The View

The house was quiet yesterday morning; I snuck out of bed, made some coffee and headed to the balcony. It has been cloudy and rainy over the last few days and, therefore, has been chilly up here in the mountains. I grabbed my blanket, cofee, and bible and had some quiet time. The view from my balcony is just absolutely breathtaking. I am in awe of this country,this people. Such heartache, such resilience. God has placed us here at this time for this purpose: to reach them with the gospel. The Haitian people are open and eager to learn about Christ. As we are seeing up here in the mountains, many have not attended church, don't know the songs in the songbook. Down in the city, there are churches on every corner, people are singing church songs all the time. We have been given this opportunity, to start this church in the mountains of Haiti. Where God's beauty is all around us and some have never heard His name. I pray that these photos bless you as this scene blesses me every single day!

Cherish the precious times - they past so fast

What!!! 6:45 a.m.!!!!!! OH NO! I didn't wake up to serve our guest breakfast before he left!!!!! I didn't even hear anyone leave the house. Then I look down and all snuggled in my arms, is my precious baby boy! How could I not stay in bed when I have such a sweet little bundle of joy sound asleep in my arms!

It was a great start to a new week; school, laundry, workout, staff meeting, supper, preparation for tomorrow's school, Veggie Tales with my sweet girls, and now snuggling again with that sweet little bundle of joy as he watches his favorite show "Popeye"!

God gives us so many blessings in our lives and they are so often taken for granted. As one of my workers arrived to work this morning, she seemed down; I began speaking with her about her weekend and, just as so many Haitians, is living in a tent. Due to the horrible weather over the weekend, she lost her tent. It took her 4 1/2 hours to reach her home on Friday after leaving my house. My heart broke for her as she tried to have a good attitude, but was just so sad. This is just one story of many here in Haiti. From Brandon's visits over the weekend, he learned of a deaf woman who was under the rubble after the quake, she was there for 4 days, was dug out, and left for dead. She was thrown in a hole with dead bodies. When she awoke from her unconscious state, she found herself in the midst of all these bodies. She worked her way out and began stumbling around. She was covered in blood, had a broken arm, but was found by her mother who had been searching for her since the day of the quake. As Brandon talked with this woman face to face, he was reminded of God's goodness to us and how thankful we should be for the life that we have in HIM. She was in great spirits and praised God for saving her!

Well, look forward to sharing this week! Happy Monday!

The Lord's Day - A day to Glorify HIM!

Brandon started out his morning early and headed to the tent city in Petionville; this is one of the largest tent cities with over 55,000 people. This particular tent city is run by none other that actor, Sean Penn (who is not a Christian), but he has placed all his confidence in a national pastor who is doing amazing things in this tent city. Brandon has become very close to Pastor Sinser and preaches for him often. Over the course of the week, we have had a very special visitor in our home, Edward Smith. Edward is with an organization called Victim Relief Ministries and he is a chaplain. He travels to different disaster areas and gives grievance counselling. He also preaches. On Friday evening, we received some very bad winds and rains; it hit the tent cities hard. Pastor Sinser called Brandon and shared with him that the main tent, the sanctuary, had fallen. On Saturday, they went to see Pastor Sinser to encourage him and in turn they were encouraged as they saw a group of young men working hard to restore the tent. This morning in the heat of the sun, Brandon and Edward ministered to over 200 Haitians, who despite no tent and despite the heat, came to worship God! A God who sees and hears their cries and knows their hardships. They worked all day today and were able to put the tent back up for a sanctuary of praise and worship to the Almighty God! Another week has come and gone. I am ready for this new week and to share with you our wonderful lives in the precious land of Haiti.

Can anyone say Peanut Butter Chocolate cake!

So, I got a chocolate cake mix and whipped up some homemade chocolate frosting but that was too boring for me; so, I added my own little twist -- PEANUT BUTTER! Cuz everything is better with peanut butta ya'll! (kinda stole that saying from Paula Dean, but don't tell her; I made it my own!). So, for you peanut butter chocolate lovers, YOU GOTTA TRY IT!

Peanut Butter Chocolate cake

1 box of chocolate cake mix (I used Dark Chocolate) - Prepared as directed on the box

Pour batter in 2 round cake pans and bake according to directions on box

(simple so far!)

Frosting

1 stick butter, softened

1 pound powdered sugar

2/3 cup cocoa powder

Vanilla or Almond extract

3-4 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons peanut butter

Beat butter and powdered sugar until well mixed, add cocoa powder. Begin adding milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you have reached a spreadable consistency. Add Peanut butter and beat until well blended.

Let's put it together!

Place a little frosting on cake plate and place the first cake down. Spread some peanut butter over the top of the cake (PEANUT BUTTER! not the frosting!) Place second cake on top and ice witht the frosting!!

(So simple and sooooo yummy!!)

TGIF!

Friday, Yeah! Friday is so long as i do homeschooling with all three of my children and one little munchkin running here, there, and everywhere. Today, I put grilling on the menu (which means less work for me!!). I love when Brandon grills because I just have to make the sides. Tonight, he made wonderful shishkabobs, and corn on the cob, and I made rice dressing and a salad with fresh avacados. I can't help but feel guilty as we sit down to a wonderful meal and tents are flying away from hurricane winds. Power lines and trees are down in Port au Prince. In one of the major tent cities, Pastor Sincer calls Brandon to tell him that his huge church tent has fallen. I praise God for His safety on our family here in the mountains, but can't help but think about all those poor homeless people down in the city. Wet and cold, hungry and hopeless. As I think about these things, it makes me thankful for a husband that has a heart for these dear people. On October 31st, we will be holding our first service of Hope Baptist Church. We have prayed for so long for open doors and God has just thrown them wide open. When I look back at a year ago when we were praying for God's guidance and it seemed like every door was shut, and then to throw a major earthquake in the mix pulling us from our home and all that we held dear. God had a plan in all these situations. Today, on this Friday, I am thankful for clear guidance and a perfect will for our lives. I look forward to sharing our church with all of you! Have a great weekend ya'll!

A Cajun Sort of Day!

Missing the states and family and friends happens every once in a while when you are far away from them, but we make the best of it and learn different ways to deal with it. The one way I deal with it is to cook! Tonight was chicken and sausage gumbo, potato salad, garlic bread, and peach cobbler with

Not Doing Much of Anything!

One of my dear friends texted me this afternoon and asked what I was up to; this was my reply; "Not much of anything. I am doing school with John, doing laundry, making cookies for Brandon, getting the house ready for Edward (one of our guest who is spending the weekend), and making a roux (the base of a gumbo, for those who do not know). Wow! guess I am doing more than I thought!" What a busy but good day! Kofee seemed much better than yesterday until we got to the main house (which is the baby house for the orphanage). He then became very cranky and I had to leave bible study because he wouldn't stop crying. Brandon was gone most of the day doing distribution of supplies that the orphanage is still receiving. It is such a blessing to be associated with such a wonderful organization who allows us to have access to some of the supplies to distribute to the first church we worked with. Brandon came back feeling so wonderful and blessed as he was thanked and hugged and kissed by our former church people. I love these kinds of days when I get so many things accomplished. Did I mention that I had to put the girls in long sleeves this morning because it was sooo chilly! God is so good to give us those little things that we miss from the states. I am anxious for December and January; everyone says it gets super chilly up here in the mountains! Hope everyone had as great a day as I did!