tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26395801787364353872024-03-05T07:55:16.531-08:00"Live humbly, Love radically"Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-85310726954874837432014-04-29T09:03:00.000-07:002014-04-29T09:03:41.953-07:00Last Day in Haiti
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It’s hard to believe I have lived in this little island for
about a year and a half. It’s hard to believe that today is my last day of
living in the midst of mango trees, goats, chickens, and the sound of the ocean
waves creating their own symphony as they roll back and forth crashing onto the
shore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Haiti has been by far one of the most challenging mission
fields I’ve ever been called to – ministry-wise and personally. That being
said, it has also been one of the most blessed seasons God has gifted me with.
I’ve been blessed to live in a diverse mission community, made up of families,
single people, clergy, religious, teens, toddlers & newborns. We have
prayed together, laughed together, cried together, and fought the good fight
for the faith together. We have also helped each other out on this road to
sanctity by smoothing out each other’s rough edges as we have been called to grow
in love & humility. What a journey it has been. I think it’s one of those
things in life where I will be much more aware of all the workings of the Lord
when I look back in hindsight. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAARM4YB-JzZ2BjD-5NnWnMbGcFXZbu81V5L2khsLk-1_fbaqMIblsrvqmQzjT-8leHo13N5WKUjGJ2eI9kxkHFXF1Vd6eiCzNJrSo0gkXOh4CaCXkF7Yj_qANUQY-2udhikS_afgnIb_s/s1600/1907307_10100578838215397_7604005686900580168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAARM4YB-JzZ2BjD-5NnWnMbGcFXZbu81V5L2khsLk-1_fbaqMIblsrvqmQzjT-8leHo13N5WKUjGJ2eI9kxkHFXF1Vd6eiCzNJrSo0gkXOh4CaCXkF7Yj_qANUQY-2udhikS_afgnIb_s/s1600/1907307_10100578838215397_7604005686900580168_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on my last Friday nigh in Haiti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> There is no way around it, leaving is hard. Tears have been
shed and I’m sure they will be shed again, whenever I am reminded of the
goodness of the Lord that was so abundantly poured out in the past year and a
half. I know nostalgia will settle in my heart. But I pray that it wouldn’t
remain as nostalgia, but that it would turn into a prayer of thankfulness for
what God has done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The hardest thing is leaving people. I’ve moved quiet a bit
in my lifetime and that is the one thing that never gets easier. I think it
actually gets harder. I’d like to think it gets harder because you allow your
heart to love more, to become more invested. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUW-qc9R1HLWoJ1gJYUhLk_V5CNX7bVXMDfTqIFQyEEW56umexAwwylIBpSX0KAzr9thuGmOaucIP8569h5oZQNOliYH-wYNqatrDq8LoeijMp63p5dgWUX9fbcEBa8-tz7DtIvUaCJ2A/s1600/10175023_10100581561413087_4179967528326890487_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUW-qc9R1HLWoJ1gJYUhLk_V5CNX7bVXMDfTqIFQyEEW56umexAwwylIBpSX0KAzr9thuGmOaucIP8569h5oZQNOliYH-wYNqatrDq8LoeijMp63p5dgWUX9fbcEBa8-tz7DtIvUaCJ2A/s1600/10175023_10100581561413087_4179967528326890487_n-1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathaniel's First Haircut -I have loved being a part of his many "firsts"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVk9dS0r_jhWqH8sKf9oE0J0rIpf0bEuN-rwPjr-AAi_4ELeEPbRYLLEiS-wgnL68jknY2LagUhl21ZKyaFAMyrS3fVmGtW-On8ZcxbXi5xIwyFmCq9tmgCsuZj3e9_lhbKeJOwQZvrY8/s1600/10154442_10100581551353247_3700191743752071342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVk9dS0r_jhWqH8sKf9oE0J0rIpf0bEuN-rwPjr-AAi_4ELeEPbRYLLEiS-wgnL68jknY2LagUhl21ZKyaFAMyrS3fVmGtW-On8ZcxbXi5xIwyFmCq9tmgCsuZj3e9_lhbKeJOwQZvrY8/s1600/10154442_10100581551353247_3700191743752071342_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch - fresh out of the ocean</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It will be hard to find myself humming a Haitian Creole hymn
and not have Sara next to me to join in the song, no questions asked, as if
it’s the most normal thing in the world. It will be hard to not hear Paul
singing “What if God was one of us” to the top of his lungs, at least once a
month. It will be hard to not have good conversations with Anna anytime, the
ones that happen when you’re at the beginning of a new friendship, where you’re
discovering so much of the beauty of the person’s story. It will be hard to not
hear Fr. Louis make a song out of the last sentence he hears me say, or to not
have philosophical conversations about life, ranging from theology all the way
to “little v” and “big b” conundrum. It will be hard to not have Sean encourage
me to do something that I don’t believe I can do like climb a mango tree,
descend a mango tree, and use tools like chain saws. It will be hard to not see
all of our kiddos everyday, and having them run up to me to give me a hug just
because. This list could go on for a long time. But I think you get the idea.
It’s the little things that stick with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This chapter of my life is coming to a close, and it’s
bittersweet. I am thankful. And I am looking forward to what He has in store.
The sense I get in prayer is that wherever He leads, I’ll be there for a good
amount of time. I am excited to settle down and I am excited for what He will
do, what He will write for this next chapter. I can attest that the Lord is a
good Author. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX59XdtMkLlcYTC4wvw5V9PA6dSBzkVdme6OsjgZIHM5DSWGya6-b2IPZw97x957xx6c51Cg6XAv9zdCcaKZiaw8xKLzY-jYxQC1HbrRT0tXG9a7XHTyMYOQKgRG8ha-6GpsTA-pO59VJ/s1600/10256516_10100577261709727_4479227222937083564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX59XdtMkLlcYTC4wvw5V9PA6dSBzkVdme6OsjgZIHM5DSWGya6-b2IPZw97x957xx6c51Cg6XAv9zdCcaKZiaw8xKLzY-jYxQC1HbrRT0tXG9a7XHTyMYOQKgRG8ha-6GpsTA-pO59VJ/s1600/10256516_10100577261709727_4479227222937083564_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Ministry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKMZcFA5kvyDvporhO54JLuZiNjV5mutJzVi483vj_1aygrkIA-mXOTT5VY0nFcX1LIRxln1Tw9NmUO1PKlyNvPJab6l4fVX1VRhhCi_W9EPThIBlghs4IQvtQtt0_GuhymP9li-y9Vzz/s1600/benches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKMZcFA5kvyDvporhO54JLuZiNjV5mutJzVi483vj_1aygrkIA-mXOTT5VY0nFcX1LIRxln1Tw9NmUO1PKlyNvPJab6l4fVX1VRhhCi_W9EPThIBlghs4IQvtQtt0_GuhymP9li-y9Vzz/s1600/benches.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Louis sharing the Gospel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-56256188096288735482014-03-16T10:21:00.003-07:002014-03-16T10:21:46.652-07:00Last week in my 20's
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned thirty years old
yesterday. The first words that came to mind when Sara (my
roommate/friend/missionary sister) asked me how I felt was that I have ad a good
life. We both started laughing because for a moment it sounded as if I was 95
years old and had had a plethora of life experience I was looking back at and
reflecting on. But that is honestly how I truly feel. I have had a good life.
Sure, I’ve seen my fair share of suffering and had some suffering of my own –
but in the midst of all that, the one thing I can attest to with 100%
conviction is that the goodness God has blessed me with far outweighs any
measure of difficulty. Even in the midst of sorrow, He has brought forth beauty
and goodness, showing me over and over again how He has conquered the world (John 16:33)
and that my life is in the Almighty hands of Infinite Goodness, Perfect Love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This past week we had
the CSU (Catholic Student Union) from FSU come and serve/journey with us. To be
honest I was very tired on our way to pick them up at the airport in
Port-au-Prince since we’ve had groups come back to back since January aside
from other ministry events. My focus was more geared on being able to get
through the week as opposed to looking forward to journeying with people that
God was leading here. But thankfully, by His grace, despite my being tired, the
Lord quickly reminded me that His power is made perfect in weakness. On our 3-4
hours truck ride to the base I was able to get over my being tired and my eyes
were quickly opened to the beauty of the young men and women He gifted me with
this week. Right off the bat, I started having deep and substantial
conversations with different members from the group. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The depth and beauty
of the human soul is pretty astounding once you take the time to actually
listen and ponder the magnificent ways the Lord writes each story with such
delicacy, attention to detail, sense of adventure, twists and turns - a perfect
picture reflecting His redeeming and transformative love. It’s amazing. Words
don’t do it justice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I felt as if in big
ways and little ways God used this last week in my 20’s as a reminder of all he
has done in my life. It was a week jam packed with prayer, communal life,
sharing the Gospel, sharing my life story and getting to hear others’ stories,
taking care of people who were sick/injured, dancing, singing, traveling,
playing with little kids, great coffee, flowers, and the Lord even brought a
fellow Texan here for me to be able to relate to :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am one thankful girl.
I am excited for what the next thirty years have in store. I am excited for
what is to come. I am excited to jump back into nursing full time and one day
go back to school. I am excited to see friends and family. I am excited for
entering into my vocation - I have no clue of when that will happen but I feel
that is something the Lord is working on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I know leaving Haiti
will be very difficult. As the time draws near for me to return to the United
States, my heart is keenly aware of the pain it will go through from leaving
people that I love, people that have a piece of my heart. But I was once told,
or I read it somewhere, that if you really love a person, pain is inevitable, and
that means you loved well. I sure hope so. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aiFO2VBlNwjR3o0Qzcl9jJl9Xqxl4js0KLUJvB1mU1XCSFMLKTjmfGZmktIfEdq_VQNowXzUJZEZcki6IapMRwlTBhZmFctm0sRPeomJ4-DJpn9EklgeV7zmec2q_cnj_5o4wXJz9aX8/s1600/10014693_10100546719741077_1659577606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aiFO2VBlNwjR3o0Qzcl9jJl9Xqxl4js0KLUJvB1mU1XCSFMLKTjmfGZmktIfEdq_VQNowXzUJZEZcki6IapMRwlTBhZmFctm0sRPeomJ4-DJpn9EklgeV7zmec2q_cnj_5o4wXJz9aX8/s1600/10014693_10100546719741077_1659577606_n.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akrin, little girl at Fr. Deu's monastery/orphanage. LOVE her.</td></tr>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-34058292811418522262014-02-27T09:13:00.000-08:002014-02-27T09:13:33.575-08:00“Leaving on a jet plane…”
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, not quite, but I am leaving Haiti at the end of April.
