Living in the moment,Trusting in the future-A Keefer Family Journey

2011 Holiday Christmas Tour

2011-12-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

It's finished..My inside is finished...I am almost done with the outside but here is the inside.I am so happy this year how my house has turned out!!

This is our bonus room (with no color..ha getting painted soon I hope)..this is the first tree Mark and I bought together as a couple.It's not prelit but is one of our favorite trees.This tree is just a tree of ornamenets made by the kids or ornaments given to us or the kids by family.I love pulling this tree out and remembering the baby ones..makes me sad that my boys are growing up.

Here is our newest one.We have one done every year with the year and our names.It's fun!

This was mine when I was a little girl

Noah loves him some donughts

Zak got this one year..Its cute

Now on to the boys room.Zak didn't want to put his tree up but Noah did and of couse it's thememed in Georgia Bulldogs

This purple room has allways been a dream of mine to maybe one day adopt a girl and it be her room,but that dream has not come true so therefor it is my Jewelry craft room where I make all of my handstamped stuff.But it also functions as a room for visitiore..I love antying French and Love the eiffel tower too

I wanted a tree in here so when I am working I can still have me some Christmas..I got this purple tree at walmart and went to work getting stuff from areound the houyse decorating it

This is a pic of Saintemene a sweet girl in Haiti that has part of my heart.

And here is where I do most of my business!!

Downstairs in the kitchen I just hung some wreaths with ribbon

Got some bulbs in the window

hot glued some pinecones and there you have a sweet decoration..all thanks for a site called Pinterest that I am totally addicted to

In a room what we call "the map room",we decided to make the tree a travel theme.Most places we go we try and buy an ornamanet for the tree and so I decided to make the tree in here the travel tree.I love the burlap and the tree skirt is from ETSY.It is coffee bags from around the world sewen togheter to make a tree skirt!! LOVE it..

This is my nativity from haiti!

And what better way to have a picture...a santa looking at the globe!! Kirklands on sale

another nativity from Haiti

this is looking in from the Dining Room

This is my Dining Room which is almost one of my fav rooms but is not used that often.I hung up wreaths this year in the windows and loved how it turned out

Look how pretty it is

I had these candle holders and never knew what to do with them.The table is really long and I took a mirror from walmart the one you put on the door or wall for like 5.00 can placed these on there but they never looked right so one day while I was on pinterest I saw these and there you go..I got to work and it made me smile....

Decorated this ugly light..I can't wait to get a new one someday..Maybe I will just spray paint it

My mom got me this table for an early Christmas present.It matches my table perfect

Nativity picture

Just having fun with some bulbs

This is the front entry way with a new wreath

Made a yarn wreath,it was easy but took FOREVER...

On to the Family Room,always my snowman tree.This tree is flocked and always makes a mess but it is beautiful when done

Mantle with deco mesh my new fav stuff

Vintage Santa,moves his arms scares the crap out of my dog each year..He hates it barks and growls at it

A bigger santa..You don't see these in stores anymore and that makes me sad

Stockings on the stairs..I think I may do something with the stairs later but right now I am tired.

I made this Hot Air balloon several years ago and It still looks good

Now on to my room..We just finished this painting and still a work in progress..see no curtains but anyway the rooms colors are great.3 walls very light blue and then 1 large wall a grey color.It's very soothing

Mantel in my bedroom.Looks great if I say so myself

I got these trees last yr at the Dollar Tree

I even did some stuff in my bathroom and again notice no curtain..ahahah

So there is in the inside..now on to finish the outside..

Have a great weekend!

First day of school

2011-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

WOW..the first day of school....I have 2 middle schoolers now! Makes me sad and teary eyed as I type this.I can't believe that they both are in middle school.I remember when I was excited for them both to be at school so I could have some "me" time and this summer was a great summer together and makes me sad that they aren't here...but also I can get some stuff done,house organized and we are now back to a routine!!

We had a great summer,did alot of stuff!! Went out west on a family vacation,enjoyed the lake,the pool.Had lots of friends over for sleep overs.Noah learned how to wake board (guess I'm looking for a boat now) and both Boys learned how to scuba dive and Zak is def wanting to get certified in that!!

I went to Haiti in July and spent 5 days with some great people from Grace church serving the people of Haiti and got to spend 5 days with a some sweet girls that I love so much.Met alot of people this summer that go to Africa and looking forward and praying to where God is wanting us to go next!! I know that I am not supposed to stay in Haiti,this I know for sure.

Jewelry Business is booming and I am still blown away that God has continued to bless me so I can bless others with this business.It not only has taken me on every trip to Haiti but has led me to help several different organizations as well..Feed the Orphans (feeding program for Africa),Hope Resource Center (helps women who have found themselves pregnant and not sure what to do about,this center encourages keeping the baby,adoption in a Christian based setting).have my jewelry on the web in a store called "The Junk Gypsy"

And people all over the US and now in other countries have a testimony to give when someone asks "why do you have Haiti,Africa,Russia,China jewelry around your neck and what do those words mean?" That's when you stand a little taller and give your testimony,might be someone that doesn't know Christ...AMAZING!!

So as summer closes and everyone is back to school I leave with this::

Isaiah 58:11

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.

Crazy Horse Monument

2011-07-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

We spent this day at the Crazy Horse Monument..quite impressing place.A man started to build this a long time ago and he has since passed away but his family is commited to make it happen.Go and read about it all below..too much to place on here

http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/

It was so chilly this day! As you can see since it is June and we are all in jackets.The man at the front gate was a retiree from Florida.Him and his wife got in their camper and traveled here to work for the summer,he said there was snow the day he moved here.He was a happy man and was so proud to be working here.

This was a cool place to go,if you ever are out there you need to check it out

There was this cute little Purple Builiding that sold pies and ice cream,and since I love Purple we went to check it out before the Light Show at Crazy Horse.

This was a fun day,we spent alot of time in the car!! We will go to the Badlands next and it was my favorite part of the trip..

And we are off!!

2011-07-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

First stop was the Red Rock Amphitheater in Colorado.Mark has some friends there so they met us for lunch and we hung out for and hour or so..This place was nice

They brought their dog named Achilles..Zak LOVED him

The Amphitheater is huge.They hold concerts,movies and I don't know what else! But it looks fun whenever there is something going on.People jogging these stands! I couldn't even hardly breathe!

And we are off on a drive!! We went thru Wyoming (not much there) then went to South Dakota.It was cold and icky that day as you can tell thru the clouds

I loved seeing the land go on forever

Mark drove off a side road and we saw these Buffalo roaming the area.They were huge

I have to show this..There is a Flintstones drive in and also a store and a camping area!! We stopped for lunch (not good food) and then headed on to our hotel but not until we had some funny pics

back from vacation

2011-06-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to fly out and go to Colorado.We have so much planned to do that I hope we can get it all done..

We are all so High Tech!!!! haha...

and you See Mark looking at a magazine..

Noah and Me

My feather in my Hair.Mark has been calling me Pocahontas

Zak getting all charged up in Kansas

Noah being silly

This is Red Rock Canyon in Colorado.We stopped here to meet some of Mark's friends for a picnic lunch.It was cold today

Noah getting his pic taken

So we spend an afternoon in Colorado then took off to Wyoming.I will share pics soon as Mark gets them off the other computer.It is def amazing out there..

2011-06-06T19:32:00.001-07:00

What do you do when you have no time to blog???? You just update every month or so!! Seriously this is getting so hard so I will update when I can..

Summer is here! Noah just got back from Washington D.C. with a safety patrol trip with 5th grade.Of course he had a great time and we missed him greatly.Zak hung with us all weekend and we enjoyed our time together with him.

We are ready for our vacation!! Enough said..

2011-05-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a LONG time since I have blogged..I have been so busy with my jewelry business,my reg full time job being a wife and a mommy and then my full time bring a nurse.Things are out of control most of the time I feel,so this has been the least of my worries!

I also have not been able to put in words how I am feeling or what I should feel since coming back from Haiti in January and even when I went in April.I LONG for a little girl that I love with all my heart.I LONG for to be able to say "YES" to her being my little girl.But there is more than me that has to make that decision,so therefore I wait and I pray for God to take care of her everyday that she is in Haiti and to allow someone to make her their forever daughter.So in the midst of my "depression" and my "wants" I have choosen not to blog about my trips to Haiti the last few months.Yes they were beautiful and only God given days that I was there but I myself need to move on and remember that I have a family here that I have to focus on as well.I do have a trip to haiti planned in October and will decide when it gets closer if this Gods will or mine.I am very blessed that I have been on these trips,don't get me wrong but I am also aware of the way Satan gets in your life and uses the Good for Bad,so I will keep trucking along and pray that God will begin to show me the will for our lives and for that sweet girl..

Summer is almost here and we have alot of stuff planned for our family and I am excited to just be with them and love on them....

I have a giveaway going on right now...

2011-03-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

I have a giveaway going on right now on my Jewelry site..go and check it out and you may get LUCKY!!

http://www.keeferstylecreations.com/

I have 18 more sleeps until I am in Haiti..Loving on some Orphans,serving the poor,giving medical treatment to the least of these and even building houses...OH MY I AM SO EXCITED I CAN'T HARDLY STAND IT....

It's been too long

2011-03-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

So people keep asking me to update my blog!! So as I am sitting with my sweet grandmother who is not doing so well I thought this would be a good time to do it..

My grandmother is not her self.She has had a few back surgeries from compression fx in her spine and ever since she went through her first one,she has not been the same person.She doesn't remember much and hardly knows my mom.She lives with my parents so they are with her all the time.She is not eating,doesn't hardly drink..Lost alot of weight and no one really knows what to do..Sucks getting old!! I pray that she doesn't have to suffer or any pain and I pray for my parents that are taking this on by themselves and not sticking her in a nursing home for the moment...

She is a strong willed person.She speaks her mind and really doesn't care what you think about it!! Ha..at times it gets old and at times it makes you mad but I love her..My papaw has been dead almost 19 yrs now.He died right when I decided to go to Nursing School.I was his "Princess" and I loved being around him.He would of loved being with my boys and he would of LOVED all the technology today,cause he was a Tech Junkie!!

Things going on in the Keefer Household:
Jewelry,Jewelry,Jewelry...so much being made and sold that it still blows my mind when I see it on my email as paypal is going through...I know God's hand is on this sweet business and I'm not sure what he wants me to do about it..Go bigger or stay like it is.

Kids...man school year is almost over.Then my sweet Noah will be a middle schooler.What? When did this happen?? Makes me sad :( ...We have alot of stuff to do this summer and can't wait to be able to spend our days just hanging out with each other in the pool or at the lake.

Mark...my hubby is amazing...I love him so much.I am so thankful for a wonderful husband that loves me,loves my children and loves The Lord..He is so busy right now at work and at times when I'm screaming I need this done or I need that done,I have to sit back and think about his weekends off are for him too..I do need some rooms painted..and need a cheap painter.hahaha...No really he is a good man and I love him so..

Haiti...I will leave for Haiti in 3 weeks...This trip just came out of the blue for me and my husband wanted to go with me and I just knew that he would be able to go but turns out that he can't get off work...I was so upset when I heard the news.I wanted him to really get down there on a small trip with me and be in "the moment"..I wanted him to go and meet and hang out with a little girl that I love and want to be a part of my family. I think that it may be time to hang up the thought that I will ever have another child.Seems like nothing has worked out for almost 3 years now sometimes you have to let go of a dream..

But my dreams for doing clinics have not changed.I still love serving those people and doing what God has made me to do.I will continue to serve the communities of Haiti.I am excited to get down there and see the girls and all of my friends..There are so many girls that are in the midst of adoption and I am in awe of how God is putting all of this together and it makes my heart smile with joy (even if I'm not one of them) that these girls are going to have someone every night tuck them in,tell them how much they are loved and how beautiful they are. Amazing..

2011-02-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

So today..I had 2 people that live in totally opposite areas in Tn come to me or call me and tell me they dreamt about me last night! WEIRD huh?? Like the same night!! First I was like okay...then of course I wanted to know..so here they are::

1st dream---I was in Haiti taking a hike with this person and we were talking about medical stuff and food just random Haiti things..then she asked me if I was going in April on the trip and I told her no..that I wanted to but really didn't want to spend 2000.00 when I just got back a few weeks ago..She looked kinda sad...

