A week full of JOY: Starring Kitson :)

For those of you that have parented teenagers you know how crazy it can be!  I think all stages of parenting have immense joy and immense struggles, but I think the joys during the teenage years are something very special!  You get to see that almost adult that you have been teaching actually act with their own conscious decision making and when it's a good decision it is so sweet.  My heart just overflowed with joy a couple of times last week so I wanted to share.  Kitson would absolutely be mortified if he knew I was sharing this with you.....but I'm only sharing because I'm so proud :)

We set out to walk up Bellevue to the school...me to work and him to pick up something.  Right at the bottom of the mountain we crossed paths with the little guy pictured below.  Kit immediately grabbed his hand and started talking and joking with him.  He was telling him that he needed to behave at school and make good grades, it was precious.  He is like a big brother to so many and I love to see him becoming a leader in this way.  Now don't get me wrong, he still talks entirely too much in his own class.....he can't help it, he's a chatterbox by nature ;)  However, I have been told more than once lately by different people how kind and respectful he is and for a 17 year old I think that's pretty great.

Then a few days later we were walking back from dinner and he told me (all in English!) that he couldn't wait for me to get to my house to see the surprise he had for me.  He made me wait at the gate while he went up on the roof to turn on Christmas lights!  I had 2 strands of solar lights that no longer worked and he fixed them and then hung them up on the house for me.  He knows how much I love lights at Christmas and just wanted to do something nice for me.  I could have cried, it was so kind.

Many of you may know that Jorgi & I will be working on getting guardianship papers for Kitson after we get married.  Kit is Jorgi's first cousin and he has been living with Jorgi for about a year since his dad moved to another town and left him in Gressier.  We are prayerfully considering fostering Kitson's younger brother too.  Please pray for us as we make this decision.

We have also been busy this month trying to get our house move-in ready and still have lots of projects to go.....like running water and solar panels.  We would be honored if you would consider us for a year end gift to help us get our house ready and to continue our ministry in Haiti.

2016 Year in Review

This year, just like most other years, has flown by!  I sat down to start writing a summary of all that has happened this year, and honestly it is overwhelming!  So many joys and so many losses.  But the Lord has been there every step of the way guiding, comforting, and always knowing just what I need.  I'm so thankful to have had another wonderful year serving in Haiti and I look forward to all that is He has planned for 2017!  I hope you enjoy the following photos of a few of the highlights from 2016!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you! 

Oreo joined my little Haiti family in January!  He came from the market in Port au Prince in a cardboard box on a motorcycle and immediately got a bath and neutered....it was a pretty traumatic first day for the little guy...but he is a happy and healthy kitty now!  And if you know me at all, you know this little guy has brought incredible amounts of joy to my life this year, even if all the Haitians think I am a crazy cat lady :)

In February we celebrated the 5 year anniversary of Respire Haiti!  It was fun to get together with all of our Haitian and American staff and share memories we have made over the last 5 years as an organization (3 years for me...crazy!)

Selfies before school!  Because....why not?!

Easter egg dying was so much fun!

Concert at church with these fun girls!

I got to be in Oklahoma for the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk with my whole family this year!  My nephew Taison has CF, so this is something that is super close to all of our hearts.  It was so much fun to be there with everyone!

In May we had to say see you later to my precious Grandma Jaronek. She was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known, and although I miss her so much I know I will see her again one day.

Celebrating Haitian Mother's Day at church with Kitson

Fun day with lots of my favorites!  

Sometimes a date looks like staying home and getting fresh coconuts out of your tree!  I enjoy every moment I get to spend with Jorgi :)

Somedays your office gets invaded by cuteness!  One of the many joys of having an office in the clinic that anyone can just walk in and make your day!

Basketball camp was so much fun!  I loved putting on my sneakers and going out to teach some basics.  All the kids enjoyed it and so did I!

Richcarde had his surgery in the Cayman Islands and came home looking and feeling good!  He is doing great!  And his mom (pictured here...love her!) gives God all the glory for the many miracles in his life!  He's definitely a special and very blessed kid!

Jeff, Grandpa & Elsie

My niece Elsie was born in June!  She is so much fun!  She loves her Auntie Steph...I'm pretty sure I'm her favorite ;)  It's been fun to watch  my little bro be a dad even if I don't get to see him and his family nearly as often as I would like. 

Darline got married!  And I got to hang out with JJ! 

