be all there.

I'm sitting in the first floor of the library. It feels like Antarctica and I have a huge essay midterm tomorrow. I'm huddled in my corner, trying to study, and all I want to do is be in Haiti. I want to see my sweet godson, Pootchy. I want to swing with him in a hammock and make sure he knows how much God loves him. I want to walk through the village and visit my sweet friend, Cherlie, whos baby I pray is still alive. I want to be in La Source, soaking in the contrast of such a beautiful place trashed (literally) by the garbage washing up from the ocean. I want to be in Port-au-Prince, starting my internship at the orphanage. I want to get to know those kids, to be immersed in a culture much different from my own. I want to be overwhelmed by it all. I want to learn how I can be most helpful there. I want to be there, because I feel like it's more important. I feel like telling people about the Hope we have is way more important than staring at a computer screen & passing a Marriage & Family Therapy test. And then I remember a quote from a man that I greatly respect, the missionary Jim Elliot, who said:

“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

And that brings me back to reality. Right now I am in school. That is where I am supposed to be. I don't want to go through the motions of the next few months and miss out on opportunities I have. Because that's living for the next thing. I'm reminded to glorify God where I am, right now. And right now, I'm in the library. And later this week, I'll go to class, play a flag football game, and then go to a Halloween party. So I'll do those things with joy, because this is God's will for the right now. Investing in people here, in the right now. Making memories in the right now. Loving my roommates well right now. And that's all I need to know. Believe me, I am still looking forward to being in Haiti. But right now, I'm going to live in the right now, and be all there. 

the first post.

I'm not much for blogs. I'd rather be running or singing or laughing or napping or anything else. I'm not a wanna-be-gourmet-chef, and my arts & crafts projects are not what I'd call "blog worthy."  But soon I'll be embarking on an adventure, and I want you to come with me. 

In January, I will be taking a team from my campus ministry, Reformed University Fellowship to the village of La Source, Haiti. If you know me, you know how much I love this village. My senior year at Augusta Christian, I was blessed with the opportunity to take a trip with Bill & Lisa Adams to La Source. We spent a week doing Vacation Bible School, playing soccer, and just living out the gospel with these kids. That week changed my life. I had fallen in love with the country of Haiti. And I had fallen in love with a 4 year old boy named Poutchy. I promised that I would come back again to see him. Little did I know what that promise would mean. For the past 3 years, I have gone back to La Source, missing a week of classes at Georgia Southern in order to minister in the village. We have done medical clinics, Vacation Bible Schools, food distribution, school sponsorships, and so much more. And when I say "we" I really mean God. He has truly blessed our ministry in this village. He is at work in the lives of these Haitians, and I am truly amazed at the opportunities He continues to provide for us to do His work. 

So, this time instead of going with a high school group, I get to take my whole family and some RUF friends to experience La Source. We will be there the 1st week in January. I am so excited to go back, and can't wait to see what's in store for us. It's bound to be an adventure. I can't wait for the Creole food, the boat ride, the games, the prayer times, the roosters at 3 am, the late night chats & early morning sunrises, the home visits, the laughter, the tears, and the beauty of watching the Lord work. 

When the team comes back after that week, I'll be staying in Port-au-Prince to intern at the Maison des Enfants de Dieu, a children's home partnering with For His Glory Outreach. I'll fill you in on details of what I'll actually be doing soon, probably about the same time I actually find out! I do know that I'll be working with the children on a daily basis and with adoptive parents as they come to see the kids. I'm unbelievably excited for this opportunity, & I can't wait to see all that it entails. Until then, peace & blessings.