Braulio & Tara in California

2009-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

We went to visit the Arias Family in Tulare. Alexis was one of Braulio's high school teachers in Jarabacoa who now lives in California.

Fuimos a visitar la familia Arias en Tulare. Alexis fue unos de los profesores de Braulio en el liceo y ahora vive en California.
We visited family.

Fuimos a visitar su familia.

We went to a fun baby shower, where Braulio, Alexis, and Socorro all competed in the games.

Fuimos a un bebe chower divertido, donde Braulio, Alexis, y Socorro competieron en los juegos.

Later that night we went to primo's house, where the boys played pool basketball.

Despues en la noche, fuimos a la casa del primo, donde los hombres jugaron baloncesto en la piscina.

We had a great time and Braulio got a chance to visit someone important to him.

Gozamos mucho y Braulio tuvo la oportunidad de visitar alguien importante en su vida.

Trip to Michigan

2009-07-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

I went to Michigan to visit with Lindsay and Amanda.

Fui a Michigan para visitar a Lindsay y Amanda.

We also were there to celebrate Natan & Lindsay's wedding.

Tambien estuvimos alla para celebrar la boda de Natan y Lindsay.

Amanda and I went to Lake Michigan. I have never been to a lake so big you can't see the other side.

Amanda y yo fuimos al Lago Michigan. Nunca he ido a un lago tan grande que no se ve el otro lado.

I also found myself with Shelby where, true to Shelby form, we had an adventure with the conejito, a broken roof, and a dresser.

Tambien, me encontre con Shelby donde, segun su forma, tuvimos una aventura con el conejito, un techo roto, y un gabinete.

I also got to spend a few days with my in-laws, Raul & Katie.

Tambien, pase unos dias con mis cunados, Raul y Katie.

If you want to check out the pictures, find me on Facebook. (Shameless avertising alert) If you don't have Facebook, I highly suggest you join; it's the best way to keep up with people's lives.

Si quieres ver mas fotos, buscame en Facebook. Si no tienes Facebook, sugiero que te inscribas; es la mejor forma de quedarse al dia con la vida de uno.

2009-07-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

We went to the DR!

Fuimos a la RD!
Hanging out with the family...

Hangueando con la familia...

My dreams have been answered. Bruno is at the Young Life Camp, Pico Escondido.

Mi deseo fue contestado. Bruno esta en el campamento de Vida Joven, Pico Escondido.

We went to Sosua Beach.

Fuimos a la playa en Sosua.

It was a great trip and we are thankful for everyone who supported and helped us in some way on this trip!

Fue un viaje increible y estamos agradecidos por todos quienes nos ayudaron y apoyaron de alguna forma en este viaje!

2009-06-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated Braulio's Birthday by having a party with his friends.

Este fin de semana celebramos el cumpleanos de Braulio con una fiesta con sus amigos.

There was a lemon cake with candles to blow out.

Hubo un bizcocho de limon con velas para soplar.

And lots of desserts too.

Y muchos postres tambien!

Many friends came...

Vinieron muchos amigos...

And there were presents too!

Y habian regalos tambien!

Nueva Casa

2009-06-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

Our New House

Nuestra Nueva Casa

ELD Festival

2009-06-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday I went to a festival and BBQ with my ELD students. It was to celebrate our cultures and being bilingual.

El viernes fui a un festival y asado con mis estudiantes de ELD. Fue para celebrar nuestras culturas y siendo bilingues.

Feria

2009-05-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

We went to the local fair.

Fuimos a la feria local.

Bro's Birthday

2009-05-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my brother, Brian!

Feliz Cumpleaños a mi hermano!

Mom and Brian

Mami y Brian

Braulio and Tara

Braulio y Tara

Grandma and her husband, Bob

Abuela y su esposo, Bob

Girl's Weekend...Fin de Semana de Amigas

2009-05-10T21:35:00.002-07:00

This weekend my two great friends, Beth & Katie, and I went to LA for our dear friend, Kristin's wedding. It was quite an adventure and it all started with a little plane ride...

Este fin de semana mis dos mejores amigas, Beth y Katie, y yo fuimos a Los Angeles, CA para la boda de nuestra querida amiga Kristin. Fue un aventura total y todo empezo con un vuelo corto en avion...

Then some normal LA traffic...

Despues trafico normal de Los Angeles...

Don't forget to paint your toe nails...

No se olvida a pintarte las uñas de pie...

Great friends always make a the best adventures...

Amigas buenas siempre hace las mejores aventuras...

A beautiful wedding and an awesome celebration...

Una boda hermosa y una celebracion incerible...

Check out all the awesome pictures by clicking on the link to the right!

Mira todas las fotos haciendo clic en la cajita que esta a la derecha!

