Faithbox

Sometimes God likes to remind us that He is in control and that He WILL take care of us! 

The best part is His perfect timing. ..Right when we need it most!

I’ve had to let go of a few things in the last couple of weeks and although it was extremely difficult and I questioned God in it all. I had this underlining sense of HOPE that God knows what He’s doing and I have to trust. When I finally released it and my hands were free, God was able to put more things in the palm of my hands. I think God was probably saying, “my child it is about time you released this and trusted in Me!”

So now that my hands were free God gave me more. More than I could have ever imagined or hoped for! Isn’t it the best when God does that!? 

The best part about all of this is all the people that God is going to bless!

Today we partnered with a company called Faithbox. You’ve got to check them out! You basically can sign up to receive a “Faithbox” filled with all sorts of amazing gifts to inspire you. The super awesome thing God did was bring us together with them!!

My dear friend Courtney who visited this summer decided she wanted to “do more” when she got home so she researched and reached out to Faithbox. 

It honestly is truly amazing how God works and brings people together.

So here we are after several weeks of communication and now 

ANCHORED IN HOPE IS GOING TO BE FEATURED IN THE CHRISTMAS FAITHBOX!!! 

Can you believe it!! We are currently in the process of creating 12,000, yes 12,000 Christmas tree ornaments to fill their boxes!!

This means we have about 40 Haitians who are getting paid! That is twice as many as we usual have working!! 

Who would have thought when we first created Anchored in Hope that this is where God would be taking us!!

God is pretty amazing! 

And we are beyond thankful for all that HE is doing through Anchored in Hope.

When your child is your light..

There's these moments as parents where you really feel like your a rockstar and things are going great and all is well in the world. Then theres those moments where you feel like a complete failure.

I've been on both ends, but this time in the moment of complete failure, my son made me feel like a rockstar again.

I'll admit this past weekend I let my emotions and the realities of Haiti get the best of me. It just seemed to be one of those days where it started off rotten and I didn't do anything to change my own attitude. Then satan of course thought this is a great opportunity to jump in--and he did. While going to the grocery store, being stuck in traffic when its sweltering hot with no AC and then having the car brake down and THEN the wheelchair of my friends son was stolen out of the back of the pick up truck. Really Haiti?! The day pretty much stunk. But thankfully God had has break down right in front of Rebo--which is like a Haiti Starbucks. God knew I needed a pick me up. :)

To be honest through all of this my little man was a rockstar! Even though I was a pill!

We decided to walk up to the grocery store and do our shopping and wait for our ride there. Walking about 3 blocks up hill having to carry a 50lb boy...not the easiest! We made it safely and all was good...in theory but thats when I failed letting all my personal emotions and frustrations and what just happened take over me.

I was a kid and I remember going to the grocery store and always asking for everything!! KIDS DO THIS!! Unfortunately many of the things that I would want to buy for him are just way to expensive that I literally can't. Other things are just not healthy and I'm sorry I'm not buying it. I snapped. I lost it. He lost it and our afternoon was shot.

We were able to move past it but not really. Not until the next day after some self reflection and going to church in Cite Soliel (that always seems to put things into perspective) did I realize I was probably 100% to blame. As we were driving to a friends house because I just had to get out of the house and out of my funk. I looked at him and said you know what buddy I'm really sorry for this weekend and being so crabby and taking it out on you. Without skipping a beat he says, 'Mom it's ok. I'm sorry too for being rude and disrespectful.' What?! Really?! You just said that and I didn't have to prompt you?! All sanity had been restored in my world and we decided to make a change together! It was sincere it, it was honest, it changed us.

"I'm sorry"...those words said when you really are sorry and you want to change and you feel bad for what happened can change the world. It's so easy to just throw those words out there and they are just empty and mean nothing. I've done it and I received it. I'm learning that when I receive that heartfelt "I'm sorry" a weight is truly lifted. But when those empty words come I need to PRAY. I need to lay it down and ask for help.

I am thankful that God has given me a wonderful little man to remind me of the simplest things in life. Things we learn as kids...Thankful he reminds we how to love, apologize and forgive. He blesses me and loves me when I least deserve it. This kid is is pretty amazing with all that life has thrown at him and he continues to love, learn, and choose joy!

When talking this morning I asked him, "Do you really think God is going to take care of us and He's going to provide for us?"

In my wavering faith he confidently says, "Yes mom!" Like I was silly to even ask the question.

Then I said, "Are you sure? Why are you so sure?"

"Yes mom I'm sure because He is God and He can do everything." Amen little man!! Thank you for being my light!

