Where's the Joy?

Well, this school year since I've been back in the Dominican Republic has been FULL of ups and downs so far (as you may have figured out from previous blog entries).  Lots of feelings of contentment and happiness versus feelings of frustration and anxiety.  Earlier in the year I could keep my head up from being constantly surrounded by negativity, and was considering coming back to JCS for another school year.  


Now...

....yeeeaaahhhhh.

Everything's a struggle. This past Friday we had a teacher work day, and had a guest pastor from Florida give us a devotional.  He talked about having storms in your life and losing the joy in what you do.  

I think that's what happened. I have officially lost the joy of my job and living in the Dominican Republic.  I mean, I love my students and teaching them.  It's just the constant feeling of being burnt out, and other things, that I think I've simply lost the joy in it all.  And it's not that I haven't been trying to keep my eye on the Lord in all of this.  I just think God is starting to prepare me for something else (maybe?)...

So, here's the big decision.  I've decided to officially come back to Hawaii in June, to live and settle for a while.  I know people back home were kind of expecting me to do this anyway, but after I was considering staying here for next year this is kind of big to me.  

And now you're probably asking, "what about you and Brian?!" 
Well, we're still working all the details out, but the plan as of right now is that he will be fulfilling his last 4 years of being in the army in Hawaii, with me!  


We both need a lot of prayer, though. I need to find a good job, Brian needs to get a hold of his officer to discuss specific details (which seems to become a lot more difficult than anticipated), fitting back into US culture, moving back home with my family, just all that stuff.  Please pray that we find peace in our decision and hopefully will move forward in our relationship as well.  Also prayer for us to take advantage of our last six months here, instead of despising them with complaints.  And last thing - patience PaTIENce PATIENCE! 


There's a reason for everything.  I'm excited to move forward and open a new chapter. Now let's just see what actually happens! 

I can almost guarantee these plans will be at least a little shifted...God is bigger than any expectation/thought of the future I can conceive! 

We'll just wait and see :)

a very much needed....

VACATION! 
people always say teachers have it so lucky because they get at least two whole weeks for vacation for Christmas and a long summer off of work. well.... 


it is very much earned. 


seriously. 


I will be honest. As soon as lights and Christmas trees went up, roommates began playing Christmas music, and talk of going home for the holidays started - things got super HARD. Why? Well, this was my first Christmas away from my family. I spent every day after Thanksgiving pretending like Christmas wasn't happening to try to feel better about the whole situation.  


On top of all this, the last month before school gets out for Christmas break is CHAOS! The kids really do go crazy. I'm not making this up. 


So, with all this being said, this Christmas break was very much needed. And really, Christmas break wasn't all that bad! Luckily, I wasn't completely alone on Christmas. My amazing boyfriend, Brian, stayed in Jarabacoa as well.  

We spent a lot of time together, with friends who also stayed in the country, and his brother who came to visit for a week.  Also during the break, I house-sat for a missionary family and took care of their dog.  As much as I really wanted to be in Hawaii, I don't think I could have asked for a better vacation.  

And now....TUESDAY. we go back to school Tuesday. We have some staff changes, new staff coming, and regular staff skeptical about how this next semester will run. please God help! Prayers are definitely needed for JCS right now. 


By the way, for our JCS Christmas program this year I had my students sing Mele Kalikimaka and a song called Santa's Got a Sunburn.  It was so cute! I'll try posting a video soon :)

by the way,theres some big news. but i'll leave that for another blog entry ;)