Sending Sydney

november/ december

friendsgiving!

A classic November, 21st century tradition: friends-giving!

One way I feel God’s love recently is by the community He has provided me in the short time that I have been here. I have found beautiful, deep friendships in so many God-fearing women that also work at Doulos, not to mention those who I have met outside of the Doulos community.

When moving away, we can all agree that it is all fun and games until the loneliness sets in and, you wonder why you left your old comfort back home in the first place. Other than the fact that I knew I was here based on confirmation from the Lord, I also felt that the great on-boarding process that Doulos has made this move for me so seamless and, the people that have been called to serve here and those who are local are so warm and welcoming, I felt so loved and blessed to integrate into a new country.

I miss my people but, I am not the best keep-in -toucher as I truly love to prioritize just being in the moment wherever I am. This has been an area where recently I feel lead to check on people back home more, and send more updates so that I don’t lose connections with those that have helped me be where I am today. I also praise God for his care for me in connections I have built in this town and I feel it is a prayer request that I have seen answered time and time again.

solitude?

“ the situation of being alone, often by choice. “- cambridge dictionary

Even reading this definition, I can feel myself tense up in just the sheer thought of being alone, let alone by choice??? Anyone who knows me knows that being alone is not my favorite thing ever ( something God is working in me). However, as Christians, we know how important it is to spend time alone with the Father - alone and free of distractions to let Him speak to us and to recharge our spirit.

Another thing that I love about working for Doulos is the “day of Solitude “ that they have all their staff take every semester. This is a day that is given to every staff member and that we are expected to utilize to recharge and just be with God, away from the noise. This is on top of the personal days that we are given.

This photo to the right is a picture I took during my day of Solitude at the river that runs through town. I anxiously anticipated this day to be honest because spending ample amount of time with the Father wasn’t something that I am used to having naturally built into my schedule the way that I wish I could say that it is. I decided to get into nature and pray as well as just listen to the river run as I reflect on God’s creation and read/meditate over His word.

I ended this day feeling so grateful for a work environment that prioritizes spending time with the Father and for God himself for meeting me where I am, surprising me and loving me so well. I am looking forward to taking this day of solitude next semester.

more snapshots of these months

I am blessed to live on a BEAUTIFUL Island and, the traveler in me is excited to keep visiting different parts and coasts during various breaks that I have. This picture furthest to the left is in "Cabarete”, the closest beach to my house around 2 hours away. The picture in the middle is at dismissal where I get to supervise and send my high-schoolers home for the day. The picture furthest to the right is at a local fruit stand. It is SO nice and refreshing to be able to walk into a fresh market and pick your own local grown fruits and veggies- for a great price ;) I am trying to soak up all the local fruits and veggies that I can while I am here!