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."