Now this was at church...so while I was in church my phone was in the car and when I went to get it I had a text message from a dear friend that lives maybe an hour away...this is what it said:
"I had a dream about you and me....I don't know where ur getting
ready to go...but I'm supposed to be there..."

Now this really freaks me out...so I called my dear friend and she told me she dreamt we were in a country (not necessary Haiti) but it was third world..and there were sick people and sick kids..I went running in there and was fearless,she on the other hand was hesitant and needed to pray about it and was so scared..she then felt the Holy Spirit come over her and just went running in with me!!

She does remember that this was like an urgency to get there.It was a quick trip and no one had time to think about it..we just got on a plane and took off....

So this weekend I had lots of dreams myself...of Haiti and I don't dream of Haiti much..but I did dream of a little girl that I love with all my heart and her becoming a part of my family,I dreamt the next night that our home study was done...I dreamt that my hubby said Yes!! So man all these dreams and they all concerned me..maybe God is trying to wake me up,maybe he's working through these people to let me know of what is to come..maybe he's showing me that Faith is the only way to trust him...

I just ask that no one dreams of my death or that I am pregnant!!! HAHAHA...but I do want to hear God speak everyday in my life and if it's through other people to get my attention that I will take it..

I can't wait to share some good news in the next few weeks..about my jewelry business...Man oh Man..has God been good to me with this.It's taking off people..going to several stores here in Tn and in AZ and with that I think it will be my testimony of God's Glory....

If you are interested in looking at any of the stuff you can go here...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassy2225

2011-02-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

Today I am 38 yrs old...yes I posted my age on here so everyone can see..HA.. I'm not afraid of my age but I am afraid of my kids getting bigger and older.I just thought the other day...."We may leave the country full time in the next 10 yrs"...then I realized how old my boys will be in 10 yrs and almost cried..Man does time fly!!

So in the 38 yrs I have been alive,I think the one thing that I am most proud of are my boys.I am so blessed in knowing that God entrusted me 2 sweet boys to raise,love,and teach them the ways of life.I know days will be tiring and days will be hard but I know that God is beside me all the way in their lives.

I always thought man 30 is so old..and now that it's closer to 40 I am like no way it's not old.I am just getting started in this life.So with being born on ground hog day is fun..I think I am ready for spring with no matter what he sees!!

2011-01-31T07:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at church we sang a song "This is my Story,This is my Song",and all I could picture and hear where the Haitians in church singing at the top of their lungs with beautiful voices,arms in the air and swaying back and forth.It was beautiful.They were singing this song one day in service.What I heard at my church was some singing (not like Haiti loud),smiles on some faces,no arms in the air and little movement in dancing...I did hear a great guy screaming in the background that Jesus loves us..(yes Jacob that was you)...I was one of these people that really wanted to have arms in the air,singing as loud as I could but I didn't...Why is it that you feel so much love and joy in the Haitian churches but when you get back to your church it is not the same song,same feeling,same monotone and you want to yell and you want to praise but you hold back??? Is it because you feel different? Is it because people know you at church and no one knows you in Haiti with the exception of the people that you are with.

I will not hold back anymore.I will go with what the spirit is telling me to do,what my heart is telling me to do and sing like there is no tomorrow,like I am in Haiti...because there I feel ALIVE..I feel like I"m right where God is willing me to be and I just want that feeling to be with me when I am in the states with my family,with my friends.I do not want to be that person that does not have that much faith or doesn't want to step out of my comfort zone all because I am with people I know and what they may think of me..

Church was amazing.The whole service was about Noah and his faith..Man..for him to do what God had called him to do and follow thru with it is amazing to me.Especially to build a ark and have no clue as to when or how it was going to happen.Kinda reminds me of some people I know that have quit their jobs to go full time in ministry in another country..and KNOW that is what they are supposed to be doing..While sitting in Church I was overwhelmed with what God is calling me to do and how he is working in our lives..Faith is believing in his love,his trustworthiness,our future and keep praying and seeking God's perfect will in our lives,that is only where I want to be with my family..RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF GOD'S PERFECT WILL...

2011-01-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

I wanted to place some pics up on this blog but for a few months it has been not cooperating for me and I'm getting frustrated....so hopefully I can get it all worked out in the next few days so I can post the daily Haiti trip but until then I need to post on my own family..

We are doing great!! School is going good for Zak (he's in Middle school) and I dreaded the day for that but he has adjusted well with no problems and grades are great..Praise God..
Noah is in the 5th grade and has just made 2nd honors! I am so happy for him and he is doing well.Noah always has lots of friends and never has a problem making them.

Mark and I are loving the times that we spend with them.They are so funny and really like being with them.Noah and Mark are skiing alot this winter so I am enjoying them spending this special time together.

We have lots of trips planned for this year.I do love to travel and Noah is planning him a trip to Haiti this summer with Mark..I will be so upset not being with them on that trip..but who knows maybe we all will get to go!!

I have started a new temp position at work and really enjoy it.It will only last through the month of Feb but I will stay on PRN to help out.I do know that the Grass is greener on the other side.hahaha...

Praying for God to show his will for a little girl,praying for God to show his will for a new job,praying for God to stay close to my family and my boys..in other words all I'm doing lately is PRAYING!!

I want us to be right in the middle of where he wants us to be......

ALOT OF THINKING

2011-01-24T05:51:00.000-08:00

So I have been back for a week now from Haiti..and this trip has been more confusing than ever.The trip was def different from the others that I have been on.I really only knew a few people.Most were from Iowa and Minnesota from World Wide Village.They were a great team.I really got to know some of the girls that roomed with us and they amazed me with their hearts for Haiti and their hearts for these girls that I are like my family.I'm sure most of them will NEVER forget Haiti and will return as soon as they can.

We saw over 800 pt's in the clinic and even delivered a newborn baby..I love that..Seeing new life coming into the world is amazing but seeing her come into the poorest desolated area and knowing what her life will be like is HARD...but I know that God doesn't make a mistake when it comes to new life so I put the sadness out of my head and praise God that another child of his was born...

I spent a LOT of time with the girls (the older ones and the new orphans) and they are precious.The new ones were like they had been there the whole time.Each one has a different personality and being able to love on them for a week as prob one of my fav things to do.I will post some pics soon.

I got to spend also some time with the workers which I really never have.They are amazing women and men that love The Lord and serve their county with as much love as I have for their country.As I sit with them and see them heartbroken as much as I am for a person with no hope,no food,no money I am in awe of that because they are not hardened to that and they LOVE them just like they were their families.

I did get to go to church and worship with lots of Haitians on the 1 yr anniversary of the quake.I can't even describe this to you..That will take another post..Really it's just to hard to talk about right now...

And while I was there I got to spend time with a little girl that I am totally in love with.I loved being with her and I loved that she loved on me as much as I loved on her.She was never this affectionate on any of my trips but she really was different.I'm not sure what God has planned for her and my family but with that said I am lost right now.I feel like I left her there and I need to get back to get her.How do you explain this to anyone? Most people think prob I am crazy,but when you have a feeling and something is placed in your heart it will not leave so as I continue to pray over her name..I continue to hear God's voice...

2011-01-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

In 2 days I am getting ready to go back to haiti.I can't begin to tell you how excited I am but also I'm a little nervous about this trip.There are only a few people that I am going with that I know but I'm sure it will be fine.

I get to go and love on some new girls and see the other girls that I love and adore.I also get to hang out with World Wide Village and see how they run their clinic trips.

I haven't been on here in awhile,so much going on with both my family and my husbands family and us of course.I hope to fill everyone one in when I return.Just be in prayer for the group from White Stone Church that has been there for almost a week and will return Friday night and pray for us as we prepare to leave on Saturday.There is a snow system that just dumped some snow on us last night,there is one coming tonight and one on Monday..I can say that this is the most snow I have seen here in TN in years and I am so glad next week I will be in 80 degree weather.HA..

Bondye Bon,...See ya next week...

2010-12-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

I can't even begin to sit down and describe the craziness right now in my life..I am up to my joyful eyeballs in jewelry sales and trying to get my family ready for Christmas..My house is not even fully decorated like it has been in the past..but with that said I am so BLESSED and so THANKFUL that God is allowing me to share in his Glory and speak the Word with people while they are buying my creations...I know that God has a plan for us and in time he will reveal it...

I am ready for my next trip to Haiti..I think I am down to 29 days..I get to go and love on some special girls that I care about so much and get to go and meet a whole bunch of new ones that just arrived..Plus I get to go and see some of my fave friends there too..I am praying that all the violence with stop so we can go.Our church has all ready cancelled one trip a few weeks ago.This time I am going with a different organization,World Wide Village and it will be different but I have been wanting to venture off from the Church ones for awhile to get a better feel of other organizations.

I am also in prayer to maybe going in August to Africa...God has placed Africa on my heart for a good yr now and he also has placed several people in the last few months in my life that are affiliated with Africa big time.So if he allows then I will go...

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed .Proverbs 16:3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of
your heart. Proverbs 3:3

Ziplining....

2010-11-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

We went Zip lining a few weeks ago.Noah is the only one that has never been and we took him up telling him we were going to go Hiking and then surprised him...he had a blast and we all enjoyed our time together and it was much needed.The whole weekend was just family time and it was way overdue...

I love my family...and I am loving this age of my boys too.They are so funny.I can't believe how big they are either..kinda makes me sad!!

It's been way to long

2010-11-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I have been MIA...but after spending a beautiful 5 days in Jamaica with my husband for our 13 yr anniversary and trying to get back to life with work,kids,jewelry making I am whooped!! It's hard to keep up with this blog and a jewelry blog,a website,FB and all the orders but I feel very blessed! I leave in another 50 days to Haiti to do another clinic.This will be my 4th trip in 2 yrs and the last 3 trips have all been accomplished first by GOD..who has provided it.

Me and My sweet Hubby of 13 yrs..I love this man

We decided a few years ago that if we ever went out of the country we would go and take something to an orphanage.Well we couldn't get to the Orphanage but we did go to a school that Sandals sponsors and took some school supplies for 74 children..

Mark passing out some silly bands..this school was really nice and had ages 3-6 yrs old.The principal was super sweet and she took pride in her school and her students.

The only thing different from these kids were they knew english....ha..I love this pic of me and them..I was right where I wanted to be!

Mark having them hang all over him!!

This was a great exp and it just made me more realize that A..I want another child....B..I want to move out of the country full time...who knows waiting for God to make that decision...

2010-11-04T20:32:00.001-07:00

I can't get any of my pics to upload when I am trying to do several at a time...this is making me mad!! Is anyone else having this problem...I have new haiti pics,Halloween pics of my boys that I want to share....

giveaway and needing prayers

2010-11-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Another Giveaway...I love the saying "ALWAYS KISS ME GOODNIGHT" so when I found this cute silhouette of a man and woman I knew what I was going to stamp!!

                                                 You can win this....How great is that!!

                                                           So here are the rules
                   1) Go to my ETSY page and come back here and tell me what is your fav piece
                                           http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassy2225
                   2) Become a follower on here let me know that you all ready follow
                   3)Become a follower on Keefer Style Creations Blog and let me know
                                      http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/
                   4) Become a follower on my FB page as well
                               http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=117970928241782
                   5)Tweet,blog or Facebook about this giveaway
              REMEMBER EACH TIME YOU POST YOU EARN MORE ENTERIES

Also There are always alot of people that come to the giveaway pages and if you have been on here before you know that I love Haiti and I am part of a church that supports an all girls orphanage and do medical mission trips there.If you are a new person that just showed up randomly you can view my profile in the "about me" section and read what my mission is...But there is a Tropical storm called Tomas that is on it's way to Haiti.I am saddened to think that after all this country has been through with the quake,now Cholera and maybe a hurricane I just can't stand it.I love these people and to think that there are people still right now living in tents that are shredded as we speak due to the hot weather and winds allready but now they may have to endure this! My heart is heavy for this country and I need everyone that comes on this page to pray for them.Pray that it changes the pathway or even dies down.Pray for the sick people right now that have Cholera and are dying.God hears our prayers I know this.

Philippians 4:13
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Matthew 22:37-39
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Last full day for Haiti

2010-10-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today is our last full day for Haiti.This is the day we all relax,have fun with the girls and just sit back and enjoy them,seeing them playing and laughing in the water.

I love this picture of Saintemene..She is just beautiful

Saintemene posing for the camera.

