Mm Boy..

I leave for Haiti in 11 days! End of story.

Love the Little Children

Tonight was a good night. I went to my first LSU football as a student. And it rained. A lot. But it was fun. I like rain. It makes me feel like a kid, intentionally stepping in the puddles and possibly splashing people that are around. However you don't really care that much because the height of the splash or the depth of the water has preoccupied your mind.

I am such a kid sometimes, but I also think I can learn so much from them. I remember one time a little boy was looking at the sky and he proceeded to tell me very enthusiastically that God painted a dragon in the sky. But God did. Even if it was just for that one boy. He did. He painted the dragon.

Where has my enthusiasm gone to? Where can I find it? I want to find excitement in everyday things. I desire their imagination. I used to tutor a girl after school, and everyday we would pretend we were ninjas. Sometimes she hit really hard. but it was awesome. When is the last time you played ninjas? .. that is what I thought.

And think about it.. You can't be around a kid without laughing or smiling. They bring joy to your heart (even if you do not want it there.)

My prayer is this; that as we are growing up we do not allow ourselves to be too mature to find dragons in the sky, to pretend to be super hero's, or to color in coloring books. You are never too old for anything. (except maybe playing in the playpen at McDonald's. ) : )

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"What else is love but understanding and rejoicing in the fact that another person lives, acts, and experiences otherwise than we do…?"
Friedrich Nietzsche

I'm A Big Girl Now

So, I am moved out. It has been three weeks. I love it. Of course I miss my family and friends like crazy,but I enjoy the freedom, and it was time for a change. I could possibly have the best roommates in the world. You can try to argue with me, but I am stubborn.. So I always win. :)

My classes are good (excluding oceanography.. that class is awful, but I have hope for it.) I am taking :
1.Oceanography
2.Anthropology
3.Spanish
4.Math
5.History of Jazz

I am excited about them all, but I am not excited about the studying that I am going to have to do.. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I met a guy in my Math class today and he speaks 5 languages. One of them includes Creole. Who speaks Creole!? That guy. That is who. And even though he does not know it yet, he is going to help me practice my Creole.. When I start learning it that is. I mean seriously, what are the chances that I will meet a guy that speaks Creole.. which happens to be the language spoken in Haiti..

Speaking of Haiti.. I dream about it almost every night. It is weird. They are so real. The other night I was dreaming that I was there and playing with the kids and then I woke up in Baton Rouge.. I was on the verge of tears. I miss those people greatly, and cannot wait until I can be with them again.

But for now, I am here. Completely. Because Mother Teresa always puts it best. "Love begins by taking care of the closest ones-the ones at home"

Community. LOVE. Joy

On the last night of my trip to Haiti, Sarah ( a nurse who has been in Passe Catabois since April) gave the team some very good advice. She said this, "When you get home I encourage you to think about what you are going to tell people because you will only have one chance." And that really stuck with.me. So for the past few days I have been trying to figure out what to tell people.

Many people have asked me If I had fun, or if my trip was good. And it is hard for me to say yes to these people. Even though I had one of the most life changing experiences in Haiti, my trip was not fun, and it was not good. For me I cannot put the words fun and good in the same sentence as poverty. It just doesn't work that way.

There is a lot of hurt in Haiti. There are a lot of reasons for the people there to be bitter and angry, but what shocked me the most is that they are so joyful. More joyful than I am on most mornings for sure, and if I had to take a guess most of them went to bed hungry the night before. It was mind boggling for me. That as Americans when one thing doesn't go our way we get upset and our whole day is ruined.

Also they have community and love. It is truly inspiring. To feel so loved by these children that do not even know me. To watch a 6 year old little boy take care of his little sister just because he loves her. The bond between those two children is absolutely incredible. When I went to Haiti, I had the intentions of teaching these people, and it ended up they taught me more than I could ever expect. And now it is my job to share with others, and to show others the love i have witnessed.

Kuku, the child I have been praying for all summer, became alive. Not just a picture on a page; I got to hug him, play with him, and just love on him.

I left my heart in Haiti in the hands of these wonderful people, and I cannot wait to go back.

-Love until it hurts, then love some more-

Busy, Busy, Busy

So.. I feel like I haven't written here in forever. I have been so busy.

I went to the beach (twice). And it was beautiful as always. My friend Mary was able to join me on week two (I like your ball cap) : ) We were there for the fourth of July, and got to see fireworks on the beach. It is one of my favorite things to do see; however, in my book nothing can outdo the stars.

Then I went to Orientation at LSU. I am a tiger (with a schedule)!! I made a new friend, and she seems pretty cool.(She plays the flute) We are going to pilates together next semester. (Yay for being fit!!) I am so excited for next year.

On Monday I leave (with my sister) for Cross Camp 2009!!!!!!! This is by far the most anticipated week of the entire summer. Being with some of my favorite people, and learning/ growing more about my Savior.

Then only July 27 Rebecca Griggs, Jessica Williamson, Sydney Lengefeld, Walter Jackson, Jordy Barksdale, Garrison Griffith, and myself are headed to Haiti!! It is finally here. This experience is going to be so incredibile. And I will get to play with pretty Haitians all day. : )

Once I return from Haiti. I will have 10 days to pack and get everything ready because I am moving out! Yikes! I am a big girl now...

So there is a brief summer update.

Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFvKWCDNNWE

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^That video will blow you away. Poverty is real, hunger is real, starvation is real.

I am so burdened for this small country. I am more ready than ever to go, serve, and love.

I hope this video will make you aware; it definitely was a shocker for me.

-Annie

I am a college kid.

I graduated tonight, and now I am officially a college kid! : ) 

Next step: moving out and being responsible and such.I have picked where to eat TWO days in a row. yep.. two days. Hooray for decisiveness!! 

And now I am going to go make a video with a certain red head who is headed to Peru tomorrow. : )

Bonjou Zami

I started my fist lesson in Creole last week! On to language number two! :) Although, it is back to square one..

Here am I, Send me.

Lately I have been looking back at life, and smiling. It is like pieces of the puzzle are finally fitting together.

I can remember all the way back to fifth or sixth grade and telling my mom that I might want to be a missionary, traveling the world, proclaiming God's truth. I remember her telling me that not everyone has to be a missionary to do God's work. After she said that I thought to myself, I know that, but for me.. Being over seas is where I belong. In tenth grade I surrendered to the ministry. It was real and true and beautiful. Now being a senior in high I prepare for a summer of excitement, adventure and most of all love.

My first trip will be, well that is actually a good question.. : ) I will be doing some inner city stuff in Texas on April 3- April 10 with my best friend, Rebecca Griggs. I cannot wait! I will get to spend a week with one of the coolest people I know, AND get to practice my español. I don't see how it could get much better than that.

Next on the list is Graduating! I feel like I am still a freshman in high school, minus the part about not being able to drive. : )

Then the summer begins. It will be filled with lots of laughs, memories, and of course the beach. Sand between your toes, the ocean in your ears, and a good book in your hand equals a pretty swanky combination if I do say so myself.

Then there is Cross Camp. The one week out of the year that I look forward to.. maybe a little too much.

Then Haiti! I cannot wait! I have a little boy the Jessica Williamson has signed me to. His name is Kuku, and I already love him. My heart is definitely in that country, and I haven't even been there yet. I am so excited to see how God is going to move through this trip and through these precious people that I have come to love so dearly without even meeting them. ^^That's KuKu, and yes he is playing with the paint. : ) You should see the video of him playing in the water completely naked. You can't help but smile.




Te amo,
-Annie