it is a simple desire, but it's one I think we overlook a lot. I mean, what a huge aspiration, but one we are called to as followers and children of God. We need to love as fully, as unconditionally and uninhibited as Christ does, even though we recognize that we fail in this everyday, at least I do. On this trip, this is what I pray my main focus will remain as, to love without bias, as fully as I can, and do this fully by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I am not sure how this will look and honestly, I think it will be different in each situation I am in, whether its with the kids in VBS, hanging out with my team around camp, or with the people I meet at the market. But no matter the location and no matter the person, the purpose and the calling for all of us to love remains the same, so I just want to be open for Christ's love for these individuals to show in my actions and responses in this next week.
Please pray for this desire to kind of pour out of each person on our team this week!

Beginning in the Middle

That's what I feel like this blog is. The beginning of my putting to paper, rather web page {you will soon find out I don't know a thing about computer/web lingo} a jumble of half formed, half processed thoughts and opinions dancing around my mind. Though I love to write, I rarely have the patience these days to journal. It's is so much faster to type! So maybe that should be phase two in this process: First, learn to discipline myself to finish out these ponderings {word? now it is.} Second, teach myself to let go of the desire to just spill the thoughts out as quickly as possibly on this computer and take the time to scribble and refine the words on smooth, even planes of a bound piece of paper. Oh, but here I go already...starting one thought right in the middle of another...

 I've wanted to blog for a long time. I've always felt a pull towards the idea that you are free to put your opinions out there for all the world to see, but not necessarily knowing who actually sees those thoughts and knowing their reaction to my words.

I'll admit, I feel a little silly starting a blog. For a long time I fought against two self-imposed beliefs. One being that if I blogged, I simply be one of millions following a trend. The second being that no one, aside from some very close friends, would read this blog, so why take the time and energy to write down all this which would matter to no one. Looking back, the first belief has come true in some sense. However, I don't think of it as negative any longer. Funny, whenever I read blogs, I never view them as inconsequential or jumping on the bandwagon. Rather, I admired the fact that these were vulnerable people who were willing to put their ideas, beliefs, and experiences out there for all of us to read. I especially felt this way when reading close friends blogs. Keisha, yours has always been one that I have especially admired. The poise and creativity with which you express yourself is always so genuine.

This realization this led me right into dispelling this second belief--that no one would read the blog, and even if they did, what would it matter to them. I mean, I read people's blogs all the time and love them! Yes, they might just be sharing about their day, but I find it fascinating that such details are willing to be shared. It's easy to become attached and feel like that person, that family is someone special to you, even though you've never met. Plus, when reading blogs of the friends and family I do know, I feel so connected, such a part of their lives, even though we live so far apart. All that to say, who's to say that maybe what I write, may make someone else feel the same way. I don't think that people write about changing the flat tire on their car in heels on the way to the parent teacher conference with three kids, ages 2-9, messing around in the car, expecting reader's lives to be changed. But it could change someone's life. Yes, that could be very idealistic and cliche, but I like cliche sometimes. And, maybe it's true. Maybe someone can relate to that and they are sitting there after a long day and realize, 'wow, someone else knows what it feels like.' To me, that is awesome. Completely worth it. So maybe, just maybe, some experience I write about, or some phrase I say in one of these blogs, will resonate with someone. If nothing else, maybe it will spark a discussion, or just a train of thought in someone. And the idea that simple words might influence a simple thought {in a friend or a stranger}, is enough for me to want to write a ton. Even if this blog only serves to update some special friends and family on what is happening over here in Northwest Arkansas, I've decided it's is definitely worth a try.

So this might be a bunch a ramblings thoughts that don't quite make sense yet, but I think that the Lord has a funny way of being able to put together a bunch of mixed up thoughts and incomplete sentences and creating something that is glorifying to Him. I think I am just going to let him continue to mold me in this process. 

Now, as a side note: This blog will probably look a little different each time I post something--mainly because I am a perfectionist and until I figure out how to get all the colors and fonts and backgrounds just the way I want them, the aesthetics will be a work in progress :). Bear with me as I figure out links and pictures, and all that and please give me points and tips about how to make it more creative and reader friendly and such! Now that I am reading through all this, I kind of like the idea that the look of the blog will be a work in progress, just like the words...hmm. Funny.