Faith Comes to Fruition

Well, it has been about eight months since our last update, and it has been amazing!  God is so good!  Sometimes that is all you can say because He is so faithful to accomplish HIS work, even in an eight-year-old.  In October 2011, Taylor's grandfather, Ralph Johnson, along with our pastor at Family of Grace Church, Brad Webb, embarked on their first visit to Haiti.  This trip was designed to seek God in where to begin with building houses.  Through many miracles, they were connected with Pastor Moniot, who oversees about twenty churches and a local orphanage.  Through this, God led our team to the first house He called Taylor to build.  While getting the logistics worked out, Pastor Moniot and his wife, Gladys, visited the United States in January 2012.  Taylor was so excited to meet Pastor Moniot and Gladys.  During the visit, visions were shared and it was apparent that God had placed Pastor Moniot in our path.  The first building trip was scheduled for February and the money was sent to buy supplies to build the first house--this was done in advance so the supplies would be ready when the team arrived.  An e-mail was received from Haiti the week our team was scheduled to leave and in it Pastor Moniot and the head of the orphanage spoke of some needs of the people.  They stated that they needed medicine, canned food items, bibles for the bible conference, and a load of water to be bought (cost $200.00) due to a recent drought in the area.  Wow!  What a tall request. Our pastor's first thought was, "Can we provide all of these things?"  Then God brought to all of our remembrance what He initially told Taylor at the age of seven.  In our first blog entry, I shared with you Taylor's calling which was to bring food, water, medicine, bibles, and to build a house in Haiti!  God had already called her to raise money to provide the exact items that Haiti needed as God also led us to Pastor Moniot and the orphanage.  Taylor's faithfulness still amazes me.  Taylor was able to personally go to the store and purchase the food and medicine for our team to take with them on their journey.

On February 18, 2012, a team of five from our church left the U.S. and headed for Haiti for a week.  Pastor Brad, Brother Ralph (Taylor's paternal grandfather), Brother Larry (Taylor's maternal grandfather, my father), Courtland, and Brother Bob began a journey to put legs, hands, and feet on God's calling.  I cannot express the gratitude to these men of God, to being the example to Taylor of what it means to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and being.  To have a belief like hers that is unaffected with the limitations that the world has placed on God is eye-opening and I must admit, convicting.  I can only sit back in awe and learn from her and her relationship with the Lord, her innocence and unlimited, childlike faith.  During that week in February the first house was built!  Also during that week there was a pastor's conference in which bibles were handed out to all of the men in attendance in their own language and a load of water was purchased for the orphanage that provided shelter for our team. There were many times during this journey that Satan attempted to counter God's work; however, we know how the Book ends, and God prevailed again and again.  Many miracles and divine appointments occurred during this passage, however, according to Taylor, God just did what He said He would do if she were faithful to His calling upon her life.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for your prayers and your financial support.

This journey is not over and will continue as long as God provides the vision.  The next trip to Haiti will be in April.  This trip will consist of another team, Jacob (Taylor's dad) will be able to go and will provide wiring and plumbing to an upstairs room for the orphanage in order for it to be utilized for the glory of God.  Please stay tuned for more of what God is doing in Taylor's life.  Hopefully, she will be updating her blog soon instead of me.  She is still quite too young to put her thoughts on paper.  There are many opportunities on a daily basis for us to fulfill God's purpose and calling on our individual lives.  It may not be in Haiti, but across the street.  I will be praying for each of you and please continue to lift up Haiti.

Be sure to look at Hands and Feet page to see some pictures of the team in Haiti building the house.

With love, until next time.............................

God's Calling

Hello Friends! I just wanted to update everyone on the latest from Taylor's Heart for Haiti. Since the last update, there have been several large donations for houses in Haiti. Taylor's original goal was to have raised $2500.00 (which is the cost of one house) by June 30, 2011. God had different plans however. Taylor is on house number five and will soon be on house number six. God has connected us with several different people that have allowed Taylor to share her heart. He has blessed above and beyond what we thought was even possible. The next step in this journey is to begin planning the trip where a team (to include both of her grandfathers, father, and Pastor) will travel to Haiti. We are still praying for God to work the details out and pave the way for this money to impact the Haitian community by meeting basic physical needs, but most importantly meeting the spiritual needs as well. We covet your prayers for this mission that God has called upon Taylor. She continues to pray for Haiti daily and her commitment to the calling God has placed on  her life has not diminished, but has grown.

