purpose & passion

Its October. Can you believe it? In just three short months I will be well on my way to the land of Nicaragua, also known as our second home. I will be greeted by smiling faces, cold hands, warm hugs, and Spanglish conversations. I will fight back tears as joy overwhelms me. Oh, how I long for that day! Every year (except one) since we've been married, and even the year before when we were dating/practically engaged, my husband and I have scrapped and saved to travel the many miles to Central America to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to the people, more specifically, the children of Nicaragua. We bring gifts to over 30 orphaned children. We relieve workers in the orphanage and ministry so they can go home to spend holiday time with their families. We bring a month's supply of rice and beans to families that we have met and grown to know over the years. We are there to be used however God leads. Every year brings new challenges and lessons. Every year brings a stronger burden and brokenness for the poor, the lost, the hopeless. And every year when I think I can't wait to come home to my own soft, warm bed, I end up longing to be back in the mosquito-infested, damp room sleeping on the 1970-style bunk bed mattress- only waiting to be awakened by screams, giggles, and loud voices that echo throughout the huge, open building. I can hardly imagine life without these experiences that I have and continue to encounter. The provision and faithfulness of our God is incredible. I am so grateful that our plane tickets are booked and paid for. I am excited for our fundraiser ideas. I am thankful that despite the busy-ness of this season that seems to consume our lives as American citizens- that I have December 30th to prepare for and look forward to. Sometimes life seems so mundane. The routine becomes just that- a routine. God is so good to give us insight into the call He has on our lives. He wants to use us in areas that gives us so much joy it makes our hearts ache. If you are struggling with the monotony of life and wonder where the purpose is- simply ask- He will bring purpose and passion to areas you never dreamed.

Isaiah 61: 1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, 

because the Lord has annointed me to bring good news to the poor, 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

 to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the 

opening of the prison to those who are bound..."

A little bittersweet

Today as I was out running errands, a little out of it due to the fact that I'm under the influence of lots of cold medicine, I remembered what today is. January 31st. Five years ago today the love of my life & my best friend popped the question, asking me to commit to spending the rest of my life with him. That was the one of the easiest decisions I ever made! Of course we had been discussing this possibility for awhile at this point, so I wasn't completely caught off guard. However, that night as he drove me up as close to the Blue Ridge Parkway as we could get in January, with snow storm warnings for our county, he came to a stop, got out and opened my door telling me to hop out for a minute. Me? Get out of this warm vehicle? I was thinking to myself, Is he crazy? This better be quick! Little did I know he had had a diamond ring in his pocket this whole time and would soon be down on one knee! Ah...we were so young and naive but so ready to begin the journey of marriage together. No regrets. And I can honestly say I love him even more today than I did that night on January 31, 2007.....and that is saying a lot! 
We first began talking about spending forever together at the top of a mountain in Jinotega, Nicaragua. Pretty amazing that God chose to bring us together through giving us both a heart for His children. In honor of that, I want to share an excerpt from my journal on this past trip to give you a glimpse of the passion I have for the people of Nicaragua and whatever God has for us to do there in the future. 
    Saturday, January 7, 2012- Our Jinotegan farewell today was the most memorable yet. Bob [my father-in-law and leader of the team] asked all the kids to come out on the porch as he read Hebrews 12 over them. Then our team of gringos had the privilege and opportunity to pray over each child. It was then that the tears began to fall both in our eyes and theirs. Throughout each trip every normal person deals with the spiritual attack of "is what I am doing worth anything? Am I making even the smallest bit of difference in the lives of these kids?" And even though it is heart-wrenching to see the tears well up in the precious eyes of these children of God- it is genuine evidence, for me, that yes, it has made a difference. That smile, that awkward Spanglish conversation, that simple act of giving of myself even when it seemed so insignificant. There is a sense of urgency that comes with this realization- to say the right thing into the ear of the child you're embracing...to make sure they know how much you love them and how much God loves them and has a plan for their lives. There are few words through my tears as I attempt to keep it together. All I know to do at this point is pray, Jesus, reveal yourself to them. I promise to each of them, "Hasta pronto!" meaning see you soon. These last moments are precious and truly a gift from You, Lord. I am so grateful to experience a glimpse of the love of Jesus and the compassion You have for Your people. Father God, protect these kids not only from physical harm but from spiritual harm, and deliver them from any bondage from their past. Lord Jesus help them to embrace You and walk in the power and authority You have given them to overcome their past and be released from the brokenness of abandonment. Thank You Jesus for equipping Your saints- for meeting us where we are in that moment and bringing us to a better place. 

My little Alandra and me- taken on the day I wrote this. She is precious- I miss her like crazy!