Random, Not so Eloquent, Ramblings

Honest moment here, I really don’t like blogging.  I think about it all the time and as I read all these eloquent blogs, I think to myself, how do people do it? Every time I sit down to write a blog post it turns into hours of staring at the computer screen thinking, what is the best way to articulate beautifully the ramblings of my mind.  So, I thought I’d give it a raw shot today, just shoot out there random thoughts and experiences I’ve had over the last month since I’ve appeared on this blog.  Here goes nothing, just going to ramble as the thoughts come to me…consider yourself warned!

• I am proud of the growth of my Spanish. I have really been able to communicate more clearly with both the teachers and the students.  My vocabulary is daily growing, but my verb tenses are still all confused.  I’m grateful for the graciousness of the Dominicans.
• I have been working continually on developing Bible curriculum. As I sort through the important stories in the Bible and organize them to fit Pathway to Jesus, I realize there’s so much Bible knowledge that I can still learn.
• I’m enjoying the teachers at Pathway to Jesus more and more.  Time is a great thing; it has allowed me to earn the privilege to share more with them as well as make some great friends. Serving others is all about building relationships and valuing them for who God created them to be. Also, baking for them will make them all your best friend.
• Dominicans are blunt.  I’ve been told many a time exactly what to wear, what I should eat, and every time I cough, what medicine I should take.  In the midst of their bluntness, they care deeply for each other, and even me.
• My purpose here is not to say my culture is better than your culture, but to value a kingdom culture and work with the teachers to grow the kingdom.
• Everyday is a new day to face, and life should be approached one day at a time.
• I am grateful for FaceTime, gchat, and iMessage. We’ve almost made it through the first 4.5 months of this long distance engagement, only 17 more days until a sweet Christmas reunion, but who’s counting?
• I was able to sneak away to the beach to celebrate Thanksgiving with some teachers from SCS. I am so grateful for the chance to get away, as well as the ironic moment of having to pause on our trip to let 6 turkeys cross the road.  Really, that happened.
• I haven’t taken enough pictures, sorry! I’ll try to work on that.

Wow, that was probably the quickest post that I’ve written, I should try rambling more often.  As I reflect on it all, I come back to gratitude.  God continues to stretch me, peel away my layers, chip away at me, and grow me in ways that I’m so grateful for.  God is good, and his constant companionship is what I turn to daily as I continue on my journey here in the DR.