During my last visit to Dorie’s Promise back in March, I had decided that it was time for Matt to meet my, now our, kids. We told them all that we would come to see them together in December around the holidays. Several things happened between March and December. Matt graduated from Naval Officer School as an Ensign, I graduated with my Masters in Social Work, we got married in Jamaica, and we moved to Florida where we started working. When I first took my job I knew I was going to have to reschedule my trip to Dorie’s Promise because there was a test I had to take that couldn’t be rescheduled on the same day that I was supposed to be in Guatemala. I was easily able to change my dates with the mission coordinator and accept the job that I knew I was supposed to take.
[Side note: this job is probably the best thing that could have happened to me! I love my team and the work we are apart of. God has put several women in my life to speak in to me and build me up and we have become like family. I love their hearts and vulnerability.]
The same day I took my test, and passed, Matt got the call from the highest level of authority in his training that was denied the leave for Guatemala. Instantly I went from high to low, but I still trusted God even in my disappointment. I asked my sister and two other friends if they wanted to go but many things went wrong with either expired passports or just unavailability. At that point, I had come to peace with going alone. Then 72 hours before takeoff, my friend Nicole and I were working out at the gym when she asked me who was going with me to Guatemala. When I responded that I was going alone she jumped on the opportunity to come with me! By that afternoon we had got it approved by the mission coordinator and purchased her ticket! Two days later, from the help of supporters, we had raised the last of the money we needed!
Since leaving for Guatemala, the plane, the porch, and the couch have held several heart to hearts between the two of us. It has become obvious why we are on this trip together. Beyond that, the sermon at church, every devotion, and even little emails and posts here and there have been confirming all the things we’ve talked about. We just look at each other and smile or laugh because it’s crazy how much God loves us to keep banging us over the head with our worth and purpose. It has been an absolute joy sharing in this experience with Nicole. We hope to do more missions together in the future. Thanks everyone for your support! It wouldn’t have been possible without you.
[early morning porch date]
[these girls wanted their hair braided like Nicole’s]
