It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

While Bob was running errands yesterday, I pulled out our Christmas decorations. They all fit in one big wooden trunk (with room left over for other items!) that sits in the living room year round, so it isn't a difficult task getting at them.

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One of the things I was determined to bring from the States when we moved here in 2003 was our Christmas village. I started it almost 10 years ago, and it grows just a little each year. I have pictures ~on paper and in my head~ of Stephan and Samuel gazing at it while visiting our home on Greenville-Nashville. They wanted to know about each building and who all the people were.

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My houses and bldgs are the small variety; my people couldn't even fit in the doors. Some of the bldgs were purchased at Goodwill and garage sales. Some from after-Christmas sales at JoAnn's, Walmart and CVS. I've tried to specialize it for our family.

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There is a library .... I used to work at Greenville's
a bookstore ..... anyone who knows our family knows we love books
a fabric store .... need I explain?
a log cabin ..... in honor of David and Lyndie's years in one
a Williamsburg style house .... Some of my favorite memories with Shan are from our trips to Williamsburg.
a mirror for a lake, with a dock and a couple of small 'wood' boats and a lodge .... family Boundary Waters canoe/camping trip
a coffee shop .... no explanation needed for this either.
a barn with a dog house and 'Jaws" .... y'all remember Jaws?
an old country church with stained glass windows ...
*~*~*~*~*
There's a small gazebo (Darke County Fair), a popcorn machine, (Thanks Shan!) a bridge (Greenville Park swinging bridge)and a picket fence like we had on Greenville-Nashville Road.

*~*~*~*~*
As I said my people would never fit inside the bldgs, but they seem to be a very outdoorsy group! There's Papa roasting hotdogs over a campfire while his daughter and son warm their hands, *Shan and David* sledding down a hill, *Shan and I* shopping, a little boy stacking a woodpile (how many times did you do that, David?)...well you get the idea. It's a well populated little village...

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This year when we were in Tampa in November, I found a pkg at Lowe's with a fox, two little bunnies and some squirrels. If you are familiar with our family, you know we have had animal nicknames for years. So, the fox, bunnies, squirrels and chipmunks (previous purchase) all represent family members.

*~*~*~*~*
Everything sits on a blanket of snow (quilt batting) with pine trees of various sizes and styles. It's not fancy...it's not elaborate...Only two-thirds of the bldgs have lights (one strand of 5 bulbs quit working while in storage this year).

*~*~*~*~*
But it's one of my favorite things to set up each year because of all the memories it represents. ...I wish Stephan and Samuel and Shiloh and Yoselin could gaze upon it...
"I'll be home for Christmas....if only in my little village of memories"

Frosty dreams.....

Okay, I'm sitting here in our apartment on the southern coast of the DR. It's 80*, crystal blue skies, (NOT a cloud to be seen!), gentle breeze.
But CNN Headline news and the Internet are both full of news of snow! SNOW! and more snow forecast. ALL over the US!
Yes, I even checked out Greenville's weather and found the list of all the school closings, (Celina to Yellow Springs). I am so JEALOUS!
I miss snow so-o-o-o much!
So, dear ones, blog about ALL your fun during the snow. Show lots of pics!

Snow day---there's just something about waking up and knowing your kids are home on a day when they *should* be in school. I used to get up even earlier on a suspected snow day, just to have the joy of knowing I didn't HAVE to be up. I was up of my own free will choice! Crazy, I know!
So, who's making big pots of chili, or homemade soup? Hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows?
So, I'm hoping to hear from you all! NO WHINING allowed, however :)

" Oh the weather outside is frightful...
But the fire is so delightful...
Since we've no place to go....
Let it snow! Let is snow! Let it snow!"

Anyone singing along....?

A little of this and a little of that.............

I apologize in the beginning for this being so long...but thought you might like an idea of what our days are like right now : )

