Fun and work

Someone stated that I tend to share everyone else's pictures on here, but seldom any of me "working".  Well, who wants a picture of someone doing the laundry, washing floors, doing dishes, cooking meals, and all the other "fun" stuff?  Taking care of Savanah and Abbie are NOT work, so I can't include them in that statement.  Yes, it's time consuming and does require some work, but it's a joy, more than work.

Not too long ago, Abbie mentioned that we haven't put up the swimming pool in a long time.  The reason for that is the stray dogs around here.  They tend to try to get into the pool, and put holes in it, and then, no pool.  Don had gotten a heavy duty tarp from MFI.  He reluctantly agreed that we could use it for the pool, "for a while".   When the day of swimming is done, we simply pull the excess over the pool, and it's so heavy the dogs can't get to it.  Yes, there are drawbacks, but for a time, the kids can enjoy the pool.  Abbie's first comment on the pool was, "Grandma, I thought the pool was a lot bigger."  Her mama said, "Nope, Abbie you were a lot smaller." 

With the heat and humidity, cooling off and playing in the pool was a relief for the kids.  Abbie had a few days so far, where she invited friends over to play in the water.  The first day she had Daniel's 2 girls, and Oliane's daughter come.  We had a good time.  And then I made pizza for lunch for them.  Kids played in the pool and parents played games inside, near a fan.  Even Savanah got to "sort of" participate with the kids, sitting on the side of the pool.

 

 Then Abbie told me she wanted Savanah to come into the pool with her.  Well, can't just put a 9 month old in a big pool, so grandma had to get in too.  Savanah loves being anywhere where Abbie is, so she loved it.  But she sure enjoyed the water and splashing, too.

 Then Abbie invited Kettia's son to come for a day of swimming.  The kids sure did have fun.  

 This next picture I had to share with you all.  You know that every American woman has to have that "little black dress" for any and all occasions?  Well, a good friend sent Savanah some really cute clothes, but this one was a huge hit with everyone.  She now has her own "little black dress", well, sort of "dress".  But it's so cute.  Thanks Kim for sharing with this special kiddo!!

 While we were all having fun, Don was working.  He sat in the hot, REALLY hot, garage and bagged and packed pails to take to families.  The rice meals and oatmeal were the main things in the buckets, but he also put other things in there as well.  Don's work is a bit different from my "work".

 

 

 On Wednesday Don and almost all of our MFI crew from the airport went to the funeral of Perard, one of our workers.  It was three hours long, but Don said it was really nice.  SO many people came.  And Pastor Saintil shared with everyone how much Perard meant to us and to MFI for all of his hard work at the airport.  Perard's brother introduced Don to most of the family and some of the friends who were there.  It goes without saying that we, along with MFI and MAF, will miss Perard's presence and hard work at the airport.  But he was also a friend who would come and pray with us.  So we will miss his fellowship, too.  Please keep his family in prayer.

Please keep Haiti in prayer.  We received an email from "those in the know" about the imminent danger of a major earthquake here in the northern section of Haiti.  We have known about it for quite a while, but now the word is "official" and precautions are being shared.  I don't know when or where this will actually occur, but I am thankful that the government as well as the people are taking things seriously.  There is a lot of preparations being done in the area of emergency supplies and communication.  Don is a part of the Ham radio net being set up to help with communication.  Keep it all in prayer.

Well, I'd best close and get back to my mundane work here.  Oh yes, I do have other work beside what I mentioned.  I have computer work for MFI, paperwork for Don's surgery and a lot of other "little stuff" to do.  And have to get it all done while the baby sleeps.  

Looking at the world and all that is going on everywhere, I hope you are centering your thoughts and life on the Lord.  He is coming soon, and I pray we are all ready for that great day. 

 

Wind, no rain and chicken pox...

I have to say this program has been a real pain lately.  I added a post, and it's not there, from a week ago.  And then when I tried to sign in, it wouldn't let me.  Aside from the frustration of technology, we are doing okay.

