I Love To See You Smile

I went to Haiti in November. It was my fourth trip to the beautiful mountains of Fondwa. When I got home, it was Thanksgiving, then it was Christmas, then it was New Year's, and now it is 2013. Whew!

Consequently, I have posted only once about my trip, and shared but a tiny fraction of the photos I took. I know you're disappointed. Or relieved. By my rough count, I have approximately 563 images still to come. Get comfortable folks.

So today, to chase away those post holiday blues, 

I present for your enjoyment, 

song lyrics from one of my favorites by Sandi Patty, 

and the beautiful smiles of the children of Fondwa.

Love in any language

Straight from the heart

Pulls us all together

Never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language

Fluently spoken here

We teach our young our differences

Yet look how we're the same

We love to laugh, to dream our dreams

We know the sting of pain

Oh maybe when we realize

How much there is to share

We'll find too much in common

To pretend it isn't there

Love in any language, straight from the heart

Pulls us all together, never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language 

Fluently spoken here.

Amen.

Ringing in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the first Wednesday Hodgepodge of 2013. Thanks as always to our wonderful hostess, Joyce. Click on the button to pay her a visit and enjoy all the Hodgepodge bloggers.

Here are her questions and my answers.

1.  How did you ring in the new year?
We had a nice evening at our house with friends and family, starting with beef tenderloin for dinner followed by peppermint ice cream dessert. Two of my favorites.

After dinner, we adjourned to the basement for games while the clock ticked toward midnight. We played Apples to Apples, Taboo,

and a little SingStar.

David and Shylah.

 Jennifer and Bryan.

 Jon, who is not quite so 'big' anymore. :)

 Pastor Jamalyn with the couples she married.

 Shylah and her daddy.

 Jamalyn and Dave.

 And Jim and I enjoying the evening. Happy 2013! May God richly bless you in the coming year.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?
There is much to look forward to in 2013! One thing is our spring break trip to the beautiful Seven Mile Beach.

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."  What say you?
I agree. I think every experience, every trial, every joy, every sorrow, and every person we meet can be a vehicle of change in each of us. The choices we make in response to each of these events are the result of our core being, but they are choices nonetheless, and have the capacity to elicit change and growth as each year passes. It reminds me of my favorite song from the musical Wicked:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
...I do believe I have been changed for the better
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

 And here's a little clip from the musical if you'd like to take a look. So good.




4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013? 

The only thing I can think of that I already own is a pair of socks with shamrocks that I dig out every year on St. Patrick's Day. I like the color, though, so I may need to buy some green for 2013.

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

I'll choose diamonds, dah-ling.

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.
The most memorable book I read in 2012 was the Hunger Games. I read the series, and it is surprising even to me that I enjoyed the books, since I'm not one to have much interest in cold-blooded killing. The characters are, however, interesting and sympathetic, and the plot is engaging, although difficult. I also enjoyed the movie, which aligns very closely with the book, which is not always true of books-made-into-movies.

7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?
No, you do not need another brownie.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I shared this photo on Facebook this morning. I had an early appointment, and as I backed the car around in the driveway to leave, this is what I saw. My brother would say, "God's showing off this morning." I agree. Have a beautiful Wednesday!

Wedding Bells

Happy New Year! I will share a bit about our New Year celebration in my next post, but first I have some photos of a wedding we attended on Saturday.

It was a snowy and beautiful day, and we were pleased to be able to be present at the wedding of one of our son Adam's good buddies and his new wife.

Adam and John grew up just across the county from one another. Their grandpas are first cousins. But they didn't really get to know each other until they became fraternity brothers at Purdue. They shared some fun and crazy times together.

They were especially bonded by their mutual love of Purdue basketball. I am so pleased that they are good friends, and I pray that they will remain close. Adam was honored to be a groomsman in the wedding.

We are always happy to hear Olivia, and she shared her voice and her talent on the violin and the guitar at the wedding.

Leaving the church as Mr. and Mrs.

And Adam brought up the rear.

The reception was beautiful, and I liked the turquoise and silver wintery decorations.

The wedding cake.

And a very appropriate groom's cake.

Adam takes his place at the head table.

The three darling little flower girls.

Jonathan and Adam.

Adam and two of his buddies.

A good looking group.

Adam and his mama. How did that get in there?

Jon, Jim, and Adam.

Adam and the groom.

And with the bride and groom.

It was a beautiful wedding, and a fun evening. Of course, there was dancing, enjoyed by all, especially Big Jon, there in the middle of the photo. Wishing God's blessings on the couple as they begin their life together.