You just know.

You know those nights when you can't sleep. Maybe you drank some caffeine too late, maybe you have better things to do, or maybe you just have continual thoughts running through your brain... Whatever the reason, sleep doesn't exist. Tonight is one of those nights. Swirling thoughts, emotions, plans, etc. After over a week of traveling from between South Carolina, North Carolina, & Pennsylvania; I arrived home via a delayed plane and I've been sitting here decompressing. Continuously thinking about how wonderful the time was seeing two of my bests get married to the loves of their lives, visiting family and friends, shadowing in the NICU, and making new friends along the way. Yet, also thinking about how much needs to be done within the next four weeks.... I'm a list person and the list seems forever long is such a short time but I know God has it covered.

To most people, my choice to move to Haiti is shocking and is sometimes questioned. This past week or so has been full of questions and talking and talking and questions (you get the picture). I am happy to answer the questions though because I am so excited about the opportunity God is giving me! At the same time though, I am speechless because I am in awe and incredibly thankful that God has chosen me to lead the life I do. Life is never boring when you follow God!

A lot of people have been asking me if I am nervous to be moving to Haiti or my why I am moving to Haiti. Honestly, there are really too many words to describe how I am feeling but at the same time it is indescribable! Nervous, though isn't really a word that I use. I am nervous about the preparation over the next 4 weeks but not about the move. Why? Why move to Haiti?... The answer to this is described in a blog I posted 5 months ago, I left a part of my heart in Haiti, although many, many, many things have changed since this post. The only answer is that it's a God thing. Did you ever just know... like when you met your husband or wife, found the perfect car, chose your career, school, etc... well, that's just it. I just knew Haiti was where I would be. At the airport, as I left Port Au Prince last April, I told my team and my dear friend Ronald that I would be back before the years end. Our team at Newhope Church would not be returning until January of 2013 but I new I just had to be there. So November 11th, I will start life in Haiti at God's Littlest Angels. Seriously, as I mentioned before... Life is never boring when you follow God! So here is to the next 26 days! Praying for the Lord's guidance over the next 26 days and for all of the "list items" (dog, furniture, work, travels, money,  friend & family time, etc) to get taken care of and flow smoothly!

As I try to close my thoughts (and my eyes) for the night. I want to share a song/music video just released by Audio Adrenaline, it was taped in Jacmel, Haiti and answers the questions, Why Haiti? Why an orphanage? Why infants & children? Why love the least of these?

Kings & Queens

...to be continued...

-B

Logistically speaking.

So I just have to say God is so good. In just about 6 weeks I will be starting my life in Haiti and at God's Littlest Angels. If you missed my previous post You don't want to miss this, you should definitely read up and check out the video on God's Littlest Angels. So, one major thing I needed to do before moving was find my dog a home... Well, good news!!! Boo has a home with one of my co-workers at Duke (Thank you, Erica & Ian!!). I already am missing him terribly and I have 4 days left with him! I also really wanted to try to get rid of my road bike... because let's be honest a road bike has no use in Haiti... A mountain bike yes, a road bike... well that's a big fat no! Well, the road bike is gone, thanks to the store I bought it from! So, two big things off the list!

Over the past few days I've started to separate all of my things between Haiti, Pennsylvania, & Goodwill. Now, I've realized that I wear the same things over and over and a lot of my things will serve no use in Haiti. So mostly, besides a few items, it's pretty much just a Haiti and goodwill pile... Then we get into my furniture items, which thankgoodness, I have just a tiny bit of furniture in my 600sq foot apartment...It's got to go, because there is no use storing the little bit that I do have.

Many people ask me how long will I stay in Haiti. Honestly, I have no clue. My answer continues to be as long as God wants me there. Things may happen, scenarios may change, but Haiti will always be in my life.

Well, as I mentioned before, just about 6 weeks until I leave the U.S.... The next two weeks will be filled with wedding festivities in SC and PA. I'll spend about two and half weeks at Duke (& saying goodbye to my NC life) and then head on home to VA and PA where I'll spend my final week hanging out with the family... (I'm praying my newest nephew will be born prior to me leaving, his due date is a day prior to my potential leave date!!) Along with all that I'm going to try to work on my Haitian-Creole, dust up on some NICU skills (CPAP, IV's, etc) and get in some much needed friend time between PA, NC, & SC!

So anyways... this blog is a blog of logistics but good information none the less! I seriously could have not asked God to work out the logistics and timing better than He is doing right now.

I thank you all for your prayers and support!

...to be continued...

-B