Since the last post on here, life has been a bit hectic.  Savanah and I never made it to the airport.  She came down with chicken pox.  This poor kiddo is just going through so much.  But it amazes me how quickly she has overcome it.  I was in touch with the doc in Cap, getting advice from an American.  I took some pictures to send her, but they were so bad you could not tell anything.  After describing what it looked like and how these "blister" type things were acting, it was determined, through her and with advice from a US pediatrician, that yes, she had chicken pox.  She did have a slight fever twice, but not really high.  And she responded to the Tylenol quickly.  The baby benadryl helped with the itching.  But we had to try and keep her covered, so she wouldn't scratch and infect the spots.  Now, THAT was NOT easy.  We are in the upper 90's and low 100's, and having to put pants and sleeves on her was torture.  Praise the Lord, we are over that and she is doing really well.  

Now the next saga has started...Veronique has chicken pox.  I was concerned that the kids at IDADEE would have it, since Savanah was out there when she must have contacted it.  (Not sure of the incubation period, but the doc figured it out, and it started before we returned).  Vero said the kids out there were "itching", but she didn't think it was what Savanah had.  Now that she has blisters all over, she is thinking maybe they did have it.  Be that as it may, we hope everyone is on the way to healing.

We have had some really bad winds lately.  The one day the wind picked up, real quick, and my first thought was that we didn't realize a hurricane was coming.  It wasn't, but it sure seemed like it.  I thought for a while that we may lose some of our roof.  But we didn't.  Then we found out the next day that this short, bad, wind "spurt", had been all over Haiti.  It took down a billboard in Port au Prince and killed a couple of people.  The winds only lasted, at the worst, about 45 minutes.  But it was a bit scary.

Don has been hauling water all over.  He took one load part way up a near mountain to one of "our kids".  Then made a second trip to that area for others in the community.  They were so thankful.  Like the US, we were going through a time of no rains and no water for anyone.  We praise God our well is deep and good and that we have never run out of water.  I think the Lord has kept it full, to help others who desperately need it.  Don has also taken food to some very needy areas.  We have had a bit of rain, but not enough to even settle the heavy dust that is everywhere.

I don't know if you all enjoy the Gaither "Homecoming" videos, but I sure do.  I only have one, but I sure enjoy listening and watching all the "old" favorites sing songs that I have heard through the years.  My brother and sister-in-law had given my sister a dvd by Bill Gaither.  It was a memorial dedicated to George Younce, one of the greatest Christian singers of all time.  When my sister passed away, they gave me the dvd.    The two songs I enjoyed most that he made famous were, "This Old House" and "Thanks to Calvary".  Anything he sang was memorable, but those two were awesome.  And they remind me so much of how each and everyone one of us need the Lord with us at all times.  I enjoy music, but really have been touched by this dvd.  

Well, it's back to work.  Savanah is sleeping and that's the time I get some work done.  I am praying that God is working daily in your life, as He is in ours.  Each day we have so much to thank Him for, and each day we have so much to learn from Him.  I pray you are walking hand in hand with the Man who stilled the waters.  (Another song I enjoyed a long time ago).  And a final line from a Christian chorus, "When you walk with the Lord, you don't get bored...!".   Isn't that the truth though?  We never cease to be amazed by God and His awesome works.  I pray you are walking with Him, and keeping hold of His hand in all you do.  Until next time, God bless and keep you!  

Wow...I can't believe it's been so long since I have posted.  I'm really sorry about that.  Since coming back we have been ultra busy.  Not anything exciting, just "living" and getting back into the swing of things.

We were able to spend a very short time with my brother and his wife.  But it was good time.  Bob looked and acted much better than we thought he would.  Guess the saying, "Can't tie an old dog down", fits.  I can comment on his age, since I'm right behind him.  The one full day we had with them, some friends they used to be with while "on the road" (they were full time motor-homers) came for a visit. Very nice couple.  But we did have two evenings with Bob and Bev.  Please keep Bob in prayer.  He has finished his radiation and is now waiting for the next step in treatment.  Keep Bev in prayer, too, as this is also hard on her.

Keep our friend Lauri in prayer, too.  Her husband made the journey to be with Jesus, and she is without him now.  Lauri and Bill were and ARE a very important part of our lives.  But losing a loved one is not an easy road to walk.  Bill is happy and rejoicing with Jesus, but those who love and miss him are suffering.  Please keep Lauri and her family in prayer, for God's comfort and peace.

