Letters

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated you all on the life of the Gizzos. It seems hard to believe that it has almost been a year since we got the letter from Homeland Security telling us that our waiting would soon be over and the Gizzos would be reunited on this side of the border. We continue to praise the Lord for the miracle that he performed in parting the Rio Grande, so to speak, to let my husband come home to us.

We received another exciting letter in the mail this week. About a month and a half ago, Raul had his hearing to see if his driver's license could be reinstated. Raul has not had a license since his accident when he was 18 and has had to rely on public transportation or family or friends to get to and from work or anywhere else he needs to be. This Wednesday we learned that he was approved for a restricted driving permit that allows him to drive to and from work and on the job as well. After 9 months, he is able to apply for full reinstatement. Since he will soon be able to drive on the job, Raul's boss has told him that he will be able to offer him full-time hours on a regular basis. This is also big news for us since the hours he has been able to work has varied from week to week. More money coming in means the faster we will be able to save for a place of our own!

I am almost half-way done with my internship at Nicasa. So far, I have really been enjoying this experience. My time there is spent doing DUI evaluations, co-leading substance abuse treatment groups and doing lots and lots of paperwork (case management). I have recently been given the opportunity to do some one-on-one counseling with a couple of clients who are in my high risk group for those who have been diagnosed as dependent (addicted) on alcohol or drugs. I am hoping to get more one on one opportunities in the semester to come. Graduation date is set for May 17, 2014 (assuming I passed my comprehensive exam that I took today).

Though a year ago I was counting down the days to my next trip to Mexico, Raul is now the one who is counting. Raul will be traveling to Mexico to visit his family and friends at the end of December. I did laugh when he turned to me the other day and said, "It's November. Next month I go to Mexico!" Now where have I heard something like that before....? He is excited to go "back home" and I'm glad he has the opportunity to go. I'm hoping to use the time while he's gone to pack in some extra internship hours.

There is hardly a day that goes by when I do not thank God for the life that he has blessed us with. What a story he has given us, and we are excited (though at times a little anxious) to see his plan for our lives unfolding. Though I have said this time and time again, I still marvel at the fact that "God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to his work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)" God is good and we are blessed.