Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 
When we started WyldLife here in Jarabacoa, we discussed the necessity for our students to have strong Christian influences from the adults that they see every day, but in a more relaxed setting.  We talked about how our students crave attention and time with adults that they see care about them.  How this influence and relationship that we build with them will ultimately lead them to Christ. 

          It got me thinking back to the pivotal time in my life that I started getting serious about my future and my relationship with Christ.  I had the awesome opportunity to be a manager for our girls’ basketball team in high school.  My friend from math class, Jayme, (so high school, right?) asked if I would be interested in helping out.  My 6^th grade teacher was a basketball coach so I knew her and Jayme and decided that it could be fun and really liked the girls on the team and wanted to be cool like them (story of my life!).  Never did I believe that this opportunity would change my life.  

          I spent so much time working with the coaches, laughing, reliving our many, many, many inside jokes (that got put up on the wall of the coaches’ office), and talking with them.  I would just like to write down some of the inside jokes so that we have them written here…”Coach left her gum at the cottage.”  The Hub Bootery, “The balls are warm.” Lil Pimp Dog, “T is a leaper.”  Pat the Monkey, Wolf, The Abby Noll Play (all plays run by the players)…man those memories still bring a smile to my face.

          Some of my most memorable moments are when the coaches would spend time with us after games or practice and talk with us while we drank sparkling grape juice.  I remember craving this time with them and cherishing it deeply.  Now, I don’t know (7/8 years later!) if they would ever remember doing that, but they did and that meant the most to me.  It was them who created the “cloud of witnesses” around my heart that made me want to grow up to be just like them.  These women are 4 of the most amazing Christian women that I’ve ever known. 

           I knew that when I went to college I would miss that valuable time with the coaches.  Never did I imagine that the relationship that they began with us when I was 16/17 years old would continue until I was 24!  We have gotten together every single summer and Christmas since I left for college.  We all sit and talk about life and what things are new and reminisce about the “good ol’ days” of basketball.  All those ladies have left CHS to go on to bigger and better things, got married, had kids, kids growing up, going to school and college, growing…I love it.  I love being a part of their lives and am thankful that they are a part of mine.

          This time still blesses my heart.  I feel so encouraged in the decisions I have made and know that I can count on all of them to lift me up in prayer and encouragement throughout the year even if we don’t talk all that often between our gatherings.  So Dawn, Trinda, Beth, and Lisa, thank you.  You bless my heart and I am so thankful for who you are and the impact that you have had on my life. 

          So I think about my WyldLife kids and the potential influence that I could have on their lives and it encourages me.  I know that 1 person can make a difference in the life of a kid, and I am encouraged that God could use me to be that person to change a kid’s life and lead them to a relationship with Christ.  

Christmas Program

My 2 Roommates and Me

Karen, Myself, and Melisa

Nihcolle and Dannerys

Last night was our annual Christmas program.  It was exciting this year because our staff really got involved in many of the acts!  It was amazing to hear their beautiful voices.  Also, our staff has brought many talents to JCS afterschool activities, so it was fun to see the activities showcased at our program, celebrating Christ's birth. 

Mi Hondurena!

The highlight of the show (in my opinion) was the last act, in which my roommate Melissa had come up with a 12 Days of JCS skit that we then sang.  It was so funny, and although most of the people had left by that point, it was still fun to hear the parents dying laughing at what we were singing about.  It was all projected in Spanish up on the wall so that the parents who didn't speak English could still understand.
My students did a drama to the song Mary, Did You Know by Kathy Mattea.  It was so sweet and cute!  They all looked so good all dressed up.  I had a blast!  It was a great final celebration before our last week next week!

Jess, Myself, and Melisa

Jess, Myself, Melisa, and Laura

Karen and Me at the Program

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Melisa, me, and Jess with Santa

Best Friends Forever!!!