Sunday we went to our home church in San Pedro de Macoris. Their joy when we walked into the bldg...precious! There was much praise given to God for Bob's health! They were so happy that we had returned and so quickly! Bob was asked to come up and give a testimony. Many tears and shouts of joy followed. Then he told them that I was in good health. They were all pleased. Then he said, "excepto..." They moaned and waited for him to continue.
He told them how I had fallen in the States and had a broken rib! Yes, it's true! At first we hoped it was just a bad fall and bruised inside. But it has been 2 1/2 weeks and a bruise doesn't last that long.
After the service all the ladies wanted to hug me and were very gentle with me. Then the fun began :) I was sitting when a lady came up and just put her hands on my shoulders and sort of gave me a hug. Another lady (pastor's sister) told her NO! they began a sort of discussion, with one arguing she was not hurting me, she was being careful and repeated the hug to prove it! With the other one firmly telling her NO! I heard the words *mal* and *cuidado* ~~ bad, careful. I just sat there with a big grin saying "Estoy bien! Estoy bien!" Fortunately, they weren't really upset with one another.
SCORE's medical clinic is supposed to be open every Tuesday and Thursday. While Bob and I were in the States, it was open but without the pharmacy being available. We arrived back last week but the clinic was closed on Thursday due to Thanksgiving. So, Bob and I were up at 6:30 this morning anticipating our first day back in the clinic in three weeks. I really enjoy my work in the pharmacy.
If you recall, Tropical Storm Noel passed thru the country about a month ago causing much damage. That damage included the generator for the SCORE property. So, the electricians had been called in to repair it. Somehow in the process of their attempts to repair the generator the electricity to the medical clinic was turned off.
When we arrived at the clinic at 7:45 this morning, we sadly discovered that there was no electrician present, and while the entire rest of the SCORE complex had electricity, the clinic did NOT!
Miolis, the receptionist, and Jaqueline, the cleaning lady, both showed up and were told the news. Miolis called the doctor to inform her. Maria, the cook, called Eddy, the SCORE Dominican field director. He relayed that he would try to get hold of the electricia to tell him. This is roughly translated: "Clinic is closed for the day because there is no idea when he will return to finish!"
We then gave Miolis and Jaqueline a ride to San Pedro and proceeded on to run some of our own errands.
The tenant below Tim and Evelyn's apartment left without paying 2 months rent or returning the keys. So, yesterday our caretaker, Papo, had to replace the lock on the entrance gate, and the security gate right at the stairs to the apartment. But he only had two sets of keys.
Then yesterday while Bob was in Santo Domingo his key chain broke and he lost 5 keys! Fortunately, there is no way any one will know what they go to.
So, Bob decided to get copies for all the keys made while we were in town. It only took 2 hardware stores to get them all made. But in the process we discovered a new Papeleria --office supply store--Staples WITHOUT the computers, electronics, furniture and filing cabinets :)
He dropped me off at Jumbo after the first hardward store. Now, visiting Americans will tell you it is the Dominican version of Walmart. While it is the best place to shop in San Pedro, those who live here know it is no where near Walmart. But Tuesday is the day they have specials on fruits and vegetables. Last week I got avocados for 4.95 pesos each (33.45 pesos =$1) This week it was yellow onions 11.95 pesos #, red and orange *green* pepper 19.95 pesos per #, bananas 7.95 pesos per#. I only had to wait in line 15 minutes to get everything weighed. These prices were a blessing, considering how all vegetable prices have almost doubled since TS Noel!
They had two different brands of brownie mix today! YES!!!! But at 169 pesos??? they stayed on the shelf! I was hoping to buy brown sugar since it is cool enough here to do baking. But, alas, there was none to be found.
They have a deli of ready made items. I usually get a small cup of arroz con leche (rice pudding). It is yummy with just a couple of raisins, cinnamon and a tiny bit of cloves! And at 11 pesos for a good size serving, it's affordable. Jumbo's is the best! Carrefour (North side of Santo Domingo) also sells it in their deli. But they make it with evaporated milk, it's not as creamy and it costs 14 pesos.
Bob will probably meet with Pastor Manny and Pastor Henri on Thursday morning to resume their Greek classes. Yes, Bob is teaching Greek in Spanish. But Manny is fluent in English, also.
Saturday Bob will again meet with the national pastors. The first week he had 8, then 14, then 20. This past Saturday there were 23! They are all eager to receive some sort of formal training. This is a special time for Bob with these men. While we were in the States visiting doctors, these men committed to praying each and every morning at 6AM for Bob's health.

Not much else to report from here. This is our quiet, peaceful time of the year with NO groups! A time to relax, recover and be reinvigorated for January.
The LORD is so good in allowing us to return and to be part of what HE is doing here!

~~anna~~

PS~ Sunday night I finished reading "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn for the 4th time since 2002. If you have never read it, you are missing an incredible book! While it is a novel, it is based on the truth of what is happening with the persecuted Christian church in China. You must get hold of a copy!

So, what really is tradition for us?

Loved reading Charity's blog about her "Black Friday" shopping....by the way, how did it ever get that name? That sounds so depressing. What happened to the old *Day after Thanksgiving* shopping*? It was a perfectly good name that pretty much said it all. *Black Friday* ??? creepy!

Naturally, this time of year brings out the memories. Being away from family intensifies the feelings I think, too!

Thursday morning as I was making our pies (Yes, we found cans of pumpkin this Summer in the stores here, so we squirreled them away for the right time!) As I was saying, while making the pies I started getting a little nostalgic. But as I started thinking over some of our past years, I realized we haven't always been very traditional. Due to Bob's schedule, we have had many Turkey Dinners on Friday and one year we did it on Wednesday.

Our very first Thanksgiving was right at the end of our honeymoon, and we ended up in a restaurant specializing in German food that advertised a traditional turkey dinner. By the time we arrived, the turkey was gone and we were left with duck! Believe me, duck does not in any way resemble turkey!

The year Bob was pastoring and still working part time as a nurse, we got invited to join a multi-generational family gathering. Who knew they did NOT like turkey, so the main course was roast beef and mashed potatoes with noodles! One family member had compassion and made a small turkey for us!, but no turkey gravy or stuffing! Then no one amongst all those families wanted to host the day in their own home. So they had purchased a small house several years prior and used it only for family gatherings. Adults (B0b and I) all ate in one room, teens (Shan) ate in another and younger kids (David) ate in their own room at the back of the house....and by order of the rest of the parents ne'er the groups shall meet! and they called it a family dinner! Miserable! We were relieved when we never got invited again!

There were the two years when it was only Bob, David and I while Shan was in college or visiting her future in-laws. One of those years was when David started the short lived 'tradition' of shadow puppets on the wall after dinner.

In the early years of our marriage we went to Bob's folks and his mom made the entire meal. That is when I discovered a recipe for fresh cranberry orange relish and began that tradition! But when *that cook* was a firm believer in a thoroughly dried out turkey, even the dark meat, I boldly learned how to cook a turkey. Reynold's oven roasting bags to the rescue! It was much easier to put a plate of turkey into the oven and dry it out for Bob's mom, then for the rest of us to suffer thru "turkey jerky"!

One year when Shan was a baby the three of us were at his Grandparents hunting cabin. Turkey was too big for the pan on hand, so she cut it in half and baked it in two pans. The front half ended up looking like a frog..so we teased for years about our turkey frog.

Later when we lived in Florida this same Grandma with her new husband came for Thanksgiving...that was the year I finally frantically learned how to make stuffing. Who knew it was so easy? and discovered that pumpkin pies cannot be left sitting out in the South as they mold quickly! So, much for leftovers the next day!

