In Good Hands

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:19-23

I came to the passage above a couple of days ago, and words cannot describe how much I needed that reminder. Though I would never pass up the opportunity to visit Raul in Mexico, stepping foot in that country amplifies my fears regarding our situation. No matter how hard I try to just relax, I find thoughts about what would happen if I had to live there creeping into my mind. How would I adjust to the cultural differences, learn the language, and find a job? What would I do if I had to leave my friends and family? Yet, I know that if God's plan for the Gizzos includes us living in Mexico, then he already has the details figured out as well. Sometimes, though, I need a reminder of this fact.

If only I could really understand the "incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in him". Nothing is impossible with God. My God is the same God who raised Christ from the dead. Is anything too hard for him? Certainly not! God pays no attention to our odds of Raul getting his residence or being denied. Whatever happens is his plan because we have placed this in his hands, not only Raul and I but also the hundreds of people (yes, I really believe we have that many people) praying for us. Whatever happens, will be his plan for us. But, more than that, it will benefit his Church. Our happiness is not his number one goal, though I am sure that he will continue to bring us peace and joy. We are here to bring glory to God and to benefit His body here on earth. We were created for a purpose. That knowledge is truly a comfort and at times it is all I can do to cling to that so that I don't have a complete meltdown. 

All of our paperwork proving (or at least trying to prove) our "extreme" hardship has now been turned in and all we can do now is wait. I do have to admit that part of me was hoping that I would somehow be slightly injured or get robbed while I was in Mexico so that I could send that in as "proof" that Mexico was too dangerous for me to live in. Yes, maybe you should pray for my sanity! :) The letter we got in April said we may have up to 12 more months to wait. We're hoping it will be closer to 6 like our lawyer suggested it may be. It would be great if Raul could be home for our first snow storm of the season. 

Though each trip is hard for me for the reason I stated above, it is also a reminder of how truly blessed I am to have Raul as a husband. Though we are polar opposites in some areas, he balances me out perfectly. He is so patient with me and my insecurities. He can always make me smile, even when I don't want to. His love of life and people truly challenges me to do the same. Who would've thought that the guy I started dating because I was his GED tutor would teach me so much?! I must admit that sometimes I feel a bit sorry for myself that I don't get to come home to my hubby after work.  But then, I realize how blessed I am that I even have a hubby that I love and miss so much. 

Some of you have asked how Raul is. Well, Raul is still Raul.  Wherever he goes, he finds a friend. He has his guys he plays basketball with, his guys he plays cards with, and his fellow comandantes that he fights crime with. :) He has been spending a lot more time in the Word (thanks to not having a T.V.), and I can see the work that God is doing in him. His faith in God and his plan for us really is an example to me. Though he feels at home in Santa Monica now, his heart is still with Waukegan. It's hard to explain, but even though Raul has been living in Mexico close to a year now and his Spanish has improved tremendously, he still has a Waukegan "flavor" to him. In fact, we were often asked by Taxi drivers where we were from and no one believed him that he was living in Puebla until he had gone through our whole story. While we were in Mexico City, some guy on the street even tried to sell him a fake Mexican I.D.!  So...Raul is doing well, but he misses "home". 

I miss my honey a lot and am actually looking forward to the start of the school year since that seems to make time pass more quickly. I will be doing my practicum this Fall and taking a modular course. In addition, I have a discipleship course called VP3 that I will be leading at church.  I am secretly hoping that Raul will be home before the semester ends, but I guess that's up to God. Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and support. Please take a listen to the song in the video below. It's a great encouragement!