Four For Friday

It's FRIDAY!!!  Welcome to the weekend.  Here are a few highlights from our week in GA with the Salter family...

1.  Christmas Concert- One of the best things about the Christmas season is the music.  We attended the Christmas Choir performance at Ty & Terri's church, First Baptist Woodstock.  There were performances done by the childrens choir all the way up to the senior adults.  It was a true treat and blessing to gather together and lift up the name of our Lord.

  

2.  Chick-Fil-A - The lovely state of GA is the home of the first Chick-Fil-A.  I am a HUGE fan of this fabulous restaurant and have enjoyed my fair share of nuggets and fresh squeezed lemonade over the last few days.

 

3.  Jewelry Mart- Although we are in the U.S. right now, we have not forgotten our home in Haiti.  We have had countless opportunities to share about the work we are blessed to be a part of.  Yesterday we went to the Atlanta and shopped at a buyers mart.  I was able to find a huge supply of beads and other merchandise for the jewelry making in Haiti.  

Thanks Pat Dietz for my first mart experience!

4.  Florida Vacation-  As the week comes to an end, excitement in the Salter clan is rising.  Thanks to a very generous friend we have been given a time share and are hitting the road in the morning for a week of vacation in Florida!  We may or may not be planning on stopping by the wonderful world of Disney...

 

My Old KY Home...

Throughout our time in Haiti we have seen several unique things.  I have learned there is nothing too difficult to carry on your head, anywhere from 1 to 6 people can fit on a motorcycle, and spaghetti for breakfast is perfect for any day!

We have been in KY for a few weeks and I think it is safe to say growing up in Kentucky has definitely prepared me for a life in Haiti:

A Deer on 1-75

Thank you KY for keeping us entertained!

 

Wordy Wednesday

This time last week we stepped foot in Louisville, KY!  Louisville is quite a special place to us.  It is there we met, fell in love, and formed friendships we are confident will last a lifetime.  Throughout our visit in "the 'ville" it is safe to say our hearts were full and our sides were soar from an overdose of laughter.

Some of the best girls in the world!  Enjoying a Sunday lunch a Moes.

We enjoyed spending the evenings in Louisville at the humble abode of Tony and Beth Loseto.  Beth and I were best friends throughout college.  Her and Tony married about one month after we moved to Haiti.  This visit was our first time to hang out with her and Tony as a married couple.  It's so much fun to be great girlfriends and have husbands who were actually friends before we even came into the picture.  Our few days in Louisville were wonderful for meeting up with friends and seeing the Lord at work in their lives.  Thank you Loseto's for opening your home to us!

Crossing Church/Boyce College reunion

We are now back with the Ballou side of our family and loving it.  Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the elementary school where my mom works.  I had so much fun having lunch with her and meeting the kiddos she works with.  My mom is the best with kids, I'm so glad she has the opportunity to work at the school.
  

We have talked about Haiti in a lot of different environments since coming to the states.  My favorite time so far has been sharing with kiddos.  I spoke to the children's Sunday school department at my parents church and we've even had the opportunity to share in the school system.

Yesterday I worked with a second grade classroom and taught them how to make the jewelry out of cereal boxes.  This classroom has been collecting boxes to send to us in Haiti and their teacher wanted them to have a hands on experience in making the jewelry.  A few minutes into the process the students realized the project required a little more skill than they realized. 

Almost two hours in, the students had each "successfully" rolled 6 beads.  Glue was smeared all over little hands, cereal boxes were scattered across the table, and the room was full of chatter.  I loved getting to play teacher for a bit.  I cannot wait to share with the ladies in Haiti that children in the U.S. wanted to learn how they make jewelry.

As I worked with the kids yesterday, I could not help but wonder where these students would be in the next 10 or 15 years.  Who knows, maybe we will work together in Haiti one day?

Thank you note and picture from my little jewelry makers :)

Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, his love endures forever.  1 Chronicles 16:34

 

Trey & I posing it up :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  Celebrations have been in full swing over the past few days.  We have LOVED catching up with friends and spending time with family.  Yesterday we traveled to Cumberland Falls to walk around and enjoy dinner at the lodge.  We had a great time taking pictures and having a break from the kitchen.

We stayed up late last night preparing for the festivities of today.  Trey helped Dad clean in the basement for a bit and found some interesting items...

Hannah Montanna & my sister Dalice

Nothing quite like a Hannah Montanna wig to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit.  This afternoon the family all gathered together for our Thanksgiving dinner. It's safe to say we enjoyed a variety of foods and treats.  Now with full bellies and content hearts we are heading down to the basement to cheer on the CATS in front of a nice warm fire.  Hopefully the wigs do not return again tonight... 

 

Birthday Blessings

Today was my 24th birthday!  The day was quite relaxing and spent celebrating with some of my favorite people...

After some pork-chops from the grill we chowed down to my favorite...Confetti Cake!  From left to right:Trey, my Dad, sister, Mom, sister-in-law, niece, brother, papaw, sisters boyfriend, sister.  This was my first birthday in a LONG time to be spent in good 'ol KY!

 

Being an Aunt is FANTASTIC!

Trey enjoyed showing Annabel and Dad some style...

Thankful for a special day :)

A place to lay our heads...

Over the past 6 days we have been in two different countries, 3 different states, and slept in 4 different beds.  I think it is safe to say since stepping foot in the USA we have hit the ground running.  In the midst of culture shock, ice-cream overload, and lots of time in the car we can say without hesitation, our hearts are full.
                                                

 

Last night we spent the night at our very first Bed & Breakfast in Michigan in order to be at a BHM board meeting today.  The hostess was named Chi Chi, she used to be the mayor and plays the role of Mrs. Clause every year for the town.  Some things you simply cannot make up :)  Today we spent the day at the board meeting.

The meeting began at 9 a.m. and concluded at 6 p.m.  Although it was quite extensive, we were truly encouraged.  We are so blessed to be part of a ministry that focuses on the Gospel and seeks to bring others into a relationship with the Lord.  The Lord has brought together such a unique team that is seeking hard after Him.  As the day concludes and our heads are spinning I am reminded of Matthew 8, as Jesus talks to a crowd about what it means to follow Him...

¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

As believers we are called to seek hard after Christ.  As we seek to follow the Lord's plan for our lives I know there will be struggles.  However, as I fall asleep tonight I thank my God that He has provided, yet again, a place to lay my head...
 

Bon Voyage!

"All our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

WE'RE LEAVING ON A JET PLANE..."

In about 15 minutes we will be getting in a vehicle and heading down the mountain to the airport!  We will be in the U.S.A. for two months.  We have been quite excited about this trip and now that all the "details" are finally put together, everything seems quite surreal.

We love Haiti and we will miss our friends here while we are gone.  Creole is going to be in good hands, our friend Johnny will be taking care of him while we are in the states.

We have a feeling they are going to be quite good friends by the time we return.  Hopefully our crazy canine doesn't forget us!

The house is FINALLY clean and our bags are by the door.  Pray for safe travels today.  We look forward to seeing many of you in the days to come!  Next stop...Etazini. (United States).