Slippers.

Life has been a blur lately. 

Last week Robersy and I sprawled out on the couch. As I began to think about what I had gotten up to that day I couldn't stop laughing.

I still remember that on that particular day just over a week ago I had ran, studied, squeezed on to a full public bus with Josiah in tow, led a Bible study, stopped an argument, counseled a young lady, fed 2 stray kittens with an eye dropper, put Josiah down for a nap, grabbed something to eat, set up the church for youth group, planned games, checked on the stray kittens and the girl taking care of them, visited a few missionaries going through some tough stuff, ran back to the church to do the finances, grabbed dinner for Josiah, opened up the church for the kids, helped lead youth group, drove some of the kids home and got home with a sleeping baby and exhausted husband around 10PM. 

C-R-A-Z-Y! And so diverse! LOL.

Every day IS different, and our days largely depend on what those we're ministering to are walking through at the time... if that makes sense.

For example. We don't regularly visit the hospital, but if one of our teens/disciples are... we are too. We don't regularly to crisis counseling, but if need-be we do!

As a prepare for a few Bible studies I'm leading this week I've just started Beth Moore's "Believe God" study. I've only gotten through the first video and I think this might be a good one :)

At the end of the study she pulls out 3 pairs of shoes.
A fancy dancy pair.
A pair of slippers.
And a pair of work boots.

Although she has different application, it got me thinking of the shoes we've put on lately and the different seasons we encounter. 

There are seasons of fun, enjoyment and even celebration (when things are going great!). 
There are seasons of REST!
And there are seasons of a whole lotta work!

We're just coming out of a very busy season in our personal lives and ministry. We've had our work boots buckled tight! It's been exhausting, but we're thankful for the things accomplished. However, next week we plan to slip on our slippers and rest for a moment before things get busy again :)

I want to encourage you to pray for your missionaries! Whether local, overseas or wherever they might be. Working with short-term mission teams, camps, VBS, summer conferences, etc. Days and weeks as crazy as ours. Pray that they might find a moment to catch their breath and rest in the arms of our Savior before starting afresh! For the sake of their marriages, families and spiritual lives.

Youth United!!! 4 youth groups together worshiping God!!!

Games at Youth United!

Two of our teens were baptized on Sunday. 

Climbing a mountain on our day off :)

Thank you to all who sent school supplies to SCORE!
These are "back-to-school" gifts we were able to give to our teens.

Our back-to-school activity included games about Science...

Math

And Physical Education

Thankful to a member of our church, Patricia, for sharing the importance of attending school.

All these activities were shared with this crazy little boy <3

Run Away!!!

This morning I had to get away.

My heart.

My thoughts.

I just needed an escape. So I left Josiah with a babysitter... and drove myself to the airport. 

Now, don't call the police. 

I have not deserted my husband or son. There is just something relaxing about watching other people get away.

Actually, watching hellos and goodbyes here at the Santo Domingo Airport is pretty sweet. Whole families and even distant relatives gather to send off one of their own. Baseball players grinning from ear to ear decked out in their team's gear. Students traveling to school. Suit clad women and men heading off for conferences, new experiences, another world.

The expectations of what is to come. The excitement. The thrill.

I remember arriving for the very first time in the Dominican. It would only be 5 weeks... so I thought. Little did I know, it would change my life forever. And thus I began to see GOD's hand move (though HE had been at work long before...). I returned for a year and a half. Then each summer and Christmas. Finally marrying my one true love while following the call of my First Love. 

And ooooohhhhhh the hopes and dreams that filled my heart and journals. What we would do, where we would go, how much we would accomplish. 

But there came a time, dear friends, when expectations collided with reality.

Real people and real problems got in the way of our plan.

And we're left saying... THIS ISN'T HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE!!!

People are supposed to be RUNNING to the Lord. Overwhelmed by the opportunity given for new life and new hope. The thought of sin ought to be bitter-tasting to their grateful hearts. We should have a team of leaders so humbled by the thought of pouring in to young people. An excitement to grow and to see growth. 

Yet we're clawing for just enough leaders to get by. And we're begging our kids to come back to the fold.

WHY?! This isn't how it's supposed to be. Just in the last week I have been brought to my knees for other ministries in the same boat. Physically, emotionally and spiritually battling against Satan and his kingdom and with all the air left in their tired lungs asking our Savior, "Why?"

"Let's run away!" 

I've said it to Robersy and others. 

Always uttered with a smirk on my face. Only whispered with a sprinkle of truth. 

The truth is, here or there, anywhere... there comes a time when expectations collide with reality. 

But then we realize that REALITY is what GOD ALMIGHTY holds in the palm of HIS hands. 

The present and future gently held in HIS grasp. 

A timeline perfectly orchestrated.

Plans that nobody can alter.

And though a quiet, "why?" is still often stifled by my tears I know this to be true...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways," 

declares the LORD. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

As the rain and the snow 

come down from heaven, 

and do not return to it 

without watering the earth 

and making it bud and flourish, 

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 

so is the word that goes out from my mouth: 

It will not return to me empty, 

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." 

Take heart.

HE knows what HE's doing :)

Truly thankful for our missionary family who has loved on us through this tough time
by a listening ear, meals and plenty of hugs. 

Saying goodbye to some of our favorites :( Thankful for the interns who have loved on our teens.

And just a few snap shots of our little man, who has developed 
quite the personality and keeps us cracking up!

"SMILE!"