merci, Saviour!

wow-weee. deeeeeeeep breaths. try to take it ALL in.

A week ago right now, I was laying down to sleep after spending the day clearing away rubble during the day... rubble from an apartment that crumbled as an earthquake literally shook the country of Haiti exactly seven months ago today.

Clearing away rubble was only a part of my trip to Haiti; one day of the six that are a quite honestly a bit of a haze but yet so vivid at that same time.

I laughed. I sang. I danced. I listened. I got my "hair did". I felt His presence. I experienced sadness all while feeling joy - deep down in my soul.

And here I am: back to my current reality. A reality that includes water that is clean enough to brush my teeth, Chick-fil-A sandwiches and streets that are clear of trash and rocks - all of which I am very thankful for.

While I learned alot, I find that God is still teaching, revealing and making new impressions on my heart everyday. I look forward to sharing it all with you.

For now, I will leave you with a picture of this future heartbreaker.

Bless . . .

al. most. here.

I knew it.

I just knew it would flyyyyyy by. And it's almost here!

Only (pauses for a minute to count the hours) 54 hours until I get ready to head to Atlanta. I've been busy this weekend running errands, trying to figure out what to pack, washing clothes and stocking up on necessities (see photo below).

a little protein and some "just in case" that I pray I don't even have to open=)

Amidst all the chaos, I've also tried to take time just to be still... to be still and prepare my heart for what's to come. I've asked the Lord to show me His purpose for me on this trip, how He wants to use me and how to be open to what He has in store. I'm so excited to see what He reveals.

For now these words will sum things up, better than I can:

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

- lyrics from one of my very favorite songs, "All I Have Is Christ"

10 days and counting . . .

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

It's almost here! I'm jump, jump, jumping for joy!

Okay, okay... I'm actually sitting on a couch. But my heart is jumping!

Only 10 days (and lots of work) between me and the plane ride that will take me to a country that is looking for the Light.

It's been a little over two months since I wrote about a new opportunity... Those two months have flown by and I know these next ten days will go by even faster. During these past two months, I've had the chance to tell many people about my upcoming trip to Haiti. Some have asked what I'll be doing, some have asked what can they do to help. Honestly, when I said I would go, I literally had no idea what I would be doing or what people could do to help.

But, dun dun dahhhhhhhh - now I do!

Hmmm, let me rephrase that: I have a good idea... but let's be honest, who knows what could happen.

So here goes. Our team [seven college students, my friend Mark and me] will be in Haiti for 7 days. The teams that have already gone this summer have worked with different churches, which usually have schools associated with them. They've been doing different ministry with children and young adults, playing games with children and showing everyone the joy that Christ has given us. I can't wait to be apart of this and start this adventure the Lord has paved the way for!

People from my church and work have asked what they can collect for me to take and so we've come up with a few supplies and things that we can give to the kids while we are there. So here goes: Bandaids, Alcohol Wipes, Candy (not anything that will melt - I'm going to hot, hot, hot Haiti people!=), Crayons, SillyBands, Balloons, JumpRopes.

Of course not everyone lives close enough to send me off with silly bands and alcohol wipes. So, what else can you do? You can p-r-a-y, PRAY. You can pray for specific things like getting to the airport safely or for our interactions with the people we will meet with during our trip or that I won't die in the swelllterrring HEAT. Kidding about the last one. I've got that one COVERED=)

I am so thankful for this trip; thankful for the things God has already shown me and for the things I know He will show me.

My heart is open. Come and fill me up.

love that smirk

I saw Remember Me & Eclipse this week.

In other [similarly related] news: I have a new crush.

analyze this

I read into things. I look for signs.

[But usually only when the things are relevant to what I want God to be showing me. Pretty sorry, huh?]

For example, when my phone recently deleted only the following 7 photos (out of 1600+ photos I have in my library!) only to re-upload them at the end of the camera roll, this is how I interpreted this sign on my iPhone from God...

Maybe I should move to South America...

or somewhere that I can go skiing whenever I want...

I mean, come on. could it be any CLEARER?!

In South America or wherever this cold snowy place is,

I shall design invitations and plan baby showers all day looongg...

And then I will meet my husband. He will buy me flowers.

and because I loved the flowers so much - BAM! - I'm pregnant.

and not with just one, but with five children. Yipes!

So there you have it. A little peak-see-do inside my brain.

[Scary place, isn't it?]

Does your mind work like that too?

No?

Oh. I was just kidding then...

dance with me now!

open WIDDDE

Yesterday I went to the dentist.

Today I went back to the dentist.

The dentist told me he thinks I should have my jaw broken and reset.

I will never go back to the dentist.