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

You don't want to miss this.

Shock. Awe. Amazement. Nervous. Excitement, Ready, Thankful... Those are just a few emotions I'm feeling right now...

When I was left Haiti, 6 months ago after just spending a week there I knew that God was calling me to a life in Haiti and I told my fellow team members that I would move there before the years end. I realized that was a God-sized goal, but guess what, it's happening! I am so excited to announce that I will be moving to Haiti mid November 2012 ( yes, in just about 2 months)! I just was offered and accepted a position as a Registered Nurse at God's Littlest Angels, Inc. (GLA) in Haiti... You can check them out at www.godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org & www.glahaiti.org. Here is a glimpse into GLA...

Here is a little idea of what my role will be at GLA- My duties will include but are not limited to (along with another RN), watching over the Main house nursery, NICU, and Toddler House children, CPAP supervision, vaccination schedules, keeping track of things needed in the pharmacy and medical depot, treating of common ailments of the children and working with our pediatrician and other nursing staff.  I will also be traveling to outlying clinics at time to pick up sick children. All of the staff works multiple jobs. My position might require that at times too.  Such as baking cupcakes for the children’s birthday parties or helping unload containers of supplies that are shipped in.

I will update you as more details and dates arise.

I am so very excited about this opportunity and I can not wait to see what the Lord has in store!

...to be continued...

-B

Slingshots and Giants

So today is a big day... My big brother, Kevin is being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines! Super excited for him but sad I am missing the ceremony and picnic to follow! So excited for him!

Anyways, after my last slightly sad and challenging blog, I was reading the story of David & Goliath and was looking though some of my sermon notes from the unlikely heroes series at newhope... (if you didn't catch them... make sure you do at newhopenc.org)! So yeah Pastor Scott spoke about David and being an unlikely hero. He was just a Shepard. Pastor Scott said few things that have brought me encouragement and have made me think during my journey to Haiti (whether it be in a couple months or in a couple years).

He said "The only two credentials God is looking for is Humble & Willing". I had to think about that, I am definitely willing but am I humble about my decision. I feel so strongly about my choice to move to Haiti that sometimes I don't think I am humble. Does that make sense? It may make sense to those I have spoken to about my decision. Needless to say... I really need to work on my humility and being humble not only in my decision, but in my life.

Pastor Scott also said that God is trains world changing heroes through their daily routines and asked how much we complain about routines... but David did the same thing day in and day out but his job was to protect those sheep from predators such as lions (Did you know David killed a lion before defeating Goliath? You should check out his story in 1 Samuel... it's a good one!). You know what weapon he had? Just a slingshot! So God gave David some amazing aim and trained him well on that slingshot... I bet David never thought his slingshot skills would lead him to be king over Israel... but guess what it did! My point is, at times our lives may seem mundane and somewhat pointless but one act can change your life forever. The routine that you have been in for the last however many days, weeks, years may just be God training you to be a world changing hero or how about we just start with one.... That routine could make you a hero to one person or even better, bring them to Jesus!

So, here's the blog questions of the day. Are you an unlikely hero? Maybe you are and just don't know it! What will be your slingshot? Who/what is your Goliath?

There is one thing I keep trying to remind myself during this application process... God can make opportunities arise at any second! Haiti is on my heart and on my mind. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted of any news or decisions! Please keep on praying! 

...to be continued...

-B

Preparation

 Starting the blog with a fun time in Haiti!
 Melinda & I teaching the children the Macarena!

Since returning from Haiti, I've pretty much had a one track mind... Haiti. So the process is starting, after spending the last month or so researching organizations, I'm starting to get my name out. This upcoming week I will have my first phone contact with an organization and they will also speak with members of my church. This I suppose is where the organization "feels me out" and then, if they feel as though I fit, I will start the formal application process of becoming a long-term missionary! This process takes approximately 9 months for this particular organization. In the mean time I am continuing to research other organizations and if whether they may ne right for me. It's definitely a process. I equate it to researching job opportunities and applying. Many, many options but only God knows which option will be it. I'm excited for the possibilities and also nervous. There are many questions running through my head regarding organizations and how they go about serving. If you haven't already and have an interest in missions, whether they be local or international, short-term or long-term, I recommend reading When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert. This book is required reading before going on a missions trip with newhope. I am actually rereading it right now to see if my perspectives have changed from travel to Kenya & Haiti with newhope. Again, if you are thinking about missions, this is definitely worth your time. Even if you're not into missions, this could change your perspective to helping those around you throughout your life. 

So, in my last post I discussed being still and taking it all in... Still attempting to do this. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such a great support team in North Carolina and have such a supportive family when it comes to pursuing life in Haiti. Many people asked what my parents reaction was to the news of me wanting to do missions in Haiti... It's kind of like when I was 18 years old and I got a tattoo... After waiting awhile to tell my dad, he just said "you've been talking about getting a tattoo, I figured you'd get one eventually". That was definitely not the reaction I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised. Although, I think my mom & dad may be internally freaking out, they are supporting me 100%. 

After coming back from Haiti I was hoping to get there by the end of the year and I know, with God, 2012 is totally possible, but I'm ok if it takes a little longer to get there. God is continually preparing me for the journey and I am so thankful to see some of God's preparation coming full circle (I've mentioned these things in previous posts). Also, I know I keep coming back to this is pretty much every post but God's timing trumps my timing. I just continue to trust the God's plan is in the works and everything will happen when he wants it to... being patient is the hardest part. I know I just said this above but the one thing that makes it easier is knowing that God is using this time to prepare me.

...to be continued...

-B