And Now Where are We Going?!

Where do I begin to wrap up this summer and update you on the future? We have enjoyed so many sweet moments. We have also experienced some intense loss. We have enjoyed many days, evenings, and weekends spent here at the Ramsier Home place. Mom and dad Ramsier have been staying in a rental they have that was open. It is about 5 minutes away. We have enjoyed doing life with them this summer and will miss them so much.

Some of our weekends have consisted of travels: Traveling to Toledo and Detroit to see family. Traveling to Illinois for my dear Aunt Barb's funeral and Ft Wayne for our friend and former student Amanda who was murdered. That is still a hard few words to write. We traveled up to north Ohio to see family and friends. We spent one weekend with our sweet friend Todd and his baby girl, Juno (momma Lizzie went to be with Jesus in March). Some weekends were spent here with life-long friends Josh has enjoyed. We have a sweet church family here in Sardis that was always up for a play date. We have neighbors that were always ready to drive us around on four wheeled vehicles and try fishing. We have enjoyed visits from my mom and sister and dear friends Nick and Melyssa (who lived with us in the DR for a while).

Now we are closing in on our final week here. We have a home in Florida. Josh and I went down a weekend in July and were able to check it out. We will be buying it. It is currently very livable but will require lots of remodeling. The home is in north Cape Coral. It is a cute little 3 bedroom with a few mango and avocado trees already in the lot. We are excited to start this adventure but know it will come with a lot of new challenges. Josh will be looking for a job of any sort really. I will be connecting with community areas that the kids can run and play in. We will be feeling out the norms with all the co-vid expectations (I have come to realize each area has it's own expectations). We will be enjoying reconnecting with our friends that lived with us in the DR. Troy and Lexie are about 15 minutes away from our house! I will be looking into doing a little private practice counseling if I can find any good opportunities. It would be from home, through on-line technology I am thinking (we shall see, but working on licensing stuff).

So next Tuesday Sept 8th Josh and I will head down to Florida in our van with all our stuff. We will drive to our house, drop off stuff and head over to Ft Pierce (where we will fly back into after we get our stuff and dogs). We then take a rental car down to Miami and fly out Sept 10. We will be in the DR for a short time and return on a cargo flight Sept 15. This time in the DR will be full of visits, packing, customs, and I'm sure not near enough time to see all our people. Once we get back to Florida, mom, dad Ramsier and kiddos will fly down on Sept 17th and stick around for a while to help us get settled.

We covet any thoughts and prayers during this time. It is busy. Praying we can be in good health and spirits. We also pray mom and dad will enjoy their last week with the kids solo.

Where we are going...

We have made some loose "plans", but are confident in the mighty planner in our life (Isaiah 26:8-9). I will explain our very loose plan but in light of knowing the future is very unclear.

We have been enjoying finding a new normal in our "stay at home" life. We enjoy down time and trying to invest in time with each other and our nanny/friend and her family, Angie, Alexi, Alexander, and Alondra. The kids keep us from getting bored. There is always someone up for a game or snacks or something. We enjoy time together playing basketball, swimming, exercising, cooking, relaxing, and anything else that pops up. We will also end up celebrating at least 4 birthdays during this season. Josh, Alexi, Alexander, & Oliver. Tomorrow we will celebrate Alexanders birthday with some good 'ole American brownie sundaes.

So for the updates on our future -

Where are the Ramsier's going?
So we had planned to fly with a missionary flight on May 12th but with everything with the virus, we have been on hold with what to do. A few weeks ago Josh and I felt God gave us a plan to move to Sardis with a small amount of stuff for the summer and then Josh and I will come back towards the end of the summer and get the rest of our stuff and say some goodbyes that we will miss out at this time. We booked a flight back to Sardis for May 3rd. It is very possible this flight will be cancelled as the time gets closer. As we were looking for flights, there were less than 5 that would be flying out of the country at this point daily. Any planes are coming in empty and then taking any United States Citizens back. The reality is most people that have wanted to go to the States have probably already left; but we will see what May 3rd will bring.

What to pray for.
Please join us in praying for this time of "See you laters". It sounds much nicer to just be in denial and then rip the bandaid off when we need to, but the reality is; it is hard to ignore that we are looking at moving to another chapter in our life. Please pray that God continues to draw us closer to Him in new ways. It has been incredible the ways God has drawn us closer to each other and to Him. I am thankful for this time of joy. Josh has not found it easy to not be working, but he has done incredibly well in stretching himself and making the best of the life we are given currently.

