A Christmas Present

We're sending a very special gift to Haiti for the week.

This is the man who takes care of us, and my heart felt heavy last night, and I cried thinking of a week without him.

Just think of the time I'm going to have to put in playing video games with James while he's gone!  

And he won't be here to play silly games with Ella that make her laugh echo through the house.  And I get 13-hour days of teaching and training, discipline, bottom-wiping, and cup-fixing.  But it really is okay.  We're on our third trip of the year, and what I've found is that His strength really is perfected in my weakness, and there is much joy to be found in just the three of us.  We may cry and get sad from time to time, and feel a little bit orphaned and widowed in his absence, but this time I feel more than ever the joy and surety that the offering up of him this week is accepted and pleasing to the Lord.

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father

is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their distress,

and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

 - James 1:27 -

In an unexpected turn of events, he's also getting to make this trip with both his mother and father.  I know it will be a special and wonderful time delivering Christmas presents and hugs to Haitian orphans and teaching and encouraging those who care for them.