15 years ago...

... on the 12th of April, a beautiful baby joined our family - - - we named her Leilani - or, if you're not familiar with Hawaiian: "Crown from Heaven"!
Her middle name fits her well, too - cuz she has been such a JOY!!!!!!!!!!

We LOVE you more than words can say, Leilani! Your caring, thoughtful, generous, spunky and kind personality has enriched and warmed our hearts soooooooooo many times over the years - and still does!!!

You're a BEAUTY - inside and out - and we can't wait to see the blossom of your life unfold into the gorgeous flower you were made to be... whew...!!! Go girl!

Speaking of blossoms: this MOST AMAZING thing happenedon her birthday:
A plant that was in our garden when we moved in (almost 2 years ago) decided to have a blossom show up - ON HER BIRTHDAY - of all days. (it never has any flowers)

Now - this is not just ANY ordinary plant - - - it is a "Taina" - and only those in Tahiti will understand...
It has a very distinct, intense, beautiful, mesmerizing scent to it and I LOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!

Smelling it (and closing my eyes) almost brought tears to my eyes and transported me back to Tahiti, where we lived for many years... Every year, there was a season when Tainas were in bloom and we would have some in our house - with that amaaaaazing scent.........

Smelling that same smell - on Leilani's birthday - was a touching gift to me from my Father - cuz she was born THERE - and even though we're now living in NZ, Tahiti is still VERY CLOSE to our hearts - sniff, sniff.....
Thank you, Daddy, that was - literally - very SAWEEEEEET!!!!

I've tried to add photos a couple of times now and it just doesn't seem to work - so here it goes without photos...

Just came across this info...

If only 1 family from 33% of the churches in the US would adopt 1 child there would no orphans in the US. !!!!

That really should be do-able - dontchathink?!!

Hmmmmmmm - - - - - - - -

Day off, yeeehaaaaaaa!!!

What does a woman do when her amazing hubby takes over her "duties" on a Saturday and she gets a few hours to herself??? Hard choice, really! I could fill up a lot more time, but that's it for today :)

Of course, first enjoy sweet time with Jesus (he's the BEST and makes her heart melt)

Read a few books to some cute little fellow (whose first words every morning are "book - book, pukapuka (maori)")

Go to the gym and work out (thanks to incredibly generous friends who are paying for me to FINALLY get fit!!!)

Browse around some shops (and get a few things for a soon-to-happen birthday in our house - shhhh!)

Spend a few minutes on giving her blog a long-overdue make-over (wishing she could spend LOTS of time, updating you with all the happenin's - but that's gonna have to wait. For now, let the viewer understand the hint in the make-over - hihi)

Go to the store and ask how to take videos off her camera and onto the computer (dud! I know I am challenged, but hey, even my very smart son couldn't figure it out...)

Go on a walk by the beach, listening to messages on "The Spirit of Adoption" on her new ipod (a gift from her wonderful mother for her birthday!)

Watch her beautiful daughter play beach-volleyball and then bring her and her friend home at 3pm
(she's on a 2-day camp to improve her already amazing volley-ball skills!)

EXCITING, aye?!!!

Kylie's idea of beauty

OK, I admit, I've been on facebook WAY more than on this blog - it's just easier and quicker.
There are lots of photos, too, if you want to check them out (isabel betts - just become my "friend"!)

But this one I've got to share - just a funny little thing that Kylie let out yesterday:

Sadly, Nathalie has come down quite sick with glandular fever (mono).
I took some photos of the two lovebirds on Easter Sunday while we were at their house.
I posted the best one on facebook.
When Nathalie saw the photo she was discouraged at how "bad" she looks in the photo - (after all, she is really unwell, poor thing...)

So there she was groaning and moaning about not looking beautiful, when Kylie, full of compassion, came up to her, looked her in the eyes - as much as that's possible when you're much shorter than your sister - and said tenderly:

"Nathalie, you're sooooo beautiful!
You're as beautiful as ---- (thinking hard) ----- a KIWI!!!"

Of course, we all cracked up laughing (to Kylie's dismay!) - - - no idea where she could have gotten that from, but hey, after all, we're in the land of the kiwis! (Nathalie had a kiwi on her shirt, maybe that's what inspired Kylie).

I LOVE children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love ALL children - especially mine :) !!!

Just thinking about this...

ONE person has the ability to COMPLETELY revolutionize the life of an abandoned child, a foreigner, single mom or a widow.

Tom Davis, Fields of the Fatherless

The Day 2 Chronicles 7:14 became Reality in Haiti‏

I just watched this video about what beautiful things God is doing in Haiti in the aftermath of the horrific earthquake. It moved me to tears...

I received it through this email below:

Breaking Christian News | 528 Ellsworth St. SW, Albany, Oregon 97321 | Email: editor@breakingchristiannews.com

February 12th: The Day 2 Chronicles 7:14 became Reality in Haiti

Aimee Herd (Mar 8, 2010)

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." –(2 Chron. 7:14)

On February 12, 2010, President Préval of Haiti called his nation to 3 days of fasting and prayer in place of the regular Mardi Gras celebration.

Not long after the devastating earthquake wreaked havoc on Haiti, President Préval made a monumental decision; together with his people, he would humble himself before the Lord, calling on Him for forgiveness and healing for his land.

It was the time of the Mardi Gras celebration, but the people of this impoverished nation were more than willing to change their plans, as their hearts had already been broken.

President Préval announced to his nation that there would be 3 days of fasting and prayer in place of the usual annual festivities. There were only about 5 days to organize the vigil which was to take place before the earthquake-ravaged presidential palace.

