Frustration brings realization

my heart is just so captivated...

it is captivated by these kids & youth that i know.

they are so beautiful.. just look at them!

(most of the CODAs in this picture at top- some were too "busy" playing Ninja)

i just arrived from a LONG trip from Florida, PR to go to a Deaf Event held by Puerto Rico Deaf Ministries- every year on Labor Day, Deaf & their families gather together and fellowship. I love events like these because not only do i get to see amazing people- they all get to be in one place and then i don't know what to do with myself because i am so excited!

Today, while we were hanging out in this gym- i had a flashback to my childhood as a (kid) CODA. All the parents wouldn't play games but just stand around catching up with each other and us CODAs would run around like chickens with our heads cut off. I could look around and see me as a little girl, playing with other CODAs and being a part of a culture i never knew was "different" from "hearing culture". CODAs are really special and carry so much knowledge that they do not even realize. These kids/youth that i play with, hang out with, talk with- have so much potential in their lives. I don't want them to waste their life; i want THEM to LIVE LIFE (to know God and HIS LOVE). This is my purpose here is to LOVE on these kids so they can ask me, "why do you even care?" because God cares- He cares for me and you, therefore He has called me to do the exact same. Isn't this beautiful? We are called to love because if we know REAL love, we can't hide it- it should be written all OVER our faces that something is different! This love should be contagious- LET IT SPREAD around and see what happens! This is my calling in life- to simply LOVE. I love these people- these children- these youth- my amazing friends- for this little island. God thank You for showing me what real love is since I’ve been here.

ladies playing a game- telephone ;)

CODAs playing Ninja :) Best game ever!!

I have come to the conclusion that our ministry cars all have a pact. If one has something wrong with it- the others want to start falling apart as well. That is exactly what happened- my Toyota brakes started to go out aka use the emergency brakes to stop the car. So, while the Toyota was at the car doctor, "Big Red" our big van decided to overheat. We had to get two of our cars fixed in one day but praise God they both got fixed in time for church and for our Labor Day game event. Praise be to God for good mechanics who know us well and help us out.

Also, there is something i have to admit- one of my biggest frustrations EVER is getting lost. I think my sister really knows how frustrated i can get when i am lost. Today on the way to Florida i was with a Deaf leader and 10 other people in "Big Red"- to make a LONG story short- guess what? we got lost. Getting lost makes me sad because it means we lose time, we lose time especially for those we have picked up along the way to fellowship with other Deaf across the island. We had people left and right telling us "the right way" which is always hard to know who is right. Eventually we arrived to Florida and had a wonderful time. Which this story brings me to another even that ocurrced this past Thursday. Jason and I had to bring a van to a Deaf man who could help me pick up people for the Labor Day event. Of course, Jason is following me and then guess what? We get lost. I thought i KNEW exactly where the house was but i kept having to turn around and go another way. I was so frustrated at myself and i was so worried that jason would be frustrated with me as well. Finally, as we got to this man's house (which was the near where i originally thought the house was) i got out of the car flustered and discouraged for always getting lost and i told Jason how sorry i was for getting us lost- He just smiled and said, "don't worry- it's okay, we made it". Then today when i recalled that moment with jason when i got lost today- and i realized that is one way satan gets me down and makes me feel worthless "when people can see i don't know or when i fail". I am so thankful for that reminder that God brought to me about what Jason told me, "don't worry- it's okay, we made it". Usually people get frustrated with me when i'm lost but jason showed me something different- God used him to show me to stop caring what "people think" and care what HE thinks. God's cool and He reveals things to us at the right time.

Jason & I at WORK aka in the car doing errand for PRDM :)

I am so thankful for my BFF <3

Valerie and Vilmaire (sisters) who feel like my sisters. I love these girls so much and Saturday night i

went to see two of my amazing friends at their church doing

drama. their passion for Christ just flows out of their smiles. They are both leaders of their church and whenever i need anything with my CODAs they are always there with a helping hand and a passion to share CHRIST!

" Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a Pure Heart."

2 timothy 2: 22- 23

Be blessed today! Until next time pray for us :) oxox