From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Many years ago I was taught that God can send little reminders to you through out the day in forms of anything.  I wasn't sure what this meant but went with it.  To some people this could be a word, an object or just a simply reminder.  It is in these sweet moments God is telling us that He is constantly there and aware of where we are.  

To me that reminder has been butterflies... My first encounter with this realization was after I went through a bad breakup.  One day I was sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine and reading a book called, "I've Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has" by Mandy Hale. In this book she shares about her mishaps, heartbreaks and flops and how we don't have to let those moments define us.  We must learn from those things and move on. There were a few chapters that stuck out to me and I could hear God speaking clearly to my heart.  As I sat and read that afternoon I came to chapter about letting go and having faith in what's to come and here across my lap flew a beautiful orange and brown butterfly.  I stopped and closed my eyes and thanked God for the amazing sweet reminder that he is always near.   

Fast forward to my adventure in Haiti.... Every day I see a butterfly while sitting at school, the pool or on my porch.  I love when my eye catches one and I can think of God and the sweet reminder it is to me.  This past week I thought it was really neat because I saw my first caterpillar.  

I was taken back by the vibrant colors and how it looked.  I am sure I have seen one before at the zoo but never had I walked outside and seen such a creature.  This sweet little yellow, green and red crawly critter represented a lot to me.  It showed me the full circle of life and how there are different stages that we go through. The stages of a caterpillar are interesting to me... it's interesting because this creature goes from crawling to a cocoon to a beautiful, flying insect.  Although we as individuals are not insects I still believe our cycle is similar.  We continue to grow physically, mentally and spiritually each day.  However when we change spiritually inside and have to have faith to take that flight out of the cocoon.  That cocoon is our safe zone, our home, our community that we feel safest in.   

For me that was to move to Haiti.  I love how God uses moments to change us and grow us into a beautiful butterfly.  I am thankful that I have begun my flight and learned to spread my wings.  My faith is being tested but I am reminded daily when I see a butterfly that He is with me and will never leave me.  I pray you see a butterfly today ad you are reminded that He is with you.   

Two Months In

Today marks two months since I arrived in Haiti.  These two months have been challenging, fun, different and life changing.  After coming to Haiti for 4 years I never thought I would say I live here.  I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  

My journey here has been more than I can ever imagine.  I thought by now I would have cried cause I missed home or my family or been angry at God and wondered what the heck was I doing here. However it has been quite the opposite... God has shown me a lot about myself, taken me out of many comfort zones and given me sweet friends here to help on those not so good days.  I am thankful for FaceTime that allows me to talk to loved ones every week because with out that I would be missing home a lot more.  Each day as I go about my daily routine there are two things that continue to show me how amazing this journey is.  The first is my job as a teacher. Coming into this I didn't know what to expect since we were the "new teachers".  But I am constantly encouraged by the kiddos and there their love for life and learning.  Yes they have their moments but they have honestly taught me so much.  I love seeing their hearts and hearing their questions and comments about different subjects.  Along with teaching I am constantly in awe of the people of Haiti.  As I ride around on my moto each day I see things that continually make me think "wow" or "look at that".  At least 5 times I have seen men pulling metal type wagons full of lumber or metal on their backs in the road where cars are everywhere.  I am also taken back as I see children walking to and from everywhere most of the time alone.  It just makes me realize how fortunate we are in the States and how we protect our children, we nurture them and they have safe means to get and from.  

Yes I miss things from home as many of you have asked.  I miss my family and friends the most along with Mexican food.  But it's the little things I miss the most are the little things in life at home.  I miss hot water in the shower, Air conditioning, flushing my toilet paper, brushing my teeth with the sink water to name a few.  We always joke around and say "First World Problems" but it's the truth.  We don't realize what we have until it's not apart of our everyday life.  To me these things are now a bonus... I look forward to them but know that I can do anything in life. 

Our version of chips and queso= Haitian Happy Hour!

I look forward to the next 3 months ahead and how God is going to use those days to continue to break my heart.  My heart has been broken but it is a different type then the first time I came to Haiti. I pray He continues to use me and allows me to be a difference maker.  Love you all and thankful for your continued support and love.  

Hallie and I!

The Livesay Kiddos!  

Sweet new girl friends!

Two of my favorites.. Jess and Alison