Keep Putting Yourself Out There

Springtime is upon us, and with that seems to be quite a busy season. We’ve loved the teams that have been here the last couple of weeks. There have been a lot of people we’ve gotten to connect with and have some really amazing conversations with. The last few weeks have been so busy, but it would be so much more overwhelming if it weren’t for all of the amazing people who selflessly make time to help us with work or even just be a listening ear and offer good conversation; not to say it hasn’t been hard, but good company makes easier labor. There are still days that I feel very out of place, but it’s been easier, and we’re connecting with people more and more and making more friendships each week. Recently, it even feels like I’m developing deeper relationships with some of the staff, which makes things a lot easier. The advice everyone seems to say to us when we say that we’re struggling to feel like we’re fitting in with the community or having a hard time with Spanish is to “keep putting yourself out there,” which isn’t always easy, but I guess it does work. The thought “but what if I look dumb?” comes up a lot and I’ve realized that it holds me back often. It’s so hard sometimes to be around people I don’t know that well, or feel like I should practice Spanish but being too scared of messing it up at the same time, and know that I’m going to stand out, and not in a cool “you’re so mysterious and unique” way.  I have learned that I need to accept that there are going to be times where I look dumb, embarrass myself, or just don’t know how to do something, but I can’t let that stop me from trying (super cliche sounding, I know…). For the past three months I feel like I’ve been in many positions where I have to learn how to do something from scratch, and if you know me, you might know that I often think I need to be the best at something, and if I try something, and I’m not good at it, I give up fairly easily, because if I’m not amazing at it, what’s the point? But God put me here for a reason. He led me to a place where I constantly need to learn how to do new things, knowing I would make a lot of mistakes and that it wouldn’t often come easily, and He says I still have a purpose here. So I’ll keep putting myself out there, whatever that looks like, on the days that I’m anxious, when I’m tired, when I’m scared, when I don’t know how, and when I don’t feel like it. Because putting myself out there has led to beautiful conversations, a deeper kind of joy, and many lessons on persistence. I can feel that I’m going through a season of growth, I don’t know what the end result is going to look like, but I’m trusting God through it all anyway. 

In the midst of this revelation, we have had a lot going on. We had three teams in row, all with some really amazing people and I’m so grateful to have gotten to get to know so many of them. We started going to a gym here in San Juan, which so far I’ve enjoyed a lot. Cora had been here helping out for a while, she left at the beginning of this month, and selfishly I was sad to see her go, she’s been so encouraging to us and so helpful to everyone here, her company was quite the blessing. We also had Jason and Jerry staying at the guesthouse for two weeks. They were a huge help with various projects and in teaching us a lot. They were also great company to have around, I think we all had a great time getting to know each other. We finally went to a beach, which is kind of crazy that we’d been living on an island for three months before actually enjoying some beach time; and we went to the capital with Kelsi to drop off and pick up a team, we were glad to have finally been able to do that. It gave us a little more time with some of the team members as well as time with Kelsi. We were also able to experience some driving there, which is a whole adventure itself. 

A few more highlights: 

• Beach day!
• More food adventures
• Barrio Clinics 
• Bobba

A day at the beach

As I mentioned above, earlier this month we got to visit a beach with some friends and we had a great time. The weather was beautiful, we enjoyed the water, the sun, and some delicious food for lunch. 

What we’ve been cooking up recently 

Since last month’s blog we’ve had a surprising amount of people comment on what we’ve been cooking and ask about it, so I figured I’d dedicate a portion of this month’s blog to some of my favorite meals we’ve had this month. To start off, I made my homemade hummus, which we enjoyed very much. My favorite way to eat it was with fresh red bell peppers, it was deliciously smooth with a strong lime and garlic flavor. I made my creamy tomato shrimp alfredo again, this has been one of Christian’s favorites, and it does come out pretty good, and who doesn’t love a good pasta? Christian made a turmeric chicken (with many spices) that we had with pita, veggies and the homemade hummus. He also made roasted sweet potatoes on the side (one of my favorite foods) since we had found some sweet potatoes in Santo Domingo. He made whipped honey butter to go with them (like the Texas Roadhouse stuff) which was amazing on those. The flavors of everything in this meal was amazing, one of my favorites that we’ve made recently. 

Some honorable mentions, food we had but did not cook:

• Chicken Pesto Linguini from Gastro Market in Santo Domingo
• Shrimp bowl from Gastro Market in Santo Domingo 
• Frozen Yogurt at Sweet Frog in Santo Domingo 
• Gringa and tostones from El Espia in San Juan

Barrio Clinics

Christian and I both have gotten to be part of a couple of barrio clinics this month, those were some really amazing opportunities to connect with some team members and our ministry assistants. Of course, we didn’t take pictures with any one there because we either feel awkward asking or just forget about the thought entirely, but we don’t miss the opportunity to take pictures and hangout with the animals we meet (that has to be one of the most introverted sentences I’ve ever written, if you know you know). After one of the clinics I went to, Christian had flowers waiting for me when I got back, which was a lovely surprise. 

Bobba in the DR?!

A local coffee bar called Toledo got a new product recently, milkshakes with popping bobba. I’ve been there twice now to have one and it’s so good. I love some good bobba back home and this is the first time I’ve had any since we’ve been in the DR, so I’m excited about that and I’m hoping it sticks around for a while. 

Prayer Requests:

• Strength to press on when things feel too difficult 
• Strength to trust in the Lord and that he will lead us in whatever direction we’re meant to go.
• Physical and mental rest