The Journal

Two of my friends have recently posted blog stories about the lives of certain inanimate objects. They are more savvy than I, and know how to post names in their blog that lead to a link that connects you to that person's blog. Like if they typed "Carrie" it would be a different color and if you clicked on it, it would take you to my blog. Since I don't know how to do that, I'll just tell you that it is Becky and Jeana that have inspired me to write the story of..... The Journal. So here it is...

Once upon a time there was a beautiful spiral bound journal. It was full of lined pages just waiting to receive a story. A woman who loved beautiful things and loved to journal fell in love with the beautiful journal and bought it for her very own.



She started writing in it one day, just relating the happenings of the day, even wondering on paper if she would be the faithful writer that she desired to be. She wrote of talking with her daughter on the phone, in far away Texas. The beautiful journal was very happy. It loved keeping memories for this wonderful lady. It loved the warm feeling of her hand on it's pages as she wrote. And it was proud to bear such beautiful handwriting in it's pages, in purple ink that matched the lines on the pages.



Not long after that first entry, the woman joined her family on a trip to Nebraska. Her dad, her husband, her children and grandchildren and her siblings were on this trip. They visited many memorable sights from the father's growing up years, saw the old homestead, where he went to school, where he met his wife (their mother) and many more places that the father remembered; and were meaningful to the family with Native American heritage. The woman recorded many of the stories the father told, writing details of the family's history in the pages of the journal. Oh what joy to contain a lifetime of memories, the history of a family! The journal was very pleased and proud to be a part of this family's heritage keeping.

Well, life happened, and the beautiful journal got set aside after the trip to Nebraska. The woman and her husband eventually moved to be nearer to the rest of their family, and the beautiful journal was placed on a bookshelf in the woman's new bedroom. The daughter became the housekeeper for her parents and on occasion would read some of the woman's journal entries as she dusted.

Time moved on, and the wonderful woman died, making her writings in the journal all the more precious to the daughter. The daughter decided she might like to have the journal, to pick up where the wonderful woman left off, and start recording her own daily happenings in the beautiful journal's pages. The woman's husband requested that the pages with the woman's writing be torn out before the daughter took the journal to her house, thinking how wonderful it would be to make a scrap book of the family history writings. The daughter did a naughty thing then. She tore out the Nebraska trip pages as requested by her father, but left in the first page.... the part about the wonderful woman's conversation with her back when she had lived in Texas and was pregnant with baby number three. (Shhh! Please don't tell my dad! :) )

The journal was sad to lose the story of the family's history, but understood that it's pages would not be forgotten, but instead copied several times and put into a place of honor to be passed on to the woman's children and grandchildren someday. And secretly, it was pleased to keep at least one little remnant of the wonderful woman's writing.

And now the beautiful journal sits beside the bed of the daughter, ready and waiting to feel the warmth of her hand as she writes in its pages of the happenings of her life and the life of her family. Ready to bear the handwriting that is not quite so elegant as the mother's but bear's a resemblance even so.

101 gifts (My version of the "One Thousand Gifts" book)

A while back I started reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts". You've probably heard of it, or even read it. Well, I read about half of it, but honestly, I just don't do that well with non-fiction. I know, terrible confession. But it's true. I rarely make it through all of a non-fiction book. Anyway, the premise of the book stuck with me. Basically, it's to focus on the gifts God has put in our lives - tiny ones to huge ones, and doing so helps us live a life of gratitude, which helps us be more thoughtful, more focused on God, less gripey and complainy, and hopefully opens our eyes to the wonder of God all around us each and every day. The author recommends writing down a handful of blessings every day, and eventually you get to 1,000. Then it's time to start over and do another 1,000. I haven't been very diligent in getting to 1,000, but over the last several months, I have compiled a list of 100 or so (got a ways to go to reach 1,000!!)and my blog is a perfect place to record those blessings. I started in March, skipped some time from May through July, and am back at it. So here goes....

