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.

Top 10 Things...

So as I am readying myself for the transition back to the US, I've been thinking through things that I need (slash want) to buy when I'm back in the States.  It's been awesome having Nat here visiting as she is helping me process through the transition and getting me excited to live with her.  (:

So here are the top 10 things I need (slash want) when I go back to the US:
(in no particular order)

1.  car
2.  professional clothes
3.  mattress
4.  nice camera
5.  plane ticket to visit the DR
6.  supplies for crafting (I've missed this dearly being here for 3 years!)
7.  apartment
8.  books
9.  gym membership
10.   cell phone

Karen's Baby Shower

First of all, I can't believe it's already mid-April.
Second of all, happy Semana Santa! :)
Third of all, less than one month until Giuliana Speciale arrives!!

Seriously, isn't she one of the most gorgeous people you've ever seen?

Gomez, Karen, and I anxious for the shower to start! :)

Super cute purple leopard skirt and top :)

Melted and smashed candy bar in a diaper.  classic.  :)

Praying for our dear friend and her family

(almost) all the attendees

Me and James, my buddy.  Can't you tell he's loving the attention?

Seriously, could I do a blog update without mentioning this cutie?

 You could say I'm a little excited to welcome Giuliana into this world.  Karen is one of my dearest friends here in the DR.  She has the ability to brighten up the room with her beautiful smile and her beautiful heart to love others deeply.  I love her sons, and I am excited to see her and her family adapt to having a daughter and a sister! :)
My favorite part of each baby shower is seeing the joy on the mama's face, being surrounded by close friends, being loved on by those they serve so often.  It was definitely the same at Karen's shower.  She looked amazing(!!) and the joy radiating from her was full of love and gratitude.
I felt immensely blessed to throw this baby shower for Karen and Giuliana!  


Thanks Rachel Sawyer for the photos! :)

Here's a video of highlights from Karen's baby shower!!

Schmorgasboard of an Update

My life has been busy lately: 

Hanging out with this cute little guy and his parents.

Dogsitting Booper.  She loved to visit school.  All the kids wanted to hold her.

Yes.  This is how dirty the water was in my washer.  Disgusting, eh?

It was in this moment that I thought, "I wish I lived in the US, where the water is always clear."

Beauty in the Intricacies

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to go with my amazing friend Karen to her 3D sonogram appointment.  Never before had I ever done anything like that before, so I was so excited to "see" this baby girl that I've been praying for since the fall.

Well, this visit definitely surpassed my expectations, as I got to see, so clearly, this little baby that is being grown inside Karen.

Hearing her heartbeat, seeing her move, counting her 10 fingers and 10 toes, wow.  It was amazing.  All I could do was stand there and smile.

Smiling because I know that this baby girl is going to be welcomed with open arms into this amazing, loving family.

Smiling because baby girl is so healthy and beautiful already.  

Smiling because I love seeing Karen go through this stage of life and seeing her beam with pride at how beautiful her daughter is becoming.  

Smiling because this baby girl that has been covered with prayer is now so real to me.  

It brought to life the verse in Psalms where it talks about God being the creator, knitting together baby girl in the mother's womb.  Baby girl is being grown into a product of Dan and Karen.  She definitely has Karen's nose already.  :)  I see God's hand at work as he provides protection and nutrients for baby girl using Karen as her provider and shield.

I love seeing God at work, at work in baby girl--growing her healthy and beautiful, at work in Karen's heart--preparing to be a mother again, at work in my heart--giving me so much gratitude for God's goodness and faithful design.

I can't wait to meet baby girl for real and get to hold this precious little one that has been loved so deeply and has been prayed for so earnestly.

