Stand up; Testify!

      Around October of 2012, I found myself in an internal struggle of deciding how to pray. On one hand, I was surprisingly pregnant, living in a one-room house with no running hot water or reliable air conditioning, and my husband and I had no stable income. On the other hand, I had a baby doctor (hard to find in PR that takes our insurance), a great church family, and all of my essential needs completely met. I knew that even though my lifestyle had changed dramatically in a short period of time, I was not in need, and I felt guilty praying for things I desired but knew to be luxuries. Finally, I decided God already knew the desires of my heart, so I might as well be open and honest with Him about them. I desperately wanted reliable air conditioning solely for night time. I know money is an amenity, and we’re blessed to have the savings we do, and I told God so. But I prayed for some stability in a time when finances were (although it’s a sin) a big source of anxiety. John’s family was coming in November, and we had two car issues in a short span of time that were not inexpensive. We were going home for Christmas and wanted to bring Xena, our furbaby, back with us. The list could go on. Lastly, I began praying then for a bigger space to move into before the baby arrived. I told Him that if it aligned with His will, we’d love to have a house with a yard for the dog. We’d like to be able to be walking distance to my grandparents, we’d love for it come with appliances and a bathtub, and we had a specific low number in mind for rent. That is one prayer request we shared with those closest to us as well. 

      A pause for a disclaimer before a continuance is necessary here. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” We serve a big God who is absolutely NOT a genie in a bottle. People often use this scripture to show how prayer will get you what you want, but that is a flawed concept. When we are focused on Him, our desires should be aligned to His. I am NOT saying John and I were a state of perfect alignment, by any means. I just wanted to clarify. Our God is a provider. He meets our needs (that Biblically are nothing but Him) and blesses us beyond our needs only according to His will. This story is not told because He has always answered my prayers the way I wanted. There are, indeed, several things I have been praying for almost daily for years that I have not, and may not, see through to fruition. However, this is told by a girl who is hormonal, has struggles with the sin of anxiety, and is standing in serious awe of a Heavenly Father who has heard His daughter and son and the many petitions from friends and family on our behalf. That is why it’s essential to share. That is why I couldn’t wait to start writing. Because “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). HE HEARS US. 

     Right before John’s family came in November we were surprised and blessed with a monetary gift from a dear family. It filled us  with humility and gratitude. They are truly the Lord’s servants at work. Around the same time, John had a fantastic idea to fix the air conditioner, and now it’s reliable and wonderful at night time! 

When a window unit cannot go in a window,
John puts it in the wall! Love him!

        In December, we were blessed with an early baby shower by our friends and family at home, and we have continued to be humbled as gifts have not stopped coming, and God has truly used His followers to take care of us and this precious new life we are anticipating meeting. We were also able to bring our first baby girl, Xena, with us to Puerto Rico. That has been rewarding for us, our grandparents, and our puppy dog. 

She LOVES all the big sticks in her new backyard!

Grandpa LOVES this dog!

 

     In January, we were provided with some free lab work when I had to take the pregnancy glucose test. This was unexpected and wonderful because no lab we have found accepts our American insurance, and we’ve been paying out of pocket. We also felt called to live on faith even more after having a better month at the office with new patients, and decided February would be the first month we not live solely off of savings. 

     In February, we allotted ourselves less and trusted all necessities would be provided. This month has been a stretch financially because of that leap in confidence, but this week has left us reassured that we truly are safe in the hands of God. He has delivered to us a house that did not even have a sign on the outside saying it was for rent or sale. It is, literally, the house across the street from our grandparents, and the price is, literally, the exact price we were hoping to pay monthly. For curious minds, it does not have a bath tub or appliances; nevertheless, the Lord has already provided a refrigerator, TV, microwave, and chair through family and friends here! He heard our prayers.

John and Grandma with the owner of the house!

The big room. Part dining, part living room.

It has two bedrooms, and they both have these amazing closets with shelves!
Shelves! Storage is such a blessing!