1. A 14 year old boy who still likes to be tucked in.
2. Kitten and Dog morning greetings.
3. Flannel pj's, old and soft.
4. Robin's egg blue.
5. The quiet of morning.
6. The smell of freshly brewed coffee.
7. Anticipation of a day at Aunt Pam's.
8. Faithful old Sally-car.
9. Yellow kitchen and cherry valances.
10. A living room messy with life.
11. A yellow mug that says "Each day is a gift from God."
12. Coffee and a visit with Aunt Pam.
13. Little birdies with red wings and white breasts on the hedge.
14. Fat brown squirrel on a cement block.
15. Bright purple azaleas.
16. The promise of Spring.
17. Sunshine in the afternoon, warm on my skin.
18. Kids laughing and playing at the park.
19. Friends and chatting while the kids play.
20. Laura's message about keeping Katie while we go to Haiti.
21. Family time - relaxed, not rushed - around the dinner table.
22. Being called "Aunt Carrie" by Joseph.
23. Conversation with Katie about being nervous for the track meet.
24. Talking for an hour with my love.
25. Planning a menu with my love.
26. An achy body to remind me that I worked hard and am able to work hard.
27. Primroses peeking out of shadows.
28. Making muffins with Rosie.
29. A mommy sandwich with Rosie and Nattie crusts.
30. An evening at home.
31. Cleaning out the car - the whole family.
32. Girly giggles - both the fake ones and the real ones.
33. Lunch and fellowship with friends.
34. Talking with Katie girl about womanhood.
35. A son who does his work diligently and thoroughly.
36. A car that has served us well, met our needs for the last 10 years.
37. The opportunity to share that car with those who need it in Haiti.
38. Instrumental hymns playing on Pandora.
39. Handwriting that looks like Mom's.
40. Kitten peeking over the table top.
41. A husband who loves the Lord.
42. Sun rising in the cloudless blue.
43. Bright eyed, smiling little girl with "high up" ponytail. (Nattie)
44. Shopping and lunch with friends.
45. The reason for the shopping trip - bridal shower gift for future "Mary-mom".
46. Birds chirping in the quiet of morning.
47. Ticking clock - always steady, always sure.
48. The promise of starting over in a new day.
49. Wind blowing my hair wild through the open car window.
50. Setting sun shining on golden tall grasses.
51. Happy children swimming in Aunt Pam's pool.
52. A swimsuit I really actually like!
53. Prayers and dinner as a family.
54. Sunkissed cheeks and little noses.
55. A bed that's made.
56. The smell of Reid.
57. My new family/friends in Haiti.
58. Being up before everyone else.
59. Music!
60. Golden fields of wheat.
61. Bride and Groom. (Josh and Ashley)
62. Dancing whirling little girls.
63. A ride home with Rhonda.
64. Single perfect rose in sunshine.
65. Angels who cleaned my house top to bottom, including every speck of laundry done
while I was away in Haiti.
66. Air conditioning.
67. A new bed frame.
68. Blue and turquoise cotton pajama pants.
69. Clucking chickens.
70. Saturdays!
71. Warm summer air.
72. A clean house - thanks to my friends!
73. Rearranged laundry room that feels more spacious.
74. My handy hubby who spent time extending the washing machine hoses so that I could move the washing machine to a better location.
75. Fun pens.
76. Pictures- snapshots of life and special events.
77. My Haiti experience.
78. My Haiti friends.
79. Little girls' polka dotted toe nails.
80. Blossoming beauty in my Katie girl.
81. Watching my kids interact with little Gabriel.
82. Delicious gluten free goodies from a bakery near my friend's house.
83. Time with Rhonda and Steve.
84. Coffee and quiet in the mornings.
85. Son's face lit up, holding the fish he caught.
86. Playing Quiddler with friends.
87. Crazy antics of Tiger the kitten.
88. Loyal loving dog at the foot of my chair.
89. Roses! Beautiful and fragrant.
90. Growing tomatoes in the front yard.
91. A few moments alone in the middle of the day.
92. Waking to the smell of coffee - which means Reid was mindful of me this morning.
93. Being home after a short trip.
94. Sleeping in our own bed after a trip.
95. New school supplies.
96. Paper and pencil.
97. Sun streaming into the kitchen where I sit.
98. Fresh eggs from our chickens.
99. Motivated Moms task lists.
100. Friends!
101. Water Polo coach full of praise for the boy after the first day.

