it is well!

has it really been seven months since my last post?!

I sincerely apologize! 

I can honestly say, though, that things are going... well.  

Brian and I had our wedding March 23.  Marriage is going great! Though "real life" has sunk in rather quickly, we constantly find ourselves pulled and stretched with life in ways we ne

ver thought of. We are continuously being challenged, and in the process we are learning more about each other.  From what I hear, that's what the first year of marriage is all about right? 


A few months after our wedding, we added another furbaby to our family.  Kai, our Golden Retriever puppy [now seven months old], is a joy to have around and very friendly! Luna [our German Shepherd furbaby] and him get along well, which we're also thankful for :) 


Job-wise, Brian is almost going on his third year working for Caribbean Mountain Academy, which is also the campus we live on.  He has taken on more responsibility with the title of Residential House Manager, which is basically overseeing the Girls and Guys house here at CMA.  It's a LOT of work, but he does it well.  

I've had a bit of a change in my job as well. As most of you all know, my job at Jarabacoa Christian School had been incredibly difficult and challenging - mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.   The director of CMA's youngest daughter needed someone to homeschool her for this school year.  This was the perfect transition and just what I needed to make the change to step down from the unhealthy work environment of my teaching job from the last three years.  With a lot of prayer and encouragement from others, I decided this school year I would not teach at JCS anymore. So, I started my fourth year in this country teaching Lydia.  It's only been about three months, but she's improved TREMENDOUSLY and becoming such a great reader!  

Lydia reading to her cat

Along with homeschooling in the mornings, I have also been tutoring English [which I LOVE!] to new students at JCS, helping out with some students at Doulos [the other English immersion school in Jarabacoa], and been doing more photoshoots around Jarabacoa [I just shot my first wedding last weekend!].  I love the fact that I can, for the most part, make my own schedule and feel more free in what I'm doing. Over all of this transition, it's been so apparent how God has weaved Himself in every decision I've had to make regarding my job this year.  There is no doubt in my mind that He was in control the whole time - I just had to get in the back seat and watch Him drive! 

Health-wise, I've been having heightened anxiety attacks within the last seven months.  I guess I don't take change very well? They've now been becoming farther and few between, but I've learned how to control them with the help of God and essential oils ;) 

Well, the question has started to pop up more...."when are you guys moving back to the states?" I will state that Brian and I are content with where we are as of right now this very moment.  However, Brian has been getting more calls from the US Army, and seems that if he does not move back to fulfill his contract within the next year, he may lose his contract altogether.  With that being said, we will probably be leaving the Dominican Republic some time in the year 2014 - hopeful to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan!  Stay tuned for more information.

Please pray for direction and God's provision for our future.  We'd really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading! Be blessed today :) 

-Jessica