Ways you can help - 
We will continue to be accepting donations as we start up our new life in the US. We have talked to a few people that have transitioned in the last few years. They have talked about how much more expensive it is than we can ever expect. We are not worried because He always provides; if God puts it on your heart to donate over the next few months; you can do this though the Crosswinds website (https://crosswinds.org/support-us/staff-support/). We will be able to accept financial support through the end of June.

Of course, we need the prayers and connections. Thank you so much for the love and support and those that have been alongside us through these past 6 years, and many of our different seasons.

Letti's Story-

I just realized I never shared this on the blog (mainly for my own sake I would like to take some time to revisit what I can remember of that time.) I would also like to dedicate this post to our friend Lizzie Gasser, who will never get to tell her own birth story (she died 2 weeks after having major complications on March 29, 2020 after delivering baby Juniper via c-section.) No doubt, Lizzie’s story will be told to her baby girl by her wonderful, God fearing father - but not how we had hoped. Live free Lizzie!

Mid August 2018 - We were starting to get excited for our 3rd child to join our family. We didn’t know if it was a boy or girl and had plenty of stuff for either gender. Her due date came and went. I waited about a week (avoiding the doctor) and then headed down for a visit. The doctor said everything seemed good but since we were pushing past baby girls due date (although I’m still not sure how accurate my due date was- I may have been wrong in my calculations and we know sonograms aren’t always accurate) he ordered a very advanced sonogram. He said if everything came back normal I was free to wait another week. I went and did that and from what I could read everything looked clear (because here in the DR you get to read your own results first… I won’t recommend this - your results and google can open a world of tragic endings…) ANYWAY. I texted my doctor the results. I waited a few hours thinking everything was good and we would be waiting another week to make any major decisions (this was August 27, 2018). When I got to my house my friend Dam was with me and she called the doctor to confirm the results were clear. The doctor then said there were some concerns with the quality and amount of fluid and that the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck. I should plan to come tomorrow ready to have a baby, or just do a few stress tests and head back home.

Then hit the anxiety, I don’t really struggle with that much, but the fear of the unknown can be hard when I don’t see any options of control. I think I harbor pride in my health also - thinking I can do anything I put my mind to. I believe my body is strong, that I am healthy, that I have control of so much more than I truly do. That I can have babies naturally, drug free, blah blah. I always said I would want a c-section if need be but I don’t think I believed I would ever have too. We arrived at the hospital in Santiago, Dominican Republic the next morning, maybe around 9, Josh and Dam came with me. Dam is not a doula, but a very good friend and able to translate. I was ushered into a delivery room and they monitored baby’s heart rate for about 20 minutes. This was in the mornings-ish. Maybe 11. After a bit more time. The doctor came in around 12:30 or 1ish and we started to discuss the situation. He explained he would like to see Letti born soon. We had 2 options C-sections or induction. Getting induced did not seem like a good option, to this day I still wrestle with this, feeling like I should have tried but remembering we made the best decision we felt we could live with. It was for health of baby Letti that we chose that day to have a c-section. The doctor left the room at 2:00pm after much discussion and many tears. I asked as he was leaving when I should plan on the baby coming. He stated, “in the next 30 minutes”. OH Wow- that was not enough time to google all my questions - Quickly I changed into my gown. My IV was inserted. Next was the most difficult point, the anesthesiologist would not allow Josh to come with me. I put on a table and they gave me the epidural. It was lonely, it was scary, I couldn’t find comfort in the nurses due to the language barrier. I felt so helpless and yet there was so much to be thankful for and so much to be excited about- but I couldn’t get on top of the situation mentally - I was still trying to process that this whole situation was really happening; I was going to meet my baby in just a few minutes. I just wasn’t prepared for it all. As I am realizing about myself lately, the anticipation of life is the best part for me. I like to be prepared and knowledgeable in what is coming so I can find an option of the hope that it can bring, or the happiness. I know how to have babies naturally. I had no idea for a c-section. I knew how to recover and what to expect afterwards. With a c-section I had no idea. In a vaginal birth I felt in control- I push, I breathe, I coach myself, I walk around, I take a shower, I laugh, I drink water, I breathe a lot more. BUT here I was relying on the Lord to be my strength- easy to say, HARD to do in times of grief and unknowns.

