There has been a serious lack of posts from me lately, and it seems that every time I get around to posting somethings, its mostly to apologize for NOT posting, so I refuse to apologize again! :)

Christmas 2010 was epic.

Andrew and I enjoyed a quiet morning together, drinking tea and exchanging gifts. We made our way to my parents place, where we enjoyed the time-honored tradition of eating Pringles and drinking egg-nog!

Our day was amazing, not only because Baileys was added to said egg-nog, but because it is special to be with the people you love most in this world.

I cherish the time I have with my family, they are an incredible bunch! An odd bunch, but incredible none the less!

And now, we are moving on from traditions and egg-nog to New Years!

I have so many things to be thankful for in 2010.

My amazing new husband and our blessed life together.

I travelled to 3 new countries this year, as well as see MY country! (Paraguay, not Canada)

I spent 5 precious weeks getting to know my Opa one last time.

I became the proud owner of a 1973 VW Bus!


I am also now in the process of becoming an unofficial auntie! (More about that soon!)

Seriously, I could go on and on about what 2010 has brought.

God has been faithful and good through it all, like He always is.

I cant wait to see what God is calling us to in 2011, I have a feeling there will be some amazing adventures! Cuz that's how He rolls!

"How was Haiti?"

That's, by FAR, the most common question Ive been asked over the past two weeks.

And honestly, I don't really know how to answer it!

"Good"

"Beautiful"

"Hard"

All of the above!

My time in Haiti is a time I will never forget.

Not an hour goes by that I don't think about the kids in the orphanage.

(Unless Im sleeping...then Im not thinking about anything!)

Their eyes and smiles are etched into my heart!

I think about something they said or did and I smile.

I think about the daily struggles they have and I cry.

I pray for them and hold them in my heart.

My trip to Haiti was amazing.

It was incredible to experience it with one of my best friends, to have her beside me.

That in itself was awesome!

Throw in a country that is beautiful and children that love without holding back and you have a trip that will be burned into my memory forever!

We were so blessed and protected our entire trip.

Our flights were (looong) good and went smoothly, we got all our luggage easily, and we settled in quickliy. Within 10 minutes of being at the orphanage, I was holding a little boy and my heart was gone!

We only had 10 days there and it FLEW by!

We built benches and painted a large balcony. We put together food bags and distributed it to the poor. We played games and sang songs. We danced and laughed. We cried and struggled.

I fell in love with Haiti and with the Haitian people.

They are incredible and no matter what the news says, Haiti is NOT dark and deadly.

Its a beautiful place, full of life and joy! God is moving and working and I am so blessed to have been there!

(I will post pictures and more stories soon, thanks for your patience!!)

Again, Im sorry I havent been posting lately.

Besides work and work, Ive also been working alot.

(In other words, I need a day off!)

And on that note, I have to make some dinner!

Have a happy day!

Quote of the week..3 weeks behind.

If we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people to not kill each other? Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.

-Mother Teresa

Hello lovelies!

My sincere apologies for the serious lack of posts lately.

I am back safe from Haiti and have left a large chunk of my heart there!

I will post some stories and pictures soon, as soon as I have a 2-minute gap in my life!

But for now, a sneak peek of some of the beautiful creatures who have my heart.

Be still my heart...

Quote of the week.

“You have a special place in the world. All you have to do is find it. Do not give up on yourself, on the truths you have realized. Do not give in to those who would crush your dreams like nutshells. And never turn away from forever love.”
-Ellen Hopkins

(Photo Unknown)

Enough said

Leaving on a jet plane.

In 20 hours Angela and I are leaving to another world.

Nope, not Narnia.

Haiti!

The bags are packed, presents bought, prayers said and funds raised.

The day has finally come! I feel like its been a crazy whirlwind adventure so far!

We have been so blessed!

My church/family/friends have been so incredible and supportive.

The past couple weeks have been so hectic, hence the non-blogging!

But I plan on re-entering the world of blogging as soon as Im back!

So bear with me, I will be back in December to kick off some rants/praises about this Christmas season!

Until we meet again darlings!

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

-Gandhi

And on that note,

Haiti in t-minus 6 days!

Sometimes God has plans that surprise you!

