Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Five: Songs that bring back memories

For the next few Tuesdays I am linking up with Lauren at Life. Love. Lauren and Tiffany at The Austin Family Diary for their Tuesday Topics. This week's topic is "Five: Songs that bring back memories." [I have linked all these songs to a youtube version of the song - I attempted to find the version of the song that takes me back to a particular moment, but that wasn't always possible]

One: Down By the Bay - Flashback to First Grade - I think my first grade teacher used to have us sing this song all that time - I believe we even did it for a program at some point - I remember getting to make pictures of all the animals and the watermelons and what not.
Two: Eye of the Tiger - Flashback to countless locker rooms and pre-game warm ups
Three: Hallelujah - by Rachel Kurtz - takes me back to this summer and the high school mission trip [phenomenal experience] - Also if you haven't discovered Rachel Kurtz as an artist I HIGHLY recommend her, she is AMAZING to say the least
Four: How Great Thou Art - This song takes me back to the hours following the Haiti Earthquake in January 2011.
Five: Fishing in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Hello High school dances and my senior prom theme

Once I got going with songs that took me back to a particular moment in time or brought back a series of memories I had a hard time stopping and only listing five. This list could have gone on for a really long time. It boggles my mind how songs have the ability to do that!

What songs take you back to a particular time/place?


Life. Love.Lauren

Monday, January 14, 2013

I remember....

I have been trying to formulate this post for several days now, I think I finally got one I am willing to post.

I remember 3 years ago (January 12, 2010) like it was yesterday
I remember the joy on the children's faces as we played at school that morning
I remember the exhaustion of traveling to arrive in Jacmel only hours before
I remember the excitement of spending a week in a new country
I remember questioning what was going on and why the earth was shaking as it was
I remember trying to run but not being able to find my footing and falling repeatedly
I remember the dust that covered us from head to toe
I remember the terror in the eyes of a parent as they knew their child was inside a collapsed building
I remember the joy of finding some of my friends still alive
I remember the pain of the bumps and bruises
I remember wishing I could do something other than stand by and watch
I remember the long walk to find safety
I remember finding out that our safe places were non existent
I remember watching people take their last breaths
I remember the joy of hearing of a refugee camp that was being set up by the United Nations
I remember the taste of the bananas delivered by a stranger
I remember the pain of hearing of the death of a friend
I remember the uncertainty of what was to come and what we would do
I remember the feeling of laying on the cold ground surrounded by friends who surrounded us as we slept
I remember the constant state of prayer we lived in
I remember the faithfulness of the Haitian people
I remember the love of God that was showered upon us
I remember the many different failed plans of what we were going to do next - how we were getting home
I remember our path home - the pain, the sickness, the uncertainty, the hope, the promises
I remember the guilt of leaving
I remember the ways in which I knew we were showered in prayer and love from home
I remember the "welcome home" from the custom's man as we entered the United States once again
I remember the physical ailments healing and the mental scars forming
I remember the love of a God who is always present and always working
I remember the call to work for justice and peace in the world

I continue to pray fervently for the coming of God's kingdom where all will be well
I continue to hope for justice for everyone
I continue to share the love that was poured out on me from my Haitian brothers and sisters
I continue to trust that God is moving and in control
I continue to remember our 10 days in Haiti
I continue to give thanks for God who brings life out of death
I continue to live in the grace of God
I continue to trust in the promises of God for all people
I continue to remember 3 years ago (January 12, 2010) like it was yesterday