Here I am again...awake at 4 a.m., my mind twisting and turning with the possibilities of tomorrow! It's been nearly a year since I've slept "normal" hours. I'm not sure if it's due to the lack of activity in my life this past year or what, but I am ready to sleep 11 pm to 6 am again. Oh how I miss you, sunrise!
Among the array of thoughts tromping around in this head of mine...
1. 29 days until I'm home. It's been an amazing 6 years away and I am so looking forward to Seattle rain...
2. What in the world am I going to wear to my brother's wedding?
3. When in the world will I get married?
4. I hope I keep LOSING weight! I want it to be slow and steady loss. Not this yo-yo of lose, gain, lose, gain.
5. I want to dance in the rain.
6. I am SURE I am no longer in love with the first boy I ever loved.
See my dilemma? Do you see why I lay in bed for HOURS before I actually drift off to sleep? Pay no mind to the random nature of this entry. After all, it IS 4 a.m. What more can you expect other than an irrational succession of thought?
No one other than myself, however, will probably trace the common thread through the six thoughts listed above. I really only have one thing on the brain this early a.m.
Love.
1. Seattle = Love
2. Brother's wedding = Love
3. My wedding = Love
4. Weight Loss = Healthy Future = Active Mommy = Love
5. Dancing + Rain = Love
6. Freedom = The hope of NEW Love!
Lord, I know not what you have in store for me entirely, but I trust You. And You are the very definition of LOVE. I know You will take this list and make something beautiful out of this surrendered life of mine.
Bring me slumber, sweet Love. And in the mean time, I will think on You.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On the road again...
In my last blog I mentioned that God would be taking me home to my favorite city in this vast country...SEATTLE!!!! And, just as I have since I was a young girl, I've already started counting down the days until I board a jet plane to return to the place my heart has longed to be for some time now.
June 9th is the day, and in case you're already trying to do the math in your head and count down with me, let me help you out...38 days. 38 days until I am home.
I also promised in my last note that I would keep you informed about details as they progress, and there is much to share since my last blog post! I don't know what your experience with the leadership of Jesus is like, but for me, when I purpose to seek His guidance and then obey it when He gives it, He provides EVERYTHING I need in order to take the next steps on our journey together as Father and daughter.
This move to Seattle has been nothing different! God is providing in amazing ways!!
First, He brought me a job... I will be teaching summer school with Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. I will have 25-35 third, fourth, and fifth graders who are considered "at risk" for not graduating high school based on their current trends, and spend 2 1/2 months praying for them, laughing with them, loving on them... and while we're busy having fun, we'll work on some Math, Reading, and Grammar to help give them more confidence in the upcoming school year.
Next, He provided a place for me to live... I will be renting a studio apartment in downtown Seattle right near the Space Needle! Rent's a total steal AND some of my closest friends live on the same street! Another plus... the church I'll be attending, Horizon Foursquare, is right across the street. But it doesn't end here...
I brought my car out here to Oklahoma from California and decided that I just didn't want to make the drive from Yukon to Seattle alone. It would cost a lot more money to drive than to fly, and it seemed like a smarter move to sell my car. So... I listed my car on Craig's list on Friday night, and by 2:00 on Saturday afternoon someone was driving it down the road!! My car sold within 13 hours!!!!
So, the move is 38 days away and I have a job, a place to live, and just about $1500 saved up to buy things I'll need when I first arrive...like a BED!
To my Jesus, who is truly everything, thank You for your faithfulness. I love you.
To my friends and family, thank YOU for your support and prayers. You are gifts to me, each of you.
And to Seattle... I'll be seeing you ...soon!
June 9th is the day, and in case you're already trying to do the math in your head and count down with me, let me help you out...38 days. 38 days until I am home.
I also promised in my last note that I would keep you informed about details as they progress, and there is much to share since my last blog post! I don't know what your experience with the leadership of Jesus is like, but for me, when I purpose to seek His guidance and then obey it when He gives it, He provides EVERYTHING I need in order to take the next steps on our journey together as Father and daughter.
This move to Seattle has been nothing different! God is providing in amazing ways!!