Etna, California

2009-05-04T22:18:00.003-07:00

We went to visit my Aunt who lives up North in Etna, California.

Fuimos a visitar mi tia que vive en el norte en Etna, California.

She put us to work chopping wood for her fireplace.

Nos hizo trabajar cortando leña para su chimenea.

Braulio did most of the work!

Braulio hizo la majoria del trabajo!

Her house is very beautiful and located in the most peaceful spot on earth!

Su casa es muy bella y ubicada en un lugar lleno de paz!

It was a nice break from the craziness of our busy life in Chico.

Fue un descanso lindo de la locura de nuestra vida ocupadisima en Chico.

Check out our pictures with the link on the right!

Vea nuestras fotos, haciendo clic en la caja a la derecha!

2009-04-13T14:41:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter!

Feliz Dia de la Resureccion!

2009-04-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Braulio's trip to Reno was canceled because his Driver's License didn't arrive until Sat. So Tommy, Lacey & I decided to take him to our casino - in Oroville.

El viaje de Braulio para Reno fue cancelado porque no llego su lisencia a timepo. Tommy, Lacey y yo decidimos llevarlo a nuestro casino - en Oroville.

We ate at the steak house on the top floor. It was acctually one of the best meals we have ever eaten in our entire lives.

Comimos en el resturant en el ultimo piso. Fue una de las mejores comidas que hemos comida hasta hoy en dia.

Voices of Sorrow

2009-04-08T08:23:00.001-07:00

I'm doing a research report on the Hmong people. This is something they don't teach us in the history books...

Voices of Sorrow

Typical Sunday Domingo Tipico

2009-03-22T15:29:00.002-07:00

My Mother-in-law came to visit this weekend.

Mi suegra vino este fin de semana.

We had a typical American breakfast. We ate pancakes and sausage made by Tara.

Comimos un tipico desayuno americano. Comimos panque y salchicha hechos por Tara.

Quinceñera

2009-03-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

One of my ELD students, Tanya Arevalo, invited me to her Quinceñera. It was one of the most beautiful, ellaborate affairs I've ever been to.

Una de mis alumnas de ELD, Tanya Arevalo, me invitó a su Quinceñera. Fue uno de los eventos mas hermosos y increibles que he asistido.

27 de febrero

2009-03-01T16:07:00.002-08:00

The 27th of Feburary is Dominican Independence Day. So we had a party!

El 27 de febrero es día de la independecia de la republica dominicana. Asi que tuvimos una fiesta!

We were so busy partying we didn't take that many pictures.

Estuvimos tan ocupados en fiestar, que no tiramos muchas fotos.

Change Cambio

2009-02-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

On Friday my ELD class did an awesome activity with the song Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. We talked about how if we want to see change, we have to start with ourselves.

En mi clase de ELD hicimos una actividad con la cancion "Man in the Mirror" por Michael Jackson. Hablamos de que si queremos ver cambio en el mundo, tenemos que empezar con nosotros mismos.
It is so amazing to think that these are the future leaders of our communities if they chose to be.

Es increible pensar que estos alumnos son los futuros lideres de nuestras comunidades si ellos eligen eso.

Be the change you want to see in this world. Gandhi

Sea el cambio que quieres ver en este mundo. Gandhi

Felicidades/Congradulations

2009-02-18T21:27:00.002-08:00

This is the imported Dominican beer that Braulio drank to celebrate his becoming an official US resident.

Esta es la importada cerveza dominicana que bebio Braulio para celebrar su aprobacion de su residencia americana.

We are very thankful to all the support we've recieved since we've moved here. Thanks to all our friends and family.

Estamos muy agradecidos para todo el apoyo que hemos recibido desde que nos mudamos para aca. Gracias a todos quienes nos han apoyado!

2009-02-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Snow/La Nieve

2009-02-15T15:07:00.002-08:00

Braulio and I decided to take a short trip to the snow today.

Braulio y yo decidimos ir en un viaje corto para la nieve hoy.

It was very beautiful. If you look at the picture below, the small dark dot in the center is a car...that's how big those pine trees are!

Fue hermoso. Si miras la foto abajo, la pequeña mancha en el centro es una jeepeta...así son de grandes están esos pinos!

We had a really good time and even got to help a few different people get un-stuck in the snow.

Lo pasamos muy bien y pudimos ayudar a alguna gente trapatada en la nieve.

It was an amazing reminder of how beautiful nature's creation is.

Fue un increible acuerdo de la belleza en la creación de nuestra naturaleza.

We went to a small town called Sterling City.

Fuimos a un pueblo que se llama Sterling City.

2009-02-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

Feliz Día de Amor y Amistad

Braulio and I had dinner with the other couples from our Church Real Life Group, then we went salsa dancing.

