What a family...

There's just this unexplainable joy I get when I see Nestor and Kimberly's faces light up when I ask if they want to play Dominoes. I realized last night and today how much I've come to love them as my little brother and sister, and how much I'm going to miss having them scream "Tiffannnyyyy!" when I win at dominoes or we are chasing each other around. I've focused a lot on the classes, church, and teaching but today I just stopped for a moment and truly appreciated this family. It's been wonderful to be in the house of Victor once again and to be apart of their family. I have never seen a brother and sister who love each other the way Nestor and Kimberly do, and they are so open in sharing their love with their parents too, hugs and kisses all around in this house! ... Victor and Yudermy are with-out a doubt wonderful parents and I admire what they have instilled in Nestor and Kimberly. God truly blessed me last year when he placed me with this family and no amount of money could ever repay the hospitality, the love, and the wisdom that they have shared with me. 

I admire how active Victor is as a pastor, his work doesn't stop after the sermon is over, he's involved in the lives of the people here, he plays basketball with the youth and maintains friendships with everyone. He's always there to listen and welcomes anyone to his home. His philosophy is "this is not mine, this is God's so why not share it?" I hope this mentality continues to stick with me. 

Yudermy is the most devoted wife and mother I've ever met, she is such a quick learner, and I can tell that she's understanding a lot better now in English. I enjoy talking to her and observing her as she teaches Kimberly, helps Nestor with his homework, keeps up a spotless and beautiful home and does So much more. The neighbors adore Yudermy and come to visit her all the time, she's also very admired in the church, the ladies all love her and she is a great teacher with the young children. She stays very active and involved and she is so devoted to God, its evident in everything she says and does. I hope to be half the mother and wife she is one day, she truly is amazing. 

Oh and my dear little bro Nestor, who's energy is ever abounding and his competitive drive matches mine perfectly. At first it was difficult to talk and understand but as time went on we've developed our own way of communicating and I love spending time playing with him. He is so smart and picks up on things really fast, if he had the desire to learn English I know he'd speak it in no-time as every time I've had someone at the house for a lesson he'd just walk by and start repeating whatever it was that we were saying. He's an incredible kid and I can't wait to see what he's like as a teenager!

And sweet little Kimberly who wants so much to remain the baby but at the same time wants to be a big girl and be independent. She's grown up so much over the past year and I love it when she comes in my room to have a little talk. I can understand her so much better this year and its wonderful to talk with her because children have more patience than adults and a lot of the time she just thinks its funny when I say something. I think she's liked having an older sister as I now have a shadow whenever I stand at the mirror to brush my hair or if I put on makeup before church or something, she loves using chapstick because she says she's a "little lady" when she has it on. I'll miss the moments of giggles and smiles with her and having her fall asleep in my arms almost every time we're in the car. :-) 

God has blessed us all with amazing families, and I hope today that I can learn to appreciate my own family back home as I've learned to appreciate my dominican family. My mom told me a long time ago that God placed her on this earth to be a light in my life to guide me along the path until it was time for me to light the way for someone else. Let's all thank our parents today for being that light, without them, none of us would be where we are. 

What goes Up comes back Down.

I believe each day is a new learning experience and a chance to learn to "go with the flow."

When thirty kids are not paying attention it can be frustrating and easy to just get angry but I've learned to instead, improvise. Ok so what? The kids are restless and can't sit still, what do I do? I take them outside! Make up a game on the spot so they can practice their english words & get them running around and all of a sudden the bored faces turn into smiles and laughter! I am truly the student here & the dominican kids are my teachers, I'm constantly learning to adapt to new situations, try new things, & to never Ever expect things to go as planned. :-)

I can't wait to start applying things I've learned here to life back in America, so many things need to change!... Ok so I know the truth hurts but here it is, we are just too darn busy and in a hurry all the time! Who cares if things don't go the way we think they should go, if they didn't we'd miss out on some great moments like trying to help my entire class build a human pyramid and then seeing them all crash to the ground and everyone laughing and having a great time. 

I'm constantly making plans, trying to stick to a schedule and make sure everything gets done, but ya know, from now on I'm looking forward to days where I can just let the Unexpected happen because its often during those moments that God says, "hey you! I'm trying to get your attention!"

Sure I could get frustrated and try to force a class to happen, but we learn so much more when we are just having Fun. I know crazy thought, fun? what's that? I work too much, I don't have time for fun! What do ya say we make a little time for fun today, you never know what you'll learn if you do. 

God Bless You, have a wonderful day, and make some time for Fun! 

I'm Falling in Love

I think people are funny to watch when they are falling in love. You know, the huge grin they seem to have plastered on their face and the way they seem to look as if they are daydreaming all the time. Don't you remember those moments when you completely embarrassed yourself just trying to impress that person you were falling for? 

When love is your driving force you'll Do anything, Say anything and Go anywhere just for the one you love. 

I've been thinking a lot recently as we are preparing for a lot of baptisms this coming Sunday about my life as a new christian versus my life now. On Sunday I sat there looking at the baptistry and remembered that it was just a year ago that I watched my dear friend Tresa have her sins washed away and I remember seeing her glow and the huge grin that was on her face. She's probably going to kill me but I dug up a picture and that is what I'm showing you... 

Tresa smiled all that day and it was truly evident that she felt the love of God in her heart stronger than before. 

I am excited for the dominicans here who have made a decision to follow Christ because I know that in the moment their sins are washed away and they come up out of that water they too will have the grin of someone in love, they too will be ready to do anything, say anything and go anywhere just to share the love of God that they feel with someone else. 

This is probably not the way you expected this entry to go after reading the title, but it's true, I am falling in love all over again with Jesus Christ my Savior. When I wake up I know I've been blessed with a new day, when I feel the warmth of the sunshine and I am able to get the laundry done I know its because He blessed me with the strength to do it. When I'm working out and feel that I just can't do it anymore I feel His love giving me the drive to go a little further. When I'm at the church and I'm singing my heart out I imagine my Jesus smiling down on me from heaven and that puts a grin on my face unlike any other. 

Everyone has a desire to fall in love at some point in their lives, I just pray that every person will accept the gift of the strongest love in the world... from the God that created you and me.

Since that day in 1995 when I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I must admit I've been on the greatest roller coaster ride of my life. Accepting Jesus means you also except the sometimes hard life that follows, if you don't believe me just read about his disciples who at times starved, were ship wrecked, thrown in jail, hated by people... you name it they experienced it. But what kept them going? A love that never fails, that is patient and true, the love of Jesus. Sure I've had my ups and downs and sometimes I've even had to just spin around for awhile; but following Jesus Was and Is the best decision I will ever make because each and every day I fall more in love with Him and I am willing to Do anything, Say anything and Go anywhere just to share His love with someone else.  

My challenge to you is this... are you ready to fall in love? He's been waiting for you all this time. You thought you were running from Him but really he was running beside you the whole time just waiting for you to stop a moment so he could tell you He loves you. He says he doesn't want to harm you, he has a plan for you, to give you hope and a future if you will just seek him... with... All... Your... Heart.(verse for the week)... Sure he wants your mind and your talents too, but first, He wants your Heart. Do you have that silly grin on your face yet? If not, go have a talk with love of all loves, He'll put a smile on your face, guaranteed....