What an unexpected, challenging, blessed and fruitful journey it has been. I
think summarizing almost a year and a half of being on mission here would take
several paragraphs. I can say that that is has been real and it has been very
good. I’m thankful. I still have about 2 months until I come back to the United
States, and I am hoping and praying to make the best of the time I have left -
“carpe diem” as they say. I will also do a much better job at blogging – sorry about that :)
Music – I love music. So, for some reason, “My Favorite Things” from The Sound
of Music came to mind as I was trying to figure out what to blog about in
regards to my time in Haiti thus far. I’ve come to realize that it’s the little things-
the things that seem so ordinary, little things that might not be as
noticeable at times, that really stick with me. So here are some of my favorite things
from Haiti...in song - sort of :)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Freshly
picked mangoes and laughing ‘til I cry,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Saturdays
with Loucie, watch the Gospel change lives,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trips to the
monastery and Chez Den wings, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These are a
few of my favorite things</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Practicing
nursing for the underserved,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Magnificent
sunsets with colors unheard,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Countless
church choirs with a talent to sing,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These are a few of my favorite things</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Colorful
dresses and head wraps galore,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cute little
toddlers in school uniforms,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A majestic
ocean where I can swim,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These are a
few of my favorite things </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>When the
goat bites<br />
Mosquitoes sting<br />
When I'm feeling sad<br />
I simply remember my favorite things<br />
And then I don't feel so bad</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Freshly
roasted coffee and loving ‘til it hurts,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trying to
bathe with water coming out in spurts,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Living in
community and going hiking,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These are a
few of my favorite things</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Access to
the sacraments, baby missionaries,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Living
simply, surrounded by mountains and trees,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A wider
worldview and new friends I’m making,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These are a
few of my favorite things</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><i>When the goat bites<br />
Mosquitoes sting<br />
When I'm feeling sad<br />
I simply remember my favorite things<br />
And then I don't feel so bad</i></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*In case you've never heard, "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, here you go:</span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-52068956947852210192013-10-10T18:08:00.002-07:002014-02-27T09:14:00.622-08:00God Laughs<style>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night the
psalm response for daily mass was <i>“Lord you are merciful and gracious”</i> (Psalm
86). I’ve heard about his mercy and grace my whole life. But last night I had a
revelation. It wasn’t expected and it didn’t hit me like roaring thunder. It
was more like a whisper and truth settled in my soul, gently, yet firmly.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He is <b>full of mercy</b>. He is <b>full of grace</b>. He is merciful; he
is patient on an infinite scale. To often I feel that my faith should be
perfect, unwavering, without any bit of doubt or feeling shaken. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I’ve come to
realize that on this side of heaven, although I truly desire with every part of
me to love and trust Him perfectly, the reality is that I will fall short.
There will be times of struggle. There will be times of intense aridity that
can make doubt a heavy and almost crushing load. That in a way is inevitable in
this world, in this season of life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But what I think was revealed in my heart yesterday is that
God knows I will fall short. He knows my faith will not always be strong. God
knows my trust in him will at times fail. He knows all that. It’s not news to
him. He knew all of that before I even came into this world. But what I know
now with greater assurance and conviction is that he is merciful. <b>I think he
looks at my faithfulness. I think he cares much more that I chose to love him
and follow him, even if my head and my heart at times seem to feel anything but
certain. He is merciful because he knows – he knows me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There is peace resting in His mercy in grace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In his book, Faith & Doubt, John Ortbergh refers to G.K.
Chesterton’s final chapter in Orthodoxy. He sets it up by giving an example.
Imagine you have a 5 year-old daughter. She becomes very sick and needs to have
surgery. You don’t know what is wrong but you are worried and fearful that she
might die. Remember all you know is that she is really sick and the doctor told
you she needs surgery. The doctor approaches you and explains your daughter
needs to have her tonsils taken out, a very routine procedure and she will be
fine. You are relieved and joyful. You proceed to enter your child’s hospital
room and attempt to reassure her that everything will be ok. But your child is
terrified; she is nervous and does not yet understand.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ortbergh continues, </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“So you cannot let her see the lightness
of your heart. You cant joke around. You can’t laugh. She would think you
didn’t care. You must take her fear seriously. You must let her know empathize.
But every once in a while you have to leave her sickroom. You have to be able
to laugh. You know all will be well. What if the human condition is something
like this?...What if all things are going to be well? What if Jesus knew?
Really knew? Then everything would have looked different to him. God would be
the parent and we would be the 5 year-old in the sickroom. And God would have
to accommodate himself to us; he would have to knit his brow, nod his head and
take our fear seriously. But every once in a while God would have to excuse
himself just to go outside and laugh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This example sets up the G.K. Chesterton excerpt well. In
Orthodoxy, Chesterton writes:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Joy which was the small publicity of the pagan,
is the gigantic secret of the Christian…The Stoics ancient and modern, were
proud of conceiling their tears. He [Jesus] never concealed his tears, he
showed them plainly on his open face at any daily sight, such as the far sight
of his native city. Yet he concealed something. Solemn supermen and imperial
diplomats are proud of restraining their anger. He never restrained his anger.
He flung furniture down the front steps of the temple and asked men how they
expected to escape the damnation of hell. Yet he restrained something. I say it
with reverence; there was in that shattering personality a thread that must be
called shyness. There was something that he hid from all men when he went up
the mountain to pray There was something covered constantly by abrupt silence
or impetuous isolation. There was one thing that was too great for God to show
us when he walked on earth; I have sometimes fancied it was his <i><b>mirth</b></i>”</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Can you imagine? His mirth. Wow. So, my heavenly Father
knows. He knows everything so well, and he is merciful and gracious. And he
laughs. Not a condescending or careless laughter. He laughs because he knows
that all will be well. What blessed assurance! He tenderly acknowledges my
fears and insecurities but he can be joyful because he is fearless and
absolutely secure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In this life I may stumble and at times fall. I might feel
shaken. I might have days that I thoroughly understand that the spirit is
willing but the flesh is weak. I might have days were certainty is hard to come
by. But that is ok. Because he is full of mercy, because he is full of
limitless grace. He calls me, asks me to strive for perfection but he does not
say that I will not have trouble or trials. When those come my way, I have the
choice, even if I feel all kinds of frailty, to follow him. I can chose even if
I’m burdened with doubt, to trust him. He can take my feeble attempt at
following him and loving him with all my might, and he can make it good. <b>He can
transform my fragile faith into unwavering conviction.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>A priest recently told me that here on
earth, we are never going to love or trust God enough. We don’t have the
ability to love and trust him as he deserves due to our fallen nature. But get
this, that is ok. He knows all about our fallen nature. I think he delights in
our efforts, even if we stumble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two songs came to mind as I was reflecting today: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Caedmon's Call, "Shifting Sand"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Alli Rogers, "Choosing" </span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-65690810040956720502013-09-01T16:03:00.003-07:002013-09-01T16:03:53.979-07:00Sweet Jinli - Life Teen Haiti<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IvVDFuiwPZE" width="459"></iframe>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-39589075439284579002013-08-17T09:59:00.000-07:002014-02-27T09:14:50.690-08:00Where have all the mangoes gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seasons - in Haiti, there are marked seasons for different kinds of
produce. It never really dawned on me that each season determines what kind of
fruits and vegetables you get to eat. I’ve lived in Guatemala, California,
Maryland, Atlanta and Dallas. Everywhere I have lived, I’ve had access to
pretty much anything I would like to eat at any time, yes, sometimes maybe one
or two things weren’t available but that wasn’t a frequent occurrence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Haiti on the other hand is a whole other story. If something
isn’t in season, you simply don’t get it. You have no option but to wait for
the season to come back around. For example, a couple of months ago we were
right in the peak of mango season – and it was fantastic. One night, Paul, Anna
and I ate 14 mangoes in one sitting! They were so good, and toss in the fact
that they are good for you – we were sold, and we had a jolly old time feasting
on this tropical fruit.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC1TgJiDS2Qnvt8W5Qtol5dsSfFNztY2J-WpyKtpoGgyLBcOhfVdPK3PAJBZ-e2jNLoioaUZmD4X3t40zutG2MeuvOcJz2G8gi2tGU6s3heT5lnXgUcpu7tKvgGkdczZ550UB09Ta2kqT/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC1TgJiDS2Qnvt8W5Qtol5dsSfFNztY2J-WpyKtpoGgyLBcOhfVdPK3PAJBZ-e2jNLoioaUZmD4X3t40zutG2MeuvOcJz2G8gi2tGU6s3heT5lnXgUcpu7tKvgGkdczZ550UB09Ta2kqT/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mango Season</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r4EhgREaxHArhOjDwkKJJuZW-qROyYEQjJsxAwovAR178QvQzUsTbgp0_4gmvTCcd6FAJZ_0L71KtMapSmBGV0sekmiW_ZEygpEVPpyUIivJaYeDPKhu47t-w6SCSy0PciHBOeD5-1_9/s1600/1173747_10100377912986167_1300721194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r4EhgREaxHArhOjDwkKJJuZW-qROyYEQjJsxAwovAR178QvQzUsTbgp0_4gmvTCcd6FAJZ_0L71KtMapSmBGV0sekmiW_ZEygpEVPpyUIivJaYeDPKhu47t-w6SCSy0PciHBOeD5-1_9/s1600/1173747_10100377912986167_1300721194_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kinnep Season</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well mango season has passed, so we no longer have access to
this treat. We have all mentioned at one time or another how much we enjoyed
mango season and wished it was a year-round fruit. But then their came the “kinep”
season (also known as quenepa) which was pretty tasty. This season is currently
in its last days, so lately we have been trying to get every bit of fruit off
the tree before they all spoil and rot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Paul mentioned we can get mangoes from Port-au-Prince,
people refrigerate mangoes to try and have them last past their season. But
many of the locals will tell you, they are not as good as when they are in
season and often times you get rotten mangoes. Now for kineps, there is no way
