Rest

Yesterday afternoon Nicole and I escaped for a couple hours for a much needed time of rest.  Sometimes a change of scenery does wonders for a person.  This is what we saw...

The goats kept us company

This month has been FULL!  Kari, Nicole, and I started the month by travelling to Cabarete for a conference on Integral Health.  INSPIRATIONAL.  Reinforcing the ideas of how physical, mental, and spiritual health are so interconnected and the importance of addressing them all.

Special moment of the Dominicans singing their national anthem

Proud Graduates

 We made a pit-stop on the way to the conference to catch a Gigantes game in San Francisco de Macoris.  It was Ladies' Night at the stadium and we lived it up :)

Nik and I have been working like crazy these past few weeks taking photos and organizing student information for the Sponsorship Program.  We've traveled to 6 different schools that span from the capital to Elias Piña.  We have quite a system down of getting the info, taking the photos, ensuring student letters are written, then the follow-up work of cropping photos, spreadsheets, etc, etc.   

Overwhelming at times, for sure, but so glad to have Nik to work with on this.  We always try to find the fun where we can...

There has been a lot of heavy stuff going on these couple weeks.  Up close and personal, I am experiencing the pain that exists in the world.  Don't get me wrong- there is SO much good to life here too- and the little things like baseball and story time, dominos and learning to dance bachata and merengue, make all the difference.  It's just trying to hold both in balance together.  Because they do both exist in the world.  Yesterday, while sitting out at the dam, I felt renewed- quieting my soul and reveling in the beauty.

In 3 days it will Christmas.  I am incredibly grateful to have people here to spend the holiday with since I am away from my loved ones in Pennsylvania.  And I am LOVED most importantly by God, who sent His Son into this world to offer New Life.  and Rest for my weary soul in His everlasting arms. 

Come, Lord Jesus. Come.