We flew into Haiti on a Tuesday and were anxious to see everyone.  Sad to have to listen to Vero explain her aunt and brother's deaths.  That was such a hard, hard time for her.  She spent two weeks in Port au Prince, first day or two with Smith (pronounced Smit), then the rest of the time making funeral arrangements for him and getting things straightened out there.  She came back here just a couple of days before we arrived back.  Please keep her in prayer as she now has to assume all the responsibilities of her family.  Smith had a couple of businesses going, and she has to get a lawyer to get things straightened out with all of that.  Plus, like her, he supported quite a few kids in school.  She doesn't want to ignore them, but life has put a whole lot of new challenges on her plate now.  She keeps plodding on but it's so hard for her.  She still has all her responsibilities at IDADEE and now all of Smith's situations, too.

One of the fellows from IDADEE brought Savanah to us after we were home.  As I had feared, she didn't really know us.  But I was  holding her and started to sing a song I always sang to her.  She pulled back, looked at me, then all of a sudden she smiled and leaned in and hugged me.  Now we are back to her clinging to me.  She will go to Vero, and to Don, but if I leave the room, she yells.  I'm slowly breaking her of that.  I think she feels I'll leave her again.  She was a bit lethargic when we got here.  Being at the orphanage with 23 other very young kids, she was treated as one of them and was sort of left in her bed a lot.  Not crawling or getting around, it was the safest place for her.  Now she is crawling all over the place, and yup, getting into things.  But that is fine.  She is improving so much in the last 2 weeks.  She got her second round of shots yesterday.  Slight fever last night, but other than that, she didn't respond at all.  She is such a good baby, we sure couldn't ask for more.  When we say "praise the Lord" she lefts her hands in the air.  And this kid LOVES to eat.  I brought back a lot of baby food, well, forget that.  She won't eat it, she wants REAL food.  No teeth yet, so have to really mash things up, but that's fine.  When Abbie walks in, she lights up and gets all excited. They watch TV together and it's so funny.  Abbie likes anything with dancing in it.  And Savanah has good rhythm, too.  She bounces right along with Abbie.  What a blessing these two are.

A lot of our time has been setting things back in order here.  Our inverter quit...well, it wasn't technically the inverter, it was our batteries...they had gone dry and died on us.  Don did find two of the 8 that are usable.  So, he charges them each day so we will have a fan at night.  No security lights, but that's life.  Once we get enough funds, we'll work on getting batteries.  There were a lot of other minor things that needed attention and we are finally getting to the point of having them all taken care of.  

Like American, a lot of political stuff going on here.  But we don't get involved in that at all.  We are here for the Lord, not politics.  And our weather...well, America has been having some major heat situations, and so have we.  We are at the point of praying for rain again.  We had a major storm go over us, and we didn't even get one drop of rain from it.  But our humidity has been right up there in the 90's the whole time since we've been back.  You'd think we'd get some rain, but nope, not a drop.  And yes, our temps were in the 100's, too, with that awful humidity.  It would drop down to the low 90's at night.  Now we are in the 90's and dropping to the low 90's at night.  We even got into the upper 80's once.  Okay, for you all that is bad, right?  Well, YOU have electricity.  Maybe not air conditioning (but most do), but at least fans.  Our power was going off at 6:30 in the evening and not coming on till 5 in the morning.  No fans, no electric at all.  We now have ONE fan working at night, and praise the Lord, it's in our bedroom.  You all can praise God you have an alternative to the heat.  We have one fan, but I think of the Haitians who have NO alternative, just sweltering heat and bugs.  I praise God a LOT for our one fan.

Looks like Savanah and I will be making a work day of it at the airport on Tuesday.  Vero has to take Abbie to the Dominican to get her passport again.  A very tangled web concerning her passport.  (Was lost here in Haiti, they didn't want to issue another one, so she went to the Haitien consulate in the  Dominican to get a replacement.  Now the Haitian government doesn't want to re-issue it, since it ran out.  She has to go back to the Dominican to get it renewed.  What a mess.)  So, I'll go and work on Tuesday at the airport.  We'll see how that works out.

I am so thankful that in our travels in the US the Lord went BEFORE us, went WITH us and kept His hands ON us.  It would have been very hard to have had Don in a hospital somewhere where we knew no one.  But He was also with us on the road.  We got excellent gas millage, so spent less on fuel this time.  A minor thing, but major when you have to pay for it.  Oh there are things we forgot to get and things we would have liked to do, but God knows all of that, and He walks with us and guides us, so we are happy.  We are so thankful for all of our friends and relatives we were able to spend time with.  Two college graduations, one high school graduation and getting to be with grand kids was special.  Everything was super, even the delay for minor things on our return.  

