Suitcase "4" Haiti

If you remember back almost a month ago I posted a blog titled "Our pocket change is someone's miracle..." (you can read it here!)  Me and a few other girls (Krista Parada, Shirley Clark, & Lisa Fife) really felt a burden on our hearts to do SOMETHING, so we rallied together to gather supplies and funds for children in Haiti.  None of us were really sure exactly what all we would get or how much of everything we would get, but were hoping to at least get a little bit of everything that was of greatest need.  Here we are nearly a month later and have collected everything that was needed!  God is SO good!

When we first talked with Krista (who is actually in Haiti right now with the IMPACT195 organization) she gave us a list of things that really were of greatest need over there.  This list included formula, Infant Tylenol, bottles, girls dresses up to size 4T, onesies in either gender up to 6 or 9 month size, and monetary donations.  We have been so overwhelmed this last month with the generosity of so many people!

Tonight Shirley, Lisa, and myself got together to sort through everything we have each collected as well as pack it all up to go to Haiti.  We were REALLY hoping we could get it all into one suitcase (it's all we had) or we would have to pack other stuff in boxes which we really didn't want to have to do due to cost and making it easier to get over there, but we managed to squeeze it all into one suitcase!

We decided it would be neat to take inventory to see just how much we were able to collect.  Here's what it added up to:
- 24 cans of formula
- 4 digital thermometers
- 34 bottles 
- 14 bottles of Tylenol 
- 104 onesies
- 24 dresses
- AND......2,134 dollars!!!!


(Anyone see a pattern here? Everything ends in 4...none of us are "number people" but thought it was REALLY crazy how that worked out!?! Shirley made a comment that maybe it was just proof that God really helped perfect and put this whole thing together!)


God is SO faithful!!  We are so thankful and grateful to everyone who donated supplies or money.  Because of your generosity many, many lives of precious children will be forever changed!!

I attached some pictures below of all the stuff we collected!  Thanks again to all who helped out in this great cause!!

        

Childlike Faith

Yesterday Brayden and I stopped by my mom's house for a few, "Gamaw" as we call her :) (Yes, I know...that's totally teaching Brayden to not pronounce Grandma correctly but for some reason we started this long before he was born and it just stuck!)
Anyway, as Brayden is getting older he develops more and more of a sense of independence (as all kids do).  He loves to do things himself...like climbing stairs.  If we hold his hands, with all his might he will hoist his little legs up the stair which is super cute and comical to watch, by the way, but it's funny because in his mind he doesn't know he can't really do that if someone isn't helping him.  So, coming down the stairs the same thing goes.  He'll just take off and head like he's going back down those same stairs but little does he know if we don't help him, he will definitely get injured.  But, he still heads directly to the stairs and whether he actually realizes it or not (which I'm sure he doesn't really know) he has great faith in the protection of his mom and dad.  My mom made a profound statement (although at the time I don't think she knew it was profound ;)  As he quickly took off to go back down the stairs with the "I can do this attitude" she ran after him and said, "it's funny how they have no fear, just faith someone will be there to help them." 

Immediately my mind went to my spiritual life.  Josh and I have faced some things lately that require great faith.  I think in life we all have faced situations that require great faith.  The definition of faith is, "COMPLETE trust or confidence is someone or something."  Faith is easy until it has to be put into action.  Right?!  As Brayden goes running towards a staircase he has COMPLETE confidence that someone will be there to offer assistance so he doesn't fall down the stairs and kill himself!  This small little example spoke volumes to me.

We "run to the staircases" in our lives sometimes with very little trust or confidence in the Lord.  Sure, we talk a big talk about how the Lord will provide and take care of us NO MATTER WHAT and we trust Him with everything we have, but when it is time to really put that talk into practice, we tend to back down on our game a little.  Why?  Because we are believing and trusting in things that are unseen.  I once heard a quote that went something like this, "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."  Sometimes in life (a lot of times actually) we face things, situations, problems, trials, loss of a job, cut in pay at a job, or sickness that require us have major faith - that complete confidence in the Lord.  What's funny is when we do that, the Lord is always right there to guide us up the steps so we don't injure ourselves. 

We spend way too much time trying to fix the problem ourselves and climbing the staircases alone (like Brayden) that we end up hurting ourselves when the whole time we just need to have faith that the Lord will help us...because he will :)

Month-By-Month: 16

On April Fool's Day Brayden turned 16 months!  And nope, it wasn't April Fool's...he really is 16 months & growing bigger by the day!! It's funny how as each month passes, he gains more and more of his true personality...I love it!  We've also officially had the wonderful privilege of getting to know those sweet little toddler tantrums. 

Brayden got his second ever haircut this month by Ms. Kelly!! He did so good and sat really still the whole time (for the most part!)

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Here's what you're up to:

* If I had to guess I'd say you're about 27.5 pounds now (big boy!) and probably about 32 inches tall! You've stayed in the 75th-90th percentiles for weight and height ever since you were a teeny little baby :)

* You're super happy (always have been) and you keep your mama on her toes!!  You have gained somewhat of a Mr. Independent attitude that has to be put in check every now and then ;)

* Your favorite foods are (pretty much the same since last month!): eggs (scrambled or boiled), bananas, grapes, applesauce, any kind of yogurt, CHICKEN!, black beans, cheese, Veggie Stix, goldfish, and waffles.  You are a bit more picky when it comes to your veggies though...we really have to force those green veggies on you. You don't like really any meat except chicken & this mama feels like she feeds you the same stuff all the time, but the doctor assures us it is normal :)

* You have such a silly little personality! Lots of people say you look a lot like your mama, but you sure do have a personality just like your daddy ;) You've really gotten down the "silly face" and "mean face." So funny!

*You don't say a whole lot of words at this point.  Every now and then you'll attempt to repeat something, but you do say mama/dada (when you want to), hi, bye...but are really smart with commands and you definitely understand more than we think you do! ;)  You do love to point at things you want though!

*Ever since really getting the hang of walking at about 13 months your walking has turned into full-fledged RUNNING! You sure do give me quite the workout on a daily basis :)

*You LOVE the outdoors.  Honestly, you'd live out there if I let you.  This summer will be tons of fun!!

* You drink about 18 ounces of milk per day still and then lots of water, in fact, you LOVE water! We were able to get rid of the bottle around 14 months and haven't had a problem since (next goal: pacifier - YIKES!)

* You still take your paci when you go down for a nap or to bed - and you love your little lamb :) Mama is dreading the day we take the pacifier away :-/

I love you, Bray!!! :)

Brayden LOVES Ryder (Aunt Tay's dog)

Uncle Dan let me take a ride on his skateboard ;)