around it, you can’t make them last longer, they will rot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being a foodie myself, I have become increasingly aware of
the kinds of food available to us with each season in Haiti. It struck me
recently that I am more appreciative of what each season brings, because I know
the facts: 1) The supply is available for a limited amount of time 2) The
produce is best enjoyed when in season 3) If you try to keep the produce past
the season, it will likely rot 4) If you try and eat a fruit before it’s ripe,
it does not taste good and you’ve just wasted a perfectly good treat of nature,
all because of your refusal to wait.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So this got me thinking about life, and how each season in my
life, God has different gifts He desires to give me at that appointed time. If
I trust that God has ordained with careful precision that said gifts be given
to me at an appointed time, then I will be able to enjoy them and gain some
sort of growth/strengthening in my heart (just as fruit is healthy for your
body and allows it to function on a more optimal level). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what are the gifts (at least the ones I’ve been able to
recognize so far) since my arrival in Haiti? </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Feeling completely outside of my element when I am the only
English speaker trying to understand a myriad of native Haitians chatting it up
in Creole. If I am paying enough attention, this serves as a reminder of the
importance of communication, of the deep seeded desire to be in communion with
others, to be heard, to understand and to be understood. If I remember this
every time I am in this setting, this could be a great opportunity (gift) to
enter in conversation with the Lord.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sabbath days, when I get to go down to the beach, spend time
with the Lord, and feel like a little kid in a majestic playground (beach,
mountains, blue sky fading into all sort of pink, orange, yellow and purple
hues).</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OafNJQ_p8bLSy1f0CfU3MrD4kZWcqEFrtPfYzyM08plx1zKSawFHT-cJqh7jfh-h0ajsb45ZrqpvnMB3zoZE6q-GkbXGw3V6aXw3YJx4zF_Tf2Y7PCfWa-td9dVNAqbzDt7fVhjUte8G/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OafNJQ_p8bLSy1f0CfU3MrD4kZWcqEFrtPfYzyM08plx1zKSawFHT-cJqh7jfh-h0ajsb45ZrqpvnMB3zoZE6q-GkbXGw3V6aXw3YJx4zF_Tf2Y7PCfWa-td9dVNAqbzDt7fVhjUte8G/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being single, all the while having the conviction and desire
in my heart for marriage and family. Although challenging and at times lonely, it
is helping me appreciate the time that I have now with the Lord, a very unique
time that I won’t have in the same capacity once I am married. And it is
helping me to be way more intentional in praying for my future husband and
family.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6XrsmcxmSNg6WvLpRi4qDpLNoqgoHpCIPF2EFFYlZZakduUfyLWH8Kaaa2MAuqOxZToLMvqCjQsB91QX0MlmfBVfokPYxfu_oYeRENzKZpJKqrbwtSL5VtmoI7M7CK3QPcConWsbPYqz/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6XrsmcxmSNg6WvLpRi4qDpLNoqgoHpCIPF2EFFYlZZakduUfyLWH8Kaaa2MAuqOxZToLMvqCjQsB91QX0MlmfBVfokPYxfu_oYeRENzKZpJKqrbwtSL5VtmoI7M7CK3QPcConWsbPYqz/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Nathaniel, our missionary baby (Paul & Anna's son)- love him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Getting to provide medical care to people in need. Even
though I am currently not able to do as much as I would like (resources,
needing more education to expand my practice etc.). This setting as a nurse has
confirmed to a greater degree the calling to practice nursing. Also, it has
sparked a newfound desire and passion to expand my education and learn more
regarding my practice, so that I can provide more care for my patients.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglubFIqX-KABkmXOcgUJ4hXnA1lZZbaeerO3NfeAGXS1aoqKG2Kpv5KP6EyOY2kv3mZRDmXqBlyXVqBU16k_u7TrOwOyfQj7tnEB3ugTNO2nJdBLu0cg2MBaxwn1q_Z5FKkijUyLT4HrDX/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglubFIqX-KABkmXOcgUJ4hXnA1lZZbaeerO3NfeAGXS1aoqKG2Kpv5KP6EyOY2kv3mZRDmXqBlyXVqBU16k_u7TrOwOyfQj7tnEB3ugTNO2nJdBLu0cg2MBaxwn1q_Z5FKkijUyLT4HrDX/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the medical supplies that have been donated to our base</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Living in community. It’s a good, difficult, shaping, and
fruitful venture. A friend talked about his relationship with his wife once
(whom he loves dearly), and he said that she is like sand paper to him and vice
versa. They smooth each other out, and it can be rough at times but it is good.
In community, there have been definite seasons of sanding out each other’s
rough edges.</span> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Times of aridity in prayer and times of spiritual attack.
These gifts are much more difficult for me to receive with trust and joy. My
tendency is to think something has gone horribly wrong and that causes stress
and anxiety. Little by little though, I am learning to remember that the Lord
is sovereign, and He allows seasons to come and go with it’s gifts for a good
and holy purpose. When I remember that, my heart is able to endure the pain of
trials and refinement, with the knowledge in my head and in my heart that His
hand is holding my heart and He’s got me, and I’m safe.</span></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0owxQ_Q2QM_BcFlFyIN0hZN0wULkUr69WABh62M0oPQOUdsJlzHMCvIOLRkPqrzkH0Y8VeYUPfyKn7-jsfpbvtBfZTgE1uL02kyY8E2XFLWz5_BZ0TxFSrr9FjSYoKzP9p472Qy_INN3/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0owxQ_Q2QM_BcFlFyIN0hZN0wULkUr69WABh62M0oPQOUdsJlzHMCvIOLRkPqrzkH0Y8VeYUPfyKn7-jsfpbvtBfZTgE1uL02kyY8E2XFLWz5_BZ0TxFSrr9FjSYoKzP9p472Qy_INN3/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" height="320" width="234" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good reminder a friend sent me from her Magnificat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verse 1 it says, <i>“For
everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”</i> My
prayer is that I can remember this, and when my memory gets murky and I find it
hard to enter into the season the Lord is giving me, that by His grace I’d be
reminded of this truth. </span></div>
Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-53984543327581133332013-06-26T09:38:00.003-07:002014-02-27T09:16:33.258-08:00I will wait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rGKfrgqWcv0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Waiting. A topic that is quite prevalent among several young adults that I know. I've heard about waiting, read about waiting, sung about waiting, talked about waiting, prayed about waiting - all the while...waiting.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">As I wondered what I could blog about this month, I hesitated to write on this particular subject. For one it's somewhat vulnerable, secondly I've read several solid truths on the matter that I am sure most young Christians who are called to marriage and are seeking to follow the Lord wholeheartedly have already come across. So this is nothing new, not a revolutionary revelation, it's just what the Lord has been teaching me, personally.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">I am 29 years old and I've never been in a serious relationship. I came to know the Lord, to really enter into a relationship with Him when I was about 15 years old. Prior to my full conversion of heart, I was very much focused on having to have a boyfriend because everyone else was in that boat. I very much believed my worth was weighed by whether or not I was in a relationship. After encountering Christ, I knew that was a flat out lie. I came to know and believe the truth that my worth is and will always be found in Him. It was during that time of transformation that I told the Lord I did not want to date until He deigned it to be the right time, I even went as far as to ask Him to not let me date until my husband was ready for me and I for him. Well, let's just say God certainly heard that prayer and has been faithful to it. And even though it can be difficult, I can honestly say that I am thankful.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">It's not easy but rather wait than settle. I rather wait than date for the sake of dating. I rather wait to receive than grasp for what was never intended to be given to me (we all know what happened with Eve). I will wait. Waiting doesn't mean I am putting my life on hold until my husband comes along. Waiting doesn't mean I will let marriage/family become an idol. Waiting doesn't mean I won't have joy. Waiting doesn't mean my life won't have daily surprises, new lessons to be learned, new miracles to attest to, a deeper understanding of His love, a greater appreciation of His mercy and a greater reliance on His guiding hand. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">As I wait on Him (the Lord), and as I wait for him (my spouse), my heart is actively being cultivated and sown by the hands of the Sower. Fruit is coming forth. Branches are being pruned. Life is budding forth. And when the time is right, when the appointed season (as ordained by His divine wisdom and perfect love) arrives, then the active waiting for my spouse will end. A new chapter will begin, His will be all the glory as I can attest to the brilliance of His penmanship in the book of my life, and another season of waiting will commence. And that too will be good, because He is ALL GOOD and can only give good gifts.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">I am aware of the ache in my heart, more than I have ever been. But I am also aware that this ache is part of my life, and it is not meant to dominate it nor suffocate it. It brings me to my knees in prayer, expands my capacity to love, and increases my reliance on the Lord. And all of that is good. I m also aware that just because I am called to wait on Him in this way right now, that does not mean my life is at a halt - not at all. He wakes me up every day, He breathes life into my lungs every few seconds, He makes my heart beat an average of 86,400 beats a day - He is giving me life so that I can LIVE IT. So that is what I want to do - "</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">carpe diem,"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"> they say. So yes, I will wait and as I wait, I will seize each and every day.</span></span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-21203241961928824282013-06-12T08:37:00.000-07:002014-02-27T09:15:34.079-08:00Plan...to be surprised<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>“I want to talk to you about the subject of
plans… life plans and how we all make them, and how we hope that our kids make
good, smart, safe plans of their own. But if we’re really honest with
ourselves, most of our plans don’t work out as we’d hoped. So instead of asking
our young people, ‘What are your plans? What do you plan to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</span> with your life?’, maybe we should
tell them this: Plan… to be surprised.” –Dan in Real Life</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So this quote is from one of my favorite
movies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make plans all the time,
and in one sense that is ok and totally normal. If I don’t take the time to
pray, discern and plan things, then my life wouldn’t move forward in a fruitful
way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What I like about this quote is that it
reminds me that in the midst of all my planning, I shouldn’t forget that it’s
likely that my plans will not turn out exactly the way I envision them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After living in Haiti for almost 6 months
now, I am more keenly aware of how when my plans start taking a u-turn I didn’t
see coming, my first reaction is to…mildly freak out. I start wondering if I
made a major mistake, if I am even capable of discernment or if I have just
been wasting time because obviously things aren’t going according to plan…or
are they? They might not be going according to my pretty-packaged-precise plan,
BUT does my plan really take precedence? Does my plan surpass the story the
Author of life is capable of writing? Well, when you put it that way – no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know that his ways are above mine (Isaiah
55:8-9) and his plans for me far outweigh the goodness I could ever conjure up myself
(Jeremiah 29:11). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to live in His freedom, trusting
that he wants me to participate in His creative work, and trusting that as the
main Artist, He is more than able to guide the strokes of my little paintbrush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">About two days ago, Loucie & Taina came
over to the base. I wanted to include them in making a sign for our youth hang
out spot. I really had a strong desire to have them participate and be invested
in this, because I want them to feel like they are part of a family of faith.