Motocross

El Americano (photo by Anna Lanier)

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to go see a motocross competition near where I live.  A group of American girls from Doulos, their Dominican guy friends, and Melisa and I went to Corocito to watch this competition.  I was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the competition.  I never would have imagined that this amazing motocross track would be in the middle of nowhere, up a gravel/dirt road up the mountains.
It was so fun!  I cannot express the joy that I had and I definitely got swept up in the excitement.
It was SO hot and we were all putting on the sunscreen like it was our job.  Then we walked around, got some hot dogs on a stick and soda, and met some of the racers.  There was a super cute American guy who came down for the race.  After I found out he was from Jersey, I had this conversation in my mind:

Me:  "Oh!  You're from Jersey?  I am moving to Maryland this summer!"
Cute Motocrosser:  "Really?  You should come watch me sometime!  I love to have fans."
Me:  "Oh, well I don't really have a way to get there, I don't have a car right now."
CM:  "No worries, I'll just pick you up on my dirt bike and we'll ride off in the sunset together."

We can hope can't we?

photo by Anna Lanier

El Americano (photo by Anna Lanier)

Well, after the heat, it started POURING down rain.  Like imagine being in a shower.  Now we wished we had brought an umbrella, not only for the sun but also for the rain!  We waited there, huddling under umbrellas, for about 30 minutes, then we just decided to walk back to where we had left our motorcycles and saw that they were sunk in about half a foot of dirt.  Yuck.  The boys got the motos out and finally it stopped raining.  As soon as we started back home, one of the motos got a flat tire, so we had to wait for awhile.  We were all FREEZING and soaked, but after we made it home, safe and showered, I look back with nothing but happiness at this awesome adventure that we had.  :)

Don't we look wet and disheveled? 

The New Normal...

Well, this was my second official week of teaching 5th grade.  It is so much harder than I imagined it would be.  I'm realizing how teaching styles are so different and how different people can set the environment in their classrooms.  Although the kids seem so undisciplined and regressed, I see growth in their academics and in their personalities.  It has been frustrating jumping in and trying to understand what Laura has done for the past 3 quarters while not changing too much from their daily/weekly routines.  To top it all off, I'm getting a new student on Monday.  I decided that he's just going to have to figure things out and I am not going to spend a ton of time trying to catch him up, when honestly I don't know what to catch him up on.

Honestly, I have been so angry, bitter, and impatient towards anyone and everything JCS lately.  I feel so ready to move on and ready to start something new and exciting.  I feel not helped in my new adjustment, everyone just tells me that it'll get better soon.  I miss my 3rd graders.  It's hard going in there and teaching them and disciplining them when I don't feel like it is my classroom anymore.  Although Jess has been amazingly patient with my new teaching situation, I still feel awkward sometimes just stepping into someone else's classroom and teaching/disciplining.


It's hard to take a step backwards and realize that my problems and frustrations will be insignificant in a few months.  I'll be desiring to be back in the DR, with my students, my friends, my new adopted country.

Thankfully God is faithful and I know this "low" will be gone in a few days.  I just pray for encouragement and direction and a job in the States soon...

Field Trip #2

Field trip #2 this week went much smoother.  Thankfully the party-pooper of the field trip wasn't in my class, so I got to relax and just enjoy time.
Our first stop was to the monument in Santiago and didn't get to go inside or go up in the monument.  So we just killed some time, walking around looking at the statues surrounding the museum and taking lots of pictures and enjoying life.

Then we went to the Centro Leon cultural center again.  We went to a Visual Art section (not the modern art section...) and low and behold there wasn't paintings of nudity, there were full blown photographs of women from the top up naked and men from the top up naked.  Now, obviously the men aren't a big deal, but jeesh.  They're 10, 11, 12 years old.  Seriously.  Don't stop and make them sit down and analyze the pictures with nudity.  Idiotas.
Anyhoo, then we got to go to the highlight of the field trip:  McDonalds.  Everything went so smooth this time, thanks to our once-again-amazing field trip coordinator, Dilania, and our secretary, Yesenia, who called in the order early.  So I got to gorge myself twice this week on McDonalds and man, I can't complain.  :)  Although, I did get in a fight with one of the Spanish teachers.  Guess who won, even speaking Spanish...

I'm so excited, sidenote, because my friend Janessa and her husband are coming to the DR this weekend!!!!!!!! :) :) :)