So, a HUGE thank you, first and foremost to the Lord for being with us, and then to our family who was a super blessing for us, and also our friends who make life a fun place to be.  We are blessed beyond measure.  I pray you are in that place too, where you can praise God for all He has done for you.  Even in the rough times, He's there and has His hands on you (and especially on US).  Be blessed, and praise God for all He does for you.   Until next time.... keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

On the way to Haiti in a week

Wanted to send a quick update.  So much traveling has been a bit tiring, but would not change that for anything, since we were able to see our kids by doing that traveling. 

Lots of driving, but had some fun too.  In Tennessee, our son and daughter in law wanted take us to two "historic" places.  Okay, you have to realize this is the middle of Tennessee.  Rednecks are the norm, but we got to see some "unusual" places, as well.  First they took us to a REAL moonshine still.  The difference here is that it was a legal still, or operation, if you will.  It was VERY interesting.  Two of the fellows we met there were real moonshiners before it became a legal operation.  The REALLY funny part in all of this is that the distillery is in a dry county.  They can't sell it there.  When they were giving us the history, they said once prohibition hit in the early twenties, Al Capone put their business into full swing.  Don then shared with them that Al Capone was a distant, shirt tailed relative of his.  Small world.  Very interesting tour and a LOT of interesting history of that area of Tennessee.   Don's souvenir of the place was, nope, not moonshine, but coffee.  And NOPE, no moonshine in it.

The next morning we went to an original grist mill.   We had breakfast there...they only serve one day a week (and it just happened to be the day we were there).  Breakfast was really good.  And then we toured the mill.  Not a huge place but again, very interesting with all the history in it.  One of the things that stuck with us was that they had the first electricity in that whole area, way back when.  It amazed us that they are still grinding corn the way they did it back when the mill started.

It was good to to see our daughter and her sons, and their girlfriends when we got to Mobile.  Had a couple of fun days swimming with them, too, at the hotel.  

I'll hold off on family photos until the next letter.  Didn't really get a lot of photos on this trip out... well, some that we posted before, and a few more, but we had a good time.

Our next stop, tomorrow, will be at my brother and sister-in-laws place.  That will be a quick stop, then it's on to MFI and doing the final purchasing before heading back to Haiti.

Now we are ready to head home.  Lots happening there, too.  But until we find out what all happened, we'll hold off sharing that until we find out what is really going on. So, for now, we'll close off and you'll hear from us again once we are home and had a day or two off.

Please remember to hold on to the Lord in all you do.   Jesus did so much for you, what are you doing for Him?  If you can reach out to one person and share the Love of Jesus with them, then tell them how they, too, can be a part of His family, it would be fantastic.  Just think how much better it would be if you could keep reaching out and sharing Jesus gift to others.  God's family will grow...will you be a part of that growth?  I pray you will.  Keep sharing God's love.   

Soon heading out again

Our time in Wisconsin is quickly coming to a close.  It's been an awesome time here.  So much going on and and definitely not enough time to see everyone we wanted to.  But so very thankful for those we DID get to see.  It's been a bit of an adventure for sure.

First was getting here, as described in the last post.  Then Don's surgery, again in the last post.  I can't believe how amazing God is.  Don is doing REALLY WELL!!!  He was cleared by his physician just this week to travel.  

And our eye doctor appointments went well too.  Don has been scheduled for cataract surgery next year.  Have the dates all set and ready to go.  I have to say we have a really wonderful eye doctor.  He has gone the extra mile for us in so many ways.  Like Don told him yesterday, "We are not a number here, we feel like family."  After finding out how much we paid for one months eye meds, he called around and found someone willing to give us a MUCH better deal.  And then he called us to tell us about it. 

I got to spend a day with our daughter and 2 good friends in a "girls day out".  We had so much fun.  Went to another city to go shopping.  Actually it was more, ahh... having fun "looking" than actual shopping.  I did get the spices we went all that way to get, though.  This was a much needed break for me.  

