baptism!

Natamara, Natacha, and Kris

Natacha has been planning Kris and Natamara's baptism for months and months.  There have been many "planned" dates that never happened so when I heard that the girls were getting baptized this weekend I didn't actually hold my breath.  Yesterday, Natacha gave Aubree, Claire, and I strict instructions to be at her home by 8 a.m.  In typical Haitian fashion we arrived this morning around 8:30 a.m. and found that everyone was gone.  Natacha and the baptism party had left with the girls around 7 a.m.- I was completely confused as to why she left early and told us to come at 8 a.m. but figured the reasons must have been lost in translation.  I giggled when Daniella, four years old, told me all about what was going to happen at the baptism- someone was dumping water on Kris and Natamara's heads and then they would pray!  Aubree, Claire, and I played with the other kiddos and were nice and dirty when we found out that everyone was headed back to Natacha's for the baptism party.  We thought we were invited to see them all dressed up before they left for the baptism when in reality we were invited to the party after the baptism.  Yes, we were all dressed in our Saturday "finest" and we were filthy.  We quickly ran over to the children's home and used the well to wash up before the baptism group returned home.  I wish I could describe how excited everyone was when the baptism party arrived on several motos (motorcycles).  The children were jumping and screaming and all the adults came out to celebrate.  Natacha looked beautiful and the look on her face was literally priceless.  This momma was so proud of her little girls.  Kris and Natamara looked adorable and paraded around in their fancy dresses.  They were both quick to show me their tights (yes, Kris had on fish-net tights...perhaps this trend will hit the States this summer..) and little heels.  Yes, they were wearing heels!  After taking photos, Natacha went straight to work serving each guest an amazing plate of food.  I always have mixed emotions when I'm offered food in someone's home.  I never want to take food when there are so many other people there and yet, I don't want to hurt Natacha's feelings and not eat what she has prepared.  I love the food she prepares and honestly if my conscious didn't get the best of me I'd probably sneak off in a corner somewhere and eat the entire plate by myself without sharing one bite..it is that good.  In the end Aubree, Claire, and I all enjoyed an amazing plate of food (that we secretly shared with all our little friends) and had an amazing time celebrating the baptism of Kris and Natamara.  I love the heart Natacha has for her daughter's and I feel honored that I was able to celebrate with her family today! 

LOVE Haitian food!!  

Kris being her sassy self!  If you look closely you can see the beautiful fish-net tights=)

"Awaken my soul, come awake

To hunger, to seek, to thirst

Awaken first love, come awake

And do as You did at first

Spirit of the Living God come fall afresh on me

Come wake me from my sleep

Blow through the caverns of my soul

Pour in me to overflow,

to overflow

Spirit come and fill this place

Let Your glory now invade

Spirit come and fill this place

Let Your glory now invade."
Fall Afresh~ Jeremy Riddle

I'll be the first to admit that I am not the most up to date on anything new in fashion, music, and the list could go on and on.  I am blessed to have friends that try to help me out and one of them recently texted me with a new song she knew I'd love.  This song instantly became one of my favorites and is one that I have played over and over.  The part I can't stop humming and thinking about is "Blow through the caverns of my soul, Pour in me to overflow."  There are these "caverns" these really deep places that I stuff all the hard stuff.  Places I don't like to think about and honestly don't even want to try and process because the reality is so unbelievably hard.  And yet, I desire to be filled with Him.  I desire to overflow with His spirit.  I can't get the picture out of my head of what this looks like for me and my life here serving.  There are so many moments when I feel paralyzed by the reality of what I am seeing, hearing, smelling, and experiencing.  I find so much hope in knowing that He can and does work in all the areas of my heart and that He has the power to help me overflow even when I feel completely powerless.

Not sure how "new" this song really is but in case you haven't heard it--click below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvi-0ngI6bI&feature=related

For more photos click below (you do not need to have a facebook account to see the photos)-
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151398640175831.535019.529825830&type=1&l=0bc7d14df0

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150963439915831.477242.529825830&type=1&l=f56fa81158