Shakespeare had this concept all wrong....I have no idea what he was thinking when he wrote "parting is such sweet sorrow"....there is nothing sweet about it. It is awful!
We left the kids tonight, and it was crazy. Literally the children were wailing (to the point the neighbors came over to find out which child had died because they were sobbing so much!). It was heart shredding....
Each of us had an amazing time. We love these children, these workers, and this country. We are so thankful to Rodney and Cathy for letting us come and taking such great care of us.
Thankyou to each of you who have prayed, gave, and have supported us, Rodney & Cathy, and these children. We cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate it.
Leaving tonight, I cannot help but state the obvious...it is so unfair to be an orphan. It breaks my heart to know that these children do not have a mother and a father. Sure, I totally get the concept that they are being taken care of. Pastor and Madame Aristild are phenomenal with them, but there is something drastically wrong with this concept. These kids need a family....they need love...and most of all they need people to point them to the Lord!!!
Will you consider adopting? Will you allow God to use you in such an amazing way that you will never be able to comprehend the scope of its impact?
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Having a great time!
I am so sorry I have not been blogging--combination of slow upload speed with lack of time! The trip to this point has been fun. Everyone is doing great. Of course, every trip has its stories!
Mike was taken to the UN hospital last night because he had a piece of metal in the center of his eye. The Argentina doctors were able to get it out but want him to immediately go to an optimologist when he gets home. He is hoping to still be able to finish the playground set, but we are not sure. The swingsets are up, and the kids are absolutely beside themselves with giddyness over the new addition!
Dad is having lots of issues with trying to get the electrical. He really needed another couple of hands to help him get this all completed. His kidneys have been hurting so we are praying that the kidney stone does not make an appearance.
The rest of the team is doing the job of loving on kids. Bri and Shelby simply want to just move down here...I think Pastor Aristild is already counting on it! They absolutely love it here and the Haitians love them.
Anna is already tearing up just to think of going back home. She has done exactly what we knew she would....let kids hang all over her and love on them back!!! Her knee is sore, and we keep begging her to wear her brace, but she is politely refusing : )
Martha still has her "cling on" Charlesmise (pronounced shaw-meese). This little girl absolutely will not leave her alone! Jerry, Martha took a day are painted the rebar for the curtains....not so sure you should save a spot for her on her paint crew--it was a little messy : )
Phyllis & Verla---the curtains were a hit! They are hung and they are perfect and beautiful!!! They love it! Also, sidenote for Phyllis & Sara--Wannson is a COMPLETELY different boy! This kid is cracking up laughing and smiling all the time...it is literally amazing!!!
Mom is in love with a boy by the name of Kevins....we are sincerely praying that they will get to bring him over on a 5 year visa....can't describe this boy except to say he is amazing and is a boy after mom's own heart! You all will love him. Please be praying that God will make His plan evident in this situation.
Shelly is doing great---you'd think this woman lives in a 3rd world country all the time! Church ladies---you would totally be impressed--not the same woman!
Lillie is loving all over babies! She was a hit because she taught them how to play baseball....they loved it! However, it was a combo between that and dodgeball. Coconuts were used for the bases and if they could not tag you out with the ball, they would pick up the coconut and throw that!!!?!?
Kristin has talked to Sandeline and Jasmide both about adoption and they are ready to go! We will meet with the attorney in the morning and praying we get a clear understanding of the path that lies before Todd & Kris, Mike & Lydia, and Sean and I about adopting our babies.
Moises, Kentia, and Judely came over today after lunch so we could just spend time starting to bond with them since they are the ones we truly believe that God will be giving us soon. It was a little intimidating as we got off the bus and realized that this really is what reality could look like for us very, very soon...however, it was only intimidating for about 10 minutes. After that--it was shear joy! We played ball, sean practiced karate. We sang, loved on them, fed them snacks, hugged all over them and then put them down for a nap.About 1 hour into the afternoon, I went looking for Sean and Kentia....I found them both taking a nap--Sean sleeping and Kentia snuggled into his side just snoring and drooling away. They both looked so content...it was a sweet moment that I don't think I will ever forget.
