Engaged! Your invitation...

Just three days before I flew to Melbourne, Wilson asked me to be his lifelong friend and partner in life ... I said YES!!

For those who haven't heard, Wilson and I are now ENGAGED!!

It's been two weeks now since we've been oceans apart and I miss him dearly!

I said goodbye at Port-au-prince airport with the HOPE that we would soon meet in Melbourne not long after I'd left.  I was looking forward to showing him my home country, Australia, as well as introducing him to my family and friends. But a week after I arrived "home" we found out that his visit would not be possible due to circumstances out of our control.  It was a sad day :-(

For now, this blog post will have to suffice for our engagement celebration.

Apart from getting engaged, a lot has happened in those 2 weeks!

While I've been back "home" Wilson was granted a Student Visa for the United States, confirming that  the next 12 months would be spent apart (but not until a short reunion in Colorado!)

If you are free on July 28 please join us for an ENGAGEMENT celebration in Colorado.

I know you're asking the question... When is the wedding?  Where is the wedding?

No date has been set yet, but we're aiming for December.  

As for the location... we are still deciding between Haiti, the United States or Australia?

For those who don't know Wilson his heart is a treasure.  I am honored that he has chosen me to discover the depth of that treasure :-)

So who is this man who has captured my heart?

Not many people are privileged to know Wilson like I know him.  He has a strong and determined spirit, especially in the face of obstacles and challenges.  I admire his faith and hope that has carried him through tough times.  He is fun, playful and loving!  He is affectionate and unafraid to express his feelings.  He is a great listener and enjoys sharing deep and insightful words of wisdom.

He is generous towards the people in his community and cares about making a difference to his country.  He has a HUGE heart that wants to help others!  

After the 2010 earthquake he interpreted for many international medical teams that came to assist Haiti.

He has now been given the opportunity to undertake studies in a medical profession.  

This is a HUGE blessing!

(Those who have attempted to apply for College in the States, as well as a U.S. Visa will truly appreciate the blessing that this is for Wilson)

But it's not for his achievements or qualities that I love this man...

There is no explanation for a love that God causes to grow between two hearts!

I love Wilson's life goals: to love God and love others... and his commitment to love me the best way he can.  I am excited to begin the next chapter of our lives together!

But before this can happen my fiance is fulfilling a life-long dream to further his education.

I am honored to be alongside him in pursuit of this dream, even if it's from the distant shores of Haiti.

We would like to invite all our family and friends to join us on this journey.

Unfortunately, I have no room in my suitcase to receive any engagement gifts but we welcome with open arms your prayers, love and financial support. If you would like to give a monetary gift towards Wilson's education and our future as a couple, we would be indebted to you.  

The best way to do this would be via PayPal.  Email me for details.

We have until July 20 to pay Wilson's school fees upfront.

We welcome you into this new chapter of our lives

and hope to meet you "together" one day... be it in Haiti, Colorado or Geelong!

Much love Kellyanne (and Wilson)

Things I enjoy...

No matter where you live, Haiti, Australia, the United States or Timbuktu, our lives tend to fall into a routine.  For most of us, it's work, eat and sleep... work, eat and sleep, with a few variations.  It's important to find time for recreation and the things you enjoy doing, just to break up the routine!  I knew this would be a challenge for me before coming to Haiti, because the things I enjoy would not be easily accessible here.  For example; going for a walk / run around the Barwon River.  This is one of my most favorite things to do.  It's where I have ME time and GOD time; it's where I find peace in the tranquil surroundings.  

The bustling city of Port-au-prince does not offer the same environment.  The opportunities I get to leave this city and visit the beautiful, green rural areas of Haiti are few and far between (once a month if I'm lucky!).  Why?  Transport isn't always available nor the company to travel with (I won't travel alone in Haiti as a white, female who does not speak the native language, fluently... and who has little sense of  direction).

Losing my independence has been one of the hardest things about living in Haiti.  Losing what's familiar to me and grieving (strong word!) over the things I can do back home which I cannot do here.

Was my joy placed in being able to do whatever I want, when I want to?

There are other things I enjoy other than finding a beautiful place in nature to be still.  They are; reading a Francine Rivers novel, playing guitar, learning to cook something new, playing with babies and small children, worshipping God through song and talking with a girlfriend.

Over the last few weeks (maybe even months) I've noticed that I've not made time for the things I enjoy!  I've retreated to the four walls of my bedroom.  But I don't want it to be this way next school year.  I'm looking forward to the R&R in Australia and gaining back some of my independence.  I know that returning to Haiti will at first be difficult and I will need to make some changes, and I'll need the support of others to keep me accountable.  Kind of like a New Year's resolution...

Here's my list of changes....

• Start reading books unrelated to work!  An intriguing novel.  Read each night before going to bed.  Buy a kindle?
• Take up guitar lessons again.
• Invite someone for dinner once a week and cook something new! 
• Find some small children to hang out with (the cuddly kind and those that don't backchat... lol).  Babysit for someone?
• Skype home more often; schedule regular Skype dates with family and friends (even if it means waking up an indecent hour!)
• Get more sleep!  Eat well!  Exercise!  Laugh more!

Let me know if you'd like to sign up and help!