The made the sign pretty much by themselves. I just gave them some pointers.
When Taina started mixing all the colors together with a little too much water
I helped her out so it didn’t turn out like a puddle of brown water :) And in
the end, the sign turned out awesome. I absolutely loved seeing them put all
their effort and creativity into the art project. I loved encouraging them. I
loved seeing their joy as they participated in this project with me. I loved seeing
their creativity gush forth by just opening the door through a small
invitation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I figure, if working with Loucie &
Taina brought me so much joy, if having them participate with me in this
creative work, how much more does the Lord delight in having us participate in
His creative work – the story of our lives? Loucie & Taina trusted me when
I gave them tips, they didn’t rebel and stick to a strict plan they envisioned.
It was a collaborative work – and it was good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc84N0FFF7KRDE-y5l5PkCKhT_umngPn9mtX59pUrdkCzlmlfV7MZncYeW9B57pU7tYvKIAkg3cO979V6SSNleF3Va6axljK_qHP4vigdOSA9LPG6qI6I6fcEhaECm5Y7IzbkGH-7R1VPA/s1600/944415_10100324686277917_1359851012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc84N0FFF7KRDE-y5l5PkCKhT_umngPn9mtX59pUrdkCzlmlfV7MZncYeW9B57pU7tYvKIAkg3cO979V6SSNleF3Va6axljK_qHP4vigdOSA9LPG6qI6I6fcEhaECm5Y7IzbkGH-7R1VPA/s1600/944415_10100324686277917_1359851012_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-394319389626941732013-04-29T10:25:00.002-07:002014-02-27T09:16:59.520-08:00Mangoes, Bibles & Soap<style>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mango season has started here in Haiti and
it’s pretty fantastic. It means we get to eat all kinds of mangoes (I had no
idea such a variety of mangoes existed!) almost on a daily basis. It’s a simple
little joy that God has blessed me with because I really enjoy eating them – I
feel like a little kid during summer time, getting to eat a great snack and not
having a care in the world if my face and hands are covered in sticky mango
juice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over the past month we have received several
Creole Bibles that were donated by our mission partners – THANK YOU! Because of
your donations, we have been able to go out into the village and share the Word
with our neighbors. It has been incredible to witness how God provided us with
a better handle on the language and how the people we visited were so eager to receive
the Gospel. Saint Irenaeus once said, “The glory of God is man most fully
alive,” that came to mind when we got to break open the Word in people’s homes –
my heart was brought to life in a new way, because I was given the opportunity
to go and share the Good News, in a language I am still learning and despite my
own fears and insecurities. God is so faithful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last week we had a group of 8 youth
ministers/core members come to spend a week with us at the base. It was so
GREAT! I absolutely loved having people join in on our rhythm of life – praying
with us, sharing meals, working side by side on work projects, visiting the
poor, visiting those in prison, visiting the sick – it brought my heart great
encouragement to be around people whose hearts are convicted in truth and who
have the same love and desire to make Christ known to the ends of the earth. We
have encountered Love Incarnate, we know the Solution for the aches & pains
of this world - woe to us if we do not share Him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Soap? Well, today I was excited about
taking my shower because I was covered in bug spray (mosquitoes have been
particularly vicious lately). Unfortunately I didn’t get very far because as
soon as I had soaped up, our water stopped working. So there I was covered in
suds, I had to wipe off the soap and get a bucket to fetch water. It was
somewhat comical, I was standing there in unbelief, laughing out loud thinking,
“Um, what am I supposed to do now?” Paul & Anna saw me walk out of the
bathroom with my disheveled wet hair, soap covered feet and big white bucket. I
laughed and explained what happened, and they both reacted to sweetly – they said
that next time I can just scream and they can get a bucket for me. Paul took
the bucket from me, cleaned it, filled it with water and carried it back to the
bathroom for me. What struck me was how my missionary brother & sister
really cared and took the time to help a soapy sister out. It was like getting
a hug for my heart. That lead me to think of recent conversations I have had
with some of my missionary brothers lately (Fr. Louis, Paul & Sean). After
having a series of good, fruitful and insightful conversations the past few
days, I have come to realize how I am blessed by their love & care for me.
They have shown genuine interest in my well-being and have shown how they are
protective (in a good way) of my heart. They’ve also shown how they really
desire good things for my life. It wasn’t grand gestures that made me realize
this, it was just conversations that brought this beautiful gift to my attention.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God is doing good things here in Haiti.
People are coming to know and believe Whose they are and what they were created
for, and that is literally setting hearts free to be fully alive. I am excited
for what God has in store. My heart is at peace with His movement, even if I
can’t always see or understand what He is doing – what I do know is that it is
good, because He is all good, and He cannot go against Himself. So I have
confidence in that unshakable truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-26931734201435385022013-03-19T13:46:00.000-07:002013-03-19T13:46:35.144-07:00This Is Haiti (T.I.H.)
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">So a movie came out a while back staring Leonardo Di Caprio
called “Blood Diamond.” It was about the corruption in the diamond industry in
Africa. In one of the scenes, when Leo’s character meets a young journalist who
is trying to get more information to expose this corruption, they get to
talking about all the problems, corruption and particularities of Africa, and
the response he gives to her is “T.I.A.” When she asks him what that means, he
explains that it means, “This is Africa.” He goes on to explain that the
corruption, difficulties, problems & particularities are just the way
things are in Africa, and these things don’t phase him as he has just come to
accept it, ergo his response of T.I.A. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">About 1 month ago, as Fr. Louis, Michel (Fr. Louis’ brother),
Sara, MarcArthur (Haitian missionary) and me were driving to see the
Missionaries of Charity we got to talking about the many things that are
so…Haiti. So I remembered that movie, and in particular that scene, and I
thought to myself “This is Haiti.” So now every time something happens, that
could only happen here or is just normal/expected by Haitian standards, our
response is “T.I.H.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">For example:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Waking up in the morning and having this
conversation like it’s no big deal - Question: “Did you hear the rats last
night? They were crazy!” Answer: “Nope, I slept through that this time.” – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Driving down the street in your pick up and
stopping several times to give rides to strangers along the way, sometimes
fitting up to 13 people in the back of the truck – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Kidnapping your neighbor’s cat, cooking it,
inviting that same neighbor over for dinner and serving their cat as the meal
as a practical joke. This actually happens here, and people think it’s funny –
T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Using the horn in your car to say “Hello,”
“Goodbye,” “Thank you,” “You’re welcome,” “I’m close to your car” “I’m far away
from your car” “I am driving on the curve of this mountain and I can’t see if
there’s anyone coming on the opposite direction” “Nice to see you again” “I
don’t want to see you again” “What are you doing?” “You’re moving too slow,”
“You’re moving too fast” “Move!” – really, any phrase you can think of – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Walking down the street and having a little kid
scream with a look of fright on his face, “Blan! Blan! Blan! Blan!” (Translation:
White!) – T.I.H </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Finding crabs in the dining room or in your
shower – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>7.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Having pet goats & chickens, and finding out
after dinner that you just ate your pet – T.I.H</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>8.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Having the beach as your backyard – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>9.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Having a group of little kids put together a
whole dance & song performance because it’s your birthday – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>10.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>Having
a group of men fight over who gets to eat the goat brains – T.I.H. <span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">On a more serious note, there are many things in Haiti that
have increased my awareness for the need of mission hearted people to invest in
this country:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>A family of four or more people living in a
small hut with a dirt floor that is smaller than our bathroom – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The all too frequent smell of burning trash –
T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Having to fight with hospital staff so a young
girl who is in respiratory distress can get oxygen, finally getting them to
agree and then having them tell you, you have to pay for the oxygen before they
will administer it, all the while this young girl is barely able to breathe – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Meeting three little kids at an orphanage, who
were abandoned by their parents because they have physical and mental
disabilities – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Hearing the girls that come hang out at the base
tell you they are ugly daily, and trying to explain to them that they have
worth and beauty. Then having a conversation with one of their moms who tells
you in front of her young daughters that Haitian’s are ugly, and then point to
one of the kids calling her ugly, explaining to you why their hair, features
& skin aren’t good enough – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Realizing that in Haiti, unlike other developing
countries I have been too, there aren’t pockets of poverty throughout the
country, poverty is all around you – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>7.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Witnessing several young kids have negative spiritual
manifestations at prayer meetings or church, then finding out their parents had
them “baptized” by a voodoo priest when they were babies – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>8.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Meeting a 22-year old young man who has some
sort of muscular dystrophy, he is about the size of a 6 year old, with several
severe contractions on all his limbs, and very malnourished. Finding out his
life consists of sitting on the dirt floor of his hut, everyday, without much
interaction. All the while thinking if he had access to physical and speech
therapy his quality of life would improve greatly, but he doesn’t – T.I.H. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>9.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Realizing that that several kids in our village
don’t have a relationship with their fathers, because they either abandon them
or have another family elsewhere – T.I.H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>10.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>Watching
little kids, sometime as young as 5 or 6 years old, walking several miles up
and down the street with huge plastic containers just to get clean water for
their homes – T.I.H. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being a missionary in Haiti is not easy. There are so many
problems, so very many obstacles. Often times it can seem almost impossible for
things to get better. I was recently told that Haiti has been called the
“missionary graveyard,” after being here a little over 2 months I can see why
that phrase came about. That being said, even if the outlook for Haiti can seem
bleak at times, I believe that There is Hope (T.I.H.) There is hope for the
people of Haiti because God can bring forth beauty from ashes. There is hope
for the people of Haiti because His love is relentless and He does no tire or
grow weary, even if we do. There is hope for Haiti because God exists and he is
sovereign.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">So now, every time we are joking around with our community
and we see a funny T.I.H moment happen, I am going to try and make that a
prayer and remember that there is hope. </span></span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-38758659442598772692013-02-20T16:58:00.001-08:002014-02-27T09:17:27.058-08:00When the going gets tough, the tough…fall on their knees & pray<style>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Part 1. Lessons being learned</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Transitions are difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I think
starting a new chapter in the book of your life is great, but I also know that
for me it rarely is a walk in the park.</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have been living in Haiti for 1 month and 4 days now. It
has been a hard transition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some things I have personally found to be challenging:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Culture shock</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being homesick</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being the only one in the beginning stages of
knowing the language while the rest of the team has a pretty decent handle on
it (they’ve been here since October of last year) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Feeling inadequate</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Feeling alone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not having a regular schedule (the kinks are still
being worked on so we can have a more structured weekly/daily schedule) </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have come to notice that whenever a big change happens in
my life, I go through similar emotions before I realize that God is sovereign.
