I guess I should start by saying that no day is ever the same which keeps me on my toes for sure. Things stay very interesting around here....and I like it!
During this beautiful season of my life, my daily routine looks a little different than it has for the past seven years. And oh my how I am soaking it up and loving every bit of it! Although I still am very involved in mine and Will's ministry in the DR, I have been privileged enough to have the opportunity to spend more time with our baby girl, Ruby Ann. Since adding this sweet addition to our family, God has really taught me some things as a mother. He has taught me that to teach our child how to have a genuine faith in Christ and a personal relationship with Him, there MUST be a real faith lived in the home shown through Will and me. To do this, I must continue to solidify my faith and my journey by taking the time to learn and grow in Him so I can pass this on and teach our daughter the ways she should go. I am grateful that the pressures of life and the demands of this world aren't getting in the way of this pursuit.
"Day by day", that's how we do things around here. I have never been a morning person, but the simple fact that I get to wake up to this sweet face makes it all so much easier! Some days Ruby and I stick around the house, playing, reading and trying new foods. Below she is eating an avocado, which is simply amazing here in the Dominican!
Ruby watches as I sweep the dust and dirt off of our tile floor as it gathers quickly because of the open air. We do laundry in our "Dominican" washing machine and hang the clothes out back on the line (we always hope it doesn't rain while the clothes are drying, because if it does, we start the process of washing all over again). This particular load of laundry below happens to be one of those where we had to "start all over" because of the heavy rains yesterday!
We water the plants outside and listen to the many sounds all around us that include roosters crowing, cars honking, motorcycles zooming by and the Haitian women who walk by the front gate selling fruit. We watch our Elmo videos in hope that the electricity doesn't go out. When it goes, sometimes it's out for 20 minutes, and other times it's out for 6 hours. We like the days when 20 minutes is the case! We wait anxiously for daddy to get home so we can hear about his day. He's often gone hosting teams, running sports tournaments/leagues, building relationships and encouraging the men of the Sports Outreach Team. I do always know that whatever he is doing, he's doing it in Jesus' name. Other times he may be out and about paying our rent or electric bill. Sometimes we receive a water bill that has been thrown on our front porch by a young man walking by or riding on a bike..... and sometimes, we don't (there is no mail system here). When Will is paying bills, he could be gone for 30 minutes, or he could be gone for 3 hours....just depending on how long the lines are or if the credit card machines are working at the electric company that day.
Many days look like what I described above, and some days look completely different. There are many times where I have the opportunity to join in on the ministry taking place outside of the home. I love working side by side with my hubby hosting teams and playing even the smallest part of this life changing experience for team members.
I also love our visits to ministry sites where G.O. is working and I so enjoy taking Ruby Ann with. It is very important to us, even at such a young age, that she engrains herself in the culture here in the Dominican, that she has a heart for the people that is filled with compassion and love. In fact, this is the prayer that I am stuck on for her right now, that God gives this little miracle just that, a KIND and COMPASSIONATE heart. It is so refreshing to visit G.O's Nutrition Centers to love on and encourage the Pastors that work in these areas and to see God at work. Below is a photo of us in The Hole where G.O. has a Church/Nutrition Center run by Pastor Felix Abreu.
On a bit of a side note, because of the limited access we have to "things" here....the little things continue to make me smile. I found a pumpkin for the first time ever. It's sitting on my front porch and everytime I open the door it makes me giggle. It's a little piece of Fall, which is my favorite season of all. On the other hand, it's "Spring" all year around here as the warm weather allows for blooming flowers...another one of those little things that brings joy to my soul.
This year has been an adjustment for us in life and ministry, but God has been faithful as He has allowed us time to find our rhythm, and we love the beat of this drum.