One of my good friends had a baby in July!  I love visiting and getting baby snuggles!

Lala stayed with us a few times this year!  Ashley took care of her, but she loved it when Jorgi would come over in the evenings!

In September my best friend asked me to marry him and I said YES!  We are so excited to be getting married January 28, 2017 in Haiti!  Jorgi is so kind and patient and truly loves the Lord.  He has been my biggest encourager and greatest comfort.  Sometimes I can't believe how blessed I am to have him.

One of my favorite things is to give letters to kids from their sponsors!  So much joy every time!

Sometimes I get to do really fun things like take goats to a family who needs them!  

We celebrated Kitson's 17th birthday with pizza!  SEVENTEEN....oh my goodness....I just can't even believe this little kid I met over 3 years ago has grown so much....he's not only grown taller but he has grown so much as a person and in his relationship with the Lord.  It is truly one of my greatest joys to watch him grow up and become a young man who loves the Lord. 

Daphna had a healthy baby boy in October!  

Terra came to visit!  Not just once, but twice this year!! It was so much fun to have her in Haiti both times and I'm looking forward to many more visits in the future (right, T?!)

Jorgi & I bought a house!  It's a simple house....400 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 1 bath...but we love it and we are so excited to move in after we get married!  It doesn't have electricity or running water yet, but hopefully we'll be able to get those things soon!  I will sure be happy if we do :)   Many people have asked me what our plans are.....our plans are to be open to what the Lord has planned for us.  We believe that at this time that is to stay in Haiti, but we honestly don't know for how long.  We pray that our marriage will be a reflection of Christ and the Church and that we will serve him wherever He has us.  I'm thankful for this new chapter and looking forward to all the Lord has in store for us as a couple!

I got to spend Thanksgiving with my family and we even did some Christmas things a little early!  Mom with Taison & Elsie making Christmas cookies!

One of my favorite views....it's hard to post something and not include a picture of this view.

One of my favorite verses and one I am clinging to as we enter another year of adventure!

Adieu Tati

In January of 2014 my friend Kameryn, who was serving as a nurse at Respire Haiti, was headed to University Hospital in Mirebalais to take two ladies who needed to be seen by the doctors there.  She asked me to go along and keep her company, I had been wanting to see this hospital for awhile so I gladly agreed to go even though it meant a lot of time in the car on mountain roads.  Little did I know that this particular day my path would cross with a wonderful woman who would become a dear friend of mine.  As I reflect back on things that have happened in my life it seems as if God always uses the tiny little mindless decisions we make to forever impact our lives….and I am oh so thankful that when asked to go that particular day I just said yes! 

Tati was one of the ladies that went with us to see the doctor that day.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going to see what they could do for her at this hospital.  We left early in the morning when it was still dark and we pretty much all rode silently in the car the entire way there.  As we were waiting to see the doctor we started talking.  I’d been in Haiti about 8 months so I could have a decent conversation in kreyol and she had previously lived in the states so she also spoke English.  We didn’t necessarily become fast friends as we waited in the hospital….but when we left we walked over to some of the vendors across the street to buy some food for the trip home.  She got the biggest kick out of the way that I joked with the vendors for calling me “blan” and kept up with their comments trying to get us to buy food from each of them.  She insisted on buying me a pate and then that I eat some sugar cane with her.  As we dropped her off at her house at the bottom of Bellevue mountain I promised I would stop by to visit her.  I walked right by her house on my way home from the school, so I would often stop by to chat with her. 

March 2014

It didn’t take long for us to become great friends.  She hadn’t seen her kids in about 8 years and she has a daughter that is close to my age.  She said that I reminded her so much of her daughter so she quickly became my Haitian mama J  I miss my mama when I am in Haiti and she missed her kids so much while they were in the states that we were a great comfort to each other.  Her daughter and her husband were able to come visit that summer and we celebrated her 60^th birthday together.  It was so simple, but so much fun…and I was so blessed to be able to share that day with her family. 

Tati's 60th birthday - July 2014

I loved stopping by to visit her as she was always such an encouragement to me.  Her faith was so strong.  There wasn’t much that could be done for her cancer here in Haiti….there were a few options like having an operation (which she was terrified of) or getting chemo (but the hospital was so far away it wasn’t feasible).  She tried many natural remedies and a whole lot of prayer.  There was a group of ladies that would often stop by her house to pray for her.  I remember one particular day when I had just had an awful day so I decided to stop by to just visit with her.  We were sitting in the hallway visiting and this group of ladies who so faithfully came to pray with her for so long came by.  They just began singing and praying and it was just one of the most beautiful things I have experienced.  God’s presence was so evident in that place and I just remember being in tears reflecting on how much He loves us and cares for us.  The worries of that day were washed away in an instant and I was again centered on what really mattered. 

