small changes

A friend brought us down the book "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis, which was the most perfect gift for us and everyone should probably read it, and I haven't even gotten past the forward and already I feel like God is helping me define what's on my heart. This section is one hundred percent my heart for living here in the Dominican, and I wanted to share it with you.

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"People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I've noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren't determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they're satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.

People who want to make a difference get frustrated along the way. But if they have a particularly stressful day, they don't quit. They keep going. Given their accomplishments, most of them are shockingly normal and the way they spend each day can be quite mundane. They don't teach grand lessons that suddenly enlighten entire communities; they teach small lessons that can bring incremental improvement to one man or woman, boy or girl. They don't do anything to call attention to themselves, they simply pay attention to the everyday needs of others, even if it's only one person. They bring change in ways most people will never read about or applaud. And because of the way these world-changers are wired, they wouldn't think of living their lives any other way."

-Beth Clark, Forward of "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis

live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air

blogging is a hard deal because every time i sit down to write, my head swims with all thoughts and people and stories i want to share. life here is beautiful and full of God's grace and for those reasons and more it is a life that is difficult to narrow down. nonetheless, blogging is something i want to get better at :)

never in life have i welcomed a new year as i do this one. with everything i want to be doing here - whether it be school, hanging out in orphanages, or just living life with people - the days begin to get packed, the nights become short, my eyelids grow heavy. i needed a fresh start. i needed to refocus.

over this past break the Lord has taken me under His wing and given me a new perspective, washing me clean of my selfishness, reminding me i don't have to do everything myself, showing me more glimpses of His plan, healing me. i have forgotten how to make time for the things that bring me joy...like writing, blogging, running, being outside, the beach, music, talking to my family and friends - the list is long. i live in the most beautiful place ever and i feel like i haven't been taking enough advantage of that. the Lord is teaching me again how to walk in the freedom He's given me, the same freedom He sent me to bring to people here.

i feel like the most clever thing the enemy can do is to bog down my mind. to overwhelm me. but i am thankful that the Holy Spirit wants to constantly renew my mind, so that i'm able to see more clearly the heart of God (Romans 12:2). and that is my prayer every day from here on out that my mind is transformed and renewed until my life is not even a bit my own anymore.

i just need to remember i'm free. i forget sometimes.

"live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air" -ralph waldo emerson

this is where i live.

*side note: there is a lot of good going on here, and i would love to share some of it with whoever is interested in praying over specific people and situations that i would rather not post publicly. for this reason i am going to start regularly emailing updates and requests for prayer. if you would like to be on the list of people to receive those emails, please send a note to emilee.cook@gmail.com letting me know. i am excited to share and feel more connected through prayer :)

boys

A little over a week ago I find myself in a little church on the property of the Jaibón orphanage, worshipping and praying with all the boys. We listen to the animated Pastor give his message and everyone is given the opportunity to lead a song. A lot of the boys get up and sing, I go up with Imanol and we sing a song he taught me over a year ago, and José leads two songs on his very own guitar, one of the songs the same one I played for the boys last summer…what seems like an eternity ago, what seems like yesterday. I’m singing along with tears in my eyes looking up at this special boy that is becoming a man who I know God has set apart for great things.

At one point we are all in a circle holding hands, singing and praying, and I have never felt the Spirit move like I feel it wash over me in this moment. In this moment I know that God’s hand is on that place, on each of those boys, and that He is raising up a generation of men who seek His face; who are Kingdom-minded spiritual leaders; who bring change and carry the name of Jesus; who bring Light to dark places.

As I’m praying for each of them I look around the room and see them talking to the Lord…I squeeze Imanol’s hand and I see Chispa’s smile and I know that there are big plans being orchestrated by God and that His love is taking root in this soil of their adolescence. These are the same kids who stole my heart and made coming back to the DR not an option but an obligation. I would be here even if it were only for them.

One of my main goals in coming to the Dominican was to invest in and disciple women. While my heart still beats to see women here empowered and shown their worth, I can’t help but see the Lord beginning a movement here with men who will change this country. Once again He does “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”.

I truly believe that the Lord is about pulling people out of the dust and into His glory and I have complete confidence that He is moving in so many lives here. Poco a poco His glory is revealed. Amen to that.