July was a mixture of emotions, type of month.
Started off hot, humid and crazy...
... and ended hotter, humid-er and, oh so happy!
We usually keep to a set and pretty full schedule. It helps us stay on track with the three S's... Service, School, and Studying. But little by little, it was getting harder to keep on that.
In the beginning of June, Keilani got her first job (which has been going great), but something new to put in our schedule. It took a week or so to get used to the schedule and her new found tiredness :) but she's been doing great. We started our convention invitation campaign. By mid-July we got our books for Pioneer School (YAY!!!!) so we started to take more time for that. We've enjoyed the studying and everything, but trying to keep up with everything else became a little challenging. Also in July, Raquel still needed to finish the last two parts of her baptism questions (so she was doing a lot of studying too). Jon's parents also came to visit toward the end of the month! It was a short, but fun visit with them.
So we had little bits, and a few big bits, of extra things going on. It was busy... but the best kind of busy. For the most part, we were busy with spiritual things.
And then, the week of our convention, we were called for an appointment in Santo Domingo for the girls residency... just for kicks!
We applied for the girls residency and didn't hear anything for about two weeks, until I get a message on Friday, that we need to be in Santo Domingo on Monday at 9am. On Monday... the same Monday that was 'two days before heading to Santiago for the convention' Monday. We were hoping we didn't have to go that week, but alas, what can we do. (more info on the visa/residency requirements in a post coming soon!). We arrived in Santo Domingo Sunday evening, and took a few Ubers to where we were staying. Monday morning, got up nice and early for our 9am appointment that about 50 other people had as well. We didn't get out of that building until 2pm. Unfortunately, because of cost, we had to apply for the girls residency after we did ours, so there's was late. Being late involves a late fee, which we are/were completely aware of. What we weren't aware of, and even our lawyer wasn't aware of, is an extra fee to "process a late application". So this new fee really put us in a tough spot. But we didn't have time to think about that at the moment... We had to go to the medical office for blood work and chest x-ray... the office which closes early on Monday. We RUSHED to the office to make sure we can get all this done. If it didn't get done, we'd HAVE to stay an extra night. My heart was pounding!
We got it all done, thankfully. It was a very long, exhausting and stressful day. Finally got in to Puerto Plata at 10:45pm... and home a little after 11pm.
Even though we had a few hiccups, and we were now very nervous as to how we were going to get what we need for the convention, in true Jehovah fashion, it was never really a problem. His Holy Spirit working in our favor and loving family... made it possible to get to the convention! Only in Jehovah's organization and with His help.
And then... the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae... this happened:
July 27, 2019 was indeed a special day for the Fuentes-Ross-Mazarelli family. And our hearts are overjoyed!
The convention was beautiful. The information was exactly what we needed, at the exact appropriate time. Jehovah always knows what we need. Thank you Jehovah!
After convention, we had a few days to spend with Jon's parents. It was a short visit, but we had a great time. Can't wait for them to come back.
Now we are waiting for Pioneer Service School the last week of August.
This year has gone by so quickly. Can't believe that the new service year will begin in just a couple of weeks.
Enjoy the slide show of July's pictures.... Like! Comment! Share!!