Braulio y yo nos cenamos con las otra parejas de nuestra celula de la iglesia y después fuimos a bailar salsa.

Bike Ride/Andar en bici

2009-01-31T21:39:00.002-08:00

So as many of you can tell by our un-updated blog...our life has been pretty mundane lately...

Como muchos ya saben por nuestra pagina sin informacion nueva...la vida nuestra ha sido muy normal ultimamente...

We went on a bike ride to the park, where we saw some red woods.

Fuimos en bici para el parque, donde vimos unas matas de "madera roja."

These are relatively small and Braulio said they were the largest tree he'd seen!

Estas estan consideradas pequeñas y Braulio dijo que eran los arboles mas grande que el ha visto.

It would be fun to take him to see the coastal redwoods in So Cal sometime.

Seria divertido llevarlo a ver los arboles de madera roja en la costa del sur de California.

So everything's good. We are settleing into a routine in life, which is refreshing after so much big change in our life.

Todo bien. Estamos acostumbrandonos a la rutina diaria de la vida, la cual es muy refrescante despues de tantos cambios grandes en nuestra vida.

Setting Sun

2009-01-12T15:06:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

Feliz Año Nuevo a todos nuestros queridos!

Happy New Year to all our loved ones!

We wish you a year full of blessings a peace.

Les deseamos un año lleno de bendiciones y paz.

First Hunt Primera Caza

2008-12-29T18:32:00.002-08:00

Today Braulio went hunting for the first time.

Hoy Braulio fue a cazar por primera vez.

His Father-in-law, Mike, taught him all about hunting.

Su suegro le enseño sobre cazar.

After many hours in the blind, they returned with their ducks.

Después de unas horas en su sitio, volvieron con sus patas.

"Yum. I can't wait to eat duck" he said.

"Um. No puedo esperar a comer pato" Braulio dijo.

Upon arriving at the house, he asked his lovely bride (who is aware of the difficulty and time consuming task of cleaning the bird) if she would help.
"Hah! Not likely. I'll cook the other things" she replied.

De lluegar a su casa, él le preguntó a su linda esposa (quien está muy entendida de la dificultad y tiempo que se necesita de limpiar el ave) si ella quiere ayudar.
"Ja! No wei. Yo cocinaré la otra comida" respondió ella.

They ate duck and potatoes and lived happily ever after.

Ellos comieron pato y papas y vivieron felizmente para siempre.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T09:46:00.001-08:00

Lake Almanor Nieve

2008-12-22T11:12:00.002-08:00

Braulio's first visit to the snow.

El primer viaje de Braulio a la nieve.

The first thing he did when we got to the cabin, was to build a snowman on the deck.

La primera cosa que hizo fue hacer un hombre de nieve en el balcon de la cabana.

We went to Lake Almanor.

Fuimos al lago Almanor.

Tree Hunt

2008-12-06T17:00:00.003-08:00

We went to cut our Christmas tree in the Butte Meadows, some mountains near Chico.

Fuimos a cortar nuestro pino de Navidad en las montanas cerca de Chico.

We went with our friends Tommy and Lacey (pictured). We hiked up, down, and all around trying to find a tree we liked.

Fuimos con nuestros amigos Tommy y Lacey (en la foto). Caminamos para arriba, abajo y en todas partes de una montana buscando un pino que nos gusto.

Braulio cut our tree down with a trusty machete. What! Only in the hands of a Dominican would you call it a "trusty machete."

Braulio corto nuestro pino con su confiado machete. Que! Solamente en las manos de un dominicano dirias "confiado machete."

Even though our tree isn't perfect, we're proud of it.

Aunque nuestro pino no es perfecto, estamos orgulloso de el.

Christmas Lights

2008-12-02T20:39:00.001-08:00

Braulio climbed up on the roof and put up the Christmas lights.

Braulio subio al techo y puso las lucesitas de Navidad.

San Fransisco

2008-12-01T20:19:00.003-08:00

San Fransisco, California

Braulio riding the famous SF cable car.

Braulio montado en el famoso carril de cable (no usa gasolina ni electricidad - funciona por un cable jalado bajo la calle).

Braulio with Alcatraz (an old prison) in the background.

Braulio con la isla de Alcatraz (era un carcel famoso en los 50) en el fondo.

Braulio touring an old war submarine.

Braulio dentro de un antiguo submarino de guerra.

Braulio and I in the Botanical Garden.

Braulio y yo en el Jardin Botanico.

Braulio playing the Wii Mario Cart for the first time with our friend Steve.

Braulio jugando el Ninetendo Wii por la primera vez con nuestro amigo Steve.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T19:59:00.001-08:00

Run for Food

Braulio, my mom and I all participated in The Jesus Center's (a local homeless shelter & soup kitchen) 3rd Annual Run for Food.

