Haiti Reflections Part 1

Many tasks that are simple in America are very difficult in Haiti.  The daily routines of brushing your teeth or getting a clean drink of clean water are not easy to accomplish.  Simple chores like laundry and dishes are not as simple to do in Haiti.  There are no faucets to provide clean water, no switches to flip, no buttons to push, and no machines to do the work.  There is little medicine for the sick. There is little food for the hungry.    Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, making tribulations a normal reality.  As I spent my first couple of days absorbing the Haitian way of like, the word “blessed” did not come to my mind.  Then I realized, tribulations don’t have the power to block God’s blessings.  In fact, it is through them that He works to bring about His greatest blessings.

Even though the material blessings of Haiti are very, very few, it was clear to me that our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ are, in fact, blessed.  Romans 5:3-5 says, “We also glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance, and perseverance, character and character hope.  Now hope does not disappoint because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”  I saw this hope whenever I was greeted with a big, broad Haitian smile.  I heard this hope in their bold and vibrant songs of praise and worship.  I was blessed by this hope when I joined with them in prayer as part of the body of Christ.  God’s blessings are so closely tied to trials and tribulations. 1 Peter says that we are refined and tested by various trials to work out the genuineness of our faith, which is far greater than material blessing, even gold!  The Christians in Haiti certainly know trial and tribulation, but it is through those trials and tribulations that the Lord blesses them and draws them closer to Himself. 

EPIC Move 2012 (to soon be followed by EPIC move 2013)

Just a "few" of the kids in the hood

In May of 2012 we packed up our RV, loaded up the Ford and headed East to Dayton, OH.  After small town life at Edwards AFB for nearly 5 years, we found it heart wrenching to say good bye to all the memories and friends made there.  Many tears were shed. 



Taking 2 weeks to drive across county was cathartic.  As we physically drove away from Edwards, towards Ohio our minds slowly began to make the transition as well.  As we drove along long empty stretches of highway, we grieved the end of a precious chapter in our lives.  But we also remembered God's amazing blessings to us while we were there and reminded each other to look expectally to the Lord to do the same in Ohio.

Edwards is a socially charged neighborhood with lots of wonderful distractions.  While it was hard for the kids at first, we drank in solitude and reconnected as a family:

The middle of nowhere in Idaho, letting Rab do his brid dog thing 'til his heart's content.

You're never too big for a round of "My God is so Big" by the campfire.

Mollie sketching in her book while at Lake Tahoe

6 + dog= close quarters in the 350

RV life.  Simple.

We hunted butterflies, kayaked lakes and dodged wildlife:

 

We saw amazing creation, both Divine and man made.

 

 

By the end of the trip, we still felt displaced and unsetteled, but we were ready to start our new chapter.

 

Setteled and ready for our first day at Dominion Academy.

 

 

Favorites Quotes

This is a list of my favorite quotes and verses, which I don't intend to publish. Not for a while anyway.

"Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But, he's good. He's the King, I tell you." (Mr. Beaver in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe")

" Without himself suspecting the fact, Javert in his formidable happiness was to be pitied, as is every ignorant man who triumphs. Nothing could be so poignant and so terrible as this face, wherein was displayed all that may be designated as the evil of good." (Vicotor Hugo, Les Miserables)

"And Mary said, "I am the servant of the LORD; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

 

"The devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise,hurry, crowds....Satan is quite aware of the power of silence." Jim Elliott


"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence and private." CS Lewis


"We stand at a crossroads, and we will either rediscover the lost virtues of listening, meditating, and thinking, or we will amuse ourselves to death." Burk Parsons Tabletalk Jan 2013

Time "Flies" (from Major to Lt. Col)

Promotion to Major

....a few years later, Promotion to Lt. Colonel

love this picutre

Mom Ferguson and the Williams



Fini Flight

Team Ferguson

I've said it once, I'll say it again.  I'd follow this fly boy anywhere.

One of the best things, no, THE best thing about Edwards was our friends.  It was a great blessing to celebrate two huge milestones in Iain's career with some of our dearest friends.  Iain prmoted to Lt. Colnel and had his last flight in the C-130.  We can't help but see God's hand all over Iain's career, He has been so good to us.

Abbie's Profession of Faith

On Easter day of 2012, Abbie made her Profession of Faith at Edwards AFB Chapel, with Chaplin Stoley.  She had spent most of the year going through a curriculm with her dad.  They would spend Saturdays mornings together having breakfast and talking about her personal walk with the Lord.  When she was ready she gave her testimony to Chaplin Stoley.  He was so moved by it, he asked to keep a copy for himself.  Given the very intimidating nature of being 12 and meeting with the Chaplin, we allowed her to write it out and read her testimony for him. 

When we moved to Dayton, in order to be recieved as a member at Redeemer, Abbie once again had to appear before the Elders of the church.  This time it wasn't reading her testimony in a small office in front of one Chaplin.  She was in the church parlor before the Pastor, Ass. Pastor and ALL the Elders.  Whew!  My knees were shaking FOR her.  She did read her testimony, but that wasn't all.  The Elders all had questions to ask her.  HARD questions! Thankfully, all the men of Redeemer are wonderful, kind men.  She was able to work through and answer some pretty tough questions. (Could you articulate why we don't just look at a picture of bread and wine for The Lord's supper?)

Even though that process was terrifying for Abbie, it was precious for her Dad and I.  What an opportunity for growth in her life to verbalize in her own words about the Works of Her Lord and have the Elders affirm her in her walk.  We give ALL the Glory to God for His work this covenant child.

Live in Style 2012

This Spring two of my dearest friends came all the way out to the dry, isolated desert of Edwards for a Mom and Daughter retreat.  It ended up happening the weekend before we moved.  It wouldn't be a true military move without something crazy going on.  At least I wasn't giving birth! HA! Despite the Air Force's timeline, the weekend was a huge success.  The chapel on base sponsored the event and it was a great time!  The girls learned a lot about their value in Christ and how to reflect that to the rest of the world.  We even got a fun Old Navy fashion show out of it!

Trojan Football 2012

Will got to live his lifelong dream of playing for the Trojans.  Okay, so it's not the USC Trojans, it's the St. Helen's Trojans here in Dayton, OH.  So, I guess his dream has not been fully realized yet, but it was tackle.  The year was a mixed bag of fun and frustration, but overall a good experience.  We had so much fun watching him play and look forward to more games in the future.  (PS- I was never allowed to say it on the field, but this is my blog and so I am gunna say it! "Isn't he SO cute!!"  Wait until he is 16.  AND, he is the sweetest boy on the planet!  He. Has. My. Heart. :)