Moises gave me my first kiss out of nowhere today....and he also told Sean that he loved him....first time for that too : ) The warm fuzzies were running wildly : I asked Sean if he was scared...he said "not at all....Britt, I am so ready for this!" It melted my heart.
I have loved his attitude through this entire prcoess. He was talking to mom today, and I overheard him say, "no matter what, I am finding out more and more that love is a CHOICE....whatever children God gives us, I am making the committment to choose to love them." It is a such an amazing picture of God's love for us. We were not anything lovable, but God in His mercy CHOOSES to love us and He CHOSE to make us His children. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing process.
We are in love with these children. We cannot wait for you all to meet them. My dad is already smitten and mom has slid into the role of a granparent amazingly. These kids love them, and they are really loving all over them!
Tomorrow is the last day, and we know that it is going to be hard. Please pray that God gives us grace and that we have an amazing last 8 hours with the kids.
Thanks to all who have been praying and giving to sponsor these children and this orphanage. God is answering prayers and providing immensely! You are being used of God, and I can't wait to see what the next step is for so many of us and you as we seek His plan for our lives!
Mike was taken to the UN hospital last night because he had a piece of metal in the center of his eye. The Argentina doctors were able to get it out but want him to immediately go to an optimologist when he gets home. He is hoping to still be able to finish the playground set, but we are not sure. The swingsets are up, and the kids are absolutely beside themselves with giddyness over the new addition!
Dad is having lots of issues with trying to get the electrical. He really needed another couple of hands to help him get this all completed. His kidneys have been hurting so we are praying that the kidney stone does not make an appearance.
The rest of the team is doing the job of loving on kids. Bri and Shelby simply want to just move down here...I think Pastor Aristild is already counting on it! They absolutely love it here and the Haitians love them.
Anna is already tearing up just to think of going back home. She has done exactly what we knew she would....let kids hang all over her and love on them back!!! Her knee is sore, and we keep begging her to wear her brace, but she is politely refusing : )
Martha still has her "cling on" Charlesmise (pronounced shaw-meese). This little girl absolutely will not leave her alone! Jerry, Martha took a day are painted the rebar for the curtains....not so sure you should save a spot for her on her paint crew--it was a little messy : )
Phyllis & Verla---the curtains were a hit! They are hung and they are perfect and beautiful!!! They love it! Also, sidenote for Phyllis & Sara--Wannson is a COMPLETELY different boy! This kid is cracking up laughing and smiling all the time...it is literally amazing!!!
Mom is in love with a boy by the name of Kevins....we are sincerely praying that they will get to bring him over on a 5 year visa....can't describe this boy except to say he is amazing and is a boy after mom's own heart! You all will love him. Please be praying that God will make His plan evident in this situation.
Shelly is doing great---you'd think this woman lives in a 3rd world country all the time! Church ladies---you would totally be impressed--not the same woman!
Lillie is loving all over babies! She was a hit because she taught them how to play baseball....they loved it! However, it was a combo between that and dodgeball. Coconuts were used for the bases and if they could not tag you out with the ball, they would pick up the coconut and throw that!!!?!?
Kristin has talked to Sandeline and Jasmide both about adoption and they are ready to go! We will meet with the attorney in the morning and praying we get a clear understanding of the path that lies before Todd & Kris, Mike & Lydia, and Sean and I about adopting our babies.