Don spent that day studying for 8 hours.  He sure did enjoy that time alone to study and absorb God's word and direction.  He studies about three hours a day, but this was in addition to that daily time.  

We have spent a lot of good time with our kids in the area, too.  That is an added blessing for me, for sure.  And our grandkids, too.  I know I mentioned our daughter's graduation, so I'll put some pictures here for  you.  She made us really proud after all she's gone through to get to this point.  Please pray she will get a job soon.  The third picture is our son and 2 of our grandsons with her after the ceremony was over.

 Don's sister and her husband were there to celebrate with us.

Christine ended up with her photo in the paper, helping another graduate getting ready.

 Our good friend Bernie offered us her place to stay.  She has some really beautiful flowers, and of course Don took pictures.

 We went out to celebrate Don feeling so much better, Christine's graduation and the boys birthdays.  Dale went along and we had a good time.

 Then we spend some time helping Dale at the Y camp, getting ready for summer campers.  Christine, Chris, and I worked on getting a sign made for one of the trails.

 Then all of a sudden, we had heavy rains and the hail started.  We were on the porch when it hit, but made a hasty retreat inside.  We could not believe how much hail came down.  And the wind whipped a leaf up on the window...it was neat.

 

 

 After the rains, and once we finished the sign, we went out and hung it up.  A job finished.  (But it did take up most of the day.)  

And the next day... our grandson Michael graduated.  I was unable to go, but Don attended this one.  I think Mike is more excited about flying...as he's working toward his pilots license, then he is about graduating.  But he was an excellent student.

So, you can see we have been busy and yet having a lot of fun, aside from Don's situation.  I'll close for now and will try to post quicker next time.  Keep us in prayer as we again will be on the road, first to our son's in Tennessee then down to Mobile, Alabama to see our daughter.  Our final jaunt, before getting to MFI will be to my brother's place.  Keep Bob in prayer, also, as he is battling cancer.  


Thank you all for your patience with me on keeping you updated.  I am hoping to do much better in the future.  Until then, keep the Lord at the front of all you do and make sure you cling to Jesus each and every day.  He is the author and finisher of our faith, and I hope your faith is in Him, and Him alone!   Blessings!!!!

