Heartstrings 3.0: lost voice

“…I am reminded how many preconceived misconceptions we have to face in the Muslim world as Westerners. We have to go the extra mile to overcome these preconceived ideas so as to remove as many stumbling blocks as we can. So I think that we need to do all we can to learn from the people how to live in their culture as insiders, with an understanding of their language and their culture, so that we are better equipped to handle the many challenges we face. We also need to ask God to give us help in every situation to have the right words and the right response.” – Miniskirts, Mothers, & Muslims by Christine A. Mallouhi

This is something my heart has been feeling since I decided to go on this crazy adventure overseas but I have never quite figured out how to express it in the vocal form myself. This is a prayer I have for not only myself, but for all of those who are going with me and who are currently there. May we all seek God before speaking and acting so as to bring a change of opinion to a culture that has a pretty bad viewpoint of what true Christianity is about. May our hearts and minds me open to His teaching and words over the next few years. May we be receptive to each person around us—no matter what our different beliefs are. May we love them the way that Christ loves us.

It’s amazing to think that it’s only been a few short months since I took this job and over the course of the past few weeks, I can feel my heart changing for these people and their country. I find myself wanting to stand up for people I have never met before and respecting a culture that appears on the outside to be so far from who I am. I will never take their beliefs and practices as my own, but I can at least head over there with respect for them… just as I hope they have respect for me as a Christian.  

On a lighter note, I had a wonderful weekend spent with some extended family. My friend, Fernando, and his family took me out to Texas Roadhouse (where I almost took home a basket of rolls to freeze and take with me on the plane) for a good-bye dinner. It was such a sweet gesture and meant a lot to me.

Speaking of the little Fernandez clan (be prepared to be jealous): look at what I get to spend time with and receive night-night kisses from every night (and fun afternoons where we pretend it’s night-night time just so I can get kisses) until I leave.

My main little man, Issac. I’m loving every second I get to spend with him and cherishing the few moments I get to hold him as he falls asleep for a nap. Gonna miss this little guy and his growing little family. I even video-taped him and his mama playing so that if I get a little home sick, I can hear his sweet little laugh 6,000 miles away.

Heartstring 2.0: First Goodbyes

3 weeks until potential D-Day... and by D-Day, I mean Departure Day.

Last week I left Tejas and ventured to Yankee-land to visit the family. On the way there, I decided to stop in one of my favorite cities in the states... Washington DC. It was nice to go back after 4 years and see things I wasn't able to do the last time I was there. I was able to visit the National Archives and see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights along with some other rad documents. I visited the National Aquarium (major letdown), Martin Luther King Jr's memorial (pics below), had a morning stroll around the Tidal Basin, re-visited some memorials since I was in the area, went back to the Air & Space museum and Natural History Museum, visited the Botanical Gardens, and saw a pretty cool concert outside around the Capital. Every time I go, I fall more and more in love with that city. Here are some Instagram pictures I took (I was definitely on a kick... so get ready for those as I make the big move overseas. I just <heart3 Instagram!)

Washington Memorial

MLK Memorial.. bigger then I expected

Jefferson Memorial on a morning stroll along the Tidal Basin

Figured I would get a good shot of some US flags since I won't be seeing them for awhile.

Happy Independence Day, America!

In between my DC trip was my family time. I got to visit with some of my most favoritest people in the whole world. It was a slow trip as I spent most of my time at my grandma's house and my family came to visit. We didn't do much other then sit around and occasionally watch some of the tube. It was nice to see them though. Glad to have everyone there healthy and everything. My aunts came over several times, which was nice. I got to meet my cousins daughter for the first time. She was a sweetheart! My cousin opened her own business and I couldn't be more happier or proud of her. She now rents a nice little booth (which I will have to come sit in one day for a hair-did!) The trip went by super-fast (unusually fast actually) and before i knew it; it was the night before I was leaving. I said my goodbyes rather quickly and told everyone that they should just pretend I was going back to Texas instead of Abu Dhabi. Thinking back on it, I'm not sure if that was more for them, or for me. By saying that, it makes it seem as though I am going back to the norm... maybe its a coping mechanism because I'm not good at "goodbyes."

I'm now back in Texas at one of my closest friend's house with her husband and baby. I think this goodbye will definitely be the hardest when the time comes. And here's why:

Best way to spend the last month. Goodnight kissies from this sweet boy and listening to his beautiful laugh. This will probably be the thing I will miss the most as I get more and more used to hearing it on a daily basis. Gotta post this quick as Little Man is trying desperately to get on my lap.