Tuesday night we headed to Emerson's preschool open house. She was over the moon excited to see her new class, teacher and classmates. She even had to bring her new backpack just to make sure it fit in her cubby!
Not sure how she grew up this quickly!
It fits, and so does she!
God I pray for this sweet girl and her teacher and classmates. I pray wisdom over her teacher and the fruits of the Spirit over her and the other children in her class. May they have your joy, peace, patience, love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. God you are a good, good father! AMEN
Thursday night Davis had open house for second grade!! Say it isn't so! He was so excited to see his new class, meet his teacher and new friends in class.
Mrs. Sarah and Davis with her open house goodies to get her through the night!
We had to stop in and see Mrs. Debbie! She is a jewel and he adores her! We were too late to reach his Kindergarten teacher but we sure loved her too!
God I pray your richest blessings on Davis and Mrs. Sarah this year. May your love abound in the classroom and at Medina Elementary. God use Davis for your kingdom. I pray he friends people that lead him closer to you. I pray he stands up for what is right and that he is a light for you! God bless him with wisdom and your fruits of the spirit. God give Mrs. Sarah strength and compassion as she teaches this group of kiddos! Everything for your glory! AMEN
Davis wanted memories instead of gifts this year for his birthday and he was finally able to cash in on his present from us while I was in Haiti. Walker, Davis and Pawpaw went to the Buffalo River and canoed, fished and spent the night. They had a big time and of course D won't stop talking about it. So glad he gets to share moments like these with two of his favorite guys! I love the smile he gets from these memories. Gifts make break and fade, but memories last a lifetime!! BTW these are the few pictures Walker got of their trip. I'm grateful to have some, but always want more! HA!
Being out of town has been our norm this summer, but I think we are all finally here to stay! SO, I must catch up on our last couple of weeks.
The kids have thoroughly enjoyed story hour and the reading program this summer. On this day the kids got to work as firefighters! They loved it. We also enjoyed snow cones and games with prizes, such a nice outreach to our community.
We have spent many hours at the pool, thanks to our amazing neighbors. Emmy has learned to swim and she is a little fish now!
We celebrated the fourth with a cookout at some friends house and then fireworks at the Morrisons' without any major drama, unlike last year!!
The kids enjoying some dancing before the fireworks show...
I love my two emmy's, can you tell?
Davis and I had a major goal of finishing this puzzle, and we did it!!! We were both so proud!!
We went to Emerson's 4 year old check up, our pediatrician went on sabbatical for a couple of months, so our appointment was rather late! She was in the 75th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height.
Another favorite story hour...Live animals from Real Foot lake.....
Emmy and our sweet neighbor Aubree
One of Emmy's favorite lessons from Wednesday night Bible Class has been "the party coat." She can tell you the entire story and listening to her retell it is fascinating!
We also went camping with our camping gang! These two had a blast playing banana gram!!!
Davis skied and if can tell by his smile, he was quite proud of himself!!
I left for my final journey last week with three others who I now call Carl and his angels. Haiti did something that only one other thing has made me do...I went mute! SERIOUSLY! After landing in Porta Prince, Haiti, we made the 18 mile ride to Christianville. The journey took us 1.5 hours and I was completely silent the ENTIRE ride.
My sweet babies prayed over me all morning before I left. Emerson wanted to know why I had to go to Haiti. I told her I needed to tell others about Jesus and love on kids who don't have parents. Emmy wasn't convinced I needed to go, but reluctantly let me go!
Waiting at the airport...where's Carl?
Here he is with all his angels in tow!
BOARDING!!!
The next day we took the next leg of our journey matching in our shirts, of course!!! Carl was such a good sport! Not sure he will ever travel with an all ladies team again!
He was always ready for me with my picture taking self!
WE are HERE!!!! Now for the 18 mile journey that will take 1.5 hours!!!!
Here is what we saw along the way!!!
Whew we made it to Christianville and now I am talking! They were all very worried about me!
My bed for the stay!
