Learning Italian
Where has 2019 gone?!?! In February, Rick, the boys and I made the move from Corona to Riverside. I now have a 4-minute work commute - hooray :) The space...at least half the size from our previous home, one of the biggest blessings was the need to downsize...a...lot...like plastic tubs, old card-board boxes I kept for kitchen appliances and trash bags for clothes - you'd probably do the same it if was your 16th move, too. Anyhow, this purging helped me see how much value I placed on physical things and the fear that a move would happen sooner than desired. Now, I enjoy being "weight-less," ready to leave and go anywhere God calls me. What else can go?
Early in the year of 2018, God placed this desire in my heart to do full-time ministry (work that shares the message of Jesus Christ and builds up God's people). From wedding planning, to working for the City of San Bernardino, to being unemployed, my career path has been anything but straight - twists, turns, bends, u-turns, dips, dead-ends and reconstruction. Similarly, later in the year, Rick mentioned he wanted to also do full-time ministry. God forgive my critical heart! I had nothing encouraging to say, so I remained silent. My silence was enough to communicate. After our second "Mission Vacation" to Vegas (click here for the story), I apologized to him and shared how I saw how much he had grown in his love for God's word, people and courage to share this love with others. I told him I could see him as a pastor and that I was excited to see how the Lord would answer these prayers.
All my life, I've had this desire to travel to Europe. In high-school and college, I missed two opportunities to go. In hind-sight, I know it was for the best. But back then, I wasn't the happiest non-traveling camper. I remember when Rick and I went on our first date (May 26, 2014), I shared this interest with him, and he mentioned he would be traveling later in the year. I did not make much of it. I mean, it was our first date, and I made a promise to God I would now stay pure with any relationship, before marriage. So traveling together was out of the question. Unknowingly, I booked my flight five days later...his flight left three days after I got back.
For my first European trip, I had the blessing to visit England, Germany and France with my sister, Desiree. We had such a great time! Many travel lessons learned (the hard way) like: don't be afraid to spend more money than you're used to for food; make sure you have a reliable GPS connection; and do pay twice as much to stay in a safe neighborhood. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to go back. I even researched jobs and ways to move abroad.
In the Spring of 2017, Rick and I had the privilege to travel to Rome and Barcelona four our second wedding anniversary. At this point, we had both been separately and were excited to explore together. We ate everything we wanted, including 3 gelatos in one day - yes! We paid for tours at the Coliseum and Sistine Chapel. Not to mention, my husband found a gem of an AirBNB where the owner also owned the cafe downstairs, which included complimentary breakfast - you don't even know! We started our days right getting into prayer, God's word and a pastry followed by the most glorious-tasting Roman Coffee, Illy. When we came back to the states, we couldn't wait to go back. Naturally, we have continued to tell the boys we want to take them, too! But after really changing our perspective with why we travel and what we do while away, Rick and I have been examining our intentions and goals for next year's much dreamt trip.
So sets the scene...I began looking into short-term missions trips, and Rick and I started learning Italian on April 27. Rick began researching too. On the rabbit-trail he went - contacting different missionary agencies, setting up conference calls with local churches and listening to podcasts on church planting. Today, we believe we will be serving in Europe in 2023 to do missionary work (sharing the love of Christ with people). In the interim, we: a) PRAY; b) learn a foreign language; c) learn about the visa/dual citizenship process; d) seek the Lord to affirm a call to missions through our local church; e)look for work; and f) stay faithful where God has us now.
Early in the year of 2018, God placed this desire in my heart to do full-time ministry (work that shares the message of Jesus Christ and builds up God's people). From wedding planning, to working for the City of San Bernardino, to being unemployed, my career path has been anything but straight - twists, turns, bends, u-turns, dips, dead-ends and reconstruction. Similarly, later in the year, Rick mentioned he wanted to also do full-time ministry. God forgive my critical heart! I had nothing encouraging to say, so I remained silent. My silence was enough to communicate. After our second "Mission Vacation" to Vegas (click here for the story), I apologized to him and shared how I saw how much he had grown in his love for God's word, people and courage to share this love with others. I told him I could see him as a pastor and that I was excited to see how the Lord would answer these prayers.
For my first European trip, I had the blessing to visit England, Germany and France with my sister, Desiree. We had such a great time! Many travel lessons learned (the hard way) like: don't be afraid to spend more money than you're used to for food; make sure you have a reliable GPS connection; and do pay twice as much to stay in a safe neighborhood. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to go back. I even researched jobs and ways to move abroad.
In the Spring of 2017, Rick and I had the privilege to travel to Rome and Barcelona four our second wedding anniversary. At this point, we had both been separately and were excited to explore together. We ate everything we wanted, including 3 gelatos in one day - yes! We paid for tours at the Coliseum and Sistine Chapel. Not to mention, my husband found a gem of an AirBNB where the owner also owned the cafe downstairs, which included complimentary breakfast - you don't even know! We started our days right getting into prayer, God's word and a pastry followed by the most glorious-tasting Roman Coffee, Illy. When we came back to the states, we couldn't wait to go back. Naturally, we have continued to tell the boys we want to take them, too! But after really changing our perspective with why we travel and what we do while away, Rick and I have been examining our intentions and goals for next year's much dreamt trip.
So sets the scene...I began looking into short-term missions trips, and Rick and I started learning Italian on April 27. Rick began researching too. On the rabbit-trail he went - contacting different missionary agencies, setting up conference calls with local churches and listening to podcasts on church planting. Today, we believe we will be serving in Europe in 2023 to do missionary work (sharing the love of Christ with people). In the interim, we: a) PRAY; b) learn a foreign language; c) learn about the visa/dual citizenship process; d) seek the Lord to affirm a call to missions through our local church; e)look for work; and f) stay faithful where God has us now.
Hasta pronto, ciao!
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