Wednesday was fall festival!  The students had a half day that started with chapel, then the kids basically went crazy, doing crafts, playing games, dancing, etc.  It was a blast.  Our theme this year was Cowboys, so all the kids looked SO cute in their cowboy/girl outfits! 

sweet Anthony

Last weekend for Thanksgiving weekend we decided to hit up the beach! :)  On Thursday we had a staff dinner for the Americans and Dominicans at our school.  It was a blast to share food (Dominican and American) together with our staff.  We had a blast and had wonderful food!  I was stuffed!

God Bless America snowman!

Friday morning, I headed to the beach with Melisa, Jessica, Allison, the Speciales, Ryan, and Caroline.  The ride up there was fun, through the mountains.  I had taken my motion sickness medicine, so I enjoyed the ride thoroughly!  :)  We spent the next two days lounging on the beach, at the pool, and watching TV.  It was fun to spend time with people that I love!  Our house had it's own little pool with a little table in the middle and bench (the judge's table) where the boys enjoyed jumping off and seeing who could jump the furthest.  It was fun to spend time with the two little boys that I love so dearly, Danny and Anthony.  They are good substitutes as I miss my little cousins so much and have been more or less absent over the last 3 years.  

Dan throwing Anthony into the pool

It was hard to come back to reality, but I enjoyed knowing that I would get to celebrate my half birthday!  And that I was going to get to go home in 3 weeks!!

Merry Christmas!

Half-Birthday

This past Thursday was my half birthday!  As exciting as it sounds, it was a good excuse to have a party and enjoy friends!  On Thursday night we had an awesome cake and some of my favorite people were here and we played Bananagrams.  The cake.  wow.  I cannot even begin to describe how yummy it was!  Marshmallow stuffing, a hard chocolate outer coating and chocolate cake with dulce de leche filling (translation unknown!)  It was a blast!  DJ Holla threw it down with some old school hits, which was so fun to sing and listen to!

Then on Friday we went to Santiago to go bowling and have dinner.  It was so fun!  I had never been bowling here nor was I ready for the frigid air conditioning that the bowling alley brought.  But alas, it was such a good time with people that mean a lot to me!  The men at the bowling alley were all up in arms because Caroline, who is about 33 weeks pregnant, wanted to bowl with us.  They were like, "Okay, you are all witnesses that we warned her not to bowl...in case something happens."  Good news:  James (Tigo) didn't make his appearance last night!  :)

I realize more and more how much I value the women that I have gotten to know here.  I am so thankful for the way that each has poured out into my life individually and together as a community.  It's something that I often think about and thank God for...

Tye-Dye!

Last Wednesday, I spent my afternoon tye-dying and eating pizza with my 5th grade girls.  It was such a blast.  Although I didn't take any pictures of us in the actual process, all of them wore their t-shirts/bandanas on Friday, so I decided to have a little photo shoot.  It was such a blast to hang out with all of them, although it was crazy! :)   On Friday, one of my students, Laura, told me that her mom bought her cookies (I think a cookie mix) to do at my house because her mom likes it when she comes to my house and bakes things.  I laughed a little inside when she told me this, but of course told her I would love to have her come over to my house to bake! :)

It made me feel good that the parents trust me with their children and that they desire to spend time with me!
I think they are such a fun group of girls to be around, and I am so thankful that they are in my life.  I think after Christmas, I am going to start a Bible Study with them.  Hopefully it can be a more serious time in which we learn more about Jesus and what it means to follow Him as we grow up.  If anyone has any suggestions of book studies that we can do for 11 year-old girls, feel free to give me your input.

Entrusted.

I love the word entrusted.  It carries a deep imagery of care and compassion that I find difficult to put into words.  I picture God holding me in His hands, entrusted to continually take care of me.  I picture Him, in turn, challenging me to hold onto others, Him trusting that I can give an outpouring of His love into the lives of others.


