Updates

Happy New Year....even though we are just a little over 2 weeks into 2012:)  2011 was an adventurous year with its ups and downs.

2012 is off to a great start, I spent the first few days of the year with my family in Indiana.  They are doing well, and it is great to see them getting situated in their new home.  A statement that was made at church this weekend is that life only moves forward, but makes the most sense looking back.  I am thankful that God has led my parents and Lydia to Indiana, and I pray that they are continued to be surrounded by great friends and family.

Jeff is spending his free time playing tennis, he competed in a tournament this weekend.  He is excited to be back on the courts.  He is keeping busy at the Children's Home too.  We are both thankful that this winter has been keeping a low profile.

I am doing well and continuing to enjoy my 3rd graders.  I was informed last week that they think I am a secret agent....ok:)  I truly feel blessed with my placement of teaching this year.  I work with some pretty awesome people, and my kids put a smile on my face every day.  I am also enjoying my down time in the evenings.

Jeff and I share a huge passion for missions and international ministry.  I posted on facebook a little while ago about a magazine that I am in love with, Reject Apathy.  It opens your eyes to issues being faced all over the world.  It was also through this magazine that I was introduced to another organization called Light Gives Heat (LGH).  LGH is based out of Colorado, whose mission is to empower "Africans through the encouragement of economic sustainability and creative endeavors. Motivating people in the west to be the change they want to see in the world."  I have set up a page through their website where you can support their ministry by purchasing the items that the African women are making.  Click here for the link to my site.  My goal is to provide a year of education to the children of Uganda.  You can help through purchasing jewelry, bags, shirts, or pictures from the site.  Each item selected will show you what you are providing to the African people.  This is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.

We are excited to see what the rest of this year has in store.  Hopefully I will find the time to keep you updated on our lives.

Peace

So if you've read much of my blog, you can tell that I absolutely love Hillsong.  A few months ago, I heard this song "Forever Reign," and it was exactly what I needed.  I just came across it again today  and wanted to share the lyrics and song with you.

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

Life.

Well, once again it has been a while since my last post.  I know that God has really been working with me lately.  On my way to school this past week I pulled out my old Hillsong United cd and listened to "Free."  The chorus goes like this:

and if I had wings I would fly

'cause all that I need, you are
and if the world caved in around me
to you I'd still hold on
cause you're all that I believe
and the one that created me
JESUS.. because of you.. I'm free

I continue to be reminded that God has great plans for our lives.  I'm in Chicago for a few days for some technology training through school.  I have found my "down" time to be exactly what I have been needing.  I've been sitting in my hotel listening to worship music and not having any immediate responsibilities, and it is absolutely perfect!  When I'm home, I'm always looking for something to do and don't take much time to rest...without falling asleep:)

Another song that I am loving right now is "Rooftops" by Jesus Culture.  I heard it a few weeks ago at church, and it has been in my head constantly.  Thankfully some pretty awesome friends got it for me for my birthday.  I'll leave you with this:

 

Boxes of memories

You often see "houses" for sale; however, it is almost never that you will find a "home" for sale.  To me a house is the physical infrastructure that someone lives in.  A home is the atmosphere that is created by those who live in the house.  It takes very special people to make a home.  As I watch my mom pack boxes of all of our special memories, I pray that the next chapter of their lives will be filled with great memories to get us through the rest of our lives.  I am so thankful that our memories cannot be taken from us.


The last 2 months have really been a challenge for me.  When you place your life in God's hand, you are up for an adventure.  I remind myself of James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

If you know someone going through a challenging time, don't be afraid to ask if there's anything you can do. Sometimes just the presence of someone there could save the day.

Back to Reality

Sorry for the delay in updates.  Jeff and I arrived safely back to Peoria on Saturday, August 6 in the evening.  We enjoyed our time in Juan Dolio and Tropical Storm Emily didn't turn out as badly as predicted.  We ended up getting 24 hours of rain, and that was it.

The first week that we were back in Peoria, there was a group of 12 Dominicans in town to take in the Global Leadership Summit hosted by Willow Creek Community Church.  We spent a lot of time with them, and it didn't quite seem that we were "back" yet.  Still interacting in Spanish and eating Dominican food.  I spent a lot of time in my classroom during this first week back, because that was the only time I had to prepare for my students.  Jeff had an interview on Monday, August 8 at the Peoria Children's Home.  He received an offer the following Wednesday to be a Child Welfare Specialist.  It's crazy how God's timing works out for everything.

We both started our "new" jobs this past Monday.  Jeff has a few weeks of training before he actually receives his case load, but so far he seems to be enjoying the people he is working with.  I greeted twenty-one 3rd graders on Tuesday morning at 8:35.  Their smiling faces reminded me why I'm in the profession that I am.  It's definitely a drastic change from 7th grade.  There is so much innocence in their eyes and I love it.  I don't even think it is possible to go fifteen minutes without laughing.  I'm looking forward to the upcoming months with them.

Jeff and I were talking after church today about what it would take to be Dominican in the US.  I honestly thought it'd be easy to come back and be "Dominican" to everyone.  Hugs or a handshake with every greeting, really taking time to catch up on what's been going on during the past two months that we were away, relaxing....but sadly I feel like I'm still the Kamanda that was in Peoria as of June 10th.  I hate admitting that, but it seems that there's no time to slow down.  Recently I have found myself just sitting and reflecting, trying to take in everything that is going on around me.  I spent a few hours at the pool today with Jeff, Lyd, and Trent.  It was nice to not have any responsibility for a while.  I'm praying that God will continue to reveal Himself to me in all situations.

I am reminded of the lyrics from a song I posted this summer by Hillsong:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

And these words are my prayer now.  I hope it's not as long before my next post, but I just also wanted to take a minute and thank all of you once again for your prayers, encouragement, and support throughout the last several months.  We would not have been able to do all of the work and ministry that we did in the Dominican without you.  So THANK YOU!  We love you!