Moises, Kentia, and Judely came over today after lunch so we could just spend time starting to bond with them since they are the ones we truly believe that God will be giving us soon. It was a little intimidating as we got off the bus and realized that this really is what reality could look like for us very, very soon...however, it was only intimidating for about 10 minutes. After that--it was shear joy! We played ball, sean practiced karate. We sang, loved on them, fed them snacks, hugged all over them and then put them down for a nap.About 1 hour into the afternoon, I went looking for Sean and Kentia....I found them both taking a nap--Sean sleeping and Kentia snuggled into his side just snoring and drooling away. They both looked so content...it was a sweet moment that I don't think I will ever forget.
Moises gave me my first kiss out of nowhere today....and he also told Sean that he loved him....first time for that too : ) The warm fuzzies were running wildly : I asked Sean if he was scared...he said "not at all....Britt, I am so ready for this!" It melted my heart.
I have loved his attitude through this entire prcoess. He was talking to mom today, and I overheard him say, "no matter what, I am finding out more and more that love is a CHOICE....whatever children God gives us, I am making the committment to choose to love them." It is a such an amazing picture of God's love for us. We were not anything lovable, but God in His mercy CHOOSES to love us and He CHOSE to make us His children. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing process.
We are in love with these children. We cannot wait for you all to meet them. My dad is already smitten and mom has slid into the role of a granparent amazingly. These kids love them, and they are really loving all over them!
Tomorrow is the last day, and we know that it is going to be hard. Please pray that God gives us grace and that we have an amazing last 8 hours with the kids.
Thanks to all who have been praying and giving to sponsor these children and this orphanage. God is answering prayers and providing immensely! You are being used of God, and I can't wait to see what the next step is for so many of us and you as we seek His plan for our lives!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Reality....just setting in...
We are so excited to be back to Haiti. So excited in fact, that we could not wait even one more day to get to that orphanage....so Rodney & Cathy humored us and took us to the orphanage before we went to the guest house to sleep. It was just a quick stop, but we just had too....
My heart had been craving for those little arms of Moises to be around my neck and to be hugging him so tightly...it was a precious, precious hug. We also could not wait to see the "melt your heart" smiles of Judely and Kentia. We were so excited to just be able to be with them again.
Today was a day of just loving on kids. We played bubbles, raced cars, gave new outfits, took photos, played duck duck goose, and gave about a gazillion hugs and kisses....what more could we ask for!
The boys started working on a massive playground set for the kids and dad started wiring for the electricity for the orphanage. It is definitely not a "quick weekend project from Lowes" and OSHA probably would not be pleased ---but hey, it is getting done : )
My mom is like the queen around here! She brought bubbles, snack packs for each day, and plants for the kids to work to plant and grow something....they love her. It has been so much fun watching my mom and dad meet their grandchildren for the first time!!! They are smitten.
While I am on this topic, I am going to ramble for a second...bear with me as I get through these jumbled thoughts...
We are meeting with the judge Monday morning at 9am about the adoptions of our children (and Kristin & Todd, and Mike & Lydia). I am begging you that you will pray with us about this meeting that God will make it very clear about what our next steps are to be.
Now for the rambling....since arriving down here--I think I am really starting to get nervous about reality. Let me state up front, that I trust God for His plan for our lives...I know what He says is best.....now, let me tell you the human side---I AM SCARED TO DEATH!!!! For a while, this has been talk, talk, paperwork, talk, more paperwork, talk and then tons of paperwork. Now that reality is staring me square in the eyes, I almost don't know what to do with it.
I realize that God has lead us to this point, and I believe that He will provide, He has opened miraculous doors and literally done the impossible---and now I feel like I am second guessing. Maybe it is the sun; maybe it is lack of sleep; maybe it is hormones; however, I am probably more accurate if I say that it is just my rotten sinful flesh! I panicked today as I was holding precious Moises in my arms. He was singing me "I have decided to follow Jesus" (in English by the way!) and I just started crying. My head keeps saying..."how will you ever know how to raise these children?" I realize that the answer is just to trust that God will give me the ability....just somehow today that answer hasn't made it way back up to my brain!!!
