Britt feeling 'bloggy'

(I am still in Texas. I was the lucky one voted to fly one-way back to Minnesota with Noah. There is no way he could do a 24 hour car ride ... so I benefit! My family left yesterday and are somewhere in the middle of the USA. Here is Noah in a less than happy moment of our vacation.)

I am feeling compelled to share a 'praise' and thankfulness that I am overwhelmed with right now. I want to thank God for giving us this awesome vacation and the perfect timing of renting out the house (even though it was really not fun leaving). I am just really thankful for the two weeks that I got to spend in this beautiful part of the country and for the perfect weather. I also am SO thankful for the perfect timing of this trip and how great it all worked out that we all got to be together one last time.

It feels bittersweet. Currently, I am sort of dreading leaving here (Texas/paradise/vacation/away-from-reality). Not just because it is a beautiful place and has been a blast, but because of what going back means. Returning to Minnesota means a month long of good-byes. Thinking about it makes me feel really sad but at the same time excited. It is just the weirdest feeling. I am happy to be going to Haiti and know that it is God's perfect plan for me and my family. "....To everything there is a season, a purpose for everything under the sun...."
Reality is sinking in. Please pray that we are all able to get through the next month. I know that the devil will definitely seize up this time to attack us and veer us off the right path. I just pray specifically for smooth transitions. As Dad leaves mid-month and we are left without him; I just pray that we all remain tight (w/ each other) and tight with God. I also pray that I become closer to God and be able to grow a lot on this crazy journey before us.
Jeremiah 29:11.
~Britt
PS- I get my wisdom teeth pulled out on Monday. I am a little nervous, if you think of it please pray for me.

It made a difference for that one

People sometimes wonder why anyone even tries to help in places where there is so much that needs fixing. Haiti is just one of many places in the world that seems beyond help.

We have found ourselves thinking that way at different times too. We know that the issues in Haiti are much bigger and deeper than anything we can solve or even 10,000 ministries of our size can solve.

When we were visiting with John McHoul (who has been in Haiti for 16+years) last September, we asked "Doesn't it get you down that even though you work and work you still don't see many big or lasting changes?"

This is not an exact quote but John said something similar to "Every day it gets me down, but I am here because God asks me to be here and to try - so the changes I may or may not see is not really what it is about."

We were thankful for John's perspective for many reasons. We want to be where God wants us, whether we can see change happening or not we are just attempting to walk in step with his plan for our lives. We believe that we can make a difference to some people, some of the time and as long as we are willing to go where God leads us - then the rest is up to Him.

The Starfish story:
One day, an older man was walking along the waters edge, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance on the beach, and so, he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

"The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the older man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

First goodbye

We were all doing so well. We were implementing the, if you don't talk about it, it is not real approach. (Some might call it denial.)

Last night at New Year's Eve dinner dad decided to pray. He prays about the upcoming year and all of the changes it will bring for our family. It was nice but it wrecked what we had going which was to not talk about this being our last time together as a family. Half the table was crying when he finished praying.

The trip is wrapping up. The first of the 12 of us headed out today. This morning (New Year's Day) Matt (our Brother-in-law) left to go back to Minnesota because he has to be to work on Tuesday. Troy and Matt were friends in college (even roommates at one time) and now they are brothers-in-law; so it will be a difficult thing for them to not see each other for a long time.

The goodbye's have officially begun.

Uncle Matt with Aidan (nephew/cousin), Hope & Isaac - enjoying a New Year's Eve ride.

Random Haiti Photos

Facts about Haiti: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ha.html

Haitian Proverb:
Kreyon Bon Die pa gin gonm.
(What God promises he will give.)

Happy New Year!

We hope you all have a safe and fun New Year's Eve.

Troy's plans for Haiti have changed by a few days. He will be leaving Minneapolis on January 19th now instead. There is a large short term mission team coming on January 24th that will be doing some construction projects. Troy will have a few days to get settled in before the team arrives. The rest of us hope to join Troy by February 10th. Three weeks is the longest we think we can be without him.

Yesterday Troy took the three little kids to a park near my parents home. There were a few other children at the park. A little boy walked up to Isaac and asked him how old he was, then he asked how old Hope was.

Issac said "We are both four." The little boy said "Oh, are you twins?" Isaac said "Nooooo, we're not twins! Me and Noah are twins!" (They wore the same shirt yesterday, making them twins as far as Isaac is concerned.) :)

On Doubting

I found this interesting information in our devotion Bible on the way to Texas.

Doubters in the Bible:

1. Abraham-when told he would be a father in old age. (Gen 17:17)
2. Sarah-when learning she would be a mother in old age. (Gen 18)
3. Moses-when told to return to Egypt to lead the people. (Ex.3:10-15)
4. Gideon-when told he would be a judge & leader. (Judges 6:14-23)
5. Thomas-when told Jesus had risen from the dead. (John 20:24-25)
6. Israelites-whenever they faced difficulties in the wilderness.(Ex.16)

Many of the people God used to accomplish His work started out as real doubters. With all of them God showed great patience.

