Heaven on Earth

Hello :)
So, to be completely honest.... I thought my last post was only MAX two weeks ago.  I am very wrong, and I am very sorry that days zip by and that I am losing track of time.  That must be a sign of me having a good time... Right?? I think yes.  Because  I know for a fact that I am having an absolute blast.

Oh my goodness.... I am trying to think of what has happened.  So much.  So so so so so so much.  Well, as a general comment, I am very happy.  Truly and exceptionally happy.  There is a lot to be thankful, grateful, and hopeful for down here in Florida.  I am making a conscious effort to really take everything in, and to really appreciate what I am experiencing.  God's presence is sometimes so overwhelming clear while working and living down here, its ridiculous!  There are a few moments in the past few weeks that are really sticking out, I am taking it as a sign that I need to write about them... Welp, here I go :)

Moment #1 :)
Work has been great.  I am finding my niche and where I fit in.  Happily, I have become..... as I like to title myself..... the Lets Speak To Everyone and Make Pretty Flyers and Talk to Store Owners About Donations and Basically All Outreach for Project HEAL Lady Person Worker US2!  And I LOVE it.  I really do love it.  I am working from scratch, trying to find different ways to get our name out there, and its really fun.  Yes of course, I still work with clients daily, today I helped complete one of our beloved clients citizenship application.  His ear-to-ear grin of appreciation reminded me of how helpful our work really is.  Project HEAL is allowing me to see a life in a completely new lens. Pretty rad, if I do say so myself!
In addition to office work, Debbie and I have been sent off to volunteer at Branches (SFLUM's afterschool program) multiple times.  I have helped kids with their homework, played all outdoor activities with them, sang songs, had snacks, helped them learn similies, made Thanksgiving play costumes.... Just had an amazing care-free, light-hearted, all smiles, glorious time hanging out with kids.  I have missed the craziness and joyus spirit that kids bring into our lives.  Their innocence and pure love is so refreshing.
I also have become pretty cool with the bosses.  Which meeeeeeeans... I am going camping with Branches and their staff this weekend!  I am so excited :)  To spend time with folks and children who love each other, love themselves, and love God.  Being involved in such an environment is a healthy balance I have found for myself.  Spending time with children allows myself to recharge my batteries.

Moment #2 :)
Someday last week I got off work a little early, and decided to get my toes did!  It had been a while, and they were looking kinda shabby.  So I get them done, and while walking outside, I see the most glorious sky I have ever seen.  God was just having a blast painting the sky with pinks, and oranges, and reds, and yellows.  It was so breathtaking that the picture on my phone does it no justice.  And for whatever reason, I felt so empowered and so blessed that I wanted to share it with the people I see the most... My Roommates!
So I took them out for a treat, a whole fancy California Pizza Kitchen.  It was quite lovely.  We have been eating the same food at home, they have been working too hard, and I wanted to take them out for a breath of fresh air.  Their jobs absolutely consume them, and I wanted to remind them that life still exists outside of work and home... that it is OK to sometimes 'get away'.  They are teachers down the street from our house, and it is A LOT of work for them.  For instance, one roommate, Callie, is teaching 18 students who are 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.  She THE high school teacher at this school.  Many of our house nights are work nights.  A change of scenery was much needed for our sanity, and they totally deserved it.  I forget how wonderful it is to get out once in a while.  Spending time with roommates in a new environment allows myself (and my roommates!) to recharge our batteries.

