Reports from Haiti

Words later!

Haiti

Here it is, the final week! This means that some of us have already packed and repacked our bags a few times…. double checking everything to make sure its all in order. I still need something... Oh, grapefruit seed extract? I've been fending off some kind of virus this week... a cold, I think.

We had a great time Sunday as we packed away all of the gifts going with us - about 50 pounds of childrens tylenol, 50 pounds of shoes, about 100 pairs of reading glasses, lots of clothing, and cases of jump ropes  - THANK YOU!

We had room for everything in the baggage limits we were give, as God would so design it :0)

The solar equipment is going with us in our carry on luggage, so that it will make it no matter what!

Please pray for us -

• we are excited and need to get a good night's rest the next few days.
• we long to be spiritually ready for Haiti and so some of us are fasting today or tomorrow.
• some of us still have financials to be worked out.
• six of our team mates are new to short term missions. these new travelers may be nervous, apprehensive, excited, overwhelmed, or all of the above.

After a red-eye flight across country, we will arrive in Port-Au-Prince at 1pm Saturday. The anticipated forecast for Haiti is 97* with 80-100% humidity!

Excited for the opportunity to be the hands, feet, and words of Christ in Haiti -
Lanelle & Rachel

R.E.S.T

R.E.S.T - I was blessed with 30 minutes yesterday in which I didn't have to do anything. There were, as you can see, many things I probably should be doing. But instead, I rested. I sat back, closed my eyes, sipped some coffee, and just breathed.

God loves us so much that he says, come to me, and I will give you rest... I will be your shepherd, I will provide you the perfect way... the door is open, if you would come...

Jesus spent so much time in prayer and seeking the will of God, and we... rush about crazy. I do wonder what we think we will be able to accomplish...

Rachel, the eldest, is preparing to travel to Haiti next weekend with myself and a team of 10 others...  She shared her favorite verse with me...  and I share it with you...

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 ESV

Copper spends all day wandering about this house while I'm at work... and he still loves this mirror. I know, absolutely random... but I think its a pretty good "snapshot" of Copper...

Bonswa!

Home and...

Today is the very last day of school for the three...
(note to self, take last day next year off work)

The dogs aren't happy with the weather, as their walks are limited...
(note to self, find doggy coats, ha!)

I don't really feel like I'm at home yet.. because I've not been.. daily working and nightly errand running with one or more... it feels like all I do is spin around in a circle pouring away gasoline...
(note to self, breathe. and make no commitments at all beginning tomorrow morning!)

Speaking of home... the house is not unpacked. pile, pile, pile... ugh ugh ugh... 
I don't know of any good tips for that. Perhaps in my next week without commitments I will have some time to nest...

Cars and keys...
Make sure you always have a spare set. I'm learning that replacing keys when they are completely gone is a very hard and expensive task... SIGH.

But all is not hopeless and stressful and busy, never fear. It just feels like it right now.
L.

Weekend Links

Moving is harsh and I feel like it has swallowed all of my mental acuity whole... I am fully prepared for this bit to be completely behind us; one last weekend to go!

So, since its the weekend, I decided I would share EVERY blog I follow with you.

Don't worry, there aren't that many...
A Holy Experience - http://www.aholyexperience.com/
Internet Monk - http://www.internetmonk.com/
(in)courage - http://www.incourage.me/

The Hambulletin - http://hambeltons.blogspot.com/
Pilgrims - http://wethreepilgrims.blogspot.com/
Adams Page - http://adamneil.blogspot.com/ 
JD Pet Photography - http://www.jdpetphotography.net/
Reluctant Entertainer - http://reluctantentertainer.com/
Simple Bites - http://www.simplebites.net/
Simple Design - http://simpledesign.net/
Simple Mom -  http://simplemom.net
Rachel the Hat - http://www.rachelthehat.com/
Andy & Belle -http://andyandbelle.blogspot.com/
Smile & Wave -http://smileandwave.typepad.com/blog/

Whew!
I found many of the food ones on http://www.foodgawker.com - my all time favorite website. And most of the clothing and style sites were found through friends! I'm turning 35 this weekend...and feeling just a little bit insecure...

Here is what I've been thinking of the most this week - No one can make us quite as unsure about ourselves as another woman.

And filtering through me on a daily basis, the hymn, I Surrender All.

Cheerio!
Lanelle

new beginnings...

Kitchen... LOVE

Well, the move is nearing completion... We have about a truckload of odds and ends left at the old house. Surprisingly, I have yet to gather much of my kitchen wares. This, you see, is because I don't have much in the way of cabinetry yet, and I've been hesitant to haul it over.

I woke early today (5am on a Sunday) and concluded that this morning is the morning. Right after my spot of coffee, I will collect the rest of things. I will put everything somewhere, in boxes if need be, and then cook a delicious breakfast. YES!

The one thing I miss in this kitchen is my fridge. I thought I could handle the side-by-side, but frozen pizza doesn't even fit... I will someday have my fridge in this space.... it may live in storage for a month or three waiting for repair, but its exciting to know of the gifts in store!

Digi Free Room. Ahhhh....

I can't begin to describe how much of a blessing this move has been. But I'll give an example... Jake and I have managed to have some time sans screens ... He both pauses at the bar to chat while I work in the kitchen and sits with me in the (yet to be sorted) digi free room. In addition, due to the new nature of our home, we have to go on official dog walking excursions. I'm a tired woman, let me tell you! But its been delightful to have the company of Jake or one of the girls... such a change! I'm thrilled!

It's official. I can walk to town!

The other day I lost my keys to my jeep.. I have yet to find them, actually... (any spotters out there? Is my jeep still safely on Broadway?)  and so I had to walk home from town. Isn't this a lovely sight? I haven't been able to walk from home to anywhere in ages, and I felt so free, like I could just sit on this wall and smile for an hour. Actually, the rest stop there was lovely as its a vertical climb to my house, but hey, I'm no wimp. I made it in 20 minutes. Let's not break out the ruler... but it might be a whole mile!

I read this thought a week ago, and I've had it on my mind. Especially with the move.

If we aren't thankful to God for now, why would we be joyful for more?

Thoughts to ponder. Cheerio!