bunny trails and awesomesauce.

Well hello once again. I just wanted to thank you for all for being awesome sauce and keeping me up to date on things going on.

Yes it's a different title, but I always struggle on what it should be named. I learned that dominican's call them bunny trails instead of tangents or random thought patterns or even the rabbit trails. lol 

     I will say that this week I have been totally missing my Awaken Family. I miss y'all but this week I have been so wishing I had Vicki and Heather’s home cooking. It’s weird the things you miss until you smell something and it brings back a memory or two or four. :) So missing church cookouts and jammin with the Eady men. P.S. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss getting hugs. :) 

    Sorry, I had to get that out of my system. Let’s see to catch you all up on what’s going on… 

    Today is Veterans Day and it doesn’t feel like it. I see on Facebook that people are in hats, hoodies and jackets and I'm over here like... man it's so hot and humid. If it hits 77 I've got my hoodie and jeans on. Totally different than in the states right now. It’s weird because I have been so anxious and so worried about what’s going on here. Things like... if I’ll get things on the test right or will my Spanish click…. I just haven’t had that peace. Well, today it clicked. I finally got assurance that I've been wait for the past 70+ days. We were on the way back home from Josiah’s House and I was riding shot gun in our taxi. I had my headphones in to Pentatonix’s new album and the song was Save The World / Don’t You Worry Child. I out stretched my arm into the wind and it just came to me. It was weird because it’s not normal to stick out your arm because of all the crazy drivers. I know what you’re thinking… how could this bring you peace? Ha. Picture this. You ready? You get done being around little boys who are so precious and just love to be loved. A beautiful sunny day, a smile on my face and the wind blowing in my hair with the words, “Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child, Heaven’s got a plan for you.” Blaring in my ears. I don’ t think I could have made up this moment. I began smiling from ear to ear and I even teared up. Yep. I'm pretty sure the girl in the back seat if she noticed might have wondered what was going on. It’s one of those moments I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Ever. Now that I have that peace, I can finally relax and just enjoy life here. 

    I was asked to share some personal things about what I’m learning… let’s see.. This trip has opened my eyes to many things. One, I’m selfish. I knew I was self centered but I had no idea until I came here. I’ve had it really easy back in the states and it’s totally affected me for the better. The second way is loving people who are really hard to love and/or hard to please. I could say many things, but I am learning that not everyone needs to be pleased nor happy through me. It’s okay to say no and not let everyone in. It's okay to think selfishly about things and not bend just because someone else has a problem. It’s kind of a good feeling. All I’m gonna say is that I am thankful for my friends back in the states and thankful for communication and acceptance even in the little things. The third thing is taking in the small things. I absolutely love it here and I’m learning to figure out things like laundry, facetime/calling people and figuring out how to do homework all in a short time.

    Let’s see. This past weekend I went on a house visit and I absolutely loved it. I have learned that I can understand Dominican Spanish! It clicked this weekend. Now, I can hardly get a sentence out, but If I hear it- I can translate it. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. If you don’t feel my excitement- just smile and you’ll feel it eventually. Yep. A prayer answered. I don’t understand it all but the word “como” and they say it in a simpler form. Yep. I am starting to get it.  Okay back the home visit story.

    We left on Friday I got to go with another student Alicia (She’s pretty rad) to Jose’s house in Guayacanes. He’s the father in law of one of our autobus drivers Henry. Henry and his family live with them. On Friday we got to hang out and got to know the family pretty well. Jose’s family is so precious. Jose has three girls and a beautiful wife Elopena. On Saturday we went to the beach and ate fish that had been caught by Jose the previous day. Oh. My. Goodness. It was amazing. He had it fried, but not overly fried. I kinda wished we had it grilled, but not everyone has a grill here. But home fried fish. I’ll take pescado any day. Then after going to the beach we came back and took showers. Probably the coldest shower I’ve taken thus far and that night Alicia and I got to hang out with just the girls. I will say that all of us talking and laughing made me think of many, many, many, many years ago when Beth, Laura and I would sit on the bed or couches and talk and laugh. It’s been a pretty long time since anything has happened like that and it’s been pretty awesome to be apart of that.

    Anyways, life here is going pretty well. My tan has faded because it’s been cloudy and it’s rained here a bunch. Yep. I’m figuring out that no matter what happens that I’m on here for a short period of time. It’s true what they all say… you blink and your time is gone. Well… I can see why. It’s Veterans Day and in just 5 weeks I return to the states for a quick visit. It will be May before I know it!

Good things thus far.

•         Late night jam sessions with Anna, Kelli, and our favorite translators Felipe and Dio.
•         Bonding experiences
•         Awesome Bible classes
•         Home visits with real Dominicans
•   Letters/text messages from home. Btw, I love getting the unexpected texts. They make me smile.

Things not so awesome

•    Homework
•    Homesickness
•    Hard lessons the Lord’s trying to teach
•    Cold showers
•  Lack of groceries
•  Rain makes mud and mud gets everywhere. :/

If you want a list to pray for- just message me and I'll give you some things to pray for.

I am blessed beyond belief as I look back at all the messages and verses people have sent me. I am truly blessed. I cant get over the things people send me and I am thankful. Getting encouragement down here is few and far between for me and so getting messages and encouragement letters (or emails) have been a blessing. Thank you.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35

Till Next Time,