Hoteln' It

Two nights ago we woke up at about 2:30am...this time it wasn't a crying baby wanting to be fed. It was the stillness and heat in our bedroom. The power was out and our inverter (the bank of car batteries that makes power when the power isn't on...about 8-12 hours each day) was drained. That means no fans. That means sweltering heat. That means no sleep. That means fussy baby and an unhappy mommy and daddy. In the morning, we found out that the power line on our street was broken. When it still wasn't fixed by yesterday evening, Jack offered for us to spend a few nights at a hotel until the problem could get fixed. So, we packed our bags and the pack-n-play, and off we went to AC and hot showers!!! (Sidenote: as we were leaving the house our water was also down to a trickle). 

I called Jack today to thank him and told him that Avery has had the best day of her life...literally. She has been so happy and content since we got here. I don't think I realized how much the heat affects her at home. Elliott had to go into Cielo to do some work today, but Avery and I just enjoyed a quiet and relaxing day here at the hotel. This morning we read, listened to some music, and played. Then Elliott came back this afternoon and we spent some time relaxing by the pool.

It has been a great little retreat for us. God knows just what we need...even if He has to use broken-down power lines!

Sweet Avery has gotten to wear her long sleeve sleepers that she doesn't get to wear much at home

Headed to the pool

Enjoying the AC

My new favorite spot

Last week we went with Elliott's parents to the Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo. I have been wanting to go ever since we moved here. It was really beautiful, quiet, and peaceful...three things that are hard to find in this big city. I think it is going to become a place that we "escape" to quite often. They have lots of trails, so we could even go there to run. My favorite part was the orchid exhibit. They had dozens of different kinds of orhids....all different colors, some big, some small, even fragrant ones (those were my favorite because they smelled SOO good). We had a wonderful time...it was good to  be outside, enjoying nature and each other. 

There were lots of mosquitos...Avery is getting quite used to viewing the world from under a net. Poor thing.

Have you ever seen a pink pineapple?

ONE YEAR!!

One year ago from now we were sitting in the Orlando airport eating sushi and drinking one last Starbucks as we waited to board the plane to make the big move to the DR. Oh, what a year it has been. It has been great in so many ways and hard in others. We have learned so much about ourselves, each other, Dominicans, and God. We are definitely not the same people we were when we left the U.S. a year ago. It feels really good to have finally reached the one year mark. Besides adjusting to having a newborn, we feel settled here and  feel like we have found a good "rhythm." Thanks SO much for all of your prayers....we wouldn't still be here if it weren't for them. 

Some of our first year memories:

-Constant noise...bachata music, people selling things over a loud speaker, roosters, motorcycles

-HEAT!!!...taking cold showers and barely drying off before hopping in bed to make it through the night

-Finding out we were pregnant 1 month after moving here

-Hosting lots of birthday parties for our friends and neighbors

-Learning to live more simply

-Giving yourself 3 hours minimum to make a grocery store run

-Introducing Dominicans to American food

-Our 2 day trip to the Campo...Elliott still loves the Bestia

-Elliott's men's bible study in the garage every Tuesday night

-Learning to drive like a crazy dominican...we are no longer phased by the traffic and lack of order on the road

-Everything breaking a month or so after you buy it

-Getting out of traffic tickets (that we didn't deserve) by speaking only English

-Still struggling to communicate in Spanish

-Line drying clothes

-Lots walks with Ridley in the park....people are afraid of him and move to the other side of the street when they see him coming

-Being able to travel around and see the beautiful Dominican beaches and mountains

-Floating in the sea off of Bahuruco

-Termite infestation in the guest room closet

-Giving birth to our precious little Avery

El's parents are here and will be baby-sitting tonight as we go out and celebrate the BIG one year anniversary!!

Wise Words

Sometimes it is hard to express all that we feel, and experience living in a foreign land, serving as a missionary. As we will celebrate our one year anniversary of living here next week....these words written by missionary Amy Carmichael pretty much sum up our experience over the past year. 

"a door was opened for me into a new life and I took the first step in...Today as I thought of all that has passed since then, of the little little one has learnt or done or been, I felt as if one has not taken even a step into the land which opened out before one ten whole years ago. Tonight in my evening reading this verse came: "In His quiver hath He kept my close." I never noticed it before. It is the revised version of Isaiah 49:2. Is it not beautiful? And does it not fit into the verse linked always to me with September 23, 1886, "able to keep you from falling"? Dear friends, I don't often write of these inner heart things in my Scrapperies, but to the glory of His name let me witness that in far away lands, in lonliness (deepest sometimes when it seems least so), in times of downheartedness and tiredness and sadness, always always He is near. He does comfort, if we let Him. Perhaps someone as weak and good-for-nothing as even I am may read this. Don't be afraid! Through all circumstances, outside, inside, He can keep me close."

T

 

All Smiles

Here's a little Avery smile to brighten your day!!