Pelota

Gas: 100 pesos ($3)
Ticket: 65 pesos ($2)
Empanada: 30 pesos ($1)
Watching the championship game of the Dominican World Series with some of your closest friends (and only spending about $6): Priceless!!!



It was craziness...people cheering and yelling and blowing whistles, and this was just after a base hit...imagine when the home team won! People lined the streets all the way from Santiago to La Vega (half way to Jarabacoa). They were singing and dancing and partying, because their God is good...the Aguilas won :)!


After the loudness of the game Friday, I had a very refreshing weekend; Monday was Dia de Duarte so we had the day off of school. I spent lots of time reading, writing, sleeping, watching movies and playing my guitar, and I had lots of time to visit with people. It was good to "catch my breath" after such a busy few weeks. Please pray for my health, I just got some medicine for a cough that I've had for about a month now...and pray for my parents' trip to visit Nick and Whitney (I'm a little jealous)!

Los peluches

Well, the sexy new car (which still lacks a name, please give me some ideas) made it to Cabarete and back! After a week of tune-ups and random fixes, we left Saturday morning at 7 and were in the Caribbean sun by 9am. The night at the beach was very relaxing, but like always, not long enough! The weather was beautiful except for a half hour of clouds and a little rain...see, it does get cold here sometimes...check out Steph and I all bundled up :). It was SO good to see her, and to hang out with Shelly and Laura, among other Cibaenos (people from Jarabacoa)!

This week has been really hectic...my schedule is back to normal, the kids are still a little crazy, Bible study started, dinners, teaching the Monks, etc. All good things, I just need to remember to breathe sometimes :). Here's a pic of Steffany, Ysmayar and Josue with one of their new giant stuffed animals (a Christmas present from my parents). They LOVED them...so much that we switch the crab, shark, lobster, and turtle every week as their table "mascots." So funny :).

I hope you're all doing well...thanks for all the emails and encouragement while I've been in this transition back to life in the DR :).

COUNTDOWN 'til Renee comes : 30 days!!! Que chulo :)!

Mi carro

So I've been back in the DR for more than a week, and not surprisingly, I've had lots of mixed emotions. It was SO great being back in the States with my family and friends and though I was excited to get back here, it was hard to leave again. While I was in MI, my life here seemed like a distant dream...and now, being back, it seems like I was never even in MI. Jesus has affirmed me over and over again that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I'm supposed to do. I am so thankful for the weeks that I had in the States; for the people I got to see, the things that I got to do, and the food I got to eat :). So, for those of you that made my time more complete...THANK YOU!

The transition back to work has been a little tough...3 weeks off for 16 first graders is a long time. In some ways, especially a few afternoons the past couple days, it has felt like the first week of school again. I know that it will keep getting better, and though it's been a little crazy, I was expecting worse. I've loved seeing my kids and continuing building relationships with them...they are so darn cute and are learning to serve one another!

Okay...for the BIG NEWS...drum roll please...I bought a CAR!!! It's SO perfect, and I got such a great deal on it. Check it out, it's a 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer...drives great on these crazy roads in Jarabacoa and will be making a trip to the beach this weekend :). We are in the midst of a very rainy season so far, so I am SO thankful to have this car; to be able to get around town in the rain and in the dark, too. THANK YOU to those of you who have supported me so much that I am blessed enough to have transportation in this country. Here's the car and a very happy girl :).

Ni una idea

I had NO idea...check out my surprise, Nick and Whitney!!!