Cinco Meses.

It's been about five months /cinco meses/ since we moved back to the United States to Grand Rapids, MI. Has it really been that long? It feels like we just left Jarabacoa...still. 
It also feels like our lives keep changing and there's always something new going on.  

"Can't things just settle down already?" 
"Why is everything such a huge adjustment?!" 
"When will things finally seem... normal?"

These are things we constantly keep asking ourselves.  There's no doubt about it - change, in any circumstance, is DIFFICULT. Sometimes exciting, but that doesn't mean it's not difficult. Ugh.

Here's the latest news, for those interested...
Jessica: After long-term subbing in a first grade Spanish Immersion classroom at Northpointe Christian (NPC) since March, NPC hired me on for this coming school year as their Third Grade Spanish Immersion (SI) teacher.  The SI program at NPC is relatively new, and each year they add on a grade in their SI program.  This coming year they will be adding third grade, which I'm VERY excited to be teaching! Basically, if you're unfamiliar with a Spanish Immersion Program, it's that the students learn everything a "normal" English school would, except everything is taught in Spanish.  As the grades get higher, the students are expected to only speak Spanish throughout the day with each other and their teacher.  In third grade though, I'll be teaching every subject in Spanish except for Social Studies, which will be in English.  I'm pretty excited to basically doing the exact opposite that I was doing at Jarabacoa Christian School (teaching in English Immersion to native Spanish speakers).  It'll be challenging, but exciting :).  
 This summer I've been working at the Humane Society of West Michigan, helping run day camps for kids.  This entails teaching kids about becoming advocates for animals, and learning how to care for animals.  On top of everything, we get to play with the animals up for adoption! Probably the best job ever, in my opinion. I actually did the same thing about six years ago, and kept in touch with them since.  Strange how it all works out!

Brian reading to Kenya, our great friends' 2 year old :)

 Brian:  Brian is again an active member of the US Army Reserve, based out of a base close to Battle Creek, MI (about at hour south of where we live). This basically entails that he go to Drill once a month for a weekend and two weeks out of the summer. He also has been dreaming of going into the medical field, so in April he started going to school to become a Medical Assistant.  The program he is attending is a 10-month intensive program, and after he graduates he'll be eligible to work in any doctor's office or hospital as a medical assistant.  Since he's been in school, he's managed a 4.0 in all his classes :).  He also just recently got a part time job at Pier1 Imports.  I'm one proud wife! :)

We've moved into an apartment in May that accepts large dogs (VERY HARD TO FIND over here) and have slowly been settling in.  We are very blessed that all of our furniture and other things have been given to us by some very generous people! Kai loves being an indoor dog, but also loves the fenced in dog park at our apartment complex.  

Deer in our "backyard"

We've found a church we love, called Kentwood Community Church.  They have a pretty diverse population, and even sing songs in Spanish.  I can honestly say not a Sunday has gone by where I'm not a puddle of tears at church.  I can't help it. I completely fall apart when I look back at how God has been on our side throughout this huge move and transition.  He's still preparing us for something big that we just can't see yet...I can feel it!

As I sigh in awe for a way to close this blog, I want to go back to one of the questions we continue to ask ourselves... "when will things finally seem...normal?"  I can't really say I know what "normal" means at this point.  We've been gone from this country for four years. We've changed.  Time hasn't stopped for people here. Life has moved on without us during the last four years. It feels like it should have just paused and we could take off where we've left things in the past.
Nope. 

Celebrating Grand Rapids Art Festival

How do we live in this constant struggle between what we've known before, how we want people to see us now, how not to go back to what we did/would have said in the past, and how things have changed? It's a battle. Truly. 

In closing, I ask that you keep praying for our transition.  We have some specific needs as well...
1. We will be in need of another car to buy/long-term borrow in a few weeks.  Our schedules will start conflicting too much in the third week of August, and we're in need to purchase another car. Please pray for miraculous funds for this!
2. Finances for the rest of the summer. 
3. Wisdom. That we as a couple come whole-heartedly to the Lord when making decisions. 
4. We get the funds to have internet in our apartment.