Anyway, everything went smooth, they administered the epidural. It worked wonderfully. Josh and the doctored joined the OR within a few minutes. I remember the doctor bringing his speaker and had some soothing but upbeat music. Josh watched as baby Letti was born in a whole new array of emotions. I was peaceful, I was calm, I was excited, I was just waiting, no pain, just anticipation. I have no pictures from that moment but Josh said it was the most amazing thing to watch her be born in this way. I wish for so many things to be different but am settling into finding the beauty in this birth story. I am thankful Josh was able to be there and watched her being born. We were so excited to welcome a sister for Oliver and Elana into the family and trusting God has a plan for her greater than anything we can come up with. I was able to hold her immediately. She had no problem nursing and loving on her mommy. They took her to be checked and cared for and then I headed to the recovery area (I call it an area because it is just a waiting room with about 8-10 other beds. I believe they do this so they can monitor patients more closely. I was able to see , hold, and nurse Letti a few more times during that time but mostly she was in the nursery. Josh and Dam were able to be with me the whole time I believe. I was also frustrated during this time and it was unexpected and different. I was maybe in recovery a few hours and then headed up to our room. Josh ended up sick and the first night was a bit rough, Letti was with us from the point we got the room til we headed home on August 30th. My mom flew in and was able to help Angi with the kids on August 29. Little Letti was born on Tuesday August 28, 2018 at 2:30 pm. She weighted 7 1/4 pounds and was 21 inches long. She was perfect. She had a perfectly round little head. She was difficult the first few nights. She didn’t always sleep well and it is hard to know how much she was eating, but she was ours. Josh helped as I struggled to sit up, As a struggled to go to the bathroom, as we struggled to explain anything to nurses and understand doctors in Spanish. I struggled to understand what recover was going to be like. I struggled to understand restrictions and how to care for my body but take good care of my new baby and 2 other kids. I struggled to know what pain killers to take. I was afraid to take too much in fear it would be passed to Letti. I struggle to know if she would be negatively affected by a c-section (her health. her bonding).

But now, as it is a memory that I reflect on a year and a half later. I am thankful. I am thankful I can relate a bit more to mothers that have had c-sections. I am thankful I am able to say God heals. I am thankful that God gave me is strength again. I am thankful I had help from neighbors, the community of Jarabacoa, my mom, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, MY HUSBAND, my God, and so many others - Our friend and nanny Angi. I am thankful for the medical staff that took care of me at HOMS in Santiago. I am thankful for the pain killers that were able to give my body a chance to heal and allow me to move. I am thankful for life. I am thankful for those who gave advice and different resources I was able to use on google. I am thankful I could text my doctor with questions. I am thankful for little Letti “Ann” Ramsier and her life in our family.

Now Letti is a toddler. Her smile invites the room into joy. Her voice and words make a person laugh. Her ability to walk and do so many things still makes me in awe of how big God is to create life inside of a mother’s womb; but it also leads me to still beg the question WHY. 

Why did everything end up so smoothly? Why does every birth story not have a happy ending? Why do others have to suffer? Why do some moms not get to recover here on earth and tell their own birth stories? Why do some children never get to know their birth stories? Why are some babies never born to live and toddle the earth? Why is there so much pain and grief? Is it God’s plan? Is it Satan’s influence? Is it our sin? I have come to a place, that there are many VERY hard questions I have no answers to. Does my joy inflict pain on those that have sorrow in these experiences? I pray not. I pray my story only lends to the knowledge that God heals, maybe not in this life everything in every way, but He heals in His Story. His Story is His Glory- not my Healing. 

Corona Virus in the DR

We are currently riding out the storm of the Corona Virus. As of Tuesday, the DR has joined the world in shutting down businesses, schools and quarantining as much as possible. It is hard here in the face of the culture, they have stopped greeting people with their normal kisses and hand shakes. They have swamped the supermarkets, but many continue to need to buy groceries day by day. Many people are unable to buy in bulk due to lack of finances.

Currently Josh is still working but most of his employees have been asked to stay at home during this time. All visitors to CMA campus have been asked to suspend visits. CMA still considers us staff and I am appreciative of all the support and openness the community shows us. We have been doing some home schooling at home with Oliver and trying to make the most of the current time.