Kindall and I spent some time on the mountain handing out bags of rice and praying over the Haitian people. It was a breathtaking experience for so many reasons. One, look around it was BEAUTIFUL!!! Second, we spend many moments in prayer with people who may have never heard God's name whispered at any other time. Praying those seeds planted will harvest.
This was our sweet translator, Diver. I've never spoke with a translator before, poor guy finally got me to slow down!
Some of the ladies we prayed over and look at them loving their bags of rice.
One night we went to our chef at Christianville's restaurant. It was phenomenal food and all served in a grass hut with a dirt floor.
I could write a blog post alone on this sweet girl. She captured my heart with her sweet sweet smile and I was captivated until I had to leave. Her eyes disappeared when she smiled (just like some others in my family) and I was smitten. She called me momma, I taught her English, we snuggled and took a nap together! She was my little Haitian angel. Man I wish it was easier to adopt these sweet babies! Misschou you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Sunday morning selfie with Carl and his angels.
This is Sue. She runs the orphanage and she my friends is a modern day mother Theresa. She is one of the most loving, caring, generous people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. I pray God's most richest blessings on this sweet woman.
Mom sent me this sweet picture while I was in Haiti. Mack celebrated being 3 and had a construction birthday party! So sad I missed it, but excited Emmy got to go!
I know what you are thinking, what in the world is this? Well let;s just leave it at this..My sweet roommates, Haitian travelers and brain surgeons, removed this from my head. We still have no idea what it is but all is well and now there is no bump on my head!! HA
More Haitian babies. They are more precious than gold.
One day we left the compound and headed to Haiti made cafe. They had unbelievable smoothies and all sorts of goodies made by Haitians. We even tried a bite of some home made doughnuts.
We were woke up at 2:30 AM to hurry and leave and head to the airport due to weather and flooded streets. WE all handled it fairly well, but here is Alison attempting to get Carl for our departure!! 2:30 PEOPLE!!
Time to fly high and head to the good ole USA!! Not sure if this was before or after I was puked on...
(this ends all my photos from my phone..now pictures from Alison's "real" camera! I snapped a few of them along with the Haitian kiddos and Alison and Kindall. Love the shots we got but even more the folks in them! )
Kindall thought to bring nail polish and one morning we sat around painting, clipping and cleaning hands and feet so we could paint nails! The girls giggled and had a blast painting our nails as well!
This sweet girl was wearing this sweatshirt we brought in our supplies bag. Never mind that it was over 100 degrees, she was just happy to have clothes!
This diva loved wearing my sunglasses and she was excited to pose with them as well!
This sweet angel came "home" the day we arrived. We were all in amazement of how small he was. Believe it or not he is not the smallest baby Sue has ever cared for..she has a way of nursing these sweet babies back to health.
We spent lots of time in the garden playing and loving on the babies. They are beautiful, loving and have such sweet spirits.
AS mentioned previously, this sweet girl and I bonded from the beginning and I am completely wrapped around her finger. Her smile is infectious and she has the sweetest spirit I have ever seen. I have spent my time praying God's richest blessings over her!
The Haitian kiddos loved being loved on, and of course what is not to love about their sweetness! We spent hours just hugging, holding and singing to them.
Alison used lots of her talents while in Haiti, cutting Sue's hair was one of them! Sue was very excited to get a cool new do!
This sweet girl is Nefca. She is always happy, smiling and she sings most all the time. We learned so much from her..CHOOSE JOY ALWAYS!
This group of girls got all dressed up for a wedding on Saturday! It amazes me how dressy they get!
More photos of the kiddos playing in the garden...
VIDEOS:
This is some kiddos playing outside the children's home....
This is on the way to Christianville from Porta Prince...
More...
Sweet Sara sings this is the day in English...
God blessed me far more than I am sure I blessed others. I prayed over and over before leaving that God would use me, teach me and mold me into a child that resembles him so much that is what others would see. May we always be aware and mindful of those hurting, lost, sick, poor, in danger and without parents. God bless Haiti.
