The side door was pushed in to just inches away from Ryan's car seat on the front bench.  

Still adjusting to culture

You would think that since we are Americans by nature and lived in the States for 23 years that we would always keep our American thoughts and ways. Although we have been in the States for over a year, some things still seem "different" to us.

In the D.R., the seasons change very little and you can wear whatever you want in your whole wardrobe for the whole year - which does not include sweaters or any form of heavy clothing. I have had to adjust back to wearing only dark colors for winter. It was more than I could handle to have to pass over my spring clothes over the winter. I guess I've gotten so accustomed to wearing spring clothes that it's hard for me to wear sweaters and dark, dreary colors all winter long.

Another adjustment has been hanging laundry out. Of course the weather in D.R. is great for hanging out clothes. The only problem is that it is so hot and there is very little air that the clothes end up drying very wrinkled. They don't blow out as they do here. Until we got a dryer a few years ago in the D.R., I was having to do A LOT of ironing. Last spring I couldn't get it through my head that I could hang clothes out here without them being wrinkled. This year it is finally sinking in and I've been hanging out more wash.

Probably by the time we've fully adjusted to the changes here in the States, it will be time to go back to the D.R. and relearn the ways there.

One week and one root canal later

Last week Doug was able to get in for a root canal. Poor guy had waited almost a week to get rid of his pain. Thankfully he had a pain free root canal and has had little problem since then. How wonderful it is to have him back to normal and not walking around the house holding the side of his mouth with a look of agony in his eyes.

Spring sensations

Well, today it feels like spring here in this "neck of the woods." Spring is my favorite season here. In the D.R., my favorite is winter simply because it's the only time of the year that is "bearable."

We spent the first day of spring enjoying a free Italian Ice from Rita's. It was 37 degrees. We weren't the only crazy ones. There was a lot of other people joining us. We ate our Italian Ice in the van with the heater on.

I think I finally figured out this spring thing. Last year I was totally surprised and taken back that spring had changed from the 21st of March to the 20th. Or was I just mistaken? As I recall when we left 7 years ago, the first day of spring was the 21st. Well, I even heard the weatherman say that the first full day of spring was the 21st. So....it just might be that the 20th is when "Spring begins" and that the "First day of spring" is on the 21st. I don't really know, but I am glad that spring is here!

Toothache!

The biggest news for this week is that Doug has an incredible toothache. He attempted to have a tooth which had been bothering him "fixed" in the D.R. when we were there in September. He had a root canal done on this same tooth 6 years ago in the D.R. Just in the past few months, it has increased in pain and this week the pain has increased to where he is taking Ibuprofen several times a day and now the pain is getting unbearable even with Ibuprofen. The whole side of his face is now in pain due to that wretched tooth. The soonest he can get in at the dentist is Tuesday morning. That's a long time when you're in pain!

Euddy & Dionelly's baby girl

This is a picture of Sara - daughter of Pastor Euddy in Santo Domingo. This was sent a few months ago and I didn't realize we had a copy of it on our computer. She already has alot more hair by now.

Pictures from the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, FL

A Jerusalem market.

There was "rock climbing" for the children to try. Adults could try it, too. It was harder than it looks!  

Jesus talking to the multitude.  

Blind Bartimaus sitting among the crowd (which were the tourists watching the "show") whom Jesus healed.  

As Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me", he motioned for them to come up and sit with him.  

The temple at Jerusalem 

 

The empty tomb. 

Viewing the empty tomb.  

Jesus carrying his cross.  

Jesus on the cross.  

Jesus after the resurrection.  

The children weren't real comfortable posing beside this soldier who kept an unflinching stare.  

A Memorable Valentine's Dinner

This Valentine's Day was not the way you would think of spending it, but was very special. We arrived in Summerfield, FL the evening before Valentine's day and were invited for supper at our Mission President's home. His wife prepared a lovely meal of turkey, rice, salad, corn, lima beans, rolls, and ice cream. It was neat to also have another visiting missionary family join us. Their 4 children and our 3 children ate in a separate area off of the kitchen while just the adults ate in the formal dining room. It was relaxing and enjoyable to dine and fellowship without the noise of the children, with soft music in the background, and candles lit on the table. They told us it was our Valentine's dinner. It was much better than the usual way we spend Valentine's day - usually on the field and not able to get out for a nice meal or evening together.

Last year we were in the process of packing to come back to the States and I don't even remember how we spent Valentine's Day!

Part of the reason we haven't been keeping up with this blog is because it is hard to determine what to post. The reason it was created was to give information on the mission work in D.R. Since we are now on furlough in the States, we are not sure what to post. Our life is pretty much the same right now. Not too much new happening.

Also, we haven't received many comments so it is hard to know who is viewing our blog (or if anyone is).

We will try to do a little better and make time to keep you up to date on the main events in our lives.

If you are visiting our blog, please let us know by dropping a comment. Constructive criticism is accepted. This may help us to determine what to write about in the future.

