Complicating the simple (and embracing the complicated)

Funny story: I have been taking a shower in exclusively one of our bathrooms because every time I tried to shower in the other one, the water was always cold. I figured that it was just something wonky with our heating system (it’s not the newest of homes), so I just solved the problem by avoiding that shower. That is, until I was talking with a housemate about it and realized that it was always cold for me because I was turning on the cold water handle instead of the hot one… it was a “I’m smart but not that smart" moment for sure.

What a way for God to remind me of A) humility and B) of the truth that not everything is as complicated as I make it out to be. Sometimes I simply need to turn on a different faucet.

If only everything was that simple to figure out. If my work has taught me anything over the past 2 weeks, it is to never assume that something in immigration is a simple fix. Changing addresses in immigration court…simply complicated. Applying for asylum…unbelievably difficult. Figuring out who gets the limited services I can provide and who doesn’t…impossible. I’ve felt the full weight of analysis paralysis. There is so much work to be done and I am so unbelievably under-qualified for this.

Now, I don’t say that to illicit pity or to downplay my own abilities. I have worked and will continue to work hard to better understand this system, improve my Spanish, and be able to accompany my clients through this maze of a process. It has already been so incredibly humbling to sit across the table from someone and ask them to trust me, despite my being new to this field. I have to keep remembering that clients do not need my fears, nor do they need my tears. They need me to do my job and do it well. So, as I take my own clients during these next few weeks, I’m praying for courage and focus for myself and my clients. I humbly ask that you join me in these prayers. So so lucky I have coworkers willing to walk with me through my learning process!

Outside of work, we’ve had a few bonus days off (Labor Day) and a work from home day due to Tropical Storm Nicholas (we are all ok!) so there has been ample time for exploring, mural hunting, checking out new hammock bars while dancing cumbia, playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, catching up with college friends, and spending quality time together in our house! Some pics are below!

Last Friday, I had a rare moment where I was on the receiving end of coffee bar kindness. As many of you know, my identity as a barista has been a huge part of my life for the past 1.5 years, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss being behind the bar. I love coffee shop ministry in so many ways because it is a tangible way to see, know, and love someone. Last Friday, I was taking the afternoon to work from home and got a little bit turned around on the highway. It had been a long week and I walked into this coffee shop exhausted and asked for drip coffee. The barista looked at me a little funny (drip coffee is typically a morning shindig) and said she’d check to see if it was still good. I laughed and said that “it was just one of those Fridays.” She gave a cup and told me to taste it first, and that if it wasn’t good, she would make me an Americano. Not going to lie, it was lukewarm, but its flavor was exactly what I was craving. I pulled out my card to pay for it and the barista said, “Just take it, you look like you need it” with the kindest of eyes.

I could have cried in that moment, because that is exactly the type of thing I would have done. It was a brilliant God wink that I needed in that moment. Sometimes, I just need to let myself be loved.

To wrap it up:

1) Keep the simple things simple so that you can figure out the complicated ones.

2) Days off are the perfect excuses to build community.

3) God shows up in coffee bars.

Here's to the second half of September! May it be filled with strong coffee, goofy adventures, and good companions for the journey.