Bob was a nursing home director for a while in Indiana and worked Thanksgiving; so we joined him and ate at a community gathering for those who did not have family in the area.

We discovered the day before David's 2nd Thanksgiving that he had pneumonia and I could not take him any where! There were several young families from our church that had plans to gather at one home for the big day . Bob and Shan brought me a plate of leftovers when they returned that evening!

Probably the years that stand out the most are the ones when Shan and family joined us with David and Lyndie and Glen. The table was stretched to its limits and every conceivable chair was utilized! Kari usually came for pie. Then the oldies vs the youngsters for some real football!

The last Thanksgiving we were in the States we had already had our household auction in the summer and sold the stove! But the turkey got placed in a borrowed electric roaster, and everything else was made in crockpots with the brown'n'serve rolls in a toaster oven. David and Lyndie made the pies.

Last year we had it in Costa Rica while attending language school. and YES! we had school as usual that day. Fortunately, classes were only in the morning. But the SCORE missionaries in CR blessed us with a Thanksgiving dinner at the SCORE villa. The first time they had made a turkey! It was the first time rice was on the menu with turkey for us! But what a blessed time as we students were outnumbered 2 to 1 by Ticos...but we all shared what we were thankful for before having a communion service before dinner! And not a pumpkin, pecan or cranberry was in sight!

This year was the first time SCORE missionaries, Nate and Erica, were away from their families. So we pooled our resources (turkey is muy precio!) and our cooking talents and had a great time in our small apartment! We were going to take a dip in the pool, but Erica forgot to bring her suit...

So, what really is traditional?

Do we miss our family gatherings? You better believe we do....a day spent watching parades, talking and laughing, playing Scrabble, orchestrating seating arrangments at the table, preparing, consuming and cleaning up from an incredible meal, drinking pots of coffee, sitting and looking at craft magazines and perusing the sale-ads while planning shopping strategy, watching and playing football, then relaxing in the evening to enjoy *Muppets Christmas Carol* with grandkids snuggled up. Who wouldn't miss that?
It lasted only a short time but there was never anything else like it!

I never did like roller coasters....

Well, it is Sunday night and once again our suitcases are packed and sitting at the door ready to be placed in the car in the morning to head to the airport. Didn't we just go through this routine 2 weeks ago to come here ? and, also, 1 month before that when we left Greenville to return to the Dominican?
Doctors have concluded that Bob's throat/thyroid problems are not cancerous. There is still something going on, visible on the ultrasound, but not enough for the doctors to be concerned about at this time. Recheck in 3 months. We are thrilled with the fact that it is NOT cancer!
When we left the DR two weeks ago, we were facing a very uncertain future, as there was a very real possibility that Bob had thyroid cancer.
Dr Jack Manascalco, who heads CMS (the medical mission division of CWE {Paul Puleo}--who built our clinic in the DR) has been incredible in lining up the right doctors for Bob to see. He has pushed to get us in without waiting days. The doctors have been wonderful. Without Dr Jack's connections, we might still be waiting for referrals.

Not sure why the LORD brought us back to the States for these two weeks. Other than the medical visits to doctors and hospitals it has been a relaxing time. Paul and Sharon Puleo have been more than gracious in their care and provision of a guest home, vehicle, food, etc. The surroundings are beautiful! We have had nothing to keep us running constantly, like our lives in the Dominican.
We have received many emails, phone calls and some mail. All of which have been a blessing and very encouraging.
We may never know, this side of heaven, why the LORD pulled us from the Dominican at a time when 160 baseball players, coaches and others lead by John Zeller were visiting. We missed getting to spend time with Mike and Linda Fourman, as they were part of the team that came. I was looking forward to spending time with a new friend, Sharon Madison, who I met at the SCORE staff meeting in Chattanooga in August. We hit it off and had so many common interests. She was there with her husband, also.
But "My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not yours thoughts declares the LORD" (can't think of the reference, but I think it's at least an accurate paraphrase, right?)
But, Praise the LORD, Bob does NOT have cancer!!!

And, in our suitcases, are going to be packed 3 pkgs of fresh cranberries, 1 pkg of pecan pieces and 1 bottle of light Karo cornsyrup. Andres Jordan, and Nate, Erica and Mali Jude and Bob and I ARE going to have fresh cranberry orange relish and pecan pie for our Thanksgiving Dinner *SCORE Dominican Republic missionary* style!
Now, can I get off this roller coaster for a while? I have NEVER been a fan of them! EVER!!!

Tagged!

We are currently staying in the guest home of Paul and Sharon Puleo on a large ranch spread. Cows in one pasture, bulls in another, a little pond, 2 big friendly Great Danes (Puppy and Rocky) lovingly greeting us when we drive back in the gate and lots of white fencing...very relaxing, while we await the results of all of Bob's medical tests.
On this ranch where we are staying , there are two red headed cranes. LARGE birds! They like to wander in the yard of this house...So I decided I wanted to get up close and get some cool pics this morning. I got within 8 feet today when the one started doing a raging bull routine at me! Head down, fluffed wings and pounding on ground with its spindly legs. At the same time it's partner, started hopping! YES! It was actually hopping about 2 feet with each HOP! Oh what a comical memory to take with me back to the DR

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Well I've been tagged by Lyndie...so I need to tell 5 things about myself. Whether they are interesting, I'll leave it up to you the reader to determine.

