Seven

Seven years ago today, Lucas asked me to be his wife. Little did I know then just what kind of a ride the Lord would be taking us on.

I am so glad that we are in this ride together. There is no one I would rather be with than with you.

Saying yes to you was one of the best decisions of my life. Happy 7th engagement anniversary. Te amo muito meu Brasileiro! 

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

Little did I know that someday I would spend my spring break hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Although I miss the sound of the crashing waves and the glistening sun on my skin, I am grateful for moments like the ones we are experiencing here and now. I am thankful that I married a man that is not only tons of fun but values spending time with me and creating memories, which we will forever cherish. 

These pictures literally bring a smile to my face. Marriage can be so sweet when we do it God's way.

 The B&B we stayed in for our Spring Break getaway.

Ready to embark on our first trail.

My protector, ready to ward off the bears.

The sense of satisfaction after completing our first 4.4 mile hike.

At The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 My hubby, the deep thinker.

 The waterfall that awaited us a the end of the trail.

Our last day at the B&B with our new friends.



Our Home Away from Home

After an unplanned yet very much needed blogging break, I am happy to announce that I'm back with great news to share. We kicked off my birthday month by becoming members of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville.

Initially, the chances of finding a church we loved as much as Doral Baptist Church appeared very bleak. Good thing we didn't leave it up to chance. God has been so gracious with us. He has been orchestrating every single step we have taken here in Louisville, graciously guiding us one step at a time and lovingly leading us by the hand.

Enjoy the pictures of the newest "Cliftonites" who in true Lucas and Indy fashion, "closed" the church that evening. Unfortunately for us there were no photographers around to take our picture but that didn't stop us from snapping a few shots to commemorate the occasion.

  

Happy to call Clifton home. 

"There ain't a cloud in the sky"

The Christmas presents have been opened, wrapping paper and bows have been thrown in the trash, left overs abound but if you're in South Florida, that is virtually the only sign of winter in sight. No snow, sleet, frost, and definitely no dreaming of a White Christmas.

Lucas and I have been blessed to spend another Christmas with my family in our "hometown" but in just a few days the vacation will be over and we will head back to the harsh and bitter cold weather of Kentucky.  We will be swapping the sunscreen, bathing suits and towels for boots, scarfs, and coats.  Our face-to-face interactions with my family will be limited to Skype dates. CrossFit WODs in the middle of the day with my favorite coach, Larissa and the girls (Jen and JBerg) will cease to exist.  Rich conversations with long time friends and our church family will be long gone.  Yet, we trust that God is up to something greater than anything we can see or feel today.  And it is precisely now that the biblical definition of faith is put into practice.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen 

-Hebrews 11:1 

"There ain't a cloud in the sky."

Better When We're Together

Yesterday Lucas and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary.  I happily sang the lyrics to Jack Johnson's song with a smile on my face, "It's always better when we're together."  It really is better when we're together.  I couldn't imagine being on this adventure with anyone else.  Te amo tanto, tanto, tanto meu Brasileiro.

  

Happy IRON anniversary handsome!  

Countdowns and Home

Lately I have been living my life from countdown to countdown.  As a matter of fact, my mom and sister are only 3 days away from arriving in Louisville where they will be spending Thanksgiving with us.  It will be their first time in Kentucky and I am really looking forward to showing them our new home.  Yet I can't help but wonder whether I have really accepted that Louisville is home.  


As I was driving home from work yesterday in the middle of rush hour, I realized that our Florida tag is a dead giveaway as to why I drive with so much caution or randomly and unintentionally cut someone off so as not to miss my exit.  It feels that U-turns have become a part of my regular driving routine when going somewhere new.  All this to say that my heart is still in Miami.  I long for the heat of my hometown even if it does come with humidity.  I long to hear others speaking my native language, Spanish.  I long to greet someone with a kiss on the cheek and not feel awkward about it.  But more than Miami itself and the beautiful diversity of Hispanics that can be found there,  my heart yearns to be close to my family and friends.


Yet, I understand that God has a purpose in sending us here where Lucas is preparing for full-time ministry.  I feel like this is also a training ground for me and I am making the most of this opportunity even if countdowns help me get by on the most difficult days.  I can't promise that I will ever say that Kentucky is home.  I understand that it is for now but all I can think about is that cliché, "Home is where the heart is."  Maybe someday my heart will follow me to Kentucky but right now I am content to think that someday I will be basking in the Miami sun and relishing every minute of it even if it means an unwanted re-introduction to rude drivers and frustrating traffic jams.  


Te extraño Miami. 

A Happy Heart

On this day, six years ago, the day I dreamed about since I was a little girl would finally play itself out before my very eyes when my then boyfriend, Lucas, asked me to his wife.  I never imagined marriage would be so abundant but God never ceases to remind me of His faithfulness through His word, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than ALL we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."  Ephesians 3:20

 Photo Credit:  UDS  

Happy 6th 'Engagement' Anniversary meu brasileiro.  Those Portuguese speaking energy balls are not here yet but life couldn't be more complete than it is by your side.  Whether I am shopping at Nordstrom's Rack or at the local consignment store, I have realized that I need very little in life to be content.  With you and God by my side, I have all I need and want.


Te amo tanto, tanto, tanto y te amo para siempre.

Lovin' Louisville: St. James Court Art Festival

 Lucas with his nieces, Gabi and Lulu.  Gotta love Lulu's collared dress aka Lucas' shirt.  ;)

 We were FREEZING!

I love these girls.  

Lulu 'fighting' with her tio for the Kettlecorn.

