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. 

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.

Settling In

Our first week in Louisville, Kentucky has been pretty phenomenal. I can't begin to describe how good it has been to sit back and watch God put all of the pieces together little by little. The people have simply been amazing. They have been so friendly and welcoming. Traffic is non-existent or at least we have yet to deal with it. Everything we need is located within a fifteen mile radius and it feels great not to spend hours on end trying to get from Point A to Point B.

We are still praying about finding a church to call home while away from "home." There are lots to choose from here and we have received invitations from practically everyone we've met but we are trying to take it slow and find "the one." We want to allow God to pick the place where He wants us to grow and serve Him.

Words escape me when I try to articulate what I feel living here. If I had to pick one word then I'd probably choose right. It just feels right to be here. I may be taking my words back come winter but for right now, there is no other place I'd want to be.

Enjoying some Menchie's fro yo with my sister-in-law and our nieces. This place opened up the week we moved to Louisville. Talk about perfect timing! God knew we were coming. ;)

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.