Guyana was one of the most unique places I have ever visited. For example, it’s part of South America but self identifies as a Caribbean Island. The population is mostly made up of Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese whose ancestors immigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries to work on sugar cane population under Dutch and then British control. The merging of so many cultures, including the native Ameri-Indian population as well, has …
Haiti’s Got Talent – and they are using it to free their child slaves. Songs for Freedom, or as NPR put it, the Haitian “American Idol” will probably forever be one of my most memorable nights yet to date. While I was with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Port au Prince, Haiti a few weeks back we had the pleasure of meeting the inspiring people of the organization, …
“Coffee is more than a hot drink, more than a morning beverage, more than a caffeine lift. It’s a global thread” -Bittersweet Monthly Since returning from Colombia a few months ago you have heard me talk about the incredible farmers and how I will never drink a cup of coffee the same way again, but you haven’t heard the whole story. After meeting the people of Miranda, Colombia and watching them …
The ENFP in me loved the fact that we had no real plans heading up to New York over Labor Day weekend. If you are a very Type-A person I am sorry if this next sentence makes you shudder: We didn’t decide whether we would bus, train, or drive until the night before we left and due to the nature of the hotel credits we had, didn’t book a hotel …
I swear there is just something magical about New York City. I feel it every time we step out of Penn Station and on to the streets. Anyone else feel this way?? I was the lucky winner of some hotel credits through this lovely blog a few months ago and couldn’t wait to escape somewhere with Dave for a weekend. We decided on New York because of the friends we …
I sure do love living in Washington, DC but this Michigan-girl really misses living by water. I just find so much comfort in the breeze that comes in over the water and sound of the waves hitting the shore. A week by the ocean with family and friends was exactly what Dave and I needed. We rented a house by the water that had a littler private beach and neighborhood swimming …
A few months ago we had the privilege of traveling to Colombia with a team from Redeeming Grounds. I have already talked a bit about the towns we visited and our afternoon at the National Coffee Park, but I thought was time to talk about the real reason why we were in Colombia: some incredible coffee farmers. Meet Richard, Pablo, and Christian. These three men prayerfully and bravely cut down their …
After seeing an epic sunset on our way into Shenandoah National Park we decided we had to get up early for the sunrise. We stayed in the Lewis Mountain Cabins and made ourselves a nice fire before going to bed. We were up at around 5 am and loaded into the car to begin chasing the sunrise. Unfortunately we did not find an overlook in our area of the park …
It’s only been warm for a few weeks but we have already been able to enjoy some time away in nearby national parks – such a great way to kick off summer. Natalie and Jake were over at our house last weekend playing Settlers of Catan (you know, like the cool kids do) and we all decided to plan a spontaneous trip out of town to celebrate Natalie’s birthday. Five …
While waiting for Dave to shoot a video time lapse by this beautiful, old church on our last night in Colombia, I decided to wander around the neighborhood. As I was walking I heard the sound of horses and looked up to see a group of Colombian cowboys thundering up the street on their way to a local bar. The way the Colombian cowboys move with their horses as they ride is …