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!