Like the fact that I am leaving in 12 days to go to Haiti!
I did NOT see that coming. Well. That's not completely true. Andrew and I have been planning and applying to go work there, but I did not see it coming THIS year! But there it is! One of my best friends, Angela, asked me to go with her, to work in an orphanage. 5 days later, we booked the flights. That was 2 days ago. The countdown is on. I'm pretty emotional about it right now, to be honest. I'm excited beyond belief! One of my hearts desire is to run an orphanage!
I'm sad to leave my amazing, wonderful, completely selfless husband behind! (Just so you all know, actually going to Haiti without him was his idea. He always wants good things for me.) I'm scared to fall in love with the kids and leave a good chunk of my heart behind!
I'm eager to be really effective with the short amount of time we have there!
I'm frustrated because of certain people not willing to help me out and take an extra shift for me!( sorry, had to get that out. Over it now)
And on that note, I really need more faith in order to make this happen.
Because when it comes down to it, Im not going to Haiti because I want to (although I do really want too!).
Im going because I serve a Savior who uses us in little ways.
Like flying across the world to hold little babies, pray for them and, even if its just for a week, love them.
It seems small, but its something I can do to express Gods love, and that's what has me all excited.

Like, so-excited-that-I-cant-sleep-and-feel-sick-most-of-the-time excited.
So, if you think of it, please pray for us.
For health and safety and our hearts to be soft and teachable.
Pray for the children.
Pray that in everything we do there, that we would do it to glorify the God who created and loves each one of those little bubbas.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

If we could all be this enthusiastic!

A precious song.

Pause whatever music you are listening to.

Just take a minute and listen to this beautiful song and rest.

I just had to share this with you guys. Its written by a grade 3 girl.

Enjoy!

A new direction.

I was very challenged last week.
On friday night Andrew and I went to Passion World Tour.
From the moment it started, I knew God had something to tell me.
I cried within 25 seconds.
God is so cool, the ways that He works things out, how He has me in the palm of His hand.
Because honestly, sometimes I feel like running, like taking things into my own hands and making a go of life alone.
Because I'm stubborn and independent and not that smart.
But that's OK.
Because He has me figured out, He knows the plans He has for me and they are above and beyond anything I can dream of!
(I have to remind myself of that sometimes!)

I was reminded about how God created me and put passions and desires in me for a reason.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed with a burning inside me soul.
Sometimes I feel like Im WAY off base with how life is right now.
Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my life.
I am so blessed, so happy and content with life.

But also, there's a part of me that burns and aches for more.
That feeling of "there must be more", the desire to live life differently.
Differently than whats "acceptable" and "expected" of us.

Since I was 5 years old I have wanted to be a missionary.
Its been a dream, a desire, a NEED in my life.
Its not something I take lightly.
Its a need that fills me head, my heart, my dreams.
I think about it constantly, waiting anxiously for the next step.
On friday I was reminded that I dont have to be so timid. I dont have to wait around for Gods "green light".
I need to do what I love, what Im passionate about, and do it ALL for the glory of God!
Because in doing that, He will guide us, He will place us where we are needed.

We are so excited to see what God has in store for us.

(and I have a feeling it wont be long now...)

Quote of the week.

Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

-C.S. Lewis

(Photo by Per Ola Wiberg)

Delightful treats.

No trip south past Seattle is worth it unless you stop at Cabelas.
At least thats what Andrew says.

(For those of you who are not hunters/married to one, Cabelas is a HUGE outfitter store with EVERYTHING, from guns to bullets to tents and clothes, a resturaunt, an aquarium and waterfall..its terribly impressive)

Anywho. Andrew bought me my first cast-iron skillet!

I am thrilled.

No really. Thats wasnt sarcasm!

I am THRILLED!

Look how pretty!

It even came with a lid that can double as a shallow skillet!

(Sorry, no picture.)
And so, to test out the newest addition to our family, I made an apple-upside-down-cast-iron-baked-cake-thing. I think thats the official name.

ANYWHO, it turns out that this happens to be the best thing I have EVER baked.

And it wasnt me. It was the cast-iron.

I cant describe in words. Except that when I tasted a tiny morsel, I audibly moaned, and ran out the door to buy a tray good enough to hold this treat.

True story. I ran straight to the thrift store to find something, anything that could hold something so beautiful.

And I found it in the form of this amazing tin tray.

This tin tray probably never thought it would hold something so beautiful that it directly reflected heaven.

But today, thanks to butter, sugar, apples and a whole heap of love, it did.