At the end of the lesson it said "How great a part does doubt have in your willingness to trust God?"

That left me thinking.

Much of this journey to Haiti has been small steps. Just trusting God in each small step. All of these small steps have added up to a big picture. The big picture developed over six short months that sped by.

Sometimes I still find myself thinking "this might not be what God wants for us, it might not happen."

For me, doubt is a way to cope with fear ... if I say "well, it could still fall through" it is a good way for me to keep my fears at bay. But, I think this form of doubt and this form of coping with my fear does mess with me and it messes with my ability to trust God.

I think God allows for honest doubt ... and I know He shows "great patience". He probably just likes to see us move beyond it. That is my plan. I am moving beyond it. ~Tara

Question

Q. Are free vacations more fun than paid vacations?

A. Yes. (duh!)

Mom and Dad you rule! We are having a lot of fun, experiencing record high temps this week with lots of sun.

Hugs from all of us in Sothern Texas.

(Photo of vacation provider's along with Tina and Tara after Marathon June 2005)

Merry Christmas

We will be on a "blogging break" until we return from Texas.
Before we leave town we wanted to wish you a Christmas filled with Christ. We are so thankful that He came into the world 2,000 years ago ... but we are even more thankful that His birth was only the beginning.
He came so that we might have life & have it abundantly. (John 10:10) May the truth of why He came be real to you this season.

One more sleep till Hope's Birthday

Hope and Isaac measure everything in "sleeps" (or naps). For some reason to say that something is two days away is not a good way to measure it. They want to know how many more naps they have to take before the day arrives.

Isaac said yesterday "How many more sleeps before I move to the house called Haiti?" I said "about 45 more sleeps Isaac." He stared at me blankly. 45 is way too many to comprehend, 10 is his limit. It is the airplane ride he wants, he has no idea beyond that.

They both seem to understand that one more sleep means it will be Hope's Birthday! Isaac was with me when I shopped for her gifts so she already knows that she is getting a fancy Cinderella dress and the movie Ice Age ... thanks Isaac.

Hope was born on Christmas Eve four years ago. Her birthmother had gone to the orphanage to get help while she was in labor and the orphanage director gave her money to take a tap-tap (Haitian public transportation, see photo above) to the hospital. Hope arrived before they made it to the hospital. She was born in front of everyone on the tap-tap.

Hope came to Minnesota when she was nine months old, we were able to celebrate her first birthday with her. She had a very glazed look for the first three months she was here ... she never smiled and looked so lost and detached. God has done so much in her life! We now know such a different little girl. (Photo with Isaac is shortly after they arrived, silly photo taken by Paige a few weeks ago.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOPE!

T minus 25 days and counting

Troy leaves in 25 days. This map is the best one we could find on-line. If you go up the coast line from Port au Prince you will see Arcahaie to the North. Where we will be living is about five miles from there; just a little more to the North and about three miles to the east.

We are so happy to be able to live in Big lake at Tara's mom and dad's house; but we still feel a little displaced or something. It is odd.

Today we put Noah on an airplane with his uncle Matt (who is married to Tina; Tara's little sister). Matt was kind enough to fly Noah down for Christmas in Texas so we could avoid 26 hours of car time with a very active 21 month old. Matt agreed to deal with him for three hours on an airplane so we would not have to deal with him for the car ride. That is love!!!!! Good work Matt! Too bad we miss Noah already. We are softies.

It will be so great to be together as a family (Tara's parents, Tara's sister's family and us) for 10 days before we move. We had this plan to do a few weeks together in Texas, long before we knew that we would be moving to Haiti in January. It is cool the way it all worked out. It is quite possible that our family will be happy to see us go by the time the 10 days together is over??? ;-)

We love and appreciate each of you who have offered so generously to pray for us and support us with your financial gifts. We could not do this without you. At times it feels a little scary, but like Britt pointed out yesterday; we don't want to let our ever-changing emotions dictate our day to day living. So we take small steps of faith and move forward each day, trusting the Lord to walk with us; we know He is.

HO - HO - HUM

(Paige=HO Britt= HO Hope=HUM)

I figured I better officially check-in on the blog. This is Britt. I hope you are having a blessed Christmas Season. We are getting ready to drive down to Texas to spend time with the Porter family. After we get back we have about four weeks before we move down to Haiti.

When I was first asked to pray about our potential move, way back in June or July, I was not really thrilled about it. My only thoughts were how much I loved my life right now how it is and why should I leave a perfectly good life? I was the only one who did not want to go in the beginning. But that changed, as I realized my selfishness and current state of distance from God. I knew that God and I hadn't been close over the summer and just blamed it on being too busy. I started reading my Bible more and praying more.