You are right! HE is GOD and HE can do EVERYTHING!! 

I mean look at where we are today!!

God knows our every need and I'm thankful that in His perfect timing His will always prevails!

We're giving back!!

We at Anchored in Hope have been so blessed by everyones support. We know that it is only by the grace of God that we are where we are! (Truly)

Something that we love to do is GIVE BACK! We have been blessed so we want to bless others. Anchored in Hope has been so grateful to help other by donating an item for several silent auctions! We have donated items for those who are adopting--some even from Haiti-who are trying to raise funds. The idea of things going full circle is amazing! We have also been fortunate to donate a few pieces to dear friends and to organizations trying to raise support for the greater good! 

Another super amazing way we are GIVING BACK is through education. I have been very connected to several people in Titanyen, Haiti after previously living in the area for about 2 years. Recently I went back to visit and a sweet little girl told me at church that her mom had passed away a few months ago. She has been living with her grandma. She doesn't have money to go to school and to buy her school uniform for this coming year. I know this is a common story for many Haitians but when there is a relationship and a connection, the struggle is so much more real. Of course my heart breaks for the several other thousands of children who have the exact same situation, if I could I would send them all to school! 

By the grace of God ANCHORED IN HOPE can help!! 

And that is because of you! 

Because of your support and your purchases 

YOU 

are sending a little girl to school! 

Because of YOU we can not only help the Haitians who are making the beautiful artwork, but we are also able to support those who are adopting, those who are raising funds for other great organizations, and for those who need financial help to cover medical cost for their children. 

We want to LOVE on others. God calls us to do that, even in our struggles. (Read previous blog about love here). 

Thank you for supporting us and the Haitians we love and work with and everyone else who crosses our path. 

God is doing big things through YOU!

We are currently working on new pieces and can't wait to share them with you so we can continue to spread the love and do more good in this world! 

To be LOVED...

To be loved. ..

It’s our human nature…we all long to be loved. We all long for that feeling to be cared for and cared about. Even under your tough outer shell...you desire TO BE LOVED. 

I think of the little girl who lost her momma and has no daddy and needs help to pay for school. She longs to be cared for by someone.  She longs to be LOVED.

I think of the elderly who have no one to come visit them and love on them. They long to be cared for by someone.  They long to be LOVED.

I think of the two little girls in Titanyen who are in such a difficult situation and don’t even know what if feels like to be truly loved and cared for. They long to be LOVED.

I think of their mom who has no idea what love looks like or means. Her view of love is so warped due to her circumstances but deep down she longs to be cared for by someone.  She longs to be LOVED.

I think of the orphans. The thousands of children who have no family to call their own. They long to be cared for by someone.  They long to be LOVED.

I think of my own little man. His need for love. His need to hear “I love you” and to have some to say those words to. He longs to be cared for and he longs to be LOVED.

I think of my own needs and my own desires to be loved to be cared for. To know that there is someone that loves me more than I can imagine, that desires me. My longings to be cared for by someone.  My longing to be LOVED.

Sometimes life can be hard. Sometimes life just stinks. Sometimes we don’t feel loved. Sometimes we feel like we are all alone in this big world. Our own friends have turned against us, things don’t go as planned, injustice surrounds us, innocent people around us are dying, children are starving—we just don’t feel or see the love and we long TO BE LOVED.  We all do.

I’m there, I’ve been there, and it’s real and it’s honest. When you don’t feel the love it’s hard.

~BUT~

Our God is greater…

I’m so thankful that even in those difficult times God surrounds us. He surrounds us with the most loving and caring people. Friends who simply just pray with you and listen, friends who encourage you through words, friends who put themselves aside to be with you, friends who bless you with their generosity and go above and beyond, and friends who remind you that you are HIS daughter and that YOU ARE LOVED despite what the world tells you.  

But what about those who don’t have that..what about those who don’t have a mom or dad to love them and simply hold them when they are sad…what about the elderly who are all alone and don’t have someone to tell them they are loved…what about the young mom who doesn’t even know how to be loved or to accept love because all of her life she has been mistreated and basically been a slave…This breaks my heart.

In my need and desire for love and to be LOVED I am called to LOVE others. Despite my pain, my hurts, my fears I have a Father who loves me and because of that I pray that I have the strength to LOVE others because we all long TO BE LOVED.  

We have a Father who LOVES us. We have a Father who desires us. We have a Father who is there for us. We have a Father who cares for us. This world and people will always let you down. They will turn on us, they will hurt us, but in all of that we have to remember in the pain WE ARE LOVED BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

If your there, if you’re in that spot of not feeling loved this is for you, this is for ME.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Psalm 62:5-8 Find rest o my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, o people, pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge.

