Nicole Neff Photography

I had intended to start up Fun-Fact Fridays again today, but then the news of the Haiti earthquake came out, and I knew what I’d be blogging about.

Not many know this, but I have a soft spot for Haiti. I’ve never been there, but my life keeps finding ways to be connected to it.

In college, I nearly went there for a summer to be a missionary. I felt God calling me to bigger things than the issues in my own life, and I was completely willing to go. There were several times at my campus ministry when the message felt like it was directed right at me, telling me to go serve others. I was all but ready to start the work necessary to prepare for the trip, and then I didn’t feel God calling me to it anymore. It was almost as if God just wanted to see if I was willing.

Then also while in college, I wrote a story for the Tribune Star about a local church donating their steeple to a ministry in Haiti. They took the steeple off their own building, shipped it to Haiti, and then several members went all the way there to erect it. I was able to speak with both members of the Terre Haute church as well as Willem Charles, the leader of Mountain Top Ministries in Gramothe, Haiti. After the story ran, the guys from the church gave me a picture of their final product along with their signatures and notes of appreciation. I still have it, and I cherish it. I emailed Willem and his wife Beth (who is a native Terre Haute resident) and quickly received an email saying they were okay. God is good!

Tyler and I also sponsor a child in Haiti through Compassion International. Her name is Claudine, and she lives in Cap-Haitian, which is on the northern border of Haiti and luckily far enough from the earthquake’s epicenter that she should be okay. I received an email from Compassion a couple days ago saying they are working hard to account for all of the children in Haiti who are sponsored, so I guess there are no guarantees. Nonetheless, I sent her a message through Compassion’s web site letting her know I was praying and waiting for word that she is okay. (If you’d like to give to Compassion, you can do so here.)

And as I watched on the news tonight the devastation in Haiti, I was overcome with grief for the people there and at the same time gratitude for all I have. We are SO lucky in this country to never have to go through the poverty, famine and anarchy that has plagued Haiti for so many years. To add to their grief this awful destruction makes me mourn for them. They already had so little, and now everything they did have is gone. So I pray with the rest of the world that Haiti will overcome this, stronger than ever. I know I will be giving a little extra this month to help these people who have nothing, and I know that already many more are doing so. But what I wouldn’t give to be there now, in person, helping these people amidst their devastation.

I would have posted a picture of Claudine here, but my scanner wasn’t working. So instead, I am posting some images from the Web that have touched me and even moved me to tears. ***Warning: Some of them are quite visual, but they are just a small fraction of the reality Haitians are facing this very moment***

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I know that these are tough economic times here in the United States for many, but I hope you will find a way to join me in donating money to this cause, no matter which organization you choose. These people have absolutely nothing. And in the meantime, prayer is needed on so many levels: for the people of Haiti, for their leaders, for the relief workers, for the doctors and nurses and for the many who have gone unaccounted for.

Goodness, I love Christmas. It’s always my favorite time of the year. But this year I just haven’t been able to get in the spirit. I don’t know if it’s how warm the weather was up until a few weeks ago, the fact that we’ve not had a measurable snow, the crowds of Scrooges at the stores or because I’ve been so busy. Does anyone else feel this way?

Once Tyler and I got back from our cruise a couple weeks ago, we put the Christmas tree up the next day. It’s something we love doing together every year. And it always makes me a little more merry. This year, Tyler put up the tree and lights and then I decorated it with all of our ornaments. Separately. So it wasn’t exactly the tradition we’re used to, but it got the job done.

Some people like themed trees, but I just like the nostalgic ornaments. You know, the ones that you’ve had from childhood and have added to over the years. There is just so much emotional attachment to them, and it makes me happy to reflect on those Christmases from the past. My mother in law (hi, Lana!!) always gets us a new themed ornament every year (Tyler’s theme is drummer boy and when I came into the family, I chose gingerbread cookies), so it’s fun to know that we have at least one from each year Tyler and I have been married.

So I thought I’d share some of me and Tyler’s favorite ornaments.

For the first year we were married.

One to celebrate our first-ever home.

Celebrating our first year in our current home.

I bought the next two at Target a few years ago. I just think they’re pretty.

Our newest ornaments are too heavy to hang on the tree, so they sit on a table in the living room.

Even Lola has her own ornament. I think we need to get her a new one, though…she was just a pup when this picture was taken!

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! May it be merry and bright.And for those of you who have a white Christmas…I’ll be quite envious. Nothing but rain here. Boo!