Over the summer, I totally changed my opinion/attitude and was really excited to go to Haiti. I had started to tell some of my friends (who by the way, were supportive, but probably thinking we're nuts. That's ok though, because I kind of think we are nuts too!) and I was totally on the 'we're going to go serve in Haiti' bandwagon.

This feeling has fluctuated, (never let your feelings dictate your actions-feelings change by the minute) as the actual move gets closer. Not that I am doubting that we are supposed to go; I know this with all my heart. And I know that as it gets harder and harder and we want to turn back that that is just more reason that we are supposed to go.

If you hadn't figured it out by now, yes, I was one of the two people in this family to melt-down. I don't know; I guess I just never knew I could be so attached to a house or a room. I really really love our house but I know we will come back to it eventually. Also, it was just hard realizing that I have so many goodbye's ahead of me. I know that God will help me through it and I know that He will bless us in Haiti just the way He has here.

This is a quote my grandpa Porter sent that I really like and agree with:
"Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it."
~ Erwin W. Lutzer

Christmas w/ Mary, Joseph and some cute Wisemen

Isaac has rarely been described as "wise". Yet, here he is with cousin Luke looking very, very wise.

This is Mary and Joseph and a very odd looking Inn-keeper. (From Christmas 2004.)

Meltdown Record

For those of you keeping track, here is the melt-down count.
2 out of 7 have offically melted down. (Hint: both were girls over 14 years of age.)

Leaving our house was hard. (Especially for two of us.) Troy was good enough to offer to pray for us and the house as we left; that helped.

Onward and Upward.
(A Hope,and an Isaac melt-down; documented in 2003. Attractive, don't you think? Britt and I looked very similar but thankfully there were no cameras around!)

We've Moved & other Miscellaneous Things

This will be random. Forgive us, our brains are mostly fried.

Proof of this; today I asked Troy for directions to the gym that was close to my Mom and Dad's house. By the time he was done giving me the directions I said "Where was I asking you to give me directions to?" ACK!
(We are living at my parents house until we move to Haiti.)

Seriously, trying to keep everything straight while we packed and separated things, may have used every last brain cell. We now have four categories. 1-Storage 2-Needs to be used in the next 30-45 days in winter weather 3-Needs to go to Texas for family Christmas trip 4-Needs to go to Haiti.

THEN, there is the Good Will pile, the Mya (smaller cousin) pile and the Tina & Matt pile (they are having a baby next year!) The very last pile is for those things that you stand and hold while you blindly stare into space trying to recall why you ever needed to own such an item. Things like the thighmaster, and the torso trimmer. Wouldn't we love to have a dime for each of those items!

Two items we would really like to sell---proceeds will be used to get us to Haiti:
1- A beautiful full size cello.
2- A very nice Bianchi Mountain Bike

And, Things we need if you know of anyone looking to sell or donate:
1- A laptop to take to Haiti because we cannot get our home computer down there without it being destroyed or stolen. We need to carry one in our carry on.
2- Airline miles that could be used on American Airlines flights.

If you have any ideas or interest in the aforementioned items, contact us at TL7inHaiti@yahoo.com

Last, but not least. Someone asked me for a carseat in an email. I cannot remember who asked. Please don't take it personally, but it is plaguing me. So, know that I am not ignoring you; I have just lost my mind. Ask again please!

I am sitting here, avoiding cleaning our empty house ... I better get to it so the renter can have her keys and move into a place without dusty corners & sticky floors. We love you and we can feel your prayers. They are working; we all still like each other!!!!!

Much Love-
Tara

From Paige

Hey I am Paige.
I am now 11.
I am getting really excited to move to Haiti.
I am going to miss some things though , but I think it is wirth moving to Haiti. I am thankful for my friends and family - they are all very loving.
I am having a good day today. I hope you are too.
Thanks for reading,
Paige

(These photos show two of the many people I will miss. My friend Julia and my friend Jill.)

Countdown Activities

Here are a few of the things we are doing to get ready. Isaac is learning to carry things on his head the way the Haitian ladies do. Here he is practicing with a Christmas Tree box. He needs to learn to do it without his hands like the lady on the right.



Another thing we are doing is being careful to notice all the things we are really blessed to be able to do. A stop at the Wendy's drive-thru is a big treat, we are being sure to savor it! Today we had fun in seven new inches of snow. The snowfall was beautiful here today, the kids enjoyed it this afternoon. Noah stood at the window and yelled out at them.

We are doing pretty well with our packing. The Haiti pile will need to have some sifting but we are close to being able to call ourselves "semi-organized". We are not aiming for perfection; something resembling organization is our goal.

Worry changes nothing

(Photo 2002; 3 weeks after Hope and Isaac came home from Haiti.) (On right, new photo of Hope w/grandma.)