Here is my usual train of thought/emotional roller coaster: “What am I doing
here?” “I have nothing to offer” “My faith is not strong enough” “I can’t do
this” “What is the point of this?” “Did I make a huge mistake by doing this?”
“Do I even know how to discern right?” “If I made a mistake then that means I
can’t discern well” “Why would God allow me to chose this?” “What am I going to
do now?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have asked myself those questions & pondered those
thoughts many times, through tears and prayers through anxiety and exhaustion.
And it never fails, that after I go through all of that for however long it may
be, there is calm after the storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When things become difficult like that, my first inclination
is to pray. I usually call my mom and tell her what is going on so she & my
dad can pray with and for me. I also call/write to some of my closest friends
letting them know exactly what is going on so they can intercede for me. I can
honestly say that prayer has gotten me through the rough waters on to calmer
seas. <i>Now, the calmer seas don’t mean I have all the answers or that have it
all figured out. It does mean that by the grace of God my heart is reminded and
my soul is convicted that everything will be ok, because everything is in His
hands, and He works everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans
8:28). It’s when I remember that He is faithful that I stop freaking out and
worrying about everything I don’t see or don’t understand. It’s when I remember
who I belong to that my perspective is more closely aligned to His.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Part 2. How God is moving in the mission</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We took in an older gentlemen, named Camille, a little over
2 weeks ago. He had been living on the streets of Haiti for who knows how long.
He is in his 80s and has a large tumor, he can’t really walk and was abandoned.
Fr. Louis brought him home to the base. We bathed him, fed him, and set up a
little room for him. Fr. Louis got in touch with the Missionaries of Charity,
explained the situation and found him a home with them. We got to take Camille
there (Fr. Louis, Michelle [Fr. Louis’ brother], MarAcrthur, Sara & me) and
it was really neat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had a medical team from Canada here for 10 days. They
used our facilities for food/housing. I got to help them out at the clinic one
day and really enjoyed it because I got to learn quite a bit regarding how a
medical mission can be set up. I even got to learn how to remove a foreign body
from someone’s eye! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In my very broken Creole I got to talk with one of the girls
that comes here pretty regularly, her name is Lucy and. She was wearing s shirt
that was pretty much see through and I wanted to give her a new shirt and
explain to her that she has dignity and worth, and because she is worthy of
being respected, she needs to believe that and respect her self first by
embracing modesty. I also wanted to tell her that she has worth because Jesus
loves her. So, I took a minute and talked with her. She actually understood and
accepted my offer that I would give her a shirt and she would trade hers in. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had our first Life Night (youth group meeting) this past
Sunday. It went well given it was our first one. There is definitely a lot of
tweaking and adjustments but I think that is ok, it is such a different
challenge to introduce a youth ministry style that was developed in the U.S. to
a country whose culture is completely different. I think the kids had fun. I
can’t wait to develop my language skills further so I can talk with them more
one-on-one.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kristine the speech pathologist – so I met this girl who has
lived in Haiti for over 1 year. She works with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos in
Port-au-Prince. Long story short, I am going to visit her one day to have a fun
day and hang out and she is going to see about me staying with her organization
at the volunteer housing so I can help out as a nurse at their pediatric
clinics for a few days – I am so excited!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><b>Part 3. Song that has been on my heart lately</b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Great song by Bethany Dillon:</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oFf-WaFJRTI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-18117808213234857572013-01-27T17:58:00.001-08:002014-02-27T09:17:59.427-08:00“Put out unto the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So the gospel according to Luke, chapter 5 verses 1 through
11, narrates the story of the calling of Simon Peter, James & John. I’d
encourage you to take 5 minutes and read through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was reflecting on the past 10 days since I’ve been in
Haiti, this was the story that came to mind. I read through it again and it
became clear why it’s so applicable to my first few days on mission in Haiti.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus gets in Simon’s
boat<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I find this pretty comical. Here is Simon minding his own
business when this Jesus character invades his space. He just gets in Simon’s
boat, tells him where to take the boat and starts preaching. How did Simon
feel? Was he annoyed? Perplexed? Curious? Suspicious? Afraid? All of the above?
In a way, that’s kind of how I feel sometimes when the Lord steps into my boat
in a way I did not expect and at a time I did not plan to receive him. When the
opportunity to discern living in Haiti as a missionary came up, my life was
going pretty well. I was working full-time at a pediatric ER as nurse and I had
finally gotten the hang of the fast-paced rhythm of the unit. I was part of a
wonderful ministry called The Shepherd’s Café. I was blessed with having time
in community with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Ft. Worth. I was part
of a young adult charismatic prayer group, Upper Room. I was living with 2 of
my dearest friends with whom I shared a wonderful home. I was praying about my
vocation (marriage/family) and thought that maybe I had met the person I might
be called to be in a relationship with and I all I had to do is pray a little
harder and wait a little longer. But as life would have it, Jesus stepped into
my boat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus tells Simon (an
experienced fisherman) how to do his job<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With Simon, Jesus told him to put out his nets for a catch
just a little off from the shore. Simon questioned Jesus and explained how he
had been working all night and had caught nothing. Simon could have refused
what Jesus instructed but he chose to follow His lead. Serving as a missionary
in a developing country has been a desire in my heart for a long time. Jesus
stepped into my boat and asked me to pray about an opportunity to serve him in
Haiti. What I didn’t expect was the timing of his invitation and the surrender
it would entail. Leaving people that I care for is very difficult. Leaving my
job in the ER where I had learned so much regarding pediatric nursing and where
I had grown so much as a person was surprisingly difficult. Leaving the “almost
maybe” possibility of being in a romantic relationship and what in my mind was
“delaying” entering into my vocation (I know that’s not true, it’s just how I
felt) was difficult. Having to depend on the Lord financially in everyway was a
bit daunting, even scary. Toss in my own insecurities and uncertainties;
praying through this invitation was a challenge. But deep down at the very core
of me I knew that this invitation is something I had been praying and waiting
for, and the only thing holding me back from saying yes would be fear. So now
here I am, living in Haiti as a full-time missionary and I can honestly say
that - I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot I
don’t know. Just like Simon didn’t know where the fish would come from, and how
he would even catch them when he knew as seasoned fishermen that the spot Jesus
was telling to let down his net was not optimal (by human reason, not by the
Lord’s wisdom/perspective). I know that the medical mission will happen. I
don’t know the logistics of it all yet but I know it’s possible and the Lord
will provide. I know I am called to marriage/family, I don’t know who/when/how
but the Lord does and even though it’s hard to wait I know God is faithful to
his promises. I don’t know my exact role within the community but I do know I
am called to live in community and to love in community – I believe my role
will flow from my trying to be faithful to those two commitments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus provides Simon
and his companions with more than what they expected or believed he could do<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you read the passage in Luke, you’ll know that Simon
caught so much fish when he followed Jesus’ instructions that the boat nearly
sank. I have been here 10 days and I have:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Witnessed two first communions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Witnessed a beautiful wedding</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Witnessed a baptism</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Prayed for 2 people receiving the sacrament of
reconciliation for the first time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Walked for 2 hours (all the while singing,
dancing and praying) with over 100 teenagers to a church so we could gather for
a talk, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and praise & worship</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Visited St. Therese hospital and prayed with 4
different children and their parents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Made an assessment alongside a wonderful
cardiologist (Dr. Tim Byrne) for one of the children who has a heart defect,
noticed this child also had something particular in his speech patterns and
ended up finding a speech pathologist through Fr. Louis Merosne (our priest at
the mission base), the speech pathologist was able to meet with the child and
his father yesterday morning for an assessment and he will now start sessions
to address his speech</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Talked with several people who are interested
and want to help with a medical mission in Haiti branching out of our mission
base</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Received generous financial donations from
people all the way from Switzerland that I have never met</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Learned more about communication and living in
community</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Spent time with some of the Life Teen board
members and was blessed by their encouragement and fatherly care</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Enjoyed laughing/praying/crying/talking/growing
with my missionary sister Sara Vasile</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Had the opportunity to attend daily mass</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Had fruitful and blessed conversations with Fr.
