From the Silence

A few months ago, I set a goal to start blogging again, once a week even. As is evidenced by my continued silence, I fell a little short of that goal.
Partially because I’ve been so busy; I haven’t had the energy at the end of the day to sit and process my thoughts, write something meaningful.  And lets face it, after a year (or more) of silence, it only seems fitting to break that silence with something profound.
Today in Haiti, the first of May is a holiday.  Offices close down, people go to the beach and spend time with their families and missionaries have picnics.  The missionaries from this area are picnicking together.  I didn’t go.  I needed a day off and an off day.  I’ve been hosting a lot of events recently and I’ve had to be ‘on’ so I needed the day to not be on.  I’m at home.  I slept in.  I had a satisfying and healthy breakfast of diet coke and crackers.  And now I sit and blog.  As I sit here in front of the computer, the ladies that work at my house are listening to the radio and singing along.  Its been sprinkling on an off all morning (its officially rainy season and we so desperately needed the rain!). There’s a nice breeze coming through the windows and birds are chirping.  I paint my nails. Nothing terribly profound.  And yet, just the kind of day I need.
Tomorrow I will be back in the office. Back to the busy. Back to the grind.  
But for now, I’ll sit and paint my nails, listen to the radio, and enjoy the moments of stillness today provides.
Two days ago, the twenty-ninth of April, marked the beginning of my fifth year in Haiti.  April 29, 2009, I first set foot on Haitian soil as a missionary with RMI.  Some days it is hard to believe four years have passed.  Other days it feels as if this is all I have ever known.  I have learned so much and yet have so much to learn.  For now I plan to stay in Haiti; to continue working; to continue learning. For now, I know this is where God has called me to be.  I gladly accept the invitation to stay. 
I gladly accept the invitation for more crazy busy days; for more organized chaos; for more exhaustion; for more days of being 'flexible’ (if you’ve ever been to Haiti, you know just how flexible one has to be!); for more days of learning; for more days of pausing, painting nails, and feeling the breeze; for more days of knowing despite all of its quirks and frustrations, Haiti is a beautiful place with a special place in God’s heart and a special place in mine.
Hello, year number five.  I’m glad you made it.  Lets sit down and chat.  I believe you’re going to be a good one!
*raises a glass of diet coke in celebration