When we first met our Haitian daughter, in April of 2002. She was tiny and sort of frail looking. We believed that Hope was the most fitting new name for her.

During the six months of her adoption she became very malnurished and sick. One night we recieved an email from Haiti that said "Astride just screams, no one can touch her." "Please bring medicine."

That was it. The email ended at that. As you might imagine, we were freaking out. We felt totally helpless, we needed more information but none was available.

At the time, I was not able to step back from the situation and have faith that anything good could happen. I thought for sure the next email would tell me she had died. I let fear grip me for the next several hours.

You might be wondering why the heck I am telling you this????? Maybe you are worrying/fearful about something in your life?

I have been reminded that the Bible has lots to say about fear. There is nothing wrong with realistically acknowledging and trying to deal with the identifiable problems of life. The problem starts when you make up a bunch of scenerios in your head that lead you to an unhealthy place of non-stop worry that immobilzes you. I had a couple of days like that last week. I believe that God can release us from the grip of fear if we ask Him to help us.

I spent the end of last week worrying about all sorts of things that are not too big for God. He delivered Hope out of Haiti in time for her to have surgery and become a totally healthy little girl. All my fears, worrying and fretting about it changed nothing. It is easy to forget all of the things He has done for me. It is easy to forget that worrying changes NOTHING!

I confess that I have been fearful. Afraid that He would not provide for us once we are in Haiti, afraid that our house would not rent, afraid that the work in Haiti will be too hard for us ... and on and on and on --- the rest are too silly to share with you! Along with God's provision & answered prayers, the verses below were great reminders to me.

"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7)

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" (Luke 12:22-26, NIV).

How does an 11 year old pack?

We are packing stuff up ... in a most unorganized fashion. The method looks like this.
1. Grab a box 2. Walk to an area of the house that needs packing 3. Throw anything and everything into the box 4. Take a step back, think, grab a few things out of the box that you might need in Haiti 5. Put that thing you needed in a pile for Haiti 6. Carry your full box down to the downstairs room where we are storing things. It might sound like a decent plan to you --- but consider that four people are doing this.

Things Paige needs in Haiti are quite random and odd. Yesterday we found that she needs a large, framed paint by number picture she painted in third grade, a 11X13 print of a picture of herself and Troy when they were both in a wedding five years ago & a huge box of dominoes that weighs about 6 pounds.

Each bag or bin that we will check to put on the airplane, has a 50lb. weight restriction, so 6 lbs of dominoes seems like a really good idea. ;)

Getting Ready

Well, it's getting closer by the minute. The pressure of all that needs to be accomplished seems overwhelming at times. We have a meeting with our renter tomorrow afternoon to sign the lease and finalize everything. That's a little scary, there's no turning back now! We will probably need to be out of the house by December 20th, which is entirely too close. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we make our final preparations and plans. We will live at Tara's Mom and Dad's house in the meantime. There is a lot of work to be done in the next two weeks to get the house ready and organize/pack our things.

My trip last week was great and it was hard to come back. I felt at home and enjoyed getting to work down there. I definitely felt peace about it all, which was an answer to prayer. One of the craziest parts of my time there was spending time driving in Haiti. It's absolutely nuts. In places where there are sidewalks, they are crammed with makeshift stores and markets, so the pedestrians are pushed out into the "streets" (usually wide enough for one and a half cars to begin with). Vehicles are secondary users on the road, and sometimes it's a miracle you can go anywhere. The right of way belongs to whoever is gutsy enough to take it. It is a necessity to drive with horn honking and lights flashing, just to make your presence known and to show that you actually intend to get somewhere. The "official" tourism guide for Port-Au-Prince (as if there is any tourism) actually states the following rules for driving:
"1. Being stingy with one's use of the horn is as rude as it is unsafe.
2. Space in the city being limited, if two cars can slip in somewhere, there must be a way for a third one to fit in.
3. (my favorite) Priority is given to whoever is most in a hurry. In the event that two hurried cars meet, the larger of the two is given priority.
4. When parking in town, designate someone to keep an eye on your car."
(Otherwise it may not be there when you get back)

The final and most evident rule in Haitian transportation:
Fit as many people as possible on any given vehicle. Here is some evidence of that...

Words for the day

possesive- adj. 1.Pertaining to possesion or ownership 2.Overly desirous of owning or controlling.

bittersweet- adj. 1.Both bitter and sweet or pleasant and unpleasant.

emotion- n. 1. Any feeling, esp. a strong or intense feeling, as of love, joy, fear, etc., often accopanied by complex physiological changes.

This is just honesty. Today we had someone turn in an application to rent our home. Everyone except Troy found that to be a strange situation to sort out. It feels weird. Good and bad and fun and scary all at once. Troy must be the goofy one to be taking it all in stride without getting weepy or nervous. It must be difficult to be so sensible. ;)