Separation & Preparation

I believe that the Lord taught us things this trip in preparation for what is to come. See one of the main reasons Junior and I don't take full time jobs is because we want the flexibility to travel to Haiti. Our goal is to be there permanently one day. Therefore, we want to have the room to build connections, support, and relationships for that moment that the Lord opens the door for us to be there full time. It has it's pros and cons, but either way it's what we feel the Lord wants us to do. I do my best to focus on the pros and thank Jesus for them!

Before this 6 day trip, Junior and I had only been apart collectively for 7 days in almost 3 years of marriage. So 6 days all in one, was a big deal. I missed him terribly, but was so glad he was able to go. In fact, I hate to admit it, but prior to Junior going this trip I have had many friends and family go to Haiti without me and my feelings are always mixed. I am excited for them, but my flesh is jealous and sometimes envious that it's not me. I know it's horrible, right. The tension between my true heart and my sinful flesh is not always a pretty thing, hence my thankfulness for the Lord's grace & mercy.

However, with Junior I didn't feel any of the normal fleshy sinful stuff. I was simply honored the Lord provided him the ability to go. Plus, in a sense I felt that despite the distance I was there with him. I knew he would represent our family well and of course send lots of love from me to our loved ones there!

During his stay I was only able to chat with him on Facebook for a brief few minutes one day and then talk with him on the phone for a few minutes another. I rarely fear when I am in Haiti or when I have loved ones there, but I also know the instability and risk so for the first time it was truly painful to not just hear that my other half was okay. A new feeling when it comes to this nation I love SO much.

Then there was this brand new awareness of Military wives and what they go through. Not knowing when they will hear from their husbands and being in a totally different nation, often one they are completely unfamiliar with. Then there is this new appreciation for woman like my sister in law who move a whole country away to provide for her family....being away from her husband. I can barely make it a week and these women do it with such dignity and strength. A new understanding.

Then there was this constant appreciation for our dear friends Beaver & Kathy Brooks (check them out here). They spent several years going to Haiti separately, sometimes as much as 3 months apart before the Lord opened the door for them to be there full time together. Quite extraordinary to me, the strength in them to go to this nation that they both love so deeply and to do it separately. I knew what a big deal it was the times they were apart, how Kathy or Beaver would drop everything to answer the phone while the other was there. However, I didn't grasp how big of a deal it was until I myself had the love of my life without me on that beautiful island we wish to be permanently one day. Again, a new understanding.

More than likely this will not be the first time Junior goes without me, or visa versa, but Lord I pray that each time it will be a growing process in our Journey. It will teach me things that increase my understanding and give me a new appreciation for those I love, especially my Father God in all His grace and Mercy.

Blessings,
Natasha

Ps- So thankful for girlfriends who kept me company in Junior's  Absence.

Thoughts on Technology

So my dear friend Sarah Gaikwad (check her out here) posted an article the other day and I just can't seem to stop thinking about it. In fact I feel like it was just the icing on the cake as my whole weekend was filled with conversations about technology and the changes that it is having on our culture and our future.

We are living in such a different time than when I was growing up. This generation's life support system seems to be technology. One friend put it this weekend, she wants to show her kids the skills it has to teach them, rather than to hinder them, I liked this thinking. I believe that by the time our kids are adults coding will be a common language and I believe that carpal tunnel and eye problems will be prevalent. However, they will have access to education, seeing the world and connecting with people in a way that is far beyond what I was ever capable of as a child.

The pros and cons are tremendous. I have another friend that says the good and bad of this world are wrapped up in technology. Our connection with the world is increased, but our ability to be present and involved in deep relationships is weaken by the constant pull of the different devices around you. Machines that seem to carry the world at your fingertips. But we forget our world is our community, our family and friends, not just the people we "like" in the realm of Facebook,Titter and all the other networking sites out there.

I only recently got a phone that carries much of my life, and although I love it, I must be careful with it. I don't want to not be present with my family, or forget to see the beauty in life. I want to experience it, not just instagram it. Only a few months ago I was the one getting gripped on about not answering my phone or responding to texts, but I have to admit I liked that life... I was able to really be there with the ones I was with, and present at home with my husband, I was not attached to the machine... it's a good feeling to be free.

