Haiti has my Heart....

Haiti has been on my mind today. Where do I even begin to talk about something that is so close and dear to my heart. I left my heart in Haiti almost two years ago. I adore the Haitian people more than I could ever even begin to explain to someone who has never spent a day in the life of "Haiti."

I signed up for a trip to Haiti a few months after the earthquake hit in 2010. I was determined to flee from my comfort zone and help someone else in need. When I got to Haiti it was like a whole other world. It looks absolutely nothing like America. Although an earthquake hit and devastated the city, I had never seen such a beautiful piece of land. It's a place where you can look one way and see an ocean and the other direction; beautiful mountains. I had instantly given away my heart. After a day or so I found myself in bed and at the doctor's office for the remainder of the trip. I felt I had missed this amazing opportunity to love on these people and was crushed.

 I was determined to go back. This past May I boarded a plane ready to face my fears of illness and disappointment. My goal was to love a child and I can not begin to describe the overwhelming joy it is to love a Haitian child. The struggles of life hit these children hard but they get back up the next morning ready to tackle another day with smiles on their faces. They are more than an inspiration; they are what I strive everyday to be like.

Haiti has my heart and it will forever. I think about the joy I have when I am in the midst of heat and giant spiders and more than anything the arms of a Haitian child and am overwhelmed with happiness. I thank God everyday for the time he gave me in Haiti to learn and grow and find something most people in life will never find. I found my passion. A passion for children who have nothing yet love life. A passion for people who live each day in struggle but continue to overcome. Haiti is beautiful and beyond anything I ever expected. Haiti changed my life and someday when I embrace the role of mom for a young Haitian child I will forever be thankful for Haiti.

Family...

A lot of things have been on my mind lately. This past weekend I was able to spend some much needed time with some distant family who I don't always have the privilege of seeing all the time. We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas and a few birthdays..and as I sat and talked with all of my beautiful and wonderful cousins, I began to think about this past year.

This past memorial day weekend my family celebrated yet another graduation (and they shall continue). It was a fabulous weekend full of laughter and memories to be shared. But that weekend also brought tragedy and a day our family will always remember..not only from the memory etched in our brains but also from the physical scars. With that accident came several months of recovery and sadness but also thankfulness for our family and safety.

When I sat around the room with my cousins a thought crossed my mind. Life is full of accidents and scars and hard times..but I find that to be comforting. God made us fragile beings..and with each day something could happen that could change the way we live our lives or don't. Because we are fragile and each day brings happiness or heartache, we are given the opportunities to be strong and brave and faithful. I know it sounds cliche but we should  always live our lives in such a way that today could be our very last.

I watched my cousin Kelsey as she showed her scars to our family. This is a girl who has been through so much in the past months since that day. Although she never anticipated her life to change that day..she has faced it head on and in my eyes overcome one of lives many battles. Life leaves scars sometimes..but I find those scars to be the things that make us into the people we were born to be..whether physical or emotional. I am extremely proud of the girl Kelsey is becoming and I am proud to call her family. It is encouraging to me and many others to watch from the front lines a true testimony of faith and perseverance. I pray everyday that Kelsey's scars will be used for good and positive things throughout her entire life..and with my faith in my Jesus..I know that He will make that possible for her. 

Family is a gift from God..and I am beyond thankful for mine. I am thankful for the people that He chose to be my family and I am thankful for the people my cousins are becoming. As I sat with them this past weekend and listened to their stories and excitement for pinterest..I silently thank God for each and every one of them and I will continue to do so.