Photos of our world

I know many of you are afraid to send packages as they might cost us an unplanned expense but we REALLY love getting fun things from the US. This box was sent by our fabulous small group in NC. So fun to see if something is waiting for uson mail day at SCS...

Our church, Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva. Pastored by John Webb and his lovely wife, Kelly. Services are in Spanish so it is our two hour Spanish lesson each week. LOVE!!! The members are incredibly warm and welcoming as are most Dominicans. Tim and I attend a weekly couples small group in Spanish as well. Great time with wonderful people!

Our living room. Our first adventure shopping in the DR for a big item. Talked them WAY down with the help of our friend Mindy and her Haitian friend, Patrick.

Our electric is not grounded very well so the boys need to use a Rubic's Cube to turn their lights on and off...

The boys bedroom

The boys hang out room

Master bedroom

Our dining room and view from the front door.

Our kitchen

The office...

The boys bathroom

This is our hot water switch which we flip on about 20 minutes before we want to shower. The warmth lasts about 3 minutes and then starts to cool off. THAT is why I loved standing in a hot shower on my visit to the US. Makes timing morning showers for all of us a bit challenging!

The Early Childhood Education gang decided to get uniforms for school. We have four different color shirts to wear and two pairs of pants. So nice to not have to think about what to wear each day and Fridays are our choice. Custom tailored for me..four shirts and two pairs of pants..less than $100. Nice!

Not uncommon to see a dozen or more men riding in the back of a truck on the way to work.

A rainbow over SCS last week...beautiful!

We took a day trip to Sosua Beach last weekend. Love the water at this beach...crystal clear...

The shops on the beach at Sosua.

A shot from the stores on Sosua Beach, DR.

Epic sand battle at Sosua Beach. A friend pointed out that it looks like I was taking cover behind the beach chair when I shot this pic...love that!

Nowie after the sand battle. Still sand shrapnel in his ear...lol!

This is Ninja, Adam's new kitten. Raul found them near the cafeteria at school.

This is Cheveyo, Nowie's new kitten.

Baked Beans!

Tim and Raul in Jarabacoa last week. Raul grew up there and showed us around his hometown.

This is spray painted on the outbuilding of a friend's church in Barrio Blanco in Jarabacoa, DR.

This photo is an incredible testament to brotherly love. With respect to our friend in the picture, I will not offer great detail, but suffice it to say none of us have ever experienced the heart burden this man has for his brother. Please pray for our friends Raul and Diane and Raul's brother as they seek options for medical care.

Boys Update

Wow! Sorry it has been two months since our last update. Life is busy, even in the Caribbean! I have decided to send an update about the boys but will also post a "Photo Update" with lots of pix later today.

Noah: Noah is in the fifth grade this year at Santiago Christian School (SCS). Every morning before school he is out on the quad playing some sport or other. Shocking, I know! I see him headed to class already wet and dirty most days! LOL! He is doing very well in school although it is getting more challenging. In fact, this coming week he will begin math in the sixth grade cyber school here as he scored very high on the standardized tests this fall. We LOVE that SCS is willing to flex with the kids even though they do not have a formal honors or GT program.

What Noah loves about the DR: his new kitten Cheveyo (A Hopi Indian name he found meaning "spiritual warrior), the food, the weather, the people, learning Spanish, the campus at SCS, the people at school are so helpful with learning Spanish

What Noah misses about the US: his friends, Fireballs soccer (GO FIREBALLS!!!!!), American food and candy, English movie theaters, speaking English, XBOX 360, shooting hoops in the driveway,

Prayers for Noah: Noah has been strongly seeking God recently. Practically begged for a bible for his birthday. Prayers for him to have open eyes and a heart for God.

Noah playing kickball

Jake: Jake is in second grade this year. He tested out of first grade this year because of the language difference. It is likely he will move back to his appropriate grade once we return to the states though. Once again, we are so grateful for the flexibility that SCS has meeting the kids where they are. He is doing well in second grade but still works hard at his handwriting as fine motor skills are not his strong suit. He loves all of the young women teachers who he charms and entertains regularly. I know, that's a shocker!

What Jake loves about the DR: (his words exactly) "the food down here, the internet, the school, my teacher,

What Jake misses about the US: my friends, some of the food there, my old school, Miss Boone, the language.

Prayers for Jake: Pray that Jake would continue to make successful choices in school and that we can find ways to use his time productively. It's a challenge because the kids can't just go outside and play.

Jake and his friend, Juan Diego, playing before school.

Adam: Adam is in seventh grade this year. We (me, Tim and Adam) decided to hold him back a year because of the homeschool situation last year and we wanted him to be able to focus on acquiring the new language. His three boy cousins have stayed back a grade by choice with much success so we all see it as an opportunity to be successful rather than struggle through. Adam is taking two Spanish classes a day, plus a cyber school science class. The kids have 9 classes a day!!! A LOT to keep up with. He ended last marking period with all A's and one B. He has really turned a corner in his ability to manage his school work. I think we left the old Adam in the US! LOL! He's doing very well with his Spanish and really steps out confidently to try it when we are out and about (unlike his wimpy Mom!) Every week he goes to Wyldlife, the middle school version of Young Life and loves it!

What Adam loves about the DR: the food, my new friends, the internet because I can stay in touch with my US friends, speaking Spanish, Wyldlife.

What Adam misses about the US: my friends, being able to walk to Beaver Creek with my friends, birthday parties, XBOX 360.

Prayers for Adam: Pray that Adam would be strong is dealing with his feelings as an outsider. Like most missionary kids he struggles with not fitting in. He is blessed with several great friends but it's still hard for him some days.

Adam and his best bud, Homin. They hated having their picture taken. Thanks boys for humoring me! LOL!