Louis</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Learned a little more Creole (I understand more
than I can speak but it’s a start)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Started playing guitar again (I will learn how
to play for real, I won’t give up this time)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Got to take of someone who got hit in the
forehead with a rock (I would have loved to had dermabond in hand but I used
steri strips and it healed pretty nicely)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Got to give Joe (an elderly gentlemen that lives
across the street for our base) a new mattress, sheets and a pillow and watched
him cry with joy and praise God at receiving this gift (he lives in a little
hut and slept on a mat on the floor)</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Truly the list could be much longer, but I don’t want to
make this blog longer than it already is (thanks if you have actually read this
far, you’re a trooper <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Simon Peter, John
& James to leave everything and follow Him<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are plenty of things that I still need to “leave”
behind in order to follow the Lord more freely & fully. For example I know
I need to embrace humility (leaving behind pride), and trust in God (not giving
in to doubt). But I know that if I try to be faithful, little by little, it’s
the Lord himself that will infuse his grace into my heart and that will allow
me to leave what needs to be left behind. As of now, I have in some ways left
fear behind. And that allowed me to say yes and embark on the journey I’m
currently in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, praise God for these past 11 days. And thank you so much
for your continued prayers & financial support. Until next time, Paola <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sara & me - Chacos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our room (Sara & me)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Beautiful girls we hang out with every week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The wedding of one of our community members, Ginald</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ginald's baby girl also got baptized</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jordan, Sara & Me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stephen (board member), Randy (LT President), Fr. Louis (our priest at the base)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Brother (wonderful chapel director) and Fr. Louis having a jam session</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-4783053578188722682013-01-14T20:08:00.000-08:002014-02-27T09:18:47.159-08:00"To love another person is to see the face of God..."<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So this is it. My plane for my flight to Haiti takes off tomorrow, January 15th at 6:40pm (Eastern). I am moving to Haiti tomorrow...HAITI! Haha :D For years I've had a deeply rooted desire to serve in missions in a developing country and now it's actually happening. This is real life. WHOA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Am I scared, nervous, excited? Yes. Sometimes I get scared of all that I do not know. Sometimes I am nervous that I am moving to a completely different country with whose culture I am not very familiar with and whose language I do not know yet. Most days I am excited because I know that only the Lord could have orchestrated such a series of events to lead my life to this point, and I know He will do great things for His children in Haiti. All He asks for is a "yes" and He does the rest. Often times I forget that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The main focus of the mission is youth ministry - outreach to Haitian youth so they can come to know and learn of the love God and the truth of the Gospel. The fact that 13 years ago someone cared enough for my soul to reach out and share the Gospel with me didn't just change my life, it brought me to life. I am thankful that I can hopefully be an instrument to help young people come to know the heart of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Aside from youth ministry, it is my hope and prayer to start a medical mission. I am a pediatric registered nurse and my background ranges from general pediatrics, ICU, clinic and the Emergency Department. Right now I am praying and talking with people I know have been involved in medical missions so I can get a better idea of what it entails. The more I talk with those who have walked before me, the more convicted my heart becomes that this is possible and that it can happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More than once I have been prayed for and the phrase that has been repeated it that the Lord would "expand my capacity to love." To be honest, that scares me a little. I have moved pretty often. I have lived in Guatemala, California, Maryland, Georgia & Texas. Every time I have left, my heart breaks because I leave people that I love behind. It's really hard because my heart hurts. So that's why the prayer to "expand my capacity to love" can be scary to me, because that means I will feel more deeply which means I can potentially hurt more deeply. But when you really think about it, even if you can potentially feel hurt when you love, love is always much greater and it far surpasses the hurt in every possible way. I know it to be true that "love bears all things." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I recently watched "Les Miserables" - OH MY GOODNESS! It was fantastic! I really loved the character of Jean Valjean. Many things struck me about his character, but I think what stood out to me the most was his consistent choice to love. He loved until it hurt and that brought forth life for the people in his life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So here I go. I thank you for your prayers & support. And I will continue to keep the updates coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until next time :)</span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-7128982884494555862012-12-16T22:07:00.001-08:002014-02-27T09:19:42.557-08:00This is home...<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>My Heart</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had the opportunity of traveling to Haiti last week before I move to the mission base in mid-January. I experienced a wide range of emotions- I am so very thankful that God is greater than our hearts (1 John 3:19). My thoughts and feelings were a potpourri of fear, excitement, insecurity, doubt, conviction, uncertainty, gratitude - whew, again, I am so thankful that God is greater than my heart and that He knows me through and through (Psalm 139).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I can pin-point the main challenge I encountered, I'd say it can very well be boiled down to trust. Looking through my journal entries from the week, I noticed that all the emotions that were burdensome often times stemmed from not knowing how things will work out or what they will look like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It would be much easier to trust the Lord with my life if I knew exactly how every little detail would play out - but that leaves no room for me to actually trust Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So yes, there are many things I don't know. I am not sure how the Lord will use my skills as a nurse, I don't really know what my role in the community at the mission base will look like, I have no clue how God will lead me to enter into my vocation (marriage/family), I don't know why He would ever send someone like myself on mission when so often I feel very weak and not quite bold in my faith - but alas, He doesn't ask me to have it all together, He just asks me for a faithful yes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I figure, if I keep saying "yes," He will continue to lead me, mold me, refine me, strengthen me, and use me for His greater glory. At the end of the day, that is really all I want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A dear friend of mine sent me a letter recently, and he included a quote by St. Therese of Lisieux (one of my faves): "How happy I am to feel myself imperfect and to have such need of God's mercy. It is wonderful to feel oneself weak, and small. I am glad always to find myself imperfect; indeed there lies my greatest joy..." Such a good reminder that His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I often feel like, gosh, if only I were better at x, y & z I'd be set. Or I think, if I could just get rid of this and that, I'd be good. But then I think, ok if all these things I want fixed or gone are the very things that bring me to my knees in prayer, then Lord give me the grace to embrace these little crosses, because I rather be on my knees before you than to ever live like I don't need You.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The title of this blog is "This is home..." The reason is that the song by Switchfoot kept playing over and over in my head as I was reflecting on my week in Haiti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>Highlights</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On a lighter note, the week in Haiti was a blessing in countless ways. I got to know, pray with, laugh with, sing with, and journey alongside the 1st year Life Teen missionaries. What a joy it was to spend time with them. And a sweet gift was that Chris Benzinger (Director for LT Missions) also came with us to Haiti. Chris is like a big brother to me and his presence in my life is such an encouragement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also got to spend time with 2 of my missionary sisters, Sara & Kaitlin. We lived together back in 2009 during our mission formation year (like missionary school) and they have a dear place in my heart. I actually get to live with Sara in Haiti, which is CRAZY, since we talked about how maybe one day we would be on mission together in a developing country...and now it's actually happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">During our time in Haiti we got to:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Visit the sick on multiple occasions in the village where our base is located - this was bittersweet. As a nurse having background in general pediatrics, ICU, clinic and ER here in the U.S.A., I am used to having resources at my fingertips and a team of people to work with. Now, in Haiti, I am the only healthcare professional on the base and I have very little resources. So when we visited the sick all I could offer was basic care (i.e. Tylenol, Motrin, explain how to manage fever/dehydration) and let people know if they should go to a hospital for further care. It was hard to not be able to give more, medically speaking. However, I was able to pray with each person we visited and thankfully every person we saw did improve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Have a 1.5 hour procession from the mission base to the church where praise & worship/adoration would take place, the procession was us walking (and at times dancing) in pairs of two on the side of the road, accompanied by a truck that was jammed pack with a band that was playing worship songs, with Fr. Louis and another priest also marching on, inviting people we encountered along the way to join in, all the while getting wet since it rained - it was pretty great :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Minister to young girls that come to the base, almost daily, with our very limited and broken Creole. These girls are beautiful and they are just thirsting to be loved and appreciated. I can't wait until I can actually speak decent Creole so we can get started on breaking open scripture with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Xnmzk7HfO1dKPrdjDc6BFUoaxbqSw3fotp-flyTEf8MgwdQPa5seYfzjGRaZLIxkqQGmE9j7G9PArLwOa7jmA2z3DPq2rQM2UKqRyeLyFu2ytgmkuM2x5twCS0d66HICDswSGpKWpnZ/s1600/girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Xnmzk7HfO1dKPrdjDc6BFUoaxbqSw3fotp-flyTEf8MgwdQPa5seYfzjGRaZLIxkqQGmE9j7G9PArLwOa7jmA2z3DPq2rQM2UKqRyeLyFu2ytgmkuM2x5twCS0d66HICDswSGpKWpnZ/s1600/girls.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*A few of the missionaries from our group accompanied Fr. Louis to a prayer gathering aimed at deliverance ministry. There is a lot of voo-doo in Haiti so this ministry is certainly needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Work on construction projects at the base (kitchen, bathrooms, stations of the cross).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeOeeWCzaR0jyze_bhCjyTRXMnDNX2plrpFasJJNpsomNSasUnV4KCxjNLy7r8Ht7G5R2fWinKfpLuIm6KuiVlb01uaUWuoT4iVtkPOghMyf0zgKzmSReJm8nMm8Sm978RpLUhuz19D_K/s1600/paint+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeOeeWCzaR0jyze_bhCjyTRXMnDNX2plrpFasJJNpsomNSasUnV4KCxjNLy7r8Ht7G5R2fWinKfpLuIm6KuiVlb01uaUWuoT4iVtkPOghMyf0zgKzmSReJm8nMm8Sm978RpLUhuz19D_K/s1600/paint+2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Hike in the mountains to visit and pray with beautiful elderly lady Madam Mordje</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkN3PCsk95if-zbBYHzVZuFUlF-UFdSGhWK9XxfF8PxsDm3beMLSd4iGW28kDc_VnznBC9xDYcze3R5QFTSRjKbDDUJjGVyGbEMTfOZfWIn_UdwnjHPIHSuqPeg9dGGsaSHa1xs-t-OS-/s1600/Madam+Mordje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkN3PCsk95if-zbBYHzVZuFUlF-UFdSGhWK9XxfF8PxsDm3beMLSd4iGW28kDc_VnznBC9xDYcze3R5QFTSRjKbDDUJjGVyGbEMTfOZfWIn_UdwnjHPIHSuqPeg9dGGsaSHa1xs-t-OS-/s1600/Madam+Mordje.