Wednesday, December 21, 2005

We're home!!!!

We arrived safely at home on Saturday night. On Sunday we spent time with Daniel's extended family. Sunday night and Monday night we spent time with my family. During the days we've been shopping and wrapping and doing some relaxing. But now, we're finally done shopping and we can breath.
It's great to be back in Wheaton, but it's very cold! Although I'm glad to see snow and it's not to bad to be in the cold knowing we're going back to warmth in a few weeks.
Now that we're home, we'd love to talk to people and hang out. If you want us to call you, send us your number (Joanna and Ashley, I think I lost yours when I got rid of my cell). We'll email our vonage phone number out soon. :)
Alright, well, we'll update you when something exciting happens. hehe ;)

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Almost there...

3 more days! I am so excited I'm about to burst. It's been so hard to concentrate on anything knowing that we'll be back in Wheaton soon. This week had dragged on. Every day I've been confused on what day it was (yesterday I thought it was Wed. Today I keep thinking it's Thur.) But, we only have two days of school left and then we leave on Saturday! In spite of the slow, tiring week, though, tonight was a bright spot. For bible study (there is a separate girl's and guy's English bible study on Wed. that some JCS and Escuela Caribe people attend) we've been going through the book of Hebrews. It's loaded with lots of deep connections to the Old Testment, comparing the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, etc. Tonight we went through Hebrews 9. It talked about Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins once and for all, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrifices that the people had to do continually. How blessed we are that our sins have been paid for- completely and totally! It amazes me how perfectly God fit everything- especially between the Old and New Testament. I've been going through the Christmas story with my students, and explaining some about how God prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus came how it would happen. It's like puzzle pieces fitting together to make a beautiful story. How glad I am to know that God is in control! Well, those are my ramblings for the night. Now that we have our own internet, we'll be able to share more about what's going on in our minds, not just in our house and school. :) God bless!

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Weather, Pizza, and Cookies

What a beautiful Sunday! Esta Domingo lindo! It is very sunny and over 80 degrees. You can check it out here: http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/DRXX0004.
This is the weather report for La Vega, a city a little ways down the mountain. (1000 feet lower in elevation). It's the closest weather report we can find. It's hard to believe that it's almost Christmas and it's strange to listen to Christmas Carols when it's so warm out!

It's been a busy week for both of us, trying to catch up from last week and write final exams which are due on wed and thurs. Friday night we have the boys from my (Teresa's) class over to our house for pizza and games. All five of them came and we had a great time! They declared it was the best pizza they'd ever had. :) Aren't they sweet?
Saturday, after shopping at the Veggie market and having a huge Dominican lunch and ice cream for 180 pesos total (about $6), we had a JCS cookie baking day at our house. We made tons of sugar cookies, some for the JCS party next Friday, and many for all of us to keep. We also made graham cracker cookies with brown sugar and butter. We ate way too much sweets. Then for dinner Leah made us fajita pizza (a Leah speciality) and we went to another staff members house for a Christmas party. She lives with girls that work at other ministries in the area, so it was fun to meet people outside of JCS. All in all, we've had a good weekend and are soooo looking forward to coming to Wheaton in a week! Yay!:) It's almost here. I hope the next week goes quickly! :)

Friday, December 09, 2005


Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus (the Chases) Posted by Picasa

The play Posted by Picasa

Carolers Posted by Picasa

Decorated for Christmas! Posted by Picasa

The Christmas Program Posted by Picasa

Our Christmas tree:) Posted by Picasa

The "campout" Posted by Picasa

Our first Thanksgiving together! Posted by Picasa

Playing our guitars Posted by Picasa

Our Thanksgiving meal Posted by Picasa

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Thanksgiving and the Christmas Program

It’s been a busy week! Last week we had Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful and relaxing! After a filling meal of the traditional Thanksgiving foods (except cranberry sauce L ), we went home to rest for a bit. Then in the evening we went to The Chase’s house (a couple that works at JCS) with some other teachers and “camped out.” We were going to go camping Friday night, but it had been rainy and wet, so we didn’t think it would be a good idea. So we decided to camp out at the Chases Thursday night. We played settlers, sang songs, watched a movie, and Daniel and I slept in their guest room. So it was nothing like camping out except that they had a tent set up in their living room that a few teachers slept in. The next morning Steve Chase made us a wonderful breakfast of waffles, scrambled eggs, and turkey (for Daniel who said it was a tradition to have turkey mixed with mayonnaise and garlic for breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving. We put mayonnaise and garlic powder on it. It was good). After a relaxing morning, we went back home and relaxed some more.
This past week was a crazy week for JCS. Last night (Friday) we had the Christmas program, which Daniel and I volunteered to help plan. It was a Christmas dinner combined with a school play and dancing. So all week we were preparing for that. It turned out pretty good (and Dominican- last minute changes, kids running everywhere, people showing up 45 minutes late who were supposed to run things, etc.) We had our Jesus change last minute too, and it was the first time we had everyone together who were in the play (students here have no concept of practice- none of them wanted to practice beforehand- it was like pulling teeth!) But, taking all that into account, it went pretty well. We did the story of the three trees (it’s a neat, short story, you can look it up online if you’ve never heard it). The three trees dream of becoming something great. But they become a tiny fishing boat, a manger, and a cross. They are very disappointed, but then realize that they played a part in something bigger than they could imagine- the story of Jesus Christ’s salvation! Included in the play we had ballet dancing, and to start it off, some of the older students danced a traditional Dominican dance. Then dinner was at 8:30 (early for Dominican programs!). Daniel, another teacher, and a group of students did a few caroling songs during dinner. It was the first time JCS did something this big for the Christmas Program, so I think people liked it.
In two weeks Daniel and I will be flying to Wheaton! We’re excited to see family and celebrate Christmas with them. On January 1st ish we’ll be driving over to Upland to visit people. Those of you there, let us know if you’ll be around and want to get together! Wheaton and area people- we want to see all of you!
Oh we also thought you might want to know that it’s about 80 degree and sunny here. In case you were wondering. ;)
P.S. We would love to hear from you and if you email us we will do our best to write back! :)