Filed under: Taiwan
It’s happening.

I have tickets. I’m applying for a visa.
On June 7th, I will fly from Moline to Chicago, Chicago to Japan, and Japan to Taiwan.
Every person I have talked to who has previously volunteered at HoGL has said it was the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
I don’t know what awaits me yet, but I can safely say: I am so happy to do something so hard.
Need a laugh? This SNL clip of Garth & Kat had me laughing out loud today. And I rarely laugh out loud by myself.
You must watch it.
Lamentations 3
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
25The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Filed under: love but don't need | Tags: etsy, love, products, shouldn't love, stuff
True story.
In all honesty, I still sleep with my baby blanket. It’s time to replace it with something less tattered.
I just love milkglass!
So unnecessary and so cute.
Would look lovely above my window.
Can’t get enough of ruffled clutches.
Dear future fiancé,
Chances are good you don’t know who you are yet, and chances are even better you’ll never read this.
But please… will you please arrange for something like these adorable secret engagement videos?
I’d like to watch it over and over again with you. And watch it on our anniversary each year.
Make sure they have good music like these, too, please. I know we like the same kinds of music, so you will be a good judge of that.
Love,
Natalie
Remember this photo of the sweet babies at Home of God’s Love in Taiwan?

I didn’t know it when I posted the photo. But those babies are about to have an even greater impact in my life.
I’m going to Taiwan this summer for about 8 weeks. To take care of the babies at Home of God’s Love.
A couple months ago, when I was considering what to do this summer, I felt volunteering at an orphanage firmly laid on my heart. When I began to pray about where I should go, Taiwan (where my cousin and her husband are adopting from) was repeatedly brought to mind. I prayed for peace of mind, an easy path and that if this desire was not from God, that he would take it away.
He didn’t take it away. And within 3 hours of e-mailing Home of God’s Love, I heard back. And now, within two weeks, I’m going. I’m excited to serve in a way that is very needed and not just for my own enrichment — just heard there are now 20 babies at the home and very few volunteers.
I truly cannot wait to live out James 1:27, connect with Taiwanese people and fellowship with the other staff at the children’s home this summer. Come quick, June.
And let me say it again: God is good.
Filed under: christian spirituality | Tags: charity, donate, earthquake, haiti, help, organizations, orphans
I cannot believe the hurt and wonder I feel right now.
Hurt:
The words I’ll find are rather inadequate, but here goes: I cried last night and I cried today reading, watching and listening to news coverage in Haiti. I heard of a young couple who were adopting from Haiti, had met the little girl they were adopting, were going to pick her up next week, and who found out today she had been killed during the earthquake.
My heart hurts for the Haitian people. I heard someone say they are extremely strong but not strong enough for this. I’m saddened that this has been what it took for many people to turn an eye to a small country — a needy country — just a 45-minute plane ride away from Miami.
Wonder:
God has been orchestrating phenomenal coincidences in my life lately. I have made major decisions due to these, and I have met amazing people.
Monday night, the night before the earthquake, I was researching orphanages to work at this summer. I looked at a few, but the orphanages in Haiti stuck out to me. On MONDAY night. I prayed for Haiti and watched this video.
One orphanage in particular caught my eye. And today, I see a blog post from an organization I know well that shows Matt Lauer interviewing the kind woman who runs that orphanage.
I feel now, more than ever, I should be in Haiti this summer. Fifteen percent of children in Haiti are orphaned or abandoned. 200,000 orphans live in orphanages. And those numbers have without a doubt grown tremendously due to the earthquake devastation. I see a need, and I’m going to meet it.
____
It will be easy for you to find a way to help. Here are just a few that have stuck out to me:
Red Cross’ International Response Fund
Bethany Christian Services (select ‘Haiti – Earthquake Recovery in the drop-down menu)
____
“Then the singing began. Those gathered outside tents, on lawn chairs, sitting in the middle of empty streets, sang their hymns. One phrase in Creole could be heard repeatedly both inside and outside the hospital walls, as if those voicing the words were trying to make sense of the madness around them.
“Beni Swa Leternel,” they sang. ‘Blessed be the Lord.’”
from ‘In Haiti, Survivors Search for Dead’ via New York Times
Filed under: christian spirituality, orphans | Tags: New Years, resolutions, verse
My New Year’s resolutions come straight from Isaiah 1:17:
+ Learn to do good.
+ Seek justice.
+ Help the oppressed.
+ Defend the orphan.
+ Fight for the rights of widows.