Priceless.

Consider the Cost

Living here in Louisville has been a true blessing for us but it has also come with a steep price tag.  What has it cost us to leave everything in Miami behind to move to Louisville?  Simply put, it has cost us more than we ever anticipated.  Why?  Because the cost is not measured in dollars but in those invaluable things, like family and friends that were left behind, which certainly cannot be assigned a numerical value to.  We have traded all that we knew and loved for our number one love, Jesus Christ.

And this is precisely what He calls us to do and expects of us.  In Luke 13:26-27, Jesus empathically states, “If you want to be my disciple. You must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciples. “

It may sound a bit radical but the truth is that Jesus will not and cannot settle for second place; it’s all or nothing.  And I have a feeling that this season in our life is just a taste of what lies ahead for us. I know that being called to serve Him is a huge privilege, one which I do not take lightly.  I recognize that attached to this great privilege is the high cost I am asked to pay.  The cost that I am only beginning to understand now.  Yet a cost that when I think of all He's done for me, I can't help but consider what a low cost it is to pay to follow Him.

Our Cottage Getaway in Pictures

Our cottage.

Look closely.  We stayed in Cottage #13.  Talk about scary. 

Re-enacting a scene from a scary movie.  I'm the helpless girl.

My hubby on the grill.  We had some chicken wings, skirt steak, and Argentine sausage.  

Before our kayaking adventure.

 The lake where we went kayaking.

 Lucas getting ready to go kayaking.

 Here I am attempting to kayak.  I admit that I wasn't very good at paddling.  It took me a while to get the hang of it.  

 Lucas looked like a pro.

Feeling accomplished after our first kayaking session.  1.5 hours of paddling = quite a work-out.

"Don't be a T-U-M-B-L-E-W-E-E-D." 

 A cute farmhouse we saw on our way from the distillery to the cottage.  

 Driving by a farm with a whole lot of cows.  Now this is what we call grass-fed cows.

Lovin' Louisville: Farmer's Market

Here in Kentucky visiting The Farmer's Market is THE thing to do on Saturday mornings. If you're in the mood for some fresh omelets prepared with free range chicken eggs, they've got it. If you want fresh brewed coffee, they've got it. If you're looking for some grass-fed beef, chicken, meat and bacon, they've got it. Beautiful flower arrangements made on the spot, check. Fresh squeezed lavendar lemonade, check, check. Anything and everything you find here is, well FRESH.

The reason we love The Farmer's Market so much is that we get to handpick our produce and meat for the week which makes it pretty easy to eat the Paleo way. Although I'm not exactly sure how The Farmer's Market will function in a couple of months when it starts to cool down here. I have a feeling that the cold weather won't be much of a factor for the Kentuckians. I can't promise this Miami girl will brave the weather right away but come berry season, I will definitely hit The Farmer's Market again just to find some organic berries. It just might be worth the chill. We'll see.

The Farmer's Market at Beargrass Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Almeida's at the Farmer's Market on 8/20/11

I loved this sign. "Happy cows and pigs make great meat!"



These apples still have the leaves. How cute is that?

Lucas picking some colorful peppers.

I love this farmer's hat. It reads, "Kentucky Proud."

I promise that the basil really smelled THAT good and it tasted even better. Lucas prepared some delicious pesto sauce with this baby.

If you look closely you will find a Mennonite woman. I thought she was Amish but my brother-in-law said the Amish probably wouldn't travel to the city.

Live entertainment. I think it was some type of Bluegrass country music.



This is where we get our skirt steak for BBQ's which are known as Cook-Outs here in Kentucky.




See you next Saturday.

Lovin' Louisville: Making Friends

Having Dinner with The Smiths at Tumbleweed on the River.

One of the coolest things about living on campus at Southern Baptist Theological Semianry (SBTS) is meeting new, young couples that are so much like us. Mark and Melissa are originally from Ohio. Mark is studying to be a pastor and Melissa is a teacher.

Last night we went on our first double date. We exchanged our thoughts on ministry, discussed our backgrounds and shared our future aspirations with each other. There was much wisdom to be gained from this young couple. It's exciting to see how God will continue to build this friendship He has orchestrated.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
-Proverbs 27:17

The Seminarian's First Day

You know the joy a mother feels on the first day of school when she gets to send her children off to school? Every year, as an elementary school teacher, I am privileged enough to somehow participate in this marvel. The intricate intersection between parent and child letting go of each other to face something new. The point in which a parent chooses to hand his/her child over to another adult for the sake of their child, knowing that something good will come of it.

To some degree, I was able to experience that same emotion today as I saw the most important person in my life set off on his first day as a seminary student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. The sole purpose of our move from Miami in which we left everything we knew and loved behind to pursue God's call is finally coming to fruition.

Lucas,

The joy I feel in my heart seeing you begin your journey as a seminarian in SBTS is indescribeable. Sheer blissfulness is what I sense as I see the infectious smile on your face, the spark in your eyes and that ambition you possess. I am completely and utterly humbled with God's goodness. I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity, the opportunity to see you chasing after God's will no matter the cost. I am thrilled to be a part of this adventure. May the Lord continue to speak to your heart and use you for His mighty purposes. I will gladly follow you wherever He leads, 'til the ends of the Earth. Te amo tanto meu Brasileiro.

Your linda,
Indi

Just outside our door and the Seminarian is ready to meet his destiny at SBTS.

The place where his two loves meet: God and music.

Heading off to one of his classes; he can hardly contain the excitement.


I hope your first day was simply amazing my love. I am so proud of you.