RAMSIER BABY COMING MAY 1ish

Yes, most of you hopefully know but Josh and I are praying for our little baby growing inside me. We found out we are pregnant about 2 months ago. I began going to a local doctor here in Jarabacoa. The medical care isn't exactly as good as the States but it is definitely not bad. I have felt pretty good over all - a little sickness when I ate food in the first trimester but now at week 16 food is very appealing again! I really haven't started showing much and have no idea what I will do when maternity clothes are needed... so ignoring that while I can. The walking of the hill has become a bit more of an issue so today Josh and I (plus some helpful students) move our stuff down the mountain in about a half an hour. Here is our new home:

This house is called "Larimar". It is named after the stone found only here on the island called Larimar. They have the same coloring. It is a large house but I think, at least for now, it is a great opportunity.

I honestly have been struggling the past month especially in finding the ability to thrive here. Due to being under staffed the hours have been long and finally in the past few weeks we have started conversations with the director about the reality of me needing more time off. And as God is, he has provided more staff starting Monday. I look forward to having a bit more time during the days as my energy has been pretty low. Meaning - hopefully a few more blogs too. 

We also have adopted a campus dog, Brea. This is our practice child :). She is definitely not the cutest thing you have ever seen but she kinda grows on you. Her owner moved back to the states so we said we would take her. 

HI BREA!!

She is about as cooperative as a child when it comes to picture taking too! This is about the 10th picture. (yes I know her collar is a little large and she is not looking at the camera, but at least she is not crying!)

Well I think those are mainly the new things for now, just quick recap: new house, new schedule, new dog, new baby and all the experiences and worries that brings. Welp I'm guessing you can guess what a main prayer request is: that the stable God we have had so many beautiful and faithful experiences with will continue to guide our lives in the newness that everyday brings.

Lots of updates so I think I will break them up into 2 separate posts. This one focusing on highlights of the month and special events. The past month and a half has been full of many moments of joy and blessing.

- October we were able to host my mom for a week here on campus. She was a blessing to us and the kids here.

This is a picture of mom and I at a local waterfall. 

At the end of the week the girls house followed mom to her condo on the beach at Puerta Plata. We enjoyed the weekend at the beach with the girls. They were so engulfed in the ocean. A few have never been or only been to the ocean once before. It is so fun to see how the girls truly enjoyed life. Chris, mom's husband, was able to join her Tuesday and then Josh and I spent a few days at the beach. It was beautiful! Here are some pictures from the beach:

This is a picture of the girls at our Sunday sunrise service on the beach

The campus continues to make progress on the house at a local community. I think at this point they have all the "siding" up. Mom got to help a little and realized construction is a BIT different down here.

Last weekend we actually got to visit Josh and his family and friends in Sardis. It was a 5 day trip, 2 of those days were flying but SO worth it. One of our good friends, Mariah Indermuhle, and our first cousins, Phil Maletich, got married.

We had a great trip back to the states. My cousins John and Amy joined us in Sardis and that time was so good to catch up with them too. It was a short but sweet trip. We got to see a bit of the fall weather and get a taste of the 30 degree weather we WON'T be missing terribly.