On the Way to Haiti

I'm not sure how to organize all the pictures from our trip to Haiti now that we're back and I have internet access, so I'll just start chronologically.  Three weeks ago today we were in Pensacola, Florida.

Jeff and Sheila Forshee were kind enough to put us up for a few nights.  We drove all day - through constant rain - on a Tuesday and then had Wednesday and Thursday to relax, catch up with friends and see some of the sights.

Melissa and I moved to Pensacola a couple of weeks after we got married in 2000.  Within a month and a half of our arrival, we found out Caleb was "in the oven".  By May of the next year, with our first child in arm and no grandparents close by, we felt awfully isolated at times.  Then along came Jeff and Sheila, and their two teenage sons Tyler and Preston, who would actually periodically call us up and ask to have Caleb for the day!  They were a true blessing then and a great blessing to us as we made our way down to Haiti now with a family of four.

Packed in tight and enjoying a nutritious lunch on the go from McDonalds!

The Forshee's house is just across the street from the Bayou.

Looking for fish, snails and crabs in the Bayou.

Found something.  Just a bit later, Hannah discovered fire ants and what happens when you sit on one of their nests!

Caught a fish! And proud of it!  (Wishing his friend Matthew was there to share this moment.)

We took a little tour around Pensacola First United Methodist Church, where I served as youth pastor.  Some things had changed, much had not.  This is the "One Way Cafe" in the youth building.

Got to spend some time out on the beach.  Waters were rough and Caleb and Sammy were wishing they had their boogie board.

We also got to swim in the neighbor's pool.

Miss Sheila and Sarah in the midst of a serious conversation...

On Thursday, Samuel, Caleb and Hannah visited Ft. Pickens while Sarah and Mommy got an afternoon nap.  The Fort is an impressive structure from the early 1800s.

Sandy the dog was very patient with all of Sarah's antics and affections.

Coco is a long-time favorite.  After Caleb's last visit to the Forshees (when he was just two or three) he came home and talked about Coco for a month.  Thus Coco was the reason we ended up getting Oreo for Caleb.

Mr. Jeff bought dozens of Krispy Kreme donuts for us before we headed out to Miami and then sent the leftovers with us.  I can't resist a good donut - I literally ate at least 9 of them myself throughout the day!  I didn't feel so good by evening. 

Samuel in particular got attached - literally- to Mr. Jeff.  At one of our pit stops on the way to Miami, he said sadly, "I miss Sandy and Coco."  I said, "You miss the Forshee's dogs?  What about Oreo?"  He thought about it a second then replied, "Well, I guess actually I miss the Forshees."

Even Tyler was around a bit - now all grown up.