Joy down in my heart.

I can not believe today was my last day teaching at CLS. This summer has FLOWN by and God could have not blessed me anymore. I am so thankful for all the memories, relationships and change that has been over the last 6 weeks.

Wednesday I took my beautiful kinder class to the beach. For many this was their first time ever driving out of Delmas 31, their first time ever swimming and their first time ever seeing the ocean. I could not stop thanking God for allowing me to be apart of this memory in their lives and being the person they get to experience it with. My word for the entire day was JOY. I could not stop singing " ive got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart" Their smiles laughs and screams gave me such an inexpressible joy that will forever be engraved in my heart.

Being able to give them their very own brand new swim suit and flip flops was such a humbling moment ( thank you mom & dad for donating and picking them out along with Janelle : ) ) That moment that they were all lined up along the wall with their suits and sandals was the first time I got a picture with ALL of them smiling their beautiful white smiles. That again filled my heart with joy that God provided these moments and provided a suit for every child to wear.

We split the girls and boys up and of course they all wanted to go into the ocean first. The boys put on all their arm floaties and JUMPED into the water quite literally. I have never seen such happy faces with a grin from ear to ear. How they were able to just play and be children. The girls and I played in the sand and built castles and buried Evensky in the sand. I wish that each and everyone of you could have been there to experience the sheer joy and excitement from these children. It made me really savor the little things and to enjoy the simple pleasure that God has given us in this world.

The girls got their turn to swim in the salty crystal turquoise water. They clung on for dear life but my the end they were swimming and kicking and just loving this freedom that being in water brings. I wanted to let them play in the water for hours and hours. The boys buried their principle in the sand, it was a funny laugh for them all to see their principle covered in sand.

After washing them with clean water, which was such a mom moment for me making sure all the sand was off of them, something that God putting on my heart more and more. We were going to try and do some "organized" games in the grass but I loved watching them all play on the swing set that was at the resort. To think that several have never swung or gone down a slide. The boys were running around with beach balls and in that moment I coudlnt stop thanking God for these children and for allowing them to BE children.

They did not want to leave and I didnt blame them. I wanted to give them the whole day at the beach, give them more and more experiences and more time to soak up Gods beautiful creations He has so willingly given us to abide in.

I bet you could all guess that the tap tap ride home was silent, oh yes it was as every single sweet child of mine was asleep from the few hours of pure child play time. I did everything I could to hold back tears countless times.

I was forever thankful to God for that special day, He kept us all safe, and provided everything for us. He picked these children to bring into my life this summer, He lead me to take on a whole new world of teaching, He graciously gave me a heart for showering these beautiful children the love they more then deserve.




Today we had a family dinner with all of CLS. Rachel and I went to the market and had the older girls in the childrens home help us prepare and cook the meal. We made... TACOS. since none of the kids have EVER had a taco before. It was so much fun to go into the market with the girls and purchase the local produce, supporting the people of Haiti. We cut everything up and put chicken and black beans in the crock pot.

Seeing how the kids reacted to setting our "outdoor dining room" up was priceless. They wanted table cloths because the table was ugly and not nice enough, they cleaned the whole area & made sure that it was just perfect. This brought so much joy to my heart to be able to share this new cuisine with them and to have this first experience with them as I am sure they dont have many " family" dinners.

We ended the night with wiggly jiggly strawberry jello that they all slurped up in a second and Monsters vs Aliens projecting on our white wall.

This was a beautiful way to end a summer that was fun of amazing memories, frustrations & new found relationships.

Now I am just surrendering the next door to open that God will guide me to the right ministry and the right position to love His children.

My verse I read this morning put it perfectly... as God always does when we are seeking His direction.

" At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen" Isaiah 60:22

Now I am just enjoying every moment I have with these amazing people God has brought into my life and waiting on His perfect timing.


Em

Branson Bound

Posting this from Dallas texas as I spend my last night in the US before I head back to beautiful Haiti. I spent the last week with my family in Branson MO celebrating the 4th together and celebrating what God has been doing in all of our lives. There are 5 grandkids in the family so I must say there was never ending action and activity : ) we spent countless hours by the pool, laughing, and holding a baby.

Anna, my oldest niece is 4 years old going on 10. She is so precise and knows exactly what she wants. I love her sweet sweet smile and the way her dimple on her right cheeks shows when she laughs. She is always wanting to read books & show us how amazing she is at ballet. I cherish holding her in my arms and holding her hand. I am so excited to see the woman God has created her to be and what He has in store for her.

Lauren, who needs to be on the front of a magazine is turning into a curious toddler. She is always asking questions about everything. Her personality is so bubbly and I just know that she is going to be a blessed handful for her parents. He bright blue eyes are so breathtaking along with her super tan skin (I wish I could get that tan with 75 spf)  She is a wonderful sister to her brother. I cant wait to hear about what she learns when she starts preschool this fall. God has given her such a wonderful family & curiosity to understand things.

Isaac is the superhero of the family. Recently potty trained he was always running around in his superhero underwear and goggles. His handsome smile melts me every time. He is a cuddle bug and I wouldnt change that for anything. God has made him into something else. His vibrant personality will light up any room when he laughs.

