Christmas Catch-up

Well Claire and Nate both made it in safely. We enjoyed a few days on the Puerta Plata beach front, unfortunately the weather was rainy but we still managed to enjoy our time together and enjoy a little ocean waves.

When we got back to campus we started to get the Christmas cheer started with some Christmas music and planting our little christmas tree (it is reusable :)- small carbon footprint- dad Isaia would be proud)

Nate helped set up our Christmas table with the traditional Isaia Christmas story book, delivered by Claire. Nate even made us a few Christmas tree ornaments and we will now begin our Christmas decoration box for next year.

As Christmas approached we enjoyed a progressive dinner on campus complete with 6 different stops. The boy's house was in charge of chips and salsa and Josh did a great job of making a pico de gallo, similar to a recipe my dad likes to make (was also featured this plate at our wedding)

Then came Christmas Eve. The Christmas holiday was honestly a little hard at times but the campus was supportive of each other and I really enjoyed the holidays. Christmas Eve involved a good dinner, candle light service, some sparkling grape juice- which is typically a part of our Isaia Christmas Eve dinner, and the girls sharing their favorite christmas memory and tradition.

We then drug the beds out and the girls watched a movie and had a sleep over. I headed home before the movie around 10:30pm and Josh made us some hot chocolate (which my dad makes traditionally Christmas Eve) and started a new tradition of bollos (similar to a cornmeal dumpling)- which were very good dipped in the hot chocolate.

Christmas Day started with girls opening their presents and then we had a great breakfast prepared by one of the staff members. The girls took some time to paint and just chill with their new presents. Here is one of the painting our girls did. They all have such various talents.

The afternoon we went swimming in local lake that included kayaks and zip lining. Some of the students burned off steam playing basketball and tennis. In the evening we enjoyed a evening with Claire and Nate. We made a great pasta with homemade bread (recipe provided by mom Ramsier but definitely missed her strawberry jelly). It was very special and much appreciated to have some family here over the holidays. For dessert we went to a restaurant in the mountains and ordered some great desserts, flan, cheesecake, apple dumpling, and brownies.

It was for sure a different Christmas but special in its own way. I was challenged to continue to focus on the purpose of the holiday and birth of Christ. I was showered with blessings from having Claire and Nate, to thinking of the life growing inside of me. Josh made such an effort to selflessly give of himself during this time as I am a little more sentimental, to say the least. 

A Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good night!

Updates

And again it is almost a month since I updated last. We are enjoying our new home at the Larimar house. We have gotten a new little puppy to practice on. His name is Duke and he is a mastiff. He is a lot of fun. We have had him about a week and already he is growing.  He was very helpful in Christmas decorations... well maybe not. The girl's house has done a great job decorating. Here are some of the sights in the house.

Last weekend Josh and I enjoyed a Sunday off together! We decided to take a few of the boys to the beach about 2 and 1/2 hours away. It was a wonderful day and the waves were a bit bigger than usual so that was fun. We also have taken the youth to a place called Lagoona Dudu. It was beautiful water and most of the students enjoyed the day jumping off the cliff into the lagoon or zip-lining into the middle and then jumping.

Yesterday I spent my first birthday out of the country. It was a wonderful day. I got to sleep in due to my new schedule (working 4 days a week from 5-10:30 and then 2 weekends a month). Josh was able to get the morning off and we enjoyed a typical Dominican breakfast at a local restaurant here in town. smashed plantains (Mangu), salami, and fried cheese. MMM, and some fresh juice.

Enjoyed some phone calls homes, although calling still comes with complications due to service and me only being able to mainly make calls. I was graciously given a homemade carrot cake and cheesecake both wonderful. 

Baby and mom are doing well, and husband is treating me kindly! We are hoping to go tomorrow for another sonogram and possibly find out the gender. We will tell but not sure when. I am feeling very good and definitely starting to get the "baby bump" (maybe when my sister comes she will get some pregnancy pictures),

Josh's brother, Nate, and my sister, Claire are going to be coming Sunday morning and we look so forward to visitors over Christmas. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving but it is definitely hard realizing being away from family may become more frequent during holidays. We did have a big thanksgiving meal here on campus and were able to have a relaxing day. I think that is a good over view for now. God has been teaching and growing us both and look forward to sharing that also on here sometime.

December Newsletter

http://crosswindsyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RAMSIER-NEWSLETTER-DEC-2014.pdf

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.

September Updates

Well I have fallen behind on blogging so I will start with most recent events and try to work backwards,

Recently we were blessed to host our first visitors! Jonathan, Kali, and Eddie (their 9 month old son) Sauder came Friday through Tuesday this past weekend. It was good to have friends here. Josh and I had about 2 of the days off together but one of us were working 3 of the other days. They were such kind guests as Josh and I realized it is much more difficult to host with our current schedule. We enjoyed showing Jonathan and Kali the different sights and our life here in Jarabacoa. The students enjoyed having another baby on campus. The Sauder family brought joy to the staff and students here.

Chichi - one of the other staff members in house helped us take Jonathan, Kali, and Eddie around Santiago and then back to the airport Tuesday!

Weather continues to be beautiful; cool in the mornings and evenings but hot during the afternoons. We have been enjoying some storms and still 90 degree weather most afternoons, perfect for river runs in the afternoons when we can either with students or just a few staff.

The last few weeks we have had a few sicknesses running around campus. I think I had a little stomach bug and Josh got the chikungunya virus followed by, we think, bronchitis. Getting a hold of the right medications and vitamins is a little different, although we are finding in ways it is easier. We are blessed to have Tina as a nurse reference here on campus. I am feeling much better and Josh is starting to feel better, although the cough continues to be pretty rough. We did get to experience a clinic ER experience in Spanish. We went with another couple, and the wife was able to speak some Spanish after she checked out her coughing symptoms. At this ER visit Josh got his chikungunya virus diagnosis and an IV for fluids (as chikungunya includes a fever, achy joints and bones, and exhaustion)

Also this month we faced the challenge of celebrating family birthdays from another country. Shout out to my brother Landon (turned 26 on 9/1), dad Ramsier, my sister Claire turned 21 on 9/29, and my mom. There are ways to get packages and letters out to family but we have still not figured that process out. As I told my grandma, if you want a card to get here possibly mail it about 3 weeks before you want it to arrive here.

Recently found luxuries or gifts. With Jonathan and Kali visiting they brought a care packaged from them and Tom and Jody Klotzle of Thai sauces, Ghardettos, and dark chocolate. We also found cinnamon mentos on the island and I have begun to enjoy ginger tea and cinnamon tea using ginger and cinnamon. We have not done too much exploring this month as it was a pretty busy month with working in the houses. My favorite thing to do is go to the river (about 15-30 minutes walk from campus).

Prayers:

Working with the students requires a great deal of patience and wisdom. We are learning a lot and desiring to be a support to other staff and the students.

Currently there is a great need for more in-house staff. We are praying for people interested in living with the students or just working with them during the day with activities or at school, whether it be full-time staff or even just interns or individuals that can only commit a few months at a time.

Looking forward to mom and Cris coming this month and Josh and I will have about 9 days off together this month.

Newsletter

Here is our September newsletter:
http://crosswindsyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ramsier_September-2014.pdf

The past month has been busy. We have had a few staff members visiting home for a longer period but we are adjusting well. We have both been working long days but loving on the students.

Please join us in praying for:
*More staff
*and God's energy and love in our lives.

Jeff and Tina and Josiah are here. Olivia is coming Wednesday. We are connecting well with staff and love the Dominican culture - personally my favorite activity is ice cream from the local plaza (chinola (passion fruit) and coconut ice cream)