My fav boy,Niddy playing in the water.

She loves the ocean.I have so much video of her wanting me to video tape her swimming! Ha,I thought if she was here in the states I would have to make sure our swimming pool was locked up or else she would be in it everyday..

Me and Saintemene.

I LOVE this pic of me and my BFF Anna,we looked good!

Me and Agathe,a dear woman that I admire so much for her love for The Lord,for the girls and for the Haitian people.She lived in New York city forever.Went to school and graduated,worked there for awhile.Went back to help her people,but she didn't EVER know that she was going to be running an girls orphanage..Funny how God works..I bet he laughs at us all the time with our "big talk" about what WE are going to do..ahhaha...

Sweet Guerline...Oh I love this girl.Lots of spunk and attitude

Beautiful Merline,This is prob one of my fav pics ever of Merline.She is being adopted to a beautiful family and I can tell since all of this has happened,how much her self esteem has flourished.God is good!

Princess Yolanda...she is as well being adopted,but she never had any self esteem problems.ha..she is full of herself and she knows it as well..I can't wait for her to come to the states to see her sister..Again,God is good...

Jesula...oh my another one that is precious.She is also being adopted! I am overjoyed at this..Do I need to repeat myself again?? Yes I do...God is good...

We had a great time at the beach..Even a few of the women got threatened from some haititan women.It was pretty funny but you have to know the whole story,lets just say we will never use their changing rooms again...

After we got back to the Orphanage.I was sitting in my room,exhausted and Saintemene came up to me and grabbed my hand and took me out to the roof.She was playing with the Ipod touch and looking at Zak and Noah on video tape,which she laughed and laughed at them.I was so enjoying my time with her.

Janice was taking the pics and we didn't know it..Ha..you can see my hands up! She wanted me to show her some pics but then everytime I had them up,she would flip the page with her finger then get mad and look at me.I was trying to show her how to do it slowly but she wasn't listening..ha...not that she even knew what i was saying but I loved this pic.Thought it was funny..

Janice came out and took our pic...I look so tired..but look at her face,smiling!

I really didn't sleep much that night.Ready to get home but not wanting to leave the girls.This is what I woke up to the next day! Beautiful sunrise..

As we are saying goodbye to the girls,they get really quiet and also withdrawn.It hurts us to leave them as well.We promise we will come back to see them and they do believe us.What is even worse is seeing the adopted parents having to leave their babies there in Haiti to go home to their other kids in America.This is so hard to see and to see them crying hurts me just as much.I don't see how some of them stay so strong!

This trip is finally over! What a great trip and I loved every minute of it.I am supposed to go back in January but I am in deep prayer over if this trip is for me or if I should wait.I'm really having a hard time with this.Every other trip it has just been known to me to go but this on I'm not so sure.Maybe that is why I am having such a hard time because it isn't for me?? Not sure but either way it will work itself out.

Haiti continues

2010-10-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Monday am,we woke up and this is going to be beach fun day! But first we had some work to do.Mark Z had asked me and Paige what we wanted to do with the rest of the money that was collected.I wanted to go to Beloc and do something.We had done stuff for Coq Chante,Camiten villages but I really really wanted to go to Beloc and so did Paige.She had stayed at that village before and fell in love with some people there.Mark Z was like Okay!! I loved that he just let us do what we felt like God was telling us to do.So we did a food drive there as well..

This older lady came to the O before we left and got some food and she wanted prayer.I love this picture of all of us girls.

Jerryson is Samuel's baby brother.He had 2 other siblings that didn't make it at birth,yes that means he was a triplet and survived! Amazing.God has plans for his life,and since he has a great bit brother Samuel who loves The Lord I'm sure he will do just fine..Isn't he gorgeous? I could of snuck him home in my bags!

This is Samuel's mom.She knew exactly who I was when I told her Madame Keefer.She just loved on me and I am so glad that I got to see her.I have seen her a few times in the clinic but never in her own village.

Here is Samuel's little sister Sammy Lee....She is a funny girl and I can tell she likes to have fun!

Pic of me and the kids

Us girls and the kids..

I have no idea who this little guy is but he is cute and wanted his pic taken..Everyone of these children are so beautiful,I think because they all are smiling so much!

Me and Jerryson again.He had no diaper on,no pants,just a big belly full of worms.I mean full of worms.He was so top heavy because of it.We didn't bring any worms meds either and I could of kicked myself for it,but we just forgot.I am hoping that in Jan there is a team going from another church that will be doing a medical clinic there in Beloc and these people can be treated.

Me and Nicole (my sister) she is saying Hi to Zak and Noah on video.I have lots of video and need to post that on here as well.It is some funny video..

Sammy Lee again...how funny

This was where the church stood now it's nothing since the quake.I remember going into this church and the kids were in school a few yrs ago.It was so quiet in there.The sound system was there,it was a beautiful Church,now it's just stairs.

This is where they have church now,in the tents.People are lined up now for their food that we are going to give them.

This older lady has a baby sling that my mother in law made.Yes they were baby slings but they became so much more when we got there.The rice,beans were so heavy that we decided to use them for bags for the families to carry their stuff home in and then they could use them later for whatever they were needed for.It all worked out and I am so happy and blessed that they were used! Thanks Terry and her church friends!

Food ready to go in a sling

We took the last of the B-12 shots out and just gave them to whoever needed one..

This man was funny,he was a Fut ball player and wanted something to make him better!!

This little girl was screaming..Her mother had gotten a new cup and the little girl knew it was a cup,but was mad because there was nothing in it! I took her cup and filled it up with my water and then she drank it all and I gave her some more..She stopped crying but I was crying on the inside..She was SO THIRSTY.

Check out this baby sleeping on Ali's shoulder...Precious

Man and his donkey maybe going to Market day,not sure!

We had to leave beloc sooner than we thought we would.People there are just a little bit rowdy! Seems it's been that way forever,just a different crowd,but I am thankful that we did get to go there and do something small for them.I wish I could of seen Samuel again but he was on a mission trip!! I laughed when he told me that he was going on a mission trip in Haiti,isn't that what we do?? Anyway I did hear from him when I got back and he had a great time and several several people were saved on that trip,Praise Jesus..

Next is beach day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haiti continues

2010-10-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

So after church and the people being fed I go to hang out with some special girls and then later on in the day we got to go and paint a new house that a group of great men built for a sweet family...

What can I say about Saintemene? Only that when she touched me I felt like she was mine..I wanted to grab her and never let go but I couldn't.I wanted to call my husband and tell him I know who she is,but I waited.I wanted to cry because I never expected it.I wanted to praise God because he is good...I am in deep prayer over this little girl,that's all I can say about it for now but if you want to you can pray for her and for God's will for her life.You can also say some prayers for my family,God knows why.

Saintemene was so happy this trip (partly due to Paige being there,she loves her Paige) but more than that she was HAPPY.More than I have ever seen her and she was with me more than she ever has been.She is a spunky little girl,who is not a girly girl at all.Who I can see playing ball with the boys! But she has a sweetness about her that is still all girl..I can't wait to go and see her in January.

This is one of my fav pics of the whole trip.She wanted a back ride and when I put her up she smiled and posed for the camera

A few of us went to coq change and got to see the house that the guys built.Amazing is all I can say and it was built only because God wanted it to be.This house was built for a family that has long ties to the orphanage.Linia who is one of their daughters is still in the O and Atanie was the sweet angel that got killed in the quake.This family has several other children as well.I have posted about them in some posts awhile back.But they have a new house and God is good...again..

It is one room but a nice one room....Mark the guy in the green is a builder.

Sweet Ischmel,when we arrived this is what he looked like...he's dirty and doesn't have any pants on but a beautiful site to me.

This is the old part of their house,the front part.Can you even imagine living here? I will be honest and say NEVER...but someone does

How about this? This is where all the kids lay on these clothes,peeing all over them...Every time I see this I am sick to my stomach.I wouldn't even let my dog lay in this.

So here is the new part and the back part is the old part that they will still have as well

Lauren and Christina..This baby was quiet every time she was in Laurens arms..I swear she was.Even when we left to go on a walk and she gave her back to her momma this baby was screaming.Please say some prayers for this baby's situation as well..

Scott painting the house...

Me and Lauren doing some painting along with some Haitian guys hanging around...I finally just gave my paintbrush to one of them because he wanted to paint so bad...and he was much faster than me.

Anna and Ishcmel

These guys were our body guards while walking..Ha..you had to be there for this one but they protected us like we were worth a million dollars and they had no weapons..the guy on the right was my guide..He kept me close maybe a little to close but hey I was alive..

Atanies grave site...

this is Niccy,yes he wore this pink ribbon on his head forever...

When I went to find Saintemene she was bundled up like a mummy...asleep..oh well tomorrow is beach day and we will be with the girls all day...this is a fun day..

Sunday means church day...

2010-10-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Today was Sunday which means Church day! This is one of my fav days in Haiti to go and worship with them is the most amazing spirit filled service that I have ever been too.It makes me all weepy and shining on the inside.

Before we go to church I got to snap some pics of some beautiful girls

Marie Eva looking all sweet

Here is Saintement (aka as Ya-Ya)

Yolanda looking beautiful as always

Me and Saintemene looking good! I am in love!

2 of my fav girls Yolanda and Guerline

Woman who have been cooking most of the night for the church people that we will feed after services

Jesula wanted us to get out pic made and she wanted some girl power in our stands..Ha Ha..she is a hoot.Here are most of the women on the trip..Don't we look beautiful??

Me,Paige and Anna

Onise getting ahold of the camera.

This is where Church is now.They used to meet at Camiten in the basement part but now are meeting here under this tarp..Let me tell ya it was HOT!!

Looking off to the ocean..This is the land where the new orphanage will be built.Isn't it gorgeous?

Just a shot of some kids before Church is started

Praying little girls..These kids have Jesus in their hearts...

Look at the love she has for The Lord..her arms in the air,do you ever see that here in the states? Sometimes I do and it always makes me want to fall to my knees.

I love this picture.A little Haitian hand on a creole bible

Church services were amazing,most of the songs they sang in Creole we all knew in English.Pastor made each of us get up and speak to the people in the church and it was a very moving exp.Our girls all got up and sang a song and several people preached as well..A service that will never be forgotten,now it's on to feed some people

Allison and Me

here is the whole September Team

This is the orphanage where we stay,it is a beauty and it was built for a boys orphanage that has never been funded yet,not the girls are in here until the new girls orphanage is built and we keep praying that there will be boys soon to house this place as well

Cutting some food for the church meal

Women working hard

some of our team handing out food for the church people

Eating some good hot food

This trip was amazing and even though we did so much and I am not even done yet with this trip,it once again reminds me of God's love for all of his people.We are to love everyone even the people we don't like or the people that have wronged us in our lives..This is something that we all need to work on especially me.How can you think God can forgive you if you can't forgive someone else..To me this is a sin as well..

Stay tuned to more,I promise it will be all done this weekend...

Today is friday Blog hop...

2010-10-08T04:46:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday Blog Hop..this is where you share your blog,maybe reach out to someone that needed some encouragement or maybe just meet a new friend..Today I am participating in these:

Now Im getting ready to go to some garage sales..have a good day

3rd day of clinic in Haiti

2010-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Today this is Saturday and this is what I got to see every morning..It's it beautiful?? What you can't see in this pic is the men working very early.It's about 6:15 am.

Here they are,working really hard!!

Me and Anna getting ready to go to the clinic

This was the last day of clinic was a busy one.We were all tired and it was showing.Not as peppy as before and we were a little short tempered with each other as well.Ha..

Here is a sweet lady that broke her wrist and I got to be orthopedic nurse again and wrap it all up for her.I know it hurt her,every time that I tried to move it she just gasped and I would just tell her "mwen reget sa" which means I'm sorry...

This is Yolanda,Marie Michelle,Islandes Mother and her baby sister who looks just like her sister.I'm glad that I got to see her.I met her 2 yrs ago when the baby was so little and always wondered about her.She def looks malnourished and her hair was Orange as well.Makes me again wonder why some of the kids are given up but they keep the youngest one??

Anna giving this sweet boy some clothes and food.One of the best things about this trip!

