Due in January!!! Or February? Maybe March?!

I remember a post that someone put on my Facebook regarding pregnancy.

"Every month has an average of 30-31 days... 
Except the last month of pregnancy, which has 42,015 days."

I laughed when it was posted, but it has brought me to tears throughout the 42,000 days that I have gone through already :)

Ok. So it hasn't been HORRIBLE. I am actually thankful for a very healthy and somewhat easy pregnancy. Up until the last few weeks I had asked Robersy for ONE foot massage in my entire pregnancy. I continued in ministry until my sister arrived. And even this morning I swept and mopped my house on my own (Debz polished the furniture. She has been helping too!)

*NOTE* This is NOT to make others with difficult pregnancies feel bad, I am just sincerely and truly thankful for the pregnancy that I have had (P.S. You know how they say God won't give us more than we can handle... He must know I'm a wimp! LOL)

But on Monday I cried. At the Obgyn. While still on the table. TMI? 

Frustrated that my body won't do what I want it to do (aka give birth... and believe me I have tried almost EVERY natural method to induce, including a double shot of Balsamic Vinegar. BLEUGH!) in the time frame that I had hoped. 

Knowing that my sister, who flew down from PA to hold my hand through the scariest event of my life, is leaving this Thursday after waiting around with me for over 2 weeks.

Feeling heavy, bloated and in quite a bit of pain with very little sleep because my arm is almost always tingly or completely asleep and I have to move and stretch and try to find a position that gives me the most relief so I can sleep a little in between trips to the loo.

But as we were leaving I couldn't help but hug my doctor. She is completely going against what the Dominican culture has taught her.

With most other doctors, my kid would have been out right at 40 weeks (or whenever they could fit me in at the hospital) and only by c-section (the Dominican Republic has the highest rate of c-sections in the world -C-section ‘Epidemic’) . My doctor has respected my decision to birth naturally (unless there is any emergency health situation for either my baby or myself) and has encouraged me through my entire pregnancy in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

She has been great. 
And that is my human doctor. 

God - my Spiritual doctor - has been teaching me and growing me in the last few weeks to have the healthiest relationship with Him as well. 

At the beginning of the year I chose Psalm 42:1-2 to represent the kind of relationship I want to have with my Savior this year. I want to crave Him. Desire to be in His presence. Seek Him before all else. I want Him to be my everything.

Funny story - sorry, it involves my dogs!

Last week I was walking my pups and this kid, who was riding his bicycle to school, stopped me. "Excuse me. Are those... (squinting his eyes and staring for a bit) ...are those street dogs?" HA-HA!

I looked at Chiquita and Tonky who very clearly look like every other dog you'll find on the streets of the Dominican Republic. "Um, kind of. They were street dogs, but we rescued them, cleaned them up a bit and taught them how to be house dogs."

He continued to stare.

After a creepy amount of time just standing there I said, "Well have a good day at school."

He couldn't believe it.

These 2 dogs that look a lot like every other dog you'd see, had something special. Something that stood out. Something different. That had been rescued and changed (although I literally just went and spanked Tonky for barking at the truck in front of out house... again. Change happens slower in some. LOL!)

That's what I want in my life. People to see that I kind of look normal (although right now I stand out a little. Have people never seen a pregnant person before?!), but there is something different. They might not be able to put their finger on it right away, but after a second or two I pray that Jesus shines so brightly through me that there is no denying it is Him who rescued and changed me for HIS glory.

So, basically. This time at home has been some good growing time. Frustrating? YES! Painful? YES! Loooooonnnng? YES! But worth it in order to learn a little and grow a bit more. FOR SURE. 

And even more of a blessing because Robersy has been able to continue in ministry and continue to preach and teach and disciple, so we have celebrated new life in Christ Jesus for a few boys on his team and in the youth group.

God DOES have a plan. We are blessed to be a part.
We continue to wait on His timing for our little one. Praying for a safe delivery.


Now a TIDBIT from 
Little Debbie (sweet as can be, lol)... 
Debbie Crocker (she loves to bake and cook)... 
my baby sister, Deborah Horton.

I arrived in the DR 2 weeks ago fully expecting to spend the majority of my time holding a plump, smiling, little nephew.

But alas.

Josiah has yet to grace us with his presence.

Shopping for fruits and veggies

So instead, as the Lord would have it, I've had the opportunity to help Sarah (or at least try to) leading up to the big day, whether I am here or not.

We've had some fun and relaxing days on the beach, getting pedicures at the Lily House and even baking cookies. For being over 9 months pregnant, Sarah can still get around! 

On other days we've gotten things prepared for the baby or cleaned up around the house.

I have enjoyed my time here in the Dominican.

While being here I've also been able to have a small glimpse of the ministry that God has called Robersy and Sarah to. It is clear that God knew what He was doing when He called them here.

I've been able to see a little bit of what goes on in Sarah's small group with the GAP students, her ministry at the Lily House, meet a bunch of Robersy's boys, went to youth group, been present at SCORE night, attended church and have had the chance to just hang with some of the Laras friends. 

Learning to drive

One of the experiences that impacted me the most was having the opportunity to go to the streets with Sarah. For those of you who know me, you know how God has given me a heart for victims of human-trafficking so it was very eye-opening to be able to meet women that are currently prostituting on the streets of Boca Chica.

Making tostones

Two things stood out to me during our time. The first being how these women simply crave to be loved. When they saw Sarah they would run up to her, give her a hug and of course ask her how in the world she was still pregnant. The second thing was how easily Sarah was able to show them that love. There was no condemnation, just a desire to show them the love of Christ. It brought John 13:34-35 to reality.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I saw the same in Robersy with his boys and I am not surprised that this love has lead many of them to Jesus.

He is literally on top of Sarah's belly!

As my time in the DR comes to a close I'm certainly thankful to have been able to witness the impact that Robersy and Sarah are having here in the Dominican, by the grace of God alone.

Love him!!!

Prayerfully I'll be able to hold that plump jelly bean before I return to my hunky hubby, but in the meantime, I am thankful that the Lily House girls let me love on their sweet babies for now.

On a side note, a gentle request for everyone to stop praying that Josiah will be born on THEIR birthday. I mean, I get it... but he can't have 10 birthdays and I think he's getting confused. Bless his little heart. LOL!

Thank you all for the love and care that you have my sister, brother-in-law and nephew. Keep encouraging them since, as I know from experience, ministry has it's highs and lows. They need prayer in all things.

Thanks for letting me take over your blog, Sar :)