1) I love to collect quotes. I have a journal that goes almost everywhere with me and I write quotes in it. ~~ from books, magazines, newspapers, movies, TV shows....I have them! bits of Scripture, parts of poems, taglines from peoples' emails. It's quite fun and relaxing to go back and read thru it. I used to write them here and there on scraps of paper and then lose them. I LOVE my journal. It's almost full, so I'm going to have to start a new one
2) While I didn't dislike my hubby at anytime prior to marrying him (read lyndie's blog), I did tell my best friend, who used to date him before me, to dump him because she deserved better!
(If you ever hear my testimony, you'll hear how the LORD used that to bring me to HIM!)

3) Saturday we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary, and as of Tuesday, I now qualify for Senior discounts!

4) I love to sew! It's my way to de-stress. The day after we discovered Bob might have thyroid cancer, I pieced together a quilt top for Yoselin. Bob asked me what I was doing. I think he was a bit concerned as we were supposed to be preparing to leave the country for an undetermined length of time. My reply: "Dealing with my stress!"
It worked! The quilt top was packed in the suitcase and last Friday I handstitched the backing in place and tied it with embroidery floss. Yoselin will have a bright colored quilt made by her "mana".
Which brings us to
#5) I am now the proud grandma, or as the grandkids say, "Mana" of two grandsons and two granddaughters! Being a mom is wonderful and filled with joy, and being a "mana" just intensifies those feelings!

Now who to tag? Does anyone even read Chin y Chon?
I need three people to atleast leave a comment so I know if there's anyone I can tag!

Hey, wait! can I tag David? Maybe "Through a Glass Dimly" will then have something new to read.

and Lauren, you've now been tagged.

Still would like to have three people to atleast leave a comment so I know if anyone is reading this besides Regi and me! Thanks, Regi!

And so it begins....

Well we arrived yesterday in Tampa after a very uneventful trip from Santo Domingo. Paul Puleo picked us up at the airport. 1st stop Starbucks, then CWE office. After that we stopped at Applebee's for salad, then to Dr Jack's. Dr Jack heads the medical ministries for CWE, and is the doctor that had thyroid cancer. At his office we were served Cafe con leche made with Cuban coffee. Not all of his patients get that service, we were taken up to the staff breakroom...what a blessing as the four of us sat drinking coffee, and had a time of prayer.
Okay, now I'm sitting in the waiting room at the hospital. Our Doctor just came thru and told me he's going back into radiology and make sure they do all Bobs tests today...this morning!
So, this morning we met with Dr Christianson at 7am. He's the specialist who did Dr Jack's surgery. (who himself just stopped by to see how I'm doing!)


So back to the basics... We met with Dr Christiansen this morning at 7AM, he did a quick exam before heading out for another surgery. He sent us over to the hospital (just around the corner from his office) for blood tests, ultrasound and needle biopsy. So Bob is in admitting being processed and I'm at the waiting room for radiology, where they will do the ultrasound/biopsy.
I feel an overwhelming calmness and peace...well-enveloped in God's love. His love is being shown thru so many of His children. We are well cared for physically. Paul has put us up in the guest house on his ranch. The frig and cupboards are stocked with everything we could want. We have a Ford Explorer to drive (same vehicle we have in the Dominican but everything works on this one!)
Dr. Jack, as I mentioned earlier, just stopped by having already talked to Dr Christiansen. He assures us that Dr C is the best! Actually yesterday he told us, that with his cancer surgery he could have gone anywhere in the country to have it taken care of and yet, he chose this doctor because he is the best! So, we are getting the best care possible!
Our insurance is up-to-date and should cover most of the hospital. Not sure how it works for the dr's etc. But the LORD has provided all our needs thus far, I know HE will not abandon us.
We have rec'd many emails, calls and text msgs. Each one is a blessing and encouragement. Thank you!
I'll keep you posted. From comments made by both doctors, I'm thinking things are moving fast. They will not delay and will work quickly on this.
love you all!

"Be strong and courageous; do not tremble nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Just 24 little hours