First, He brought me a job... I will be teaching summer school with Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. I will have 25-35 third, fourth, and fifth graders who are considered "at risk" for not graduating high school based on their current trends, and spend 2 1/2 months praying for them, laughing with them, loving on them... and while we're busy having fun, we'll work on some Math, Reading, and Grammar to help give them more confidence in the upcoming school year.
Next, He provided a place for me to live... I will be renting a studio apartment in downtown Seattle right near the Space Needle! Rent's a total steal AND some of my closest friends live on the same street! Another plus... the church I'll be attending, Horizon Foursquare, is right across the street. But it doesn't end here...
I brought my car out here to Oklahoma from California and decided that I just didn't want to make the drive from Yukon to Seattle alone. It would cost a lot more money to drive than to fly, and it seemed like a smarter move to sell my car. So... I listed my car on Craig's list on Friday night, and by 2:00 on Saturday afternoon someone was driving it down the road!! My car sold within 13 hours!!!!
So, the move is 38 days away and I have a job, a place to live, and just about $1500 saved up to buy things I'll need when I first arrive...like a BED!
To my Jesus, who is truly everything, thank You for your faithfulness. I love you.
To my friends and family, thank YOU for your support and prayers. You are gifts to me, each of you.
And to Seattle... I'll be seeing you ...soon!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Closed Door and A Dream Come True!
You know how the saying goes, "Where God closes a door, He opens a window."
While I don't necessarily prescribe to this idea exactly, I do believe that when God closes the door of opportunity for one thing, He brings about another opportunity that's just as good and more often than not, BETTER, than the other thing!
Somehow the usage of the word "window" puts it in my head that the next thing is smaller or lesser than the former or that it is "not as good" as the door would have been. So I guess if I were to re-coin the phrase, I might say something like,
"Where God closes a door, He opens another." ... But that's just me!
Anyway, as many of you may or may not know, I have been wanting to return to Latin America ever since I spent time living in Costa Rica two years ago. Finally, the door to do so opened...or so I thought! In fact, I sent out lots of letters asking people to help me get there by supporting me through prayer and finances for a short-term trip in July.
The trip has been canceled. I am not going back to Latin America...yet, anyway. I still believe I will, which is a story for another blog post, but for now the important news is that my trip to El Salvador is not happening.
So there's the closed door ... and now for the open one.
I am going HOME! After 6 years of being away, I am returning to the great Northwest!!!!
I plan to move to Seattle, specifically, where I can be near my family, super close to lots of friends, and hopefully find a full-time job to pay the bills in the midst of being near so many that I love!
I'll write more about the move home as details progress, but I especially wanted to let you all know that the trip to El Salvador is off the "up and coming" list!
For all those who've already sent support (that I won't be needing) ... thank you! And to those who were thinking about it but hadn't quite gotten around to it ... thank YOU for your desire to help out. I'm sure the time will come when I'll rally your support once again.
Love to all,
D
While I don't necessarily prescribe to this idea exactly, I do believe that when God closes the door of opportunity for one thing, He brings about another opportunity that's just as good and more often than not, BETTER, than the other thing!
Somehow the usage of the word "window" puts it in my head that the next thing is smaller or lesser than the former or that it is "not as good" as the door would have been. So I guess if I were to re-coin the phrase, I might say something like,
"Where God closes a door, He opens another." ... But that's just me!
Anyway, as many of you may or may not know, I have been wanting to return to Latin America ever since I spent time living in Costa Rica two years ago. Finally, the door to do so opened...or so I thought! In fact, I sent out lots of letters asking people to help me get there by supporting me through prayer and finances for a short-term trip in July.
The trip has been canceled. I am not going back to Latin America...yet, anyway. I still believe I will, which is a story for another blog post, but for now the important news is that my trip to El Salvador is not happening.
So there's the closed door ... and now for the open one.
I am going HOME! After 6 years of being away, I am returning to the great Northwest!!!!
I plan to move to Seattle, specifically, where I can be near my family, super close to lots of friends, and hopefully find a full-time job to pay the bills in the midst of being near so many that I love!
