Why?

Have you sat down and wondered exactly how many times that we ask why? Why did it rain? Why did I do that? Why did that happen? Well... I am sitting here wondering why? Our Haiti trip has been cancelled. Why did God open all the doors to only close them again? Am I upset, yes. I simply can't wrap my mind around not going to Haiti. I don't know if any or you know anything about Haiti. It seemed that the more research we did the more I fell in the love with the Haitian people. They live in such a sad state, in my wildest dream I could never imagine what a day in the life of a Haitian would be like. I don't understand the reasons behind us not going other than the fact that if we went we may not have been able to get home. Have any of you felt such a longing for a place? I can almost sit and cry but I won't let it out. I know that the Lord will provide another place for us to go but it isn't Haiti.

Update on Haiti

As God often does, if he closes a door another one opens.

Our trip right now is uncertain due to the violence in Port-Au-Prince.The Haitian people are in riots over food in the capital city and New Missions has a team of missionaries locked down, they can't leave the compound to get to the airport to leave for the U.S.

Due to the violence we may be going to the Dominican Republic instead. So pray. I now have a heart for the Haitian people and the suffering they are under. Pray that God will intervene in the riots and provide food for the people. Each and every time you eat anything first thank the Lord for the food but pray too for Haiti and the people there that eat mud cookies just to make the hunger pains go away.

I feel drawn to Haiti but will go wherever God intends us to go. I do not know in my human mind the plans he has for me. I have to trust and obey.

13 Years Ago

It is hard to believe that Elise is 13. As I take a walk down memory lane to this point, I want to get a little teary eyed. But I won't.

Elise had a celebration for her birthday. She invited 4 other girls to have a camp out. Well, almost a camp out, it rained around 12:30am and the girls ended up sleeping on the back porch. But they did it all, played volleyball,ate pizza,played games,roasted marshmallows, and Joel even shot fireworks for them.

The girls she invited got along well and are really good girls. Joel and I didn't have to worry about any of them stepping over the line. For that I thank the Lord. He placed Elise in the lives of girls that live for Him. It was so neat to see the girls as they sat down to eat, they blessed the food without being told. It wasn't a God bless this food prayer either. It was a heart felt prayer asking a blessing on the food and safety for the rest of the night. But why do I sound so surprised, after all this was the little girl who gathered her bags together, I would ask her where she was going and she would reply to find Jesus. God has been a part of her life since the beginning really even before that.

Thank you Lord for being with us since the beginnng!

Paid in Full-- Twice

How sweet those words ring. First, that my life and my mistakes are paid in full by the precious blood of Jesus. I sit here today with the recent diagnosis of shingles. While my whole midsection from the middle of my stomach to the middle of my back, ache, sting, and itch. I cannot imagine the suffering Jesus went through for us, for me on the cross. As uncomfortable as I am, Jesus was so much more. He is so much more of a person than I.

On Friday our church had a big fund raiser for the Haiti Mission trip. It was a dinner theater. Our family and about 11 other of the Haiti travelers became servers. It is unbelievable that black pants, white shirts, and a red sash can turn you into a waitress or waiter. The fund raiser was a hit because our trip has now been Paid in Full.

So I thank each and everyone of you that contributed to our adventure. I know that God moved in your heart and enabled you to give. Giving to a Mission trip that you are not involved in is truly a sacrifice. It amazed me each week how our funds would come in. I played the doubting Tom for a while. I was telling some close friends Saturday that we were $500 away from our goal. Two of the guys laughed. I think they laughed at me. They were the two that would hear me each week saying,"I just don't think we can get the money." They would reply, that God is good. How right they were. I really stopped doubting about the time that our deposits were paid. I sat back and watched at that time, to see how great my God is.

As the time that the trip grows closer, know that each one of you will go along with us to the 5th poorest country and that God will take your contributions and put hands and feet to His mission. Please pray that God is preparing our hearts and the hearts of the Haitian people. Pray for a healthy stay, that no one will need to take a helicopter ride to Miami. Still the one comforting thing is that my same God that is here with me now will be with me Haiti. This is truly a God thing. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for each of you. May you be blessed by this trip too.

Figuring It Out

I have taught school for almost 20 years and still don't have it figured out yet.

Being a teacher is at times the most rewarding and yet most frustrating of all jobs. I love being with the kids and getting to know them, I love imparting knowledge to them. I get excited when I see the light bulbs go off when they discover something new. However, I get so bogged down with the content of the curriculum, discipline, and our very busy schedule that I sometimes forget who I am teaching for.

I am teaching ultimately for God, that the kids will love Him with all of their hearts,soul, and strength. It is also frustrating when I can't seem to find the right thing that might motivate the students. My heart breaks for those I can't seem to reach but rejoices with those that I seem to touch.

