Playing Catch-Up

So I've failed lately at keeping this whole blogging thing up to date! So here's a few picture in an attempt to catch things up to the present!
  
So onto a big deal! My dear friend Dani Wuthrich married Luke Furrer!  It was such a beautiful weekend. It's interesting how happiness and beauty accompany God's plans. And Dani and Luke are proof of that!

A good ol' Indiana sunrise!

Before the "prettyin' up" process began. I was definitely feeling (and looking) the early morning!

 Tada! Dress and shoes in place..looking lovely!

 Finishing touches: sashes tied, straps sewed on!

The lovely Melissa!

 Mr. & Mrs. Furrer!

 Great friends with great husbands!

 Alisha and Mark came back from Haiti for a couple weeks.

The next thing I'm sharing involves lots of  games of "Uno" and "Sorry!", coloring pages, and smiles! I was so blessed to keep Micheal and David Stoller. They are my sister-in-law Kristi's brothers. We had a blast! They spent several days with my while their Dad worked and their mom visited someone special....

David teaching Dan how to use his video game.

LOVE the smile on Mike's face! :)

 I've pretty much decided that those games are too hard for me!

So....you might be wondering who this "special person" is?!?! Our new niece Soraya Grace Leman! I think Joel and Kristi are really enjoying their precious little princess! Not to mention her older "big brothers"! Dan and I CANNOT wait to meet her when we visit them in Mexico come August (that's right! Its SOON!)

What a sweetie! :)

There will be more catching up to come! Until next time folks....

Haiti

I know its been a while since we got back from Haiti...but I wanted to share some photos of our time there! Of course, I didn't take many photos. I'm not really sure why! (The photos on this post may be credited to my sister, Alisha and my mom) We had a lovely time. I enjoyed the time we got to spend with my family so much! It rained a lot which was a bummer, but we sure had a lot of fun playing lots of games and even venturing out into the mist for an adventure or two! It was hard walking onto the porch the first time and seeing Brett's wheelchair empty. Before he died I had many a nice daydream about coming to see him in Haiti. Giving him kisses and taking his pudgy-cheeked face in my hands. It was so different without him. I missed cuddling with him in the evenings. He was missed!

 Here's a picture of us leaving for La Charity...a catholic home for handicapped kids. We were able to take several of Bret's things and leave them with children who need them. What a great way to remember B...by giving the things he doesn't need anymore (Praise JESUS!) to kids who do! We were also able to visit the kids...they were so well taken care of! I left feeling like I had visited a home for God's angels.

Dan and I get some romantic gondola time at the Wray's camp! The only day that I could have (and did) get sun burned...BEFORE all the rain!

Joel has really grown up! Such a goofy kid! 

  Getting a little cabin feverish...out to eat at the Meridian: a hotel restaurant 

 Mark is about as tall as Dan...with the same shoe size. Don't worry, I can still take him out. 

Haha...ok, maybe not!

We were able to visit the orphanage near our house! As soon as we walked in, one of the little girls who I was closest to, ran up to me, jumped into arms and hugged me for a very long time. So great seeing them all again! 

Dan helped Dad and Mark with a lot of projects. Here they are putting a roof on our new garage.

Dan enjoyed keeping busy! They did get some fun though. Dan joined Dad and some other missionaries on a 8 hour bike ride! 12 hours total with stops! I was a bit nervous since Dan hasn't ridden a dirt bike a lot, but it sounds like he did a fantastic job! :) I was proud ;)

 On afternoon we went to "Garden of Eden". It's a garden near the ocean that is meticulously manicured and designed. Pretty impressive for Haiti! We took the opportunity there and at the beach for some family photos!

The boys...

 The girls...

 My family.

  I played MANY games with Joel and Derek! It was a blast! Sorry, Go-Fish, Uno etc. I loved watching those two little boys interacting! Both are learning so much!

(About those sweaters...it was actually kind of chilly with all the rain!)

 Max's little girl, Jiray! She is quite the little beauty! Such a smile!

 It was wonderful to be with my sis again! Such a beautiful woman!

The hubby and I ;)

On the last day we actually got a bit of sunshine and headed to the beach. (The previous beach pics weren't taken on our beach day...it was really cloudy and misty that day)

Our dear house ladies! Mme. Lulu and Jete. Talk about prayer warriors!

It was wonderful seeing all of my Haitian friends too! Mme. Lulu, Christophe, Jete, some old volleyball chums, and of course the missionaries! Many things have changed since I lived in Haiti. New faces, new ministries, but the changes seem good. Alisha and Mark flew back with us for a couple weeks in the states for Boy's camp (Mark, obviously!) and VBS. It was fun traveling with them! It was great just having good ol' family time again! Thanks Dad, Mom, and siblings for a fantastic time! We love you!!!!

In Memory

 Last night, our dear church in Banbou hosted us in having a memorial service for Brett. Let me first say that I was a tad bit apprehensive about it. I wanted to remember my sweet brother with our Haitian brothers and sisters, but it all sounded emotionally draining. Ha. I'm glad God knew better!