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Visit the Movin' with the Spirit orphanage, Kay Mari</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPO3mnSj_08sBY_tVhNZFuSKpVhbyXy0Tm0ytSUFw8Aly9igV73l0HkzpB4srg_fZ_815mVy8PhNWEtDeFljBPaN7cjNgvom4Gb41FfYyq1WnWYJgzbxCVDpQ4RryJNc27zAD7ZHOTQunb/s1600/Kay+Mari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPO3mnSj_08sBY_tVhNZFuSKpVhbyXy0Tm0ytSUFw8Aly9igV73l0HkzpB4srg_fZ_815mVy8PhNWEtDeFljBPaN7cjNgvom4Gb41FfYyq1WnWYJgzbxCVDpQ4RryJNc27zAD7ZHOTQunb/s1600/Kay+Mari.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUWGuJmE9_BXPnNI4n8DLZwFaxY0p4znRhVZc3BHFFiLFa1_O0__3xIUmziBQtRua09PrHF0-fn0jQ_8t-ZtFn42nNCJaGkYy07dnnOHrtTG3udx6NWgFcSLLZrVz70RJWdkRynpZ-o8G/s1600/Kay+Mari+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUWGuJmE9_BXPnNI4n8DLZwFaxY0p4znRhVZc3BHFFiLFa1_O0__3xIUmziBQtRua09PrHF0-fn0jQ_8t-ZtFn42nNCJaGkYy07dnnOHrtTG3udx6NWgFcSLLZrVz70RJWdkRynpZ-o8G/s1600/Kay+Mari+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Visit a monastery and pray over Haiti</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWD_p0CaPTtl3Xb6iS8MHQiDqi-uo0nNtK_VloklGUStT_eF898fMuk5e1yFVTf1qifbJrbpSp90Bpr3-33_Fb2A7CPEH2Mi5F03w9qV_RD50IhHJgSGMctQk07_v3DEuNZnOjj069B73/s1600/pray+over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWD_p0CaPTtl3Xb6iS8MHQiDqi-uo0nNtK_VloklGUStT_eF898fMuk5e1yFVTf1qifbJrbpSp90Bpr3-33_Fb2A7CPEH2Mi5F03w9qV_RD50IhHJgSGMctQk07_v3DEuNZnOjj069B73/s1600/pray+over.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>A glimpse of the mission base (John Paul II Center for the New Evangelizaion):</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Our backyard - it's pretty surreal</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48DCRKSr-cdLixhWgHbntDVjRnApJ1aUL7VcsegVyO4wFLM6CgUesBn6aQ2jcTv2-zJWvpMEeVkC2L0U3PBPknkxkMBP4uu2m_jvE7IPPyNRWGskYSLCro0NzWaMMqoYU6Wrw6N-4rgg2/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48DCRKSr-cdLixhWgHbntDVjRnApJ1aUL7VcsegVyO4wFLM6CgUesBn6aQ2jcTv2-zJWvpMEeVkC2L0U3PBPknkxkMBP4uu2m_jvE7IPPyNRWGskYSLCro0NzWaMMqoYU6Wrw6N-4rgg2/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Hallway leading to the dinning area/2 missionary dorm rooms</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVqIDFU1S2aeFYvKyrdM1qfdHlDZVXr_U5ccnkSNqkrKhjNLRmEeiMxiCSkJ-DCXDqpGp37hJEZIdEmNgtGjCn_ysDGlro7wtdyfZfhS64XIncQI8wjrRb3qPPK3PfHdjl7Y-6m7ndpJg/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVqIDFU1S2aeFYvKyrdM1qfdHlDZVXr_U5ccnkSNqkrKhjNLRmEeiMxiCSkJ-DCXDqpGp37hJEZIdEmNgtGjCn_ysDGlro7wtdyfZfhS64XIncQI8wjrRb3qPPK3PfHdjl7Y-6m7ndpJg/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Path leading to the girls' dorm and the meeting room, boys' dorm is on the right</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*Bathroom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcd5AAnJp3h8hIq8j_nkIaa9erJJpVG2L3Wkd9dayAGCW2U1Ra4QT8hML1BjQYRO9AlvYkL50n-oJNubZOm-4wH04ekAemexzcrgK3Yhk34WLECmDGqpmepjjkdfacPrSUigVoc_4jba_/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcd5AAnJp3h8hIq8j_nkIaa9erJJpVG2L3Wkd9dayAGCW2U1Ra4QT8hML1BjQYRO9AlvYkL50n-oJNubZOm-4wH04ekAemexzcrgK3Yhk34WLECmDGqpmepjjkdfacPrSUigVoc_4jba_/s1600/bathroom.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> *Kitchen patio</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> *Meeting room</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I took several pictures which you can view by clicking this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100198780474157.2321605.2604665&type=1&l=defd34a623">link</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So in conclusion, God is good, I am excited and nervous about being a part of something new, and even though there is a lot I don't know, what I do know is Whom I belong to - and that is enough.</span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-76410436462458124882012-11-13T00:48:00.002-08:002014-02-27T09:23:05.538-08:00"Severe Mercy"<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Recently I have been learning a bit more about mercy. Specifically how vast and unfathomably infinite is the mercy the Lord has.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The other day, out of the blue it seemed, an old sin was brought to mind I found myself feeling downcast & discouraged. I knew this was something I had already brought to light through confession and that I had received the Lord's forgiveness, but even with this knowledge the very reminder of my mistake was enough to weigh me down. And of course the enemy took advantage and threw as much condemnation my way as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I talked with a priest that day and I was able to spend some time in prayer at the <a href="http://www.cistercian.org/abbey/">Cistercian Abbey</a> (beautiful place, check it out if you're ever in Dallas) and that was so good for my heart. When I talked with the priest he explained that after receiving the grace of absolution in confession your soul is healed from the wound the sin caused (sweet!); however, given our fallen nature and the fact that we live in the world and we are not home (heaven) yet, sin can have a psychological effect on us. So we can experience sorrow from past sin - that is expected. He likened that sorrow to having a scar from a wound. He went on to explain that it takes spiritual maturity to learn how to carry that cross when it is given to us, and unite our sorrow with Christ crucified. It strikes me now that he said "carry the cross," when I hear that, to me it immediately reminds me of Jesus carrying his cross, and how he <i>journeyed and kept walking </i>towards Calvary. So, the priest said we need to learn how to <i>carry </i>the cross - not let the cross crush you or stop walking because the cross is heavy or painful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't have this figured out. But this is what I do know: When the enemy tries to bring me down by reminding me of past sin, I have a choice, I can acknowledge the truth that I am forgiven and I can use the opportunity of feeling that sorrow for sin to pray. It can be a powerful opportunity for me to fall on my knees and thank God for his mercy and to intercede for someone else. That is how I can carry the cross. Or, there's the second option - I can chose to stop, put the cross down, wallow in self-pity & give in to the destructive thoughts of condemnation. I want to chose option number one, I want to carry the cross and abide in my Father's merciful love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was also struggling with the question "How could I have ever done that?" And slowly but surely the Lord was revealing to me a little something about pride & the greatness of his mercy. I was getting pretty caught up in the "How could<i> I </i>do this?" and "How could <i>I </i>do that?" - so lots of "me" in there and almost a sense of unbelief that I could chose to be sinful. It was like he was telling me "Yes, you are capable of sin. You are capable of the worst sin BUT that is not what matters, what matters is that my mercy FAR SURPASSES even the worst sin. My mercy is greater." So with that, two other things came to mind: 1) the phrase "severe mercy," and 2) St. Therese of Lisieux.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of my roommates is reading a book entitled <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Severe-Mercy-ebook/dp/B0053JJUL8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1352795808&sr=8-2&keywords=a+severe+mercy">A Severe Mercy</a></u> by Sheldon Vanauken. I have never read the book but when I heard the title a while back, the phrase just struck me. It made me think of God's mercy as severe, it sounds fitting. I want to read that book, so far I've heard very good things. Concerning St. Therese of Lisieux, in her autobiography, <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Autobiography-Saint-Therese-ebook/dp/B004G60ASG/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352795880&sr=1-4&keywords=story+of+a+soul">Story of a Soul</a></u>, she described God's mercy with such radical confidence. She wrote that if she were to commit every possible sin but sought the Lord's forgiveness, it would be like a drop of water (all the possible sins) thrown into a fiery furnace (the Lord's mercy). So the sins would be completely consumed and nothing but his mercy would remain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will close with this quote by John Newton, <i>"</i><span class="st"><i>My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things; That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." </i> </span>- and praise God that He is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt</span></div>
Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-73222770947857992722012-11-04T16:32:00.000-08:002014-02-27T09:20:07.319-08:00Wisdom Teeth Rant - or should I be Thankful?<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I got my wisdom teeth (a whopping 4 teeth, 2 of 'em were impacted) surgically removed this past Wednesday. OH MY GOODNESS. I have not had any major surgery since I was 6 years old. Getting 4 teeth taken out of my mouth has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The actual surgery was not the issue, I was under anesthesia for that part, it's more the post-op days that have hit me like a Mac truck. I knew I would have to eat things like pudding, ice cream and mashed potatoes. I knew I would of be out-of-commission as far as work goes, I knew I would be on bed rest so I could fully recover....but I didn't know how the combination of all these things would affect me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I grew tired of eating mushy things by day 2. I am still avoiding solid foods but I every time I head to the fridge, the thought of my options (pudding, yogurt, soup, apple sauce) make me feel like a 5-year old being forced to eat brussels sprouts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My first 2 days of lounging on the couch & watching movies were ok. But after that, I began getting cabin fever. I wanted to break free! I <i>yearned </i>to go for a walk, to start packing my clothes (to get ready for my move back to ATL), to do something that required movement. So alas, here I am on day 4 after the surgery and I had to miss work tonight because I am still not fully recovered :(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the midst of all this whining- I feel like the Lord has been trying to speak to me. A consistent thought has been <i>"thankful."</i> Like God has been telling me, <i>"Ok, I know you are tired, I know you are hurting, I know you are frustrated...but take a minute to really look at your current situation and tell me what you are thankful for." </i>BOOM. I think the Lord has been saying that over and over since I began growing frustration instead of thankfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are a vast number of things for me to be thankful for! Way more than for me to whine about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are a few:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. The surgery went well, no complications</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. My friend Rachel took almost a whole day off from work so she could take care of me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. My friend Becca got me a slew of movies so I could watch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Becca also bought me a yummy smoothie from Jamba Juice & she visited me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. I've gotten calls from family & friends checking in on me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. I have a house I can rest at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. I have a job that can pay for my health insurance so I could get the surgery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. I have food to eat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. I was able to get the surgery before moving to Haiti</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. Being the "patient" instead of the nurse is teaching me way more in the way of compassion, it is s easy to forget how our physical bodies can take a toll on our emotional well-being</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, yes - there is <i>plenty </i>to be thankful for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After realizing this my immediate temptation is to become frustrated with myself for getting frustrated and not being thankful and not being good enough etc....and to this I must stand firm and say "NO!" I can stand in my Heavenly Father's unconditional love for me, the infinite patience He has for me. And you know what, even when I can't stand, I can very well fall on my knees and know He has me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>I think in times like these where my heart is being molded & refined, God looks at me with tenderness. He does not look at me with condemnation. God does want me to see how the posture of my heart needs to change, but He does not want me to wallow in self-pity when I realize I make a mistake. </b>He shows me these things (in this case, how I can embrace a posture of thankfulness) so I can grow in His likeness and so I can better receive His love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-82384469828453672472012-10-28T19:38:00.001-07:002012-10-28T19:38:54.979-07:00Video Footage!A short video on the mission thus far:<br />