This morning, my personal devotional was about the passage in Luke that talks about the master and his servants.  The servant beats the menservants and maidservants because he doesn't think his master is coming back.  Jesus tells the parable to prove this crucial point, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  (Luke 12:48)
 As I think over what God has entrusted me with over the last 3 years here, my heart is definitely filled with joy and gladness over what He has given me.  These precious girls have been such a blessing in my life.  They have taught me how to love.  They have taught me what it looks like to be supportive and encouraging friends.  They have taught me that I desire to someday have children that have many of the personality traits that each one possesses.  I could go on and on as to why I love them so deeply.
God has definitely entrusted them into my care.  Although I deeply miss them as students, I know that God is still working on our relationships.  I am lucky enough to see them everyday during break time, lunch time, after school, and any other random times I happen to bop into their classroom.  They still make me feel special every time that I get hugs or notes or encouragement from them.
They still invite me to their birthday parties and their parents still love on and accept me, just like they did last year.  It feels good to still be loved by them and their parents too.  I love having them over to my house.  I love that God has entrusted me with guarding their hearts for the future, teaching them about Him and his beautiful saving power, and the deep glorious riches that they can possess when they trust in Him.  For them, I would ask you to pray that they would continue to grow in their knowledge and faith in Jesus, despite what the world may tell them.  I love their innocence and pray that it would continue throughout the rest of their lives.  These precious little girls have a special place in my heart, and I am so thankful that I have gotten to know each and every one of them.

Entrusted.

Another area in which God has entrusted me over these three years is with the friendships that I have built.  I know that God has definitely blessed me with the gift of encouragement and I love to pour out the love that God has shown me onto my friends.  When I first came to this country, I was so unaware of the deep love that I would feel for my coworkers.  In our small, close-knit community, my coworkers have become deep friends that I can't imagine my life without.
 I feel entrusted with the ups and downs of their lives.  I feel entrusted with the need to pray for them.  And now that many are starting a new chapter in their lives, I feel entrusted to care for them in a new way, supporting them and encouraging them.  As I honestly realize my time
here in the DR is short, I feel burdened to deepen the relationships and really pour myself into them as I know that so many have done to me in the past.  I'm thankful God has given me the opportunity to shine and pour myself into the people that I care about.  I also love that I am able to entrust my life into the lives of my friends here.  I feel such warmth and encouragement when I am able to talk about life and my heart with the people that I know care deeply about me.



In this season of Thanksgiving, I realize more and more how thankful I am for the blessings that God has so graciously given me.  Blessings of new and old friends, blessings of students and how they teach me how to love, blessings of the joy of the journey...

Maryed's Outreach



Laura, Maryed, and I



One of my favorite students from my class last year is a part of of a camp through YWAM where she goes and learns about how to become a missionary.  Once a month she goes to camp and they do some pretty awesome things, but at the end of the weekend they go out into the community and perform:  dances, skits, monologues, etc. to the people.  It's so awesome. 



Maryed, Laura, and I waiting for her outreach to start!





October/November Update

I just sent out my October/November update!  Comment with your email if you would like a copy!!  :)

This morning I saw my breath.  It was so cold!

I miss...

One thing I miss more than anything else is American Football.
It's so hard not to watch it!

oh.  and unlimited texting.

okay, shallowfest is over.

How I Spent My Weekend: A Comedy

Laur, her IV, her baby, and Me.

So this past weekend was quite an adventure for me.  Many firsts.  Many adventures.  It all began on Saturday around 12.  My friend Laura came over and had been feeling sick for a few days.  We decided to take her temperature and it turned out to be 104.4 .  Given her present condition, (she's pregnant) we decided that we should probably take her to the hospital.  Her husband Tim was having a rough day too, as he was on a motorcycle ride to Constanza (about 2 hours up in the mountains) where he got 2 flat tires and fell off his motorcycle.

So we took her to the "emergency room".  But actually the emergency room door was blocked by a gurney and was locked so we had to walk around to the normal entrance.  Once in there the lady kept asking who Laura's doctor was.  We said, "Dr. Fernando" because we didn't know his last name.  The lady there kept insisting that there was no Dr. Fernando in Jarabacoa.  So we called Dr. Fernando and he told us to bring Laura to his clinic.

