new beginnings.

Since its beginning, this blog has been an outlet to slightly open ideas and thoughts of my heart, faith and the amazing journey God has me on. Lately, God has continued to break my heart for La Represa. Not a day goes by without numerous thoughts or ideas concerning my second home. Dreams of living life with my brothers, sisters and the children I could spend the rest of my life with. God is showing me big plans and they're completely beyond any of my expectations, but He is slowly showing me how to achieve the goal He has broken my heart for.

I have had two very different, very amazing trips to La Represa. I have spent a total of 17 days there. I can say without a doubt that they have been the best days so far of my 23 years. I long for many more like them. God knows that and I have a feeling that through my amazing God, I not only will be back but will be there much longer.

Though I am not there yet, the mission has already started. I am praying and looking into fundraising options. Most of them will be a huge undertaking and a lot of stress added to my already hectic schedule but my heart is set on that community. All I have to do is stop, close my eyes and I get a reminder of what God has shown me. I see faces; I hear voices. I am reminded of a life I long to live. I am overwhelmed with passion and comfort. I am driven to be there and love "the least of these." Once that precious moment in time is done I am back up and running. Praise the Lord for the brokenness within me and the plan He has for me. I ask that you pray for the path the Lord has set me on and pray that I can gather support from my family, my church and my community.

I will never forget the moment I set foot in the Dominican. I went down there with this preconceived notion that I'd do some hard labor, grow closer with my friends and have a good week. I spent the last night there in the arms of someone who is dear to my heart and he told me, "Don't worry, you'll be back here." I couldn't believe I had fallen in love but I wasn't sure if I would be returning. I was overwhelmed and uneasy going home. I longed to stay and to go back once I returned but just prayed to God for wisdom and His will...and the next thing I know seven months go by and I am back again. Familiar faces, sounds and emotions. After an amazing yet heart-wrenching seven days I boarded a plane back to United States...and cried the entire time.

It's been 14 days since returning to the United States...Please pray that God continues to guide me on this journey and return me to my home. I am trusting completely in Him for strength, guidance and wisdom. I have an extreme distaste for this place but I know it's only time before I am there again. God's timing is always better than ours. Please pray for me as I embark on this journey. Our God is an awesome God. All the glory to you, Father!

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11