OK, it may have been tedious for you to read through this list, but I sure enjoyed revisiting all those blessings, big and small, mostly the small ones. :) Makes me look forward to continuing on - maybe even all the way to 1,000!

Haiti

People keep asking me if going to Haiti was a life changing experience for me. And I keep wondering if something is wrong with me because it wasn't an earth shattering, life altering experience for me. It is more a subtle new awareness I've gained by being there.

I loved being in Haiti. I can't wait to go back, and to take my kids. I miss my brothers and sisters I got to know there, and love that we are connected now, in spirit, in prayer, by phone and email and on facebook. :)

How does one describe in words what it felt like to smell the smells, see the people, ride on the street, feel the heat, end the day sweaty, dusty, hot, but filled? To be served and to serve? I can't put it into words eloquently, but I will try to relay a taste of what I experienced and came away with.

Much of our time was spent at the home of the St. Gelus family. Pastor Riccardo and his wife Misselaine have a vibrant ministry in Port Au Prince. They pour themselves and their resources into serving the people around them. It was such a blessing to be with them, to see their passion and love for people and for God. Our team put running water and solar power and appliances into their house. No more outhouse. No more outdoor water pump. No more cooler full of ice to cool things. Hello toilet, shower, kitchen sink, washing machine. Hello ceiling fans, dryer, and refrigerator. Things we just expect to have in our houses in America. God used us to bless them, so that they can be even further equipped and freed up to bless others. And that blessed us.

Riccardo and Misselaine are wonderful, humble people. They are content. They work hard. They have 6 great kids. :) I learned from them to remember that our joy, our contentment comes from Christ and in serving Him, and that the weather, my old ratty carpet with matted spots and a rip or two, my weedy yard, and many other "inconveniences" aren't worth complaining about.

Time was slower in Haiti. It seemed that we spent a lot of time trying to get from one place to another, just trying to buy supplies, eating :) and spending time with people. But you know what? Everything we set out to accomplish got done. And more! After about the third day, I stopped stressing about what time it was, and how we were going to spend the time we had, and just let myself go with the flow and be flexible. And I was always surprised at how much time seemed to be in each day! Coming home, that means not always rushing around trying to get my tasks done before I spend time with my family and friends, and realizing that everything will get done in time. And it does. :) People should often be a higher priority than tasks, though practically speaking there must be time for tasks too.

I loved spending time with the kids at Vacation Bible School. I loved playing with Emannuel and Rothschild (Riccardo and Misselaine's youngest two) and their cousins and friends. I loved riding around and laughing and talking with Jerry (their son) and Reggie, a family friend. They translated for us and drove us all over the place. I loved having long talks with Lindel, the neighbor teen who also translated for us. He was so hungry for learning and knowledge - a sponge. I loved sitting with Misselaine, even though we were unable to converse much because of the language barrier. She is very dear to my heart. I loved hearing Riccardo talk of his dreams for ministry, and seeing him interact with all of us, and all of the people that were always in and out of his house. I loved trying new fruits and foods. I loved visiting the kids in the orphanage. I loved getting a taste of Palto's life (their son who lives here in Newberg now and goes to our church.) I loved being there with my Dad, seeing him be God's hands and feet. I loved watching my husband preach while Riccardo interpreted, and seeing him serve in this country. I loved the unity of our team, and getting to know the other 11 members of our team even better than I knew them before. I loved riding through the streets and seeing all the people. I loved being about the only white people in a huge city. I loved being surrounded by children speaking Creole and trying to learn some of their language. I was fascinated by the traffic and the roads, how the people live, the tent cities, the street markets. I was saddened to see the destruction from the earth quake, the garbage filling the sidewalks and streets, the thousands of displaced people trying to get by day to day.

I'm not sure when we'll get to go back, but I know we will. And I look forward to it with an eager heart. Eager to see God do more amazing things. Eager to serve. Eager to bless and be blessed. And most of all, eager to spend more time with the family and friends I fell in love with there.