I'll write more about the move home as details progress, but I especially wanted to let you all know that the trip to El Salvador is off the "up and coming" list!
For all those who've already sent support (that I won't be needing) ... thank you! And to those who were thinking about it but hadn't quite gotten around to it ... thank YOU for your desire to help out. I'm sure the time will come when I'll rally your support once again.
Love to all,
D
Monday, September 28, 2009
What are you doing?
"What are you doing?"
This is everyone's favorite inquiry as of late. Or at least it seems that way. And for the first time in a long time I am struggling to answer this question. Why? Because at first glance, it appears as though I am doing nothing. No, seriously...nothing!
I have no job. I have no intention of getting a job. And when people ask what I'm DOING, they expect to hear about something that's producing a measurable result.
Trouble is, I cannot offer such an answer. I am doing SOMETHING however. It can be summarized in one word.
Waiting.
I am waiting. On God. For what? I don't know.... everything, I suppose. A word. Some direction. Anything that He wants to say or do. For this, I am waiting. This waiting, it is not easy. In fact, there are days when I am nearly convinced I must have heard God wrong. Surely He couldn't mean don't work, don't commit to anything, don't seek to put your hand to something.
"Don't work," He said. "Be ready to go when I say," He said. "Don't seek any opportunity," He said. "I'll bring the right one to you. Just wait," He said.
So when people ask me "what I'm up to these days," I've settled on one response:
Waiting on God.
No one argues with me when they hear this answer. In fact, most applaud me for my faith and obedience. But the truth is, this is difficult for me. There are days when I feel like I have absolutely no purpose, when I just can't figure out what it is that God is doing IN me or FOR me. There are days when I just want to go out and get a job or move or start asking around for opportunities for missions that are out there. But the thought of doing any of these things brings me no solace. In fact, I know that for me, to do so would be to disobey the Lord. And I definitely have no desire to do that!
I came back to the United States over a year ago with the desire to return to Latin America as a missionary. There have been a couple of times in the past 13 months when I thought I was close to being on my way, but the Lord has closed the door twice.
And so here I am. Waiting. Surrendering my ideas, my desires, and my assumptions about how all the dreams in my heart are going to come together.
Where will I go? I don't know.
When will I go? I don't know.
What will I do? I don't know.
The only thing I do know is that God is faithful, and that EVEN IF I have somehow misheard Him, He will take care of me.
This is what gives me the strength to obey, to do what God asks of me no matter how insane it sounds. And one day, I will understand exactly why my Lord sent me in to this season of stillness. Until then, I will DO the only thing I know to do...
Wait.
This is everyone's favorite inquiry as of late. Or at least it seems that way. And for the first time in a long time I am struggling to answer this question. Why? Because at first glance, it appears as though I am doing nothing. No, seriously...nothing!
I have no job. I have no intention of getting a job. And when people ask what I'm DOING, they expect to hear about something that's producing a measurable result.
Trouble is, I cannot offer such an answer. I am doing SOMETHING however. It can be summarized in one word.
Waiting.
I am waiting. On God. For what? I don't know.... everything, I suppose. A word. Some direction. Anything that He wants to say or do. For this, I am waiting. This waiting, it is not easy. In fact, there are days when I am nearly convinced I must have heard God wrong. Surely He couldn't mean don't work, don't commit to anything, don't seek to put your hand to something.
"Don't work," He said. "Be ready to go when I say," He said. "Don't seek any opportunity," He said. "I'll bring the right one to you. Just wait," He said.
So when people ask me "what I'm up to these days," I've settled on one response:
Waiting on God.
No one argues with me when they hear this answer. In fact, most applaud me for my faith and obedience. But the truth is, this is difficult for me. There are days when I feel like I have absolutely no purpose, when I just can't figure out what it is that God is doing IN me or FOR me. There are days when I just want to go out and get a job or move or start asking around for opportunities for missions that are out there. But the thought of doing any of these things brings me no solace. In fact, I know that for me, to do so would be to disobey the Lord. And I definitely have no desire to do that!
I came back to the United States over a year ago with the desire to return to Latin America as a missionary. There have been a couple of times in the past 13 months when I thought I was close to being on my way, but the Lord has closed the door twice.