1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 86:15 - But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

I am fearless in Your presence..Your all around me...all around me...in my weakness, You are strongest...You surround me...You surround me. 

HE LOVES YOU!

HE IS JEALOUS FOR YOU!

HE DESIRES YOU!

HE IS FAITHFUL!

HE IS YOUR FATHER! 

2nd Grade!!

Bring on 2nd grade!! We are in full swing now of the 2015-2016 school year! We started the school year a few days later than expected due to the elections and the unknown of whether it would be safe or not for students to travel. So we had started on a Thursday and eased into the school year! 

This little man was so bummed though when school got postponed!! 

He was so excited to go back!!

When the day finally came!! He was up and ready to go with a big ol smile on his face!! 

 I on the other hand was still half asleep! I was enjoying summer and being able to stay up later and sleep in!! ;) 

 Loving his new backpack he got for his birthday from Kamala!! 

 All ready to go!!

Bring on 2nd grade!! 

This school year is also bringing new change for me!! I am excited that this year I am teaching Physical Education!! Back in my old groove and I am loving it!! I have PreK-3rd grade and then I also have middle school and high school girls! 

God has been taking good care of us in so many ways and I am so thankful for my new position and for my little man being able to go to Quisqueya Christian School! 

Praying 2015-2016 is a huge success!! 

Baby Steps!!!

We are taking baby steps but we are moving forward!! 

A while back--several months ago actually--we started working on getting his birth certificate and had to get a letter from IBESR (which is like social services) we then had to take it to the mayor of Delmas to get it signed. Well we found out that apparently we didn't have a mayor at the time because he was running for some other office this election season...(election season in Haiti is a whole other issue)

So we waited....

and waited....

and finally we had a new mayor! So of course we went right away to see if the letter was signed.

Well not exactly...apparently the new mayor decided that the lawyer who was working on the case should be the one to sign it because he knew all the details...ok great. 

but it wasn't that easy....because the lawyer was now on vacation and wouldn't be back for a couple weeks...ugh it felt like it was a never ending process! The only thing we could do was to walk out of that office (which we had been in and out of many times!!!) and laugh and trust that in His perfect timing we would get the letter.

FINALLY...last week we were able to walk out of that office with the letter in hand!! It was a such a tiny baby step, but it was a step and we are rejoicing in that!!!

We were able to drop this letter off last week at another office to get a birth certificate made and are patiently waiting for it to be completed so we can move onto the passport!! 

Little by little we will get this done...with LOTS of patience!! :) 

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers we couldn't do any of this without you!! 

One Great Birthday!!

Well my sweet little mans birthday has come and gone!! I would say he had one fantastic day and felt pretty special! 

We still continue to get gifts and cards in the mail--THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO SENT HIM THINGS AND HAVE MADE HIM FEEL SO LOVED!! 

He even helped make his own birthday cupcakes and loved it!!!

Birthday morning.. he was surprised with decorations and presents and of course wanted to open them all right away!
He got to chose 1!! ;) 

Then it was off to horse camp...where he had to start off his day with scooping poop! ;) He thought he could get out of it because it was his birthday but nope! :) 

He is getting pretty good at taking care of these horses!! 

Love seeing him up there on the horses!
He's always so happy and proud! 

Time to give the horse a bath!!

Such a trooper even helped cut up the fruit and veggies for his party!!
We were on crunch time trying to get everything ready before the kids started to come! 

This woman is AMAZING!! She is like a mom to him and was like a mom to me that day! I seriously could not have made it through the day without her! She even stayed after and helped me clean! She is a blessing and made me feel so loved and like my own momma was there helping! 

Slowly throughout the day he got to open a few presents here and there....such a ham right!! 

We went with a Spiderman theme...Thanks to Karla who sent down decorations and masks!! And Jessica for bringing us more birthday goodies!! :) 

Making their "Super Hero Capes" 

Yummy!! 

What a good looking gang!!
So thankful for Risa and Spencer who were able to stay and help out!!
Who knew birthday parties were so much work! ;) 

Scavenger hunt with their Super Hero Capes!! :) 

Putting on a skit....of course he would steal the show!! :) 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!!!

Another amazing woman in his life!
She is such a blessing to us and takes such good care of us!! 

My lifesaver of the day!!
Could not have done it without this wonderful woman!!

So thankful for this mother and son who are so good to my little man! 

Needless to say it was one
AWESOME
birthday party!!! 

Thank you so much to everyone who made it so great!! 

We are so blessed by your cards and gifts!!