On the 2nd day this baby came in and was okay but running a fever.I gave her a shot of Rocephin (antibiotic) and we asked momma to bring the baby back on Saturday so we could check on her again and momma did what she was told but this time the baby was sick..We were seeing another pt and I happened to look over and momma was uncovering this baby and she was breathing really hard and looked lethargic.I got Dr Greg to see her next.She was wheezing and got a breathing treatment along with some Tylenol because she had another fever.We were pretty sure she had pneumonia,but we checked her saturation's (oxygen level) and it was in the 70's...Now the normals is >90%...so after a few breathing treatments and no increase in sats and a better listen to her,Dr Greg determined she has a heart condition.

After speaking with momma we found out that baby has a hard time feeding (due to getting tired) sometimes turns dusky when feeding (low oxygen while trying to suck and breath) so momma got some money and a letter and was transported to the American Hospital in Haiti.I hope that she was taken care of there and her heart condition would be fixed.We flagged her and should find out what happened to her when we go back.This is why we are here!! If this baby had not had a MD looking at her,she prob would die either not from her heart but from an infection or from malnutrition.If your heart doesn't work then you can't gain weight then you get infection and can't fight and die...Praise Jesus that momma brought that baby to us!

Momma getting baby in a baby sling ready to go to the hospital.

I can't remember why this boy was here but I think he is so cute..

Dr Greg seeing a pt and Garyl translating for him.

Garyl loves little babies and kids.He was awesome with them.What amazed me is that when these kids or adults are hurting and telling us their stories.Our amazing translators are just hurt as we are for them.I have seen them cry several times.They aren't hardened to any of this,they still feel the pain for them.I love that about them and I can only pray that I never get hard to Haiti,that every time I step off that plane I am brought back to reality of what these people go through just to be able to survive and how I want to help them for the rest of my life.

Cute girl smiling for the camera

This boy I met 2 yrs ago when Dr Greg and I came to Camiten to do a one day clinic.He did a dance for us to someone playing a guitar.I was so happy to see him.

Little boy eating a snack.May of been the only food he had for the day.

Getting my daily lovin from Niddy...

After supper was done,the kids at the orphanage did a little play and sung some songs for us.We loved it and everyone had a great time listening to them sing.

Me and My "Haitian sister" Nicole.I miss her!!

Sorry that all of this is taking so long to get through.I have been so busy with all the jewelry orders and getting ready for a few craft shows but we are almost done with this trip...Clinic days are done.I think in the end at Camiten we saw over 600 people ( i could be wrong,it may be 500) anyway we did what God has called us to do and we only did it because of him and him only.He put this trip together long before we knew it and he provided everything that we needed and then some...

Thursday-2nd clinic day

2010-09-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry about being so behind on this Haiti trip.I have lots of stuff going on and it's hard to just sit down here and get it all typed in...but here goes.

Today was the 2nd clinic day.It was a little more eventful then the first day.We saw more sicker people today,we saw alot of people!

Here is my "Haitian sister" that's what I call her! Nicole,she was a translator again this year and is def a part of my family...I love her..BTW I need a tan!!

This man that Dr Abby is working on,had some screws that were placed in his knee years ago and they are starting to come to the surface.His knee was swollen huge...he needed to get to a hospital or else he might lose his leg.We gave him some money and hopefully he went.

Another close up of the knee...OUCH

We saw so many newborn babies it was crazy.This is Anna holding a day old baby I think.He was so cute.Funny thing is Momma hadn't even fed this baby yet! Supposedly when you have a baby in Haiti they don't want to feed a baby until their milk comes in because they don't want or like the baby to have the colostrum..well how do you think your milk is gonna come in?? If you don't start to feed the baby.She didn't want any formula either.We can't argue with her beliefs,we just have to roll our eyes and pray that the baby gets some milk soon!! I really believe that she would of given the baby to us if we asked.She really didn't want a thing to do with it either..It's Haiti and its a fact of life there..

We saw this boy standing outside early in the morning with his arm in a make shift sling..yes it was broken.Happened only a few days ago.I got to sling it up! Amazing when you are in Haiti all the different ways you fix stuff! 2 arm boards placed one on top and one of bottom and gauze up then Cobain placed on it..Ha..I love this type of stuff,thinking how you can get stuff done there when you have nothing..It is my critical thinking..Haitian style.haha...Dr Greg says "that is why I bring my peds nurses"ha..I love him and Dr Abby!!

This man was seen the first day and he is a musician for the church at Camiten.He cut himself on a saw or axe..He was the one and only that got some stitches this trip.He was a brave man.Garyl filmed the whole thing and even narrated it for us..Oh I miss that sweet young boy Garyl.

This man that came and got stitches,found me at church to let me see his wrist and it was looking good.I'm glad he didn't slash an artery since it was so close to them..God is Good..

This is one of the orphans daddy...

Oh how I love the older people of Haiti.I wish I could understand them and what they are saying when they come to the clinic.They are so sweet.I had to take a pic of this older woman,She placed on her card she was 45 yrs old...I don't think so..But she is a cute one,isn't she.We gave her some meds and some food

One of my fav boys coming to get some Keefer lovin....

This sweet girl just wanted her pic to be taken..She was full of worms

Lauren with a coconut...Some lady gave her this for checking her into triage..and Lauren stuck in her shirt..I love this girl.

Me and Garyl,having some fun in the clinic...

Just a baby running around...

Little boy with an asthma attack...he got some treatments as well.

This sweet boy (older one) came to the clinic with a lady.His parents were dead and he was being taken care of by her..Guess what? She didn't want him...wanted to leave him with us so we can take him.We couldn't take him.This is a girls orphanage where boys aren't allowed to live.We were all heartbroken for this.She didn't want to leave him unless he was here.We did tell her that we as a church community are trying to get a boys orpahange started soon.

Look at him...isn't he precious...It broke me having to sit here and here this lady talk about this with him present and hearing it all too.Of course this was one of the last pt's of the day...See how I told you it's always like that....

This sweet boy smiling like this and me this American spoiled girl with red eyes from crying and TOTALLY not understanding any of this.....

Please pray for this boy..................

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Happy Birthday Zak...

2010-09-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today is Zak's 12 yr old birthday.I can't believe that he is 12 yrs old! My where does the time go?? I remember wanting to be pregnant with a baby so bad that I could not stand it and when I did get pregnant I was overjoyed at this precious baby growing inside of me..I didn't care if it was a boy or a girl I just wanted a baby..I am so thankful that God has trusted me with his life and have promised since day one that I will teach him the Word of God and show him what it means to love other people.

Zak at a amusement park!!

Isn't the the cutest thing??

He is so special,with that red curly hair..

No I'm gonna cry...boo hoo...don't get older

Thumbs up and missing some teeth

Movie party!

Now he's starting to look older.

I love him..

Having fun

This pic was from last night.We had some boys over and they went into a field and played a air soft war game.They had a blast and it was the cheapest birthday party ever...I am so proud of who Zak is and can't wait to see where God places him in this big ole world that we live in....

Psalm 127:3-5 (New International Version)

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD
children a reward from him..

At the end of clinic day

2010-09-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

So I will tell you everyday at the end of the 3 clinics,the very last pt's were the most heart breaking for me..When you are doing a clinic and your just go,go,go then when you get to the last patient and some how God always wants to make you think on them!! So in walks this little elderly lady with some pain issues.So as Dr Greg is checking her out and talking with her kidding around,he asks her this "So if you could have anything in the entire world,what would it be"..At first I was like "are you kidding me?,you just asked her that"..A woman who lives in Haiti and prob lives in a hut,with no food and no Motrin or Tylenol for pain and you just asked that?? To tell you the truth I was embarrassed that he would ask that.She looked up at him and said in Creole "I don't need anything at all,I have Jesus and that is all I need"

I can say at that moment,Dr Greg and I had tears in our eyes..Imagine living in Haiti and that is all you need! We both were to our knees! What a way to end the clinic day.She wanted us to pray for her and we all gathered around her,layed our hands on her and prayed for her and for all of us to be as strong faith driven as she was.God knew we needed to be reminded of His love for his people and that people in Haiti still love him and don't need everything that we think we need,all we need is him..

This is why I keep going back for more.Haiti has so many God loving people.You see it in their hearts,their words,their faces.You can't get enough of them and their faith.You long to be there when you are here at home.You feel God's presences in everything that you do,see,hear,feel there in Haiti.I know there are people in Haiti that do not know the Lord but here in the villages where I have been,they know more about him than anyone I know of here in the states.I want to be that woman so bad.I know that if I had no food,no home,my husband or kids dead,pain all the time..I would not be saying "I have Jesus and that is all I need"...

Lord please help me to be reminded of who you are everyday that I am alive,Do not let me take any of this life that you have given me for granted.Let me take all that you have blessed me and be able to bless others.
Let me finally "get it" and be content with what you have given me....Amen.

taking a long time

2010-09-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

It sure is taking me a long time for these Haiti updates!! Just to let you know I have been sick every since coming back..Have been to the Er once for abdominal pain..went in with ? gallbladder pain,fever,nausea and came out with a kidney stone...HA...but it was in my kidney so shouldn't be bothering me yet!! Went for a surgeon appt yesterday and my CBC was funky..went for a hida scan today for my gallbladder and for some more blood work and the scan was nl (thank God-I didn't want to have surgery) but my labs were worse..CBC was really low.My mono spot was negative..so who knows.Tommorrow I will go to the MD again and have more labs drawn and I guess be watched closely...and tommorrow is My hubby's 40th birthday!! We were supposed to jump out of a plane skydiving..Yes you read that correctly but I am not going to jump but he still is so there will be some pics of that soon,after that I will repost some more on Haiti...

Thursday in Haiti-First clinic day..

2010-09-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

So I forgot 2 pictures from the other day,and I needed to put these on here since My mother in law and her friends made these dresses for the girls in the villages..

Here is a sweet girl with her new dress!!

And another...Thanks Terry and her friends for making these..

So today Thursday was the first day of Clinic day.This would be our very first full week ever at Camiten for this team..We have big plans for this clinic.Every 3 months there will be a team of MD's there handing out medications,but the good thing is that every patient on this trip was treated like a patient in the states..Every one came and got assessed at Triage,got a "green medical card" and an actual assessment placed on the card then all entered in the IPAD and was given a medical number!! Sweet!! Now when the patients comes back in January,we can see their card and pull up their medical number and then have everything that we gave them and they can be recalled..I think this is AWESOME!!!!! That is one reason I am going back in January,to see how if all comes together!!

Me and one of my fav people...Dr Abby...she loves The Lord with all her might and I am so lucky to call her my sister!! This was our 2nd trip together and will not be our last.

This is where you go after you are seen by Triage and you have to wait.Sucks that you have to wait but we did hand out food/water during this time..

Some beautiful Haitian women

Look at this baby girl..It amazed me how well dressed this community was

Here are some of my newest friends...from left to right

Emily,Allison,Me,Anna (which is one of my oldest BFF) and Jovanie who helped us out with translating

Dr Greg seeing a pt..Do you see the sweet boy beside him? His name is Garyle and I love him..he is an awesome kid!! He translated for us the whole time in the clinic

Here is me and Nicole.I love her and her family.I met her last yr at the clinic and when she was here in the states after the quake I got to spend alot of time with her and when I saw she was going back to Haiti and was going to be helping in the clinic I was one happy chic!!

This baby was a hoot!! He was laughing and giggling while Dr Greg was palpating his abdomen.

Me and this Cutey Pie..

This is me and Samuel..I have blogged so much about this Godly man.We as a family love him and I am so happy that I got to see him and he got to serve some with us.I laughed when he told me that was leaving to go on a mission trip up north in Haiti..I was like that is funny Samuel..ha..but really he has a Godly servant heart and he is part of my family!! Don't you love his Titans Hat,and if you look closely he is wearing a Ayiti necklace that I made for him a year ago..

This village everyone was nicely dressed and seemed to be taken care of on this first day of clinic.We didn't see anything horrible,just alot of worms/reflux/pain issues but all in all everyone was doing pretty good,I had to take this picture of this girl..do you see her hair? It was the snaps that go in clothes and evidently is is the rage right now in Camiten Haiti..There were alot of girls that were sporting this look!

As we were having clinic the older girls were having laundry day

Here are some pics of some cute little girls that came through clinic day

This was the only girl that needed a breathing treatment this day.

So while in clinic The Laurient Family came by to be seen.So here is one of my fav babies..Ishmel..isn't he the cutest? He had some fungus on the top of his head otherwise was doing well.

