||I'm Good||

God’s presence is addicting. And that’s what makes every day worth living. Knowing that Jesus died for me so that I could experience His father’s heart, His friendship, His understanding and every other part of Him.

Living in Africa, and there’s lots of moments when my heart aches for home and I wish I could just curl up on my couch in Carpinteria and sleep forever. Sometimes I’ll be talking to a new fried from church here and my mind will wonder off to a memory with Tabitha or camping on the coast of California. My emotions will roller coaster within seconds and I’ll feel unrivaled.

But it seems like I’m always realizing that that’s ok. Because God always takes care of me when I fall apart. Whether it’s through an encouraging email, good FaceTime call or my new buddy on this Africa journey Tammy.

He never gives us anything beyond our limits even when it feels like it. He’s more gracious than we know.

I’m good, but God’s definition of good, not the world’s fine and busy “good”. The roller coaster days good. And the hope at the end of a long day good.

Happy Monday!

-DG

||Waking Up in TZ||

I’ve officially been in TZ for a week! It seems longer and shorter. It seems like I’m processing about seventy percent of the time. Praise the Lord for the thirty percent of mindlessness. He knows I need moments of relief from all that goes on in my head.

It’s been good processing though I think. Lots of thankfulness for being busy with things that I love to do! How rad is it that I get to take photos and make videos, to paint and read as a part of my job? Of course there’s the harder tasks like coming up with an English lesson plan as well as trying to learn Swahili and figuring out how to balance this with staying connected to the people I love back home. But amidst all of this I’ve truly felt and seen answers to prayers in my life just by being here. I want to remember my prayers and be more aware of the way God’s been taking care of me through them.

I know I won’t know all that He does for me, but I’m trying to be intentional about seeing His presence in the details.

I was remembering the other day how I wanted so badly to just do anything for the Lord. It seemed like at the time He was closing all doors to anything I applied to. Now looking back, I see that He was preparing me for serving Him here, on the Wild Hope Land in AFRICA! I could not have orchestrated this even if I tried. And it comes with hardships, like I really miss being able to see family and call them at any time anywhere. I miss driving and feeling familiar and I miss the confidence that came with conversaions simply because they were in English. I miss Netflix and my data plan for my phone (I know that seems dumb but it’s true!)

But I have moments here when I just stop and think, “I’m 20, serving Jesus in Tanzania, I feel taken cared of and I get to experience and grow in this culture for an entire year.” When God reminds me to do this it gives me fresh perspective and little bit of insight into what God’s doing. And it reminds me to be present when my mind trails off over to the west.

Next week might be different but for now this is where I’m at. Thanks for praying!

Happy Sunday

-DG

||There Will Be a Time||

One time my friends threw me a tribal rave the day before I left for Africa and I literally experienced heaven on earth.

I walk into a building blind folded after being driven around for a while. As anticipation rises and Ray leads me into rooms with familiar smells, music whispers in the distance. I keep walking, "don't take off the blindfold until I say so!" Ray says. She takes off my sweater and puts a shirt over my tank top and all the while music is growing louder. I feel cool paint on my face, carefully placed in specific patterns and we stop walking. My blind fold is lifted but before I see what's before me the words "tribal rave" escape my lips. Glow in the dark sticks and movement all around me in a dark room and "TO LOVE AND ADORE YOU IT'S ALL THAT I AM, IT'S ALL THAT I HAVE" echoes as I realize my friends are raging with painted faces and costumes in the church that I grew up in. I stand shocked and crying as they circle me, picking me up and give me the tightest most genuine hugs. And we dance into the night.

Suffice it to say that would have been more than enough to leave me speechless but as the music fades out and the lights slowly come on, V looks at me and asks "ready for part two?" My friends gather around me lay hands on me and begin to pray, fighting with me, fighting for me, for this coming year. I'm undone at this point.

And as if that wasn't enough after hugs and lots of I love yous', "there's one more thing" Ray concludes. Travis hands me the most beautifully rapped gift. I open it and find a bible. Petite, brand new and perfect.

Happy Friday!

-DG

||Celebrate||

Celebrations are so special! Especially when it's an intimate gathering celebrating two people becoming one.

I had so much fun shooting this beautiful couple this past weekend and can't wait to see what life holds for them as they grow in marriage!

Happy Wednesday everyone

-DG

||Travel Time||

I'm just going to quote myself on what I said in the living room on the second to last day of our trip "This was the best family vacation ever."

Here's a little taste of the last two weeks!

-DG