And so here I am. Waiting. Surrendering my ideas, my desires, and my assumptions about how all the dreams in my heart are going to come together.
Where will I go? I don't know.
When will I go? I don't know.
What will I do? I don't know.
The only thing I do know is that God is faithful, and that EVEN IF I have somehow misheard Him, He will take care of me.
This is what gives me the strength to obey, to do what God asks of me no matter how insane it sounds. And one day, I will understand exactly why my Lord sent me in to this season of stillness. Until then, I will DO the only thing I know to do...
Wait.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Book of Oops - Chapter Two
Many of you have requested that I continue to detail the hilarities of my adventures in Costa Rica! So...here it is - the second installment of ridiculous errors made on my journey of language learning. This chapter includes moments created by others as well; they were too hysterical not to mention. Enjoy!
- I told my tico BROTHER: "tranquila!" which basically means: "no worries, GIRL"
- I said: "Me bano con jamon" (I bathe with ham) when I was trying to say "Me bano con jabon" (I bathe with soap)
- My grammar teacher referred to my classmate, Todd, as "Toot"...yeah I almost lost it in class. It took all my strength not to bust out laughing; I was shaking pretty hard in my seat though!
- When asked by her grammar teacher to conjugate a verb in 13 tenses, my friend Rhonda responded accordingly: "Necesito M&Ms" (I need M&Ms)...in other words: there was not going to be any conjugating of anything without the assistance of chocolate!
So there you have it...some funny moments from mi vida loca (my crazy life). I hope you found as much joy in them as I did! I was laughing in true form...I know you can hear it!
Please note that I can no longer spell in English! Therefore I don't remember how to spell the word "conjugate." Sorry if it's wrong!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Up and Coming
I know...my blogs are lacking at the moment! It's rather sad too, because I have so many things to share with you. However, it is late and I desperately need to lay my head down to rest. Trouble is, I hear the voice of my sweet Shepherd in the twilight hours more often than not, which means it can take sometimes hours for me to fall asleep. Tonight is one of those nights.
Regretfully, I won't be writing anything of detail tonight. But I wanted to let you know what you can look forward to over the next few days:
Book of Oops Chapter Two
Finding Life in Death
Living Up to My Name
How Can I Despise that which Draws Me Nearer to You?
Yes, you're correct. These are titles for my up and coming entries. In the mean time, here are some immediate prayer needs:
Regretfully, I won't be writing anything of detail tonight. But I wanted to let you know what you can look forward to over the next few days:
Book of Oops Chapter Two
Finding Life in Death
Living Up to My Name
How Can I Despise that which Draws Me Nearer to You?
Yes, you're correct. These are titles for my up and coming entries. In the mean time, here are some immediate prayer needs:
- Physical strength - it's been a rough couple of weeks and my body is feeling it!
- Financial provision - the Lord has laid it on my heart to stay in Costa Rica longer and need $1600 to do so.
- All needs that have been spoken to me over this last week - there are so many whom I cherish that are in need of miracles of grace, healing, provision, etc. Please join me in lifting them to the Throne...even if you don't know who or what.
To you, friend, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and the call that God has placed within my heart! I couldn't do this without you.
Con todo mi amor,
Daniela
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Mourning with those who mourn
For those who read this blog in order to know how to pray....
I lost a very dear friend of mine this week in a very sudden and unexpected death. And I am grieving....for his wife of only 9 months, for his family, for all of my friends who knew and loved him, and for myself.
I am hurting badly. And I am far from all I hold closest. Pray for:
I lost a very dear friend of mine this week in a very sudden and unexpected death. And I am grieving....for his wife of only 9 months, for his family, for all of my friends who knew and loved him, and for myself.
I am hurting badly. And I am far from all I hold closest. Pray for:
- Stacey
- Cole's family
- Cole's friends
- Me
I would write more...words of tribute to a great and godly man...but I cannot just yet. Soon, though, I will write what Cole meant to me and what his dear bride, Stacey, means to me.
For now, just pray. I am mourning far from all...it hurts.
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