This is baby Christina,she is very malnourished,She is the one that I blogged about on the last post that was eating dirt.We gave her some formula,vitamins and her mother is carrying her in a baby sling (my mother in law also made these with her church friends)..She looks just like her sister Atanie..

This is Jon Ishme,not sure if I spelled that right or not but he has some serious medical issues.He is supposedly 10-13 yrs old..and he is very delayed not to mention Autistic as well.Not sure if it's from malnutrition but he looks 100% better than he did a few years ago.I was broke during this time they were in the clinic.

He is a very difficult child.He goes to whoever he wants,he doesn' know how to listen.He eats anything he can hold and he runs around like a wild dog.I was crying during their visit,because Mom looks so tired.I have no idea how she does it with him.I couldn't do it here in the states and how she does it in Haiti is unknown.

I cried during this visit,because there is nothing that I can do about it.Here is this women that just walked 2 hrs to get to the clinic with all of these kids and here is her oldest son Junior having to be the father to all of them,when he should be a child playing.Then you have Jon Ishma who will never be anything and will never have the medical treatment that he needs long term..This is heartbreaking to me..I really didn't spend that much time with them on my other trips but I know that when I go back I will be bringing this family some stuff to help them out with.

This nice looking lady is the Biological mother to a little girl that I am totally in love with.This is Saintemene's mother and she is looking so good all dressed up to see the Doctor.She just had a baby boy about 6 months ago she tells us! I wish she would of brought him,I would of loved to see him..I did let her know how fond of Saintemene I was,she just smiled and gave me a big Haitian hug...if you never had one it's one that goes around you like your a little kid and they squeeze the life out of you until you can't breathe!! But it's one of the best hugs you will ever receive.

We didn't see anything HUGE to report but we did see alot of patients and got our flow worked on which is always the hardest on the first day,we are ready for tomorrow!! When the people go home and tell their friends then everyone knows and the fun begins...

After clinic and after dinner we played with the girls some until we or they passed out..

Here is Guerline.She is a firecracker.She wasnt' all over me like she has been in the past because she was hanging with someone that I think she fell in Love with!!!

The newest orphan is Marie Eva,and she is the cutest thing!! I look at her and she made me laugh everyday

Group Pic of these 2 girls

Here is Niccy,he has a funny way of smiling this trip..

And this is how I ended most of my nights with Niddy in my bed laying beside me playing with my Ipod touch.He played with it alot while he was in the states and he knew exactly what games he liked.He would then get very tired and say "Lisa I am sleepy,I love you" He would kiss me goodnight then go to his room..

On the bed beside us is Anna,my BFF...She was such a good girl and wrote in her journal ..I did my first but after that I just did this as my journal...

So first full day of clinic was done and we were all so tired.Anna did get up in the night and thought there were bugs all over her!! She made me turn on the lights and look under the sheets..there were no bugs!! So back to bed we go..The roosters start crowing at 4:30 am!!

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

To Be Continued.....

Continuing Wed from Haiti

2010-09-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

So after the boxes were emptied some people wanted to go to Coq Chante and see the collapsed Orphanage.I was one of them.Even though I had seen the pics I wanted to see it myself...

This is a pic of a home while going into the village..and this is by far one of the nicest ones.

Small girl saw us driving in and came to the road so she could see what was going on..

Before we went to the O,we had to go and visit a family that is all dear to us.The Laurients are very special.They are a married couple and this is Atanies Mother (one of the orphans that was giving up to come to our orphanage and the one that got killed in the quake)..She has an older girl,a older boy,a child with serious mental issues,a sweet toddler boy and a infant girl...She also has another girl named Linia that lives at the orphanage..more about them later...here is the walk up to their pitiful house that they live in.

This is their oldest daughter,for the life of me I can't remember her name but she is 17 yrs old I think.When we got to the house,momma Nicolette was so happy to see us and she kept talking and smiling and pointing at this child,then we find out that this sweet 17yr old is pregnant! Yes I think I vomited in my mouth when I heard this...A family that is so so so so poverty stricken,had 2 girls in the orphanage,a mental ill child,no food,no good housing and then there is going to be another baby in the mix of all of this..This is where I judge and have a horrible time with Haiti.I just don't for the life of me understand it! But I also am not the one that needs to understand it.I don't live there,I don't live what they do..so every trip I am saddened when I see this and saddened that I can't do anything about it except pray for this girl and for her baby.

Emily is holding the baby Christiana..She is maybe 8-10 months old.Look how little and malnourished she is..but I want you to look at her mouth.Yes she was in the mud sitting and eating dirt! How can this be you ask??? It's called NO FOOD.....NO FOOD..I will say it again NO FOOD...also it's called a mother trying to take care of her family and not enough hands to do it in...again back to WHY??

This baby is beautiful and she all ready has a few special people who all ready love her as they do this whole family and will do whatever they can to help her and her family..I was put in my place this day...and everyday that I saw them..

This is one of my fave boys...Ischmel.He has to be maybe almost 3 yrs old.He is the healthiest of all of them and I"m not sure why he is the healthier one but I have noticed that this seems to happen in alot of the families in Haiti..

We gave him some oreos and he loved them.

Some shoes laying around

I love this pic of the chair that they have..Every time that I have been to this house,she always grabs this chair and wants you or someone to sit down in it.

This is Lauren and she is holding Ischmel..he was laughing at her.I think he looks like Atanie and he laughs just like her too.Lauren loves this family so much!!

This is where they cook at!

And this is their house..Yes it is sad.You should see the inside.I have pics for that but it's for another day.I will tell you that the roof was leaking and some of our guys that build house were going to look at it so they could just fix the roof but while up there God was pushing them to something even better.They were going to build them a new house..A one room house but it is better than they have ever had..God is good!! He created this team for all that he had planned for us..Little did we know what it was before we went but to know that they were going to be in a dry house is totally amazing and totally a God thing..God blessed this trip with so much donations that this could be done for this family...

So after we got done with The Laurient family,we headed to Coq Chante...This was something that alot of us had to see for ourselves.It was so eerie coming up to the driveway and not seeing any little girls waiting on us,no kids playing in the driveway,no adults waving to us..It felt so different and looked even more different than I could of imagined.

This is where the Orphanage was,it was 2 stories....Now it's nothing but a flat piece of concrete...It was a feeling that I can't still describe..All I could think about was that sweet little girl that lost her life right where I was standing and then the other girls being scared and knowing their sister was dead..Still so hard to process.I never could understand why God had let that happened.I mean this was the only building that collapsed and it was so far away from Port Au Prince...but once again I am only here to do what God tells me to do,not question but to understand that he has his reasons and to accept them or else it will eat you alive and draw out your sinful nature so I will accept it and even in the midst of tragedy Glory to God Forever

Some girls that came to see us,got a new dress.Mark's mother and some women in her church made these dresses for them and they were used...I'm so glad she got to be a part of this trip even when she wasn't there.

Another girl with a dress on

So every since I have been going to Haiti there is a girl that would always come and see us when the "Blancs" were visiting and her name is Mischlyn.If you are a freq reader then you have heard me talk about her and even seen pics of her..I was so sad that I didn't think I was going to get to see her again.While I was sitting on the floor,I looked up and there she was..I thank God for that one,he knew that I needed to see her and make sure she was okay.She came to me and I think she knew who I was.YES...

Giving her a new dress...

Here is she...Isn't she beautiful...I will replace the pic that is hanging on my fridge for the last yr of her and replace it with this one.She looks so much older than she did last year and she is one of the ones that looks healthy and her momma takes good care of her by the way she looks,the way her hair is braided and always looks good in weight.So that makes me HAPPY..

She even lost her front tooth!!

Walking back to her house with all of her goodies..

This pic was some kids playing,They were running to us because we had some snacks for them..

This was the first full day that we had and I was so excited to get to work in the clinic...I was exactly where God wanted me to be....

Matthew 6 verses 25 to 34: 25 (New Living Translation) That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday lifeâ€”whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Wednesday-First full day

2010-09-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

So I have so much to share about this Haiti trip and there is no way that I can do it all for the day.I am going to break it up and I may be blogging on a day for a few days just because there was so much to say and so much to do...

This is one of my friends Nicole's son Niddy.If you remember he came over from Haiti as soon as the quake hit with his mommy and his brother Niccy.I spent a lot of time with this family while they were here and fell in love with them all.As soon as Nicole emailed me to tell me she was on her way back to Haiti I was so happy that I was going to get to see them again.She and her boys have been in New York with family for a few months.I LOVE this boy,and he loves me too..I spent a lot of quiet time on the bed at night just laying with him beside me playing with my IPOD,and his English is amazing now...

This is where the pharmacy was to be,but first we had to clear out all the boxes of meds and supplies that were brought over to be used.I was not prepared for this.God supplied all that we needed and then some for this clinic.Since we didn't have to bring all of this over like we usually do we were able to bring more stuff like clothes,baby slings,shoes,food with us..

Still cleaning!!!

This was right at the point where we saw rats!!! Yes Rats,had been living in these boxes and we had to throw alot of the boxes away but we girls were screaming and the boys got to kill them all..

Nasty HUH??? Yeah the Orphanage has a kitten but that kitten is not a good hunter!!

Cleaning out this room took almost the whole morning and afternoon...but I did get to play with some girls..

Me and Allison (one of my new dear friends),she is a RN at a Peds office here at home and I immediately loved her from the start.She has such a sweet disposition about herself and this was her first trip to Haiti (won't be her last though),I can't wait to serve with her again.She was in the clinic with me all 3 days and did a great job.

Me and Yollande....I can't tell you how much I love this little girl and how happy I am that she will be soon in our church family!! Yollande and her sister Marie Michelle have been placed by God with her forever family and it is the perfect family for her.She knew who I was immediately and got out her album to show me pics.She mainly wanted to know about Zak and Noah!! It's amazing that these girls have never met my children but they love them and can't wait to meet them..That is why I love being a part of this mission of Haiti,forming connections that last a lifetime with these people and these girls.

Yollande wanted a new pic of the boys and all that I had was a pic that Mark had printed off for me and placed in a card that he had hid in my luggage.The boys were out shopping and were laughing and I turned around and they had these skirts on!! I gave this pic to her and she laughed and ran to show all the girls and they all thought it was hilarious..She wanted to keep this and she placed it in her photo album

This is me and Saintemene...Most of the people that read this know that when we were trying to get all of the girls over on Humanitarian Parole after the quake,this sweet girl was the one that was going to be placed in our home if it happened.It never did happen even though I was prepared with clothes and a room some toys,I was also torn because I didn't have a connection with this little one ever on the last few trips....BUT

we had a great connection on this trip.I spent more time with her then I did any of the other girls and I fell in love! It wasn't me making the connection,it was her..Paige who is one of my friends that went on this trip loves this sweet girl and there was a day when she grabbed Paige's hand and then motioned for me to come to and grabbed my hand with her in the middle and we went upstairs to the bedrooms will be something that I will never forget..Usually Saintemene is quiet unless Paige is there but this trip she was different than the others.She was happy and having fun! I still have her clothes here...they are winter clothes I never took them back to the store!!!

This is sweet Marie Eva or Myeva depending on which day it is and what she wanted to be called.She is a new girl to us and she is so full of spunk and life that I would just look at her and she could make me smile!

I love this one.They were helping Rachel count out all the vitamins that were all ready placed in zip lock baggies and wanted to show me how they could balance them on their heads..HA..This is Saintemene and Guerline (when both girls are together you better watch out..TROUBLE...

These were bags filled with clothes,bottles,diapers,baby slings,dresses,shoes,toys..We had been blessed with so much stuff to give out that everyday I thought we were done and then some more would appear...

That is what happened on the first full day of Wednesday..Just really some housekeeping stuff,getting things ready for the clinic.We did take a walk to Coq Chante and visited a family that is a very known to us,we also went and seen Coq Chante Orphanage that was no longer there.These Pics will come tommorrow..

Tuesday--On our way to Haiti

2010-09-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we drove to ATL during the night and flew to Miami...We were all really tired but when you are going you are excited so being tired isn't really something that you are thinking about..You just want to get to Haiti!! I was so excited to get there.This was a great team and we knew that God had planned this trip way before we ever knew it and we all just fit perfect...

