Magic of New Beginnings in Jacksonville, FL

    Sometimes an opportunity arises in our path that we cannot ignore. That opportunity can be a side adventure, or a step that will catapult wherever you are physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally to the next level and completely rock your world. Some people hate change. They hate how their comfortable, circumstantial situation becomes uncharted territory. Others embrace the unknown, taking the road less traveled. They thrive in these situations of newness and adventures.

    I believe we were put on this Earth to not be comfortable. I believe that we are called to greater things, opportunities, relationships, and experiences. We may have to seek out those greater things, other times they are put in our path. I don't know about you, but when an opportunity lands at my feet that I wasn't expecting, it becomes one of the most uncertain, scariest moments of my life. I think this is because I don't want to be part of an opportunity that does not benefit myself or others around me. Another part of me loves a new change, or opportunity because it has made me a better woman.

    The last two years I started evaluating my current situation. While I loved my job, my home, and having majority of my friends and family within a ten minute drive, I felt a longing to be somewhere else. I felt like I should be somewhere else, experiencing something outside of this small town. Point blank: I wasn't happy. I didn't make this a public announcement, but my closest friends could see that I was burnt out of this town. I started praying about it, and seeking some guidance from my closest friends and family. After several nights on Mer's couch debating this idea, and making false wishes, I knew I had to make a decision.

    This past Christmas I was able to travel to South America with my family and spend it in Colombia. The momentum building up to seeing my family that I used to spend my summers with became overwhelming and unbearable- I just had to hug their necks and share stories over a glass of wine and empanadas. When our time came to an end, I was literally depressed leaving my grandparents and my cousins. My BFF coworker Robin sent me a message and said, "You looked so happy while you were down there! I loved seeing you smile! I can tell you had a blast." While on FaceTime with my cousins Christina and Jen (whom I have always felt like they were my little sisters), Jen broke the news that she was moving back to Florida to help out and I should join her in this adventure. I told her she was crazy and I couldn't just leave. Jen said, "Why can't you?" Being the smartest of us three, Jen kept stumping me. Why couldn't I move? Why should I stay in Spartanburg? There wasn't logical reason.

    Spring Break, I went back to Florida to visit my grandparents and feel out the area. I prayed that after a week down there, I would either leave with affirmation of my move or I would leave with a discomfort of knowing that wasn't the right choice. While I was there, Lauren sent me a text that said, "I don't know what organization you are helping with, the people you are meeting, or what exactly you are doing in Florida, but you look so happy there. Keep doing whatever you are doing." One night I was able to spend the evening out at our beach house. I sat there at 3 AM, in the pitch dark on the deck, listening to the waves crash, I felt a peace that I have only felt once before in my life. This is it. As I said goodbye to my grandparents at the end of the week, Papi was hugging my neck and Pila  was saying, "WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK??" I knew I had to move to Florida.

    Telling my family, friends, and school has been the absolute hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'm not going to go into the emotional, details of the tears, the wailing, and the gnashing of teeth (just kidding) of telling everyone I was moving. But at the end of the day, my true friends have told me how proud they are of me, how they don't blame for wanting to experience something new, and that I should go be with my family. Any uneasiness I had about my decision of my move has been quieted by the most amazing, supportive group of friends.

    My friend Tina asked me "who the boy was." My other friend Susan asked me if I was in love and if that's why I was moving. I replied, "Yes. I am in love. I am in love with my grandparents and the beach."

    Things are moving fast. I have had a few moments of "Oh, crap. What have I decided to do?" Tonight I ran into my Aunt Fran at Twisty's, a frozen yogurt place near my house (I had gone to eat my emotions of nonfat peanut butter chocolate, strawberries, and coconut). She moved from Florida to South Carolina after meeting my uncle online. As I was talking to her, she reassured me I was doing the right thing. That these moments of uncertainty are normal, but the end it's worth the journey.

    Here's to looking at you, Spartanburg. I'll be back. However, it's time for me to experience bigger and better things--time to see how this Roebuck girl does in a big ole city world called Jacksonville.

