A busy and fun week

We've been busy, but also had a great week.  A friend of ours came down with a work team, then took an extra week and came to spend it with us, just visiting and relaxing.  It was an interesting time.  She came on Thursday.  We (some of "her kids" and I) planned a surprise birthday party for her.  Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, she had mentioned a few times that her birthday had been while she was on the team.  I sort of just said, oh nice.  Then Friday afternoon we had one of guys who just got married come over and take her to see his house.  He had very definite directions NOT to bring her back until 3:00.  So, we quickly decorated and got her cake ready.  I had baked cookies and a cake while she was here.  I told her that the kids would be coming through the week and we needed to have something to share with them.  Well, when she came back, and walked in she WAS surprised.  Some of the kids were here, and a couple of missionaries came too.  We had a great time.  Put one candle on her cake.  I said we didn't have a fire department, so couldn't risk a fire.  So, she blew out that one candle.

 The next day we went with Kathy and Alice (our missionary friends) to the little restaurant in town.  Had a good time there, too.  And Carolyn got a picture of a boat with fishermen.  Just like in Jesus time.  After she snapped it, they said no pictures.  So, she said okay, no problem.  But I thought you'd enjoy seeing the one she was able to get.

 Abbie is doing so well with her reading.  She loves to read and comprehends it, too.  She grabs any books and will start to read.  Carolyn got a picture of her sitting on the bed with a book she brought in.  

 Savanah is outgrowing all her clothes.  I asked Vero to check in town when she went to see if she could get a nice dress for church for her.  Kids clothes here are WAY OUT OF SIGHT in price.  But Vero got this one.  Had to share some of the pictures of her in it.  She is a rough and tumble tomboy already, but looks so cute in fancy, too.  Not real thrilled with the hat, but had to put it on her anyway.   

 

 

 We are getting excited.  Her new mama (her real aunt) and family are coming down for a week to spend time with her.  She is VERY clingy to me, and I am trying to get her out of that and used to others.  Not an easy task, but it will work.  She will also be dedicated at English church.  Her grandma Bibiana will be here, too, and that's an added blessing for all of us!!

Okay, time to close and get back to work and caring for the little one.  Keep praying for her adoption process to go quickly.  She needs to be with her family soon.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is coming soon!!!

A bit of food for thought

A few days ago we received one of our daily devotionals from "Papa Roy".  He always has something to make you think and to open up your mind to what God is saying.  We do appreciate his devotionals so much.  

This one made me think, yet again, of things the Lord is trying to get through, not only to me, but to many others, too.  Here is part of that email:

Papa Roy says, significantly, two men can see the exact same sights ~ the same grapes, the same men, the same land, the same cities ~ one can come away singing in faith, and the other is filled with a sense of certain doom.  Ultimately, faith or unbelief does not spring from circumstances or environment, but from our hearts, which God must change. (D. Guzik)

In God we trust, so, "One man with God makes a majority."

And it's true, even without that one man, GOD IS A MAJORITY!!!   But if we are following Him, and doing our best to do what He wants us to do, we DO have that majority.  Our faith should see us through the worst of times, along with the best of times. 


I guess I'm talking to myself mostly here.  I seem to let circumstances take me down.  If I would simply turn it all over to God and let Him handle it, and believe, then it will work out.  Yes, it may take time.  Yes, it may not go as I think it should.  But YES, God knows best, and He is in charge of it all.  I simply (at times not so simply) need to keep my eyes centered on HIM and not on circumstances.  Even those who work against us will ultimately have to face the Lord.  We just need to keep perspective and keep our eyes on the Master of the universe and let Him guide and direct.


That brought to mind the old hymn... "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness...."  I think the verse that really helps is: 

"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand."


That is simply IT....Jesus Christ is my ALL.   He's all I need.  


Okay, I'm finished talking to myself now, I hope some little point in here made you think a bit too.  I know I do tend to ramble, but sometimes it seems others are facing the same areas of need as I am.  And maybe, just maybe, God can help someone else while He is working on ME. 


I hope your faith is based on the one and only solution to all problems, JESUS CHRIST!  I'll be praying for you, please do the same for us.  Blessings!!
 

Maybe a time for recouping?

Well, the wedding is over...and I claimed it's the last one I'll do.  But then again, I said at baby number 9 that it was the last one too, and Savanah is number 12.   But I do plan on cutting back a lot on things.  Would love to have some time to simply relax and do some things I haven't done in years.  We'll see how it goes.