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

make the days count!

i don't really know where to begin. 

i was listening to my "Jesus Music" playlist just now, and completely felt compelled to write a blog post. Since (clearly) this hasn't happened lately, i'm sure theres a reason for it. 

and there's that line... 

"...teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.."

Brian put in his resignation letter. 

We're leaving. 

Moving back to the States. 

To Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

To start our new lives. 

February 28th is his last day of work.

I will fly with our dog after Brian on March 6.

WOAH. 

I have been completely overwhelmed with God's grace since we told people we were moving.  Right away we sold our most costly valuables - including Brian's motorcycle. We came to the conclusion that we needed to find our German Shepherd, Luna, a new home...and we did (I can't describe to you how hard that was).  I already have a job in Grand Rapids, starting as soon as we get back.

Things are just...working out.  

How can God's provision for us be any more clear at this point? 

As I was waving goodbye to the Taylor family this morning for the last time (who are moving back to the states this week, starting THEIR new American lives in Arkansas a month ahead of us) I couldn't help but feel blessed. It just..."worked out" for them too. And through their blessings from God I have been blessed too. 

See, I have this problem where if I can't foresee or make an accurate educated guess of the outcome of a certain situation it really bothers me. I have to plan and make decisions to correlate with the outcome I expect.  God continues to break me from this. Maybe I'm just now getting it. 

I can't control God. Yep, that's it. That's what it is, isn't it? This whole moving thing has brought me to my knees in prayer, where there's no where else to go except to Him. It's a great place to be.

So here we go... 

we will "count the days, and make the days count"...

Last Picture with Luna :( 

**If you would like to financially help us with our big move, please send me an email at jessicalynnsommer@gmail.com Thank you!

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

drained.

You ever have those days where there is absolutely NO motivation to do anything, it's just hard to wake up in the morning to go to work, and you feel completely emotionally/ spiritually/ physically drained of LIFE???? 

I would love to say right now that things are great with my job. As far as I recall, I believe I wrote a blog last year around this time about last school year being incredibly difficult for several different reasons, but I felt God leading me to teach there again.  Well, I can't say anything has changed..

...for the better. 

Things right now are so----eh.  Sometimes the only thing that gets me through a day of work is a cute note on the chalkboard from a student. That little bit of hope to finish the day.  That gentle push to a happier place when daily frustrations arise.  Gosh it's so nice when that happens. 

I just found out I'm allergic to 167 types of food, which is what had been causing my daily headaches and stomach aches for many years.  

I'm tired. I'm grumpy. I'm stressed. I'm negative. I'm done (my favorite phrase lately). 

And what blows my mind everytime,

what brings me to my knees,

something I don't think about enough,

(uummm....reality check?)

Who am I to be feeling this way? 

Who am I to think I can do this on my own?

Who am I to think I can change this world by myself? 

Who am I to be motivated to do well only by what others encourage me to do?

I am alive today.

My heart continues to beat.

I got the chance to wake up this morning.

I have no right to take on God's tasks [in which I know I will fail].  This is impossible.. to be God, I mean. I've started living by the phrase,"if you want something done right , you have to do it yourself." NO! The reality of it is that if you want something done right, give it to God. Like, for real give it to God. He'll handle it. 

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

But why is this so hard to believe sometimes?

I need prayer. Continuous prayer.  There are several unknowns about the summer and next school year for me. Please pray for the future for not only me, but my husband Brian as well.  Who knows what's in store for us, but please pray that our journey is all on God's timing, along with His encouragement, and that we take our lives and throw it up to God to bounce us around wherever He wants. 

don't wash your passport...

Well, we're married. Legally.  

First time on a plane together!

As many of you know, Brian and I decided to have our wedding here in the Dominican Republic on March 23.  Unfortunately, to make our marriage legal in the United States that would proceed to be a lot of paper work to deal with, so we decided to fly to Miami to get legally married instead.  

On January 18, 2013 we flew to Miami on standby (thanks to my wonderful new flight attendant mother-in-law!), went to the court house in South Beach, and got married.  The whole process took about 2 hours, and went surprisingly very smoothly! 

Waiting in the ghetto courthouse room

Married! (I left my cardigan on...balls.) 

