Wait a second! A minute! A day... week... month...year?!

I HATE to wait.

I always have.

There are times I specifically remember waiting for my mom to pick me up after school. Sitting on the round-a-bout at Warwick Academy. The students who were over 16 years old had long since sped away on their mopeds, the crew on the basketball court had widdled away and those coming for swim practice were starting to arrive.

There I sat. Waiting.

Mom would just roll in like it was no big deal. I'd climb in, taking my school tie off immediately and slamming the door behind me.

"Why are you late?" - I was sassy.

"It is 3:39. You got out of class 9 minutes ago."

WHAT?! It felt like an eternity. School had cleared out in the blink of an eye.

It was around that time in my life that it was the trend for teens at youth group and summer camp to pick out a life verse. Something that might inspire you... empower you... lead you to do great things!

I knew I had an issue with patience. So I searched every verse I could find about patience.

Isaiah 40:31 seemed good. BOOM. Life verse. Check.

Little did I know how much of an impact this verse and chapter might have on my life in the years to come.

In the last few weeks I have been reminded and challenged about waiting again.

Waiting on GOD's timing. Trusting HIS perfect plan.

But it was this past Thursday that got me thinking again.

Although I had prayed about stopping street ministry for the summer (there is a LOT going on people!) I had made a previous commitment with some ladies from Alabama. So Thursday night was a GO.

After prayer asking GOD to shut our mouths and speak through us, that girls might come to know HIM and that they would leave the streets; we split in to teams, divided up the tracts and spoke as the Spirit led.

At the very beginning of the street our group had the opportunity to share with 3 ladies that were sitting on a wall. They were clearly waiting for clients and even expressed their reasons for being there within minutes of us chatting. We had the opportunity to share CHRIST with them and reminded them of the precious work of CHRIST on the cross. "IT IS DONE." They smiled and told us that they knew they weren't on the right path, but that they were there simply to provide for their families.

In the next few minutes we shared about the opportunities and ministry that was open to women seeking change for themselves and their families. We told them about lives that had been changed - since there is power in the blood! - and women that had been restored.

They listened intently. We prayed with them. Then we left.

One of the other teams had an opportunity to meet with these girls one more time before we headed home too.

Less than an hour later I received a text message from one of the girls saying that the three of them had decided to head on home.

An INSTANT answer to prayer.

Graduation time with some of our youth group kids!

(We are still following up with the girls, so hold tight for more answered prayers)

The following day my hubby and I were chatting and praising the LORD for the things that had occurred. But my mind continued to ponder...

Why does GOD answer some things immediately and other things take so long (like our passports that have now taken almost 4 months. I so desperately want to go home and introduce Josiah to my family before he is a teenager)? Wouldn't it be fantastic to pray and mid-sentence see the handiwork of GOD right before our eyes?

Here is what I have learned over the years. GOD is not Santa Claus. HE owes me nothing because I'm a good girl or because I was on my best behavior. I don't deserve answers to prayer.

Yet... because of HIS work on the cross I owe HIM everything. I gladly give HIM my life <3

Isaiah 40:30, "...but they who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Do you know, if you look at the verses before this verse it talks about how awesome GOD is? Then in to the next chapter there are several mentions of how GOD never leaves or forsakes us.

No mention of how awesome I am and all that GOD ought to give me in life. Just reminders over and over again about how amazing HE is and then this verse to tell us that even when we're sitting around waiting for answers, GOD is growing us still.

A little trip to Santo Domingo

Do I like to wait? No... I still don't enjoy to wait. But in waiting I am thankful that HE is doing something fabulous in me. HE's making me more like HIM :)

In our time of waiting a lot has still been happening. We had teams come to minister to the women at the Lily House, then we had a group come and take over youth group on Friday night too. We are blessed by those who come willing and prepared to serve!

Saturday afternoon was a different kind of ministry as we attended graduation for some kids that attend church/youth group. Robersy was the "padrino" (an escort for the ceremony - usually someone of influence in the young person's life) for one of our young ladies and we were encouraged to see our kids taking school seriously.

Then Sunday we were able to relax a bit with some friends :)
Josiah even picked up a modeling gig for Krispy Kreme (heehee, just kidding!!! Although those chunky cheeks are worthy of representing the donut chain)

Thankful for a great week. Please be praying for meetings, services, camp prep (July 5-8) and of course the passports. We WAIT to see GOD do through great things!

Loving. Living. Learning.

The power is back!

Honestly, I was kind of thankful when I got up and realized the electricity wasn't back yet. Although the nights are H-O-T with no electricity to run a fan, the days with no electricity have no distractions. 