                                                                   

William is the blonde hair blue eyes cheeks you just want to pinch baby. He is such a happy boy always smiling and giggling. His non stop drooling and babbling shows you just how fast kids grow up. He didnt want to get out of the pool as he kept splashing and playing in the water. I cant wait till he is walking the next time I see him. This little man has a wonderful father as a role model so I am 100% that God will do great things with Him as He did with my brother.

Jude, last but not least the newest addition to our growing family. Mr cuddle bug and definitely a mommas boy. His sweet subtle cry makes me want to hold him forever. My favorite thing is carrying him in the ergo. I feel like such a mom  when he falls asleep on my chest all cuddled up. I cant believe he is 2 months already. He is crazy tall & skinny already. I am so excited to see this next year as he grows into a baby. He can smile now since the last time I saw him. next thing is a laugh, oh and he has a dimple like his big sister as well : )

I am SO incredibly grateful for the family that God has given me. THankful that they all have God as the center of their lives and are living everyday for Him. My sister and brother are the best role models for me and my future family if God has that planned for me. They are not just a brother and sister but best friends, supporters & encouragers. Their spouses are a perfect match for the and I thank God for bringing them into my life and the way they love my brother and sister endlessly. I pray someday that God will bring a man into my life who loves Him and serves Him with his whole heart and will love me for who God has made me, and have the same desires that God has put on my heart to serve in Haiti. 

My parents have been such amazing support my whole entire life, from my ups and downs to bad mistakes and always supporting my many moves. I am so thankful to spend time with them and that they are always planning a time for the whole family to spend time together. They are always pushing me the right direction and loving me. I am so grateful to God that He has given them peace about my serving in a third world country and that He has given a similar desire in my dads heart. I have so much joy when spending time with my mom and dad and would not be where I am today without their support and commitment to their crazy youngest daughter. Thank you mom and dad for your never ending love. 

 I can not express how thankful I am to be in this family. Being sent off back to haiti surrounded by my family in prayer was overwhelming in a way that I wish everyone could experience. I had tears streaming down my face. I cant wait for our next family reunion which will be at the happiest place on earth.... DISNEYLAND!

Until then I go back to the caribbean, I get back to Haiti wednesday morning to my sweet sweet students & friends. I cant wait to embrace them and continue building relationships. I will be teaching for 2 more weeks and am praying patiently for where God will open the doors up next in Haiti. Please pray for continual strength and rest in His plans.

" To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace" Luke 1:79

~Em

                                                                                       

Restavec

Restavec: A restavec from the French language French reste avec, "one who stays with") is a child in who is sent by his or her parents to work for a host household as a domestic servant because the parents lack the resources required to support the child. Restavec may refer to any child staying with a host family, but usually refers specifically to those who are abused.

It is everywhere in Haiti as its normal for parents to send their child who has the best chance of an education to live with a family member or friends. Sad thing is most dont end up going to school but becoming the cook, maid, getting water ect. Most dont get a meal that they prepared for the family and go days without eating. What breaks my heart is that they go without love and affection. This is what God must feel when we dont love eachother and when us as the body of Christ do not share the love that Jesus has for everyone.

Linsdsey & the supper Heros (LB class)

Many have no education yet those few days I could see how eager they were to learn english. We taught them how to sew bags. Their joy and excitement to be on the sewing machine gave my heart a flutter just letting them do something fun at their own pleasure. 

There were two boys ages 8 & 10. Watson and Jon Le. They had such heart melting smiles and the biggest hugs. You can just see that they wanted to so badly be loved. Watson would always jump infront of the camera to get in as many photos as he could. 

Lindsey who taught this LB ( late bloomers) class has the biggest heart for these beautiful children of God. I am so thankful to have met her and been apart of this class. Her sheer love to keep her going when the language barrier seemed so difficult was so inspiring. I know that God will reward her for the love she showed and investing in a relationship with each and every child. 

God is showing me a new compassion for people. That everyone needs an endless love just the way God has an endless love for us. He is always pursuing us and i believe we need to continue to pursue to reach everyone to know what His great love is really like. 

The people He is bringing into my life i couldnt be an more beni "blessed" to finAlly have Friends who are driven to serve the Lord. The trust that has so easily developed &

openess that happened instantly without judgment. These friendships will last and can only thank God for so perfectly bringing us all together. Creating these memories of serving in Haiti & changing the lives of those children and adults together.

As i wait in the PAP airport to fly back to the states i am filled with joy knowing I am coming back to those smiles and hugs that said good-bye this morning. The excitement in telling them i will see them in a week. I am thankful to be spending a week with my whole family. Sharing Gods change in my life the last 2 weeks and to enjoy just being all together will be a nice break and a much needed reenergizing time. 

Haiti is a beautiful country with beautiful people, landscapes and a yearning hope for change that can only be obtained by loving && knowing our Lord and Savior. 

God has blessed me beyond anything i could imagine. He has broken the chains from my past and this new life is turning to be such a beautiful one with Him walking infront of me. I am surrendering my life daily and inturn He is giving me a peace in my heart that He will guide me to where I am to love his children next. Haiti is my home. And i am so at peace with that statement. 

" in Him is life, and that life is the light to all mankind" john 1:4