We Made It

Barely. I came down with dengue fever on Wednesday (from a mosquito bite), and was in bed  until we left early Monday morning. I had a really high fever, headache, and bad pain behind my eyes. El was super dad and took care of Avery, ran errands, and packed for us. But, now we are home, I'm finally feeling better, and we are loving being back in the good 'ole US of A. 

Avery opening her first ever Christmas gift; a pretty red Christmas dress from Hap!

Glad to be in the US for the first time!

The Beach

Saturday we took our good friend Ana and her two kids Dania (14) and Gregory (12) to the beach. It was Dania and Gregory's FIRST time ever at the beach.  They absolutely loved it!! We picked them up at the bus station and they were grinning from ear to ear. They piled in the car and off we went! We went to the Guayacanes beach that is about 45 minutes outside of Santo Domingo. It was a gorgeous day. All three were like fish and barely left the water...except to bury Dania in the sand, of course! They thought the salt water was soooo strange, and very very salty. 

Being with them at the beach was a reminder of how privileged we are....getting to travel, see new places, and experience new things. Can you imagine living on an island, being 45 minutes away from a beautiful public beach, and in 14 years never having the chance to go? 

Lately

Here are some things that have been going on around here....

- Avery turned 5 months this week! It's really hard to believe. Her little personality is shining through more and more each day. She found her feet and loves them. Anytime she is laying on her back or sitting in her carseat they are in her hands or in her mouth. She learned how to roll over from her tummy to her back. She loves to make funny noises and blow air and bubbles through her lips. She is in the 50% for weight (13 lbs) and 25% in length (I think her chubby cheeks and legs push her into the 50% in weight!- ha). She loves evvvverything to be in her mouth...even my hair...and cracks up everytime because I think it tickles her tongue. So cute! 

Daddy's girl

Some of our new friends let Avery borrow their swing. She loves it!

This is her new face that she does ALL the time. 

-The cultural retreat we went on last month up in Jarabacoa was really great. They taught alot on the history of the DR (and the whole island of Hispanola) and showed how it still influences the way Dominicans live today. We also learned practical tips about driving, how to dress, how to greet people, etc. They taught us things that we do as Americans that can be offensive and/or send a message we don't want to send. For example, when offering a visitor a drink/food, you just bring it to them and then they have the opportunity to say "no thank you." Whereas in America you normally ask someone if they want a drink/food first before bringing it to them. Here, if you ask first, it sends them the signal that you really don't want to give them anything.

The Dominican culture is very formal (style of dress, style of furniture, way of greeting), so they had a formal dinner for us the last night. After dinner we learned how to dance Merengue and Bachata! (El and I still have a LOT of work to do on our new moves- ha)

-2 weeks ago Elliott had the opportunity to speak at the Young Life/Vida Joven leader retreat at Juan Dolio beach. He did wonderful job, and we had a great time spending time with the Young Life staff. Avery liked it too because she got to play with our friends' baby, Judah, who was born 5 days after her! 

-God has been really generous and gracious to us over the last few weeks in providing new friends and new fellowship opportunities! This had been a prayer of ours for over a year. He is faithful to provide. 

-Things are finally cooling off here (a little bit). I made chili and cornbread this week out of my excitement....we were sweating (in out shirts and shorts) all the way through dinner. Oh well! 

-Monday is Constitution day here in the DR. Yay for Dominican holidays! I think we might head to the beach one day this weekend. 

I think that's it for now. 

Avery

Long time no blog

Sorry it's been so long since we last posted...here are some updates from our lives in Santo Domingo. 

1. We moved! We found an awesome house about 15-20 minutes away from Bayona. Our time living in Bayona was SO worth it. We learned so much about the people and culture we are serving, and built relationships that would have been impossible had we not been living "with" them. But, it was time to move. We love our new home, and it's location! It has provided us with a place to rest, be together, and get away from the stresses of Dominican life. We are so grateful that God provided just what we needed. 

2. Avery is 4 months old! She is still a little thing weighing 11lbs, 11oz (but chubby, chubby). She LOVES to make noises. It seems like she babbles all day long. She is still a really good sleeper. All I have to do at night is put her down in her crib, and she's out for the night...no rocking to sleep, and no crying, she just goes to sleep on her own!! (unfortunately its another story for naps). She loves Ridley....everytime she sees him she smiles or laughs. Whenever he is in the room, she watches him and follows him around with her eyes. She loves to grab her toys...and they go straight to her mouth. Last week, she had her first little cold, poor thing. She ran a fever and was really congested and had a bad cough. She was a trooper though, and was still as sweet as ever. 

-I have gotten stopped about 10 times by people thinking that I was carrying around a babydoll. Then when they see that she's real, they are shocked. Even those that do know shes a real baby call her Muñekita (little babydoll). I think its the blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and white skin. 

3. Her passport and birth certificate got delivered today! YEAH! A little guy brought it on a motorcycle in his backpack. Now we can actually leave the country....I feel like I should be boarding a plane right now to celebrate :) 

4. God is doing some pretty awesome things through Elliott. In May he became the Ministry Director for Mission Emanuel. He is now in charge of the 9 Dominican team leaders. It is so cool to see all of the ways he is growing in this new role. I know its hard for him to see the impact he is having down here, but its HUGE. Needless to say, I'm a proud wife. 

5. We are going on a cultural retreat this weekend up in the mountains. It is taught by an American woman that has lived in the DR for 26 years. She is going to teach on Dominican culture and values, and how to grow personally while living here. Even though we have lived here for over a year, I think we are going to learn a ton, and that it is going to help us minister more effectively and deeply. I'm also excited to get to spend a weekend in the mountains....cooler weather, I hope!

6. We are missing fall big time. It's still as hot as ever here. We miss the crispness in the air, leaves changing colors, college football, wearing long-sleeves and corduroys, and making chili and pumpkin spice muffins. So, please enjoy those things for us :) 

Well, I think thats it for now. Thanks for reading! I'll post some new Avery pics soon...my camera battery is dead and I'm waiting for it to charge.