No television. No internet. A breath of fresh air.

I got the whole house cleaned, some laundry done and a pile of "stuff" (a little of everything) sorted.

Now Josiah is talking to himself on his play mat while Disney Jr. plays in the back ground, Robersy is making some tostones (fried plantain) and salami, I'm writing my blog and the rain is pouring outside.

As I sit here reflecting over the last week I am beyond grateful for time to rest, lessons learned and prayers answered.

No. No passports. But still... prayers answered :)

For those who are visiting my blog for the first time, or just need a refresher... a church in Georgia has invited Robersy and 10 boys to play baseball. They will be involved in clinics and games, as well as some fun activities.

Our friend, Taylor Barnes, has poured his heart and soul in to making this trip INCREDIBLE for these boys.

I know that to many this is JUST a TRIP.

But to the 10 boys traveling to Atlanta, this is a LIFE-CHANGER.

These particular 10 boys have not grown up in the best of circumstances or with the material possessions we have come to believe are NORMAL. 

Some of their families struggle to provide 3 meals a day and a few are behind in school because they received their birth certificates late - a requirement for schooling here in the D.R.

These boys don't have more than 1 pair of sneakers to pick and chose from before heading to the baseball field in the mornings and the gloves, bats, etc. that they DO have are thanks to the groups that have come and served beside the team on mission trips.

The reason Robersy has such a heart for these kids is because he has been in their shoes. 

Through the world's eyes, they don't have much... but in light of eternity they have EVERYTHING.

........

These kids have come to know the ONE who gave HIS life for their freedom.

They worship the ONE who is worthy of praise.

They adore the ONE who knows them best.

They love the ONE in whom their hope is found.

Are they perfect? NO! 

Will they all be professional baseball players? NO!

But each one can say Philippians 3:20-21 with confidence.

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

So this is not JUST a trip - is it an opportunity for these boys to shine for Jesus in another part of the world and play baseball for God's glory.

They are beyond excited!!!

Thankfully, all of their visas were approved, so now we are patiently waiting for Robersy and my passports as they had been sent off as evidence for Josiah's passport.

We appreciate your prayers as time is running short. 

On an exciting note though, we found the information needed to purchase the tickets. So we are booked and ready to go.

We just need the passports :)

Waiting is not always easy, but I am learning about God's PERFECT timing in all of this. Believe me!

Robersy learned a little about waiting... and resting... this week as he pulled something in his neck. Poor thing was bed ridden for a couple of days, but is a lot better. 

Girl's sleepover!

He was well enough to have a sleepover this weekend though. He had some boys over while Josiah and I went to a sleepover for the youth group girls.

We love the adopted sons and daughters that God has placed in our care!

And we LOOOOVED Sunday afternoon when we could catch up on our lack of sleep from the sleepover shenanigans.

So that is what we've been up to.

Loving.

Living.

Learning.

We trust you've had a good week and we look forward to sharing more about what GOD is doing next Monday. Stay tuned!!!

Suffocating.

I don't think I have ever squeezed Josiah so tight as I did last night.

Fear.
Frustration.
Relief.

All flowing through me at the same time.

Honestly, I have gone back and forth all morning whether this is the right thing to share. Fears of being judged as a bad parent, a bad missionary, a bad Christian.

But sometimes it's our reality that encourages others to step up. To make a change. And in making a change... making a greater difference in the lives of others.

I sleep pretty soundly at night. Earplugs in. Eye mask on. Happy as a lark. 

Before having Josiah my mom gave me lectures on how I needed to change my "dangerous" habit (earplugs and eye mask) in fear of hurting her grandson, but I promised her that I would be careful. If at any point Josiah's life was jeopardized, eye mask would be off and earplugs would be out!

Saying that, if I've learned one thing it's that mother's intuition is a REAL thing! Josiah has yet to cry to get out of bed. I usually wake up when he wiggles around and am in his room before he can make a sound. I like to think it's a super power - but it might be that I'm a super light sleeper :)

Anyways, as the weather has gotten hotter we've moved an extra fan in to Josiah's room (we don't have AC), but in fear that the temperature will drop during the night and he'll turn in to a popsicle, I wrap him up in a mini sheet.

Well... Josiah has gotten wigglier (is that a word?!) lately. I mean REALLY wiggly!!! I put him on his play mat and find him in the middle of the floor. Letting him play on our bed is now only under complete supervision! However, I thought he was safe at night.

Until last night.