By now many of you may already have heard about the major change in our plans. Friday morning I got up excited about the fact that the rains had finally stopped and the sun was out. Our bedroom had finally stopped leaking. I could finally put away the buckets, remove our mattress from the living room and start cleaning and doing the laundry. A normal day at last!
Then Bob came home about 3:30. And our life changed!
He's been having a sore throat for over two months and had treated it with antibiotics, but to no avail. He had finally developed other symptoms along with pain in his neck, not just his throat.
While doing errands in San Pedro, he decided to look for a lab where he could get some blood work done. The LORD lead him to Clinica de los Ninos, a private hospital, {but not just for children as the name would seem to imply.} There he met a Christian doctor, Carlos. He told Carlos his problems. Carlos also works at another hospital, Musa. He told Bob to meet him at 5:30 and we would go to Musa and there Carlos would do an ultrasound on Bob's neck.
We were very pleasantly surprsied when we entered the room and found brand new, up-to-date equipment! the rest of the hospital looks more like a prison from the 1920's! Carlos did the ultrasound and my untrained eye from 6 feet away could see that there was a problem.
As Bob and Carlos talked, it was obvious that he not only has a tumor in his thyroid, but it has begun to calcify, which probably indicates cancer.
Our life has drastically changed. Hearing him make his phone calls, to David, Lyndie and Shan about broke my heart. As he called others, the sadness continued to grow.
Last week he started a time of training with several pastors. He went yesterday expecting to see the same 14 men...but the group had grown to 20. ALL wanting to be taught! he had to tell them we have to leave the Dominican for a time. He came home drained....he said they encircled him and prayed and wept. They are going to be like the woman of Luke 11, who continually pleaded with the judge until he relented.
Right after that he had to tell the other SCORE missionaries. Then this morning we went to our church in San Pedro. The first 20 minutes of their service was spent in time praying for their country and for the devastation of so much from tropical Storm Noel. Each family was given a huge black garbage bag and asked to return it tonight full with items for those who lost everything! Talk about sacrificial giving!
The pastor then allowed Bob a time to share. By the time he was done, there wasn't a dry eye.
They again encircled the two of us and beseeched the LORD on our behalf. I have never seen Dominican men cry until today!
After the email Bob sent out yesterday, we have received many return emails and phone calls. What a blessing! I think each one makes Bob weep.
Tomorrow many phone calls have to be made. The one probably most important, is the call to the insurance company. Since we do not live in the States, we have health insurance for missionaries. Since we were just in the States for over 2 months, we do not know how much it will cover, if at all, for surgery in the States.
If it won't cover us, we will have to go to Costa Rica, which has an incredible healthcare system.
One of the main hospitals, Clinica Bautista, is as modern as anything in the States. Since the service would be out of the States, the insurance will cover it.
But all of this is in the hands of the LORD. None of this took Him by surprise.
We face an uncertain future from a human perspective, but our Heavenly Father knows all! He has not, nor will He, abandon us! Of this I AM SURE!
Yesterday I was still pretty numb. I wanted to cry but the tears would not come. The time in church this morning with the saints was a true time of encouragment and blessing! As one after another of my brothers and sisters came with tears and hugs, I prayed that the LORD would allow me to understand what they were saying to me. They spoke in words I knew! They spoke of having confidence in God, of His power, and of being strong in the faith, and of their continual prayer for us!
Please pray for us! Particularly, for Bob's throat and this tumor. Pray that he does not loose his ability to talk. The LORD has allowed me, esp these last couple of days, to see the heart that Bob has for these people here in the Dominican. I so want him to be able to teach and minister with them.
Pray for the insurance coverage. We would prefer to go to Tampa, FL. One of the doctors (a brain surgeon)that oversees the medical ministry of CWE (Construction for Worldwide Evangelism) lives in Tampa and within the past two years has had surgery for thyroid cancer. He is going to set us up with the doctor who did his surgery! We already have several places to stay!
We would be taken care of also in Costa Rica, but don't have the same medical connections.
But it is all in HIS hands!
Most likely we will be flying on Tuesday where ever it is we are going.

"I know the plan I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Please pray for our future!

Too late to build an ark....

The past three days have been quite unusual. It began raining Saturday about noon, sort of off and on, but mostly ON! Then Sunday the winds began and the rain in earnest!

We started to hear faint rumblings about a tropical depression #16. Then it was a tropical storm named Noel. It was headed for Haiti but we were going to get some of it.

Well Noel had a mind of his own and he did NOT agree with the forecasters. He sort of slowed down at the Dominican end of the island. Progress had been 7 mph, but he slowed to 5 mph and took a turn to the Dominican. Juan Dolio, where we are on the southern coast, rec'd between 10-12 inches of rain by last night, (Monday).

The winds got up to 60 mph and at times were coming in three sides of the apartment at the same time. Didn't need any fans to keep it cool. For the first time since we moved here in December of 2003, I actually slept in long sleep pants and had a blanket on the bed! That part of it was nice.

I had to close the front windows to our bedroom completely as, obviously, the rain was coming in. The living room windows even though they face the same way are recessed because of our balcony and then another overhang. So, those thankfully could be left open.

Yesterday Bob and I walked up to the beach after the worst of it had passed. WOW! the waves were impressive. Just hoped it didn't ruin the new beachfront they finally installed after it was destroyed with Hurricane George in 1998! We then got in the car and drove towards Boca Chica. We stopped a few times along the way as this is all coastal driving. HUGE waves were churning, and clashing and rising about 10-12-15 feet just off the shore. When they would hit the coral shore, they would then send spray across the road. It was really something to see.

Our power went out yesterday morning. Turns out it was a nationwide blackout. Power resumed about 7ish at night. We have an invertor, but we didn't want to run too many electrical things. Since we weren't sure how long the power would be off, we wanted to save as much power as possible in the invertor to keep the frig going. Another reason to have a gas stove! We could still cook, and with our Costa Rican coffee maker we were all set.

We were settled in with our candles and kerosene lamps, reading together Brian Jacque's "The Voyage of the Flying Castaways" when the power kicked on.!!! YEAH! It took our invertor over 5 hours to recharge after that!

Our clinic is closed today since the workers are in San Pedro and the doctor is in Consuelo and the roads are flooded and a mess. There are some trees down, but not too bad..palm trees bend with the winds so are less prone to toppling. We did see one huge billboard completely pulled out of the ground and toppled over a bldg at the Metro Country Club. Needless to say the tile roof was in need of much repair.

We have about 10 pots scattered around our apartment gathering drips. The worst is in our bedroom, so we pulled the mattress to the living room floor last night. It's back propped up against the wall during the day. Flat cement roofs may be cheaper and easier to construct, but they make no sense in a tropical country that can get some heavy downpours. All that water just sits there soaking thru the cement.

Today is still overcast and quite breezey. Sky looks like it could rain again. It rained and thundered some during the night, but the worst is over. This was just a Topical Storm, can't imagine a hurricane!

On the Dominican news online there is much concern over the fact that the government here never issued a weather warning, eventhough Puerto Rico, Haiti and Cuba all had them.

Praise the LORD for safety and a somewhat dry apartment.

Finally!

