We were made for Intimacy

This is the end of our first week in Nicaragua. I can't believe it's only been one week. It feels like we have been in this paradise for months. Yesterday was the first day that I really felt comfortable here. I'm getting the hang of things, getting to know the kids pretty well, and settling into the fact that we are going to be here for two months.

Here's what our first week looked like at Cicrin: Every day we eat breakfast at 8am, lunch at 12pm, and dinner at 5:30pm. All of our meals have rice and beans in them, but there is some variety. We've had pancakes with peanut butter twice for breakfast. It's amazing how much that changes and brightens everyone's day. My stomach has had some tiny issues with the food, but I think it's getting used to having those foods constantly.

Every morning after breakfast, we break into our ministry for the day.This week, five other women and I were in the garden. We hoed a lot of plants and pulled a lot of weeds and got really tan. It was really sweaty and tiring work, but so rewarding to see the before and after of our work. One of the staff that works in the garden, Robert, is awesome to talk to and so knowledgeable about plants and how things are grown. He is also so appreciative of whatever we accomplish, even if we have to have him show us multiple times and kill the scorpions we find.

Right before dinner, we have time with the kids at the orphanage. We have beach time, park time, one on one time, and movie nights! They have so much energy and passion. It's so fun to goof around and love them. Sometimes they don't like us and sometimes we're their best friends. They attach to one of us and won't hang out with anyone else. It's sometimes hard to love them, but so worth it to know that they only want constant attention because they have been robbed of that. They all are so unique and special and I love spending time with them and loving them without expecting anything in return.

After our ministry and lunch, we have free time. A lot of times we will shower, or hand wash our laundry, have quiet time, or take a siesta (nap). One thing I've noticed is that during the week, we have a lot of down time. It's been awesome to have that time and use it to read books, journal, or have quiet time with the Lord. Resting in Him is so refreshing and something I haven't done in a long time. That time has become so precious to me in just this week alone. I've realized how important that extended, constant time with God is and now treasure it more than anything.

I'm almost done reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He talks about how Christians today have become lukewarm in their faith and how living radically for the Lord allows for a deeper understanding and intimacy with Him. This week, I've been reading about being madly in love with Jesus and that when you are in love with someone, you want to be with them all of the time, you want to talk about them, and you tell them what you like about them because you just can't help but tell them. I love Jesus, but do I tell Him what I love about Him? Do I tell Him how He makes me feel?

If you tell someone how you feel and what you love about them, a level of intimacy occurs and God wants us to experience that intimacy with Him. We were made for intimacy. His love is so deep and passionate for us, and He has a whole earth full of reminders of how much He loves us and a big book telling us what He loves and likes about us. He desires such an intimate relationship, but we pull away. I don't want to pull away anymore. Jesus is the love of my life. I want to act like that is true every day. I want to draw closer and closer to my Heavenly father every chance that I can.

I want to tell Him why I love Him. Why I like Him. My favorite things about Him and His creation. The more I reveal what I love about Him and what's in my heart, the more of himself He will reveal to me. For the rest of the summer and the rest of my life, I want to fall deeper and deeper into an intimate love with my God, my daddy. I can't wait to learn and discover what amazing and crazy things can happen when intimacy with the Lord is sought after.

"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 28:7