Melisa and Tim during our intense Euchre game

We get to Fernando's clinic and he takes her temperature and sees how high it is.  He gets slightly concerned, so we have to take Laura back to the "emergency room" to get blood work and a urine sample analyzed.  We go back to the clinic and are taken down a dark flight of stairs into the basement of the building, where there were a ton of 70's style couches.  We are led into a dark room where the lady finally flips the lights on.  The lab tech. takes her blood and then hands her...literally...a Gerber baby food jar.  She directs Laura to the nearest restroom, one with no lights, no toilet paper, and mediocre running water.  Melisa, my cohort in this whole Laura expedition, hands Laura her cell phone to use as a light.  What a trip!

So afterwards we head back to Fernando's clinic.  I run home to grab some shorts for Laura and head back to the clinic.  By the time I'm back, Laura has an IV.

Fast forward...we bring her home around 4?  4:30?  5?  6?  somewhere around there and she's not looking too good.  I drop her off at her house with Melisa (because Tim's still not back from his man trip yet) and come home and hang out with my roommates and Karen.  Around 7, I went back to Laura's and we watched Nacho Libre as our Euchre family.  Around 10:30, when we were leaving, Laura's temperature was back high and Fernando told her to come back in. (Tim was back so he took her) so Melisa and I slept over at their house to guard their animals.

Our Happy Euchre Family

The next morning, Melisa and I went over to the hospital and took the Stanley's some breakfast.  We ended up playing euchre and hanging out for the morning.  Laura's temperature was still pretty (frustratingly) high.  So we left so they could rest for awhile then brought them lunch around 2.  We ended up staying at the hospital until around 8pm.  Laura ended up staying in the hospital again overnight.

On Monday, I went and spent my prep period with Laura and thankfully she came home that afternoon.  And has been on the up and up since then! :)  Hopefully she'll be back to school tomorrow or Monday!

Hurricane Earl!

is supposed to make ground fall ... not in the DR.  We've been watching him on the radar and his winds (only 39-57mph) are hitting the northwest side of the DR.  Needless to say I live up in the mountains and we're a little breezy today. 

Why on Earth am I here?

The first week of school is finally over!  It was a trying week, to say the least.  Teaching third grade was a bigger shock than I expected.  After my cry-fest on Monday after school, I had to reevaluate my purposes here.  I basically just had to cry out to God and trust that He would encourage me.  Trust me; I was ready to board a plane back to the States.  BUT I had the promises of God (and the promise of a pan of mint brownies, which were fantastic by the way!) that I was forced to stand on.  It was so hard to see my students from last year, which I love so incredibly deep, going to another classroom with another teacher who will love them deeply.  It was hard to manage the kids in my class, who literally cannot sit in their seats for more than 3 minutes.  They’re way more immature than I had imagined.  We didn’t have any textbooks, so I felt completely unprepared.  I didn’t have enough activities planned.  My heart was just not happy.  I was sad and hurt and weak. 

Then I came home and did my Bible study and read my Bible for awhile and reread my focus verses for the year.  

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Proverbs 31:25-26
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

1 Chronicles 16:24-25
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

After rereading those, I felt convicted that I am not here for me.  I am here for the students; I’m here to share the gospel with them, to live out the gospel, to show them my strengths and weaknesses, and to love them.  I’m here to grow as a person and to learn confidence and strength that comes from God, not from others.  I know that God will not forget the work that I am doing and I truly love what I am doing.  Even if I’m not used to the kids yet, I know that eventually I will get the hang of it and be able to take it easy and calm down and take my time and be a good teacher and a good student in my grad classes. 

As for my students from last year, I am blessed to be able to spend their “break” time with them, eat lunch with them, hug them, love them, and just talk with them.  It’s so good.  Yesterday when they were walking out of their classroom to go home my heart almost burst with joy as they all walked in and gave me a hug and said goodbye.  There is so much joy in heart.  Not yet feeling like I know what I’m doing or that I have a handle on things, but joy in knowing that God’s promises are real and true and that I will not be given more than I can handle. 

Almost there!

