Degaje

Nenpot sitiyasyon ki paret devan mwen, m'ap degaje m', gremesi Kris la ki ban mwen fos kauraj.... Whatever situation appears before me, I can make do thanks to Christ who give me strength and courage. -- PHILIPPIANS 4:13

This was from our sermon at church yesterday. Two of our new ministers were in Haiti when the earthquake occurred, and they survived, and spoke yesterday on their experience. WOW. Our church has a small orphanage and school near Port of Prince, and suffered great devastation when the earthquake hit. They shared many personal stories of what happened to them, what they went through, and what sense they have been able to make of it. They went there to serve, but it ended up that they were actually served by the Haitian people.

They began the sermon reading the above scripture in Haiti's language, Creole. The word degaje stuck out to me, not because it was such a beautiful word to say (pronounced day-ga-jay), but of what it meant: MAKE DO. I loved the refreshingly new translation the Creole scripture brought to me: I can make do for it is Christ who gives me courage. Too often it seems people take PHILIPPIANS 4:13 too literally. This gives it a deeper meaning, the one I think was intended. It's not about doing; its about making do- in whatever situation that appears before me. It isn't about having the best house, newest car, latest fashions, or 'keeping up with the Jones', ' it is about being thankful for what you do have and using it to celebrate your life and loves, and being true to your heart. That is what God wants for all of us, right?

Our ministers explained how the Haitians were such amazing people. Here, in the midst of devastation, they banded together out of love, and continued on with their heads held high. Degaje became a common phrase to everyone.
"You don't have a roof over your head?
Here's a tarp."
Degaje.
"You are out of food?
Here, I found some rice. I will give you half of mine. "
Degaje.
"Your child is injured?
I will go find some aid for you, but first, may we pray together?"
Degaje.

The accounts of the Haitians never ceased to amaze me. Instead of fearing for what will come of their lives, they banded together as one nation, trusting in the Lord, and doing His work. They taught me, an affluent American citizen with some comforts they may never even know about, what life is really about: making do and trusting in the Lord that he will give me strength.

I encourage everyone this week to simplify life. and DEGAJE.

We finally were able to make it to a men's basketball game! At the last minute, after church, we decided to drive up with my parents and scalp some tickets and go to the game. We were all able to move and sit my little bro, so it was nice to have the whole family together for an afternoon. The guys are an amazing team and it made me super excited about the Final Four!

Reunion Weekend

Well, as many of you know, Kellen and I are obsessed with Purdue! And there are many reasons why- but perhaps the best are the memories that were made there. Those memories were shared with a great group of people that we are proud to call fellow Boilermakers, and more importantly, friends. After graduation, everyone dispersed and settled into their own corners of the country (literally) so we aren't able to be together as often as we like. This weekend a few of them were able to travel back 'home' for the basketball game and some good company. One of the great things about this group is that even though some of us haven't been together for a year or so- we pick right back up as if no time had passed. There is a comfort in that is something special.



Before the game we went to an old favorite, Triple X.

...and the rest of the group

Boiler UP!
Singing Hail Purdue at Jake's

Great guys

Walking through campus at night brought back some fond memories

Our boys

"So do you come here often?"

We ended the night at a new favorite, Insomniac Cookies.
This is only like half of our total group- and although we weren't 'whole,'
everyone was there in spirit.

I can't wait for the next time we are able to re-unite!

Snow NIGHT!

I hope everyone has found themselves getting snowed in and cozy this last week (and safe, too)! Kellen says I am crazy, but I just love the cold weather and snow. The only part I can do without is driving in it, so I choose to just get snowed in! Friday night Kellen and I went out to dinner (Maggiano's, my FAVE) and ran some errands (shopping, another FAVE!), and when we go home we decided to go out and play in the snow at the Monon Center across the street... and we took Captain! Here are some of the pics... we felt like kids! And believe it or not, we weren't too sore Saturday morning :)

Getting ready to head out!

Best Friends

It was a blizzard out there

Of course, we were the only ones out along the trail/boardwalk. As you can see, the water was totally frozen over.

It was so peaceful and quiet.

The lake in Central Park had frozen over... so we decided to play on an area under the bridge that wasn't covered with snow.

Cap HATED walking on the ice. He was so clumsy!

WEEEEEE

We had a fun little night!

Below is a video of Captain running in the snow. We brought his laser pointer that he loves to chase around the house, and it was hilarious to see him go after it in the snow! It's a little dark, but I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas Time is Here

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We really enjoyed getting everyone's Christmas cards and letters. That is what Christmas is all about: Family and Friends, and our Jesus Christ of course! Kellen and I had a great Christmas. I was off both days, so we went to Beth's house on Christmas Eve (which is also her birthday!) and to my parents' house on Christmas day. It was a lot of traveling but always worth it.

Mallory in her present fort

Merry Christmas

Leopard Snuggie, would it be Christmas without one?

Kellen got a Kelvin Hayden jersey! He likes him because his name is so close to Kel's name!

One happy family. Kellen and I enjoyed our first Christmas morning on our own! In the past we have been at our parents' houses or had to be somewhere early....but not this year!

Kellen got me a diamond necklace from Shane Co! It matches my wedding rings. I was so surprised. It is sooo pretty. (Don't look at my early morning face!)

The aftermath

Captain with all of his new toys. You can't see all of them because he is actually laying on a few. He tried to put them all in his mouth at once, and kept prancing around from one end of the house to the other with excitement.

You know me, I have to have a hat for every occasion. This was my Christmas hat! Gretchen and I had got these at the holiday mart. You can't tell very well, but it had a really cute flower design on the side.

Several of Kel's friends from high school were in town for the holidays, so Saturday night we met them downtown for dinner. I love our downtown

While Cameron is on Christmas break from Purdue, we to see Avatar in 3-D. The glasses were so stylish.

We are so excited to see what 2010 have in store for us!

Christmas Murder

OH NO, I do declare there has been a muida! Last Sunday my aunt hosted a Christmas party...and it was a murder mystery dinner! It was so funny, everyone went all out with their costumes! And there was some pretty good acting and roll playing as well. My family is so fun!

I hope everyone is able to enjoy their family as much as Kellen and I have this holiday season. That is what the season is all about. Much love to everyone and a very Merry Christmas to all!

My character was 'Michele Proud' and I was Miss USA. I ended all of my sentences with 'and world piece' and acted like a total ditz! It was so funny. Kellen was 'Lance Lugar' who was a mafia arms dealer.

Amber was 'Oprah Winfred' and she used her microphone very well. Of course Miss USA loved having the interview!

My mom was 'Gloria Versace' and she was an exotic bird trafficer. Is that even such a thing?!

She even had these bird feather eyelashes!

My aunt Janice was a cat burglar and my uncle David was 'honest joe' a used car salesman. He tied for the best actor, and deserved it!

My cousins Chris were 'Schtevin Spielberg' and Claire was an actress from a vampire movie.

My family is so crazy! But I wouldn't have them any other way!

2nd Annual Baking Day

Gretchen and I have started a wonderful tradition...holiday baking! We combine our family recipes and make all sorts of holiday treats. I always look forward to it so much! We both agreed that this year it went way easier since we already had last year as practice. Imagine what we will be able to do in ten years!

This was how we started off our day...with a total FLOP! What baking day wouldn't be complete without it, right?! The caramel melted faster then expected..then turned into a rock hard mess that wouldn't come off. SO needless to say, I bought Gretch a new baking pan. ;)

Watch out Rachael Ray!

The peppermint bark and fudge 'chilling' outside on the patio

Look at that mess (the kitchen, not Gretchen)

Ta-Da