Goodbye for Now, Miami

This post is long overdue. I had been putting it off because quite simply I had no idea how to say goodbye to those I love so dearly back home. However, I will attempt to do so now.

Miami holds a very special place in my heart. It is the place where I have been privileged to call home for the past thirty one years, the place where I met my husband and the place where God rescued me.

Back in August of 2010, my husband felt God nudge him about pursuing his seminary education full-time. He had been studying in Miami for about six months prior to that. However, he realized that God was calling him to step back from the ministry and dedicate himself fully to his studies. It didn't make perfect sense at first. For one, neither one of us had a job and we certainly didn't know where we would live. Secondly, both of us flee from the cold. We are Latins and love the Miami heat (both the climate and the warmth of the Hispanic community). Yet we were comforted in the midst of the process knowing that we had our family's unconditional support. Additionally, our church agreed that the timing was right for us to leave for some time as long as we promised to return after seminary and continue ministering at Doral Baptist Church.

All the signs were pointing us towards Louisville, Kentucky. Lucas' entire family lived there and it would be the first time since we've been married that they would all be together in the same city, no longer separated by a 1,000 plus miles. We had absolutely nothing holding us back in Miami except, of course, our hearts. However, when God calls you, He only gives you two options: 1. Obey and 2. Disobey. We chose the former.

Lucas has always said that the best place to be is in the center of God's will. We feel without a shadow of a doubt that we are in this place now. As difficult as it was to say goodbye to those we love, we did it out of obedience. It may have been full of tears but it was also full of immeasurable peace knowing that God would continue to prove His faithfulness to us, our family, and friends. Slowly we have seen all of the pieces of His puzzle fall into place. It has been said, that all good things come to an end, but we agree that this is just the beginning. ;)

To our family back home:

We are so grateful for a beautiful little tool called Skype in which we get to chat with you almost every day. Thank you for the support you have given us in the months leading up to the move and the day of the actual move. I don't see how we could've done it without you. God has truly blessed us with an amazing family who not only enable us but also encourage us to serve Him through their love in action.

To our church family:

Three years ago when we first met most of you, we had no idea you would actually become a part of our extended family. Words are incapable alone of describing what a special place each and everyone of you hold in our hearts. Just know that the reason why we are here is because we want to come back to Doral Baptist Church better equipped to serve and minister to you. Thank you for allowing us to take advantage of this opportunity.

To our friends:
My husband said it best, "you can replace almost anything but you can't replace friends." As we start cultivating new friendships here we know that we will never be able to replace you, nor would we ever want to. We will continue to pray for you even while we are away.

To our Crossfit Box, VIDA:

It has been a true privilege getting to know you these past 7 months and although our time was brief, it was life-changing. We will undoubtedly find a new box here but nothing will be like VIDA. We treasure our time spent with you. Most of you may never know this, but we pray for you often. It is our desire that you would not only find Him but fall in love with your maker.

Point Them to Christ

Just when you think you've got it all figured out, God throws a curve ball your way. Monday night I had a rough time staying asleep; God woke me up at 3:30 am. There is no doubt in my mind that it was Him calling out to me in an attempt to have my undivided attention.

So what's been on my mind lately is sin. Not necessarily my sin but just sin in general. That stuff which we do that hurts God. Those things that as hard as we try to break free seem to have a hold on us. Whether it is in our thought process or actions, it is there. No one is exempt from it. It is simply a part of the depraved human condition. Blame it on Adam, blame it on Eve, it doesn't matter who you blame it on, we are all guilty of it and will not begin to change until we can recognize it.

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, subtle things which may not have bothered us in the past begin to irk us. For me, there was actually something that upset me (righteous indignation), it made me restless and broke my heart. However there is a huge difference when we are disgusted by our own sin and that of others. It's easy to fall into the self-righteous trap. How could _____ do such a thing? Don't they see how wrong that is? When will they change? We can become impatient and want to stop hanging out with those whom do not see eye to eye with us. However that is in direct contrast to what Jesus did and desires that we as Christians do. After all, wasn't he the one hanging out with the tax collectors and the nonbelievers? When everyone was pointing fingers at the adulteress woman, didn't he tell her, "Go and sin no more." (See John 8:1-11)

But why is it that it is so hard for us to be like Christ? Patient, loving, kind, gentle, and forgiving. I don't know why we so easily forget where we ourselves came from. When I look back at my life B.C. (before Christ), I literally want to shout with joy what David penned in Psalm 40:2, "he rescued me from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock".

I was speaking to my mother-in-law whom is a very godly woman that I deeply admire and as she listened to me via Skype chat (unfortunately the distance prevents us from seeing each other in person) she shared some insights with me. She helped me see that at times, we try to do the job of the Holy Spirit and that does more harm than good. The bottom line is that we are called to be loving and patient. God never calls us to do His job. He may cause us to feel uneasy but we are never called to point fingers at them or demand that they change. Rather we are to love them like Christ loved us.

Today I am grateful that He never gave up on me and my prayer for those that are struggling with giving something up to follow Christ is that they would know that nothing in this world is worth holding on to if it will mean losing Him.

*This is the passage in the bible that God pointed me to on Monday morning. It was the first thought on my mind when I woke up after my conversation with my mother-in-law.

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Image of Mary Magdalene at Christ's feet from the movie, The Passion of Christ