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<br />Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-37136969394895710852012-10-28T06:57:00.004-07:002014-02-27T09:20:34.458-08:00The Shepherd's Cafe<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So last night was my last night at <a href="http://www.theshepherdscafe.com/">The Shepherd's Cafe</a>. I have been on staff with TSC for the past 2 years and it has been an incredible blessing in my life. We (the staff) are like one big family. We have laughed together so hard that we end up in tears, we have prayed together, we have shed tears when things are hard, we have made things work when we it seemed impossible, we have journeyed with our beloved <a href="http://franciscanfriars.com/">CFR friars</a>, and we have been blessed to meet several Catholic artists that are truly seeking after God's own heart - all the while enjoying some great coffee and having the privilege to enter into the Lord's vineyard through <a href="http://www.theshepherdscafe.com/index.cfm?load=page&page=6">Mission Coffee Ministries</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Words can't fully describe how much I love my Shepherd's Cafe family - the transition from full-time missions back into working at a hospital in a totally new city (I moved from Georgia to Dallas in 2010) was one of the hardest things I've done. I left my family, my friends & my missionary family all in one fell swoop. When God opened the door for me to join TSC, my heart was just so encouraged. I was welcomed with open arms and time and time again I was told that <i>"we are a family"</i> and that <i>"we are here for each other."</i> It's amazing to me that I have grown to love a group of people so much - and to be honest I'm tearing up thinking about the fact that I won't get to see them as often as I have been blessed to over the past 2 years. But alas, I know we are united in the Eucharist so that gives my heart consolation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night, at the very end of the cafe, Yong asked me to come up in front of everybody to be prayed over...so I'm pretty shy depending on the setting, and since I wasn't prepared for this, Lauren (one of our staff members) and Becca (a dear friend of mine) had to literally push me so I would walk towards the stage haha :) I'm glad they did, I was prayed over by the staff and whole bunch of people that attended the cafe that night (a large crew from UD was present) and I was very blessed. It was an answered prayer because given my crazy work schedule (I work in the Emergency Department at a children's hospital, night shift) I have not been able to settle down into one particular parish. I go to mass wherever I can given my work schedule, so I haven't gotten a chance to get to know the people at any particular parish. I was thinking it would be nice to be sent off in prayer by one of the parishes I have been a part of, and last night that desire in my heart was answered :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are ever in Dallas, check out <a href="http://www.theshepherdscafe.com/index.cfm?active=1">The Shepherd's Cafe</a>. I know you will be blessed just as much as I have been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ZNjrDFyiI">song</a> is pretty appropriate, I was listening to it while typing this up :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-61972497353283108262012-10-19T14:54:00.001-07:002012-10-19T14:57:34.358-07:00Update from the Haiti Mission Base!Hello all :)<br />
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The team in Haiti has sent an update. Amazing - God calls us to step out in faith and He always provides. I love how he calls us to simplicity in order to draw us deeper into His heart which is so beyond words. Please pray for us all and if possible, consider making a <a href="http://donate.lifeteen.com/paolaflores">financial donation</a><br />
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Here it is:<br />
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<i>"We received phones yesterday. Sara and Paul & Anna's had to be unlocked in Port-au-Prince and that took 2 days. We have no internet just using phones right now.</i><br />
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<i>With just one week here we have had a lot of physical needs to attend to. A few days without water and intermittent power. Sean &; Sara spent a day with Fr. Louis at a monastery. It sounded awesome. There was not enough room to transport the whole team so Paul, Anna, Nathaniel & Stephen stayed at the base and busted walls to make a doorway for the nursery and a window in the chapel.<br />
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Another day Sean and Stephen went to Port Au Prince with Fr. Louis to get material goods which included shopping at a Home Depot type store and an amazing visit at Food for the Poor where we witnessed 1500 families being provided cooked meals EVERY day! Wow touches the heart. But their resources have been serioulsly cut. We were able to receive a container filled with furniture for the mission base. Great! Trip turned out to be an overnighter. Fr Louis went back today for a washing machine and stove.<br />
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We joined 100s for an amazing procession on the First Day of the Year of Faith. It was beautiful. We walked miles to the church singing and praying. The Alberts followed in truck. Bishop Dumas was so glad to see us and had us stand up in the Mass that followed the procession as he spoke of our mission to the entire crowd.<br />
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We attended Sunday Mass at St. Charles in Charlier where we will start Life Teen very soon. We drove because Fr.Louis Was running late but normally we will walk. There were lots of kids there. They hung around with us after. Life Teen will be so welcomed at this parish! With the exception of the two Masses at local churches and the two outings we have been here at the CJPIINE (JPII Center of New Evangeliztion) bonding and serving alongside one another. Needs are being appraised (and often put on hold) with respect to available funds. We also have bigger ideas but they need to wait like replacing the old leaky cement water storage tank on top of the bath house with plastic storage tanks. Not only does that require funds but a lot of labor in the demo of existing tank. We have agreed we need less "nice" food. 'Tite-Seour has prepared very good food but we are up for more simple meals allowing her more time to be missionary with us rather than for us.<br />
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Monday on JPII Day we are hosting a big celebration with 500 guests at the base!! Ought to be spectacular with praise and worship. The bishop will be here for that.<br />
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Our rhythm of prayer is good. We have Mass scheduled at 6:15 AM followed by Holy Hour and Morning Prayer. Evening Prayer before supper and night prayer after that. All of our liturgy of the hours and Mass celebrations have been English/Creole but more and more Creole each day. We’ve enjoyed increasing our personal use of the language in conversation, prayer and song. All are doing well and Sean is really determined to speak the language.<br />
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Our little community is not so little. In addition to Paul, Sara, Anna, Sean, Nathaniel, Fr.Louis and Stephen, we have 'Tite Seour who cooks and has 2 helpers, Marc Arthur, Reginald our "guardian. Clement has come to help with plumbing and electric and Rueben with masonry. So much to be done. Meschel, Fr. Louis’ brother, has also been here. Joe and Katy have come to visit from Moving With the Spirit. Local priests have come to visit. In fact, our first 2 days we had 20+ people here representing local parishes who were on retreat. In a few weeks 10 seminarians and a priest will<br />
begin formation for a year. The school is still here for now but we have been so busy we haven't really been part of that.<br />
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Sean & Stephen are in a beach facing room in the guy's "dorm" the one just beyond the "main house."where Fr. Louis, the Albert’s, and Sara live. (We need to name these buildings.) We listen to the waves crash into beach that greet us in the morning and are like a lullaby at night. In the next room there has been one who keeps a Hatian radio station on all night. Pretty sure it is mostly praise and preaching. I can pick up parts.<br />
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The government is doing a great job of paving the road and making nice concrete ditches but we had no way to cross into the mission until late today. It has been a little awkward carrying stuff in and out.<br />
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This mission family is amazing and we love being part of it. It seems like we've been here longer than a week especially when you look at what we have had to do in order to get settled. Next week language classes will begin every day but Fr. Louis and Stephen will both be leaving for the US. We all really love having Nathaniel, especially Stephen Smith with 10 grands back in US. We have not done much laundry, just a few undies and diapers in a sink. No fresh water river here to wash in and we were without water a few days too. Most of us have had enough clean clothes so far. Today Fr Louis will return with a washing machine.<br />
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If the cement is hard and dry today we will paint and set up our Adoration Chapel for immediate use. It is the old radio station. I had to bust out the center wall that made it two rooms (2 day job with a small hammer) and a hole in the back for a moved window. All that's done now. Exciting!!<br />
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Thanks for your love and prayers."</i></div>
Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-69732337381096804152012-10-18T14:01:00.001-07:002012-10-18T14:01:15.842-07:00A couple of pics from HaitiI wanted to share a couple of pictures I have of Haiti. One is from the clinic that is located right next door to the mission base. I hope to serve in the clinic given my background as a pediatric nurse. The second picture is the truck we were able to purchase with the donations people have made to the <a href="http://lifeteen.com/missions/haiti-big-board/">Haiti Big Board</a><br />
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<br />Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639580178736435387.post-22591552577708784312012-10-11T20:10:00.002-07:002014-02-27T09:21:16.237-08:00Waiting...<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yesterday my fellow missionaries arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am very excited for our new mission team and the ways God has been providing. I would have never imagined this is what the Lord had in store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think their moving makes my upcoming move in January more real and at the same time, it still feels a bit surreal. I'm still living in Dallas, going about my daily grind, still checking off things on my to-do lists...still waiting. This whole waiting thing seems to be a theme in my life in the past, well, maybe 2-3 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In my limited perspective I feel like there are many aches and longings that I communicate to the Lord, and I often feel as if I'm still waiting for Him to respond. Given that I feel I've been in a season of waiting for quite some time, adding on Haiti to waiting list can be challenging for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But you know how often times, something in your life keeps happening over and over again? The circumstances are different, but the same struggle seems to raise its little head up to meet you? That is usually when I come to realize that maybe, just maybe, the Lord is trying to teach me something, and He is using different avenues to do so. He is so patient, and at the same time so relentless in His pursuit for every part of me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So maybe, even though I feel like I've been waiting forever to rid myself of insecurity, or enter into my vocation, or be sent on the Lord's mission - maybe He has already broken many chains of insecurities that I've failed to even notice, maybe I can begin entering into my vocation by allowing the Lord to have me exactly where He has me, maybe I've already been "sent" many times but it hasn't looked like the way I would have expected. So yes, I am in a season of waiting but that doesn't mean the Lord isn't invested in my heart, that doesn't mean that nothing is happening - because believe me a whole lot has happened in the past 2-3 years.</span></div>
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Paola Floreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17066398872300450435noreply@blogger.com0