Summer heat

The other day I was joyful to be able to stay inside in our nice air-conditioned living room and go about my cleaning while it was blistering hot outside. My mind traveled to the Dominican Republic remembering the many, many days that I didn't have such luxury. I still had to go about the cleaning and household duties, but with sweat running down all sides of my body. Soon enough I'll get to experience that again.

In the D.R., we do have an air conditioner in our bedroom, but we try to run it only at night since electricity cost 3 times more per kilowatt hour there than it does here. And it only runs when the electricity is on. On the nights when the electricity is on, we get a good night's sleep. On nights when it is off, we toss and turn and sweat, which leaves us feeling groggy the next day.

At times it is worth the expense just to turn the AC on in the bedroom for a few hours during the day and get a break from the heat. Other times we just endure trying to cool down with ice pops, cold drinks, and fans.

It has been hot here, but this is pretty much the norm in D.R with just a bit more humidity. If you want to get a taste of what we live in year round, just turn your AC off and sweat. At night, again turn your AC off and enjoy tossing and turning and sweating.

I realize not everyone may have AC, but honestly everyone I can think of here in PA has AC in their living rooms and bedrooms, if not their whole house.

Thank God for the blessings we enjoy here.

Thought for the day

Would we want to be judged in the same way we judge others?

Deputation delights

On our 5-week trip we were privileged to attend the graduation for Doug's brother, Paul. He just completed his P.A. training (Physician Assistant) through the Army. He is now an official P.A. and also became 1st lieutenant at his graduation. Congratulations Paul!!!

Ryan was thrilled to dress in his "army" outfit and match Uncle Paul. He just told his daddy yesterday, "I like Uncle Paul better than you."

Parts of deputation were a blast.

The news of moving

When Doug announced to the children that we have our tickets to return to the D.R., Ryan said, "I don't want to move." I asked, "Why don't you want to move?" He answered, "I don't want to leave my blankies or my gun."

While his blankies and his gun can be taken with him, it will be an adjustment more for Ryan than for anyone else. He has spent more of his life here in the U.S. than in the D.R. The older children actually spent more of their life there than here. That is why they are anxious to return.

Date to return

It is official. We just bought tickets for our return to the D.R. We will be flying on September 5th, 2007, Lord willing. As usual, a flood of emotions hit us: excitement to return to the Dominican people and start the ministries on our heart as well as a hesitation in leaving family, friends, and the luxuries of the U.S. behind. Through it all we feel God's providential hand leading us.

Over the next few months, there is so much to be done. Everything from bandaids to coloring books to furniture must be sorted with the question: "Do we take it? Do we store it? Or do we get rid of it?" It is a complex process. We are beginning now in order to be done by September.

Pictures coming

Okay. I think we figured out how to do this now. Here are a couple shots of deputation. There's more to come. I must run right now.

One of the places we stayed on deputation. They treated us royally!

Just kidding. It's actually a room inside a dollhouse at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. I was intrigued with the details.

Ryan having a goofy moment on deputation.

Help anyone?

When I went to post pictures, I realized bloggerbot through Hello is no longer functioning. Does anyone have any suggestions for another method to posting pictures on the blog?

I'd appreciate any help you have to offer.

Sorry, no pictures until I find some other way to post them.

We're home!

Hey, we're back. Actually we've been back for 3 weeks. I wanted to blog before now, but they changed the setup for the blog, and we had to set up a Google account. Getting an overloaded husband to take the time to do that is almost like asking for snow in the middle of summer. At last, he got it set up and we're back to blogging!

Have lots of news and lots of pictures.......coming. Thanks for your patience.