Hello!  I'm now settled back in the DR.  My room at home is set up, clean, and decorated!  My classroom is coming along nicely. :)  We finally got our class lists yesterday!  Finally! :)  I am getting really anxious to meet my students!! 


I'll try to post pictures later!

2010-2011 Staff!

I'm here!  I've been back in the DR for almost one full week now.  It's been crazy times being back, and I've loved getting to know all the new staffers that are here.  I'll give you a rundown of all of the new and returning American staff.

Art - Dave from Michigan

PK5 -  Elissa from Texas

1st Grade- Johanna from Chicago area
               Kristen from Michigan (married to Dave)

2nd grade - Natalia from Michigan

3rd grade - Jessica from Hawaii
               ME!

4th grade - Melisa (who just arrived last night!  I haven't met her yet! but I'll update as soon
as I know more!)

5th grade - Laura from Minnesota (she's been here for the past 2 years with me! married to Tim)

6th grade - Jessica from Michigan (my roommate!! and WyldLife cohort)

7-8th grade English - Melissa from Colorado (my other roommate)

7-12th grade Bible - Tim from New York/Minnesota (has been with me for the past 2 years!)

9-12th grade Literature - Amanda from Ft. Wayne, IN!! 

9-12th grade Science/Math - Rebecca (married to Francis who will be an aid and they have a super, super cute son named Malachi!)

Amanda, Johanna, and Melisa all just graduated from college together at Bethel College in IN, and are living together in the other girls' house upstairs.

Jessica, Elissa, and Natalia are all living together in the other girls' house downstairs.

My roommates, Jessica and Melissa, and I live in our beautiful house, owned by Guido--our fantastic landlord. 

Every night since I've been here (except once!) everybody has come down to our house for dinner and laughs.  It's been so fun!  Although I'm sure once school starts that will change!

I'm doing so well here.  Busy but happy.  It's been such a blessing that Tim and Laura are still here and Karen too (admin!).  It's nice to have those deeper friendships that are already established in the midst of getting to know everyone else. 

felizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The year is over...I'm happy.  and processing the year.  I'll write a more detailed update soon...hopefully! :)  I come home in 9 days!  SINGLE DIGITS!

Photos!

Here's a link to some of my favorite photos from this year!   Also I just sent out my June Update Letter.  Let me know if you want a copy!  Leave your email address and I'll put you on my update list!

Awesome DR Photos

Birthday: Part 2

So yes.  Yesterday was awesome.  The day ended with me getting SOAKED by the kids...all of them.  1st-7th graders attacked me with buckets, cups, cones, bottles, anything that could hold water.  It was great.

  So my friend Karyn knows that I love Diet
Coke.  Throughout the day, every 24 minutes to be precise, I received a new soda with a letter on it.  When all the letters were to be had, it spelled out Natalie, Happy Birthday! 24!  (There are 24 sodas, just in case you were wondering!)  Since I only have 19 days left in the DR, I think I'm going to have to share with my roommates! :) :)
I got 2 sleep outfits from my students, some peanut M&M's, and a little Dominican statue/pen holder. Holly gave me 2 canvas paintings that she had painted, and Laura gave me a set of Seasons paintings that she had done.

After school, I went out to dinner with my friends here.  It was fun to spend time with them, talking, eating pizza, cheesecake, and frappucinos.

From left to right:
Karen, Jenny, Tim, Laura, me, Holly, Karyn, Brooke, and Nat

Happy Birthday!

So today is the best day of the year.  In case you didn't know, it was my birthday. I share my birthday with a very special little boy, named Jose Leonel.  He's in 1st grade, so of course I had to snag a picture with him and his ridiculously large hat.  :)

The kids soaked me!  This is an awesome Dominican tradition that I got held down by my kids while one of my students, Christofer, threw a huge bucket of water on me.  It was awesome.

My students threw a surprise party for me.  It was awesome!  They diverted me by getting me soaked then sending me to change.  Unfortunately,  I didn't go home and change.  I just chilled up in the library.  They all brought in snacks and Laura, the 5th grade teacher, made a cake.  I felt so loved.  I feel so blessed to spend time with my students and to be celebrated by them.

