July-August Update

July was a very busy time for our family and for me, it was by far one of the most difficult months since we moved to the DR. I  completed a three week Spanish course. It was incredibly hard and pushed me to a higher level of Spanish. I had tons of homework and poor Dave was often stuck helping me for hours at a time in the evenings. I had a glimpse into our future with Josh, long nights at the kitchen table trying to explain difficult concepts.  Dave spent July with teams. Students International has hosted missions teams non-stop from May until August. It seemed like every night we were going here or there and things just got crazy. We didn't have much family time, my Bible reading was rushed and my mind was going in a million directions.

Last week we started orientation at school and Dave's parents were here with a work team. This meant that last week had the potential to send me in to hyper-stress mode, but God has been working on my heart. He has been teaching me to slow down. God has been showing me that I choose how I line up my day. I decide what things I plan each day and therefore control my stress level. Is it really necessary for me to schedule three appointments back to back so that I have to rush so much that I am a reckless driver and getting mad at people that are moving slowly? Do I need to say yes to one more commitment or is it better for me to simply say no? God has been telling me to slow down. This coming month I will be using the following verse as a reminder to build in time with God and keep my schedule reasonable.

                                Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7


We also had the privilege of having our old youth group over and hearing them share how the trip has been going to for them. It was so beautiful to hear all the things they shared and how God has been showing them different things. We love each and everyone of them!

Please pray for me as I start school next week. I love my job and my co-workers, but it is always an adjustment getting back into the swing of things.