Loving our new "fake" wedding bands! (The real gold ones will come at our wedding) 

Besos!

My new mother-in-law :) 

We then spent the rest of the weekend in Miami, soaking up the sun, going to the mall, and loving AMERICA! 

First married dinner

On Miami Beach :)

A HUGE GRANDE thank you to Brian's mom, Karen!! This couldn't have happened without you!!!! :):):):)


...Oh wait I'm not finished...

To finish the story we have to go back a few months, where Brian accidentally washed his passport by leaving it in a pants pocket.  I had a feeling that would come back to haunt us later, but coming back into the US wasn't a problem when we flew into Miami.  The guys at immigration actually laughed about it.  So, Tuesday finally rolls around after our long weekend was over.  We were due to be headed back to the Dominican later that afternoon.  

It all started at check-in. 

The first person we went to to check us in for our flight at the airport took one look at Brian's passport and said, "uummmm, no. I can't accept this."
The second person said, "well, you can try to get through security, but once you get to the country you could be detained and sent back to the US." 
The third person wouldnt even let us go through security.  

Panic started to hit, but with the help of a nice airline agent she told us it would only take a day to get a new copy of a passport since he was an American citizen.  
alright, that's fine then. 

Since I had to go to work the next day, I left Brian behind to fly back to the Dominican.  Little did I know it would be a little more than a day that I would see him next.  

Soon after I got home, Brian figured out he needed an appointment to get his passport copy.  The only problem was that the next appointment was for a week later.  So, even though he called every 20 minutes to see if an appointment was canceled, nothing worked.  Meanwhile, I was stuck by myself, a newly married woman, separated from my new husband for a week and on the verge of a mental breakdown every day (which also included me taking care of our HUGE crazy dog by myself....enough said.) 

Fortunately, by the grace of God, everything went smoothly when he DID receive his new passport, and flew back safely - exactly a week later.  The whole situation could have definitely been worse, and I'm so grateful he came back okay, safe and sound :) 



Thanks for all your prayers during all of this! They were so very much appreciated!

'Tis the Season!

After school ended for Christmas break things slowed down... 



waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay 



d
            o
                          w
                                        n. 



I spent my mornings sleeping in, waiting for Brian to get off work, and making life simple again.  I wasn't going to leave for Hawaii until December 28th, so I spent Christmas day with, first, Brian and the guys house at CMA in the morning.  Then, in the afternoon I went to Melissa's house for a cookout with her, her parents, and fiance Carlos.  We had EXCELLENT chuleta (pork chops) on the gril. OH. MY. GOODNESS they were so good! Melissa and I got engaged around the same time, so we of course had to take a picture of our fabulous rings :) 

The next day, the 26th, was the reason I stayed in the DR till the 28th...Melissa's wedding! We got our hair and makeup done - dOmInIcAn style - que chulo! 
We were basically dominican barbies...

Her and Carlos looked so great, and we had a great time! Definitely had a great time at her big, fat, dominican wedding (as she calls it) ;)

The 28th of December I flew on three planes, and 18 hours later landed in Honolulu.  It was super weird to be home at this time of year, let alone for only about 12 days.  But who knows when i'll be in Hawaii again? 
In one word, here's what I did while I home...

SHOP.


Every single day, except new years. For what? Pretty much all wedding stuff. At least now I can say I'm prepared for my big day! 

New Years Eve was uneventful. I fell asleep at 7pm, woke up at 11:59, said "happy new year," and went to bed. stupid jet lag.... or maybe i'm just old? 

In between shopping, I was in desperate need for the beach. The stupid rain kept me from my tanning crave, so I just went anyway.  Luckily, there were some patches of sun up there somewhere. 


The Saturday before I left, my mom threw me a bridal shower.  It was so great to see some old friends, make some new ones, and just celebrate getting married with people that have known me for a very long time! I'm really not used to having all the attention centered on me, but it wasn't all that bad after a while ;) 

Then I had to say goodbye :( Not as many tears at the airport like normal, but it was still hard to say goodbye.  At least I'll see my family again in two months!!! :):):):)