Holidays!!

So we enjoyed our thanksgiving time. We were able to travel to the States and stay in Vero beach, Florida. We were able to see my mom, Cris, Claire, Grandma Marti, Aunt Donita, Uncle Les and Aunt Pam, Josh's whole immediate family - parents and 3 brothers, and our friend Mason from Sardis, and some friends we have met in the Dominican that live in Florida; Katie, Jeremy & Heidy and their 3-year old daughter, Taylor.

We spent the week relaxing, Josh planted trees and I enjoyed down time with family, especially going out for brunch- someone needs to open an American style breakfast place here at in the DR. The rains have stopped and we are really enjoying the beautiful warm sunshine and not missing the frigid climates many of our friends and family are experiencing.

We are looking forward to Christmas here. Probably won't do a lot of Christmas decoration in our own house but enjoying lots of Christmas Spirit in other ways. The campus has hosted a White Elephant gift exchange, a Progressive Dinner, a school Christmas program and we are still looking forward to our annual Christmas Dinner with Dominican Staff, Christmas cookie decorating with our neighbor, and a Christmas Eve Service. Our Christmas day will consist of chilling in the morning and then having our mentee students (3 students) up for the afternoon and evening. Oliver will have a few gifts to open but over all it will just be a low key time.

Here are some pictures from our time in the States - Little man is getting so big and loves to copy everything we say! Can you tell he is an extravert?!

 

Check out the News Letter

http://files.ctctcdn.com/0b176d0b001/c60cf113-09cb-47f9-8af9-b833b41af3c4.pdf

Enjoying some company

We have been enjoying some company the past month. Josh's parents, Josh's cousin and his wife/our friend, Mariah- and Sam, Josh's brother- just left yesterday. It has been such an honor to be able to share life on campus with these precious friendships- Here are some great pictures from the past month.

Today we enjoyed a great Easter! We enjoyed worshipping together this morning celebrating our Risen Lord. My new favorite song - Man of Sorrows - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R36lrRcTGYw - then we enjoyed a potluck lunch which was enjoyable. It was such a cheerful experience. It reminds me of a family gathering with my extended family or a church picnic. After church, Oliver and I headed up to the house and get some cleaning done (well Oliver took a nap)- Josh was on with the boys so he enjoyed working out and hanging out at the boy's house, then we joined a friend here on campus for some swimming fun. Now just enjoying some chill time.

Following Sickness

So currently, I am enjoying some relaxing music, coconut loose leaf tea, my husband sleeping next to me (although with a fever and aches), and my Little Oli sleeping in the room next to me. Just sitting here thinking about how awful it is to be sick but who blessed I am by my little family. There is this virus going around campus. I would say at least 10 of us here on campus have had it. It is a high fever with horrible body aches. I had it a few days ago but am now sitting here healthy. How much do I take my health for granite? Our bodies are so incredible and when they are compromised it is crazy how difficult it is to think clearly, and yet how often do I settle for a compromised spiritual body?

So tonight, while daddy tried to relax on the couch Oliver and I took advantage of one of Oliver's favorite activities!! BATH time: enjoy and be healthy.

Oliver: This is called the towel game- I get it all wet and throw it at you, Mom.

We have to get creative because we do not have a bathtub, so for now a large tote works :). He is such a joy when he is happy but his rage quickly gets him what he is wanting, usually food! Happy 10 month old baby boy- well tomorrow...

What has happened since September..

Well way too much so we will just start with the past month or so. Josh, Oliver, and I are still alive. I feel lately the Trinity is truly pursing me and not allowing "luke warm" to be enough. As a community we are examining what pure healthy community living and conflict looks like. Two of the pieces that stand out to me the most is to stop saying we are "good" and to stop being "nice" to each other. It is easy to force a nice and good attitude but it is crucial that we be real with each other (Casting Crowns songs speak to my heart especially on these topics). There are experiences that we are living through together that require intense community. With family so far away I learn to be real and see my own insecurities and needs more clearly. Even in the daily grind we want to be able to live with a community that loves, challenges, supports, and intercedes for each other. I have been tasked along with our other counselors to gather information pertaining to healthy conflict especially in christian communities. I have been intentional in engaging students in these discussions. I think at first some christian tend to avoid conflict - use the verses that talk about God's grace, forgiveness, or avoid judging people to dismiss wrongs or difficulties that we experience between each other. In the end though the Bible speaks of iron sharpening iron and proverbs talks about ways friends need to be honest with each other. We must find a place of moderation in our community. A healthy place of humility and confidence in the Lord. A place of security in who God has created us to be but also confident we are still changing. A place where we can be comfortable to comfort and challenge each other daily. A place where we don't have to feel a need to "change" any one because we are confident in God's own changing in that brother or sister's life. This has challenged me to be compassionate in my thoughts and assumptions of others. I have failed miserably and asked for forgiveness over and over again (especially with my husband). I have opened the word and been refreshed by the truth and the passion of others and those accounts in the Word and also in my personal world.

The students are doing well. Oliver and I are blessed to spend evenings in the boys house with Josh. We are enjoying getting to know the young men well. God's spirit is moving strongly - many nights you can overhear conversations about the Lord, the Bible, and real life. Many nights you can walk in the house and see multiple Bibles open and young men excited to talk and read about the Word and what others have said about it. They are teaching me leaps and bounds about discipline and passion! God is moving - I'm excited to see this season of CMA continue until God has a new season.

Oliver is doing great. Mom and Cris came down this past week and it was such a joy to have them enjoying him! He is crawling, exploring, pulling up on anything he can find, and practicing stairs. Oliver loves to play, eat, and get into water (beach, puddles, Duke's water bowl).

Here are some of my favorite pictures from lately...

Love these Ladies!

Crazy Marti Cousins (4 babies within a year - Amy is Pregnant in this picture)

Visiting Sardis for Craig's Wedding

Uncle Sam

Uncle Nate

Uncle Jared

G-ma Snuggles

Visiting Sardis for Grandpa's Funeral

A Few Ladies From Our Community

Visiting Grandpa in October, he passed away in December - He will be missed.

Christmas Weather was a bit different this year.