My Haiti Memories

I've not been able to really post since we've come home from Haiti late Sat. night... I never expected the emotions to be so strong and raw... and the hurt to be so severe. It's through tears that I write this new post... I miss my girls!

We left our two beautiful daughters last thursday after only having about 2 1/2 days with them.. not nearly long enough. Walking out of Maison that day was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my entire life. I finally "feel" like a Mamma... and a Mamma shouldn't have to leave her kids like I had to... Praying for strength and an increased trust in God's timing... This Mamma is excited but hurting... exhausted and weepy... prayer-filled and rejoicing... trusting and longing...


The things I've learned from our trip to Haiti.

1. I love my husband more than I even knew I did.
2. My husband is a wonderful father.
3. My girls have the most beautiful chocolate skin~the sweetest personalities~are so smart and silly~can eat as much as their Pappa ... and have some spunk in them!
4. Haiti is far more devestated than I expected and the people are so amazing.
5. Those in Haiti that are believers in Jesus Christ are so beautiful and faith-filled and supportive and loving.
6. I love Rice & Beans with Creole sauce.
7. I really can drink warm water if I have to.
8. God can give you the strength to walk through anything He calls you to walk through... I would not be functioning right now without the Lord and all the prayer cover.
9. Our family, church family and friends are simply the most amazing, supportive, loving, caring, devoted and generous people ... I knew this before we left... but it's taken on a whole new meaning since returning to the states.
10. I can be scared into a state of ferverent prayer by an airline flight! Miami to Boston last Friday was AWFUL!
11. The US Embassy grounds- with uniformed and armed officers can be a bit intimidating...and Haitian Court does not look like anything I expected!
12. Maison Staff works hard on our behalf and takes great pride in hosting the families when the come in!
12. Nephtalie is silly and sassy... comical and motherly
13. Sheldine is quiet and reserved... has a silly side and the best belly laugh!!!

Highpoints of our week
1. Obviously ... meeting our girls for the first time... when we were waiting on the porch at Maison for them to come out... I looked up and these two most amazing little girls (dressed alike) walked out with Angie the missionary... I lost it... to acutally touch and hold them for the first time turned this journey from dream to reality...
2. Taking the girls back to the hotel for the 2 1/2 day's we had was overwhelming. It was great to just be a family. To do regular "Mamma/Pappa and family" things... sponge baths, breakfast, potty breaks, reading stories, nap time, play time, bed time, prayer time.... the list goes on and on...
3. Meeting the other families that were also visiting their kids that week... we have made some life long friends... more than just friends... we are family... I love how God brings people into your life...
4. Meeting Suefreun~ our body guard... He was with us wherever we went, and I never felt unsafe... '
5. Walking around the orphange and seeing how little they have and how joyfilled they are. The Nannies are amazing... the staff is amazing... and Angie is amazing... these people love our kids and take such good care of them!
6. Driving around PAP, Haiti was not a "highpoint" in the sence that you would normally call it a "highpoint"... it was heartbreaking to see how these people are living... to see how very little they have... Darren's comment while taking our driving tour of PAP was, "we have nothing to complain about"... so true... we have so much
7. Being able to facebook video chat with some friends and family while in Haiti... and having them see the girls for the first time was so fun and memorable.
8. Hearing.... "I love you Mamma".... melts my heart just to think of those sweet sweet voices... calling me Mamma... expressing their love...
9. Walking into the orphanage...before we even met the girls... having the kids point to me and say.. "Mamma Sheldine, Mamma Nephtalie".. these kids know who I am... know who my girls are... and are excited for us... that is amazing... even at a young age, they recognize the forming of families...
10. While piling in the van to head to the airport on Friday... one of the hotel workers named Christian, walked up to the open door of the van... with his hands lifted high in praise... prayed over us and for us (in Creole) for about 3 minutes... it was so beautiful... he said his "amen" and then shook each one of our hands...
11. My first attempt at "time out" with Sheldine had her laughing at me... guess we have much to work on when they get home! My silly little rebel.

I will never forget that first moment of seeing my girls walking toward me... matching outfits that the Nanny's had chosen for them... all sparkling clean and smelling so fresh and pretty... hair done just right... The nanny's take great pride in preparing your children for you... and they did a remarkable job... our girls were stunning!!!!!!

My heart aches...my arms ache... my eyes burn... I miss my girls