{Haiti} A Special Little Girl

I think in life many of us have a plan/picture of what it looks like. We have a general idea of what we will do, or hope to do. I can say for myself, I'm not "ordinary". For a fifteen-year-old female living in the 21st Century in the USA, i'm a bit "odd". 

-I am home-schooled

-I am a Christian

-I live in a family of eight

-I have been to China twice

-I have traveled to Haiti

-I literally "picked out" my little brother

-I do not have a cell phone, a car, or a boyfriend

-My house does not have cable television

-I do not own my own laptop

-...You get the point

For the time that I live in and my age, I don't follow the pattern of a typical American teenager.

I'm different. Don't get get me wrong, I'm not downing that. It's just that I am finally realized how "weird" I am. If this is sounding like I have self-image problems, I don't! It's just my wording.

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, or know me in life, you know that I just returned from Haiti on Sunday. In one single week, eight days, I experienced a lifetime of excitement, adventure, and sorrow. I visited Haiti's largest Tent City where Malaria, Typhoid, and Cholera dwell. I walked through hospital of dying people with no medical care. I have had ten little girls pull my hair in all directions. I have fed starving children, played with orphans, and loved a child beyond comprehensibility.  

This is Neila (Like Leila but with an N).

A child, simple, and innocent. I didn't plan our relationship, but God did.

On Tuesday, the second day of VBS as we are cleaning up and gathering supplies, a small little girl runs behind me grabs my legs and giggles. I glance behind to see a little black face and brown eyes smiling up at me. I grabbed her little hand and she reached up for me to carry her. So I picked up that big 5-6 year old girl and carried her back to Cross to Light (The place we were staying). She came into my room sat on the floor and mimicked my every move. From then on it was simple love. Each day we grew closer and closer.

I began to realize I would be leaving soon. It ripped my heart to think about it, so I didn't. Despite my hopes, Saturday did come. I honestly felt sick to my stomach. The feeling when your nervous was how I felt all day before I left. Ten minutes before we left I sat down with her in my arms and cried. I don't think I have been that sad since Luke died. Finally they called us to come outside, and I walked down the hill with tears streaming down my face. Then I handed her my sunglasses that at least thirty kids had asked for. "Keep these for me okay?" I told her and she nodded. I set her on the ground and walked to the Tap-Tap (A Taxi-like vehicle in Haiti). Abigail (a new close friend) climbed in before me, tears running down her face as well.We both sat there bawling as we waited to leave, fifty kids crowded around watching us cry. I looked over and Neila stood in the crowd with my sunglasses sitting on her head. I smiled and blew her a few kisses. Pastor Brian (the director of Cross to Light) picked her up and look at me and said, "I look after her for you!" and then kissed her cheek. After he put her down the Tap-Tap began to move and we drove away with Neila in the distance wearing my sunglasses. 

Leaving her was the hardest thing I have ever done. 

I will love you for you, not for what you have done, or what you will become.

I will love you for you, I will give you the love, the love that you never knew.

In my journal today I read something I wrote before I left.

June 27th, 2013
"...In my heart I know there is someone special there. Someone I will dread leaving, someone who will change my life. It is only days until I see their face."
{Neila}

The Braces {F.A.Q}

Looking back on my blog I realized that I never really went into Joshua's braces.

He's had them so long I forget exactly when he got them! Anyway, I thought I'd answer a few frequently asked questions.

Does he wear them all the time? Pretty much. Every night we try to give him about 30 minutes to an hour of "free time" just to let his legs and feet air out.

Does he wear them in his bath? No, which is one reason he LOVES bath-time, because he's free from his braces! {Same with swimming, he will get them off during that time.}

So he wears them to bed too? Yes, at first bedtime was a uncomfortable, but he's totally used to them now. He also has another set of straps that are put on for bedtime only. {They aren't in the picture}

Can he walk with them on? He can run in his braces! They don't slow him down a bit. He does have to be careful on hardwood, concrete, and tile so he doesn't slip. 

Can he wear shoes over his braces? He can, it just takes a bit of extra work. I think we also bought a size up, either way, we get em' on!

Are they difficult to put on and remove? For me, the big sister, I don't put them on very often, so when I do I have trouble figuring out with braces goes on which leg. As for taking them off, it easy, I caught Lily taking them off him the other day!

Does Joshua ever try to take them off? Joshua was told the first night {very sternly by Daddy} not to touch his brace straps, and I have never seen him take them off or try. Lily, as I said above, did! {She was quickly told not too}

How long will he be in braces? Joshua will be wearing braces for a long time, all of his growing years.

How does Joshua like the braces? He really doesn't seem to mind them at all. He adjusted really quickly. He actually began walking a week after he got them!

Those are most of the usual questions. If you think of any others, comment! :)

It's Been Awhile + FOLLOWERS NEWS

Hopefully you guys don't hate me because I haven't posted in a month. I had no idea it was that long!

In that month a lot happened. First Joshua got his casts of and is now in braces. That's the biggest thing.

This past week Mom needed a week away. So for Mother's Day she went down to Florida for a Mom-cation. Another big thing is tomorrow she'll be coming home in a new van! 

Our van had been giving a lot of problems so we decided it was time for a new one. I'll hopefully have pictures of that later.

While Mom was away we stayed with our Grandparents who live nearby.

We just came back this morning.

Now comes the technical blog stuff. Apparently Google Friend Connect is closing. So everyone seems to be switching over to Bloglovin. So I am doing the same. I went through this afternoon and added all the blogs i'm following to Bloglovin, I had no idea how many there were! And I am asking you to continue following mine! :) 

Either through Bloglovin

or by email: which is to the side >

Thank-you SO much for being a follower! I love your guys!

When the Rain Falls- {Faithful Fridays}

Troubles come. No one lives a perfect life. Everyone feels pain, loneliness, desolation.

It is how we handle ourselves when it comes. Sometimes it's just a drop, a disappointment, something small. Sometimes it's a sprinkle, a lost hope. But what about when it rains, the lightning cracks, the thunder is shouting in your face, what then? When the wind is whipping your face and you have no where to hide. No shelter, no safe haven. Where then will you go? 

When you realize the storm isn't passing, and you have to face it, what's your response? 

Life isn't all sunshine and roses, it isn't good times and happy memories. Sometimes it's bitterness, grief, and anger. What will you do if your alone in a storm? When everyone has left you, and there is no visible help? 

Hopefully your answer is, run to God. However, in the stir of the moment, we can forget. 

Because, no matter what, you're never alone. Even when the world, people, and friends leave you, He is with you. He is all you need. No person, can fill emptiness like Jesus can. 

He has not left me alone. {John 8:29}

Do you feel alone? Lost, scared, and deserted? Like no one is there for you? 

Even when it feels hopeless, there is hope. No matter what you may feel, Jesus is always there. Even when it pours, and the wind blows, there is always a still small voice, to comfort, and to protect you.

Every step, every breath you are there.

Every tear, every cry, every prayer.

In my hurt, and my worst, when my world falls down,

Not for a moment, will you forsake me. 

~Meredith Andrews~

Linking up with Faithful Fridays

Vlog #2: Q and A

                                          

Please submit your ideas for my next video!!! :)

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