change. now rest.

Breathe in....


Breathe out.




I can finally take the chance to breathe for more than just the weekend. These last four weeks have been quite the roller coaster of emotions for Brian and me.  Now that spring break has officially begun I can fully soak in every piece of change that has happened in our lives over the last month. So, here we go..

**Disclaimer: First, I just want to say us moving back to the US at this point in the year and in our lives was NOT an accident and our choice. It's been so emotionally humbling to continue to see God's provision for us throughout this whole process. God has continued DAILY to reassure us that moving was His idea, and He will continue to take care of us whatever struggles there may be.  

Loving Miami!

The day I left the Dominican was ridiculously emotional for me.  I had to make sure I had everything ready for my dog, Kai, to travel, and on top of that say goodbye to everyone that has impacted my life in huge ways over the last four years, and on top of that doing all of that alone since Brian was already in the states trying to find a car for us to buy. The day I left my ride to the airport was late, so I got the airport at a later time than expected (you're encouraged to get to the airport at least three hours before your departure time if traveling with an animal. Yeah..didn't happen).  At the airport I had to go to this random office through customs with my dog to get his agricultural forms, and by the time that was done, I had 40 minutes to get on my flight.  At check-in, the woman was looking over my forms for the dog in regards to the certification of weather. She said Kai couldnt fly that day because my form had to be from a vet in the US. "Seriously?! That's not possible! The dog is from the DR!" "I'm sorry, that's the way it is."

I lost it. 

I'm SO thankful for my friend Mindy from CMA.  She kept me calm and sane the whole week before traveling, and was such a great friend at the airport.  At the airport after I was told this, we had to think of a plan to bring Kai back to the states. As we were planning, the women at the counter were going over my form again and again. After countless prayers in my head, she said they would allow my dog to fly! 

I lost it again.


That was just the beginning.  Things just were working out the best they could throughout the whole entire day.  I could literally FEEL answered prayers from all our friends and family - praying for smooth travel for me and Kai. I wrote down all the ways God had blessed us that day, with the people I talked to and places we went. In Miami, there was even a little dog relief park area that I brought Kai to over our 7 hour layover. He loved it!

Kai's first time in snow!

After landing in Indianapolis, we stayed at Brian's dad's house for the weekend, and that Sunday we left for Michigan.  After a teary "see you later" to Kai after dropping him off at his temporary home in Goshen, IN, we were on our way to start our new lives in Grand Rapids.  

So...how can I explain what it's been like for the last four weeks? Well, I pretty much jumped right into teaching within 24 hours of arriving to Grand Rapids. THAT was a whirlwind of culture shock! It's REALLY weird to go from English immersion with Dominican kids, and then to Spanish immersion with American kids. A lot of the same struggles and teaching strategies, but with the technology of America.  Teaching all in Spanish is something to get used to, but it's gotten a whole lot easier now.  My brain is constantly switching from English to Spanish - especially when the kids are speaking spanglish with you! But all in all, I can't complain..I'm impressed with how much Spanish they know and they are doing a great job :) 
Brian is now active again in the Army Reserve, and applying for jobs.  We are hoping to hear from one by Monday! 

As far as culture shock? 
Here are my thoughts. Things are expensive. Produce shouldn't cost this much. Coupons are awesome. I'm terrible at using an ipad/iphone/i-anything.  Weather.com is my new best friend.  Socks keep your feet warm - I'm still learning this. Saying the Pledge to the Bible will always make me tear up thinking of JCS. I get emotional when kids sing Jesus songs. American kids are sensitive and more innocent- that's not necessarily a bad thing. Lots of kids have serious allergies.  Flushing toilet paper is still weird. It's really nice to take a LONG hot shower.  TV doesn't have spanish subtitles - finally. TV is not even worth watching.  I'm thankful for the friends I have here.  It's hard to find people that "get" where you've come from. I still get headaches. Warm weather keeps me happier.  I love heartfelt conversations with people that care. People just go about their daily lives - it's so....private. The whole world isn't peeking in on your life. Americans LOVE their pets. It's weird not to see chickens running around everywhere, or consistently smell cows everywhere you go. It's so easy to "make life more simple" by having complicated things and get addicted to it - like an iphone...I need to make a conscious effort to keep my life simple, without too many complicated things. 
There's a lot more, but that's all I can think of right now.  I apologize for the ramblings. 

and there you have it. Of course, I will continue to publish more about our lives as soon as I feel inspired! I am sincerely grateful for everyone who has prayed for Brian and me throughout this transition, and is continuing to pray for us and help us out.  We have been truly blessed!

Prayer requests:
Brian gets a job offer
We can save up for a place to rent
We continue to put God first in everything we do