Moment #3 :)
DOOR! Have I mentioned DOOR on this blog thing before?  Maybe, I do not remember... I will refresh your memory anyway :)  DOOR is the housing network that I live in.  Heidi is in charge of DOOR Miami, and she is the coolest, grooviest, and most energetic woman, wife, Christian, mother that I have ever met.  Every time I see her, it is like we have not seen each other in 50 years.  Its great!  She's great! Anyway.... DOOR houses Young Adults Volunteers (YAV's) and me! (the only YAM). 
There are 4 houses in Miami, the Little Haiti house (aka Green House - which is where I live), the Little Havana House (aka Blue House), the FIU House (aka Red House), and the Florida City House (aka the Yellow House).  Each house is grouped a lot because of our schedules and what our work is in.  For instantce, the Green House has 9-5 jobs, working prodominately with the Haitian population, and we are able to have dinner to together at least 3 times a week.  Where as the Blue House works and kinds of crazy schedules, works prodominatley Campus Ministries or with afterschool programs, and rarely has time to ever eat dinner together.  Each house has their own personality, but each thrive off of the fact that we are all disciples of Christ.  DOOR is so wonderful, it is making my Miami experience 10,000,000 times more awesome.
But what I really want to mention about DOOR is the fellowship.  The friends I am making with the other dwellers (DOOR folk) and the bond I am solidifying with Christ is amazing.  These people are who I have been wanting, needing, and hoping to find in my life.  Some of my very close friends in Miami are dwellers also.  These friendships are going to last a lifetime.  We go to church together, we laugh together, we can have meals together, and we can sit in silence together.  We had a silent retreat this past weekend.  From Friday to Sunday, and 24 of those hours we were not to talk.  And let me tell you...... That is not easy!  I took those 24 hours as no talking (which I slipped up sometimes, word just fell out of my mouth without thinking) and as no cell phone (my dear friend Mary hid my phone, because if you know me, I am on my phone every single minute of the day).  I wrote a lot in my journal, I went for a long walk to a canal with my dear friend Amanda May.  Majority of the day was also spend making art.  That was my favorite :)  Something that may or may not be a surprise to you... I was not silent of sound.  I was still nominated as the loudest in the bunch, even when silent.  Laughter would erupt at random times throughout the evening/day... I would make noises of any kind when trying to communicate... And I was just a 'hot mess' :)  It was so much fun!
Among all the silent chaos... I did find peace, time to reflect, time to journal.  My head of full of thoughts, questions, and clutter.  My mind at the beginning was racing at a zillion miles per second.  Once I was able to slow it down, I began to ask questions.  I was questioning everything.  Absolutely everything. What I am doing here, what is my purpose, why is God doing this, why is God doing that, why does God place these people in my life... I think you get the point :)  Question after question.  And funnily enough, I found that that was my form of prayer.  That was my way of finally being aware of what was around me, what was happening in my surroundings regarding people and culture, and recognizing the work that God is doing in my life.  I was able to see, think, and feel what God is doing.  I have no idea WHY God is doing these things, but I KNOW they are happening for good reason.... and hey!  That is enough reason for me to keep on moving forward each day :)

Moment #4 :)
Last week my housemates and I lead worship at our Lighthouse night service.  The theme was community.  Community is a vast topic for an hour service.  We ended up breaking it down into 4 different communities that we immerse ourselves into.  The community of You and God, the community of You and Your Inner Circle (those few friends you go to with anything), the community of You and Your Disciples (that group of people who know and care for you - for instance, your church), and the community of You and Your Greater Community (whether that is work, where you live, your city, or state).  I was SO EXCITED because I was able to use something I learned at US2 training! We made a huge masking tape cross on the floor... And allowed each person to reflect on each of the four communities, describing their relationship using post-its.  (I challenge you - as my beloved and faithful readers - to reflect on these four communities in your own life.  At what state are the currently in within each community?  How can they be improved?  How involved are you within each?  Which has the largest effect on you?  If one is unstable, do the others suffer? Just a challenge for you to reflect.)  We also lead the music, and I have missed dearly playing guitar and singing with groups of people.

Side note-  I am taking SINGING lessons at my church each Sunday.  Yes, I said singing.  Its so strange!  You know that cringe you get when you hear your voice after its been recorded? Yeah, I have to go through that every Sunday, with my twangy out-of-pitch can;t sing singing voice.  Its ridiculous, but! I am going to be taking guitar lessons through the church hopefully soon!  My vocal teacher and my potential guitar teacher were at the service, and naturally, I messed up big time.  I could not help but laugh it off.... But I am pretty sure if they were grading me.... I would had got a 'D' for quality.... Or an 'A' for effort!
Leading the service, playing music, being part of a silent retreat, questioning, and being in wonderful fellowship with people I am truly happy around allowed me to recharge my spiritual batteries.  And those batteries are MOST important to keep charged, especially through this time in my life.

I do miss my California and North Carolina family VERY much.  My friends are always being huge support systems.  My parents are ridiculously amazing and I am happy that I am making them proud.  My relationships across the world are as solid as can be for having thousands of miles and time differences separating us.  The people in Miami are so comforting, beyond loving, and so fabulous.

I know this was lengthly, but I always have so much to say.  These past weeks have been glorious, absolutely glorious.  I am always meeting new people, I am always keeping on top of my work, I am always trying new things, and I always find a reason to smile every morning.  At this very moment in my life, I am not just content with what is happening, I am truly happy :)

I will close it off by saying...
I LOVE YOU :) if you read this whole thing, I absolutely love you!  Thank you for YOUR support.

Till next time <3