There are hard decisions to be made. At this point, most people/missionaries are staying here on the Island. A few students have headed back to the states. We have decided to stay in country. We believe our time and resources are best utilized here in the DR at this point but are praying God gives us wisdom to go where He sends.

At this point the Dominican is fairly calm over all. People are concerned. No clear numbers of how many confirmed cases are in the country. Currently no one is allowed to fly into the DR but we do believe we could leave if we choose since we would be returning to our home country; but time may change that.

We continue to ask for support financially, but I understand this is a hard time for everyone and trust that God is in control in this time.

We also are asking for prayers for our friends, Todd & Lizzie. This is where our hearts have been lately in light of the Corona virus. Lizzie had a baby via c-section on Sunday. She has had major complications and is currently on life-support. She is currently being considered as a candidate for a heart transfer. Even at that, it seems as though there would still be many unknowns.

If you would like more information feel free to visit this site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lizzieg

Please Pray for them.

The Beginning of Change

https://conta.cc/2VsJrRz

With this newsletter comes the announcement that God is preparing our hearts for the next steps of moving to the United States. Yes, we have lived in the US before but never like we will as we move there on May 12th. We will be moving to Florida, Ft Meyers with 2 dogs, 3 children, and some years of marriage under our belt. We will also be moving with a Dominican perspective of life and customs and traditions that may not be maintainable in the US. We will have heavy hearts as we leave the place we have called home for almost 6 years. We will be entering the US with a renewed passion for the community God gives us through His people, His church, and those that do not call Him father. Josh and I will be entering this new chapter with a greater reliance on God and a stronger commitment and true enjoyment of each other. We have seen each other at our worst and our bests here in the Dominican Republic. We have made friends of all types, languages, ages, and social stature.

I don't even know how I would begin to reflect over the past 6 years. I guess one year at a time. We will see if I get inspired over the next few weeks to do that here on the blog. For now I want to take a little time to explain the journey we have been on since about November 2019. It is such a joy to review and see the ways God has clearly drawn our hearts away from this place that we will always feel holds a piece of our hearts! This mountain village - Jarabacoa; these people, and this language. The mountain of CMA will forever be imprinted in my memory.

In November, our friends Troy & Lexie explained that God was stirring in their hearts a passion for Ft Meyers, building and sharing christian community there. There were various ideas thrown around of different ways we could partner together but at this point we will just be living life in the same area! WHICH SOUNDS WONDERFUL. Let me remind you, if you don't know. Troy and Lexie have been here about 7 and a half years. We have been within walking distance all that time. Troy has been a friend, mentor, brother, boss, gym partner, prayer warrior, and just an available person to Josh during our time at CMA. Lexie and I have been pregnant together for both her babies. We have laughed together, cried together, studied scripture together, challenged each other, enjoyed playdates and ladies nights together. I can't imagine life without this family but always thought we would someday be apart. When they presented their ideas, Josh was drawn to the opportunities in the town of Fort Meyers also, specifically Cape Coral. We began to pray over this and talk with each other, a few friends and family, and continually with the Lord. We came to the same place of peace that this is the time to transition. We began talking seriously with our boss and our closest friends. In January, it was announced officially that Josh would be leaving his position and just this past week CMA was able to find someone to step-in and begin training.

What does transition look like for our family?
In this season, we are enjoying every moment we can. We are transitioned to a furnished house off campus. This allowed us to finish with packing and organizing. I realized the packing part was not fun. I am a person that wants my house to be a safe place for me and anyone that enters. When my mind is fixed on packing and organizing and purging, it is not a safe place. March 1 we moved into a house off campus that we are able to create and support community in. We are able to continue to connect with those around us in very intentional ways. Our friend and partner in crime, Angi and her family are over most days along with friends from CMA and Jarabacoa. Angie continues to help me with things day in and day out, and learning even more about Dominican life (foods and how to buy just the things I need from the colmado up the street). We are working out in the mornings and I am really trying to notice the things I want to maintain for my own mental health as we transition to a new normal.

This transition has reminded me that change can be as good as what familiar is (many times I don't believe I can enjoy anything more than what I am currently during which can push me to avoid change). At times, I just want to stand still and wait for other things to change. I don't want to be any part of the change in fear that I would not enjoy the new normal as much. This small adjustment to a new house has come with so many blessings. I am thankful God gave us this idea and a perfect home in a perfect location for the next 2 months.

