foot out the door

This is for my family.

Know that for every tear that falls from your face two fall from mine. I feel like this is the true test of loving parents.....to teach your children about Jesus and having faith, then to see that grow stronger in them so that one day they actually do answer that calling. To let them go.

I is so hard to first of all ask to let me go but it's another thing to walk away from the nest. I know that I will come home but it's so hard on both sides. It's so important to do this and it's what truly makes me happy. You all will never ever leave my thoughts. What ever I do you will be with me. You are my backbone.

I know it's scary for you. It's scary for me but I have faith. You gave that to me. This is the greatest gift in the world. The best thing besides your love that is true and pure. I want you to know that I feel like there is no way I can fail in this. It's right. It's my calling. I've said yes and I'm going. I will give those children all the love that I can from you and me.

I love you and thank you for all your support, prayers, and love.

your daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin
megan

looking down

I've told lots of you that I feel stress building up. It's here. I feel like I'm standing at the edge of a cliff looking down at where I have to jump. I check and double check that everything is hooked up correctly. I keep trying to wipe all the sweat off my hands. Then the time comes. The time comes to jump. I turn to look back to say goodbye. I want to hug each one of you and tell you what you mean to me. To hold your hand, look into your eyes, and tell you thank you for all you've done and will do for me and that I WILL COME BACK to YOU. I will see you again. Our paths will cross again. Then with tears in my eyes I jump.

I have lots of butterflies in my stomach right now. It's been really interesting to see what last piece of advise people want to squeeze in before I leave. Some people just stand and shake their heads. Some people reinforce the danger and reality of what I'm doing. Some people hold onto me a second longer because I'm doing what they wish but will never be able to do. Some people just can't stop smiling. Some people worry enough for me and my parents. Some people just don't understand.
but most of you have surrounded me with more love then I've ever known. It amazes me. I feel like there is a force field of love and prayers that will protect me at all times. My parachute is made from your love, prayers, hopes, and tears. Yes I'm stressed, yes I'm nervous but that doesn't compare to the excitement that I feel about going. This is big. I know it is and big things will happen while I'm there. The best thing is that I'm going to learn from these children that I'm called to serve. They will teach me the great life lessons.

I'm so incredibly excited. I've been blessed beyond what I am worthy of. I've been thrown lots of curve balls with this trip but I'm going. I'm going and nothing will stop me because this is my calling and He will keep me safe until I come home. I won't be the same person when I come home, I pray I won't. I'll have changed and will reintroduce myself to each one of you. I will tell you my story and theirs.
Please know that with all the love you give me I give right back. I love you all and hold you in my heart. I can't thank you enough.

My commissioning

Sunday was a big day.
I have been feeling like something wasn't right, something was missing. Well I found something that filled that spot. It happened on Sunday when I was commissioned at the 11:00 service. They did it during the time for children and it was perfect. I played with my ring the whole time and was on the verge of tears as I looked out into the eyes of my church family. Bob asked me 4 questions that I wanted to stop and break down but couldn't before I answered and then next one was asked. I tried to speak loudly and clear. I looked into the eyes of all around me.

Jesus Christ in my Lord and my Savior
I will with God's help

Then it was time for the congregation to answer. Will you pray for Megan and keep her in your thoughts........I saw the connections and thought of a covenant. A three way covenant. God has his a calling for me. I trust my church family to pray for me and my church family trusts the Lord to bring me home safely. I loved this picture that came to mind. The pressure was no longer there. I am connected and now know all the true support I have on the side lines.
This was the missing piece. I now feel complete. I'm now ready to go to these children. I have never been so thankful for my church. It means the world to me to know how much they care and are proud of me. This is why the community in a church is so important. I trust them to pray for me and I will do my best to do all the things God calls me to do. I hold them to that. You do your best and I will too. I looked at the children and thought how I was one once and thought of all the children around the world. I'm ready. To fly.

I thank my church family. You are my back bone. You have helped me become the women I am today. A servant and follower of Jesus Christ.

Art

A lot has happened in the past two days but I've been left with a good feeling.

