The Waiting

Have you ever wanted to fast forward time without missing the memories that you would make in between where you are and where you want to be? I certainly have. The most memorable moment recently was my engagement before saying "i do", and before that it was waiting to be engaged, and before that it was waiting to see if Jacob really liked me, and before that....so many things.

I really dislike the waiting. It's an awkward thing to be in between stages, however necessary the transition. The training, processing, planning, waiting, fasting, praying, hoping, great mysterious in between. So much can happen during this time, and it looks different to every person.

You are waiting for a job to pay your bills.
You are waiting for test results.
You are waiting for a jury's verdict.
You are waiting for two lines to light up on the pregnancy test.
You are waiting on an important phone call.
You are waiting on your solider to come home.
You are waiting for your baby to fall back asleep in the middle of the night.

The waiting will show you the condition of your heart.
And that is what really matters.

Round one, done!

Instead of starting this post off with something I'm not, since I'm doing a negativity fast that I will write about soon, I will start it with something that I am great at. I am great at finding solutions. If I don't know the answer, I will find it for you. 

It's actually my job. Almost all day, I am researching items for clients who want whatever it is cheaper than everyone else and delivered yesterday morning. Often, I don't even know what those items are. I get pictures of things sent to my email or an incredibly helpful description like "red suits". What kind of red suits? What brand of red suits? How many red suits? What size red suits? I don't know, and sometimes neither does the person ordering. But if I have to spend all day hanging out on Google with a phone attached to my ear calling vendors, I will find you your red suits. It's just what I do. 

Not only is it my job, but it's part of my personality. I like to solve problems. I like to cross things off my list. I like to be productive. So many people told me that I would be so grateful when the wedding was over so that my life would slow down. Sure there were parts of wedding planning that were a headache, but I really miss it. The busyness and hustle, coordinating events and people- I loved it all. 

I have been back in my element lately with all of the things that I need to do to get ready for my trip to the DR. On top of all of the requirements for ATS and my normal life, I now have to get Jacob and I ready to go out of the country for 10 days. This includes preparing Sweetness for the longest period of time I will go without her. (I'm sure there will be a separate blog post on that at some point.)

One of the things on the list that didn't get crossed off was applying for my passport. I only made it out of the office long enough to bring food back for me and my starving boss at 3:00pm. Today was hectic. Even though that did not get crossed off the list, a few other things did. One of the things that I am most proud of is addressing my first batch of envelopes for my newsletters. Hopefully I will be able to get more resources tonight to send a second batch out tomorrow. The thought about writing out my return address so many times made me cringe a little, so I made return address labels with the cutest "G" on them. 

 My brother in law makes fun of me often for how many G's I have in my home. I have a burlap G on a shelf, G's on my hand towels in the guest bathroom, and a glass vase that my sister gave me that has a burlap wrap around it with an embroidered G. Not that many...right? How can a "G" be cute, you ask? My "G" is most beloved because it means that I am a part of a new family. I am officially a Garza, and that is something that I will always be excited about. 

I really had a blast making these labels and putting them on the envelopes. I hope that all of the newsletters get to where they need to go and that seeing that G will put a smile on the recipient's faces like it did mine. 

Round one, done. Round two, in progress. 

But right now, I'm ringing the 5 o'clock bell and heading to watch two of the cutest little boys for a dear friend. 

5 o'clock never felt so good as it does right now.  

We are going to the Dominican Republic!

Hey! Did you know that my handsome husband and I have an awesome opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic this summer?! Well, it's true. We do. And we are so incredibly excited. 

We are over halfway through with a nine month training school called ATS (Antioch Training School). In my opinion, this class should be a requirement for anyone who loves Jesus. It is intense. We meet once a week corporately and twice a month in small groups for teaching, accountability, and worship through singing. It is has completely changed my life for the better. I 100% recommend it. 

As part of the class, there are two trips planned for this summer for international missions. We have one team doing an exploratory trip to Turkey, and one team going to an established church in the Dominican Republic lead by the fierce and fabulous leaders, Stanley Philippe and his beautiful wife Amarfry. We have had several other teams go to the DR, as we affectionately call it, so our trip will be focusing on strengthening and encouraging the established church, beginning new lifegroups, reaching the lost trapped in addiction and human trafficking, playing with the kiddos, visiting and aiding the poor, helping at the English school, and just spreading the love of Jesus everywhere we go. 

Jacob and I really covet your prayers as we set on this exciting adventure. I am really looking forward to having a lifetime worth of stories to bring back to you about the amazing work God will do in the DR. God loves the Dominican and Haitian people, and we are blessed to be the hands and feet of change for a broken and lost people. 

If you feel led, we would greatly appreciate any financial support. We have a $4000 goal that must be met to make this trip happen.

Here's how you can give:

- I will be sending a newsletter out to some of you with a stamped envelope if you would like to give by check.

- You can give online to http://www.gofundme.com/Garza

- You can buy a Tshirt here: http://www.booster.com/dreamteammissions

By giving to this goal, you will be supporting our team in changing lives. This is not just a distant land. These are people in need of living water that is ready and available for them to accept. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your encouragement, support, and love. I am looking forward to taking you on this journey with me! Keep checking back for updates! 

Next step on the list- Get our passports!

Are you satisfied?

It's easier to find joy in life when you let God lead.
It's easier for God to lead when you trust Him.
It's easier to trust God when you worship Him and see that He is good and constantly working all things for you and through you in love.
It's easier to see that He is good and working all things for good when you are thankful.
It's easier to be thankful when you slow down to examine the life you are living.
It's easier to examine the life you are living when you eliminate distractions.
It's easier to eliminate distractions when you want something so much more.

Everyone wants something more.

What are you quenching your thirst with?
Are you satisfied?

It's how you view them

I've seen this to be so true for Sweetness. If she is being difficult, it's so easy to get frustrated and even feel validated or just in my heated response to her. However, if I am listening to the Holy Spirit when she is testing the boundaries and press into that area with her, I am most often greeted with a tender side that actually explains what is wrong instead of the face of the temper tantrum. So her and I have really been working on expressing feelings better and not letting her actions get out of control when her emotions are high.

I'm thankful for the teachers, volunteers, and friends who love on Sweetness with patience! I pray for her constantly and try to consistently reinforce her character and the choice she has to be happy or to let her temper get the best of her. But it takes more than just me. So thanks, village of friends, who help me to love and raise one of the most important and precious people in my life.

For those of you who haven't thought about it, try a little tenderness next time your child, your student, your friend or relative, or the child you are watching who might behave badly. Before you react to their emotions, try to think about where the tension is coming from. Press into that place. Dare to get dirty with them and help them back to a level place of peace.

Encourage, reassure, love, reinforce safety and stability, lay firm boundaries but with the clear intent to protect, be transparent in your love for them and always, always point them to the cross.

You never know at what moment that the message will click.