But, would the people heed the call to prayer? Would the people come?

Indeed, they did. Hundreds of thousands of Haitian people gathered in a picture of true repentance; hands uplifted to God, tears streaming. The prime minister arrived. He didn't speak a word, but he cried for an hour, then left and returned with Haiti's President. Reportedly, thousands came to Christ during that time, with over 100 voodoo priests turning to Jesus.

I invite you to watch a video report of what took place that moved me to tears. CLICK HERE to watch it, or on our FEATURED VIDEO link.

The following are excerpts from a report on Haiti by Francis Frangipane:
A couple weeks ago we drew our attention to the Haitian Christians. We talked about how, in the days after the Port-au-Prince earthquake, in looking for human interest stories, media reporters actually filmed these Haitians praying and worshiping God. There the Haitians were, singing hymns of praise to God. One clip I saw showed hundreds of Christians in absolute defiance of the surroundings, singing and marching in a field. With uplifted hands, and faces that beamed their trust in God, these Christians demonstrated the power of faith. As best as I could tell, they were mostly unaware of the cameras. Yet, the secular news media had become a virtual stage upon which God showcased the faith of His people. It was powerful.

Like Job who, in spite of his sudden and catastrophic losses, bowed low before God in worship (see Job 1:20), so our Haitian brethren showed the world a similar depth of character. Certainly, their collective heartache and loss were as deep as any in Haiti, yet the anchor of their soul, unmistakably, was Jesus Christ.

We must also add Chile to our prayers and giving. So many there are suffering, and we must pray. Yet, I'm concerned, lest our prayer focus be drained away from Haiti. Will you join me in praying daily for both Haiti and Chile?

Let us continue to give, but also be wise. Let's support Christian aid groups who, even as they minister to the needy, also testify of Jesus Christ. The Bible says to "ask for rain in the time of rain." In other words, we must know the season of divine activity and pray accordingly. Right now, the mercies of God are kindled toward Haiti. Revival and healing are occurring in this island nation. Indeed, even the news media are reporting of conversions:

"Since the earthquake, the country has been spiritually transformed. People from a whole variety of religious backgrounds, including voodoo, one of Haiti's two official religions, are pledging to devote themselves anew to Christianity."

All this is just a beginning, but something genuine is awakening spiritually in Haiti. Let us join in prayer and stay faithful before God. The Lord has set His heart to bless the people of Haiti and restore them to Himself. Even in this time of great heartache, there is coming forth a great harvest.

Source: Francis Frangipane Ministries

a few photos

Kylie fell off a tree (2m high) on Sunday and hurt her foot (no break, ouff!). She's almost healed now, but has been getting a kick out of walking around on crunches (as she says).
In this photo she's also showing off her 2 missing front teeth - - -
And - believe it or not, Jeremie sprained his ankle on Monday and had to be on crutches, too.
Thankfully, he too is pretty much healed already, which is amazing, since he's had other sprains and he knew this was a bad one.

Thank you, Jesus!

Here is Kylie with a little rabbit that Nathalie and Lewis found at their farm house one morning last week. Nathalie brought it to us and Kylie instantly fell in love with it!
Sadly, it was too young to be separated from its mother and died the next day...

Video-update on Haiti

This update (1 week old) from Haiti is about what YWAM has been able to experience/help in the aftermath of the earthquake. There IS hope - let's continue to pray!
Also for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami in Chile!
Lord, have mercy!

22 years today!

This day was (once again) so full that I've hardly had time to reflect on THE DAY - 22 years ago - when Rich and I got married - in snowy Switzerland! Most beautiful day - and what a life since!!!

Never would we have thought that 22 years down the road we'd be in New Zealand, watching our 4th child - a beautiful 6-year-old girl, put on a very dramatic-creative show especially for us to watch, with our 3-year-old (almost) adopted brown-skinned, black-haired precious Maori son clapping for her - alongside us...(just before bedtime)

Not to mention our 3 oldest that went off to a youth meeting at church - with 2 overseas-guests...

Rich was gone all day today and will be also all day tomorrow for a training (he's doing a 6-month training to become ambulance officer), and I was going to drive kids around to a volleyball-tournament (Leilani), work (Jeremie) and entertain Kylie and a friend, plus Shayden... and do grocery shopping, laundry, house-work, baking for the church.

What a wonderful surprise when I found one of our guests (who also helped with the running kids around) putting together these beautiful bouquets for us (even bought a couple of vases for them!)! That sooooo warmed my heart - - - especially since this anniversary is pretty much a non-celebrated-one for Rich and I - because of him being gone and me being so tired.

He also treated us to take-away-pizza and nice cake!
WOW WOW WOW!!!!! I feel so blessed! THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH (you know who you are and yes, I won't mention your name)!!!!!!!!!!

Just for accuracy-sake - Jeremie put together the second vase-arrangement - he's getting real good at it, too!

The photos don't really do them justice, but I thought I'd share my joy anyways :)

In case you've been wondering...

... I am still alive - and well... - more or less.
I feel like I've just arrived at the finish-line (hopefully) of a 6-month marathon.
Extremely exhausted.
After 40 guests in our house in the last 10 weeks - the last ones left yesterday - I've had to refuse 3 more lots of guests that asked to stay with us yesterday - nope, sorry!
Time for catching up - rest - family - - - everything and everything has suffered from my/our intense busy-ness.

If you want to read something VERY inspiring/challenging, click here for a new entry on Katie's blog in Uganda.

Hopefully I'll be "back" in bloggy-land soon :)