Thursday, July 5, 2012

Coming Home {Color Your World and Five Minute Friday}

I just got back from Haiti on Monday. 

I realized this time, more than ever before, how much like "home" it always feels for me there. People know me, I mean really know me, and love me JUST because they watched me grow up. 

Coming home to them is like coming back to family. 
But a "different" kind of family. 
This family does not all speak the same language, live in the same house, or even look alike. This family hails from places like Jellico, TN or Jacmel, Ayiti and more town and cities whose soil has never met my feet.  This family loves me, not because we share blood or ancestry; their love comes from living this common, simple life together. It blooms from growing up together. 

My heart calls them grandma, aunt, uncle, or cousin, while natural heritage tells a different story. And this story bleeds deep and true, almost beyond words, to the the place where the heart knows and comprehends....we were made to love each other in spite of it all. We were created to join together through links that defy human understanding.

With my love of photography as well as the written word deepening more and more with each passing day, I wanted to join with my friend Jen at I Believe in Love in sharing the colors of my world with the monthly color prompt. When I saw that this month's color(s) was(were) red, white, and blue, I wondered how I would SEE that BEFORE the 4th. 

And then my lens captured this photograph......


At my home.
On Haitian soil.

.....and I knew....

This represents freedom and home and love to me.
In a way I did not expect as a child
Or even remember as an adult,
But just the way that He planned it.

So I breath in the flamboyant.
I soak in the Caribbean rays.
And my heart sings,
"Let freedom ring!"

Yes.
The freedom to be me.
The freedom in coming home.







Five Minute Friday



15 comments:

Claire said... Best Blogger Tips

hi - i love this post - it reminds me of a missionary friend who has just returned from the middle east, and left her heart behind, and captured our own heart for "her people" as she talks about them and the connections she has made.  she is not related by blood or by race, but they have won her heart.  i love how Jesus does that.  and i think He does it on purpose - so we'll always be able to create a home wherever we are, wherever He is, wherever He needs to go.

blessings in your story of life, claire

http://onepassiononedevotion.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/5-minutes-friday-story/

Ro elliott said... Best Blogger Tips

So glad your trip went well...I love the story you tell here...home...and freedom is not bound to a country...I love that we can feel home where ever His is and where His Family gathers. blessings to you~

Jen said... Best Blogger Tips

Awesome, Lindsey! Welcome back from Haiti. I love how home looks so different for each of us but how it seems to always involve people. So glad you linked up to Color Your World this month!

Kariss Lynch said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow! I love your writing and I love your bio. Definitely will be following your posts from now on. I just got back from Haiti, and completely fell in love with the people. Traveling and other cultures are in my blood. I can't wait to keep tracking with you! Thanks for your beautiful post, and thanks for visiting my page. :)

Jennifer_StudioJRU said... Best Blogger Tips

This is so beautiful, Lindsey. Such a wonderful interpretation of red, white and blue, both in words and image. The way that He planned it, yes, the way He planned it. So happy you joined the 'color your world' challenge!

Alene Snodgrass said... Best Blogger Tips

Your words stir my soul. Love the colors and image. 

http://positivelyalene.com 

Stephanie Dyer said... Best Blogger Tips

How lucky you are to be experiencing so many people, countries and cultures.  I know that it changes perspective and gives a greater appreciation for life.  Beautiful photo!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you...when people say that, I am reminded, yet again, to be thankful for this crazy journey....and all that I have seen and learned along the way.

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh...what a lovely compliment! Thank you!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you, Jennifer! I was delighted in the inspiration.

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh that is very exciting! What part of Haiti did you go to?

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

That is a great way to put it....people make the home...thanks for co-hosting the Color challenges. I hope to link up again next month. I think I missed August.

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Amen and amen. Thank you so much for your encouraging words here.

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

It IS truly amazing how God can knit our hearts to people in surprising and unexpected ways. Thank you so much for coming here and sharing your words!

Kariss Lynch said... Best Blogger Tips

We were right outside of Port-au-Prince at Mission of Hope. We visited Leveque, Bersy, and several other villages within an hour or 2 bus ride.

Related Posts with Thumbnails