Home.

I'm home.
I can't believe it.
I miss the DR.
I miss my students.
I miss my babies.
I miss my motorcycle.
and watching movies on the projector.
and having friends.
and eating rice, beans, and chicken.  (the bandera.)
and Splash.
and cheap sunglasses.
and seeing mountains.
and porching it.

Everyone asks if I miss the DR.  Seriously? 
I am still trying to convince myself that I don't want to be living on a tropical island.

Birthday Madness

My birthday here was amazing.  I love birthdays being a teacher because the kids always make you feel special.  Well, this day possibly topped them all.  It was a blast.  I knew the kids would throw me a “surprise” party because they’re not the slickest 5^th graders known to man.  But whoa, was I surprised.  The 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders (all of whom I’ve taught at one point or another) threw a gigantic surprise party for me (and I was shocked!) with ice cream and soda and lots of getting wet.  I feel so blessed to work at a place where the kids care about birthdays and where I am made to feel special.   My favorite part of the day:  soaking all the other kids when they tried to get me wet.  It was a rainy day (rainy month!) so it was a blast to get all the kids wet.  Hopefully their parents didn't get too mad at me! :)  It was a big wet fest!

Nihcolle and me (one of my fave students)

Me and my crazy buddy Alex Canaan

Can you tell how wet they all are?

Birthday buddy -- Jose Leonel

3rd - 6th grade surprise party

ICE water.  SO COLD.

Having fun...sliding in the puddles!

Great Birthday!!! :)

3rd Grade Sleepover

Yes, my blog has been neglected for nearly a month.  I have finished my last days at JCS, cried my eyes out at the parent night when the board of directors gave me this really nice plaque and got a ton of really nice gifts from my kids' parents.

A while ago we had a 3rd grade sleepover.  The boys came from 6-9 and the girls stayed the night. We had a blast painting nails, making s'mores on the stove, watching the boys wrestle, playing "patete" (literally means cannibal, but it's like tag), and just enjoying time with the girls.

Giuliana Grace Speciale

Welcome to the world, Giuliana Grace!

May 18, 2011

6 pounds 14 ounces

20 inches long!

Karen and I met my first year here in the Dominican Republic.  My first year she was our French teacher and last year she transitioned into the curriculum coordinator slash eventual director when our director left last year.  She has been an amazing boss and friend and parent of a student.  I fell in love with her two boys and although she vehemently denied the desire to ever have another child, she soon came around and decided to try for one more to complete their family of five. :)  

Look at this little doll and tell me that she's not one of the cutest babies you've ever seen.

proud big brothas

We made them do a photo shoot before Giuliana came home

Anthony is a big brother! :)

Danny meeting his baby sis.

So sweet...

I don't know if I could ever express how much this family means to me.
 They have willingly and graciously accepted me as a part of their lives.  They do so much for me, and I'm pretty sure that I could never repay them for all they have done.  I feel encouraged and lifted up by Karen and she is a constant source of joy and laughter.  She helps distract me from work and let me tell you, this past week since she's been gone, I've gotten caught up on my mountain of grading and I've finished my lesson plans until the end of school.  She has been a constantly faithful friend, and I pray that her daughter gets the fierce loyalty that Karen possesses.
Back in September I woke up one night because ... Well, I live in the DR and there are a million things that could wake a person up: roosters, loud cars, random dogs, etc. Anyways, I woke up and, more clearly than I ever have before, heard God speak to me and tell me to pray for Karen's baby.  It did freak me out a little bit, but I was faithful and have continued to pray for this beautiful little girl since then.
Now that Giuliana's here, I have loved getting to see her brothers, mom, and dad fall more in love with her and with each other.  I love the boys' desire to continually love on her and hold her.  I love how they give me an update of Giuliana's activities every time I see them.  It's so awesome to see how Dan and Karen look at Giuliana with such love, such care.  I can only imagine the fierce protection this little girl is going to receive when she grows up from her dad and brothers. It's amazing.  
I'm so thankful to be a part of this family and this baby girl's life.

Life Lately

Constant nightmares (waking up so sweaty and crying every night).  Insomnia (because I don't want to sleep and have nightmares).  Exhaustion.  My hands constantly shaking for no reason.  Anxiety over what is to come and leaving this country that I deeply love.  Stress of finding a job for next year.  Being sick.  Taking over (very) few admin. roles now that Karen is on maternity leave.  


Encouragement from my morning Bible study.  Teaching my 3rd graders again (just science).  Being loved on by friends.  Hugs from sweet 4-year olds.  Encouraging my 3rd graders to be good leaders and to love each other.  


This morning I needed this.  I needed to hear God's promises speaking through Isaiah.  


Isaiah 40  
(v. 8)The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.


(v. 28)  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.



(v. 31)  But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Bucket List Update!

1.  Go to the Caribbean Sea and spend significant time there

2.  Snorkel for starfish

3.  Ride my moto to a new place

4.  Rent a 4-wheeler for a weekend and take all sorts of amazing excursions

5.  see the whales in Samana
6.  visit Lake Enriquillo in the Southwest of the DR
7.  go to the beach with new Doulos friends
8.  go to Carnaval in La Vega
9.  eat ribs from the place halfway down the mountain
10.  buy a CD and/or shoes from the Colmado
11.  buy a DR t-shirt
12.  unspoken. ;)


I'm getting there! :)

5.

April 26.
One of the worst days of my life.
The day I fell in love with Taylor University.


5 years.  
God has brought me through a lot.  


trip to Northern Ireland.  
dealing with grief when one of the kids that we ministered to in Northern Ireland committed suicide months after we left.
dealing with culture shock of coming back and wanting to be serving the Living God.


but God had planted a seed.
a seed of missions and to minister to others.
that there was more to life than me.


student teaching.  
first "real" job.  


3 unexpected years in the Dominican Republic.
relationships built.
coming to an end.


April 26 has been a special date for me for the past 5 years.  I pray that I can take time to reflect on my life and how far God has brought me every April 26...


Revelations 1:8  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).


Amen.