I am still processing much of my thoughts on technology, laughing at myself as I feel old when dealing with a lot of it, embracing the beauty in it, but also being clear that boundaries are needed with it. Like my friend, I want to use it in the ways that Glorify God, teach me new skill sets, help me to succeed and most importantly love others. What I do not want is to allow technology to hinder me from living life to the fullest.

Please read this Article, it explains much of my own thoughts on the issue and it really is something we should be in dialog about.

Click HERE for some wisdom from Einstein on this issue, it's a good visual!

Also please feel free to share your thoughts, I would love to hear them!

Blessings,
Natasha

Sweet Emilee

Reunited with SWEET EMILEE MARIE! 

                                

The following is an excerpt from a post I wrote in February of 2008, while living in Haiti...


"The police, UN and judge brought a baby to the orphanage. She was abandoned on a porch, severely malnourished, she weighed around 5 1/2lbs. And the really heartbreaking part is she has two teeth and from what the nurses could estimate she is somewhere between 7-11 months old. She was dropped off in bercy last Saturday and has been with me since. I have loved on her, held her down while a nurse tried to put an IV in her precious tiny, tiny veins, helped give her medicines, bathed her and she has come with me to Dorothy's. This sweet little baby girl that I named (with help from friends)Emily Marie Francois, is what Dorothy likes to call my house warming gift.We have started calling her "my baby"...i love her!!! she's beautiful. She doing well, now up to almost 8lbs now!"

Click HERE some pictures and another blog about her during our stay together at Dorothy's! 

During this season of investing in Emily, I prayed many times about adopting her, but God always said no and I never understood until... He revealed to me who would be her mother. 

The following is an excerpt from a post in August 2009

"Shelly Stammis is a woman i met while in Haiti last year. this summer she stayed at Bercy and fell in love with Emily Marie. she has decided to adopt her! it is an answered prayer because i have been praying for someone that i know to adopt her so that i can stay connected with her and be in her life. when i first heard i was like...wait i wanna adopt her...then a second later i thought...wait this is an answered prayer...PRAISE GOD!

Shelly was in Jacksonville with the Merritts so i went down and visited for a day...saw many pictures of Emily and was able to be with what i jokingly like to call...my 'baby's mama'...i am so excited for Shelly and for Emily...she will be so blessed. Shelly is a good mom, a strong woman and a deep lover of Jesus...I am blessed to know her and so excited for Emily." For more from this post click here. 

And now today.... I get to sit here and write that Shelly's adoption is complete and we were all able to reunite in Fort Lauderdale on their way home to Michigan. It was a surreal and beautiful blessing...full of Joy over flowing....

(Shelly, Emilee  & her big sister, Lexi) 

I still can't stop thinking about how much I love sweet Emilee (as her forever mama spells it now) or how amazing her mama is to share her! It is something I don't take for granted as many mothers could get territorial, but not Shelly ..she is So humble and kind, understanding and genuine. Emilee is a blessed little girl! As am I for knowing them both and getting to be a part of the Journey.

God really is a Miracle worker....His plans never fail, His LOVE never fails.... what a beautiful life this is!

We never get tired of these dimples....

Blessings,
Natasha 

Revamping Reasons

First and foremost I apologize for it being a month since my last post. I was talking with a friend this morning and realized that since I journal on the regular with my fine point sharpie and fair trade journal in hand I forget about this blog sometimes. I mainly use it to connect with my family and friends that are far away. I have never really set it up with good grammar, more just a blog with ramblings of run on sentences and my stream of consciousness.

However, as this new adventure begins with TRUST in the Treasure I want my business to not just be about the projects I create, I also want my customers to know who I am. With that said, I also know first impressions are important so in the next couple weeks I will be revamping my blog a bit, which I am excited about. I will still write about my life, but I will also be adding DIY projects that I try along with things that connect with my shop.

If you have suggestions or ideas, please feel free to give suggestions!

Blessings,
Natasha