I have felt more stretched in this last month than I have in a long time. I am being humbled daily, by remembering that I can’t do this on my own. I recently finished reading Radical: Taking back your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt. If you are willing to challenge the American Dream, definitely a great read. Since our family has stepped away from the states for a little over 4 months now, it has really opened my eyes to just how comfortable we try to make worship experiences for people.
As I type this now I am alternating between two Hillsong songs that have been daily prayers for me. The first is “Oceans”:
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
San Juan has always been a second home to me. I have been coming here almost every year for the last 12 years and once before that. But there is something about living here that makes life just a little more challenging then just popping in for a week or two. I’m not picking Spanish up as quickly as I would like to, and I’m not comfortable driving amongst the locals. I am patient, but then I get really frustrated when I don’t see changes. I can understand some conversations in Spanish, but my limited vocabulary keeps me from giving much of a response. Maybe God is teaching me to be more intentional about listening to others.
The second song is “I Surrender”:
Here I am
Down on my knees again
Surrendering all
Surrendering all
Find me here
Lord as You draw me near
Desperate for You
Desperate for You
I surrender
Drench my soul
As mercy and grace unfold
I hunger and thirst
I hunger and thirst
With arms stretched wide
I know You hear my cry
Speak to me now
Speak to me now
I surrender
I surrender
I want to know You more
I want to know You more
Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me
Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me
The last couple of weeks I have been really intentional about finding quiet time with God while Braegan is napping. It usually consists of laying on our roof top with my Bible, a book….and of course the mountains that surround us. I enjoy the stillness, and the fact that I am living in a valley surrounded by beautiful palm trees and mountains.
I’ve been given the opportunity the last couple of weeks to read to a couple of elementary classes. Strangely, this has been encouraging and hard at the same time. I realize just how much I miss being in the classroom. I could sit and talk to the kids all day, except my questions would revolve around colors, family, and how old they are. I miss laughing with my students about silly Youtube videos and learning with them each day. I know this will all come with time, and I only need to be still and be patient for God to present these opportunities. This Friday evening I have been invited to a Cultural Fair at one of our schools. I’m really looking forward to experiencing a cultural fair in another country!
Braegan loves visiting the schools with me, and the students enjoy talking to her. If Braegan is not in my arms, I am bombarded with the question “y tu bebe?”, once I answer, they going running to find her. Braegan Mae will be 1 year old on Saturday. I can’t believe how fast this past year has gone. She has spent 1/3 of her life in the Dominican Republic, which is awesome! She is cutting her 6th tooth and is just about to start walking on her own. We are excited to continue to watch her grow and develop!
We are waiting for the last documents to arrive from the states for us to submit for our residency, hopefully we are nearing the end of phase 2 of the Residency Process. In the next month we will also have several visitors and are looking forward to them visiting our new home. Jeff’s grandparents will be here for a week at the end of February, my parents will visit at the beginning of March, and Jeff’s at the end of March.