Shaking Still

Did you hear something on the news about Haiti today? Perhaps. Did you know that Haiti recently had two more earthquakes? Maybe, but it wasn't worth doing anything about. Did someone tell you that after the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Haiti's people are still recovering from it? You assumed so, right? But it's old news now. There's no need to talk about it.

The earth may have stopped moving, but people are still shaken.

I feel stupid saying that the earthquake changed my life. It sounds naive. However, it did, immensely. I can't even begin to explain. Can you imagine how the lives of those who were in the earthquake are feeling today?

I remember everything from January 2010. Staying up till the wee hours of the night watching CNN. Constantly networking with people through the internet to learn and provide others with new information. Crying, Praying, Fasting. And going to meet all the Three Angels kids when they got here in the United States and staying with six of them over night at a foster care center until their forever families picked them up. It's hard to remember and to thinking about. Somedays, it's even painful.

But I will never forget. And it makes me sick to think that people have -- especially after publicly saying they wouldn't. Why have people decided that they don' need to donate anymore? Or that this problem is solved and not longer needed to be shared?

I feel I've been doing a little something to help lately. By this, I am not saying that I am better than others. I would feel weird discussing the subject any further after what I have just written. It's a little thing I'm doing, but it makes my heart happy, and I like to think it will make someone else in Haiti a bit happier too.

I could say more, and I probably will later. Thank you to all of you who are still offering yourselves to Haiti Relief, to those who haven't forgotten.

Leve Project is a-growin'!

So, I think, when I say "go" you should stop reading and click on the link that will be under this paragraph labeled "Leve Project's Website." It will led you on a journey through cyberspace to a website that God is using to empower the people of Haiti. Sound good? Ok. Ready? ... GO!

Leve Project's Website

(there is also a link on my right sidebar.)

How was it? Feel that stir in your soul? That pull in your heart? That's what I like to call the Holy Spirit, my friends. Follow it, embrace it. You won't regret it.

PS ~ The Leve Project blog has a new post, check it out. (;

The Funk

I've been missing that piece of my heart that I left in Haiti 7 years ago. Usually I have an idea of when I go back, and at the moment, I have no idea. The fact that I haven't been back since the earthquake is bothering me more and more. Homesick-ness is taking over me.

I'm not complaining about my life here, because I have a great one. I'm never bored, have great friends, a great church, and I'm thankful that I get to feel like I'm serving God every now and again. However, it when I see things like these...

...they bring both sorrow and comfort. I stand firm in the truth that God isn't finished with me in Haiti yet. I pray he never will be.

The periods of time away from Haiti are used to teach me a lot. The most important thing I've learned is that the greatest thing I can do is to never be silent about what I've seen, what I've heard, what I've felt. It's been 7 years since that plane brought me to that tarmac in Port-au-Prince for the first time. And after seeing what I saw, no one could keep silent.

I'll be home soon.

O, End of Semester

I have three more weeks of classes. My first year of college has never been dull, and I'm sure I'll write more about its adventures later... If I survive, that is. As I'm sure many of you can relate, with summer's quick approach, my teachers "have no choice" but to load on the homework. As a matter a fact, I should be studying some Hamlet right about now. I have several tests and papers this week, not to mention finals during the next. I'm sure you're right there with me. Dear friends, I fear this will be the end of me...

On that note, if anyone needs me, I will be here with my books, all week long.

(no, that ugly chair does not belong to us.)

I was so kindly invited today, by the overwhelming blessings of my cumfy bed, many exciting books to dive into, time-capturing pictures, a green Jacket, and a Coke; by the Sun's warm rays which were winking at me through tree limbs out side of my window. I was invited to sit by my windowsill and feel the presence of a Giving, Saving, Loving, Beautiful God. Have I mentioned that I love Spring?

I believe...

...that my life is a fairy tale.

Does that mean my life is always "sunshine, lollipops and rainbows"? No. But what is a fairy tale without hard expeditions, villains, and dragons? I know every life has at least one of these in some form, otherwise you're probably not living. Do you think Belle loved her life when the Beast locked her father in a dungeon? I don't remember Cinderella singing songs when her step-mother and step-sisters tore her beautiful gown.