1. I sat down with Pat Tuttle and asked for her wisdom. We talked about art and what would be appropriate to lead in Haiti. Supplies. What should I take? We let out minds wander and then cut back to the bear essentials. We questioned every project and how it would be a different experience in Haiti then it is here. Do we want to give all that Americans have?, no. They don't need it and sometimes materials just cloud true creativity. It was wonderful to talk to her.

2. I went to the missions committee meeting and asked for money to buy the art supplies. This was hard, or more uncomfortable then hard. I know that I had the right reasoning but I have a hard time with money in general non the less asking for some. Once again I felt the smiles and warmth of my church family and they instantly gave me the money along with ideas to help. I have been so blessed and am realizing how important this family will be to me in my life down the road.

3. The next day I ordered all the art supplies. Powder paint, brushes, tissue paper, coffee filters, sponges, buttons, yarn, pipe cleaners and not much more. I get to take two bags to Haiti weighing 50 lbs each. That's not a lot. One is for me and one is to fill with art supplies. The weight is what puts the limit on. The supplies should come in by the end of this week or early of next. The next step will be to start packing. Once I'm packed the stress level will go down but until then it just seems to rise.


Here are some art projects we thought of doing:

• paper hats
• sand art
• pet rocks
• treasure boxes
• masks
• tell a story about your picture
• cereal box puzzles

Let me know if you think of others. The more ideas the better.

Three Angels

Here is some information about Three Angels (where I'll be staying)

• Location: Port Au Price, a block away from St. Joesph's Home for Boys. St. Joe's is where I stayed last time and it gives me great comfort that they are so close. I trust them.

• Goals: Everyday, Three Angels Children's Relief, strives to impact the lives of the most impoverished children of Haiti. Our goal is to enrich their bodies with food, empower their minds through education and enlarge their spirits with love an compassion. We want to try to save these children from death and give them home for their future.
  

• History: Angels Home was opened on March 1, 2003. They started by caring for 7 children. They now can care for up to 42 children and young infants. Some of these children were brought to the home by grandparents, mothers who are to malnourished themselves to care for their child, and some were found on the street.
  

• Three Angels Christian Academy: This Elementary school opened in September of 2005. Most of the children go to school on scholarship. If it wasn't for this gift they won't go to school at all. There are around 450 students attending school! The children are being feed a one meal at school consisting of bread with peanut butter. They are looking for more financial aid to feed the children beans, rice, and milk. Most likely this is the only meal they will eat all day.

• Haitian Information: read here

• Watch a DVD of Three Angels

game plan

I leave in 4 weeks. 4 That's crazy. I have so much to do. In all reality I have two weeks to be packed and ready to go. I get my shots this week so all the paper, money, and medical issues will be done and out of the way.

Now that I know where I will be staying I can start to focus on the children there and what their needs are. I still plan on doing some art and recreation with the children there. Here are some of the art projects I plan on leading. They are very simple yet some of these children have never painted before. I think it will be amazing to see how creativity will seep out of them once they are given the chance to express.

Projects for Pre-schoolers:
Bloto
Bubble Prints
Easel Painting
Finger Painting
Ping-Pong Painting
Play Dough (homemade)
Sand Art
Scritch Scratch
Sting Painting
Tissue Paper Collage
Warming Tray.

bring back some memories? I also am asking for paper puzzles (paper because of weight issues). I was told that some of these children can speak 2, 3 languages at the age of 7 but can't put together a puzzle. They lack critical thinking. I'm looking into some activities that will invoke the process.

Games, I'm not sure yet. I need to make a list and start thinking about what I could lead. Nylon Hose Play is always an option but I don't know how I would get it out there. Yes, like stockings, pantyhose. My dear Grandfather invented this "hose play" and it truly is the perfect thing to give a child. You can make so many things out of it. It's colorful, light, washable, soft and the kids love it. you can make frisbees, balls, sock rockets, rag balls, what ever. It's amazing. Laugh now but don't judge until you've played. soooooo that is an option but I only have two bags. We will see how it all pans out.