I want so much for these children to be where God wants them. I want them to grow up to know the Lord, to give Him their hearts at a young age and then have them serve Him wherever He chooses to take them....I think just hearing him sing that song of deciding to follow Jesus struck a huge heart chord with me because my heart is aching for them to do that too.
Our hearts are still smitten with "brown babies"...and I pretty sure mom and dad are too : )
Still makes me crazy to think that people could still object to adoptions of these precious children...one trip down here, and I promise, your hearts will change. If it doesn't, pretty certain that is not the only heart issue you have : ) God loves these babies equally as much and has just as big of a plan for their lives as He does everyone else....we are just so privileged to be a part of this plan.
Tomorrow is another day loving on kids....hopefully my head will be caught up and we will be back on "stable ground" with the emotions.....anyone know of where I can get the "how to be a perfect parent so you won't screw up your kids lives forever" manual??? Never realized how important those verses are in Proverbs....
My heart had been craving for those little arms of Moises to be around my neck and to be hugging him so tightly...it was a precious, precious hug. We also could not wait to see the "melt your heart" smiles of Judely and Kentia. We were so excited to just be able to be with them again.
Today was a day of just loving on kids. We played bubbles, raced cars, gave new outfits, took photos, played duck duck goose, and gave about a gazillion hugs and kisses....what more could we ask for!
The boys started working on a massive playground set for the kids and dad started wiring for the electricity for the orphanage. It is definitely not a "quick weekend project from Lowes" and OSHA probably would not be pleased ---but hey, it is getting done : )
My mom is like the queen around here! She brought bubbles, snack packs for each day, and plants for the kids to work to plant and grow something....they love her. It has been so much fun watching my mom and dad meet their grandchildren for the first time!!! They are smitten.
While I am on this topic, I am going to ramble for a second...bear with me as I get through these jumbled thoughts...
We are meeting with the judge Monday morning at 9am about the adoptions of our children (and Kristin & Todd, and Mike & Lydia). I am begging you that you will pray with us about this meeting that God will make it very clear about what our next steps are to be.
Now for the rambling....since arriving down here--I think I am really starting to get nervous about reality. Let me state up front, that I trust God for His plan for our lives...I know what He says is best.....now, let me tell you the human side---I AM SCARED TO DEATH!!!! For a while, this has been talk, talk, paperwork, talk, more paperwork, talk and then tons of paperwork. Now that reality is staring me square in the eyes, I almost don't know what to do with it.
I realize that God has lead us to this point, and I believe that He will provide, He has opened miraculous doors and literally done the impossible---and now I feel like I am second guessing. Maybe it is the sun; maybe it is lack of sleep; maybe it is hormones; however, I am probably more accurate if I say that it is just my rotten sinful flesh! I panicked today as I was holding precious Moises in my arms. He was singing me "I have decided to follow Jesus" (in English by the way!) and I just started crying. My head keeps saying..."how will you ever know how to raise these children?" I realize that the answer is just to trust that God will give me the ability....just somehow today that answer hasn't made it way back up to my brain!!!
I want so much for these children to be where God wants them. I want them to grow up to know the Lord, to give Him their hearts at a young age and then have them serve Him wherever He chooses to take them....I think just hearing him sing that song of deciding to follow Jesus struck a huge heart chord with me because my heart is aching for them to do that too.
Our hearts are still smitten with "brown babies"...and I pretty sure mom and dad are too : )
Still makes me crazy to think that people could still object to adoptions of these precious children...one trip down here, and I promise, your hearts will change. If it doesn't, pretty certain that is not the only heart issue you have : ) God loves these babies equally as much and has just as big of a plan for their lives as He does everyone else....we are just so privileged to be a part of this plan.
Tomorrow is another day loving on kids....hopefully my head will be caught up and we will be back on "stable ground" with the emotions.....anyone know of where I can get the "how to be a perfect parent so you won't screw up your kids lives forever" manual??? Never realized how important those verses are in Proverbs....
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