monkinabus: blog of derek dominguez

CompassionSC: A Season Comes To An End...A New One Lies Ahead

The last few months have felt like a whirlwind. So many changes in such a short amount of time. We officially moved off of staff with World Orphans and are now in a volunteer role. At the end of last month we also made the difficult decision to transition from raising funds to continue CompassionSC. Below is the update I recently sent out through the CompassionSC monthly newsletter.

Dear Friends of CompassionSC,

There are significant projects continuing to go on in the community this month that we'd like to share with you, but before you jump down we'd like to take a moment to share with you  important news regarding CompassionSC.

At the end of February we (Dominguez Family) made the hard decision to stop fund raising to support our financial salary to direct CompassionSC full time as an organization. The work of CompassionSC as a volunteer based ministry and rooted in local churches, will continue on through the network of churches we have partnered with over the last two years. As long as we are living in Santa Cruz we will continue to advocate, communicate needs as we become aware of them, and mobilize the local church to serve those facing poverty and adversity in some capacity.

We are thankful for the last two years of formally leading CompassionSC and for what impact CompassionSC has had in the community. We continue to pray for individuals and the church to rise up collectively to serve in Santa Cruz County and around the world!

If you would like to continue to hear about opportunities to serve in Santa Cruz and to stay updated regarding our continued journey and ministry, please stay subscribed to these email updates.

Sincerely,
Derek Dominguez
Founder - Director

CompassionSC

We are continuing to seek God as to what is next for the Dominguez Clan. As of right I'm updating my ministry resume and am going to begin, in the next few weeks after our move, to actively pursue a full time pastoral position again, preferably in the are of Missions and Outreach. A new season awaits and we are thankful for the last two years of ministry!

I Almost......Can't Forgive Her...

..for taking the stinking last platter of home made cinnamon rolls to share with the POPS group at church this morning. I'm still recovering from the shock but I think we will recover. We are talking and working through it. Pray for us.

Letting Go Of Our Wee Ones

Tate is not our little baby anymore. We know that of course, as she is six and in kindergarten. But, she is still our firstborn and sometimes it is just hard to let go of that fact that she is no longer our little "Tae Tae" who sits still and wants to be held.

Last week for the first time, on the way to school she said, "Dad, today I want to just be dropped off." Up until recently we would park the car and walk her to the door of her classroom. As she slammed the car door shut last week and then today, strolling off along the sidewalk towards her classroom and never looking back, my eyes welled with tears. Tate is growing up. She is gaining confidence in herself and slowly her independence is growing. Little by little we are having to let her grow up into the person we trust God desires who to become each day.

It's fun to see the transformation. I think it puts a smile on God's face too when He sees his children grow up as well into mature disciples. Often times we want to stay where it is safe, where we don't have to step out and strike off on our own. He doesn't want us headed off without Him, for He always is, but trusting him in a greater capacity to become who He has called us to become. We often want to park the car and have it the easy way with having Him "walk us to the front door." Growing up is hard. Transformation is hard. As difficult as it is, as we grow in faith, I think it puts a big smile on His face to see his children grow up.

Amidst the the small tears today there was also a smile. I'm a proud daddy seeing my big girl grow up. Now if only we could wean Maya off her stinking "paci" and to poo in the toilet we will be all good. Hmm...wonder what little metaphor about that I can dream up:)

Face Paint Fun

I bought Tate and Maya some face paints today and look who was the canvas!  

Yesterday was Tate's 6th Birthday. We had a fabulous time celebrating with family here in Arizona. Tate's cousins Tyler and Ashley are here visiting Nana and Papa too for it. We hung out at Chuck E Cheese, ate pizza and played games.Tate was blessed to have her second and even a third cousins present at her party. Thanks Grant, Cleo, Rick, Penny, Nana Papa, Matt, Michelle, Tyler, Ashley, Morgan and Melody. Below is a brief video I edited of clips from Chuck E Cheese.

Tate's 6th Birthday Party in AZ from Derek Dominguez on Vimeo.

Are the sidewalks harder here in AZ than CA?

Seriously....is it possible for the asphalt and pavement here in AZ to be harder than the sidewalks in Santa Cruz, CA. My knees are killing me from running five miles this morning and five yesterday. No matter how good of shape I'm in, this place seems to work me over and I always feel like crap running here. I know one thing the pavement may not be harder, but it's definitely hotter. It's December.....you know Winter. In most places like the East Coast there are snow storms as I type this that are closing airports down. Here, I fried my breakfast this morning on the sidewalk.

Besides that we're having a grand ol time with Meagin's family. Got to see Avatar in 3D yesterday. It's been a long time since I wanted to see a movie again in the theatre for a second time. The girls are having a blast and we're celebrating Tate's 6th birthday tomorrow with the Perry side of the family and Cuck E Cheese. Should be interesting....I mean a ton of fun.

Chess W/ Tate & Praying For Ronee

Sunday afternoon and as Tate and I began to play chess on the set Ronee gave to her we were reminded to pray for her, Scot, and their family as they were down at the "Ave" serving the homeless. Tate is getting good Ronee. Watch out!

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train Ride

Last night we had great fun riding on the Holiday Lights Train Ride. It's difficult to believe after growing up and living in Santa Cruz all these years we had never done it before. Maya keeps talking this morning about going on Santa's train ride again. Thanks to our family for donating the tickets so we could all go this year!

Proud Daddy

    Yesterday we went to Tate's first Kindergarten parent-teacher conference. I have to say it was encouraging and inspiring. The feedback makes me want to be a better dad and father to my two girls. She is doing great in school. She is excelling academically, but the thing that pleases Meagin and I is the way her teacher described her behavior, the way she treats other students with kindness and respect, the way she is exhibiting leadership gifts, and respects authority.......in our eyes it's the way she is learning to exhibit the character of Christ in a public setting.

    It's rewarding as a parent to see and makes us feel good about some of the sacrifices we've made as parents to be very involved in the lives and development of our kiddos

Bedtime Smiles

If it were always this easy and smiley everynight at bedtime!

Sent from my iPhone

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