Considering

Last nite at dinner Dawit was looking at pictures of my hubby who was is Haiti this week.  I was showing him the orphanage where Mike is staying and explaining to him what that was and how he used to live in a place like that in Ethiopia.  He right away wanted to make room in our house for these children because that is what we do.  Erik, his big bro patted him on the back in total pride of his younger brother.  It was a great moment.  We saw his heart and that was pretty special.

Mike in Haiti.

When our first set of kiddos were young we wandered into many different parenting classes and books, we loved the concept of considering the preciousness of others.  Thinking  of others who come before us, behind us, and those who are walking along side of us. Dawit was definetely thinking of others and for that I am thankful. 

We need to show and tell our children about the needs in our community and our world.  How others do not have shoes, food, shelter, parents.  As  I continued to think on that I was reminded that we also need to continue to teach that in our everyday life.  To consider the preciousness of the people who are in line with us at the fair.  Consider the preciousness of others who sit in front of us at a show or in an airplane.  Teach our children to think of others and how their actions can effect others and that we can be a blessing all the time.  Not just on special occasions or moments.    This is such a tall order but it is possible to teach them that people that sit at the table after us at a restaurant are special too so we should leave the place in good condition.  Not to mention for the staff that work there.

We can teach our kiddos to open doors for others or give up our chair for someone who looks older or who needs it.  No matter where we are we should be a blessing to others.  That might be in Haiti or in the grocery store but it should be a goal for ourselves and for teaching to our kiddos.  Who would not want to be married to a man who was taught to be a blessing!! 

It starts small but practical.  At preschool drop off we make sure that the ladies go in first.  The boys think that is pretty cool cause the girls are always surprised.  Instead of the first person who was there goes first, it is simply the boys letting the girls go first in the door because that is kind, thoughtful, and sacrificial. Well it is sacrificial because for a four year old boy being first is really important.

Drying up the sink counter after they brush their teeth so the next person has a nice clean sink.  Taking their plate to the sink after a meal.  Being quiet in the morning because others are still sleeping.   Cheering for each other when they are successful.  There a so many ways we can encourage our children to be thoughtful of others.  To serve, love, and consider the preciousness of others.  By the way, we are not super successful in many of these areas yet but hey, we are all a work in progress!!!

My works in progress looking at the funny lady behind the camera who is also in progress!

Hubby Heading to Haiti

Tent City

So excited for my Hubby.  He is heading to Haiti next week and I am praying for an incredible week of ministry.

He is going to be working with orphans and helping to build a school in a tent city similar to the one pictured above.

Hoping he will have the chance to use my blog to let us know how it going and to share what he is seeing and learning.

In the last few weeks I have been reading many blogs and material about Haiti.  It is the poorest country on the western hemisphere and it is shocking to know that an hour and half off the beautiful beaches of Florida (by plane) are many tent cities of 20,000 people living underneath tarps with raw sewage running through the walk ways.  It shocks me, it saddens me, but it also inspires me.  How could raw sewage, devastating earthquakes, and a country with a 47% illiteracy rate inspire me?

It inspires me to be thankful, resourceful, live more simply, love more freely,  give and serve without questioning, and to remember that my worst day is a dream to most in this world.

Love ya Hubby, and praying for a week full of beautiful God sightings!

Click the side button on my blog from Help One Now and read about a bunch of amazing bloggers who were in Haiti last week.

A little mud never hurt anyone.

Look what I came home to...

 A hand print that was not saved.

Bathroom door.  At least they are headed in the right direction.

This is mud!

A good washing.

Much  fun was was had.

A simple shoe can make a difference.

A few nites ago I spent a great evening with some special ladies and their daughters and cut out shoe pieces to send to Sole Hope.  An organization who helps provide shoe pieces to organizations in Uganda and Kenya.  Places in Eastern Africa who deal with a parasite called sand fleas.  They lay their eggs in peoples feet and cause enormous damage.  What is the cure?  Shoes and clean water.    Can you believe that some kids aged 5, 6, 7 have never, ever had a pair of shoes?  Never.  I look at all the shoes that my 6 kiddos have and cannot believe how blessed we are.   I do not think blessed is an accurate word for it but that's the best  I can come up with.

Here is a video that spurred this organization on,

and here is the Sole Hope video.  I love that not only did we cut out pieces for 53 children to have shoes but we enabled a women, most likely a widow to make shoes for her community.  She is learning a skill, earning an income, and providing life saving shoes for her community, the children that run in her streets.  Just awesome!!

A great nite serving and learning that we are blessed beyond anything that words could express.

Thanks ladies for a fun evening and helping to provide shoes for 53 children.

17 years seems so old

It amazes me when we celebrate birthdays how some numbers seem so much older that others.  Erik turned 17 on September 12th.  I kept commenting how old that seemed.  He of course did not feel older.  Maybe it is because I feel older.  Just ordered my glasses the other day!  Oh and the hair coloring has to be done more frequently.

What a joy it has been to watch Erik grow.  He is a witty young man who has a knock out smile and amazes me at his knowledge.  Math questions when Mike is not around go straight to Erik.  Need to know some geography, go ask Erik.  Need some AV help or sound and light expertise,  go to Erik!  Such a talented and bright young guy who melts my heart every time he plays and loves on his younger brothers.  He adores them and they adore him, as evident by their special birthday bags they made for his special day!  Pictures below.  He was such a great sport and opened every piece of paper.

 Happy 17th Birthday Erik!

A treasure

Happy Birthday sweet Megan.  You have taught me so much in your short 15 years.  So thankful for your sweet presence, kindness, patience, and joy in the simple things.  You have taught me and reminded me not to worry about the small stuff and to take things day by day.  I treasure you and the gift you are to this family.

Love you Meganator!!

E-Man

Look at that handsome dude!  Such a loving young man.  He adores his little brothers.  I often find him wrestling or putting one of them on his shoulders so they can have a better view or be able to keep up with the crew.  He often can tell when they just need to get their wiggles out and will take them off to the side to run, play ball, or be silly.

On saturday of graduation I got to secretly see(Just happened to be in the right place at the right time) a big brother moment.  8 years ago we went on a Missions trip to Mexico and built a house for a family who days before had lost the bus they were living in to an explosion.  They lost their 2 year old daughter and the rest of the family suffered many burns and they lost everything.  It was our first missions trip as a family and it was an experience that we will never forget.  Erik saved a piece of that melted bus and made a necklace out of it as a gift for Sean on graduation day.  As they hugged and had a special moment I was glad to be off in the distance to see it.  So thoughtful and wonderful to see.  And yes I cried.  Crying right now as I remember the moment.

 Thankful for their relationship as it has grown and deepened this last year.  They still fight and argue but love each other deeply.

So excited for Erik this summer.  Lots going on.  2 weeks in a camper leadership training program. Then off to Africa for 2 weeks and lots of training for his favorite sport, cross country.

Love you E-man!!  :)