the Real Love Movement was inspired by the truths written in the Bible and in Elisabeth's book, Putting Fairy Tales to Shame. Here you'll find her weaving of words, a little creativity, and, it's prayed, some healing for your sweet soul. Comment, share, and be a part of the desperately needed Real Love Movement!
Be sure to go to Elisabeth's main site www.elisabethhuijskens.com

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I visited that piece of me in Haiti...

I stepped off the plane, and onto the tarmac. I took in all that is Haiti. I basked in the Haitian heat that danced on my skin. I inhaled the always smoky smell that never seems to leave Haiti's air. And of course I got in an argument with a Haitian within 2 minutes of me being there (long story)... All of it is Haiti, all of it tugged a smile at my lips. Cars were honking, residents were begging, people were starring mercilessly. Suddenly, I fell in love all over again. I fell in love with the country of Haiti fast and hard, with its people, its faith, its smells and sounds. Its a love that the Lord has placed in my heart for a reason. Its a love that makes my relationship with God personal, special, and intimate. Haiti is the place where I see and feel Him the most. I praise God for putting Haiti in my life and in my heart, and for bringing me there and using me for His purposes.

My trip, of course, was amazing. I enjoyed spending time with Megan and seeing the Cundiffs again! I had the privilege of photographing the meeting of Isaiah Daniel's birthmother and his mama, Sarah. It was a beautiful and touching thing to witness. I was reminded that God is weaved into these adoptions. Through God we are connecting culture and family in a perfect bond. I'm very grateful that I was able to be there.

Seeing the kids again was such an answered prayer!! I was so happy to be with them all again and be able to love on them. We also got to go to Hotel Ibolele (I think that's how you spell it), which was a lot of fun. The pool and view of Haiti was great. The team was fantastic! They painted the wall outside and brought down some great stuff for the O.

I was also happy about going to Port au Prince Fellowship which has been a meeting place for God and I several times. It always seems to be more than a church. Love for the Lord is booming out the speakers as everyone raises their voices higher and higher for Him. While looking around at the worshipers it's hard to hold back tears. Its an amazing God thing. (:


Song: Love Is Here... Artist: Tenth Anveue North
And if there is love anywhere in this world, it certainly would be in Haiti.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Tomorrow...

... I'M GOING TO HAITI!!! And I'm aching to be there already. Also, a year ago tomorrow will be the day that I was baptized. I'll be a year old in Christ!! I feel so blessed that my Baptism Birthday will be spent in Haiti, a perfect opportunity to serve God in one of my favorite ways...

I really can't wait. I can't wait to be surrounded by all the loving, happy kids again. I can't wait to be in the place the I love so much, to be in the middle of all that is Haiti. I can't wait to be amidst the hope and faith that I have never seen anywhere but there. Can't wait to see Megan, and the kids at the school. I can't wait to clean and work under the hot Haitian sun.

I can assure all of the adoptive parents that your kids will be loved on unconditionally. I'm more than happy to send special request hugs and kisses (though they need not be requested necessarily :) Be prepared for a LOT of pictures!!

Thank you, Lord for opening the door for me to go to Haiti once again. Work through me when I'm there. You know how much I love it there and I pray that I would bring only glory to your name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Living Melodies

I am the instrument, and God the musician
I cannot play, cannot make beautiful music alone
What sounds do I make, what notes do I portray
The melody is there, but I'm useless without Your hands

Wondering which strings my heart strum
What keys do my actions press
How do my feet dance on the drums
May my life play an angelic song

I cry out loud with a prayer fierce with longing
To make music the way You once did
Two thousand years ago, far out across the sea
Perhaps the longing enhances my voice for You

Tune me and play me
The instrument is nothing without its Musician
Lend me Your ears, let me hear my song
So I can re-write it, to make You dance


elisabethhuijskens
april 15, 2009

Inspriation: 2Timothy 2:21 ~ "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

Sunday, March 22, 2009

My Theme Song...

Lately, I have have been struggling with struggles that can seem extremely pathetic in comparison to most burdens. For me, they have been weighing me down, keeping me from a happiness I once felt and yearned to feel once more. Music has been a refuge in all my seasons, a different handful of songs for a different season - most of which are worship songs, for there I find a more reliable strength. After singing "Desert Song" by Jill McCloghry and Brooke Fraser (one of my favorite worship leaders) at church this morning, I feel I have started a new and brighter season. I have heard this song before, but God answered my prayers today in giving me this song. Nothing can show the extent of my gratitude.. So, I'll simply sing the song that He has so graciously spoken to me through...

Here is a video of Jill McCloghry, who sings "Desert Song" with Brooke Fraser. It is a truly moving video and helped me so incredibly much when I was stumbling, trying to get back on my feet... I hope it does the same for you...

Are you crying? (; I now have a whole different perspective on how important it is to praise God through EVERYTHING.

