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 :)