Prayers and Hope for Haiti

I haven't blogged since the earthquake hit Haiti. It's so hard to express my thoughts and concerns without feeling that heartbreak. After awhile we'd rather avoid the images of Haiti and it would be really easy to say, "Oh, that's so sad" and then turn our backs and walk away. I can't. I feel connected due to just one trip and my son's second trip, and through good friends who are still making those trips, through school children being sponsored by my family. I've been following the blogsite of Troy and Tara Livesay. They are the missionaries we stayed with in LaDigue in 2007, and Aaron again in 2008. They moved into Port-Au-Prince just over a year ago. If you want to see the real stories of God's love and hope, along with stories of survival go to www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com

We've been busy fundraising at church and at the elementary school. The children are so willing to give and there are so many stories of generosity that just touches your heart. Please don't give to UNICEF. If you're wondering why I would say such a thing, go to Troy and Tara's site and you'll see the frustration of a huge organization interfering with processes that they have no business being in. Some having to do with adoptions.

I have three opportunities to go to Haiti this summer, but I'm unsure of what God is calling me to do. All of these opportunities have to do with working with children which I know will rip my heart out, so part of me wants to avoid it all together. Satan wants me to believe I'm just one person so don't bother going, but I know better. So I wait to hear from God, and financially he will provide if he wants me to go. The pictures are from our trip in 2007. They had next to nothing then and now have absolutely nothing. This was a country built on corruptive sand. Pray that the new Haiti will be built on the rock of the Lord.

Wow, time slipped by so fast! Then so much time went by that I didn't know where to start. No more excuses. I'll just give you a quick review of the last few months and begin anew with the new year!

Aaron began his first year at Spring Arbor University. He loves it! He's been home for Christmas break and will be going back to SAU on Tuesday for the 2nd term. Aaron and Alex have been doing some snowboarding over break and spent New Year's Eve in Grand Rapids with friends watching the ball drop downtown.

Alex began his junior year in high school. He was co-captain of the tennis team playing #1 singles and was voted all-conference by the conference league coaches. He was also given the most valuable player award. He's working in the school's after school program with the kindergarten and first graders. With all that he continues to be an honor student in school as well!

Alyssa is playing basketball! She's enjoying being part of the team and is learning a lot. She's a talented writer and is always reading. She went through some testing on her spine and neck this fall and found that she has some congenital birth defects that should be a huge deal. But God has blessed us once again by making it a minor issue that shouldn't ever effect her. The doctor stated she's a "unique" little girl. Boy, do we know it. She's something special.

Abbey continues to grow! In fact, she grew 4 inches in the last year! We discovered that at her check-up in November. She continues to do well in school, catching up faster and faster. She just celebrated her 4th Christmas with us. And she's about as excited as a 4 year old at Christmas! It's fun to see.

Scott continues to do amazingly well! He is off all pain medications and is feeling great!

Whew....now you see why time as gone by so fast. Now that I've caught up a bit, I'll try to stay on up of it. Happy New Year!