Marta, my student Nicole's mom, brought me an amazing lunch today of rice, beans, tostones, green salad, potato salad, grilled chicken, fried chicken, chuleta (the English word is escaping me...maybe pork chop?), yuca balls, and a cupcake.  Karyn and I shared it and I still have tons of leftovers!  Yay for having lunch for the next 2 days...

I had a blessed birthday.  And pray the blessings will continue.  Going out to dinner and dessert tonight with some really awesome people.  Thank you God for the many blessings that you have given me over the past 2 years of being here in the DR!

Names in the Book of Heaven

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to share with my students about the love of Jesus and accepting Him as their Lord and Savior.  It was awesome.  I love that God gave me awesome words to use and to share with my students about how great it is to be loved by someone who is always with you. 
After our talk about things you need to know in your heart before you accept Jesus, many of them prayed with me.  I pray that as they continue to grow older, they will honor this promise to grow in a relationship with Christ, not slipping into a cultural lifestyle of apathy. 

I am so proud of my kids.  I love them a lot. 
Please continue praying for them...

Amazing Girl.

I give You my heart; 

I give You my heart full of sin and regret.
I give You my soul; 

I give You my soul to rejoice in your name.
I give You my love: 

because You deserve it, and so much more.

 

Like those lyrics?  Thought so.  I know this wonderful, beautiful girl who is graduating from our high school this year.  Her desire is to continue to grow in the Lord and attend a Christian university where it will snow.  :)  Tonight, at Young Life, I was privileged to hear her share not only her testimony but a beautiful song she had written about the struggles and joys of following Christ. (yeah, she wrote those lyrics above...)  I love hearing her heart and pray that God continues to direct her steps in a path that will lead her closer and closer to His heart.

Unfortunately, college is expensive.  Especially Christian college.  Please consider financially helping her be able to get the opportunity that right now is just a dream. 

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Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; 

he will not forget your work 

and the love you have shown him 

as you have helped his  people 

and continue to help them.

Elections in the DR

Piedad Wins!!!


 Yesterday, Sunday, were the local elections here in the DR.  Needless to say, from an American mindset, these elections looked interesting.  Each candidate’s party has a color.  For example, the red party and the purple party and the white party, etc.  (No the red party is not related t o communism.)  At our school, there are a few political parties represented.  Sharlene’s grandma is running for mayor (the purple party), Ambar’s uncle is running for Deputy (red party), and Jose Leonel’s father is running for mayor as well (blue, yellow, red party).   Although there is no animocity towards each other at school, it is definitely interesting to me how the election system works here in the DR.

Mayoral Candidate, Piedad Quezada de Dominguez, (purple) recently paved a street in one of the barrios to obtain the votes of the poorer people.  Mayoral Candidate and Deputy, Carlos Jose and Rogelio Genao, (red) recently through a huge block party about 4 blocks away from our house.  They brought in a famous Dominican rapper, OMEGA!, and threw money out into the crowds.   There are hugs caravans of purple or red that you can see going throughout the streets on different occasions. Many people don their red (or whatever color of the party they support) shirts, grab a homemade red flag, and honk like it’s their job.  Motorcycles, SUV’s, Daihatsu trucks, 4-wheelers, whatever mode of transportation you can get on, you go!  Ten or fifteen people sticking out of an SUV, 30 people piled in the back of a Daihatsu, 5 people on a motorcycle…I think the goal is to have as many people on as few vehicles. 

I’ve attached some videos because I don’t think words (or even the videos really) can give justice to the craziness of the elections here.  Thankfully they’ve been peaceful thus far, schools here in Jarabacoa do not have school today “just in case” there were riots or negative repercussions from the elections…

Red Party Caravan




Red/Yellow/Blue Party March



Purple Party (Piedad) Caravan, when the President (Leonel) came



Party Color Pride before Elections



Purple Party Motorcycle Caravan