"Porch" We will put our futon swing here. See that white wall across the street?
That's my grandparents' house! I'd say that's walking distance! :)

Kitchen! Let me tell you, you will not fully appreciate drawers until you haven't had them! 
Excited!!

     Literally, God only knows what March holds. And that’s all right with us right now. In April, God willing, we will move into a cute blue and pink house. In May, God willing, we will welcome the newest Puerto Rican Barrington into this world. And the whole time, God willing, we will continue praying.  And even if we don’t feel His answers, we will be able to look at this time in our lives and know He hears us. Because He does, and that’s the point of any testimony. 

HE HEARS US.

Perspective

      With dinner on the mind, John and I skimmed through menus on the streets of Old San Juan during our business trip/”babymoon”.   While looking through an Italian restaurant’s options, we heard a woman walking by loudly declare that it’s ridiculous to come to Puerto Rico and eat Italian food. John had to refrain me from retaliation. I wanted to inform her that if she stayed here long enough, although Puerto Rican food is muy rico, she would probably not crave its goodness every single day. To travelers in San Juan, San Juan is the essence of Puerto Rico. To Americans who live on the island, San Juan is the closest to the States that it gets. We love the diversity, and seek out sushi, Greek, Indian, and French goodness whenever we find ourselves in the historic city.

Perspective.

Isn’t it amazing how many different ones walk around with blindness to the idea that others may not share the same views? A verse close to my heart during this journey of pregnancy is Psalm 139:14. It says, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it.” This is from the same chapter in which the Psalmist states God knew him while he was in the womb. It’s a great confidence booster for purpose and an inspiration while carrying a brand new person inside of me that didn’t physically exist several months ago. However, it’s also convicting. If I am His workmanship and my baby is wonderfully complex, then…so is everyone else.

It’s been an adventure while learning this lesson and living with two elderly loved ones who are very set in their ways. There have been times of joy watching them physically improve and become emotionally healthier, but there have been times of intense miscommunication and feelings of failure on part of John and myself. We have had to come to a place that constantly remembers we cannot change them. They are His workmanship and wonderfully complex, no matter how differently we view the world or how difficult some situations with them can seem. We can; however, accept them where and how they are, and we can pray for them. All of the time, we can pray for them. For them to be happy. To choose contentment, especially as they age. To love each other and others around them.

Since June 2012, our perspectives have changed. Evolved and grown-as they should continue to do as we meet more people and learn new ways of life. This does NOT mean we agree or condone all views-it just means that, to an extent, we try to understand.

That woman in Old San Juan, although loud and a little rude, was understandable. If I travelled to Italy I probably wouldn’t eat at a burger joint. Not long ago, I would have eaten Puerto Rican food in San Juan. I also would have cared more when a bug crawled across my computer screen, when my Grandma told every single stranger we meet that I can’t speak Spanish, and that the bathroom door can’t physically close all the way. Things change. With them, perspectives broaden.

It’s okay if you don’t agree every person you encounter. It’s okay if you don’t agree with me. But, if you are a believer I’d like to challenge you (along with myself) to remember that all of those people we disagree with-whether it be an entire lifestyle choice or an isolated statement-are marvelously made.

 

Now, a few pictures of our two days in San Juan--that were marvelously made as well!

I don't think we've had a trip to San Juan without going to this sushi restaurant!
Tayzan on Ashford. Consistently lovely!

A friend told me to go to the beach and make a hole
to be able to lay belly-down. Wonderful idea!

Baby sunscreen was the cheapest option at the pharmacy because we forgot ours.
John said I should take a picture with some on the baby. :)

Yes, folks, he's on an island. No, folks, he doesn't have any color yet.
He didn't want his face to burn...He'll probably have something to say to me when he sees I uploaded this.

Last night on the town! Next time we may be in that city?
Picking up Sandy Barrington so she can meet Carmi June in May!

God bless!