And so begins my new season...

Friday, March 6, 2009

My Heart in Words

The Lord exposes to my heart His works through seasons. For the past three years, every March, due to lease agreements and the Will of God, my family and I move to a new house and attempt once again to transform it into a home. God saw it fit (for some reason) to continue the pattern again this year, this March. Now. I see how each house in the past years have brought me new growth. I see the lessons that come from each season and in return I harbor mixed feelings....

~I think of the good times and miss them so much it hurts. Then again, what good would it do to relive them? They have been lived, they are done, they are perfect, they are beautiful memories. All I do now is hold on to them, but seeing as that is all I can do anyway, it does more than suffice. So, I just smile.

~I think of the embarrassing times and wish I could redo them. Then again, I would have not gained the wisdom and knowledge that I received while reaching my hand to Jesus' loving out-stretched arm. I would not be the young lady that I am today. So, I bask in my life experiences.

~I think of all the hardships and burdens and cry out to the Lord, asking why He would do that to me, why He would change things when they were just perfect. Then again, I realize all the strength I have gained and how it just creates intimacy between Him and I. So, I feel safe.

~I think of the unknown that lies ahead and I'm afraid. Then again, I know that whatever happens I have a God who loves me unconditionally and irrevocably. Everything He does in my life is out of love for me. I have friends and family who will be there and helping me, even if I don't admit to it all of the time and they have no idea. So, I see brightness.

I am extremely excited to leave in this house the bad and troubling memories (though taking the lessons gained) and bring the good memories with me. I hope that this "newness" I am about to leap into will only bring healing.

As I'm sure many of you can relate, the changing of seasons and motions can be vicious and at times cause physical pain to the soul. I don't want to move again. But I am. We can't always control the seasons, but that's most likely a good thing. I have been relying on God's sovereignty. Although that's really all I have to rely on anyway.

My first house in Florida brought me pure growth as far as nearing myself to Jesus.

My second house in Florida (the one I am currently moving out of), however brought multiple life lessons. There was a lesson on Redemption, where I lived in my Bible and prayed constantly, I felt as if my mind as almost one with His as my Father took me back. There was a lesson on Thanksgiving, where the world felt perfect and I knew that He deserved never-ending praise because of it. There was a lesson on Patients, where I had to learn to live life happy and to the fullest as I waited for what I wanted. Then came the most brutal: my lesson on Dependence, here I had to learn to depend solely on Him while He moved some things around in my life. Now, my final lesson from this house, would have to be Acceptance. I think now, while writing this post, I have finally accepted the happenings of my life. I am bringing back optimism.

I am amazed at how much better I feel after letting go of my thoughts. I thank you sincerely for listening to them, as a real friend would.... I love the God who I can trust in and fully believe that everything will be ok.

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." - Gail Sheehy

Saturday, February 21, 2009

When I say "I am a Christian"

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I 'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
~~Carol Wimmer

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Could be Worse, Could be Tanzania

I find my self in a very particular, and for me odd, spot lately where it is easy to say, "my life is messed up". Things I want, I can't have. Things I want to see happen, aren't happening. The burdens I want lifted - be it the burdens of my own or a loved one's, do not rise. I think things are bad, ruined - but really they are not! I only think that because the happenings as of late are inferior to what I want. The unfolding of my life now, at this second, my emotions and longings, its where God wants me and my life to be. That's how I take comfort. A little bit.

Psalm 33:11 ~ "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations". God, thank you for being the ever powerful and Sovereign Lord that you are. Thank you for embracing your children when they are lost and confused. Help us to remember that your hand is upon us, that you never abandon your faithful ones. Once again it is my prayer, as is forever, that you will make your Will clear to my eyes which are stained by the sin of the world. Please, grant me the smallest bit of understanding as you work your wonders and miracles in my life and in the lives intertwined with mine. Thank you. I love you. In your loving Name I pray. Amen.

I know that my days are not really bad, its just not what I want and that's stupid to let aggravate me. I have a good life. My family, my friends, and I are all healthy. I live in a great house, have easy access to food, ect. I listened to Alli Roger's song "Tanzania" and had a change of heart...
I need not sing, "Someday I will wake where the Earth is clean and safe; where my children have a place to play. Not here in Tanzania. And someday I will in a house that build by hands that hold the world".... I need not sing how its, "hard to be a mother, and its hard to be a woman, and its hard to live in Africa sometimes".

I've been to these places. I know Haiti. I have touched the hands that are attached a mourning and troubled soul. My soul is not worthy to be proclaimed as a soul that mourns compared to those who I am referring to now. I have a great life, full of things and people that I love and for some reason they love me in return.

Now, I move on through life, one foot in front of the other. I think of the Serenity Prayer, one of my favorite, "trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will". And that's where I find comfort, in my marvelously and eternally Sovereign God.