Giving Thanks

These past two weeks have been full as I have been acclimating to life here in the Dominican Republic.  My head is spinning at times trying to take it all in.  Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself - I LIVE here! It is gorgeous and full of life.

Pointsetta trees- Gorgeous and in Full Bloom

Blessed to be able to have experienced the final two teams from the states here this fall.  These weeks have been a great mix of learning work and just living life.  Dominos. Baseball. Rice and beans. Chinola juice. Motos.

Even when I have no idea what I'm doing- I of course need to try my hand at trash-talking.-It's the least I can do...

Last weekend my friend Nicole and I grabbed a bus to the capital and caught a Winter League baseball game between the Gigantes and Leones at Quisqueya.  It was the BEST! We were grinning from ear to ear.  Of course, catching a little glimpse of one of my faves, Pedro Feliz, helped some too.

San Juan is decked out for Christmas- complete with Santa Claus in the arch and a fancy lit-up manger scene.  And life here wouldn’t be complete without eating a Hippopotamus at Pedro Burgers.  It’s probably better not to ask what’s in it—but it sure is DELICIOUS.

This last group that was here was assessing some communities as they are making plans to develop an ongoing working relationship between their university and a small community near Elias Piña.  How awesome to be able to be a part of their process, use some critical thinking skills, catch their excitement, and be inspired by the potential.

On Wednesday, we took the group to El Cercado and got the chance to show off the Child Nutrition Program a bit.  We spent some time at the clinic and then traipsed through the countryside visiting a few of the many families that I will be working with.   I can’t wait to really get involved with the program come January, but for now Nicole and I will be focusing a lot of effort into the Student Sponsorship program.  This will involve taking hundreds of photos of students the next couple of weeks, as well as compiling other information.  Our organizational skills will be put to the test!

An absolute highlight of my time here so far was Thanksgiving.  I LOVE Thanksgiving.  I have been learning so much about gratitude over the past couple years- "A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles."  To me, this makes a day specifically set aside to be grateful, even that much better.  We celebrated in family.  Over 20 of us, Americans and Dominicans, sharing together.  I am blessed to have such an amazing group of people here that welcome me as family, and I am blessed to have such a supportive group of family in the states as well.  It’s amazing to see how various people are brought together in different ways and the beauty that can result. 

I remain GRATEFUL.

I can't hardly believe it

I'm HERE! I rolled into San Juan de la Maguana on Thursday night full of excitement (and exhaustion!)  Still amazed how this has all come together that I am now living my dream of working in the Dominican Republic.  Love seeing mi gente here.  Trying to take it one moment at a time.  and enjoy each of them.  But before I get ahead of myself...  I am WAY late on this blog thing and want to share a little of my prep time and goodbye memories from home...

I missed out on Autumn in PA last year while living in Nicaragua, and was SUPER excited to be around for it this year.  My dad and I headed out to western PA to visit my brother, saw some GORGEOUS leaves, and took a last boat ride on the river.  It was COLD! 

 It SNOWED!  Now, those of you who know me well, know that I am not a huge fan of winter, BUT I also missed snow last year and so this was EXTRA SPECIAL! Snow in October!!!  And I obnoxiously sang about it all day long while hanging out with my mom- you know, cuz I don't have to deal with it for the rest of winter- I'm here in the Dominican Republic in sunshine and warmth :)

 

I LOVE Thanksgiving. and my sweet mom and sister celebrated with me early. YUM!

 I have some of the greatest friends ever.  And they may kill me for these pictures, but we've been having breakfast together every week (almost) for over 5 years at 6am- so yes, we do look tired- well I do anyway, they are beautiful as always.  This is us with our favorite waitress and hostess :)  And we have ridiculous amounts of fun together, as you can see...

And girls you can't kill me, cuz I'm international now. HA HA.  

There has been so many more memories with so many more folks that I love and will miss, but how blessed am I to have been able to spend these past 4 months back home before heading here to the Dominican Republic.  I can't wait to share all the stories that I already have and new ones too about why I love living life and serving God here.  But to start, here's a welcome to my home at the Solid Rock Guesthouse for the next month or so until I move to El Cercado...  Room 14 baby, that's where it's at...

So BIENVENIDOS to Room 14.  It's at the top of the stairs and is fabulous. and yes, at the moment, I do decorate like a teenager :)  (Shout out to some cool peeps for the kickin decorations)

Much love, Laura