Im pretty sure that if you look hard enough, you will see the thumbprint of God on that.

Seriously, its that good.

Just another reason Im thankful to serve a God who has taste buds!

:)

Keeping Portland beautiful and weird!

This weekend my beloved and I packed up and headed south to Portland. We wanted to surprise our friends, Spencer and Michelle.

The drive was totally worth the hug I got from her.

Oh boy, I cant even explain how much I miss her when Im here and shes

way

down

there.

We got into all sorts of adventures together.

Beer and late-night-dinner at the coolest bar ever!

Shopping at the market and other fun shops.

Going out to the "Wooden Chicken" accompanied by Snow White, an escaped convict, a football player, Uncle Sam, and a billbilly cowboy.

(I was a bunny. Although I lost my tail around 11pm)

We went for a drive down the old highway (sorry michelle!)

The trees are changing and it is beautiful!

And then, much to my delight, we stopped by an antique store!

(Be still my heart!)

It was amazing! There were so many beautiful things! I managed to walk away with a globe, but only because the store closed before I could convince Andrew that of course I need another set of salt and pepper shakers!

Next time we are in Oregon again, Im spending the day there! Michelle, you may accompany me if you wish. :)

It was a great weekend. I loved spending time with my precious friends. They were so welcoming and happily let us be tourists! I miss you guys already!!

What a good day consists of.

My day is always good when thrifting is involved!

I found an army of wooden Christmas ornaments!

A delightful Christmas tin for putting delicious baked num-nums in!

An old HEAVY frame. Folks, this thing is solid! And although the picture isn't an accurate portrayal, its beautiful too!

SCORE! This amazing little mirror, with the initial "A", which happens to be the initial of my husband (coincidence?!)

And Ill be honest, I bought this game just because of the name. BUT its actually heaps of fun!

I love days that start with a hug from "A" and end with thrift stores!

Quote of the week.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Helen Keller

(Picture from National Geographic)

Childhood memories.

I grew up in South America. Paraguay to be exact.

And because of that, there are huge differences to my Canadian friends that I am only now realizing.

Lets talk for a moment about literature.

My brother and I had a favorite book, in German of course. We read it all the time and I have many memories of it.

I had almost forgotten about this book until I was living in Switzerland.

I happened to stumble upon it while in a toy museum and I instantly recognized it and had to buy a copy!

When I got home, I started to read it and realized how frightening and horrible this book is! No joke! I cant believe that my parents let us read this!

AND we had NO idea how awful it was!

See? Already you're terrified, I can tell!

This book is full of morals. Although I hate to use that word.

(I wont share the graphic pictures with you, because I don't want to be responsible for your counselling costs.)

Lets sum up shall we?

When a child is picky and refuses to eat what their mother gives them, the child will starve. Literally.

When a child is disobedient and plays with matches when they are not supposed too, the child will catch on fire and burn until they are a little pile of ashes.

When a child sucks their thumb, Der Struwwelpeter will come and cut your thumbs off.

When a child daydreams to much they will fall into a river and drown.

Luckily, my brother and I were not scared of the stories, we thought they were funny!

Although I never daydream anymore...

My new thang!

I have decided to do a quote, once a week.

Its my attempt to be more intentional about blogging, more commited.

The quote will not necessarily be smooth or lovely, just something that speaks to me.

And to start off this new "thang" how about using me?

Today I had one of those moments where as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to reach out and snap them back!

I announced to my friends

"This June I will become an aunt or an uncle!"

Ooops.

Consider youreself quoted.

Today I love...

Time with my surprising, unexpected love.

(oh and also still loving our wedding pictures!)

Just so you know, I LOVE thrift stores.

I love the smell, the unique finds, the people that work there, the thrill of the hunt!

I love finding ugly ducklings and transforming them into beautiful swans!

Lately Ive been working on this dresser. I'm very excited to finally finish it!

I also bought this shelf for $2 and painted it turquoise and sanded it. Its perfect!

I also spent a few hours sewing this fun bunting. I was so sick of beige walls and these are a fun way to add color and joy!

I also made decorations with lace doilies that Ive been buying at the local thrift stores.

And whats more fun than colorful circles strung onto wool!

Ill be the first to admit that my decoration choice is not conventional, but our home is really starting to reflect Andrew and I.

Luckily I married a man who is decidedly neutral when it comes to decor! Phew!