happy mother's day!

We had a LOVELY day...from the start with Lily wishing me "Happy Mommy Day" and bringing me her surprise painted box to a great church service to a relaxing day at the pool.

Lily was SO excited to give me her surprise box that she kept taking it back, saying, "again?", leaving the room, and bringing it back to me over and over.  Then Matt, with my Dad and Lisa's help, gave me the BEST Mother's Day present...my mixer.

Growing up, my mom had a beige Kitchen Aid mixer that we used for everything, and she always said, "I know there are cheaper mixers, but these are the best and they last forever.  When you get married, I will get you one."  I have so many special memories of cooking with mom and that mixer, and when I got married a few years after mom passed away, Daddy bought me a blue Kitchen Aid mixer from her.

When we moved to Haiti, it just didn't seem practical to bring it (because you have to pay so much per pound) and this special gift has been sitting in Dad's basement.  After four years of watching me almost daily kneading dough on my hands and knees on the kitchen floor (the countertops are too high to knead), Matt, Dad and Lisa got the mixer from Ohio to Denver to Haiti (in Adam's suitcase) for Mother's Day.

Very special gift, and I am SO excited by how much the mixer (and bread hook) will make life SO much easier!

Having Lisa and Adam here made the day so much more special!

Then we headed down the road to the BIGGEST church I've ever been in in Haiti, and the nicest, too.  A projector led us through worship, which I have never seen in Haiti before, and there were fans and a sound system and everything!  The coolest part of the service, I thought, was right before the sermon.  The pastor had everyone stand (and does every week), hold up their Bibles, and then they all read a slide together, which basically said, "I believe that what this says is true.  I believe that what it says about me is true.  I believe that I can do what it says I can do.  I believe that He is who this says He is.  I am ready to receive His Word, no one can destroy or trump it, and I am not the same person I was before Him."

 It was a really neat tradition and made me really stop to think about what I believe and why.

Then we, and just about every other missionary we know, headed to the Christophe Hotel for lunch.  Mother's Day in Haiti isn't until the end of May, so the Hotel was full of Americans and Canadians taking out their wives and mothers for lunch.  We had a blast, Lily was a fish, as always, and this evening Dodo and Bubba fed us one last time!

We're about packed, and Lily, Lisa, Adam and I are heading out tomorrow morning.  Charlie, Galen and some new friends from Philly are coming in on the same flight we are going out on, so Matt is sticking around a few more days to have some time with them.  Thank you for your prayers tomorrow while we travel, and for Matt while he works to close things up well.  While most airlines recommend not flying after 27 weeks, many forbid flying after 35 weeks...I'm hoping no one asks :)  

Lisa and Adam will accompany us to Florida, and then Lily and I will head to Columbus and they will return to Colorado.  It still hasn't settled in that the school year is over!!!  

Happy Mother's Day to all of our mothers!

Happy Mother's Day!

We are grateful today for the man and women who have been "Mother" to us...

"My mom continues to demonstrate patience, unconditional love, and tenderness all resting upon a backdrop of tenderness and originality that makes me especially proud of her." --Matt

My dad continues to beautifully be mother, and father, to me...calling frequently, listening, encouraging, and taking ridiculously good care of me. He has died to himself in so many ways so as to give freely to my brother, sister and I, and I am forever grateful that the Lord has given me such a godly parent!

My sister is also always filling in for mom...sending us presents, emails, calling, and nurturing and is continually giving us the JOY that she is known for.

My mom's sister, Aunt Patty, is ridiculously generous, loving and interested in us. Everyone in Haiti knows of "Aunt Patty" by the many boxes of goodies she sends, and she makes sure she always knows what we're doing, who we're with, and how we are. She reminds me of mom in so many ways, and I just cannot imagine life without my aunt!
We met "Aunt" Lori four years ago as we were preparing to come to Haiti, and since then she has becoming a dear friend and prayer warrior for all three of us. Frequent emails, care packages and reminders of prayer and love are always coming our way, and she has such a humble and caring spirit!

Not long after mom died, I lived in Port-au-Prince for six months with this amazing woman. Cathie loved me where I was, and then slowly helped me become more of who I am today. I am so grateful for Cathie, and for the way she loves and encourages me to be more like Christ!

WE LOVE YOU each and praise the Lord for the gift of you, and so many others, today! Thank you for being our mothers!