Jammin'

We officially head back in just 3 days!!  We are super excited to get back to "work" if you can really call it that.  And I mean that we love what we do in the Dominican.  Loving on people, sharing Christ's love, playing with children, and pouring into the coaches and our staff while living on an island... who wouldn't want to do this?!  :)

Throughout our time in the DR and in preparation to head back, we have been asked many times why we do this and why we live there.  Ultimately the answer to this is simple... if we don't, who will?  If we don't go to pour into these people and show Christ's love, how will they know the Truth?  And yes, there are always "other missionaries" and "other people", but if we all wait for the "others" to do it, then in the end no one actually goes because we are all relying on someone else to do it.  (And believe me, I am most often in that "other" boat.  Someone else can help that homeless person, someone else will help with that flat tire, someone else will donate to the organization, someone else...) 

These past several days have been full of excitement as we prepare to head back with a sense of renewed energy to go and work for God.  In fact, we have been jammin' - yes I went there- to some new tunes of which Dara Maclean's "Set My People Free" is my favorite.  And just give it a bit to ramp up!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQha27i1uf8  I put it on super loud and feel like a sports team ramping up for a big game swaying and yelling and just being gruff.  And the lyrics are simple and demanding and perfect.  I have actually decided it's my new theme song!! (like that song that fires you up and gives you the desire to find a punching bag)

So are we ready to head back?  Yes, because I am pumped up and ready to work and pour into our Dominican brothers and sisters.  Yes, because I am ready to grow as I know God will test us and push us beyond our comfort zone.  (And yes, because I want to show off our newest addition and be with our Dominican family!) 


Matthew 28:19

What's been happening?

August already??!!  What??!!  I know it has been quite some time since our last post, and I must say quite a bit has happened since then.  For starters, we are now a healthy family of 4!  Praise God.  Ryann Nicole Arredondo (pronounced Ryan) was born 7/11/14, weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 20 in long. 

Now, she is a thriving 5 week old weighing in at 9 lbs 4 oz.  I believe we have done a little bit of growing since birth. :)

Aubrey is doing amazing with her little sister and absolutely adores her.  She is full of kisses, hugs, touches and just love for Ryann.  This is such a blessing as I prayed for this for many months before Ryann.  For an easy transition for all of us but especially Aubrey.

J has been quite the traveling man this Summer between the Dominican, the States, and Cuba.  After Aubrey and I left in June to come home for our new "bundle of joy", J stayed to wrap things up and prepare for our being gone until August/September.  He came back to the States in time for his 31st birthday and Aubrey's 2nd birthday (same day).  He was here for Ryann's birth and then a few days later headed back to Sosua for AIM's second summer camp.  According to J, it was a wonderful week full of love, play and even more salvations.  They had several prayer walks, crusades and lots of time spent with the youth from the Woodlands church. 

(A beautiful masterpiece from God in Sosua.)

 

J returned in time for us to drive to Amarillo and surprise my mom for her 60th birthday.  This was a great reunion with my family (my oldest brother and family flew in from Virginia and my middle brother and family live there in Amarillo). 

 

 

We returned to Houston and J left a week later for camp in Cuba.  According to J, the trip in Cuba was amazing!  "It was incredible being there with the children and teaching them about baseball, soccer, and volleyball.  More importantly though, we got to play with those kids.  And thank God for our Cuban brothers and sisters who did an amazing job of preaching and sharing their testimony.  Because of their obedience, many children prayed to receive Christ.  Cuba is a beautiful country with even more beautiful people."

 

 

 

 

We are planning on visiting my dad this coming weekend in Arizona and then looking at heading back to the DR either next week or the following week.  We have officialy received Ryann's passport in the mail, so we are ready to go according to the government.  We will await the final ok from our pediatrician, but so far she does not see any reason we shouldn't be able to go back soon. 

Other than that, we have been spending time with J's family, our donors and ultimately adjusting to 2 kids and an infant again.  I must say we are extremely blessed to have two very easygoing kids who are willing and able to travel wherever, whenever. 

We are excited and ready to get back to work in the Dominican with our brothers and sisters.  Praise God for this opportunity!

And as always, we could not do this without your prayers and support.  Thank you to each of you who have spent time in prayer for us and the work AIM is doing, and thank you to each of you who are supporting us financially.  Our being in the Dominican is only possible through your generosity.

With love!!

"Daniel said:

'Blessed be the name of God from age to age,

for wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons,

deposes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have

understanding.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness,

and light dwells with him.

To you, O God of my ancestors,

I give thanks and praise,

for you have given me wisdom and power,

and have now revealed to me what we

asked of you,

for you have revealed to us what the king ordered.'"

 

Daniel 2:20-23