Well it looks like I've finally figured out how to access my own blog. Have tested it out a few times and it seems to work each time. I never had this problem on the old blog style; but when it switched to google, it decided to make it very difficult for me to get on my own blog. Hopefully, it lasts!
We have been back in the Dominican Republic for a month now. Things seem to be settling into a routine, which is nice! I've gotten the apartment cleaned and everything back in its place. Leaving an aparment for over two months when it is prone to roof leaks requires some packing and covering of items to preserve items. Then there is the inevitable washing of most clothes, towels and linens to remove the musty smell. eewww!!!
It started raining yesterday, Saturday, about noon and it has not stopped other than for brief periods. It's expected to last thru Tuesday, as there is a tropical depression 175 miles off the southern coast. And yes, we live on the southern coast! They are predicting 6-10 inches and possibly up to 15! There are very few paved roads. San Pedro de Macoris is the closest town and is where the church is that we most frequently attend, (also the location of one of the grocery stores where we can trust the meat!). Just in a normal rain fall the roads flood and things are a mess. Can't imagine what it is like today.

Right now is sort of the *down time* for SCORE with very few groups here in the DR. Right now there are NO groups here at all. Last night we got together with two other SCORE missionary couples that live here too. Nate and Erica and their baby daughter, Mali, live in the house at the ministry center. Andres and Johanna just arrived about 3 weeks ago. So last night we had a cook out at Andres and Johanna's. Their little apartment is on the left side (as you are facing the ministry center, for those of you who have been here) that is basically reserved for new missionaries and interns. About 6 small apartments, but they also have a very nice covered patio area and a grill. Partway thru the meal Erica said "Do you realize that we have each apologized for some part of the meal we brought and it's defects?" The beef that Andres had grilled was impossible to chew (fortunately, we also had chicken and hamburgers). They thoughts it was ribs, but it was the toughest meat any of us had ever experienced. Erica made pasta salad but had to substitute some ingredients (it was still delicious). My green jello was soup despite the fact that I made it at 10AM and it sat in the frig for 8 hours! But the fellowship was great with much laughter and the encouragement needed by all.
Thanksgiving will be at our apartment and will be another combined effort. Now, if someone could just send us some fresh cranberrie, we would be so-o-o-o-o happy. Turkey is over $2 a pound, but it is available and we ALL want turkey! I actually found canned pumpkin, so we will have pie!

The medical clinic is going well. I am so-o-o-o-o enjoying working in the pharmacy. The clinic is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we are averaging about 25 patients per day.
There was a group here a couple of weeks ago doing med clinics in the batayes. While talking to the ladies one day, I mentioned that I was wanting to check into online Pharmacy Tech classes. One of the ladies said she had been a pharmacy tech for almost 9 years and is going to send me ALL of her books and materials. If I were to actually go for the degree, I would have to study things that I just won't need here (insurance forms, ordering the restock--and all of our meds are donated from the States). So this will be wonderful. I can't wait to receive the books and get started.
Well, hopefully, this has given y'all some idea of our life here right now. Please be praying for us and our service here.....

Chattanooga Choo choo

Well here we are at the Marriott Courtyard in Chattanooga, TN. Staff mtgs start in less than an hour. We arrived here last night, and had the morning free. I can think of many words to describe this area where we are....clean, quiet, sunny, beautiful, peaceful....

The hotel is only 1 block from the river. After breakfast, Bob and I walked along it for while, then started to walk to an art museum. Along the way we saw an historic bridge. As we started to walk across, we were stopped by a couple of ladies. They were filming for a local channel, and wanted us to wait a second while the photographer adjusted his camera. Then they filmed us walking across. It will be on their local progam, *First Sunday* this Sunday morning. Alas, we won't get to see it.

We did go to the art museum... a lot of what they call *art* ...well.....it wasn't so pleasing to us. But we did find one section that had old black and white photos done by a man named Hine in the late 1930's. They were of the area where a dam was going to be built. He showed the people that would be affected by the dam construction. It was interesting how it showed his original captions for the photos stating how these people would be displaced. Some were log homes from the Civil War era. But then they showed the caption from the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) stating how these people would now have electricity to power their homes. This part was very sad to see, but obviously very real. The effects of progress.

Well time to get ready for our first meeting. If anyone is actually reading this, hope you have a blessed day serving the LORD however He is leading you to do so today!

back.....and almost gone.......

Well, we are back from our family vacation to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Camping on Lake Superior at the Hurricane River National Campground is a family tradition. But Shan hadn't been there in 17 years, and David in about 8. And this time, we had the joy of introducing all three grandkids to this special place.
Sand, large rocks to climb, rock collecting, hikes, touring an old lighthouse, going to Munising to a combination bookshop/coffee shop, reading and viewing the stars (shooting stars and satellites) were among the fun activities. I was glad that my heals were recovered enough that I could make the 1.5 mile hike to the Au Sable lighthouse with Bob, Lyndie and Stephan on Sunday afternoon. I'm glad we did it early in the week, because as the week progressed my heals really became aggravated. Last year at this time, I wouldn't have even been able to attempt it, so I was thrilled.
The entire group took a much longer hike on Wednesday afternoon, So I took Shiloh into the little town of Grand Marais and we toured the Pickle Barrel House....that was a special time for me to have with Shiloh.
We arrived home Saturday night about 10, tired but giddy. Shan left out early Sunday morning to drive back to Lnchburg. We have all three kids. T say we are tired would be putting it mildly. After all the excitement and adventures the boys had last week, they just needed to crash. I now have a new appreciation for $1 DVD's at Walmart. We did get one sort of educational one put out by National Geographic about 2 men who attempt to get as close as possible to sharks without cages for protection. It kept Stephan, Samuel, Bob and Glen entertained for an hour!
Tomorrow, (Tuesday) I drive to Lynchburg with all three grandkids, while Bob stays in Greenville. He'll travel to Columbus on Wednesday to make a presentation at a hospital. I return on Saturday. Sunday we are at a church in Germantown.
THEN its the Great Darke County Fair!!!!! Hope to see you there!

Maybe in the States?

