Sunshine & Sister Visits

My sister Dalice has been serving in Haiti, and spending time with us over these past two weeks.  Today my precious husband surprised us with a trip down the mountain to a local hotel and pool.  I so enjoyed having a break from the "norm."  

Today was the first time I had been in a swimming pool in at least two years.  I think mommy & baby are going to crave more swimming days in the future.

We are so thankful for sweet visits with our spunky sister!

"A New Normal"

10 Weeks Today!

 

Pregnancy Signs:  Exhaustion.  Afternoon naps that only leave me wanting more.  Gag reflexes when I brush my teeth.  Oh, and this lovely thing called heartburn, ouch!

Since we found out our exciting news about Baby Salter I have secretly been longing for the end of the 1st trimester.  Week 14...the time of restored energy, adios to nausea, hello to the "safe zone", and so many other things.  I then received an e-mail from a dear friend who is months ahead of me in the mommy world and here is what she said:

My tiredness subsided some, but it didn't completely go away...just a new normal.

Just a new normal?!  What kind of encouragement is that to one who is struggling to keep her head off the pillow at 8 p.m. every night?  It was then, while reading that short little message, my heart was put in check.  What if my symptoms do not change?  What if this is my new normal?

As the seasons of life change, we all receive new normals.  We have 2 options, choose to be content in them or choose to be miserable and wish them away.  Choose.

As much as I may want to wish away my physical woes at this point, that is not an option. In my husbands terms, I am "putting my big girl pants on and dealing with it."  This is not to say I pretend my current situation is not difficult, instead I choose to embrace it and be thankful rather than dread it and be miserable.  Thankfulness.

The mornings when I wake up and my stomach is not happy with me, I thank God that Baby Salter is doing well as I nibble on a saltine cracker.  

When I am not able to travel out to far places in Haiti and serve with our mission teams, I thank God for this time He is preparing me to be mommy to our little one, and how many precious one-on-one moments we will have in the years to come.  

When my emotions become so out of whack all I want to do is cry and dream of strawberry milkshakes from Chick-fil-a, I thank God for giving me a husband whose shoulder I can cry on and the comfort in knowing this too will pass.

As I am in the midst of our "new normal" I am reminded of friends and family members who are entering new normals as well.  My sister who leaves for college at the end of the summer, parents who will have an empty nest, friends who are preparing to change cities as they follow the call of the Lord on their lives to spread the Gospel, and the list continues.

It is then my heart delights to know this stage of a "new normal" is not just a time for Trey & I, but a time for us to lift up in prayer those who are in the same situation, even though our circumstances may differ.  So, if the new normal is where you find yourself today, Choose Thankfulness.  After all, when our hearts and minds are filled with thankfulness it does not leave room for anything else.

Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be made known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our First...

You have heard it said, there is a first time for everything.  I still vividly remember my first date with Trey.  I remember the first time we held hands, the first time he said he loved me, and the first time we kissed.  I am blessed beyond words to get to live a life of so many firsts with the man of my dreams…

And, today, there is not a doubt in my mind we will always remember the day we found out we are having OUR FIRST CHILD!  That’s right…

WE ARE PREGNANT!

Little Baby Salter has been a part of our family a little more than 2 months now.  We expect to meet this precious FIRST addition to our family in December.  It is official, today is my first Mother’s Day!  We thought this would be a special way to share the news with you.

Above: My first Mother's Day gift from our Momma's in America :)

The past several weeks have consisted of countless naps, many meals prepared by Trey because of my insanely strong sense of smell, and quite a few tears for unknown reasons.  Ah, pregnancy bliss =) 

We have had our first Dr.’s appointment and were able to hear our precious baby’s heartbeat.  We know this is only the beginning of a wonderful journey the Lord has set before us.

Above:  Posing with our ultrasound picture after our first appointment!

Would you join us as we pray for this special child with which the Lord has blessed us.  We pray for the growth and development of this little life, knowing that our Father is knitting him/her together this very moment.  We pray for peace and calmness during this time of such extreme FIRSTS.  The Lord is good and gracious and we are so thankful for this opportunity!

Ponder Anew What the Almighty Can Do...