Watching her health continue to deteriorate was so difficult, but through it all she always stayed so positive and so faithful.  She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God could heal her, but even if He did not, He was still good and she was still thankful.  I am just so honored and blessed that she was a part of my life.  Oh how I wish that she was still here, but I know that God’s timing is perfect, that He alone is my refuge and that I can trust in Him.  Though I miss her, I know that she is rejoicing in heaven, no longer in pain and no longer suffering and for that I am thankful.    

Psalm 91: 1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Tati with her children - March 2016

Cristina & Didi...thank you for sharing your incredible mother with me.  Also a sincere thank you to all the nurses who helped her and tried to get her the best care possible (Kameryn, Beth, Michele, Nancy, Deb & Sally).  I'm forever grateful.

In loving memory of Marie Ange Bisserethe

July 14, 1954-October 5, 2016

Respire Video

If you haven't seen this video yet please take a few minutes to watch and learn about the organization that I have been serving with for the past 3 years!

My first blog of 2016.....in JUNE.....

So as all of you know or have figured out by now....I am horrible at blogging.  I'm not someone who processes by writing....I actually really hate writing, give me some math problems instead please ;)  I have felt convicted for awhile that I really need to keep people updated on what's going on and I keep promising that I will do better this year.  Well, it's June and I have not yet written a single blog, but I decided I better start somewhere....so I decided that I would at least share some pictures with you and tell you a little about what has been happening over the past month.

When I arrived back in Gressier in May there had been street signs installed on the mountain!  We are looking pretty official now :) 

Kitson finished up the 3 month beginner woodworking course and he learned so many new skills.....all kinds of reasoning and critical thinking skills as well as some beginning computer skills, math and english...and of course woodworking too.  He didn't pass the theory part of the course because his French skills are very weak, but he will be getting some extra tutoring this summer and re-taking the course hopefully this fall.

A few weeks ago we started a youth group!  So far the group is small, but the kids love it and it is so fun to watch them learn more about their freedom in Christ! 

Kindergarten Graduation!  You can't really tell from this pic, but those kids are just the cutest little things ever.....they were all dolled up for the occasion and it was really fun to see them celebrate their accomplishments this year. 

This view never gets old!  We have had the rainiest rainy season I have experienced since moving to Haiti 3 years ago...and one afternoon we were blessed with this beautiful rainbow.

I moved to a different house and it was an eventful first few days!  Our inverter exploded the 1st night, we had water problems the 2nd day, then the 3rd day there was a giant tarantula in my bathroom...eeeeekkkkkk.  This was day 4...quiet time and some coffee...things have been pretty smooth sailing after the first few days.  I'm thankful for that!

And yes, this is a picture of an apple on my desk....may seem a bit weird, but it was a huge blessing for me.  One of the teenage girls that is in our afternoon alternative class that I am close to had a little job one Saturday doing laundry and made around $5....what did she do with that $5?  She bought some things she needed, but also bought me an apple as a gift.  So sweet and so selfless.  I am so blessed by these little kind gestures. 

June 9, 2014 - Richcarde's heart surgery in the Dominican Republic.

June 9, 2016 - Richcarde is preparing to go to the Cayman Islands on June 25th for a 2nd surgery to get a mechanical valve.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  This will be a difficult surgery, but God has a plan.

Amber & I went to church with some of our students on International Children's Day.  They let the children do the whole service and it was so great!  And by the way, the beautiful blue and white decorations are toilet paper :)

Amber and I tried to take the boys to the pool to go swimming....just to have a little carefree fun before Richcarde leaves for surgery.  The pool was closed, but we went to a little restaurant that has air conditioning instead....got the boys spaghetti and ice cream and had lots of laughs!  It is so much fun watching them have fun!

Last day of school!  Rice sack races in the 3rd grade classroom!  So much JOY!

And last but not least a little throwback to a year and half ago when my parents came to visit me in Haiti and a shout out to the most amazing daddy a girl could ever ask for!  Happy Father's Day Dad!  I love you so much!