This time arriving in Haiti was different than before.The new airport was arranged and ready to go.You went through a different part of customs and yes there were still military people there,some helicopters and still a few military guys walking around.It takes some time getting all of our bags together then begins the fun!!
There are people waiting to help you with your bags...some are just grabbing at your bags which can be annoying but there is always the same guy that has "his team" that always take care of us and get everyone off us so we can move!!
This pic is all of us trying to get the our "limo" for the week....It was hot,muggy and looked like it was going to pour the rain...

Here is our "limo" for the week..hahaha...Believe me it is better than the last truck.This holds our bags on top and all of us just pile in it for the 2-3hr drive,which actually took 3.5 hrs to get to the Orphanage this time..

As we are driving through Port Au Prince,I didn't snap a lot of pics,but I did notice it was not what I had expected and seen on TV.Some of it was cleaner and maybe we weren't going to the parts that had been on TV but it did seem cleaner than the last 2 trips I have been on.

This man was pulling this and I thought it was an awesome picture

We did see A LOT of tents put up.This made me sad...especially with the sky looking like it was going to rain.The one thing I did notice was the mountains in the back.If you look at this pic you can see them.I don't ever remember seeing them so clear in the background as I do now.Yes it is still dusty,but it just seemed so clearer to me...

I hate to see all the trash near the market area.This remains the same,and smells the same.Once you go to Haiti and smell the stench of trash,rotten foods,fires burning,exhaust all mixed together you never forget it ever.

This picture looks like concrete mixed in the trash.When I see this I think of Sept 11...when the twin towers fell and everything looked like that dusty..I thought of this as soon as I saw it..

I loved this..Medications/Drugs placed on water buckets for sale..HA...we laughed when we saw this and wondered if there was anything that we forgot that this man had...but with all joking aside we also knew this is sad because medication and pharmacies are scare in Haiti unless you have lots of money to buy.This is why God has us as a medical team here...To give free medical care,free medicine to the "least of these"

What a joy when we saw these boys playing in the back of a pick up truck butt naked with water! Even the midst of seeing the trash and the tent cities,smelling the smells,we still see JOY!! People laughing..People with HOPE...

This trip was a beautiful trip that was my fave trip ever.I felt more free than ever.I felt more comfortable with my love of Christ than I have ever felt and even at times when I held back some due to fear he was there with his arms wrapped around me and I felt it more than I ever have in my life.

Continue to read my journey on this trip....I will update daily each day what we did..

Im back

2010-09-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

I came back last night from Haiti,what a blessed trip we had! I have lots of stories and pics to share but will have to wait for a few days so I can get all of it together...thanks for the prayers for our team while we were there..God did BIG things that week,and I am allready booked for a trip in January.....

packing..

2010-08-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well Hurricane Earl is moving north..yeah...I'm sure we will get some rain but that will be fine.I just hope that people will not be deterred from the clinic..I woke up this am and was kinda in shock that the time has come!
I have not packed yet,this I am doing as soon as I get off this computer.I need to go and get maybe one more item and then I am ready.

We leave late tonight (more like early Tuesday morning) and drive to ATL then fly out there.I hate driving to ATL but our bags never are lost when we fly out of there but we get to fly back to home! This will be my last post until I return so keep all of us in your prayers...BONDYE BON TOUT TAN........

Hurricane Earl

2010-08-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Earl is out in the ocean...and I'm leaving for Haiti tomorrow night!! Say some prayers for our team of 20 that will be going to deliver medicine,food,supplies and love to a village that I desperately care about...Earl is more north then yesterday but I'm sure the rain and wind are still going to be with us.Im not scared but I am worried that I we will be stuck in Miami...Please pray for the people that are still set in tent cities...

Peace...

2010-08-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

As I am packing and getting ready for my trip I am overjoyed at something and I'm not sure what it is.Maybe that I am going to serve these people that I love,maybe because some of my closest friends are going with me,maybe because this trip is going to be so different than before..I'm not sure but I am overjoyed and my soul is singing! This trip is a trip that I have no focus for (well I have focus for it but keep reading),I have no reason to go to Haiti except to immerse myself in The Lord and to give all that I have inside me for him.I have no little girl to go see that I want to bring home,no thoughts of how I can make it happen...Most of you know that I am certain that someone is out there for us,but I have a peace right now and this is not consuming me like in the past......The only thing that I am going to do is to serve My God and these people..

Maybe that is why I am so happy! I am at peace...I do not know and I feel like a bubble inside of me is getting ready to explode.Each trip you come home and you can't wait to get back,but I want to do more than go on a trip every now and then...I want to live it...I want to be in the moment 24hours/7 days a week.I want to serve people with all my strength,soul,feet,hands,whatever I have left I want to do it...No more walls,no blocks in front of me,just me and God...PEACE....that is maybe why I am so overjoyed!! I feel it more than I ever have in the last 3 yrs..I have a song that I love by Casting Crowns its called At Your Feet and it really has been a song that I play everyday and the words are how I feel right now...

2010-08-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

Friend making Mondays are back...I love this and have participated before..Go visit Amber and make some new friends..

http://amberfilkins.blogspot.com/2010/08/friend-makin-mondays-are-back.html

TODAY----I will wake up and do some advertising for my ETSY site..
TODAY----I will get ready and FINALLY do my food shopping for Haiti ( I have less than 1 week!!)

TODAY----I will go to the mall and finish this sweet girls package..

TODAY---I will attempt to pack some of my stuff (which all of it for a week has to squeeze into a check on bag) and I mean everything!!
TODAY---I will go and fight the school traffic to pick up my son from middle school because the bus ride is only like 3 miles away from my house but yet takes him over 1 hour to get home!!
TODAY---I will go to my last Haiti meeting!!!
TODAY---I will finish some of my jewelry that needs to be shipped off from here..
http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/

it's almost here..

2010-08-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

These are the pillowcase dresses that Terry (who is Mark's mother) and a few friends at church made for the girls in the village.As we do clinics there are always kids that need some clean clothes,and what better way to help out some girls than a brand new dress...There are 50 dresses ready to go..

And these are baby slings over the shoulder..I actually used one of these for a few days for my dog..ha..he loved it..I myself wanted to make these when I came back from my last trip but I didn't have the time so I sent the work to my mother in law and she and her friends made over 100 slings..YOO HOO...

These ladies in Haiti can carry their babies in this slings or some more stuff from the market.Most of them carry stuff on their heads but now they can throw this around their shoulders and carry more stuff if they want..I can't wait to send Terry and her church some pics of these slings being put to use...

And just a few pics of the boys from the first day of school...

My sweet Zak,his first day of middle school.He told me he was not wearing a Polo shirt..haha..

He was very excited and had a great day.

Noah with Zak..Noah looks thrilled Right?

My baby Noah..He started 5th grade..I can't say it without getting sad..where does the time go?

I will need another child soon...because I like being at the elementary school...

There goes Zak to get on the middle school bus for the first time..Love his heart!!

I'm praying for a great school year for them and for their teachers..In 11 days I am Haiti Bound..I have a new little girl that we are sponsoring this time...Her name is Onise and she is precious.The last trip I was on I spent some time with her and she is spunky!! So we are buying stuff for her to take over.Some lotions,hair wax,shoes,panties,socks,new backpack and the essentials...that we all take for granted..Last trip when I came home I was drawn to her and really couldn't stop thinking about her,then the quake happened and everything started a whirlwind process and now that I am getting ready to leave and get to go and love on them all,I am excited....Here is a picture of Onise...

Isn't she precious..If you want to read about my last Haiti trip you can start at here and work your way through the trip....God Bless Everyone..

http://sassymom22.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-we-left.html

School is almost here

2010-08-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

In 1 week I will have a middle schooler!! I think it sucks!! I will be more paranoid,more crazier,more nosier,more loving,more quieter,and more importantly praying more that I think I ever have!
I know so many kids that were really really good kids until middle school and everything changes.Why is that? I often think it's the friends they have.Maybe...I"m not sure but I am going to be on my knees praying that my child makes some good choices,I know they will not all be perfect but I want him to have fun in middle school but not to much fun if you know what I mean.....I have threatend his life!!! Maybe that will scare him! HA...
Just think this time next yr I will have 2 boys in middle school.............OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today at Tatertots and Jello there is another Keefer Style Creations going on!! I love giving away a necklace..It's so much fun!! Go visit Jenn's blog,and enter to win a great necklace t hat I have and I absolutely love her blog,there are so many neat stuff on there and LOTS of ideas on crafts,gifts for people and I am in love with the weekend wrap up parties!!

This is what I am giving away "Fly to your dreams" oval necklace.This is one of my favorites,not only am I crazy about all the birds right now,I love to dream and I have lots of dreams and believe that they can come true,if you reach out!

Go visit Jenn and enter to win...

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway-monday-keefer-creations.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29

Do you want to see what I do with my free time now??

2010-08-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Yup..here are some of my designs that I have made and there are more where these come from...Go and visit my Jewelry blog at
http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/ and see what is going on!

Or you can go directly to my ETSY shop and see them here,this is where you can purchase whatever you like or if you have a design question you can ask me..http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassy2225

Big things are happening with all of this and it's only by God's hand being placed on it!!

What is your Testimony:Share at Kelly's Korner

2010-07-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

My life....
So when I was a kid I accepted Jesus into my heart.I went to church every sunday with my family.We were involved in church but was it a church that really made a difference in my life? No...I knew there was a God and I knew that I was going to heaven but I didn't know much of anything else

As a teenager/young adult there were things that I did that i am not proud of (I"m sure there are alot of people like this)..still to this day I do things that aren't "christian like".I am a sinner like every other person in this world.

But in the last 3 yrs I have came to know Jesus and have come to have a personal relationship with him personally.It is all due to a church that I go to now,and a BIG part of it is going to Haiti on medical mission trips and witnessing the joy these people have for the Lord..

I have reconnected and accepted Jesus back into my heart a few yrs ago before we ever started going back to church.I can say immediately I felt different than I have ever felt and I knew immediately he had just heard me for the first time REALLY say "Please come and save me,I want to be yours"....I sense of peace came over me and I have never looked back.I have had ALOT of bad things happen in the last 2 yrs.Seems as soon as I said those words the devil came on my back at full strength and it is a daily challenge to get him off,but I do know that my faith in God is stronger than he is and God will protect me and help me fight..

In just less than 5 weeks I will once again be going to haiti and lovin on some orpahns,and giving medical care to the "least of these" and I can't wait.When you are in Haiti,there is nothing else going on besides the "spirit of The Lord" and each time I don't want to leave that place even when there is nothing I still feel "at home" when I am there..

So that is my story and I'm stickin to it..hahaha..I wanted to let you know and I have a friend blogger from Kelly's Korner that loves Jesus as well.She wanted to team up with some people and do this and I think it is a fab idea..so with that said head on over to her blog and be encouraged,There are alot of people that are going through stuff even harder than yours and still have found a way to get out and BELIEVE that God is real and he is holding on to you!!
Go and visit Kelly today and show us your life:

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/07/show-us-your-life-share-your-testimony.html

Also dont forget about the giveaway going on right now with my jewelry page as well..This is a great way to help out with my fundraiser for the trips to come..

http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/

Giveaway

2010-07-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

There is a sweet giveaway going on right now with my jewelry blog...Go over give me some lovin and maybe you will win some credit to my store...

http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/

Keeping up

2010-07-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

It's getting really hard for me to keep posting on this blog! I have to keep up with the jewelry blog,my ETSY store,Facebook orders and getting ready for Haiti and school starting in a few weeks..So I'm sorry if you are looking on here and there is nothing going on,believe me there is but I just don't have time to breathe!

I'm not complaining either.I love that my jewelry is going well.I love that school is getting ready to start! I love that I am getting ready to leave for Haiti (5 weeks) and I am ready for new things to happen...So I will try better keeping everyone up to date as soon as school gets back then I will have time to sit here and type about our lives!

Some new jewelry

2010-07-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some new pics of some new designs...I don't really post alot of my jewelry on here just because I have another blog for that but I thought I would let the people that don't know get to see some of it and you can go and follow my jewelry blog!!

http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/

Go and visit and see what is going on with this blog..You can also go to my ETSY page that is on the right of this blog and see new stuff and place an order...

Jewelry giveaway.....

2010-07-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my fav websites...and she is featuring me...Go and check it out don't forget to follow the directions...

