Hello Everyone

Well hello everyone! Many times over the past week or two the thought has crossed my mind ...."I need to blog about that!" I just have not had the time to do so! So today when thinking back over a few things I decided to sit down & share....if only for a few minutes!

 The two Mission teams that were here for Hope Vision left after a Great trip on January 6th.  I was thankful to meet new friends & even get to meet some of their teenagers that were here on the trip! I am looking forward to seeing them again & am glad to now be "Facebook" friends!! I will admit that at times.....I simply want to Delete Facebook for so many reasons! You know...the junk you see, the time that is wasted, the way things are perceived wrong, etc... BUT one thing is true....it is the BIGGEST way I keep up with so many friends & family back in America! We are able to share about all that goes on here, pictures of our kids, & it really shows you parts of our lives!! It just helps us not seem so far away!! ANYWAY...... :D
   I have spent almost the last two weeks subbing at Sonlight Academy here in Port-de-Paix.  This is the school our children go to.  We do not have any teams coming this month & the 8th grade teacher had gone to visit family in the U.S. for Christmas & had gotten sick.  He was not able to return as scheduled so I was Excited to be able to help!! I will be honest I LOVED IT!!! :D I never thought I would enjoy a group of 19 teenagers like I have! I always thought Elementary kids would be easier....but now I am not so sure!! Those friends of mine that have known me longest know that when I first went to college I wanted to be an elementary school teacher.  I spent about 3 years at Southern Arkansas University as an Elementary Education / Early Childhood development Major!! Although I have always enjoyed Nursing I have wondered through the years if I made the right choice!! So helping here was like the best of both worlds!!  I enjoyed getting to know them through some creative writing as well as teach them!! I have also enjoyed hearing our friend Rob Shoaff (another new missionary to Haiti this year) teach Bible to these kids!! I am so glad to see what my kids are learning while at this school & see what a GREAT education they are getting while surrounded by Spirit filled teachers!! Here are a few pictures I wanted to share!

boys have to be cool & not smile in Haiti too :)

TEST Time! 

Mr. Rob brining the WORD!! Such a Great teacher!

While teaching I have also gotten to spend more time with my kids....in the mornings, we walked to school together, they would stop by the room to see me at times, & we all walked home together!! I really enjoyed that time. One day as we were walking my Meredith was holding my hand & skipping along & she looked up at me, smiled & said "momma, I'm so glad we moved to Haiti.  I just love it here!" - It caught me completely off guard & I wanted to cry! It was so sweet!! I said, " I love it too MerMer, doing what God wants you to do really does make you really happy!!" - she just gave me that Big ole Grin like only she can do :D <3  - LOVE HER!!! Another day my Levi came in my room & said..."Hey momma, does Mrs Irlande (e-lon) work for us??" - I wasn't real sure where he was going with that so I said, "well son, she helps us by cooking for our family because momma doesn't know how to cook all the Haitian food, so yes, she does." Levi then said - "Do we pay her every day??" - I was kind of worried where he was going but I just answered "we don't pay her EVERY day, but we pay her at the end of the month for every day she has worked." - My sweet boy then smiled really big & said "I THOUGHT SO....I WANT TO GIVE THIS TO MRS.IRLANDE FOR HELPING US" then my sweet boy reached out his hand & gave me his 25goudes (the equivalent of 5 Haitian dollars or .58cents American) he had been saving from the tooth fairy!! <3 <3 He could have bought himself a coke, or some cookies but he wanted to give his money to the sweet lady who he has grown to love that works in our home every day!!!  - I am so thankful for my children & how they are growing.  I love their little hearts!!!

I am thankful for all the blessings & little things like that because I have been struggling with a few other things & God has been just showing us Love.
Just this week our Tyler started college at Southern Arkansas University.  He is now all moved in to his dorm room & his first 2 days of college are behind him!  He turns 19 this Sunday & well......I have cried a few times already!! Moms should move their kids to college & be at Birthdays....right?? I have to realize kids grow up & it's ok....but my heart misses my Tyler!!! I am glad to see that he is LOVING it but sad that the little stinker hasn't sent me any pictures!!! BOYS!!!! Teenage boys at that!! HA - I am a very proud mom & I know he is going to do Great! I can't wait to see him in June!! *So here is a pic of my cute boy & my niece Leslie who also started college in August!! Praying for God's will in their lives!! (these 2 grew up waaaay to fast)

Lots of other things going on but that is all for now! Please remember us in your prayers & we will pray for you! I HAVE A VERY VERY SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST FOR A FRIEND BACK IN ALABAMA....PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR HER & HER FAMILY!!! GOD KNOWS!!

Looking forward to seeing some of you soon!!
Much Love -
Angie