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!



Thank You?

It is a crisp Fall day.  Boy and Girl go for a walk in the park and enjoy the changing of the leaves as they walk hand in hand.  Boy stops and asks Girl to sit and talk for a bit.  While talking, Boy looks deep into Girls eyes.  Very intentionally, Boy says the three most relationship changing words to Girl, "I love you."  Girl is overwhelmed, estatic, head over heals for Boy and responds..."Thank you."

Wait, what?!  Thank you?  What type of a response is this when someone tells you for they first time EVER they love you?  I wish I could say say I do not know the Girl in the story.  Instead, I have to confess...I am the Girl.  During a walk in one of our favorite parks in Louisville, KY Trey told me for the first time he loved me...and I said Thank You.  Who does that?!

Today, as we celebrate our 3 year anniversary, I cannot help but laugh as I think about our beginning.  We have indeed come a LONG way!

I waited to say "I love you" to Trey, not because I was uncertain, but because I did not want to say it for the first time to him simply as a response.  Oh the many mind games when it comes to matters of the heart...seesh!

As confusing as the dating years may have been, the Lord taught me so much about His character as He drew Trey and I together.  We know that we Love the Lord because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).  Our response to the Love of our Lord is to love Him in return.

My "Thank You," to Trey was not enough when he told me he loved me.  He was not searching for a word of affirmation from me, he was searching for my love in return.  The same is true with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Of course my heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for the love of my Savior.  But, my entire life is changed as well.  The Lord desires for me to express my love back towards Him.  This is done through my words, my attitude, my daily choices, my life!  3 years into marriage and I am still learning how to communicate my love to Trey.

50 years from now I am sure we will still be laughing about the story of how I simply said "Thank You," when he first told me he loved me.  I am thankful for the lessons learned from our early years, and I look forward to many more!

I Love You Trey Salter, Thank You for loving me too!

Time for our First Kiss EVER!

One of the GREATEST moments.

 

Reunited

You know those days that just make your heart feel good deep down inside?  Today was one of those days for me...

We spent the day showing some visitors a variety of churches connected with Baptist Haiti Mission. One of the locations we traveled to was the home of Pastor Ellison. Upon arriving in Haiti we stayed with the Ellison family to begin "grunting" our way through Haitian Creole and be exposed to the in's and out's of our new home. 

Today was the first time in over a year we were able to return to the town of our sweet Haitian beginnings and see this family.  And, this time we could speak!

Although our visit today was quick, the reunion was wonderful, and hopefully the first of many.  Of course, as we sat and chatted I could not help but snap a photo or two of some of the precious kids we enjoyed playing with for many long and sweaty hours when we first arrived in Haiti.

  
Oh how sweet it is to reunite with families who are passionate about the gospel and making an impact in their community.

You Think You Know...

Life 1

The rooster crows and the sun begins to reach out through the darkness.  A worn down metal pot is placed above the fire and a breakfast of sauce and noodles is prepared.  She wakes her children and begins to put them into their school uniform, and gently wipes the dirt and mud off their shoes from the previous day.  The eldest has just returned to the house after gathering water for the family.  Now it is time to wash hands and faces before making the 2 hour journey down the dirt path to the school house and market.

Later, after the sun is high and hot, the children return from school.  The aroma of seasoned rice and beans fills the air and stomachs groan as they anticipate the satisfaction that awaits.  The day continues as it did the day before...sweeping, hand washing clothes, and strengthening relationships.  This is life, the day the Lord has made.

Life 2

The alarm clock sounds, how can she already be behind?  She rushes into the kitchen and cereal is poured for the hungry mouths that will soon awake.  Tennis shoes, back packs, and lunch boxes flood the kitchen as the morning routine is in full swing.  She kisses each cheek, says her "I love you's" and everyone is out the door.

3 p.m., waiting in the school pick up line for the children.  Ballet lessons, basket ball practice, and a quick drive through the pharmacy.  Household chores, home cooked meals, after school play dates.  This is life, the day the Lord has made.

Life, it is happening all around us.  Every day babies are born, funerals are held, marriages begin, sickness arrives, and obstacles occur.  Wherever the Lord has placed us, geographically & spiritually, He is teaching us.  The longer we live, the more we think we know.  In a lunch conversation today with Trey and 2 new friends of ours, a familiar phrase kept playing over and over in my head, "you think you know, but you have no idea."

As we talked we discussed a variety of things the Lord was teaching us.  Personal lessons, as well as just discoveries from life overseas.  The conversation led me to think about my sisters in the U.S. as well as those in Haiti.  We are all working so hard in this thing called life, just trying to figure it out, and often simply doing one day at a time. 

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1 Corinthians 2:9- "...'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived,' the things God has prepared for those who love Him..."
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I think I know so much, but the Word of the Lord teaches me...there is more to be made known!  I am pleased to say, by the Lord's grace, I know more today than I did yesterday.  But, there is so much more!  Life is more than what we see and experience day in and day out.  Our lunch conversation could have left me overwhelmed and anxious, but gently and quietly in my spirit as the conversation continued I was comforted by my Lord...

My sweet daughter, keep learning, keep searching, keep asking questions, I have such big things in store for you!

My friends, would you join me in the task of learning, searching, and asking, as we see what God has prepared for us as we love Him?