Cheri Kay in Haiti....where my life became meaningful.

This picture was taken on July 4 th . I am very excited for the day that I can say that this whole ordeal is over. Today is not the day. Tomorrow will not be either. But, I am clinging to God's promises. I know that I am in His will, I know that He will not forsake us, I know He'll continue to provide and I know that He'll use our lives for the betterment of His kingdom. I also know that he hears my prayers and that prayer works. I just want to share a little story. Last week, I was so frustrated, I was crying and when someone said to me "I'll pray for you", my first reaction was, "Why, it doesn't work anyway, not when it comes to my adoption!" But, before I even finished that thought, I was checked. Checked by the Holy Spirit. I know prayer works. I see it everyday in my life. I see the protection that He's provided to me and my children, I see all of the provisions that I am so blessed with, and I know that He hears the prayers...

They loved, I well, not so much!!!!! Just kidding! Yesterday we tried a recipe that Shelley got off the internet to make homemade clay beads. We just did one batch to see how they would work. It was pretty fun and very very very sticky!!!! My kids loved it! They had more fun playing in it while Momma rolled it into round beads!!!!!!! Ecrissa had it everywhere! On her face, all over her legs and her hands looked almost like they were being casted with plaster!!!! It was a fun time for her! Jaryse didn't make one bead I don't think but he sure did have a good time getting his hands sticky!!!! It was a fun time and now we are waiting for the beads to dry before they get painted! Today we made home made finger paints. That was fun too, but not as messy so the photo ops were less!!!! LOL!!!!

Oh my goodness!!!! The kids and I have put the miles (or kilometers as my car measures them) on this past month!! WE have been to Jacmel twice, Aux Cayes for a week and then DesChappelles for a week! Whew! We are finally home for a few days, although, it's time to do therapy again in Jacmel, so it won't be long and we'll be traveling down there again! We are all doing well. Ecrissa has been an amazingly good girl. She has tolerated all of the traveling so well, she has obeyed and is using her signs and just being such a good girl! Jaryse is healing well from his surgery. He is back to his normal rambunctous little self and I am amazed. It's so nice to have that behind us!!!! I am hangin' in there. The work that we did in Deschappelles was really awesome. I spent a week at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital teaching, presenting and doing therapy. I really had a good time and felt very welcomed and well received. I am thrilled to be able to share my skills w...

We made it back to Port au Prince from Les Cayes last night. Jaryse's surgery was last Monday morning and he did really well! I am so proud of him!!! The above picture is Jaryse with the Doctor who did the surgery who was amazing! Of course, who would expect anything less, he is a Spartan you know!!!!! Jaryse got to look at the operating room and where the surgical cap before getting his anesthesia! These kitties were downstairs in the hospital outside the operating room and Jaryse said to the doctor "well, look at these kitties in this hospital!!!!!" It was almost like he knew that kitties didn't really belong in hospitals!!!! LOL!!!! Well, in Haiti, anything goes, and the kitties are welcomed to eat the rats and mice! Jaryse was given the anestesia, and taken into surgery. He was in surgery for over 2 hours!!!!! I think the hardest part for him was not eating breakfast, the hardest part for me was hearing him cry when given the shot and when he was waking...

We returned this morning from Jacmel after attending the funeral and the burial of 3 year old Jabez. I have to say, this was the most heartbreaking thing I have every been a part of. My heart breaks over and over and over for his parents, my friends Danny and Leanne. I just cannot imagine what they feel. I am just broken all over for this family. We leave in the morning to travel to Aux Cayes so that Jaryse can have his hernia's repaired. I have never been to Aux Cayes and I have no idea what sorts of accomodations are awaiting me there! I will post an update if there is internet service, but otherwise, I will post one when we return to Port au Prince on Saturday. Please keep Danny and Leanne and their family in your prayers as this difficult time continues for them. Please also pray for Jaryse's safety throughout his surgery on Monday. Thank you so much for your support and love and prayers.

Well, this is the beautiful view of the Caribbean Ocean from our hotel room in Jacmel this weekend. As I looked out the window I felt the need to video it, and I just felt like it is such a dichotomy. Here is one of the most beautiful views that I have ever seen, but behind me in the little straw or cement hut, is a family with nothing. A family that is starving or someone is sick or hurting with no where to turn. Yet, this country is full of potential that is hindered by so many cultural beliefs and so many corrupt officials. I pray for this country. Now today, as I look at this video, I want to cry. I returned home from my trip to Jacmel Sunday night, on Tuesday afternoon, I got a call from my friends in Jacmel, and they informed me that the little boy that I had just done therapy on had passed away. Jabez was 3 years old with Cerebral Palsy. He was a joy and I am going to miss his little smile so much. Jabez, I know you are running around in Heaven with Jesus, doing all the things t...

I realized the other day as I was scrolling through my blog, that i haven't updated my blog on the kids that I do therapy with! Sorry about that!!! I have posted some pictures of Ashley, in fact, these pictures were taken at her home. She and her family have been struggling with illnesses and coming to my place has been difficult for her. I took a step of faith and went to her home. She lives in an abandoned and partially finished cement structure. It's not really a house, it's a couple of rooms with a floor that is not fully finished. Right in front of the "entrance" is a HUGE hole that is a cistern with no cover. It's a bit dangerous!!!! Anyway, we had a wonderful session at her house and she was very happy to see me there! She is making slow improvements with increased control over her hands and arms. Unfortunately, our consistency in seeing each other has not been very good the past couple of months, I am hoping now that school is out for me, I ...