I sit here in my house, on my laptop, with the TV on. I’m in a difficult situation, I feel my hands tied in so many ways, and as bad as I may think I have it, I know others have it worse.
I keep asking myself, God, What am I supposed to do? If I get a full time job will that be better for me? What about the days when my son is having a meltdown like Friday and I can’t leave for work? How do working parents do it?
What is my purpose Lord?
My girlfriend gave birth on Saturday, December 19th to a beautiful baby girl. Sunday night, I went to the hospital to relieve her husband for the evening, my girlfriend was in a lot of pain, she had a c-section and was having difficulties so the Doctor decided it was her meds and stopped all pain meds (huh??). Then it happened, she had a seizure with only me in the room. The Nurses and Doctor said I was wrong, that she was dizzy, over-tired etc and I let it go, but by Tuesday evening, a Neurologist delivered the life-changing news “You have Epilepsy”. She looked at me with tears in her eyes, she looked at those around the room, and tried to absorb all that was being said and understand what this meant to her for the foreseeable future. She can’t work, she can’t be alone with her 2 kids. She can’t nurse her new baby. She can’t drive. She can’t be over-stimulated.
What is my purpose Lord?
I spend my days crocheting, watching TV, resting and recouping from my busy days. What? That doesn’t sound busy? I’m on call for my friend, the one with the new baby. If someone can’t make it to be with her, I go stay there. If she has medical issues, I go help her. I attend all her appointments with her, she can’t remember things. She doesn’t always understand things. She’s applying for Disability, Food Stamps, Health assistance, whatever she can get to help her husband out. He works 60 hours a week to try and make ends meet. Her son stays w/ family and friends during the week, she misses him. He is home Monday and Wednesday nights so he can go to pre-school Tuesday/Thursday. Have I mentioned that I absolutely love my time with my girlfriend. It’s been challenging, it’s brought us closer, and that little baby, I could seriously eat her up, I love snuggling with her.
What is my purpose Lord?
Tuesday, Port Au Prince Haiti is hit with a 7.0 earthquake. I know that Mark would be fighting to get there to help. Our friends are safe. How sad is it that they are “fortunate” because they are too poor to live in Port Au Prince. The Village is growing daily now, those from Port are starting to arrive to stay with family, friends, strangers, anywhere they can get help.
What is my purpose Lord?
My girlfriend has 3 kids, she’s managed an Apartment complex for years, worked for the Property Managers for years before that. She lives with her 3 kids (1 in HS, 2 in Middle School) on property. Her ex-husband gives little support other than taking the kids every other weekend. Friday she was fired. She has 9 days to find a new home for her family. She will qualify for the highest Unemployment Benefit, a whopping $1640 a month, how will that support her family?
What is my purpose Lord?
I need desire direction Lord. I joke about the Neon Sign with an arrow telling me “Go this way” but internally I wish it would appear. My life changed so drastically when Mark left this earth, today is one of those days that I wish we had done things differently. Today is one of those days that I wish life were different. Today is one of those days I wish didn’t happen.
What is my purpose Lord?
I was in Port au Prince that Tuesday January 12, 2010 driving to the North of the Capital to take my mother in law to the Hospital when that natural disaster happened. Praise the Lord I came safe. It is difficult to explain that to you, If you could see with your own eye that could be better. As I know that is difficult, I can Say to you Haiti is dead.
Most of the biggest and important buildings in the Capital are turned down to sand and dust. The National palace, palace of Justice , post office, Teleco, DGI and more and more are gone. We are back for 25 years. Thousands of people are killed and Billion are homeless..
January 12th, 2010 represent for Haiti what September 11 was for the Americans. I am wondering when tears will stop drying in the eye of the Haitian people. Until now we cannot say who is still living or not. In the news we hear a lot of VIP are killed like the minister of Justice, the minister communication, The representative of the UN, a lot of deputies and senators.
At that night I was trying to save some people under the concrete of the broken houses the last on I save after taking under the broken concrete roof, two minutes later the house fall down. GOD is so GOOD.
Please keep praying for Haiti . Now we need more help than ever. There is no hospital in the Capital for the sickness people the take from Port to Les Cayes, Jeremie, St Marc . That is sad.
I have friend in Port au prince who lose their wife, children , husband. My sister has one month after married her house is broken down. Her Husband and her are safe . For Now they stay at Radio Lumiere for some days.
Keep praying for us.
Nobert
From the US Coast Guard Cutter Forward and it's Air Crew. Shared with permission of Chief James Alexander, USCG
| Gift Amount | Payment Method | Designation | Gift Date |
| $15.00 | Credit Card | Haiti Earthquake Relief | 1/13/2010 |
If you’ve been reading my blog for anytime, you know that my heart, and my late husband, lie in Haiti.
