Transitions

Every Ellerslie student, whether basic or advanced, is familiar with the transitions to and from Ellerslie. The first are the most difficult, however good they are--discovering life with hardly any advertisements, no texting, television, little internet and phone calls. The world's suddenly silent and you're confronted with everything you thought you were great at avoiding. And then there's the post-Ellerslie transitions, when you walk back into the real world and suddenly there's so much noise and distractions and you sometimes think you know everything. I've had a lot of the transitions, and each time got a little better... Ellerslie feels like a different country sometimes, and when I leave I find that, well... I have to transition. So now it's transitioning for good. It doesn't feel that way. I've left and come back so many times that now it just seems that I'm going to come back in a few weeks and stay. Transitioning has been bittersweet.

This afternoon we had our annual Memorial Day Picnic at church. Unfortunately, our classic New Mexico wind drove us inside, so I didn't really get the pictures I wanted, but here's a gem of a picture of Pastor Dave and baby Wesley. Love this little guy.

He was flying, and having a blast.

I've also been working on unpacking, and maybe taking frequent and long breaks in-between. It's a more daunting task than I expected since I'm going through all of my stuff and deciding what I'm going to sell in my upcoming garage sale. Getting rid of things is therapeutic. And I never realized how much junk I have. I'm now determined not to be so sentimental about everything. Hoarding scares me.

My poor, poor car's been taking a beating lately. The headlights weren't looking too good, so Dad replaced those. It was a bigger job than he anticipated.

Poor car :(

Before

After

Oh so shiny. I like shiny. 

Even though the headlights are looking much better, we still haven't figured out the mystery puddle. But I'm in New Mexico now, and rain is few and far between here. The puddle problem isn't as urgent anymore. 

And preparation for France commences. Did I mention my garage sale? If you live nearby and you want to donate things for me to sell, I accept. I'll be posting soon with fundraising ideas too, that way you all can help me brainstorm. It's pretty exciting if you ask me.

And the Rosetta Stone box that Amy used to use as a foot prop during some classes has been staring at me for a couple days now too. French intimidates me, so I pretend it's not there. I'll start tomorrow. Really. 

September's looming ever nearer, and there's lots for me to do before then. I'm takin' it one day at a time. 

And on another note, one a little more bittersweet.... His Little Feet Haitian Edition left for Haiti today. They're spending the night in Florida, Haiti tomorrow I believe. It seems so surreal, and when I said goodbye to them on Friday it was all I could do not to cry as I walked away, thinking about how it was probably the last time I'd ever see them. I never wanted to be called to Haiti so bad as right then. And with how much my heart was hurting to say goodbye, and still is, I can't imagine how all the His Little Feet staff must be feeling. They've spent almost every day with them since November.

Pray for them. Right now, as you read this. Pray for the goodbyes. But especially, pray for the children. Pray that God would constantly remind them of everything the learned on tour. Pray that they would not give into the pressure of all their peers. Pray that their hearts would forever be changed and softened for Jesus Christ. Pray that they would rise up and make a difference- not because Haiti needs it and the people are sad and in poverty, but because Jesus paid the price and isn't He worthy? 

I miss their little accents, the way they would always steal my shoes and throw stuff at me, and the sweet little voices that would sometimes say stuff like, "Auntie Kelsey, I will miss you." Or the not so sweet stuff like, "Who are you?" even though they knew exactly who I was and they just wanted to give me a hard time.... or somethin'. I miss them, but I'm glad I had the times with them that I did. God used it in big ways in my heart. I want to adopt kids so bad. If I knew how many days it would be until I can, I'd be counting them down. But I don't know and God has a plan, so I'll let Him lead me step by step.

What's one way that God's used His Little Feet in your life? Whether little or big? If you can't comment on my blog, comment on my facebook. I'd love to hear, and I'm sure HLF staff would too when they get back from Haiti. 

Love,

Kelsey