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!!

One week old

Its hard to believe that at this time last week little Avery was about to come into the world! This first week has flown by, and she is growing and changing so much already. We have had a great first week! Our love for her grows by the minute. 

Look at my chubby cheeks....I'm a really good eater.

Conocerla

Well, we've been parents for about ten months now, but it's hard feeling like a parent when you haven't yet met your child.  About 5 days ago we had the privilege and joy of meeting our daughter, Avery Elizabeth Drake, when Linds gave birth to our precious, 6 1/2 lb, 50cm little treasure.  She's absolutely beautiful in every way, and we can't wait to know her more and more as she grows and develops.  

Our little 5 day old ladybug!