So, as we prepare for graduation week, I thought I would relive those days a bit and record them here so I can have a place to look back and remember all that God has done to lead us to this point.
Jeff and I both had a heart for Central America throughout high school and college. Jeff majored in Spanish in school and I had traveled during the summers doing medical missions. But, we had never experienced it together. So, after much prayer, God opened a door for us to live and work at an orphanage in Acapulco, Mexico called Casa Hogar. There were around 70 children living at the orphanage at the time and they completely stole our hearts from day one!
In some ways it feels like just yesterday...
And, then I look at pictures like this it it feels like a really long time ago.
Oh those pre-baby days :)
Well, sort of! We didn't have babies at the time, but we were responsible for 7 incredible boys!
They made our days adventurous, stretched us in more ways that we could have imagined and gave us a glimpse into the tremendous honor and responsibility of parenting.
and, of course, the craziness of parenting!
There were certainly many wild nights trying to get the boys into bed!
There were certainly many wild nights trying to get the boys into bed!
It was such a beautiful and challenging year.
It was here that I saw, firsthand, Jeff's gift of working with kids. Although he was teaching high school at the time, I had never seen him interact with little ones. He was such a natural and the kids absolutely adored him. There was no question in my mind that he would make the most wonderful father one day.
It was also at Casa Hogar where God gave Jeff a vision for our future. He felt this urge to do something more. To have some kind of tangible way to bless children and an open door to share the gospel. One day we were riding on a bus into town when he looked at me and said "I think I want to be a dentist!"
It made perfect sense - a love for children, gifted fine motor skills, a heart for the poor and a determination to follow God's plan. And, boy did it take a lot of determination! 3 years out of school he had to study those college courses all over again for admission to school. Then, going through dental school - 2000 miles away from family and having 3 babies along the way - Lots of determination!
But, never for a second did I question this plan OR God's timing in it. Looking back I can see that if he had gone to school right out of college we would have missed out on so many things.
like these precious ones
Time to think, plan & dream.
Meeting some of our best friends.
{Little did we know we would be living in the same city 2 year later during dental school!}
a view into a different, beautiful culture
lessons on how to fix little boys hair - ha!
an opportunity to practice our Spanish. At the time we had no idea that Jeff would go to school in Southern Cal and use his Spanish pretty much every day during dental school!
I look back on these pictures and want to cry and laugh all at the same time. A part of me wishes we could go back and do it all over again!
So, today I'm celebrating this journey God has us on, even all the little twists and turns & the times when He stretches us and prepares us for challenges that lay ahead. Living in Mexico certainly prepared me in many ways for the 4 years we would spend in California! I'm thankful that I can trust in our Father's timing and rejoice that He gives us little glimpses into His purposes in our life.
This next week is going to be full of celebration! As a wife, I cannot imagine any greater joy than seeing my husband fulfilling his dream and using his gifts in service for God. I cannot wait to celebrate this guy and all he means to me!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
