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

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