Well, now that I'm in the States my laptop is actually allowing me to sign on again. For some reason Dominican airwaves and my laptop will not combine to allow me to post to my own blog!
I enjoy reading everyone else's blog, but it is very annoying not being able to respond or post at all.
I have some dvd's we bought in Costa Rica that played well while we were there. They also played in the States, but will not play on my laptop in the DR, but will play on Bob's or the tv/dvd player there.
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I'm sitting at Broadway Joe's enjoying my Highlander Grogg and bagel. It's so wonderful to be able to go out by myself and just sit and relax. Something I can never do in the Dominican either.
It was great seeing so many friends at church yesterday...even if I froze during the morning services! I'm much mor accustomed to sitting in a sleeveless dress with fans blowing on me while I drink bottled water~~as opposed to yesterday when I tried to huddle around a cup of hot coffee to absorb the warmth! Then the opportunity to share about our ministry last night and to answer everyone's questions...what a blessing for us. We're still over whelmed by the gift card shower!
WOW! That has blessed us in many ways! God knew our needs and has provided for us thru the saints!
Spent an hour at Family Bazaar this afternoon. $1.00 racks were fun. khaki skirt, white shorts, jean capris, and sleeveless tops! I tried on 3x what I actually bought, but that's part of the fun too! Then free magazines from the library...coming *home* and discovering magazines are $4.99-$7.99 each takes the fun out of buying any...but I did buy some used for 25 cents each on Saturday. They were actually from this year, too!
Well, hopefully I'll be able to repost in a few days again...until then, love you all!

Unbelievable!

Yes, I'm back! I have no idea what happened. But I have been unable to access my blog or post on anyone else's either. You have no idea how frustrating that has been. I've tried everything and it would never recognize me. I dont' know if it was because I was using a laptop at our apartment instead of this desktop at the medical clinic. On my laptop when I bring up anyone;s blogs it's been weird. The blogs are in English, but everything else on the page is in Spanish. But not on this desktop. So, I don't know if that made a difference or what...but I'm back
Nothing much to say...I am just so shocked that I am actually here...Hopefully when I have something prepared to write I'll be able to get back on. Will try visiting some blogs now and see if I can post...I really don't hold out much hope!

My week....

Well let's see...I thought I might share with you my past week. Nothing exciting but still sort of typical (atleast for a week when we don't have a med team here)
Bob had spoken to Joe our landlord about our kitchen counters. They were really in bad shape and were causing water to leak down into the cupboards. So, Joe came up, checked them out and agreed they needed replacing. So last Thursday Joe began. He brought Pabo (caretaker when Joe's back in Canada) and they ripped out the old counter tops. Of course, previous to this I had to empty out the cupboards and remove the drawers. It took them 5 minutes to rip out the old. Then they made a new base out of plywood, got it all installed with the sink reinstalled. This only took about 2 hours max. Then Joe called the guy who was lined up to put the laminate over the plywood. That was Thursday about noon.
Now Joe doesn't like to do any repairs in our apartment unless Bob or I are there. So, I sat home waiting for the laminate guy. Everytime Joe called him, he was going to be over in just a little while. Sunday evening at 6pm he finally arrived and installed the 'butcher block' laminate counter!
Joe came up this morning with the ceramic tile he purchased to finish the wall by the sink. It should look nice when done. With Joe doing it it should be completed soon.
I did get the new curtain panels made for the temporary room dividers Bob had purchased used from a junk yard. These are the to be used for the med clinics in the villages. So my sewing machine and I reconnected after being separated since last April! What joy! sewing!
Then I was able to remake 5 t-shirts. I do NOT like the way t-shirts fit..I really hate t-shirt necklines esp in the heat! I had two new SCORE t-shirts along with 3 I had picked up while gone from the DR. So using my serger I was able to redo the necklines and make them sleeveless, and cut about 8" off the length. Why do they make t-shirts so-o-o-o long? So, after a few trying moments of bad tension (the serger --NOT me!) I reconnected with my serger too.

Then Wayne (SCORE missionary in charge of construction) was here Sunday thru this morning. He took Bob and I out to eat at a place I'd never been to. How do you describe a restaurant that is on the beach with beds in the water, and on the beach that you recline on and eat? We, however, chose the tables on the wooden deck. Had to get our flaslights out to see the menu. Who knows if what I ate is what I ordered, the one little votive on the table didn't illuminate my plate. But it was delicious! And we had a great time with Wayne as we sat and talked for over 2 hours.

Wayne showed Bob a stack of scrap wood that was left from some projects he had completed for SCORE. Bob used some of it today and made three (YES THREE!!!) bookcases for our apartment. One for his little study and two for my sewing room. I had two bookcases in their already, but one only had three shelves and the other is only 3 feet high. My two new ones are each 6 feet tall! Bob is going to take them home in a few minutes. I already have left over paint from some other projects and I will paint them this evening. I am so exceited!!!!! Just last week I was wishing I could have new bookcases, but knew it wasn't in the budget to buy them or the wood to make them. Now I have two and Bob has one also....God is so good! This was just a wish and He still honored it. Maybe it seems silly...but I feel humbled that the God of the universe would still care that I got two bookcases!

Yesterday Bob and I got to go into Santo Domingo. He had to check on some items for an upcoming med team. So we got to spend the afternoon together. Even got to get a slice of pizza and a Coke at Price Smart (their version of Sam's Club).
Oh yes, we left for Sto Domingo AFTER we waited 2 hours for the fumigator to show up. Monday afternoon Bob found a BlackWidow right inside the front door of the clinic. I thought I only had to be on the lookout for tarantulas!

I've been in the morning with my coffee reading a book by Randy Alcorn called "Heaven". I started it before but got side-tracked and never finished it. So I re-started and am really enjoying it. I highly recommend it! Really has made me think about, well, HEAVEN, of course!