For the past several days I cannot seem to get enough of the song, "Praise to the Lord The Almighty"  Here's a little listen for you:

 


Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord
Who o'er all things so wonderfully reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea, so gladly sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth

Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the 'amen' sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Sunday Snip-Its

Whirlwind, jam packed, 24/7...these are a few phrases that would describe the past two weeks for us.  I must admit I am slightly overwhelmed at where to begin and what to say...let's just say A LOT is going on here in our little Haiti life and we are thankful for this journey.  Here are a few highlights to get us back on track:


-We have just completed 2 back to back weeks of hosting teams from the U.S. who came to serve with Baptist HaitiMission.  6 new homes have been built for families in the community over the past 2 weeks.  We are so thankful for the relationships we formed as we worked alongside these teams and for the impact the Gospel is making throughout Haiti.


-Yesterday was a great Saturday afternoon for us.  We did a whole lot of not too much, and it was very enjoyable.  I cut Trey's hair for him yesterday.  Thank you YouTube for your help, I spent a good part of the morning watching video's on "How To Cut Men's Hair" and it all turned out pretty well if I do say so myself.


-After a busy few weeks, and preparing for the start of another, we decided to spend a Sunday morning just the two of us at home for worship.  We joined Pastor Johnny Hunt and FBC Woodstock in GA via the internet this morning.  It is incredible that we can sit in our house in Haiti and worship with our family in GA.  Now...if only we can figure out a way to get burgers from Canyons for our Sunday lunch, we would be set!


-Last weekend my little sister Dalice turned 20, and today my older brother Dempsey turns 26!  I think it is safe to say, our "little family" is quite grown up.  My mom still claims to be 35...my math skills aren't the best, but I can still see something is not adding up.


-I have a new addiction, a website composed of Blogs by Missionaries all over the world!  I love checking in and hearing the honesty as well as receiving encouragement from these women.  I've even been blessed to stumble upon quite a few blogs from sisters here in Haiti.  What a small world this is becoming!


-Have a restful Sunday!

Ramblings of a Crazy Canine

Well, it's the start of a new week and I must say, things are a tad different around here.  Last week, Girl Salter had visitors from her family and boy did we have a good time!

I was treated to a surprise bath last Monday.  Even though the water was extremely cold I enjoyed all the attention I received!  Oh, by the way, I realize I look ridiculous in the picture above.  I was pleasantly relieved when Boy Salter finally came home and I was no longer the only man around.

Although I was not taken on many of the visitors adventures, I know they had a good time...

They made jewelry with Girl Salter and her friends.  They even went to the Kindergarten to teach, I have always wanted to go there!  At the school they taught the children about all the animals God created.  I thought for sure they would take me...after all, I am an animal!

I suppose I understand why they did not take me.  I tend to make the small people cry because I can look them eye to eye.

I was happy to see my people have such a good time with their visitors.  They took me on walks every night.  I even got to lean on the furniture when Boy Salter was not looking.  

Sweet visitors, know you can come back any time.  And when you do, don't forget the dog treats.

 
I heard my people talking last night, it seems we have another visitor coming in May.  I hope she likes me!

 

 

Team Time!

This time last week, 71 students and leaders connected with Crossings Ministries in KY, traveled to Haiti to serve alongside Baptist Haiti Mission.  24 of these were from my home church in Corbin, KY.  2 of these were my Mom & my sister Maggie!

Now, one week later, the team from Crossings has returned to the U.S. and we are spending a few extra days with mom & Maggie.  There are so many things to share about the ministry that took place last week.  Here are a few pictures for a little "sneak peek"...

A very full Tap Tap (Haitian taxi) taking some of the group to the market & then heading to the work site for a day of Vacation Bible School.

 

Mother & Daughters, enjoying the ride!

 

 

A few of the boys at Vacation Bible School gearing up for games & recreation.

 

 

Maggie has always been a kid magnet!  It turns out she's a pretty good pillow as well.

 

 

We have been so encouraged by the work of this special team last week.  We are also very blessed to now have a few days of rest with some of our family.  I'll post more information and photo's in the days to come...Happy Sunday!