DR Bucket List

Here are a few things that I am going to throw out there that I would like to do before I leave in June...

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.  ...


I think my life will be complete after I accomplish all of these things.  Who's with me?!  :)

Women's Retreat

my two bunkmates, Melisa and Karen

my roommate Jessica and I at the "Jaraba-party"

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a woman's conference for women from all over the DR.  The conference was held in both English and Spanish, so it was definitely a good mix of Dominican and American women.  The small groups that we met with were all people from our native language.  I ended up actually knowing almost all the people in my group.  It was good to spend time and get to know people who I knew on just an acquaintance basis.  We all had to choose a promise of God to represent us and to be our nametag.

Melisa and I at the retreat

I chose I am free. because I have really been struggling with getting caught up in my sin and being brought down by my guilt.  It was a good reminder that God sees me through the lens of the blood of Jesus and I am truly free.
Each morning and evening we had a Bible passage that we had to reflect on and think through in many different perspectives.  It was really good for me to bring my thoughts back to Jesus and refocus my heart and energy on what He has for me in my life.

Jess dressed up for our skit

I was most overwhelmed on this retreat in my dislike of community.  Jesus calls us to be in community with other believers, but I definitely try to revolt against this.  I enjoy being with others, but I don't enjoy sharing and opening up in things that expose my heart.  Because I have been hurt so often before, I feel like I have to have a wall to keep people at an arm's distance while expecting them to share and open their heart to me.  It was so humbling and breaking for me to see that I need others.  I was thankful for the encouragement that I received this morning during our small group time that even though I may only have a short 5 months left here in the DR, the reward of sharing in deep, Christian community is worth the definite hard time that will follow when I have to leave...

So pray that I continue to use what I learned and that it wouldn't just be a "Jesus-high" of emotion but that what I have learned at the women's conference can be used to grow me...

Things to do before I turn 25...dye my hair?

Okay, so most of you know that I do enjoy the color of my hair.  But last weekend I had a slight mid-midlife crisis.  One of my friends, Jessica, decided that she wanted to highlight her hair before her birthday.  So I said, "What the hay!  I'll do it.  I've never done it and I'm getting old.  I think it's time for me to take a walk on the wild side while I'm still young and freestyling in the DR." 
So that's that.  and here are the result of my beautiful pink highlights. 

Funny sidestory:  One of the parents of my students from last year came up to me today and raved about how much she loved my hair.  Then I noticed that she had pink highlights in her hair too.  I told her that I only did it because I had seen her with her hair like that.  :)  Hilarity.  I love living in the DR. 

Things to do before I turn 25...Host a baby shower

One of my favorite verses from the Message is from 1 Peter:  "Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing."  Well, last night I was able to bless my friend Caroline in hosting a baby shower for her.  Caroline works for Students International here in the DR and I have gotten to know her through some other friends and ultimately through watching football every Sunday at her house. She and her husband Ryan came on our Thanksgiving vacation with us, and we have enjoyed spending time together playing games, bowling, eating, watching movies, and enjoying life. :)



Maggie's ribbon was a little too long...


At her baby shower, we enjoyed watching her open her new carseat and stroller that we all had pitched in money to buy her. We played many games, including picking a length of ribbon to see if people could guess how big Caroline was around, trying to determine baby food flavors by their look and smell, and we had two girls try and drink apple juice from a baby bottle. It was so fun! There was also much yummy food that we all brought to share.

My 2 favorite parts of the night were seeing Caroline smile so much and praying for her and her family. I love seeing the joy that is brought when others completely love. Every single person who was there at the baby shower loved on Caroline and made her feel so special.

The most important thing we did for Caroline at the shower was pray for her. I wanted her to know that we were supporting her not only with our gifts and words but also lifting her, Ryan, and James up to the Lord in confidence that He will provide for and take care of them. It was beautiful being able to lay hands on her, pray, and listen to others pray for her peace, safety, and a complication-free labor and delivery. I teared up a little during this, listening to women lifting Caroline up and showing their love and compassion for her and her little family.   I firmly believe that the Lord heard our prayers as Jesus promised, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."



The 4 pregnant women at the shower



This was definitely a new experience for me and a complete joy. I loved the gratitude that radiated from Caroline for all the women that surrounded her and love her down here in the DR. I can imagine that it’s hard to be away from friends and family from home, so it’s nice to feel like we are not only a replacement but an addition to the family that she has in the States.   

Like it says in 1 Peter, Caroline's baby shower not only blessed her but also blessed me by the joy that I received in seeing her so happy and loved.