In the words of my cousin Christina: "DUDDDEEEE, YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE IN FREAKING FLORIDA! "

“As I look back on my own life, I recognize this simple truth: The greatest opportunities were the scariest lions. Part of me has wanted to play it safe, but I’ve learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all.” -Mark Batterson,"In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day"   

The week the Colombiana became a Nicaraguan

The last week of July I had an opportunity to travel to Nicaragua with my aunt and uncle. They take this trip twice a year- one in the winter, and one in the summer. With this being their 24th trip, I would say they are old pros. I have been wanting to go the last few summers but with my school schedule it has never really worked out. But this summer, it worked out perfectly. Loading up with my aunt and uncle and about 20 others from across the southeast, we headed out to Nicaragua to work with Chosen Children Ministries. I wasn't sure what to expect. This wasn't my first trip overseas or doing mission work in another country, so I thought I was prepared. However, God totally rocked my world as soon as we got there.

We spent our days ministering to people out in the barrios. A barrio is an area where groups of people live. Some are better than others--and I use the term "better" loosely. We would lead church services, hand out food and other supplies, and just simply love on the people there. They are so hungry for hope. So, a lot of our time is spent building relationships and sharing the love of Christ. The people are hard workers--men go to work, while the women stay at home to take care of the house and care for the kids. They work to provide for their family daily. Children run amuck around the barrios. I thought about how we constantly have to watch our children here running around the neighborhood. Here, children could be blocks away from their mother and it's ok. A lot of the times when I would ask the children where their parents were, they would either say their mother was at home or the parents were at work. The older siblings are left to care for the younger ones. The children are just absolutely precious. The love in their eyes is indescribable.

I am still processing the week. Hopefully, the pictures below will help me put my thoughts into words.

Our transportation for the week. Hello yellow bus!

Our Sunday Service at church

Bless this man. He did not have much. But I do know this-- his Bible was tattered and worn and he was just a praising and singing as loud as he could. Sweet soul.



 I want this baby. Period. Totally could have fit in my backpack.

Aunt Diane giving her testimony.

 I look down, and the man has brought his dog to church. I guess they need Jesus too.

Our feeding center at one of the churches. And no, that's not a Nicaraguan. That's a big Mexican named Edgar.

The line wrapped around the church.

Biggest pot of beans I have ever seen.

Rice, rice, and more rice.

Amanda scooping juice--making it last. Kind of like Jesus feeding the 5,000.

A flooded barrio.

 Being on a school bus when the roads have flooded is not the best feeling in the world.

Sadly, we were not able to make it back out to the barrio due to the downpour and flooded roads.



 

Mine and Amanda's first day of ministry out in the barrios. Let's do this!

Suited and geared up. Making a fashion statement one pair of rainboots at a time.

 

 

 

Nicaraguans love stickers. We usually had to show them how to peel them off and put on their clothes. This man wanted it on his head.

 

A "nice" barrio.

When you can't speak Spanish, break out the nail polish.

Next stop.

Who doesn't have a pig grazing in their backyard?

Michael with an excited little boy with a new paper airplane.

A feeding of picos and juice. I was mistaken for a Nicaraguan.

This kid cracked me up. Right before I could snap the picture, he had his shirt over his head with his gut hanging out.

 

Day 2 of ministry in another barrio. This is under their "church."

Ducks. But no water around...

These two little girls just made me and Amanda smile so much. Shirtless with bandanas and pink shorts.

Meet Roger. He left his job as a computer engineer making big money to work for Chosen Children. He works for Chosen Children as a guide and a translator. He called me "Mi Amor" all week. Roger swears he's going to be my husband one day. 

Joseph stretching out his back. Bless.

Another barrio and church.



This little one-- Amanda and I just had to pass her around.

This man right here- love him to Reese Pieces. So blessed to call him family.

I'm going to pause here for the night. My computer is having overload issues right now. So hopefully tomorrow I will be able to finish uploading the final pictures. And I hope that this gives you just a glimpse, an idea, a wonder into just a little bit of the Nicaraguan life.