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-jewelry.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29

giveaway

2010-07-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have some exciting news!!!! There is going to be a giveaway for some of my jewelry tommorrow at a blog that I adore...Jen at Tatertots and Jello will be hosting it....Stay tuned tommorrow and you can win....

Being Obedient and Being Called..

2010-07-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last night was our first Haiti meeting for our upcoming trip..Some of the people that are going are people that I have been with and there are some people that have been before and then there were a few that are newcomers that have given to God and are going for their first trip..I remember the feelings that they are having! Feelings of being scared literally to death,fear of the unknown,fear of not knowing what in the world this will do to you and not sure if you want it to change you because you don't want to change.Fear of leaving your family here in the states,Fear of something happening to you while you are there,Fear of being with a bunch of Haitian people and not understanding anything that they are saying.. fear of knowing that when I got back to the states "how was I going to understand all of this and why God wanted me to go"....

I still to this day do not know the reason "why me"...I do know that God has called me to be somewhere full time in a medical/clinic/orphanage setting.I do not think I have it in me to be a "missionary"..I am by no means a "spirit led" person and do not pray for everyone that I see or offer to pray.I do not know everything about the Bible and most of the time I can't tell you where a verse is and stil have to go to the contents of the Bible to find some of the books that I have never even heard of..But I am called...Is this what I thought I would ever do?? Uh..NO...I would like to just live here in my sweet little world and do what I can every now and then with Haiti and know that I love this country and can opt to go when I feel like it.But then in my heart is this urge,fire,passion that I can't get rid of.Passion to pick up,sell everything that I have and serve full time with my family..Passion/Fire that hasn't left since the day I stepped off the plane in Haiti in 2008...

So for the "newcomers" there really is a reason to be scared...really there is...Be scared of what you are going to feel,be scared of how this will change your life,your heart,your family,because there will be days in Haiti that you will be wanting to come home because you are seeing things that you don't want to see,you will want to leave so you can forget how you are feeling,and then the feelings of "I can't believe that I have all this stuff" will come...especially when you get home!

BUT....even in all of this craziness there will be a still gentle voice that says "Be still and know that I am God" and you will come home to your family and appreciate them,you will look into your childrens eyes and thank God that he trusts you enough to raise these precious souls.You will be thankful for your spouse for loving you,taking care of your family while you were gone,it will bring you closer to your spouse and if your spouse has ever went before you will be saying "I finally get it" or if your spouse has not gone you will be trying to get him/her to go (or be fighting with who will be next!)...You will see people more differently than before.You will give more without even thinking..You may even come home and know that your "little girl" is in Haiti and you are not sure what to do about it..

I could go on and on and on about the feelings that you are going to have but the most beautiful feeling in the world is JOY...JOY that God chose you...chose you long before you knew it..Joy and Love from him right up in the heavens as he watches you love on the poor,the widows,loving on the Orphans,providing medical care,praying for them,fixing a peanut butter wrap,playing cards all of this he is watching and smiling because you are being obedient in what God has called you to do.You are "still" enough to listen..

I myself can't wait to get back to Haiti.Back to the girls,back to the people who bring joy to me..I go to bless them and in the end they end up blessing me.I will never forget the last trip I was on and instead of us as a team laying our hands on these people they instead laid their hands on us.These people who have nothing..probably 10 or so men placed their hands on me and prayed over me..Loudly...I have never felt anything like this raising up in me like I did during this 10 mins.The tears were raging out of me,my hair was standing on end and my heart was racing but a flood of peace,love,joy came from these men's hands down from my head to my toes..I have no clue as to what they were saying I only felt the Spirit as it was going through me like a tornado...so be ready for anything and be ready for a change of life.............

Haiti updates.

2010-07-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

In 56 days I will once again be in Haiti serving with a medical team for a week.It's been along time coming..Ever since the quake happened I have been wanting to go..but God has been wanting me to stay here.I'm not sure why..I've had several attempts at going with other people and other organizations but they just never felt right with me.I just couldn't see myself over in Haiti and not be able to go and visit the Orphanage or go and see the girls.So on august 31 I will depart with some of my fellow commrades and some new ones and will head to Haiti to serve the people that I think about daily.

There was a team that just came back last week.Not alot of pics up yet but I did snag some from a lady that does not belong to our church but lives in Utah I believe Kym,an Amazing woman that I have only spoken with by email...She has kindly lent me some pics to use so I can update some folks..

Here is Linia and Guerline..One of my fav girls there....Janice here is your girl and look at how much her hair has grown out.....

Onise,who on the last trip I got to spend some time with and realized she is a funny girl and had alot of spunk last trip.I can't wait to see her again

Here is Mona trying out some mattress for the orphanage

Sweet Saintemene trying them out as well...

New bunk beds for the girls...they haven't had new beds since the quake..I'm loving them they look so nice.

Kids in the village...

Girls playing on the beach...

I am so excited about this trip..I am also very excited because I have a very very good friend that I have just reconnected with (she was my BFF growing up)...We lost touch for years but have just recently got back together and it was like we never were apart..She is a strong woman who loves the Lord and has sent me some stuff on Haiti.She was determined to go in the fall with people she didn't really know.Some missionaries came to her church a few months ago and she knew that she was going to haiti..Not sure who with or how she was getting there but after eating lunch last week.I knew who she was going with...Me....God laid it out there for me to see before she knew...and boy is he letting her know that this trip has her name all over it.What is even better is...her church which is a very small from what she has been saying is having a big fundraiser for her to collect her trip money and possibly what is not used for her trip will go to the Orphanage Atanies Hope...I am praying that it will have a huge turnout and bring Glory to God and further let more people see the needs of this country.Now that all the media has stopped the focus,it's not out there as much so maybe this is another way to get it started....

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name

Psalm 86:9

Some of my fav vacation pics

2010-07-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

Mark got certified to scuba dive...Scary!!

Here are some family pics that we had taken or that I took with my camera..

I have just a few more..then I will stop torturing myself...I want to be back so bad.!!!!

Vacation Pics

2010-06-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics of our vacation..

They left us presents..But they also thought it was our Birthday!!!

Me and Mark after dinner.

Noah and I getting ready to go to the beach for a photo shoot..Isn't he just the cutest boy?

Zak with "Fortune Cookie" his friend and his chef that he met..We would so love for him to come and be our personal chef....It was good...

Yes I love these shoes...They are so pretty!!

Mark and Zak on the hammock

Like father like son..

Mark catching food at the Japanese restuarant

Zak even caught it too

Fortune Cookie gave Zak a hat..

Noah and me at the Beach Party

More presents..hahah..this time it wasn't our birthday!

Noah in the air..I love these shots.

Homemade haitian coleslaw..Made by an haitian chef.Mark went and spoke to her and learned that her family is near where Our Orphanage is located and asked if she knew how to make this and the next day she had some made for us and made was it good!! Hot Spicy but so good....

Hefner style...hahah..but I don't think that Noah will be getting any women with the shower cap on..they loved that shower cap! Crazy kids..

Vacation pics

2010-06-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful vacation that we had...Here are some pics.In case you are wondering where we went to.We went to the Turks and Caicos (small island right about Haiti and the DR).It was beautiful and so hard to come home,but it has made me realize that I want to live closer to the water,not in Florida or the US but some other country! I would love for God to open up a door for us so we could do this,but it has been placed in his hands and he will lead us if it is his will...Enjoy our pics,I took 974 so obviously I can't put them all on here,but here are some of my favs

Looking out our room balcony

Italian Village Pool

Mark coming back from Scuba Diving

Eating dinner in this waterfall cave

Mark and the boys

Me and Mark prior to dinner

Me and Noah

Mark and his boys

On and catamaran,they look just alike!

Inside another waterfall cave

Morning beach walk

Look at the water..It was so clear

Noah and Zak's back walking back from the market

Market where you can buy souveniers from the locals..I could stay out here all day and hang with these people.

Noah in a surfing contest

Zak doing the boogie board

There are so many more and I will post some later.I am so thankful that we got to go on this trip and like I said I am so thankful that we got to take a whole bunch of supplies to the Orphanage there as well.I will not be posting pics of this,due to security reasons but just know that there are some kids now that are wearing new underwear,bras,panties,have lotion,hair care products and even some new clothes.I can't thank my friends and family enough for stepping up to the plate and helping us be able to bless this home..It has made me realize even more what I want for my life and for my kids lives as well.Please be in prayer for us as we would love to make some big changes for our family,God knows what all of this means and we want to be obedient and let him lead us...

Winner..

2010-06-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have a winner for the Jewelry.....

Kristi Fisher June 23, 2010 4:13 PM

I love the 3 disk personalized hand stamped necklace with heart charm. I have 3 little girls and have been wanting a necklace or bracelet with their names on it. It is beautiful.

I can't wait for Krisit to see her necklace!! That was so much fun..Keep watching there will be another one in July and August on one of my fav blogs ever!!

And tommorrow I am finally posting pics of our vacation...Yippee..

Tonight is the deadline....

2010-06-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE NECKLACE!!

TONIGHT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY...ENDS AT 12 MIDNIGHT..DON'T FORGET TO GO TO

http://www.frugalissafinds.com/2010/06/keefer-style-creations-giveaway.html

AND JOIN IN THE FUN...THANKS GUYS!

GIVEAWAY

2010-06-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE JEWELRY GIVEAWAY GOING ON RIGHT NOW....YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY ONE WEARING A KEEFER STYLE CREATIONS PIECE.....

FOLLOW BELOW AND GOOD LUCK....

http://www.frugalissafinds.com/2010/06/keefer-style-creations-giveaway.html

I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU ARE WAITING ON VACATION PICTURES I PROMISE THAT I WILL PUT THEM UP HERE IN A FEW DAY..SO MUCH GOING ON!!! BUT IT'S A GOOD THING....

FUN GIVEAWAY....

2010-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Keefer Style Creations Giveaway....GO READ BELOW AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS....

>> Monday, June 21, 2010

This is such a fun Giveaway and I have been looking forward to doing it for many weeks. It is a Giveaway but there is so much to just the Giveaway. I can't wait for you to hear about the awesome things God is doing through jewelry especially for those in Haiti.
She has some very cool necklaces as well as bracelets and earrings too.

Lisa wants to give one of you a $60 personalized necklace

Here’s how to enter to win a necklace. Winner gets a $60.00 personalized necklace.

1. Head on over to Keefer Style Creations on Etsy then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me your favorite piece. You must do the main entry!!!

2. One entry per person per day.

3. Additional Methods of Entry - Share about this giveaway the following ways and receive entries for each.

**Leave a separate comment for each to let me know where you have shared it!

-Subscribe to my Email Newsletter– even if you already receive it, add an entry as a comment. (1 entry)

-Add Frugalissa Finds and Keefer Style Creations to your blog roll or subscribe as a Google Reader. Leave the link to your website/blog in a comment. (1 or 2 entries)

-Follow Frugalissa Finds on Facebook and Keefer Style Creations group on Facebook– then post on Facebook Frugalissafinds.com is offering a Keefer Style Creations Giveaway! Check it out and enter with a link to this post. In comment put if you became of a fan of both. (1 or 2 entries)

-Post this giveaway on your blog. Then come back and leave the link to the post. (1 entry)

It is very important you leave a separate comments if you enter more than once. So if you leave a comment with your favorite piece, become a FB fan of Frugalissa Fans and Keefer Style Creations that would be 3 entries and you would leave 3 separate comments stating what you did. There are lots of ways to win.

FOLLOW THE PAGE TO:
http://www.frugalissafinds.com/2010/06/keefer-style-creations-giveaway.html

AND FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS TO WIN ONE OF MY PIECES....

Giveaway ends Friday, June 25th at midnight EST. The winner will be drawn using Random.org and announced Saturday, June 26th. Winner will be notified via email and I will post the winners at Frugalissa Finds

WOW...what a week

2010-06-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Okay so I have been gone a little over a week...We just got back from a vacation from the Turks and Caicos...It was amazing and we did not want to come back!! We stayed at Beaches Resort and had a wonderful time..Time spent doing nothing....Well except Mark..He scuba dived a few days..

I have lots of pics to share and stories to tell.We took one day off and went to The Provo Childrens Home there.It is an Childrens home.There were a few kids from Haiti there that were transplanted from the quake,and a few kids from the area as well.Some can be adopted and others are kinda in limbo with what will become of them,which is so sad! We as a family as well as great friends and family that donated almost 5 HUGE bags for this home!! I can not show the pics on here,though due to these children are in the process of legalities SORRY.. and I'm not sure who all reads this as well...Just say a prayer for these children for there are some that are def in limbo right now and you can read it all over their faces when they talk about their families......