The evening was amazing to put it simply. God moved. And I really do believe that His name was honored! The church was filled with Haitians and missionaries alike. The program was as follows:

1) Congregational singing  

2)Prayer by Sean Christensen (missionary)

3)How Great Thou Art (sang in Creole by Dad with me on guitar)

4)Biography of Brett's life by Mom. She shared about his birth, the hospital, and about the discovery of his handicap. She also told of how the doctors said that Brett would have this problem and that problem but they NEVER told her (or could have adequately) about how much joy he would bring us all! She described the lessons B taught us and said she prayed that he had taught everyone something too. God really used her to share her mother heart and encourage us all! (and Christophe did a fantastic job of translating everything!)

5)"God Makes No Mistakes" sung by Heather Christensen. Beautiful song about how God really doesn't make mistakes and how He is the one who accompanies us all the way home. (Sang in both Creole and English with Karen Martin accompanying on piano) 

6)Thoughts and Memories by Mme. Lulu. Our sweet house lady shared so many wonderful memories. She told us how much she loved him and she shared memories about so many things that I didn't know about! And she conveyed it all in a way that I'm sure the Haitians understood. So special!

7)"We're Marching to Zion" sung but the older women of the Banbou church. This was so touching. Pastor Wilfred believes that this was Brett's favorite song because as he lead sunday worship he could look down and see Brett. I guess he saw that Brett would get excited and start smiling when the church sang it! Those ladies embraced mom  afterwards and Dan said several were teary eyed. 

8)Memorial service and prayer by our pastor, Pas. Wilfred. In his eyes (and mine too) Brett was a missionary. A missionary without words. He talked of how even though Brett was a sinner because he was son of Adam and Eve, he was still innocent before his God. Pas. Wilfred reminded us all of the scriptures where Jesus said that we must become like children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. We can find innocence before God through Christ's blood and forgiveness of sin. He also shared memories of Brett's Sunday's spent in that Church; smiling, waging his head, and lifting his hands! God used Pas. Wilfred to bless us all through his message. 

9)"What A Day That Will Be" (sung by congregation)

10) Benediction by Pas. Wilfred

So many haitians that we know came all dressed up and with their families in tow! Even one of my old volleyball chums showed up. And all the missionaries too! It was so humbling. So, so humbling. During the service a little girl about Brett's age climbed into my lap and by the last song, she was asleep in my arms. Mom also had a little girl claiming her lap. It just reminded me that even though we will miss Brett always, there are so many children that need a kind word and a loving touch. And I know that Brett has taught us all about compassion and loving unconditionally. Remember how I felt at the beginning? Well, that was quickly remedied! Instead of leaving emotionally drained, I left emotionally charged and rejuvenated! Yes, there were tears...and it was good to cry. But we didn't cry alone. And as my family and I spoke with Pas. Wilfred afterwards, he shared with me a Haitian proverb: "Le nen prankou, je kouri dlo" or "When the nose hurts, the eyes cry". Automatically. (You might remember this the next time you bump your nose and your eyes fill with tears!) The same goes for the Body of Christ. We rejoice together and we suffer together. And that is beautiful!

To God be the glory! 

Our church

Mom speaking and Christophe translating

Haiti...See You SOON!

 

 

And of course, my FAMILY!!!!!

Brett

Four weeks ago...I got the call. 

You were gone. My heart felt broken. 

Little buddy, though a month is past,

I don't forget. The pain isn't gone.

At the store the other day, 

I wanted to buy you something. 

Then I realized. You didn't need anything. 

You are in heaven. 

I've wanted to tell you things. 

And thought about seeing you soon in Haiti.

But again, I'm reminded you won't be there. 

B, it hurts. I want to hold you again.

One thing is certain, my darling,

I will ALWAYS miss you! 

 When you first came to us, so frail and small,

I was timid to hold you with tubes and wires and all.

Though I didn’t understand then what God would do,

With a precious little handicapped brother like you;

It is clearer now what God had in store;

You were an angel to us, and you gave us much more:

More, than we could have ever given to you.

You taught me bravery, with every painful surgery,

And how to press on and fight hard, with every round of therapy.

In those times we thought we were going to lose you,

You reminded me heaven, where we will rejoice with Him, made new!

And as I watched you minister and shed your love to others,

When you let the Haitians play with you or smiled at your brothers;

You showed me what it means to love unconditionally.

Contentment, joy, and love, flowed from you, Brett,

And all the times I held you; those times I’ll never regret.

You listened to my worries, while we snuggled close,

In our lives you were a constant, often when I needed it most.

And now my little angel, you’re work on earth is through;

At five years old your task is done, and now heaven awaits you.

Our hearts will ache for you, sweet one, but we rejoice that we will see you soon!  

Love your sister, Tess

Wordless Wednesday: Colorado Sunset