Haiti was hit with a massive 7.0 earthquake yesterday and the Capital of Port Au Prince has been devastated. I am asking BEGGING my readers to take a moment, say a prayer and make a donation to one of the following Relief Organizations. There are specific funds set up within each Organization for HAITI relief. Support of these people is critical. There are many American citizens on the ground in Haiti that have been affected not to mention the millions of Haitian citizens. If you feel that you can’t afford a donation, consider this, these people live on less than $1 a week. Can you imagine how a $5 donation could help? I have $1800 to last me the entire month (my bills include a $1800 mortgage) … I am donating $5 through Medical Teams International. Do the math … yes, giving where needed is a must. I truly believe that we are rewarded for stretching and doing the hard things. I can’t donate $300 but if each of my known followers donate $5, THERE is $300! So please, do it for me …
| 02-08-2009, 01:44 PM | #1 |
| questioning my sanity   Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822  | For strength .... We have a Haiti team leaving Thursday for a 10 day Mission. I've decided that I am going to divide Mark's ashes and send some with this group. This is the third anniversary of his trip there and some of the people going were very close to him. I feel that Mark won't truly be honored until some of him is scattered at the beach village. Pray for their strength and safety as they travel and complete this difficult medical mission, this area was devastated 4 times in the past year by hurricanes. Pray for my strength and that of those here at home, as I go through the process of packaging a piece of Mark for his final resting place, where his heart truly lived. |
| Living life ... | |
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 02-08-2009, 01:51 PM | #2 |
| Gettin' Jiggy    Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Southwestern Ohio Posts: 14,029  |  I think Mark will enjoy getting back to Haiti...... |
| Ready for Spring! | |
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| 02-08-2009, 02:12 PM | #3 | |
| questioning my sanity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822 | I posted this on Marks memorial group from Facebook Quote:
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| Living life ... | ||
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| 02-08-2009, 02:16 PM | #4 |
| Government Wife  Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: united states Posts: 9,652 | Marissa, Many many many for you and David and the church team. &  for all! |
| The task ahead of you is never as great as the power within you! Phillipians 4:13 | |
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| 02-08-2009, 03:06 PM | #5 |
| Crafting away  Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NY Posts: 12,547 | |
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| 02-08-2009, 03:27 PM | #6 |
| Come on Spring!!!  Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: SoCA Posts: 4,211 | Marissa, that is awesome! |
| Life is Good ~ Again! Judy | |
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| 02-08-2009, 04:09 PM | #7 |
| I have FLING FEVER   Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sycamore, OH Posts: 11,010 | |
 As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way. | |
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| 02-08-2009, 04:16 PM | #8 |
| Registered User  Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hutchinson, KS Posts: 478 | |
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| 02-08-2009, 04:33 PM | #9 |
| Registered User  Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4,134 | wow marissa, i think that is touching. |
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| 02-08-2009, 04:41 PM | #10 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,217 | Many prayers! |
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| 02-08-2009, 04:47 PM | #11 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Byron, IL Posts: 4,012  | |
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| 02-08-2009, 05:20 PM | #12 |
| formerly Fertilita  Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 6,789 | |
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| 02-08-2009, 06:19 PM | #13 |
| Loves Online College!   Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,172 | prayers for you and the mission group. Very touching and appropriate thing to do. hugs to you while you take this step. |
| Dreams Come True, Just Never Give Up on them!  | |
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| 02-08-2009, 06:39 PM | #14 |
| Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: St. Thomas PA Posts: 7,160 | prayers |
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| 02-08-2009, 07:04 PM | #15 |
| Spring Is Here!!!   Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: IL Posts: 12,620 | ers |
 Is so much FUN!!! | |
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| 02-08-2009, 07:43 PM | #16 |
| Amazing grace!   Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 17,528 | What a great tribute to Mark |
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| 02-08-2009, 08:43 PM | #17 |
| Loving Life Right Now  Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10,914 | |
 Anything unattemped remains impossible. | |
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| 02-08-2009, 09:05 PM | #18 |
| questioning my sanity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822 | Thank you all for your prayers. David is going to bed now, I'm on my way to tuck him in and discuss whether he wants to help me divide Marks ashes or not. My plan is to fill two or three pill bottles and seal them in bubble wrap and then a ziplock bag. David, Clark, Tim and I will say a prayer over them before I bring them to Jim. |
| Living life ... | |
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| 02-09-2009, 02:47 AM | #19 |
| My Love~My Life~My Joey   Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Edison, New Jersey Posts: 11,055 | I think Mark would be proud of you for doing this for him. |
| "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" ~ Dr. Suess | |
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| 02-09-2009, 05:26 AM | #20 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 3,457 | |
| I'm not going thru a valley; I'm simply changing mountains! | |
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| 02-09-2009, 06:04 AM | #21 |
| Wilton Course May 4!  Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 18,595 | I wonder if a pill bottle is a good idea, since they'll be going through customs? I'd maybe call the funeral home or even check the airlines and see if there is a proper way to package ashes. Don't want to be a downer. I just hate the though that they could get into the line, and there be a problem and his ashes are confiscated or discarded.  ing and |
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| 02-09-2009, 08:30 AM | #22 | |
| questioning my sanity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822 | Quote:
Thanks for the concern ... and honestly, Mark ALWAYS ended up being delayed in airports, so if he got held up there I would be  ! Heck he was delayed when being brought back from New Orleans to Portland...I swear, it never ended  | |
| Living life ... | ||
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| 02-09-2009, 10:56 AM | #23 |
| Forever Lucy's Light  Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 2,900 | The LAST thing I personally would do would be to check with the airlines!! Can you spell RED TAPE!!!! |
| "Whatever's in front of me, I choose to sing Hallelujah!" | |
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| 02-09-2009, 11:34 AM | #24 |
| Registered User  Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,689 | |
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| 02-09-2009, 07:52 PM | #25 |
| questioning my sanity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822 | I just did it, I tried earlier today but couldn't, didn't help that I watched the great slideshow that Belinda put together for the website and was a bawling mess. I waited until the guys were around and did it. Had to use a knife to get the plastic box open  I haven't sealed it yet because I think David might want to spread some in the backyard. We'll see. |
| Living life ... | |
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| 02-09-2009, 08:11 PM | #26 |
| Amazing grace! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 17,528 | |
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| 02-12-2009, 09:15 AM | #27 |
| questioning my sanity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 14,822 | The Team is on their way!! |
| Living life ... | |
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| 02-12-2009, 09:17 AM | #28 |
| Wilton Course May 4! Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 18,595 | |
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| 02-12-2009, 09:20 AM | #29 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Byron, IL Posts: 4,012 | for everyone |