January & February happenings

Well, this blog has been left go. We have been on the move. In January, we drove 6 hours to attend our sister-in-law's father's funeral. A few weeks after that we left for Florida to participate in the Spanish camp at Hobe Sound. We were gone for 3 weeks in February. We just got back last week and are all settled in again and it is March already!

We had a great time in Florida participating in Spanish camp and soaking in some of the main campmeeting. What a wonderful time of God's moving.

While in Florida, we saw a brochure about "The Holy Land Experience" in Orlando. We asked someone about it and later received an offer to pay our way if we went. We took the offer and spent a delightful, sunny day there where stories of the Bible are brought to life. It was a neat experience and we were so glad to be able to do it.

If you're ever in Orlando, this is a recommended sight to see. Find more info at www.holylandexperience.com

I hope to get to post pictures soon.

A Sad note

Our sister-in-law's father passed way Wednesday morning, January 4, 2006. We extend our sympathy to the Carter family in this difficult time.

Christmas miracles

This Christmas I would name the "Christmas of miracles." We had so many things happen that were directly from the hand of the Lord. The last several months have been some of the toughest times for us financially. We didn’t know if we would be able to mail Christmas letters or do any Christmas shopping. God worked in so many ways - having people give us exactly what we needed (laundry detergent, soaps, etc.), several unexpected financial gifts that carried us through, and being able to find gifts for the remaining people on our list for nearly nothing. We do not normally mention our financial status, but it is worth mentioning as a testimony to others that God does supply our needs and some of our wants when we wait on Him to do so.

We had another unexpected answer to prayer. We were praying for a "miracle" so that Doug’s brother and wife could come in from Texas for Christmas. Up till the Thursday before Christmas they said they weren’t coming. I had given up the hope that they would come. However, Thursday morning they found out that our sister-in-law’s father was in the hospital with pneumonia. They decided to make the trip in to the East. Since they were already in the area, they came to visit us for 3 days! We were delighted to spend some time with them!

Yet another answer to prayer was being able to go to the Hershey Chocolate Factory. I have been talking about taking the children there ever since last furlough. With all of the deputation last furlough and having a baby, we were not able to make it down. This time it has not worked out either. I finally decided to take the matter to the Lord and ask him to work it out. I couldn’t see how He would send money for us to be able to travel to Hershey whenever we had bills lingering over our heads. God did answer prayer when a call came from our pastor saying they were going to take a bus to Hershey to see the lights! We would be able to go at no charge! I hollered, "God is so good!" We finally got to tour the chocolate factory, and see some of the lights of Hershey. It was another wonderful answer to prayer. God does give good gifts to His children!!

Christmastime

The rush of Christmas is over and we’ve had one of the best ever! The first part of December was "mellow" for us. We weren’t hurrying and scurrying here, but we took the quiet evenings by the fire to play games with the children and have some quality family time. It was so much fun!

The Thursday before Christmas, the rush hit. We had several different family gatherings and various dinners to attend. Christmas day was spent with Doug’s parents, Grandma Brown, Uncle Dean & Aunt Debbie and James. It was a delightful time.

Dominican church adds another member

Euddy & Dionelly Vargas (pastor & wife of the church in Santo Domingo) became the proud parents of Sarah Esther on November 2, 2005. Sarah weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz. Mommy and baby are doing well. Pictures will be posted as soon as we receive them.

"New" (from a yard sale) hot rod slippers.  

For learning 50 verses from June to October, we awarded them a Precious Moments Spanish/Enlgish Bible. They worked hard and were delighted with their reward.  

Pictures of Dominican Republic/New York City trip

Enjoying a little bit of the ocean in New York City.  

Regina made a good friend with Josiah Kiser. We stayed with the Kiser's while in New York City.  

Euddy's entire family was present for his installation service as pastor (except for his mother who is currently in New York City). All are Christians except his father. L to R - Dionelly, Euddy, Ramon (father) holding Davy (son of Blenski), Lissette (sister-in-law)) holding baby Anna, Blenski (brother).  

The new pastor & wife of the church in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Euddy & Dionelly Vargas. 

Getting ready to do street ministry.  

Passing out tracks in "Little Santo Domingo" - a heavily populated area of Dominicans in New York City.  

Ryan even passed out tracts and loved it. He kept asking for "mo" (more).  

Brooklyn Tabernacle choir 

Back in U.S.A

We are now back in our home in the U.S. We had a wonderful trip in everyway! From the very beginning to the very end, God's hand was in it all!

The Dominican church is alive and well. While we were there, the church board voted to install Euddy (Bible Institute student who was filling in while we were gone) as pastor. This was a new and wonderful step for the church as well as for us. He is doing a great job and he and his wife both surprised us with how much they matured spiritually while we were gone.

This past weekend we spent visiting with some missionary friends in New York City since our flight landed in NYC. It was a wonderful experience as we helped them do some street ministry and got to attend Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Everyone is glad to be home and rejoicing in all that God did for us on this trip. Pictures coming soon.....I hope.