Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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....

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

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!!!!