Camping

Last weekend we went camping with my family. We have been doing this for quite a few years now and I really look forward to it. We also celebrated 3 birthday's while we were there that we hadn't been able to get everyone together for until then.

Mark and my sleeping arrangements.

Kaylyn and Libby's sleeping arrangements.
Anna slept in a different tent and Zack slept at home to care for the dogs but joined us during the day.

Everyone getting their birthday desserts and Mark looking for seconds. Wink!

Emily trying out the party favors.

Emily thanking Aunt Jodi for her birthday gift.

Isn't she beautiful!

The first day we arrived at the village that we were building 4 houses in a sweet little old lady came up to me and took my hand and kissed it. I don't speak Spanish and she didn't speak English but it was communicated loud and clear how thankful she was. The funny thing is none of the 4 houses being built were for her. The family that was recieving the house by her had taken her in. Her husband had passed away and she didn't have any children. The little structure in the picture is her house. Did you catch that? That structure, not much bigger than an outhouse, is her HOME! The amazing thing is she happy. She feels blessed by the family that took her under their wing. She is overflowing with joy that they are getting a home. Pretty amazing lady!


When one of the guys with us asked her if I could get a picture with her she immediatly started "tidying" herself up. She took the shawls off her head, pulled her hair back, wiped her face, it just made me chuckle inside. We woman have to look our best no matter what country we live in.

I am so glad Kevin quick snapped a picture of her "preparing" herself. He thought it was as cute as I did.

Now what he didn't get a picture of is us trying to get her to smile in the picture. He wasn't translating it right and she didn't know what he was asking of her so I took my hand and pushed up the corners of my mouth to try to explain "smile". So she took her hand and did exactly what I was doing. Oh my goodness it was hilarious. We gave up and just took the picture. Of course as soon as the picture taking was over she was smiling from ear to ear again. Sweet lady!

Coming Soon?

Hopefully I will have time soon to share about our trip to Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
It was truly amazing.

Guatemala or bust

I leave tomorrow for Guatemala with my oldest 2 daughters. We are going to be building 4 houses while we are down there. Here is a link to the mission we are going to be staying at for anyone who wants to follow along.

Team Allendale

Wordless Wednesday - Another thrower in the house.

Kaylyn was a freshman this year and qualified to go the state track meet for discus. She set a new personal record at the meet breaking her old one by 4'. She had a great day. We were so happy to see her excitement.

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Summer is here!

I am hoping with summer will come a more laid back life that offers some time to blog. Time will tell.

This picture is from last Sunday. Mark and I were just turning out of the parking lot at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit from visiting my sister and this was in the sky. Right after I took the picture another plane came through and drew the arrow piercing the heart but by then the heart was getting hard to see anymore.


Unfortunately my sister is still in the hospital following her bone marrow transplant. She is on day +54 bmt today. She has developed pneumonia now and could use prayers that she stops throwing up as she tries to eat again and her body just isn't accepting it well.

Strong willed dog.

I tried to get her to come inside before I left but I didn't have the time to "argue with her". I knew it would rain before I got home. This is what I came home to. Think she will listen to me next time?

My sister Jodi.

I haven't spoken much about my sister and her battle with Multiple Myeloma on here. Mostly because I want to honor her privacy. She needs prayers. Her white blood count is still at zero and she is 18 days since her bone marrow transplant. White blood counts usually start coming back up on day 10-12.

I wanted to post today more to tell you how amazing her and her husband are through all of it. I have seen love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control demonstrated in them throughout all of this. It can't be comprehended or explained from a worldly perspective. Jesus has them in his arms and is carrying them through this physical battle. Thank you to those of you who have been praying for her. Prayers are being answered. Please continue to lift Jodi and Randy up in prayers.

This song was sang in church this morning. It really moved me even though I have heard/sang it many times before, it has taken on a new meaning to me.

"Lord our eyes are fixed on you and we are waiting for your garland of grace as we praise your name."

I was reminded that my joy can ONLY be found in Christ. Any other joy, including a positive report on my sister's health, is only temporal. True joy and peace can only come from God. I pray that you have found the true joy and peace that only God has to offer.

If you would like to read more specifics on Jodi's journey let me know and I will give you a link to her care page.

Too Funny!

Not sure why it is falling off my screen because it is the smallest size option so you might want to view it at YouTube. I think if you click on it you will be re-directed to it on YouTube.

Taken by Libby

Libby loves to use my camera and I love finding pictures on it that she has captured. Here is one of my favorites from our Spring Break trip. This was taken while we were visiting the Arch in St. Louis, MO. Isn't it a beautiful picture from a 10 year old?

Wordless Wednesday - Hiking in Arizona

My dad and my daughter, Kaylyn, while hiking in Bear Canyon up to 7 falls during Spring Break last week.
I love this picture!

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Wordless Wednesday - You're his mom?!?!

Why do people find it so how to believe I am his mom? It's not like he was born this size.
He wasn't even my largest baby.

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten about Haiti and the earthquake? I pray that you haven't and that you are continuing to pray for Haiti. Here is a link that Tara Livesay posted today about living through those first few hours after the earthquake. Grab some tissues before clicking on the link. I think you will need them.

The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog

Pictures from July 2008

Anna walking through the village with some of the kids.

A sweet young boy who was fascinated with my camera. That is Zack behind him.

A precious little girl waiting for her lunch at a food distribution program.

A beautiful mother who actually wanted her picture taken even though she doesn't appear to. She was all smiles when I showed her the picture after I had taken it. I showed it to the mom and kids in the background also and they were so excited to see themselves in the picture.

There is so much death in Haiti (even before the earthquake) that I often look at these pictures and wonder how the families are doing but even more so since the earthquake.

Let's not forget to keep them in our prayers.

Guatemala bound this summer

This is a letter my oldest daughter wrote to mail out to family and friends about our upcoming trip to Guatemala this summer:

This summer from July 19 through July 26 my sister Kaylyn, my Mom, and I will be going to Guatemala on a mission trip with Lighthouse Community Church youth group and Paradise Bound Ministries. I am sending this letter to ask for your support. I would like to share with you more about the trip, why we are going, and what we will be doing there. I would also ask that you consider supporting the trip either financially or through your prayers.

The time spent in Guatemala will be spent building homes for local villagers who currently reside in mud floor, corn-stalk huts. The homes we will be building are steel frame houses with dry wall interior, cement-board and stucco exterior, and a poured concrete floor. They are 12’x12’. They are incredibly nice homes compared to the corn-stalk huts of the villages.

In addition to the home building, we will also be holding two medical clinics. These clinics will be located in remote mountain or coastal villages many of whom have not seen outsiders for many years. The medical clinics will open the door to sharing the gospel with these people through the Jesus film, and through a local pastor’s preaching.

I would simply ask that you prayerfully consider how God may lead you to support our mission project. The cost for the 3 of us combined is $3900, plus we are raising money for supplies to build the homes. You can send your donation to us. Please make all checks out to “Lighthouse Community Church” and note “Hill family” on the memo line. If you need a receipt for a tax deduction please include a note stating that and we will make sure that church writes you a receipt.

Thank you for your support,

Anna Hill

I added a PayPal button on the side of my blog for anyone who feels moved to supporting us.
-Thank you for your consideration.

Happy 1st day of Spring!

Just another one of Michigan's cruel jokes.