So Many Blessings

As I prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally, to go back to my home in Haiti, I feel so blessed!!!!!  Haiti and God’s Littlest Angels is where I’m supposed to be – God has made that abundantly clear to  me over the past month.  I’ve been surprised to realize that Haiti truly feels like “real life” now.  I feel like I’ve been on a long vacation and it’s time to get back to work.  I’m so anxious to go back to my babies – the ones I get to hold, cuddle, carry around, squeeze, kiss, nurture, care for, and love whenever I want, because they’re mine!

But what an incredible, restful, fulfilling, blessed month I’ve had!

I got to go with my family to pick up the newest members of the Smith farm – 2 goats!!  Meet Billy and Bobby, named by my dad. 🙂

 

 

 

I got to experience a typical Indiana week of weather – snow, huge thunderstorm, dreary, chilly and windy, and sunny and 80……all in one week……  Plus I got to smell freshly cut grass (there isn’t much grass to cut in Haiti, and I’m definitely a country girl.)  I saw the trees and flowers start to bloom.  I also got to witness another awe-inspiring Indiana sunset, full of brilliant colors.

I got to reconnect with and spend time with my incredible friends that I seriously miss so much, including several of my American babies. 🙂  I got to see my cousin, Josh, who was my best friend growing up, and who I hadn’t seen in over 2 years!  I, amazingly, got to visit all of my grandparents, and I was able to spend time with all but 5 of my cousins and all but 2 of my aunts and uncles – let me tell you, there are a lot of them…..  I also got to see my friend, Janet, who I haven’t seen in over 10 years.  I got to meet her handsome little man, too!

I was blessed to be able to visit the church where I grew up, and speak about my ministry for the first time!

I enjoyed the freedom of being able to get in the car and drive wherever I wanted.

I ate strawberries!!! (If you find them in Haiti, they cost about $16/lb – not a luxury I choose. :))

I read 6 books! I’ve found that I get so tired and overwhelmed in Haiti, I haven’t been able to finish a book in almost a year.  I was so excited to rediscover my love of reading.

I got to go out with my siblings and spend time getting to know them again.  I cannot believe how quickly they’re growing up. 😥  I got to go to one of my sister, Anna’s, track meets.  She’s a freshman, running at the level of a junior!

I got to play violin in orchestra at church for the first time in many months!

While I’m getting anxious to go back to my new normal, I’m really going to miss these people, experiences and conveniences.  As hard as it is to have my heart in so many places, I’m truly blessed.