The Farewells Have Begun...

I have been terribly remiss about keeping up on the blog...sorry! It's been quite a whirlwind month. I've been battling what to write mostly because preparations have had their challenges and I feared coming across as pessimistic. I liken the experience to trying to shove an octopus into a gallon Ziploc. Lots to do in a short time. We remain incredibly optimistic and peaceful about our move despite momentary frustrations with as I often call the "Eewy Things." Yes, I teach Kindergarten! LOL!

I read this on the Facebook status of our missionary friend, Karen George, the other day:

When Satan knocks at your door do you say "Jesus, will you get that?"

It's been a month of "knocking." Things from 3 computers crashing (one was only 2.5 weeks old!!!) and the associated affects on all of our businesses, cracked windshields, unexpected surgery, LOTS of paperwork confusion, pukey kids, dead A/C in the house, and wasted trips to the health department for immunizations ("I'm sorry you needed an appointment with the travel health clinic." UGH! )

But it's been a more resounding month of "answering the door." Friends bringing meals, financial support for our mission, family pitching in, our Small Group and the Peter's family just rocking the garage sale prep, selling both vehicles and the associated arrival of the "Blue Limo" (Tim's grandpa's 1992 blue Caprice Classic station wagon... SAHWEET! Just call us the Griswold's! :D), the gift of a Flip video camera, a relaxing week at the beach with friends old and new, Tim's IBM contract extension.

So as we take the last step off American soil and our first step onto Dominican soil this Thursday, we go confident that God has opened AND answered the doors to clear the path for us.

Thank you Lord.

Psalm 119:34-36 (New International Version)

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.


BTW, pictures and videos promised in the next post... :)

How good is He???

I just crazy LOVE when God uses our obedience to continue to bless His children. Tim's cousin, Brian shared the following after he read our DR story...{sigh} God is so cool!

"It is so funny too. Heather and I were just reading your blog and why you went and everything and when I got to the part where you listed Revelations 3 I almost fell out. Heather was in Virginia this week shooting my cousin's wedding (on my mom's side) and I was here with the boys. We were visiting this new church here in Davidson, since we just moved and the message was on getting visions from the Lord and how to recognize them. The verses were mainly from Acts 16:6 where Paul has a vision to go to Macedonia. However, he also mentioned how God opens doors that can't be shut and closes doors that can't be opened. Of course, this is Revelations 3... and I was sitting there thinking during the sermon I wish I could find out what I'm supposed to do (we are supposed to do) for the Lord. I still am not sure what it is... I used to write a daily Passage of the Day email after my study time (5am-6am) when we lived in TN. The list grew and I'm ashamed to say that after we moved back to NC I failed to keep my daily study time. You have encouraged me to start it again and maybe even to start a website this time instead of e-mails (as blogs are easier and more popular anyway as you aren't bombarding people with updates, they can check as they wish). Anyway, the timing of you all going and the messages and everything has really inspired me and I want you to know that Heather and I will be praying for you daily. "

I will keep you posted on Brian's upcoming website. I know it's going to be awesome be he is called to it by our amazing Father!

Thank you Lord!

The Missionary Heart

A freind of mine from church has venutred on a three month missionary trip aboard a ship called the Logos Hope Missionary Ship. (www.hopeonthewater.com) A very cool back story to how he ended up on the ship! Someone posted the following quote on his Facebook page before he left on May 28.

The Missionary Heart ...
Care more than some think is wise.
Risk more than some think is safe.
Dream more than some think is practical.
Expect more than some think is possible.
I was called not to comfort or success but to obedience.

I find that some friends and family are embracing our decision to move to the DR. Some think we are crazy. Some are envious and wish they could go. Some think it irresponsible to bring our kids out of their school and schedule. Some think our priorities are out of whack. The quote made me realize that my missionary heart is in God's perfect place.

Thank you Lord.

Our Domincan truck!

So the Hoekstra family is headed out of the DR and well, we're headed in so we bought their truck! YAY! They have three kids as well so it should be a perfect fit. In fact, they took their family and three teachers to the beach in it sitting in the the lift back. Cool! THAT would so not fly here! AND, Tim is excited that it is a diesel engine...can you say "convert to cooking oil???" Now our car can smell like french fries in the DR as well...

Our Dominican Digs!

Here are s ome shots of our new place in the DR. Can't wait to get it personalized! Lots of nice cool tile...

Kitchen
Living room

Family Room and I think the front door

View out from the living room balcony

View in from the living room balcony

And so the story goes...

Hi all,

Well, many of you know that something is up but are not sure just what it is. With the Chittenden's, you can never really tell! LOL! Below is the story...