Around 3am I woke up to hear "Nnnnnnnnnn, nnnnnnnn." I have never jumped up so fast! I RAN in to Josiah's room with Robersy on my heels only to find Josiah's head at the foot of his crib completely covered in the mini sheet :'(

My heart hurts to think how long he had been struggling. Poor baby!!!! I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

I took off the sheet, checked his startled little face and squeezed his tiny body until his heart stopped pounding. Then Robersy and I snuggled with him in our bed until the two of our hearts stopped pounding too... thanking the Lord over and over again for waking us up (even with the earplugs and eye mask), getting us out of bed and finding out the situation before it was too late.

Can I be real with you?

Sneaking in some family nap time!

Lately that is exactly how I feel in life. Smothered. Completely unable to breath. Exhausted. Frustrated. Desperate for relief. Our lives consumed with ministry and busyness. 

I'm being real - so please don't judge.

The days we have to rest... something always comes up. The nights we have free... another meeting. Full-time ministry has become exactly that - FULL TIME. 24/7.

I feel overwhelmed and tired.

Suffocating.

But lately the LORD has shown be areas in my life that can be switched or changed around to give HIM more time and of course giving me more time with my family too (my first and most important ministry).

Removed the sheet, you can say.

But I feel afraid and anxious... even pressured by others to grab the sheet again.

Thankful for those who give - your ministry is appreciated!

Question. Wouldn't it be absurd for Josiah... after removing the sheet from his face (and the 5 little stuffed animals decorating his crib) to reach out of his crib, grab the sheet, pull it back in and cover his face again?

Many times this is what I do. GOD provides a time of rest, a break, a chance to free up my schedule and because of a "need" I reach out, grab the next task and find myself suffocating once again.

Does anyone else do this?!

Full-time ministry or just life in general. Work. Plans. Bible studies. Meetings. Ministry. Jobs.

Thankful for times of teaching even in
the craziest of times.

Maybe your filling your life with stuff, when GOD is trying to remove that from distracting you from HIM.

Maybe you've added a million things to your agenda to distract yourself from facing a reality. A conflict, a death, a problem. When HE's crying out and begging you to let HIM intercede.

Last week I shared about the desire to get in HIS face... but the busyness and ministry has become the sheet in my life. Covering me completely and keeping me from growing closer to HIM. HE shows me a way out, but I keep reaching out and grabbing the sheet over and over again.

So friends. I ask you to pray as I seek God's guidance for changes in my life.

Changes that might bring HIM glory... not seeking man's glory.

And I shall be praying for those who can relate.


Serving the LORD in any capacity is not an easy task, but I pray that both you and I can place our ministry as an offering at HIS feet... not rob HIM of the glory HE deserves by being busy.

In YOUR face!

I loooooove my husband!!! Anyone who knows us well, knows I truly do!

There is a quote about marriage that describes us perfectly. It says, "Marriage is finding that special someone to annoy for the rest of your life."

HAHA! That's us :)

We agree on many things and then we agree to disagree on the others. Like any "normal" married couple, I assume.

However, from the night we arrived home from the hospital with our bundle of joy, we have been in 100% agreement of one thing in particular...

Josiah sleeps in his own bed!

Between Robersy's fear of smooshing him and my desire to get sleep... this is something that works for us. And so far it has been fantastic.

HOWEVER... a few days ago I went on a ladies retreat (along with our babies) and decided... let me have Josiah sleep in the bed with me. The bed was big enough, it was just the two of us, what could go wrong?!

:)

Apparently Josiah thought it was the best thing ever to sleep with mommy. I woke up 5-10 times throughout the night to find him touching my face, holding my finger, kicking me, rubbing my arm or just staring at me...

Josiah in my face!!!

And as cute a face it is to wake up to, this one night (the second night I made a make shift bed for him on the floor) confirmed our decision to continue with Josiah in his own bed.

Saying that... I was reminded of something beautiful through Josiah being in my face!

At the beginning of the year I claimed the verse Psalm 42:1-2a for the year. 

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."

I want to have the mindset of Josiah, but with my Saviour. To crave Jesus all day, every day. To be in His face!

This is the top prayer in my life lately... may Jesus be my sole desire. Even when I'm busy, even when life is crazy, even when I "don't have time!" May He be my everything! 

I pray this might be the case for you too :)

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In other news - I didn't announce last week, but the 10 boys who we are taking to play baseball in Atlanta were ALL granted their visas! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

We will be heading out there in July 16th.

The day after we were given their visas, we received an email inviting us to an interview for Josiah's passport. It is tomorrow in the afternoon so PLEASE be praying that everything goes smoothly!

We will let you know how it goes.

See you next Monday friends... and please let us know how we can be praying for you!