I never grasped the love God has for me until He blessed me with children of my own. He has taught me so much through my children and I thank Him daily for allowing Jacob and I the opportunity to love and encourage Taylor and Baylee (Taylor's sister). Thank you all for your support and the love and encouragement you have shown Taylor through this journey. My prayer is that she will stay true to her calling and that neither Jacob or I would ever hinder God's work in her life but allow God to use her. We know that we only have her for a few short years and she will be grown, making her own decisions. I pray that she will continue to seek and follow God as she is now. Until next time, love and blessings your way.

God's Calling

Hello Friends! I just wanted to update everyone on the latest from Taylor's Heart for Haiti. Since the last update, there have been several large donations for houses in Haiti. Taylor's original goal was to have raised $2500.00 by June 30, 2011. God had different plans however. Taylor is on house number five and is very close to house number six. God has connected us with several different people that have allowed Taylor to share her heart. He has blessed above and beyond what we thought was even possible. The next step in this journey is to begin planning the trip where a team, (to include both of her grandfathers, father, and Pastor) will travel to Haiti. We are still praying for God to work the details out and pave the way for this money to impact the Haitian community by meeting basic physical needs, but most importantly meeting the spiritual needs as well. We covet your prayers for this mission that God has called upon Taylor. She continues to pray for Haiti daily and her commitment to the calling God has placed on  her life has not diminished, but has grown.

I never grasped the love God has for me until He blessed me with children of my own. He has taught me so much through my children and I thank Him daily for allowing Jacob and I the opportunity to love and encourage Taylor and Baylee (Taylor's sister). Thank you all for your support and the love and encouragement you have shown Taylor through this journey. My prayer is that she will stay true to her calling and that neither Jacob or I would ever hinder God's work in her life but allow God to use her. We know that we only have her for a few short years and she will be grown, making her own decisions. I pray that she will continue to seek and follow God as she is now. Until next time, love and blessings your way.

God's Provision

Well, we have had a busy but outstanding weekend. On Saturday, April 30, 2011, Taylor participated in the Maker's Fair in Shreveport. She, along with her grandparents and great grandparents prepared several items to sell at the fair. She helped pickle cucumbers, cauliflower and asparagus along with weaving colorful coasters. Her grandparents and great grandparents made homemade jelly, pepper sauce, snack mix and brownies. At 2:30PM we were sold out! She was so excited and worked so hard! The best part of the day was to see Taylor sharing what God is doing in her life. She did not pass up an opportunity to share God's calling and His love.  One lady asked her why she was raising money for families in Haiti, Taylor responded "because God told me to." My prayer is that God will use this opportunity to bring others to know Him and to continue to provide for the Haitian people. On Sunday, she spoke at a Kisatchie Baptist Church. They were so generous! Taylor is now working on raising the money for house number FIVE! Praise the Lord!

Good Things Are Happening!

WOW!  God is so good!  So many amazing things have happened in the past few weeks with Taylor's Heart for Haiti.  She is an inspiration to me and an example of true FAITH.  In the past two weeks, Taylor has had the opportunity to speak to two local churches!  The response was overwhelming.  In addition, someone who heard of Taylor's Heart and read her story donated the money for another house.  She is now working on house number four!!   She has almost reached $10,000 for Haiti.  I am so amazed at her determination and belief that God will provide.  Every day she prays that He will continue to provide for those in Haiti.  I learn so much from her and I am proud to call her my daughter.  In house church this past week, we learned of God's love for us and how, even when we fail, He wants to love on us and protect us.  How much more does He delight in us when we allow Him to fulfill His work through us.  1 John 2:5 says, "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him...."  Please join with us in prayer that God will continue to provide for the people in Haiti.  Also, Taylor would love to see you at her upcoming events.  She will be at the Maker's Fair in Shreveport, Louisiana on April 30th.  Please come!

Taylor's Heart for Haiti

(written by Taylor's Mom, Stephanie)

Hello friends!  I believe that we should take every opportunity to share what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our friends and family.  I want to share what God has been doing in the life of my seven-year-old daughter, Taylor Alexis (also known as Smudge or Bug).  She is such an inspiration to me.  Taylor accepted the Lord as her savior when she was five-years-old.  As all working mothers know, a lot of our conversations happen in the car, traveling to and from school.  When she was five, on the way to school, we began discussing Jesus and how He lives in our hearts.  I explained to Taylor that we have to ask Him to live in our hearts and asked if she would like to invite him to live in her heart.  She replied, "Oh mama, I already have done that......I said Jesus, will you come live in my heart?  And He said, ok."  After much discussion and prayer, she was baptized later that year by both of her grandfathers.  It is such a blessing to know that she is a child of God.  Little did I know the plans He had (and has) for my child.......