Updates

Sorry I haven't posted an update since Andy and Taylor made it back. They had a wonderful trip & when they have caught up on some sleep, work and homework I will have them write some on here. When asked what was the best thing about Haiti, Taylor said "Odette", then when asked what was the worst thing about Haiti she said "having to leave". I think I have to agree! She is already saying that she wants to go back when we go to bring Odette home.

Here are a few pictures of the week:

Taylor and Odette meeting each other for the first time


Taylor getting her hair fixed in the first few minutes they were there



Andy, Taylor, Madam Gaspard and Odette

Video that made my day

Good-byes

Please be praying for two of my little girls this weekend. Pray for the one that has to load up in a truck and head to the airport to come home after saying good-bye to her sister for the first time tomorrow and pray for the one that is going to have to watch her sister and daddy load up on a truck and drive off. This is the 10th time that we have had to say good-bye to Odette as we headed to the airport. I pray there will not be many more good-byes before she can load up on that truck with us heading to the airport to come home. Andy called this morning & said Taylor crawled in bed with him this morning and started crying for the first time this week. When he asked what was wrong she said "I don't want to leave, I can't do it". Not only has she fallen in love with her sister but she has a whole new family and group of friends that she loves and has to say good-bye to. I love that she has fallen in love with our Haitian family like we have I just hate the heart-break that I know that she will go through saying good-bye and leaving. Pray for Andy too as he is torn saying good-bye to one daughter and climbing on the truck with the other so he can come home.

Picture from Haiti

Last night I was having a rough night wishing I was in Haiti & I opened up my email to find this picture that Kevin sent. It was the most precious thing that I could have gotten in that moment. Looking at that picture was very surreal though. If you have been to Coq Chante you know that the picture is taken on the steps in the dining room that lead to the roof. Those same steps that I have sat on and climbed up more times that I can count, Taylor is now sitting on with her daddy and her sister. Seeing them in the same picture makes this week so much more real for me.

Andy said that he could not have planned for the girls to get along better than they do. They had an instant connection and have stayed by each others side since they got there on Monday. He said last night watching Taylor and Kayla playing with the other girls you would think that they have all known each other their whole lives. He said the week is going really well and that Taylor is enjoying every minute of the trip. I can't wait to hear more stories and to see all the pictures from the week. Thanks for your continued prayers throughout their trip.

Headed to Haiti

Right now as I type Andy & Taylor are on a plane headed to Miami. If all their flights go as planned they will be in Haiti at noon today. This is Taylor's first trip & she has been so excited to go meet her sister. Please be praying for a safe trip for the eight people on this trip and also that they will have a great week loving on some precious girls. I am so sad that I am missing out on seeing Taylor & Odette meet for the first time but I can't wait to hear all of the stories and see all the pictures. I will update as the week goes on.

Something Big

Do you want to be a part of something big? Our family would love for you to pray about being part of supporting the Coq Chante orphanage and school either through a one time gift or a monthly gift. For those of you who do not know, we have raised money through the Barefootin' for Haiti Golf Classic the last two years and will continue to do so this October 26. In this past this money has been sent on a monthly basis to pay teachers, pay caregivers and to feed and house our 18 girls. We are the sole contributors to this orphanage and if we do not send a check each month the orphanage and school will close. Our goal for the next year is to be able to fund the basic operation costs from people like you that are willing to become a "Partner in Hope". A monthly gift of $30 will support the school & orphanage for 2 full days of the year. If this is something you are interested in or would like more information about you can email me- allysbox@knology.net or you can visit www.haitigolfclassic.org to find out more about being a Partner in Hope or a corporate sponsor for our upcoming golf tournament. Also feel free to pass this along to anyone that you think may be interested.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video to see exactly where your money will go.

SWING

Here is Andy's newest project. Andy had one like it when he and his brothers were young. He has talked for years about building the girls one. Now after many hours working on it in the garage, the swing is a permanent fixture in our yard. The girls have had so much fun on it and it was the hit of Taylor's party last weekend. Now I just can't wait for Odette to be in our yard riding it with them.