CURVEBALLS

I’m just settling back in after a month visit to the States, and quite frankly I’d like this calm Sunday morning moment lying on the couch, letting the sounds around me soak in, to last just a little while longer.  I am honestly blessed by my friends and family- people who save coupons for me to use while I’m in the area, who give of their homes, beds, hairstyling abilities and vehicles. Most of all they are people who welcome me with open arms to slide into the routines of their lives and make me feel loved and accepted.  I had the opportunity to teach Sunday School in the Women in Leadership class, to share with my church’s youth group, and tell a little of my story in the DR during a church service.  Numerous meals shared, conversations from silly to deep, fun side trips, time to snuggle my nieces and nephew and my friends' children and play checkers with my 91-year-old Grammy.  Too many moments to count for you here, but it’s remembering these moments and counting them as blessings that renew me and give me strength for the journey.

Life has also thrown me some curveballs lately too.  Some have turned out just the way you would want them too- like my dad’s scare with emergency surgery, cancer diagnosis, more surgery, and now the awesome news that he is cancer free.

Then there’s the visa paperwork to try for residency here in the Dominican Republic in order to legalize myself here.  As my ticket back grew closer and no word from the DR Consulate, my nervousness grew. Finally at 10:30am the day before I was set to fly back, I got the word that my paperwork had been processed. Visa denied (which we were expecting, the regulations have been in flux since the beginning of the year- but still disappointing). But that also meant a quick whirlwind trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC to pick up my passport. And while that wasn’t how I had planned to spend my last day in the states, my gracious mother wiggled her clients around so that she could go with me and at 7pm I was back in her Philadelphia home paperwork in hand, and having been complimented by the workers there on my almost Dominican Spanish.

My day of travel included 1 cancelled flight, 4 delays, 1 changed connection, and 1 lost suitcase.  But I Made It. When my plane hit the ground in Santo Domingo at 11:40pm, I breathed a sigh of relief, and when my suitcase was delivered to my apartment the next evening, I said thanks.

The most difficult curveball I’m trying to manage is having had my computer completely erased in a freak incident during backing up the information in the Apple store.  And as of now, they’re not willing to take responsibility. Since it happened during a back-up of my data, everything is gone. While it’s sad and inconvenient to lose exercise videos, music and some photos, it also means ALL of my personal and professional documents- critical stuff. Right now, it most affects me with all of the “unofficial” notes that I keep on Child Nutrition Program families and Sponsors and their Sponsored students, but the impact will be felt for the years to come. It Hurts. BIG.

I am reminded that things often don’t always work out as we planned.  Sometimes they work out even better.  Sometimes it’s small inconvenciences.  Sometimes life-shattering losses.  Sometimes anywhere mixed there in between.  And while I can’t say that I always easily take things in stride, I am learning about holding onto things and people more lightly.  More lightly as in trusting more and more of daily life details, things, relationships to the hands of God. Ultimately it boils down to the fact that regardless of what does or doesn't happen, He CARES FOR ME. And I will continue to Breathe and take hold of His hand.