It's A Wonderful Life: June 2010

Haiti - Bonswa! (Good afternoon/ Evening!)

On Decemeber 6, 1492 Christopher Columbus first laid eyes on the pristine shores of the island of Hispanola. Lush with fruits and towering mahogany trees Haiti became known as "La Perle des Antilles" or "the Pearl of the Caribbean". What was once France's richest colony today has become one of the world's poorest nations, hindered by dictatorships, depleted natural resources, and overwhelming spiritual darkness.

by Belgian photographer, Alice Smeets

FACTS ABOUT HAITI:
	Haiti is the oldest black republic in the world.
	Population: approximately 8.3 million, almost entirely of African origin
	Employment rate: 30%
	Illiteracy rate: 48%
	Religion: Catholic 85%, Voodoo 90%
	Languages: French (official), kreyol (most widely spoken)
	Current government: Elected president
	Haiti is the poorest and most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere.
	Average life expectancy is 52 years.

(Here is a photo of Haitian who eats (and sells to others) mud cakes made from dirt, salt, and vegetable shortening. This is a regular meal for her.)

It is hard to believe in just 4 weeks I will be there to experience it for myself.

We will be visiting Haiti for 10 days towards the end of July. Dustin and I have been senior high youth leaders for the past two years at our church. Every other year, our church raises support for the kids to do a missions trip out of the country. This year, prior to the Earthquake back in January, we had the senior high kids get together and pray about where they felt the Lord wanted us to go. They wrote down a bunch of options on paper, Haiti being the last one on the list. When the kids were done, the group consensus was Haiti all the way. Months later we saw the devastating Earthquake as affirmation from the Lord that this was and still the right place where we are to go. Looks like the kids nailed it! Our goal was to raise $25,000. We reached $27,000. We took that as another message from the Lord as a reminder that He is faithful and that He is serious about this trip! So our tickets have been bought, our shots have been taken and our passports are ready! We will be staying at a YWAM base (Youth With A Mission), 50 miles from Port –au-Prince. We have about 19 kids and 8 leaders going. Your prayers would be so appreciated over the next month leading up to our departure! For safe travels, our health, eyes to be opened, lives to be saved, for us to be a reflection of the Lord's hands and feet and so that we have a deeper urgency and awareness of His Spirit as we are there!

And guess what we will be doing to help all week?

...building a home.

Ok God, laugh it up.

As much as both of our bodies ached at the sound of that, we know how important is to have a place to call home. We can see right away that we will be taught something of great value while we are there.

EASY Classic Apple Turnovers - Serves 8

Mixture:

* 4 cups water

* 4 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

* 2 tablespoons butter

* 1 cup brown sugar

* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1 tablespoon cornstarch

* 1 tablespoon water

* 1 (17.25 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

Glaze:

* 1 cup confectioners' sugar

* 1 tablespoon milk

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place apples into hot skillet. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. Add brown sugar, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes. Stir together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Pour into the skillet, and mix well. Cook for another minute, or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat to cool slightly.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

3. Unfold puff pastry sheets, and repair any cracks by pressing them back together. Trim each sheet into a square. Then cut each larger square into 4 smaller squares. Spoon apples onto the center of each squares. Fold over from corner to corner into a triangle shape, and press edges together to seal. Place turnovers on a baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them.

Note* (The filling you see is obviously not apples. I also did a strawberry filling and forgot a photo

of the apples. whoops!)

4. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until turnovers are puffed and lightly browned. Cool completely before glazing.

6. To make the glaze, mix together the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Adjust the thickness by adding more sugar or milk if necessary. Drizzle glaze over the cooled turnovers. If you don't want to make the glaze, you can brush beaten egg over the top of each turnover, and sprinkle with white sugar before baking.

(Applying the glaze can be some what of a fine art. Something I have not perfected yet.)

Voila! A yummy treat to serve. I recommend taking a walk after eating these.

Happy Father's Day!

I am blessed...

by his protection and guidance

by his hugs of encouragement

by his humor and fun personality

by his constant love

And to Dad Landis, I've been blessed by his welcoming arms.

Even before I was officially part of the family.

The Truth Project

I've heard many good things about it, including from my sister & brother-in-law.
Our sunday school class will be soon doing this series. I'm excited...

Vote For Zach!

Oprah Winfrey is giving away the chance for someone to

host a new talk show. People are being asked to submit videos as to why they should have their own show and America gets to vote. Zach has my inspired vote!

Click here to vote!

My Newest Project

Isn't she pretty? Well, a little rough around the edges but with some TLC, this little treasure should be a great edition to the mud room. Some people may think this is ugly or that I'm crazy for buying this but I see it's potential. Trust me! The sink is dated back to 1940 and the wood base is made from old school desks. I thought about staining the wood but now I'm thinking I'll just clean it up and maybe put a little sink skirt around it. I don't need more work. ;)

Happy 35th Anniversary!

Matthew 19: 6

They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.

35 years of faithfully committing to each other is rare and something to be treasured!

Thanks mom and dad for taking that commitment seriously even when it wasn't always rainbows and butterflies. :) Here's to a fun and classy couple! Happy 35th!

We love you!