What makes a fairy tale, a fairy tale?

I am a feminine heart searching for myself through the happenings of everyday. I have battles to fight, hurtles to overcome, and dragons to slay. Although, like all the other princesses, like all the other humans, I can't do it alone. I don't have any dwarves or talking home decor to assist me, but I have loved ones who help me defeat the Evil One. I have forever dreamt of true love and a knight coming to save me. I have my castle, my treasures, great Love, and green open fields to run through. It is hard for me to see sometimes.. but all of it is there.

Actually, a lot of what makes our lives fairy tales is invisible.."for our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Does that sound "normal"? What about Heaven and Hell?

Those fairy tale books have nothing on the Bible! For those of you who thought that your life is boring, I don't see how you could continue believing such a lie. Because that's what it is: a lie whispered into your heart by the Enemy. (An enemy, another element of a fairy tale.) He wants us to forget that Jesus has called us to live a life of adventure with Him.

The Bible speaks of matter of the heart, of battles, of adventures all the time! But today expressing our hearts and lovey dovey ballads are taboo. Hardships have become simply life's crap -- rather than opportunities to be the feminine Warrior or the brave-heart of a Knight. How often in everyday conversation do you hear of someone giving their son away to die and save the population of the world from their evilness so that they can someday live in a world of gold? Jesus even calls Himself a Prince, multiple times! God is a King! There is something that we have lost... And from it, God's people are overwhelmed by their troubles, or worse... they're bored.

In the deep wakes of overpowering, overwhelming life, I grow bored, I become frustrated, and my heart breaks. But it's in that time where I turn to the ultimate Book of fairy tales, to the most amazing King. I see in my life a fairy tale that becomes real. Everything I go through now is to get to my happy ending, my happily ever after. We all have adventures to live, and we're being called to live then with our Savior King, with our Prince of Peace, and with our Rescuer. We all have a happily ever after. Fighting the battle, slaying the dragons, weathering the adventure -- it's only half the fun.

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." ~C.S. Lewis

(photos from weheartit.com)

An Awaiting Lover

I'm a girl who loves romance. I have been for as long as I can remember. The princesses in movies were who I aspired to be when I was a little girl -- their happy endings made me smile and left me daydreaming. I love sweet southern nicknames, and getting a new bridal magazine at the grocery store check-out line leaves me giddy for days. I know it's something my parents aren't fond of about me, but it is me. After years of trying to shake it, I've decided there's no reason to.

A few weeks ago, Mom, Brother, and I were driving through a neighboring town...

Mom: "Oh, they have a Home-Goods!!'

Brother: "We need to check out their PETCO!"

Me: "Look, a David's Bridal! Let's go play!"

Romance is a part of every human being -- some to a higher degree than others, but it's always there. A need to love and to be loved. It was put there on complete purpose by a Being who loves like no other and wants love like never before.

Why do we flirt, "play hard to get," and want to spend time with those we love? Because we are made in God's image, and He does the same with us. Finding this romance in my life with God was a heartrending road that almost severed my relationship with Him as well as other relationships. Sure, I've loved Him and have been in love with Him for years, but finding this romance was something so much more. Why was this dangerous? He lead me into the desert...

"14 Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. ¹⁵ There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. ¹⁶ "In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.' Hosea 2:14~16

It's splendid seeing how he 'flirts' with me -- in personal ways through creation and through the words of others. Knowing that He wants me to chase after Him, and that when I do He'll always be there with loving arms, wanting to spend time with me.

The sad part is that many don't realize they have a Lover waiting for them in the shadows of their sadness, depression, and loneliness. He is always there, for men as well as women. He died a brutal murder for you, to win your heart. You are in the middle of a war-zone, an invisible battle that He is fighting for you and your love. Don't stand there as the damsel in distress. Fall into the arms of the ultimate Giver of Love.

(photos from weheartit.com)