We will been in the house in town through April; then in May we will live with Angi and her family for 2 weeks. We fly to Florida on May 12.

We will continue to collect support from those that are willing to support (one-time gifts and re-occurring gifts) through July. As we have talked with other missionaries, there are many expenses that pop up as we create a new life in Florida as I am sure you are all aware. We will be selling most our stuff here and boarding the plan with about 4 totes (full of a few kitchen items, tools, and clothes). We don't have any solid plans of housing or jobs at this time. We are confident God will continue to open those doors in His timing as He has done with so many other details over the past few months.

Well this is a short update but also long. I will try to do a few more updates on the blog and then one more newsletter in April.

Happy Wednesday!!

Fall Newsletter

https://conta.cc/3221sWS

OH So much. Start with Our Car...

So how do I begin to catch up. We have a newsletter coming soon. It highlights the very surface of the craziness of our life. Don't get me wrong, I love it most days, but I especially enjoy the slow gentle days. The day I am going to talk about today is not one of those, but it is one that has added such perspective to life, my walk with the Lord, and reminded me to base my beliefs off the Bible not culture and circumstance.

It was Saturday, July 6th - We enjoyed the day as a family and had some friends out to our summer cabin (I will blog about that later, because it has been such a sweet tool for our family this summer). Anyway, it is local here in Jarabacoa. So we were looking at a 15 minute drive home. We had enjoyed a day full of swimming, napping, eating, and what not. We were also hosting our friends Jeremy and Heidy. Jeremy had gone on ahead back to our house, but had to stop on the way to CMA and grab a few things. So our family hoped into the car and headed toward CMA. We all included Josh driving, me and the kids, and our 2 dogs (one of which is a mastiff). As we were driving home, the truck in front of us slammed on their breaks and we were unable to stop fast enough. Our car rear-ended the truck pretty hard. Fortunately none of us got hurt. The car we drive is very sturdy, it is also sold in Australia to manage and drive in the outback (Toyota Prado) so I'm told. Anyway, in the DR as soon as there is an accident there is a crowd. Our friend Jeremy, ended up 2 cars back and quickly escorted me, the kids, and our smaller dog to his car with a great sense of urgency. I did't understand, because to me it was only a fender bender. As I asked him what his concerns are, he explains that the reason the truck stopped so suddenly is due to a moto that was in the wrong lane that the truck ended up hitting head on. The man driving the moto was throw off his motorcycle and was none responsive and most likely had died; which was confirmed the next day that he had died on impact.

At this point the reality of the situation sunk in. It can be very dangerous with accidents especially those involving death or injuries. It is important those involved drive straight to the police station and report the facts prior to the family's emotions rising and creating a dangerous mob scene. It is amazing how quickly the community and specific people were there to help. Within 5 minutes, our nanny had showed up, a very influential Dominican friend of Josh's was there, also a few others that were bi-lingual. Jeremy was able to take me and the kids home to not create fear or more stress in their lives. To this day, I don't hear them talk about the accident much. There are not scared of the road or the car.

Josh was able to drive our car to the police station and there fill out a police report and was sent home within a few hours. Josh was not at fault and was treated very well by the DR governmental officials. We praise God for his kindness and know the prayers of those we love protect us <--- but in this statement also acknowledge bad things don't mean the statement is false. This is where I had to wrestle again through who God is? Is God good all the time? What does good mean? How do I boast of what protection was showed to our family when there is a man and his family grieving next door? I still have no full answers only tears for the trails that man's family still experiences, but rest knowing death is not punishment. Death has victory. Just as this statement is true so is Life full of opportunities for victory. Life with Christ is good, but at other times hurts, but that doesn't change who God is or the peace he provides amidst so much pain.

I pray that in reflecting on the experience we had, you can remember God is so many things. I can't even begin to explain the wrestling of near death experience; I pray what I take away is Biblical and propels me to be more in the Lord and walking with him in relationship. It reminds me to make every day count not because it could be my last but because it is such an opportunity to create the base of eternity and because I love my God whom I serve daily in life or death. Death is not the end, it is only the beginning. If you have any encouragement or thoughts in relation to these moments or your own moments - I would love to hear them. Sharing life and fellowship is such a privilege!