FYI

I realized something today and i feel like i must apologize...

i seriously take no care of the grammar i put forth on this blog....see i treat it like my journal....i don't do that as much as i used to now that our world is so full of this machine called a computer....

i started journaling in the 6th grade...lets think...that means for 17 years i have journaled, here is the thing....i never focused on spelling, grammar or punctuation...i just write...it may not make sense to anyone except me...but i am OK with that....its really just good for me to write it out.... helps me process the things God is doing through the seasons of my life....

so yes reading my blogs must be hilarious at times as words are misspelled and .... is a regular period, but it is what it is...i figure not many read it so it doesn't matter all that much anyway.... this blog really is for me... since my paper journals are mainly for taking notes in church, time i spend with the Father and of course doodling.....

thanks for your grace it often shows how Gods grace is forever abundant...

Natalie

This girls got it... full of the kingdom... watch this....



what a challenge to live by... may my acts be extraordinary...

i am constantly reminded how honored i am to be one of the many people standing with the invisible children. what a blessing to get to be one of the anonymous extraordinaries behind the scene fighting the battle to end Kony's war...

i am so excited to see what God does from the 25 event- speak out without speaking- for more on this event click here...

1 step closer

Junior & i went to Orlando to renew his passport at the Haitian consulate there...the ladies that worked there were so wonderful...we somehow got into our story with them and they were so amazed....started speaking creole with me, laughing and such....granted i still missed a lot when they started talking over each other as Haitians are known to do...but it was a good experience and they were very helpful.

junior's passport will arrive in 7-10 days!!!

it was also a blessing because junior was able to see an old friend that now lives in Orlando. his friend, Robenson, from the neighborhood where he grew up...they both couldn't remember the last time they saw each other... it was a sweet reunion, so beautiful to see junior in that moment...

and he took me out for sushi....and he doesn't even like sushi...he's such a sport, so good to me!

so we are 1 step closer to Haiti... PTL (praise the LORD)

25-speak out with out speaking

As many of you know I try to always take the opportunity to be an activist when i can...especially with things that pull on my hearts strings... slavery in our world today is something that continually pulls on my heart and i continue to be broken over this injustice in our world....it is completely unacceptable that children are forced into being wifes, sex slaves, soldiers, you name it... no one should be forced and held against their own will...

many of you have heard of the invisible children (www.invisiblechildren.com)... they are a group that has started a movement and i am honored to say i have been able to be a part of it in many ways....

they focus on ending Africa's longest running war, the Lords Resistance Army, a rebel group made up of 90% children that have been abducted and taken away from their families, forced to kill or be killed.... it is horrindous and invisible children has been working the last 8 years to fight for peace and an end to this war of 25 years and i believe they wont stop until they do.

in 2005 they had the global night communte, in 2006 they had the dispace me event, in 2009 they had the rescue me and this year they are going to have 25....this event is 25 hours of silence to speak out against 25 years of war.... i know sounds confussing...how can you speak out with out speaking.... but this is how...you buy a kit which has a t-shirt and a neclance with 50 cards to carry explaining why you arent speaking...you also get to letters to write to your senaters and government officials to encourage them to end the war. then you make a fundraising page...this is where YOU come in.... click here to see my fundraising page & donate a few bucks to help end this war!

they are asking each participate to raise $25 dollars to help fund the protection plan. click here to see more on the protection plan.

here are a few videos to give you more of an idea about this war and about who invisible children are....

who we are video

global night communte: i got soul video

rescue me aftermath video

25 event details video

thanks for reading this and thanks for the ways in which you might participate to be an activist yourself!

God Bless you!
Natasha Jovin

ps-feel free to pass this on!

Greencard Appointment

It will be 7 weeks tomorrow since when we did our green card appointment up in Atlanta, a 5 hour drive from where we are in Georgia. We were blessed to be able to stay with Beaver's parents right outside of Atlanta in Marietta. They were so sweet to us, showing us their beautiful land full of life...plants flowers, projects...reminded me much of Beaver & Kathy now. His parents have been married over 50 years with a beautiful story that we were blessed to hear!

We left Monday after I closed the shop a bit early and headed to Marietta, spent the night there and the next morning traveled to the immigration office...i know there is a much fancier word for this building, but i cannot remember. we took with us a huge portable file folder thing filled with stuff we had been working on with our lawyer since August- 6 months worth and that's actually making really good time. it was funny junior was a bit nervous, even though he wouldn't admit it...i didn't feel nervous, but as i realized during the earthquake apparently i am a nervous pooper- lol-sorry for the TMI, but its simply the truth....so i didn't feel nervous, but i did feel like i had to go to the bathroom, even though i knew i really didn't.

oh and here is the side story you must know... our lawyer was not going to come with us, would be an extra $500 for us to do that and it was too much for our budget but the week before when we met with him to finalize things to make sure we were prepared...he said "oh by the way i have to be in Atlanta for another case so if you would like me to come i will be available, and it will only cost you a little over $100" we talked it over and figured it was probably a God thing....praise the Lord!

so back to the story...nervous pooper and man in denial enter the building excited and so ready to see God at work...we believe in the FAVOR He has placed upon this....

finally after waiting a bit- we go in with our lawyer.... who has told us it could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on how your interviewer feels and probably how his day has gone so far.... however ours only took 10 minutes....

and YES we were APPROVED!!!! Holy Holy Holy!!!

it was great having our lawyer because i seriously have never had somebody ask so many questions, turn pages so fast, and check things off so fast in my life....by the time i found what he asked he had already asked 4 more questions and i was flustered...in fact at one point i corrected him on my birthday and said the wrong date...junior then corrected me with the right date and then our lawyer said..."way to know your wife's birthday junior" it was hilarious.... but having our lawyer there seriously was a blessing because the guy would ask a question and then our lawyer would say its on page such and such of the packet we sent you...so HUGE.....

Anyway we were able to share with the interviewer about much ministries and Haiti and a tiny bit of our heart...when we where leaving Junior encouraged the guy to go to our website and get involved...the guy asked why junior felt lead to do so...junior said well you had compassion on us, you seem like a man that would want to help those around him struggling and that he seemed like a generous and caring man... the man said he REALLY appreciated that....

we left feeling blessed and full of favor and honored to maybe give that interviewer a moment of peace and rest and vulnerability and positivity...as he may often be lied to and experience a lot of negativity....

it was good....

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS.....TODAY....

WE RECEIVED THE GREEN CARD IN HAND! HOLY HOLY HOLY.....we are totally done for now....

in DEC. 2012 we will reconnect with our lawyer and start the process to get the 10year green card...this one expires in 2013....

NOW WE CAN GO TO HAITI!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!! i cannot begin to tell you how ready my husband is to see his family there...its been more than 3 years....

we are so so so so excited....thanks to our Lord who always takes care of us.

thanks also to those that prayed for this situation we are ever so grateful!!!

love the jovin's!