And for a sneak peek...this is where I have been all week....

This is the first full week vacation at the beach that we have ever done with the boys..We have been on plenty of trips but have always just spent a day or two at the beach but never a full week.It was awesome!!

Keep in touch and see more you just might want to go!!

The time is here..

2010-06-10T18:19:00.001-07:00

The time is here and I can't wait....Will fill everyone on here soon......

2010-06-08T19:26:00.001-07:00

http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com/

The new blog is almost done...and also you can go to my ETSY page from there as well...It is doing well allready....Go and check it out!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassy2225

2010-06-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

So I have been crazy busy....Zak is in Washington DC with the safety patrol this weekend,I miss him!! He is having a great time,he hasn't even called me much!!

Here is the buses lined up ready to get some kids and rock and roll...

Zak was like "Please don't take any pics or kiss me goodbye"...Oh..he's growing up...

We went to the lake this weekend and spent the day with my father and some relatives..It was relaxing! Here are some pics

I think this butterfly was a little confused...This is a towel not a flower..

Mark and Noah on Noah's fav thing at the lake...

Rosemary likes it too..

Noah dancing to some music on the boat...

Busy times

2010-05-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend was filled with work,work,and then some lake time...I did get to have sunday off and we went to the lake.Then today I really didn't do much except start on my ETSY shop for my jewelry and the new jewelry site is almost done...YEAH...I am praying that it does well....It's been alot of work! I know Mark will be glad when it's all done..

We had a BIG leak in our swimming pool this weekend,a leak so bad that most of our water is gone!! Mark I hope has attempted to patch it up,if not then we will have to drain the remaining water and then get another liner (which is not cheap for an oval pool) then replace it!! This will take about 3 weeks or maybe more since our vacation is coming up,so say a prayer for it to work...All the hard work done on it in the last month!!

Also another prayer request please.My niece Cierra has a half sister named Jessica and she was involved in a really bad wreck this weekend along with her father and some friends.It probably wasn't a good situation to be in (maybe some drinking involved) but Jessica is 17 yrs old and she has been in ICU for a few days.Last I heard she has some brain bleeds,numerous broken bones.I as a Nurse know that this could be determental to her life and her standing life,she could have some major damage as well if these bleeds continue not to mention death.Cierra and her fight and hate each other at times but I know deep down they do love each other and this has been such a hard time for Cierra with having a baby,and moving out to my mom's..so say a prayer for them both.I do know that 2 people were killed in this wreck as well,so pray for their families too..

Oh and sorry to be the bearer of bad news..but please pray for my dear friend Linda..Her husband died suddenly on late Thursday night.He had multiple myeloma and this wasn't expected this soon.Linda and him have been together almost 30 yrs...This is hard for her...she just lost her mother in december as well.So please say a prayer for all of these people that I have mentioned...I love you all....

Go and check out my new necklaces on my jewelry blog...

2010-05-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have some new jewlery made and will not be posting them to this blog due to it's really just to much work for me to do them both on here,so fill free to go to Keefer Style Creations and look at my new creations...Some of them are my favs..

http://keeferstylecreations.blogspot.com//

2010-05-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Big things are going on right now people...Big things..I am so excited for what this jewelry business is doing and I am doing great with it.I have found someone to help me design the jewlery blog!! Yeah and I've got some talks in the works for maybe some big things happening for more work so keep your fingers crossed for me.I hope I can keep up with it!! I am so excited.....

2010-05-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am in need of someone to redesing my jewelry blog!! Something fabulous...If anyone knows of someone good and cheap will you please let me know..I need something done in the next month..

Weekend news..Had a great garage sale!! Didn't really get to see my family much in the last few days so last night me and Noah watched a movie...I went to church today with them (which by the way was awesome),today we laid by the pool and now it's back to work tommorrow.I did finish some dresses that I made for some sweet ladies.And got some more orders for necklaces.I am a busy busy girl..

Hopefully in the next 2 weeks I will be sitting down at a table and getting our next Haiti trip together...This is very exciting to me.I am going the last of August and man how God has allready provided for this trip is no amazement to me,he always provides for me to go on these trips and I am blessed and overjoyed to be a part of it.It will be hot and yes this is hurricane season time,so I will be watching this closely.I can't wait to go and see the girls (and meet some new ones)...but I can't wait to go and see my second family! The only thing that makes me sad is that my sweet girl Riciana isn't there.She is still in Miami with her mother and brother and I miss her terribly.

.I was searching online for a haitian proverb for a new necklace and found a couple that I really liked but I wanted something like "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" Proverbs 16:9...I couldn't find it in creole nor can I translate it myself and low and behold as I was looking at my blogs there was one from "Cry Haiti" it is a clinic in haiti that handles very sick babies and there it was "Ne'g Fe' Lide'l Jan Bondye Ba'l Dwa" which means Man makes plans as God allows....WOW...
I am once again in "awe" of how God shows up!! So with that said..that will be on one of my next necklaces in creole.....

Some new adoption news...

2010-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone that is on here...I know someone that is having a fundraiser for her adoption of a girl named LiXue...They are needing some money to help their adoption costs and I have offered to make a necklace for the fundraiser..So here is her blog...go and donate if you felt led to,go buy some raffle tickets,go buy some jewelry,pray for this family...whatever you can do to help this family out!! God is good all the time,he will provide for this family as I have witnessed it several times in the last 2 years..people who step out of their comfort zone to do what God has called them to do! I love adoption and my heart is REALLY BIG for adoption.I myself have only bio kids but in the event that God asks me to step out and take in a little (or big) child for that matter I can only hope that I can step out and live on this faith that so many adopted parents have...

Here is the necklace that I want to do for the lucky person that donates..You can go to her blog and see what she wants to do with it..but to me this is so appropriate for this...DREAM...

To dream one day that your child will be in your arms forever,that you can walk into their room at night tuck them in and give them a kiss,for them to know they have a mommy and a daddy that love them forever...that is what a DREAM is.....God Bless these people that adopt and more importantly God Bless these mother's that have to give their child up for lots of different reasons...That is love to me...I myself would be so selfish and just dont' think that I could do it...But these mother's everywhere around the world everyday that make this decision to give their child up and not use abortion are amazing...That is love....

So with all of this said go right now....visit her blog....http://www.ourfamadventure.blogspot.com/

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy" Proverbs 13:12

changes

2010-05-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

There are some changes going on right now with my life...Changes that are good...Changes that are exciting..I can't wait to let everyone know what...or when...or how...but I am praying that it will be good...

There are changes with the jewelry as well.I am getting ready to change the blogs around soon.All of my jewelry will be on one blog and this will become my private family blog.So when all is said and done if you want to follow here you will have to be added and if you want to follow on the jewelry one you will be able to see it just like regular..I have been asked to promote some of my stuff on a blogger page that is well known and am hoping that it will take off..so I am busy deciding on what role I want to do next with it and designing a new blog to suit me and my personality.What is even better is this blogger would love to do a ministry opp as well for Haiti and this would could help out more than me...So keep your fingers crossed and saying some prayers for everyone that will be involved...

sunday...

2010-05-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Today at work was busy but also a blessing to be able to serve my families and be able to talk to them about the love of God and what he has done in my life.I had this one family that are very nice and they started talking about someone that has an orphanage in mexico and then bam....I started to tell them about Haiti...Funny how these thinkgs happen! They then started to proceed to tell me all about some people that they also know that are going to give up everything they have to move and "serve God"....How amazing is that faith?? I believe that God places people in your life at the right moment to talk to you and this afternoon hearing all that these people were doing for other children and countries made me swell up with happiness in my soul.....

New necklaces

2010-05-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry this isnt' for sale..I just made it to wear with an outfit...I'm sure some will think it is gawdy...buy hey right now I'm in that stage and since when did I care what people think???

I know your jealous and want one!!!!

Birds on a tree limb...$45.00...I really am into birds right now...

Isnt' this just cute? Soar with a bird..

$25.00 It is from a bible verse Isaiah 40:31

Verse 31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

This one too below...I love it...it is $55.00

Blessed hammered-$30.00

Tagged copper/brass/silver-$50.00

                                                       OOh...check out the ring I made...
                                            Then I decided to make it different colors---$15.00

Hammered disk necklace with birthstone in middle of a birth mother-$50.00

Grandmother/Mother necklace-$50.00

This has to be one of my favs...

.An anniversary necklace with names/date and a key....$40.00

Plain Hammered necklace--$25.00

This was made for my niece for Mothers day---

It is $25.00 if you would like one,comes with a crystal moon...

Made this for my mother in law for Mother's day....

It is filled with all her grandkids/kids and then

her and her hubby's birthstones are on the bottom.

It is made from a watch face...

You have to be very careful...I cracked one face allready. $35.00

some new pics of the pool

2010-05-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is what happened at my house last weekend....My deck is finally done and the pool is open...My brother did an awesome job and I can't wait to have a party!!!

And while this was being built...Look what the boys built...

...They along with one of the BFF's,have started to make a small club house.This is the first part and they are making a second story as well.It is very sturdy and they allready have plans for it.It has kept them busy for the weekend/week and it is fun for them....

Look at this face...

2010-05-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some new pics of my niece Amira...She is such a good baby and is alway so happy.....Isn't this a great pic???

Here is another...I made these pics for her mommy for Mother's day and she loved them.

Today in church was amazing.Mark (our worship pastor) did a great job or should I say that God lead Mark to do a great job.It pretty much struck me as something that needed to be said to me.It was all about

jumping out and doing what God has called you to do.Surrendering to your call...Even as I was sitting there in the seat,he started talking about the enemy and how he is all around us and even used the verse that I posted last night.,in shock that this was what I have been feeling and he started the whole sermon out on that ....I just sat there and knew that this sermon was meant to be for me....God wanted me to hear this and boy did I ever..I could go on and on what God is and has and is going to do with me and my family.I truely believe that he is wanting us for something big and as I'm doubting things he is making sure that I am hearing what it is.Now that we are hearing it now we just need to know where to go and follow....That is the hard part...Waiting.....

Saturday

2010-05-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today has been a day...It was beautiful this morning and I got to feed 4 hungry 10 and 11 yr olds gluten free pancakes, and the other children didn't even notice....hahaha...unless they went home and told their parents that I am an awful cook!!!

Mark and my brother Bryan have finished all of the decking around the pool I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I will hopefully add some pics in the next few days for you to see, the kids have allready been swimming all week it it but it's still too cold for me.

I even had a good cry today! Which is something that I almost never do but I'm sure that it was needed.
I am excited about our future, but the devil is there and he's real people very real. Satan doesn't want any part of me getting closer to God and doing what God has planned for our lives but I have to stay focused on God and the important things in my family or else it's going to make me miserable. Satan has been fighting me the last 2 years and Im not giving up and this is making him very angry so therefore things are hanging around us that we can't control and things that we want gone from in the past. He knows this is what pulls at my heart so he just keeps stringing it along to see if I am going to fall but I want him to know that IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, SO BRING IT.....You want to fight me then you will have to fight me and my God....

Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV version

11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Epesians 6:11-13 The Message

11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. 12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.

If you don't have a message version of the Bible...I really like it and though it wouldn't be my go to bible I do read what it says about the verse/book that I am looking and then sometimes I do understand it better...

New necklaces.....

2010-05-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

This is for Mimi Donna for mother's day....

$25.00

2 disc hammered-$50.00

Bar pendant with birthstone-20.00

1 disk with birthstone-$25.00

Drop pearl with crystal star.$30.00

Wire Wrap crystal-$30.00

Tag necklace with Birthstones-$40.00

Bondye Bon bracelet (GOD is GOOD in creole)--$25.00

Same saying just different style-$25.00

Grandmother.Mother necklace with birthstones-$25.00

Tree of life birthstones-$25.00

Bird/Tree necklace-$25.00

Rose necklace-$30.00

Bird necklace-$30.00

Earrings-$5.00

Ring-10.00

Thanks for looking and if you see anything that you like then just let me know..Lisa

etch2225@gmail.com

I am linking up to DIY day at http://asoftplace.net/2010/05/diy-day-with-burlapblue/

Go ahead and head on over there...some great new ideas for crafting......