As I reflect back to where I was a year ago today, it was a very scary time for me personally, but definitely a time of major growth.  I was one week away from being done with teaching in Arizona, and we had no idea where God was leading us.  And isn’t that what faith is, being willing to release everything and wait upon God to continue guiding you day by day?  We said goodbye to our full time jobs with benefits to walk in to the unknown of unemployment, and God provided for us in so many ways.  So humbling, and as I type this now it brings tears to my eyes.  This is absolutely counter-cultural and foreign to so many.  It’s challenging and exciting at the same time.

This was a message a friend of mine from Phoenix sent me when I was struggling.  It was a reminder that there would be light at the end of of the tunnel.

For Christmas, my mom got me Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequest.  It was just what I needed, and I highly recommend it.  I’ve always been a planner, but at the beginning of 2017 I decided my “planning” was going to look different than it had in previous years.  Instead of filling my agenda with appointments and “my plans”.  I decided that at the end of each day I would write out what I did, it has become a journal instead of my agenda.  I want to be truly present wherever I am and with whomever I am with.  This has been a very positive change for me.  There are times when it is tricky, but I’ve learned with our many years in the DR that no day will ever turn out as planned…so why waste time trying to plan it, and only God knows where I’ll be tomorrow, next month, or even a year from now.  It is what it is.

So here we are, only 16 days away from 2018, another year down and a new one ahead.  This past month has been a busy one.  I wrapped up the student sponsorship photos, profile updates, and letter collection and translation.  I enjoyed my time in the schools and getting updated on all of the happenings, but I’m happy to be back working on a majority of administrative information gathering for the year ahead.

This past month was also one of transition for Jeff and I.  The VerBerkmoes, former guesthouse hosts, moved back to the states and Jeff took on the responsibility of in country finances and staffing.

Last weekend Jeff had an overnight spearfishing adventure in Azua, and Braegan and I enjoyed girl time!  We had pedicures in Nicole’s drive way, watched Christmas and princess movies, and went out for ice cream with a bonus visit to see Santa Claus!

Braegan’s Spanish vocabulary has increased so much in the last month!  The other day Hector asked her a question and she responded to him using past tense Spanish!  Jeff teared up, and I was reminded that she knows more than me.  It’s so encouraging to hear her conversing with her friends and people we are around.

This past week we hosted our annual Solid Rock International Christmas party at the guesthouse.  There was loads of food and the evening concluded in the cabana with a raffle and music!

We have one more team this year.  It’s a combined group of students from Michigan State University and Southern Utah University.  Jeff, Braegan and I head in tomorrow to greet them at the airport, and then we will see them off next Saturday when they return back to the states.

Then it’s CHRISTMAS!!!!  We are reminded once again of the cultural differences of Christmas traditions.  We’ve been enjoying the evenings with Braegan watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music.  We want Braegan to be able to experience and embrace a little bit of both cultures.

Tonight we will be attending a holiday dinner here in town at another American family’s house with other Americans that are living in San Juan.  There will be approximately 20 of us there.  Each family is to bring a couple of their favorite holiday dishes to share with the group.

My brother and his girlfriend will be visiting us at the end of December through the first week of January.  We are so looking forward to their visit.  Our time will be spent in San Juan, Santo Domingo, and Las Terrenas!!!

You can be praying for us as we finish out 2017 strong.  We have a busy year ahead, with another transition taking place mid-March as our new guesthouse hosts, Jon and Alissa Miller, arrive.  Prayers for them as they pack up their lives in the midwest to move to San Juan and join our family here!

We are so thankful for the continued support financially, prayerfully and through words of encouragement.