A Really Quick Update

This is photo of Bob and Joel. Joel is our concho mechanic- we keep him and his family well fed. We don't actually provide his food, we just keep taking our concho to 'visit' him very frequently. He's a great guy who is recently 'married' and has a new baby boy-Justin. Joel has asked Bob to teach him English, and in return, Bob learns Spanish. I tried to join them for a while, but they base most of their conversations around engines- and the vocabulary necessary to tell us gringos that we need to pay more money. Their conversations go on for about 3 hours at a time (around twice per week), and at the end both men are exhausted!! Brodie and Drew usually hang out for a while and help Bob with his grammar and vocabulary. They hang around long enough to look smart and then slip away.

This photo was taken during my Biology class. Ethan had the opportunity to teach some of my students about spores and the reproductive cycle of the fern. (Gripping material) While most of the grade 4 students at Doulos were enjoying a 2 night/3 day expedition in Manabao- a town up the mountain a bit- Ethan came to school with me and Bob. Due to Ethan 's autism, we knew that a three day expedition would be too much for him. SO...he researched about spores and made presentations (complete with diagrams) for my students. They loved their guest speaker!! [Side note- after Ethan's three day vacation with us, we sent him to school on Monday, only to have him returned to us directly due to 'pink eye'. He has been 'hangin' with me for the last couple of days, and now it seems that his other eye is getting infected. Please pray that he heals quickly- we would love for him to go back to school SOON!!]

We had a party! It was a celebration of Luna and Annabelle's birth. One of our current student's mom sent a huge suitcase FULL of little baby girl clothes for us to give to Jill and Rachel. We used the clothes as decorations for the party. Both moms were overwhelmed with the great clothes. [Side note- just today, I received a jar of homemade jam from one of our past student mom's- they are so sweet and really become part of the family. I can't imagine sending my teenaged son across the ocean and trust total strangers to care for him. We have to bond quickly so that parents can know that their child will be OK.]

Hazel came to play at Auntie Carrie's house while Jill was prepping the house for Terry's big 30! The party was a success and I have photo's to prove it, but really this picture was so fun, I had to post it instead. Hazel is wearing my "Dominican Shoes". I have to be honest, I becoming more Dominican with each passing month. Not only do I wear high heeled shoes and BIG jewelry now, I actually drove my concho to church with them. Yikes! So picture this, me - wearing a skirt, chunky jewelry, a helmet on a concho, with Drew as my passenger with his guitar strapped to his back...off to church we go!


Final Thoughts
1. Brodie and Drew continue to improve at the drums and guitar and are really enjoying being part of the Praise and Worship Team. I'm stinkin' proud of them!
2. The boys are currently climbing Pico Duarte AGAIN! The rains are pouring down around us, and my boys are climbing the highest mountain in the Caribbean! They plan on climbing it three times in one year...they will likely do it!
3. Thanksgiving wasn't the same out here as it would have been at home...we missed everyone very much. BUT, Terry and Jill and the girls came over, Jill and I created the closest replica to a Thanksgiving meal that we could (and it was pretty darn good). We continue to be thankful that we have Terry and Jill. Terry and I work together everyday, our desks are no more than 10 feet apart, and we still love each other. Now that's something to be thankful for.
4. My parents are coming out soon, and I can't wait. We will work hard, play hard and explore hard! Jon and Rachel are even hoping to join us for a portion of our exploration. I can't wait! Did I say that already!?! :)

C