Blessing upon blessing

Bienvenidos a la Republica Dominicana!  We arrived safely yesterday afternoon and were greeted with 6 of our Dominican brothers!  It was such a blessing to be so warmly welcomed and they followed it up by having a pizza and soda ready for us for dinner.  It was very nice not having to run to the store and make something for dinner while getting resettled.  And it has been great seeing all our friends on the street.  :)  They came over yesterday afternoon and basically have not left since (minus a few hours overnight and morning school time).  But it is great to be home again and back into our routine.  However, we are all still adjusting to the 2 hour time difference.  We are excited for the work we have ahead including (God willing) moving to Las Terrenas, more discipleship and SUMMER CAMP PLANNING!  I know God has HUGE things in store for this summer and I cannot wait to get started on this. 
But, first our stay in the States was such a blessing.  It was refilling and rejuvenating and prepared us for more time here.  Family time was amazing between both J's family, my family and all our extended family through church and friends and the world!  We were blessed in numerous ways and God continues to pour out His blessings on us.  If you don't know, we actually hosted a Dominican fundraising dinner while in the States to ask for donations for our time here.  When we initially set out, we agreed on 1 year to 18 months.  Now that the specified time had passed, we needed to renew and increase our fundraising for both our family and our ministry.  And you know, God provides!!!  Although He may not always provide or answer prayers in the way you think, He answers in His perfect way.  :)  This past Monday alone was so joyful as God poured blessing after blessing into our lives.  We are humbled to be on this journey with Him and I pray we continue to seek Him in all we do both in the ministry and in our lives. 

Now for some pictures of our time in the States...

We visited my mom in Amarillo over Christmas.  It's hard to see but it's actually snowing in this picture.  (Can you tell we are raising a Caribbean little girl?  She was not overly excited about the freezing weather nor the snow.)

A picture of my mom and Aubrey playing.  (Sorry Mom, I liked this one!) :)

Ryann's first Christmas morning!

Aubrey on the drive back to Houston with her new "Frozen" blanket.  But I had to take a picture of that hair and all the static.  It was crazy.  (Something I am definitely glad to have again- humidity.)

The girls playing at J's mom and dad's house.

 

 Aubrey and Grandpop (J's dad) posing for the camera.

 

Aubrey waiting in the airport to head back to the DR.  We bought her some Minnie Mouse kid headphones for Christmas not knowing exactly when she would use them.  However, God provided an amazing gift from Dr. Ramsey when she gave us this Nabi Jr. tablet on Monday night!  What a gift and blessing!  (It's like God has everything planned out and knew what was to come!)  :)

Back in the DR.  We always bring a few crafts back.  So here they are painting butterfly magnets.  (Another blessing, most of the clothing Aubrey will be wearing for quite some time was donated from the Forward family including this shirt!)   

Playing on the patio.  (Morris family- the princess shoes are getting LOTS of wear here!)

Loralee and Ryann playing this afternoon.  (And, yes, it's mid 80s here!)

 

 

Being the worrier I am, I tend to over stress about the little things and how to provide this or that.  I know our God is sovereign and takes care of all of it (even the red lights).  So why do I spend so much time worrying and stressing?  Because I am human.  This is part of my faith and my spiritual life I am growing in.  It is hard (very hard) and I try to take control of it EVERYDAY!  But it's at moments like these when I realize and see God provided us everything including the needs and some desires.  We are humbled for the blessing to live here in the DR with our brothers and sisters.  And I pray God continues to grow us to be more faithful and more dependent on Him. 

 

 

 

"You are radically dependent on God to do something in your life that you could never do." 

-David Platt

 

 

p.s.  Ryann has a tooth!  I can see it and feel it.  Please be praying for comfort for her as she is definitely uncomfortable.

 

p.p.s. Funny moment of the day... mix up of the words enojado for mojado. 

What was said: Be careful, the butterflies (magnets) are still angry (enojado).

What was meant: Be careful, the butterflies are still wet.  #spanishfails (not a real twitter but should be)

 

p.p.p.s.  Speaking of Twitter... AIM is on twitter now!  @AIMforGod  And thanks to the best Director of Communications, J and I are on twitter.  @JaimeAIMSforGod

Although I do not fully understand (showing my age here) how to use twitter, this is going to be awesome to share God's story here in the DR and all across the world.  So please follow us, or join us, or like us or whatever you do with twitter so you can be a part of the work God is doing all around.