As a teacher, I seem to hear more negative than good. Is that because of the way society sees us, as not as important as doctors or sports teams? That I can't answer. I can only answer to one master and that of course is God. I have been so blessed by some of the parents and some of the many that have traveled in and out of my room. It is a sad realization to know that I only have 180 days to impact some one's life for eternity. And what a hefty job that is. Have I made mistakes? Yes, everyday. Have I made a difference? I sure hope so. However, only time will tell that.

So why do I suffer through this plight? I guess the only answer I have for that is that I am trying to be obedient to the call the Lord has for my life.

Our school is in a transformation. We are about ready to turn a corner and really make an impact for God. Should I be surprised that there is a battle for the very students' souls that I teach. Should I be surprised that after almost 20 years I am sitting at the computer, typing,wondering what in the world the Lord has planned next for me? I so want to be in His will and do what He wants. God didn't say that our life would be easy. He did say that the plans he has for us will not harm us.

Maybe I will never have things figured out. The only true thing I know is that the God who created the universe,knows my name,knows the number of hairs on my head,and has chosen me to fight His fight. Am I strong enough? Not by myself but with God all things are possible.

One day, when my time here is up, will I hear the words...Well done,good and faithful servant. Boy I sure hope so.

In My Own Words

Instead of SCDenneys I should of named this blog amazed. I have learned in my life that God uses many different forms of communication. I was talking to a friend who used to live next door to us. She knows all about our trip and I have given her this blog address. We were talking about health and how this year it seems like I have caught each and everything that has come down the pike. She said she felt like that is because of our commitment to go to Haiti and even said things like if you told God "no way"(which I did, the first time Robbie approached me), she even told me that God has my back. I thought that she was using those phrases to let me know she was keeping up with our blog. But as God works, Oscar came up and I told her we had put him to sleep, that she didn't know, so that means she was not reading our blog. God used some of my own words to encourage me that he is with me always. I know that there is such a thing as spiritual warfare.

Benson has started puppy classes, we are in our 3 week of the classes. He is a model student. He sits and listens to Melody the instructor. She uses Benson as the class volunteer a lot. He is a good little dog. He now tips the scale at a whopping 6.0lbs. I think that he has lost his ADD tendencies. He still has a lot to learn. Especially when relating to people outside the family.

Elise is starting volleyball this week for spring recreation league.I love watching her play a sport that she loves. I will keep you posted on her season. She is also very busy planning her birthday party in April.

Relying on God

Well, where do I begin. It has been a while since our last entry.

First,our trip to Haiti is only about 2 months away. We still owe quite a bit of money for our trip but I am not as worried about it as I was the first part. Our deposits have been made,our passports are in, our plane tickets bought. It all seems-- not real. Us going to Haiti. Today at church we had a guest speaker who was actually the pastor of New Mission in Haiti. It was an eye opener to hear him speak. They have come so far since the beginning. So many people have come to know Jesus through New Missions in Haiti. I know God uses ordinary people to do His work. Sometimes it seems that the only thing I can do is shake my head in disbelief, but only because I believe, can I know that God calls ordinary people. I have seen God do so much in this journey, I can only imagine what I will see him do in Haiti. Am I worried? Am I scared? Am I unsure? The answer to all of those questions is YES. The only thing I know and that I am sure of is that the same God I know and that is with me everyday is the same God that will be with me in Haiti. And that is comforting.

Benson-- We have now owned Benson for one month. He has started puppy classes where we are hoping he will be socialized and taught manners. The instructor Melody announced to the whole class that Minature Pinsher were nicknamed the devil dog. Maybe we should change his name to Lucifer. She also told the class that we were very brave dog owners. I guess that if we let him get away with the things he wants to he will be a devil dog. In my experience with dogs I think, no, I bet you can find a devil in all breds. I will say he is a very smart animal. He knows his name,he comes when he is called, he can sit, and lay down. He seems very much my dog and really likes Elise. Joel on the other hand, well sometimes he loves him and other times he ignores him. He has grown quite a bit since we have gotten him. If only we can get him potty trained consistantly. We love our devil dog, we think he is our little angel.

This Saturday,Elise was involved in "Mock Trial". It is a competition of high school students that act out the different parts of a trial. Because our upper school is 7th-12th grade,middle schoolers could compete. I was amazed and very proud of Elise for wanting to participate in something like that. I know she learned a lot and would maybe even desire to have a career in law one day. I will say that during this time of transition for our school, I get concerned that Elise will not be able to continue there, but then things like this weekend happen and there is not another place I would rather her to be. It seems that through my whole life I have always had the uncertianity of how are we going to continue to financially send Elise to school but again (as I am shaking my head)God shows me He will provide and that I need faith in Him to see it through. It would be a scary thing to pull her out of a school that she has known since she was 3.

Relying on God, I know He teaches me that everyday.


Coninue to pray for us as Haiti approaches.