Let me back track a little. The nights after hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, I was sitting in my living room thinking, “Man, Tim and I are not working. I can’t send money but I want to DO something. I wish we could “GO” there.” I went to bed, woke up and read my daily devotion which was entitled “GO For It!” I was struck by this:

“You are endowed with a unique purpose and in order to fulfill that purpose you will need to press toward the desires God has given you. They may seem trivial, or they may seem unattainable, but don’t neglect to reach for them as He leads you. One step in the right direction could catapult you into the next level of the calling on your life. Take a risk and you’ll realize it’s no risk at all – because all of heaven backs you when you reach for God’s desires.”

Whoa! Okay God, I’m listening. I shared this with Tim on the way to church. He thought it would be pretty cool to go but how. Who would watch the boys? We had JUST moved to NC. Once we arrived at church our pastor said that they were going to send teams to Mississippi to help with disaster relief. We looked at each other. Let’s head down this path and see what happens. So as you know we went and I cannot even begin to put in words the blessings we received in helping others. We were hooked and while we were down there decided to do mission work someday. We’re not the type to retire and go to the country club etc.

Last year I was challenged instead of having a New Year’s Resolution to pray about a word that could be my focus for the year. Something to meditate on, pray about etc. After a week or so of praying about this the word “Go!” came to mind and then proceeded to proliferate my life.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith, Abraham, when called to go to the place he would later receive his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 15:16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

Just about a month ago Tim and I were in a meeting for the church plant we are teaming up with in Raleigh. A gentleman stood up to speak. His name is Ken and he will be the church’s “Send” pastor which basically means he will the missions pastor. Anyway, he stood up and began like this “My wife and I went on our first mission trip to Mississippi to help with Katrina disaster relief in October 2005.” I nudged Tim, “That’s like us!” Ken went on to talk about how this trip impacted their life and plans for the future. Same for us. We talked with Ken and his wife Karen immediately after the meeting and they shared what all they were doing living in the Dominican Republic. They shared about an English speaking Christian School in Santiago that they have friends whose children go there, friends who work there, etc. Tim sort of looked at me. “That sounds awesome!” we said. Ken says “Check out G.O. Ministries online. And they let’s get together and chat some more.” Really? G.O. Ministries??? Tim and I laughed.

No sooner then we hit the car did we both say “What do you think about that? I mean, we didn’t think missions would work until the kids were gone because of bills and financial obligations here, but we don’t have those anymore. And we are constantly talking about wanting to experience life outside of the bubble of suburbia. We talked to the kids about the possibility and the next day Adam was searching real estate online and Noah brought home a book about the DR from the school library. Tim and I got to praying. Our prayer has been this:

“God, we are trying so hard to make our will be done in this crazy life that we’re leaving no room for Your Will to be done. We don’t want to decide this simply because it sounds like an adventure, but because it truly is Your calling for our life. We ask you open or close doors as you see fit. Your Word says, “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” We will accept the path you will lay out for us because we know all of heaven backs us when we reach for your desires.

I received an email from a friend with this quote the very next day:

Revelation 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Now, to FINALLY get to the point, Santiago Christian School offered me a position for the 2010-2011. The position would be a permanent substitute which is a full time position. I would sub where needed and have projects to work on the days I was not needed specifically to sub. This would be a great position as it would not involve planning, grading etc and would allow me to get the kids settled, work on my Espanol, etc. It would be for one year (at least…one day at a time), the kids would go to school for free. I receive a livable salary, insurance, airfare and various other odds and ends. The school helps us find housing and they deal with securing whatever we choose and our rent is then deducted from my pay. That way we know we are safe in the dealings from people trying to take advantage of foreigners. Tim would continue to work remotely for IBM until whenever. 90% of his team lives in Mexico and Brazil so this should pose no problem although would likely result in a decrease in his salary because the cost of living is so much less there. We plan to sock away his paycheck in the US and live off mine. We would be home for Christmas for two weeks. We’d then be back in June until the end of July to visit, regroup, etc…

Our wonderful friend,Robin, has been working with us in JumpBunch since January and she will be taking over the stateside dealings with the business here. This is awesome as it will allow her to be back in the workforce, allow her children to go to the schools she and her husband desire and she's an unbelievable asset to our company (and life!:D)

Regarding Soul Fusion, I will basically be on sabbatical. Amazingly, Leah and I have another photography friend with whom she will likely collaborate for the year, supporting one another with both businesses! How good is God for introducing these two ladies through the art auction we coordinated for the Hope for Haiti Foundation??? Blessings abound!

My sister and brother in-law were planning a move to this area sometime this summer and will likely be staying in our house until they figure out where they would like specifically live!

When we step back and look at all that has fallen into place, we feel so much confidence that this is where we are to be. We will spend this first year acclimating tot he area, working at the school and praying to see where God will have us in other ministries as that is our ultimate desire, the one He put on our hearts 5 years ago.

So that's the story...we are excited, nervous, happy, sad, and every range of emotion you could imagine going into this next stage of our life. But with all of that we have peace.

Philippians 4:7 (New International Version)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank you Lord.