It's my birthday tomorrow. Hip Hip Hooray! I'm of that rare breed of people who look forward to birthdays (despite the notice that I got that my insurance premiums are going up since I am "officially" changing age categories this year- boo). I mean, it's your own personal holiday. What's not to love?! I love (in a bittersweet kind of way) to look back and celebrate the (at times bittersweet) journey that has led me to where I am today. God is Real. He is Big and Powerful. and He is FULL of LOVE.
The end of July/beginning of August I had the opportunity to spend some time back in Pennsylvania with folks that I love. The trip was spurred by finally getting in to Johns Hopkins to follow up on those pesky health issues. I am happy to say that although there are still questions, there is nothing health-wise that will be keeping me from the work that God has included me in here in the DR at this time. I have grown to realize that the fear of the "what if" was keeping me from stating my commitment to continue work here longer-term (I'll tell you more about that another time!). Sometimes we truly do just need to step out in faith- pase lo que pase (come what may). It was in really letting that sink in, that I was able to breathe and really sink into time I had with family and friends, my home church, my former co-workers, my supporters- and let that encourage me as I prepared to return to the DR.
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| My 90 yr old Grammy called me "her friend"- doesn't get much better than that. |
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| I simply have the most adorable niece and nephew around |
I didn't realize beforehand how very much I needed that time in Pennsylvania, but I can see now how very beneficial it was. Truth be told, without these very important folks in my life, I wouldn't be able to here, and I want each of them to know how very much I love them and am thankful for them. How very proud I am of who they are and how they are digging into the communities in which they live, just as I continue to dig in further to the community here. I am discovering new layers of the importance of community in all of the places I consider "home."
I couldn't have asked for a better week to come back to San Juan either. Cora Hunse and a youth team from Canada arrived just after I did. I was inspired to see these young people and their adult leaders pour out their hearts. To be able to share with them. It was an awesome "welcoming back" to a place that I love.
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| Part of the Jubilee youth team at their work site. |
I'm looking forward to this fall: Getting back into the swing of things with the schools. Being with the Child Nutrition Program. Welcoming Jeff & Kamanda and baby Braegan to our growing Solid Rock team. It will be a time of changes and newness; so it's only fitting that it all begins as I celebrate another birthday :)
