Friday, October 26, 2012

{Friday Favorites} - October 26

It is a rainy Friday...well, a rainy week. Hurricane Sandy is past, but we are still getting rain. We are safe. It has rained so much we haven't been able to much checking on people. We are hoping to get out a little bit today and tomorrow and help see if we are needed and what we can do! I'm not sure about our direct area, but I know many in Haiti have lost their homes this week. Please pray for them and those that are in danger if the rains don't stop!

Besides the storm, we had a great week. We are coming off the end of two teams visiting us! We were able to do quite a bit of work, prayer walking, and ministering to those in our circle of influence. 

 1. School is back in session. Last week, we brought our team up to the school! It was so great to be back. In November, we don't have any teams, so I am looking forward to spending a lot of time at the school!









2. Garden - I know many of you read about it on one of my previous posts. However, we have a new garden!! Praying that with all of this rain it isn't drowned! We are so excited about it and the possibilities it brings :)









3. A new running partner: I have a new running partner!! My husband doesn't like me running alone and for my sanity, I need to run at least a couple of days a week. I told him that he needed to run with me, but he had another idea :)

This sounds crazy, but in so many ways Claudy reminds me of my dad! I had to take a picture of this, because it felt like it did 10 years ago, when my dad would wake me early to ride his bike along side of my...to push me and make me a better runner! I'm so thankful for those days! Claudy is a little different, he doesn't yell and ride 5 feet in front of my so that i will run faster...instead he rides 20 feet behind me and the Haitians make fun of me because I have security!!

 4. PUMPKIN!!! Thanks to Donna and the Midland group, we have pumpkin!!! I have been craving fall! Facebook is great for some many things, but it also makes me miss so of the things I love a lot in the States.

I will admit, that I don't always like to bake. I would prefer cooking. However, we have a cook (I know, woe is me), so I have tried some backing. Here are so of the things I have tried below.
 Pumpkin Spiced Lattes:

1. Make Coffee: However you want, a little stronger than normal is better.

2. Make Pumpkin Milk:
1 c. Mil
1/4 c. pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
sweetener to taste
optional: other warming spices

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well..He on the stove top until almost boiling.

3. Pour 1 c. of coffee and add pumpkin milk to taste (I use about half)
Top with whipped cream!!

 Pumpkin Angel Food Cake: My pictures don't do this justice, Claudy wanted a taste and I didn't have my camera..Also we had no powered sugar to make the frosting, but it was SOOO good!

1 c. Canned Pumpkin
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger (optional)
1 pkg one step angel food cake mix.

Combine first 6 ingredients. Prepare Cake mix per package instructions.

Fold in 1/4 of the batter into the pumpkin mixture. Gently fold in remaining batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan. Bake on lowest oven rack at 350 for 38 to 45 min, until golden brown and cake
springs back. Immediately invert pan onto a wire rack; cool completely for 1 hour. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon or frosting!!


I also made banana bars this week :) So good!!
5. Rain Boots: My dad gave these to me for Christmas last year. I am so glad I had them!!! Notice I am wearing pants...I also had on long sleeves.. this weather has been crazy!!

 I hope you all have a great week!!





Wednesday, October 24, 2012

{Life on the Field} - Teams

After 6 weeks with no teams, we have had teams the last two week. Which, usually means, I run from site to site, get supplies, manage the staff, etc.. 

Today...I have to brag on our Haitian staff. Yesterday it rained...it rained this morning and our schedule needed to shift. Our group was wanting to help with construction, but also develop relationships in the community and work with orphanages. It's nearing the end of their week so they wanted to split up today, to do different things. I will admit...in the past this would freak me out, because going in 3 directions, would mean I would need to go in 3 directions...

TODAY....I stayed at our house and hung out with our cooks. We had our construction boss, Alex, lead 2 with the construction...Billy & Zicot, lead 2 with the prayer walk...and Donna & Miguel, took the other two to the orphanage. 

I am so proud of our staff.. So proud and thankful to work with a great team....

God is big, I am small!!!


Thursday, October 18, 2012

ReachGlobal Garden

This is been something that has been on my heart since moving to Haiti...and even something I tried before, but was unsuccessful.

A new Garden....to bring life, to bring hope, to bring therapy, to bring joy...so share in bounty.

Yesterday and Today, Constance Church, worked along side our staff to make our newest garden.

They put up the walls to protect from the chickens.

Then we tilled
...with Shovels and Picks







and raked...



there may even have been some foreign objects!


and then planted!!



Please pray that our garden will be abundant...that we can use it to teach others in our community..to help give purpose and life to families around us!


Friday, October 5, 2012

{Friday Favorites} - October 5 {FALL}

1. I love fall!! Seriously, it is the best. Haiti doesn't have fall. Well it does, but it is still 95, sunny and green!  Claudy and I were able to spend a week and a half in Sunny Florida (they don't have fall either), and I was able to enjoy some of my favorite falls things...





2. Fun in Florida: Thank you to all of my friends in Fort Myers. Beth and Aaron for opening up your home to us! We had a blast! We were able to come back to Haiti, relaxed and rejuvenated. 

Lunch with these lovely ladies!!



Girls night...Lots of CHEESE!!!!

Watching the sunset!



Claudy playing with Joseph!!


My first time ever holding a gun! Thanks Wes!

Claudy had a blast at the gun range!!

We are back!! Hope you have a great Friday!!