May and in the USA

May 18th, 2012 First, I have to say, I have had some really rotten going with this program.  They have changed it and it does NOT work right.  So, please excuse the mess!!    I decided it was time to get an update out to everyone.  What a time we've had.  We really thought that after dealing with measles with Savanah, things would settle down and be calmer.  I am coming to believe that we should never assume anything.
We got packed up and on May 10th headed to the US for a 7 week trip.  We spent a day and half in Fort Pierce getting items we knew Vero needed, plus all the items for Abbie's birthday party.  Yet another year that we missed it.  Then on Saturday we headed north.  Wanted to make sure we made it to Wisconsin for our youngest daughter's graduation from college.  We are SO proud of her for the constant struggle it took for her to achieve this. She did a great job and deserves praise for her hard work.    The first day we made it north of Atlanta, GA, and stopped for the night.  Next morning we awoke to a storm.  But we knew we had to head on through.  You always want to believe you can drive out of a storm, right?  We had horrible rains all the way to just southeast of Murfreesboro, TN. (And saw 6 accidents along the way).  It let up a bit and we were really happy.  I told Don that I needed to stop and simply walk for a while.  It was really tense driving in that rain.  So, we  stopped at Wal-Mart to walk around.  Called our son and asked them to meet us for lunch.  (Our plan was and still IS, to spend some time with them on the return trip, so we wouldn't miss the graduation).  They came in and we had a great lunch where mom's ate free since it was mother's day.  And had some good fellowship time with the family.  Then got back on the road again...AND THE RAINS STARTED UP AGAIN!!  I made it as far as Paduka, KY, and then told Don we simply had to stop and get some sleep.  Signed in to the hotel and the sun came out.  Figures, doesn't it?  But we had a good night's rest. (Don said if he were driving =which he doesn't do in the US= we would have stopped and waited for the storm to pass).  The next day we made it to Wisconsin and got to our daughter's house.  Totally exhausted and ready to chill for a day or two before contacting anyone.  We arrived on Monday, and she was graduating on Thursday, so we had some "down" time.  Wednesday night, Don wasn't feeling the best.  Spent all night throwing up and really not well.  Called the doc's office on Thursday morning.  Got in that afternoon.  Had lots of tests and blood work, and then an ultra sound.  Doc came back in and said "I've set you up with a surgeon for tomorrow morning."  Don had a really bad gall bladder.  He came home on pain meds and went to bed.  I went to the graduation with our son and two grandsons.  Don's sister and her husband met us there.  We were so proud to see our daughter walk down and get her degree!!  (Don got to see the pictures we took of her).       Then this morning we saw the surgeon.  Within a few minutes of examining Don, he set up surgery for this afternoon.  At 12:30 they took him in for removal of the gall bladder.  He was back home by 5:00.  That is so amazing to me.  Major surgery to remove a part of your body and you are in surgery, out and back home within 4 1/2 hours.  Don had supper with us...he only had soup and crackers and apple juice, but after 2 days of eating NOTHING, he was happy.  This is just before he went into surgery...and his nurse (who was GREAT) wanted to be in the picture.  His first smile in two days!!
We serve an AWESOME GOD, don't we?  He walked before us these 8 days we've been in the states.  We are really happy this didn't happen in Haiti or on the road.  This whole situation was sort of a downer for our daughter's graduation, but we plan to make it up to her.   Please keep Don in prayer for a quick healing.  And pray for us as we continue our short trip here.  We have another grandson graduating soon, so we won't leave here until we are part of that, too.  The doctor sees no reason why we can't leave to return to Haiti when planned.  For that we are REALLY thankful.  God doing HIS thing again...seeing to our needs before we even know about them.   Also, keep Vero, Abbie and Savanah in your prayers.  We know it's not easy for Vero to have this added responsibility of Savanah while we are gone, but we praise God she is there for us and for Savanah.  And also pray for Savanah's adoption.  We don't know where it is right now, but God does, and we are depending on Him to see it through. Well, Don is sleeping soundly, FINALLY!  And it's time for me to do the same.  So, remember, God is walking with you when you turn your life over to Him.  And He walks before you, and has His plans in line to be what you need when you need it.  We are SO thankful that the Lord is a major part of our lives.  He truly IS an AWESOME GOD.  We pray you are in that place where God can do for you what He has done for us... keeping His hands on us and all we do.    Keep praising and praying and following!!!

Missing Abbie's birthday

Well, we'll miss Abbie's birthday, yet again.  So, I decided to make some cupcakes for her as a "pre-birthday" celebration.  I had decided to also give Savanah a cupcake, one little piece at a time.  Don said, no, let her have her own cupcake.  We were all laughing so hard.  She is a little eating machine.  We set the cupcake in front of her, and she wasn't sure what to do with it.  She does pick up her crackers and things, but this was BIG.

 So, of course, you lean in and try it....

 And then, when you find out it's GOOD... you go for it, totally...

 

I really thought this one was cute...she's looking at what is in her hand and thinking "what is all of this?"

 

 

 And finally, it's "grandma I liked that".

 When I was showing Don the pictures with Savanah on my lap, she was all excited and her lips started smacking...she wanted more.

Well, back to the mundane...Don has been hauling water for the orphanage...three loads in one day.  He said the mountain of wash they had there, and no water, made him feel so bad.  So, he hauled until he ran out of time.  The women were so thankful.
 I'm putting a couple of photos here of his trip yesterday.  He puts it into a big holding tank but also fills their barrels.  Pray for them to get that well dug and working.

 We are almost packed and ready to go.  Just two more days.  We'll miss Abbie, Savanah and all our friends, but are very anxious to make this trip, too.  We'll keep you posted as we travel and see people.  

The Lord has really been speaking to me about being an intercessor prayer warrior.  I know we have had them the whole time we've been in Haiti, and know we would not have made it without them.  But God showed me that I can be there for others, not only on the mission field, but those struggling with all different problems.  We have had a great example of a faithful and powerful prayer warrior in Louisa Destine...a fantastic Haitian friend.  She not only prayed, but she prayed until she got an answer.  And she taught others how to come before the throne of grace with those prayers.  And now she is in need of those intercessory prayers.  She is on dialysis in the states.  So, pray for her, but pray for me also, that I follow where the Lord leads.

It's back to work and back to baby care.  You have a super great, Christ centered, Christ filled day.  Keep the Lord at the front of all you do.