So this has been my life...nothing earth shattering...but this was my past week.

love you.....

so, that's the problem.....

Well, yesterday was a gorgeous day at Catalina Island. Bob and I went snorkeling off the boat. It was wonderful, except my mask kept fogging and I swallowed too much salt water. But Bob was ever so patient as he held my hand and pulled me around (even the gentle flipping of the fins aggravates my ankles) But after 45 minutes we were ready to grab two lounge chairs in the shade of a palm tree and relax. After a while we decided to walk out from the beach with our masks on and see what could be discovered right off shore. There was the smallest out cropping of a reef--2 feet high and maybe 8 feet long. It's amazing what was *hidden* there in plain site!

striped fish, bright blue fish, tiny silver fish, etc.

We're not talking one or two, but dozens! We even followed a flounder as it skimmed along the ocean floor. What was nice for me is I could stand in the water when I needed to. I much prefer being able to touch bottom.

After a delicious lunch, we rested and read and talked and rested and read and talked until we went back in the water again.

By the way home I was exhausted and just physically drained again. We came home, took showers before returning to SCORE to eat dinner with the group. Unfortunately, before we left the apartment I was rinsing out our suits, towels, etc from the salt water, when the hose came detached from the washing machine. Would have been better had we discovered it 5 minutes sooner than we did, but I now have a very clean laundry room floor and today I washed all the towels and the two rugs (crocheted with fabric strips) that got soaked.

Got up this morning after 11 hours sleep and felt like I could go right back to sleep. Then the body aches started. We think I picked up a bug, so that would account for much of the exhausted feeling, as that is the way it has hit me before. Body aches pretty much confirm a *bug*. Bob left to go over to the clinic and I went into the bathroom. That's when it hit me! DUH! I forgot that here I canNOT brush my teeth with water right from the tap. Ten months out of the country wiped that intelligent fact from my brain. So for 4 days I've been using Dominican tap water to brush! Praise the LORD for antibiotics.

As I was leaving the ministry center, Joe (landlord) was videoing a nice big tarantula on the otherside of the property wall. Then when I went to open the gate to pull the car out, we noticed a baby tarantula right next to the gate. I HATE tarantulas! YUCK! This is the first that we've seen any near the apartment. I want them to go away. Mama tarantulas only have one baby at a time, right??????

I need rest.....

Well I've been here since Monday afternoon and I am exhausted. I have been away from our apartment for 10 months. Part of that was our furlough and almost 4 months in Costa Rica. But 5 months was in Virginia. Anyway, our apartment was closed up from mid-July thru the end of December. Bob did try doing some cleaning when he returned the end of December but has had to concentrate on the clinic and medteams.
With the heat and amount of dirt that just is always everywhere, the apartment isn't just dirty it actually feels dirty. Monday Bob went to put clean sheets on the bed before I got home. Unfortunately, the replacement sheets were musty when he pulled them out. So he laundered that load before going to the airport. Every piece of clothing has to be washed. They just have either a musty or old smell about them. This includes all sheets, towels, etc. Every surface is coated in grittty grime. Much of our stuff was packed into plastic bins. With being gone that long, we pack things up to protect incase of a leaking roof. So, everything has to be put back in place, so we have a home and don't feel like we are living in a storage unit.
I spent Monday evening cleaning our room. I'm still working on the rest of the apartment. All dishes have to be washed before using too. Only hot water is in the bathroom tub in the showerhead, if I remember to turn on the hot water heater and wait 45 minutes.
I'm physically adjusting to the heat (fortunately, the humidity isn't too bad).
But I think I'm recovering from emotional stress also. My time in Lynchburg was to help Shan with her separation. As a mom it is hard to watch your child suffer and hurt. It's not any easier when that *child* is an adult. I so wanted to protect and shield her. I wanted to be strong for her and take some pressure off from her. I know she's hurting and has a tough time ahead. As much as I wanted to be back here with Bob, leaving her and the grandkids was very difficult.
So, please pray for me as I feel drained. Bob has had a surgical team and a medical team all week, so I've only been able to see him in the evening (with 30 other people around for most of the time) Tomorrow the groups are going to Catalina Island and Bob and I *have* to go to lead the groups. I am so looking forward to the time with my husband and just relaxing. I LOVE the groups...don't get me wrong, but I'm really hoping that tomorrow they can entertain themselves on the boat and the beach and won't need my husband's attention the majority of the time.
Please pray for strength for me---emotional, physical and spiritual. I'm tired!
love to all and enjoy your snow!

Yes, I'mmmmm baaacccckkkk!

It's been a long two months. My attentions and energies were not in posting to my own blog. Sorry but the LORD had other requirements of me.
But today I have time to blog. For some reason when I try to post on ~d, charity's or lyndie's blog it won't let me. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but it's asking for my google account. Anyone know wny? It's frustrating to finally get time to respond and have everything rejected.
~d: your blog is about a movie. I haven't seen it or even heard of it. But I have had the "joy" of watching Disney's Little Mermaid more times than I ever care to again in one week. Actually if I never see the movie again, I would be quite content.
I disliked the movie when it came out while Shan was in high school. Time has not made the heart grow any fonder either.
*16 year old girl longs for things she cannot have
*Father gives her stern warning against going to the surface
*She deliberately disobeys. gets herself involved with a demonic creature (the character actually calls herself a demon/witch)
*Girl makes a pact with this demonic creature.
*"rescued" before she loses her voice permanently
*receives her Father's blessing and gets what she wants in the end. (The rewards of disobedience?)

Is there something in this movie that I am missing? Some *redeeming* quality? Of all the kids movies I have seen over the years, this one has bothered me the most. Am I missing something?