From Colorado

Can you believe this beautiful rainbow?! The most vibrant I've ever seen...

I've been "living" in Colorado for about a week now, and what a week it has been. I'm attending Missionary Training International (MTI) here outside of Colorado Springs. To be honest, my attitude was not great upon coming here. I am eager to start my work and life in the Dominican, and it seemed to be another "mandatory" step before getting there. Praise God that my attitude changed within a few days after realizing how crucial this time will be before I head to the field.

I am learning a lot about myself, God, me and God, and how awareness of those can help immensely on the mission field. There are also great interpersonal and cross cultural adjusting skills that we are learning. I don't think I realized how many expectations I have for my new life, and how many of those will probably never produce or become reality. Without this training I suppose I would have kept riding this "roller coaster" without a lot of crucial examination of myself and what exactly I am stepping into. By the end of this, I have faith that I will be a little less blind sighted by some of the experiences and feelings I have while abroad. Praise God for this opportunity, and for His grace in giving this to me, even when I was being prideful and having a bad attitude about the whole thing.

There are about 43 other "almost missionaries" in this building - living, eating and working together each day. It has been rare to be able to talk to a missionary in the past year, let alone someone who is in the same spot in life as me, preparing to go. Sharing my feelings and talking with each of them has been incredibly refreshing and encouraging. It has also completely wiped out my view of what a missionary is like. Before I decided to do this I think I had an image in my head of a really religious person, who acted perfectly and had a perfect relationship with God. Although I knew that wasn't true when I realized this is what I was called to do, I am even more convinced now that missionaries are just people who love Jesus, but are as broken and in need of rescue as the rest of the world... a fantastic realization for me ;)

Once again I have been placed in a just beautiful place. I seem to keep meeting with mountains during my travels. I have been surrounded by them for the past few months, which I think is neat because Jarabacoa is in the mountains as well. I am feeling a greater connection all the time to them and their beauty. I also continue to grow in my adventurous and "outdoorsy" side. I went on a long hike yesterday that I really enjoyed, and may even go camping while here! All of the people are so much fun to be around, and I just wasn't expecting to once again enjoy these "mandatory" things set before me. How have I not learned to trust God completely!? He always seems to know best, and that is being made more and more clear to me all the time. After a pretty fast-paced, tiring time in Antigua, He is giving me rest I need here in Colorado - it is just a different type of adventure and fun. Still challenging and tiring at times, but more in an emotional sense. I am so thankful to have this opportunity before I go.

I want to say a big THANKS to those of you that have been praying. I am getting so excited about the work that lies ahead of me - that children in the Dominican come to know our precious Father and Savior. I would ask for more prayers of God's Spirit in me as I am navigated through this time and prepare to leave. This week is supposedly more "intense" than the last, so I ask for prayers for enthusiasm and God's wisdom/discernment in what I need to learn.

So much love and blessings to each of you reading! Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer ;)