It’s crazy how a song or a simple smell can take you back to a memory that you haven’t thought of in years.  Fall is my favorite time of year, and in the DR, this just means it isn’t quite as hot…haha.  We still have temps in the mid 80’s-low 90’s, but there is a breeze.  I find myself trying to replicate stateside fall memories, sipping spiced cider, burning “fall” candles, and wearing hoodies.  My favorite things about this time of year are football, my birthday, outdoor festivals, bonfires, and the list goes on.  Sometimes the smells of a fire waft through our windows at night with a cool breeze and it takes me back to the cool stateside nights.  Back in the states this also meant the end of my seasonal allergies with the first frost.  Thankfully I don’t have to suffer through those down here!  There is such a nostalgia about this time of year, and I enjoy watching social media posts from the states to continue to feel connected.

In September, my parents visited for a week during Hurricane Maria.  We had plans scheduled to go to the north coast; however, those plans were changed as we watched the projected route of the hurricane.  We spent time in San Juan and Santo Domingo.

Following their trip, Jeff, Braegan, and I visited Logos Hope.  This is a floating book store that travels all over the world.  They were ported in Santo Domingo for the month of September.  Braegan had a blast exploring the ship and picking out books to buy!

Two weeks ago we enjoyed a week visit from our friends, Josh and Kyle, from Fort Wayne.  It’s always bittersweet when people visit, because time flies but we treasure those fleeting moments!  Jeff and Josh sang karaoke at a mall lobby in Santo Domingo, we spent a day in Barahona at a beach, devoured the best empanadas in San Juan, and had a few too many late nights talking.

In other news, life is ever changing down here.  We are walking through another transition as we await a new Guesthouse Host couple to join our crew. God teaches us so much in transition, it’s just a lengthy process to walk through.  We are prayerful in anticipation as God leads Solid Rock International in only the ways He can.

I’ve continued to plug away with the student sponsorship program.  Jeff and I will head to Santo Domingo this next week to spend a day updating our student profiles for our school in the capital, followed by the next three weeks in San Juan, El Cercado, and Elias Pina.  I can definitely say I’m ready for this phase to be over.  It consists of a lot of e-mail, Whatsapp, and phone tag.

Braegan continues to do well in school, her Spanish vocabulary is rapidly increasing.  Her and Nashley are inseparable whenever they have a chance to be together!

Last weekend the girls spent a couple hours at the park together.  I love hearing them converse!

Jeff continues to take every opportunity he can to go spearfishing.  Last weekend he was in Azua with Randy and Euclides.  He has loads of GoPro footage from their under water adventures.

Jeff’s mom is visiting for the next 7 days.  We are going to spend a few days in San Juan, a night in Santo Domingo, and then to Las Terrenas at the end of next week.  It’s been a year and a half since we were up there, so we are looking forward to the relaxation that naturally comes from being there.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to read our updates and pray for us.  Every journey of life has its challenges and victories.  We continue to take one day at a time.

Ways you can be praying for our family:

-Perserving through trials and transition.

-My anxiety hasn’t been as strong lately, but I so appreciate all of the encouragement I have been receiving from teams and friends stateside.  I’ve been better in the past couple of weeks to take time for myself.

-Braegan had a follow up echocardiogram two weeks ago, the unofficial report from the cardiologists is that Braegan’s pulmonary valve stenosis restriction is decreasing.  We will be sending her report and images back with the next team for our pediatric cardiologist to review.