A bit of babbling...perhaps not the most "happy" of posts, but it's honest!

I leave for the DR in 40 days. 40 days. A long time that is really short! Am I ready for this? Can I leave my home with my family, friends, and church and start a new life? I'm so excited...excited to be there, that is. The process of getting there is what's killing me. I KNOW it will happen and everything will turn out fine, good even, but saying good bye to people who have played a huge role in shaping me and growing me, packing up my life into 3 suitcases...these are these things that trigger a sinking, almost desperate feeling in my stomach. I can reassure myself that it's not good bye but see you later and I can tell myself that it's just things, but my heart still heaves at the thought. And while Operation: DR Prep is rightly consuming my thoughts and time, my heart longs to sit and drink coffee with dear friends while we laugh about the frivolous and share about the deep; to read a book that expands my love for my dear Jesus and makes my heart sing with how personal and good He is to His kids; to play with my nephews and chat with my family and the cares of this world won't crowd around us. What is this ache I feel? Honestly, I can only guess and hypothesize about what it is and how to fill it. So for now, I cling to what I know about Jesus' character and plan for me and keep putting one foot in front of the other, tenaciously and desperately trusting that He will give strength and "settledness"  where all I see is weakness and upheaval.

So, you are moving to the DR...How'd that happen?! (Primera Parte)

Well, my dear reader, I'm so glad you asked that! While I would love the chance to sit with each one of you and, over some delicious coffee, and share this story in person, I think that might not be so feasible. Instead, how about you grab a cup of your favorite joe and read how God surprised and led me to the Dominican Republic...at least the first part of the story!

I've always enjoyed missions and teaching, but at the same time dismissed the thought of me teaching overseas. It's a great idea, but only for other people. Actually, I just wasn't ready to learn of that part of my story! After almost 10 years of teaching, God chose this year to begin to make me uncomfortable. I had several different reasons as to why I was feeling so uncomfortable, and I grew even more frustrated when I tried to fix and order my life to push this uncomfortableness away! No matter what I fixed or changed, the uncomfortable feeling hung around. It would ebb and flow, but never completely disappear.

Around the beginning of March, a friend mentioned to me teaching in the DR at the very school where she, her husband, and family had been for 10 years. I thought it was great to fantasize about a different life, but still didn't get the hint that God was nudging me closer to that very thing. One morning, my friend's husband saw me upset after a particularly discouraging conversation. Even though he didn't know the details of the upsetting conversation, I believe God directed him to make a call to a friend at Santiago Christian School and ask if they needed any teachers for the coming school year. He then emailed me and said if I wanted to go to the DR, to send in my resume. I was taken aback. I wasn't looking for a new job, I was sure that God wanted me to stay right where I was, but, because I was still frustrated and uncomfortable with life in general and because I wanted to follow through with a lead, I sent in my resume...

La segunda parte está llegando!
Part two is coming!

Hello! 
 People have asked, "Are you going to blog or anything about your time in the DR?" After several requests, I thought, "Hmmm... you know, they may be on to something!" So, I decided to go for it! What better way to share all that God is doing in the DR and in one of His kids? 
So, check back occasionally to read stories of His hand at work and find out how one girl is finding joy in His adventure for her!