The wedding went well.  Kettia didn't want a big wedding, and no reception.  But Salomon said, "You are only getting married once, so we will do it right."   Up until the day of the wedding, there were two little girls in the wedding party...aside from the Maren.  Well, that morning I find out I have to quickly make MORE flowers, for the extra two girls.  And the little guys didn't get any flowers.  But I don't think anyone noticed.  They were all so cute.  This first picture is of the kids.  Now, this didn't include the little boy and girl who walked with the bride and groom.  Abbie is the second from the bottom.  I sure didn't like the way the beautician did her hair.  And the brides hair was similar, and she didn't care for it either.  But, it was what it was.  .  Haitian weddings still confuse me, since they are ALL different.  

 Then the bride and groom had a professional photographer there.  (Something else Kettia didn't want).   But he was good and I admire how well he did with everything.  Since I was occupied with Savanah, Don took some pictures, and when the group went outside between the wedding and reception, we had Ruben take some photos for us.  Here you can see the bride's flowers.   

 I did get a picture before the wedding of some of the decorations.  Since we can do nothing on the walls or hang anything from the ceiling, it's a bit limiting.  But I did get some decorations up.  The bride, groom, maren, and paren all sit in the four chairs in front through the whole service.

 And of course, aside from Abbie, we had Savanah.  Don got a few pictures of her during the service.  She was a cut up...but we sat in the far back, so we could control her a bit.

 Between the wedding and reception they had everyone leave the area.  They had to remove chairs and put up tables for the food and for people to sit at.  At this point, I got sick.  I made arrangements with the people there to come the next day to get all the decorations, and Don, Savanah and I went home.  Kettia and Salomon felt bad that they didn't get any pictures with us, so after it was all over, they came to the house to get some photos.  It was funny, during the service we sat next to Kettia's mom.  She was a gem.  When I got sick, she leaned over and pointed to herself and said, "Mama".  Then she pointed to me and said, "Mama, too.  Thank you."  I was very touched by her comment.  

Well, now you've seen the wedding and some of the extras.  I already have some of the photos printed for Kettia and Salomon.  So, I think I'm done with the last wedding, at least I hope it's the last one.  


We are making plans for the end of the month.  Savanah's aunt (adoptive mom) and family are coming down to spend time with Savanah.  We know she will love them and especially her new 2 year old sister.  But the exciting thing is that she will be dedicated in English church while they are here.  I'm sure we'll have photos of that to share, too.


Keep Haiti in your prayers.  As with America, the nationality of the president is being questioned.  And unlike America, there are some demonstrations going on.  Nothing big deal around us though.  But unrest seems to be the norm all over the world right now.  Hummm.... could this be the start of something we've been expecting?  Will the Bible prophecy about the end times start coming true in the near future?  I know we will not know the day or time, but the season seems to be approaching quickly.  Are YOU ready for what is to come?  I pray the Lord has His hands on you and you have turned your life over to Him.  He is the only hope for such a troubled world.  If you don't know Him, personally, reach out and grasp onto the Hand of the Man who can make you whole.  Jesus cares about you.  So much so that He gave His life that you could live for all eternity with Him.  Let Him be your guide in the days ahead!!

The work and wonders

Since the last post, our son arrived (and departed), Don has celebrated his birthday,  and the girls continue to be a joy.  A few recaps to what has been going on.  I guess I did post once our son was here.  But the work that he accomplished in that short week was awesome....oops, there's that word again.  But really, he did get a lot done.  It was hard to see him leave.  This is a "before and after" picture of just one area.  Don can now find his tools, again.

 

 And painting the garage door brought the temperature in the garage way down.  Don was sure pleased with that project, too.

 

And Don's birthday was nice.  Celebrated with our friends on Sunday, then on Tuesday (his real birthday), we had another party.  

On Sunday, I dressed both girls, and myself in pink and white.  They were so cute.  So, of course I had to get a picture of them.  They are both growing so big.  And little Savanah adores Abbie.  She thinks Abbie is there, JUST FOR HER!

 A good friend, YEARS ago, took a picture out at the little pottery village not far from here.  Another good friend told me about it recently and shared what a great picture it was.  I asked for a copy.  It really is something that speaks to me, and to others, I know.  It is simply a potters hands forming a pot.  It's great.  And reminds me that WE are the clay in the potter's hands (the Lord's Hands), when we turn our life over to Him.  And when He is finished, as with this potter and pot in the picture, the work is beautiful.  I pray I'll continue to be a pliable piece of clay in the Lord's Hands, until he has finished me.  I know it will take a LOT to do that, but I'm willing to be molded into whatever the Lord wants me to be.  I hope you have that same willingness.  And I pray God makes us the vessels He wants and can use for His Glory.

Till next time....keep your eyes on Jesus...He is the author and finisher of our faith (the pot or vessel He wants us to be).