This past year was the year of the Instagram for me. Before May 2014, I did not have an Instagram account, and I didn't really get "what the big deal was." After my friend Katie encouraged me to use it to document our days in Haiti, I really took to it, and I'm so very grateful now for the over 120+ images that capture moments from our first 12 months in Haiti. Now, I wonder if our documenting styles might shift a little bit. Maybe this blog will be put to more use! I'd like to start today with a "Postcards" series: one picture, with a brief explanation. Fin. Short and sweet. Our "postcards" will give you a snapshot of our world with a little more detail than an Instagram allows. And with this first "postcard," if I had actually put postage on it and sent it via snail mail at the time it was taken, it may just now be reaching you in the U.S. :) Enjoy!

{Port-au-Prince, Haiti} Taken 12.19.14

Celebration. That is what this picture brings to mind. It was our MCC staff Christmas party, and the smells from the kitchen were wafting up to our second floor office all day. A co-worker had her four kids in town from Canada, the remnant of an MCC evaluation team was in tow, and all national staff brought a special someone or two for the gala. Balloons, Paper Snowflakes, Action! I remember the anticipation of the upcoming Christmas vacation, the more imminent secret Santa gift exchange, and the sincere yet stilted conversations in Kreyòl with co-workers' family and friends (which, by the way, became progressively harder as the wait-time for the meal was perpetually extended!) For me, the crowd in this picture represents the far-flung nature yet close ties of family, the bright colors the celebratory air of the season, and the table the delight that comes with those first, mouth-watering bites!

'Merry Christmas' in Photos

Did you know that Christmas is not yet over? January 6 marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. For that reason,  I will share some photos that capture memories from this season for us - both in Haiti and in San Diego. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas in San Diego

Beach walk with my sister and the family

The whole Daulton family was together for Christmas. Stephanie and Steve flew in on Christmas Eve from Texas and Chicago, where Steve is in medical school. It had been 4 years!

Two days after Christmas, we got to see the Oswalds! Ted's parents flew in from India. PJ, Erica, and our niece and nephew drove down from Sacramento. It was a true reunion, after one year of being apart.

Doughnut time at Leucadia Donuts :)

Little nephew Liam covered in crumbs

The three of us paused for a moment of Rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer storytelling

The Oswalds!

Photo compliments of PJ

California Instagram

The beach views of San Diego and the 'wild west' environs of Apple Valley / San Bernadino County with Ted's aunt Becky and uncle Don. The bottom right picture is of Lee Ann and niece Kali at "Calico Ghost Town."

And finally... the Daulton gals on Christmas Eve.

Christmas in Haiti

Instagram

Co-worker Kristin brought the fun with some afternoon Christmas decorating in December

Haitian angels and pine cone centerpieces at Quartier Latin; quite festive!

Warm drinks and Christmas ornaments on our Haiti 'tree' made the season seem bright

  

And who could forget the supermarket? The most decked-out spot in Port-au-Prince!

Christmas prayer

We have enjoyed following the Advent calendar this season, with the aid of readings and meditations from a guide given by a friend. Taking us through the troughs and peaks represented in the cycle of this holy season, this time has reminded of the darkness, yet the joy and anticipation inherent in the daily living of the Christian faith.

It starts with a recognition of the brokenness of this world, and the brokenness sometimes hidden in our lives. We realize that we need a Savior. We are then filled with joy in thinking of a future where every pain and heartache is extinguished, and a deep gladness and wonder as we think on God's promises embodied among us. Emmanuel. The baby Christ came to us in an utter miracle, born to humble hands to serve us all. The pages of Scripture are thick with this testimony.

In the backdrop of this particular Advent season, we have known of the protests playing out across the U.S. The streets of Port-au-Prince have also been protest-ridden. People are angry, crying out for something better than the current political gridlock and historic antipathy from those in power. 

Will you join us in prayer this Christmas? Let us pray, in this season of Light and Hope, for God's peace to be evident, binding up the brokenhearted, turning hearts towards Him, and creating a way forward where there seems to be no way, a way that bears witness to His Kingdom and Truth. Amen.

I'm including here a picture of a Christmas tree we saw in Port-au-Prince this month; a symbol of the season.

And here is a picture I took yesterday of the beach. Something about the beauty, constancy, and rhythm of the waves makes me think of the cycle of longing, anticipation, and joy we experience this season.