Haitian Song

Check out this gorgeous footage from Karen Kramer's documentary "Haitian Song."

This rural Haiti is far echo from the Port au Prince of today. But the beautiful hard-working, hard-living people remain. That such a spirit of joy can be found in the midst is a gift from God.

The song on the video is "Haiti" by Arcade Fire.

When I think I'm doing just fine thank you

Too often I forget just how pervasive my sin is, especially in light of the perfection of who God is. The following has helped me to remember how the curse has permeated every area of my life. Sorry to bring the room down today, but I challenge you to read this without thinking of how it applies to someone else, but how it applies to us each individually... for ALL have sinned and fall short.


Holy and righteous God, we confess that like Isaiah, we are a people of unclean lips. But it is not only unclean lips we possess. We are people with unclean hands and unclean hearts. We have broken your law times without number, and are guilty of pride, unbelief, self-centeredness and idolatry. Affect our hearts with the severity of our sin and the glory of your righteousness as we now acknowledge our sins in your holy presence.

We have had other gods before you
We have worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator.
We have sought satisfaction in this world's pleasures rather than in You.
We have loved to praise our own glory more than yours.

We have taken your name in vain.
We have prayed religious prayers to impress others.
We have uttered your name countless times without reverence or love.
We have listened to others use your name in vain without grieving.

We have murdered in our hearts.
We have often destroyed our neighbor with our tongues.
We have been quick to uncharitably judge others.
We have considered revenge when we were sinned against.


We have committed adultery with our eyes.
We have loved temptation rather than fighting it.
We have lusted after unlawful and immoral pleasures.
We have justified our lusts by using the world as our standard.

We have stolen what is not ours and coveted what belongs to others.
Our lives overflow with discontent, ungratefulness, and envy.
We have complained in the midst of Your abundant provision.
We have sought to exalt ourselves through owning more.

We have lied to You and to others.
We have told distorted truths, half-truths, and untruths.
We have despised the truth to make ourselves look better.
Even in our confession, we look for ways to hide our guilt.

O God, we have sinned against your mercy times without number. We are ashamed to lift up our faces before you, for our iniquities have gone over our heads. If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? How shall we answer you? We lay our hands on our mouths. We have no answer to your righteous wrath and just judgment.

We have no answer. But God Himself has mercifully provided one for us.

I wish I could remember who to credit this to, but it has been tucked in my notebook and well worn. I guess I can add the sin of plagiarism to the list...

First Day of Kindergarten and 3rd Grade

It could have gone better, it could have gone way worse...

Happy Birthday Liv!

One of my specific prayers for my children has been that they are surrounded by good friends who help them down the right path. God is good.

My daughter is 5 today and it almost breaks my heart. We weren't so sure about her when she first arrived. Livi seemed to just cry... a LOT. But we have since made up. She is hilarious and we love her immensley.

I am testing the waters here first.

I really, really, really want to post the following on the Three Angels website. Yet I am conflicted as to whether or not it would be considered too... snarky? ungrateful? cantankerous?

Your input is appreciated. Just not your Holiday Sweaters.

Things Three Angels does NOT need:
Fleece jackets, earmuffs, mittens, sweaters, thick footie sleepers, plush (i.e. disease bearing) animals or toys of any kind, video games and toys requiring batteries.


Thank you for your consideration.

(I'm a bit miffed that you cannot see their foreheads dripping with sweat. Okay - we actually 'staged' that - we misted them with water to try and get the effect of how HOT it is there. But note that You You had to bribe them with red vines to put those sweaters on!)

I dare you not to laugh.

Another completely random post...

Funny when a baby does it. Scary when that is me after the end of a hard day.