Braulio, mi mama y yo participamos en el maraton del Centro de Jesus (un sitio para ayudar los que no tienen casa y entregar comida).

Braulio and I only walked it because his leg is still bothering him. All the money was for a good cause!

Braulio y yo solamente caminamos porque su pierna le molestaba. El dinero es para ayudar los necesitados en nuestra comunidad.

Then we had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all my family.

Despues tuvimos una cena tradicional para el Dia de Accion de Gracias.

Braulio got to carve the 20 pound turkey - sort of.

Braulio partio el pavo de 20 libras- mas o menos.

We are very thankful for all our family and friends, both here and in the DR, who love and support us.

Estamos agradecidos por nuestra familia y amigos, ambos aqui y en la RD, quienes nos aman y apoyan.

Missing the DR Hace falta la Rep. Dominicana

2008-11-11T13:32:00.002-08:00

Rice, beans and a fried eggs! Who misses the DR?

Arroz, habichuelas(o como dicen nuestros amigos mexicanos, frijoles) y huevos fritos! Quien le hace falta a la rep. dominicana?

Welcome to CA! Bienvenidos a California!

2008-11-02T16:16:00.002-08:00

If you can see on my neck - that is POISON OAK! I got it from petting a dog that had just gone for a run in Upper Bidwell Park. Talk about something I never had to worry about in the DR! (Some where Shelly is laughing.)

Si puedes ver en mi cuello - tengo una reacion a una planta de aqui que se llama roble envenenoso. Lo contagie de un perro que acaba de ir al parque salvaje que tenemos aqui. Aqui esta algo por la cual nunca me preocupaba en la RD.

Halloween

2008-10-28T15:45:00.004-07:00

Our friends Tommy and Lacy came over for some good old fashion American tradition. We carved pumpkins.

Vinieron nuestros amigos Tommy y Lacy para una tradicion americana. Pusimos las caras en las calabazas.

This was something new for Braulio and he did the best face by far.

Esto fue algo nuevo para Braulio y hizo la mejor cara de todos.

We also roasted the seeds and ate roasted pumpkin seeds - my favorite.

Tambien tostamos las semillas de calabaza y las comimos - mi favorito.

Aren't they cool?

No son chulas?

Honeymoon La Luna de Miel

2008-10-23T17:02:00.002-07:00

We went to Napa Valley for our honeymoon. It was incredible. We learned so much about grapes and the wine making process.

Fuimos a la valle de Napa para nuestra luna de miel. Fue increible. Aprendimos mucho acerca de las uvas y el proceso de hacer vino.

We saw great sights. We ate tasty food. We drank good wine.

Vimos algunas vistas grandiosas. Comimos comida muy sabrosa. Bebimos vinos ricos.

We stayed at an amazing inn called the Candlelight Inn in Napa. Each room we stayed in - we got to stay in two - were unique and special in their own right.

Nos quedamos en un hotel lindo que se llama Candlelight Inn (Luz de la vela). Cada habitacion donde nos quedamos - tuvimos el privilegio de quedarnos en dos - fue unica y especial.

Our trip to Napa not only represents the beginning or our adventure together, but also a wonderful experience to add to our lists.

Nuestro viaje a Napa no solamente representa el comienzo de nuestra aventura juntos, sino tambien una experiencia increible para poner en la lista.

The Wedding La Boda

2008-10-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Husband and Wife!

Marido y Mujer!

Braulio lighting the five candles that represent his family that couldn't be at the wedding.

Braulio prendiendo las cinco velas que representan su familia que no pudieron estar presente en la boda.

With mom, without whom this wedding couldn't have been what it was. Thanks!

Con mama, con quien esta boda era unica por su ayuda y presencia. Gracias!

There was even a donkey!

Aun habia un burro!

With the Albert family, Dad, Karla & Brian. Their support made the whole amazing beautiful thing possible. Eternal thanks!

Con la familia Albert, Dad, Karla y Brian. Su apoyo hizo la boda increible y bella. Mil gracias!

Check out the pictures on www.flickr.com/photos/arat316
Vea las fotos en www.flickr.com/photos/arat316

Rehearsal Dinner Cena de Practica de la boda

2008-10-17T20:24:00.001-07:00

Most of our California family.

La mayoria de la familia en california.

The bride and groom!

La novia y el novio!

Braulio with Aunt Sharron.

Braulio con Tia Sharron.

Bye to Being Single Adios a ser soltero/a

2008-10-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today was our Bachlorette/Bachlor Parties. My friends gave me a shirt that says bride, they wore ones that said friends of the bride and gave one to my mom that says mother of the bride. It was very sweet.

Hoy fue nuestras despedidas de soltera/o. Mis amigas me dieron una camiseta que dice novia, ellas tenia unas que dicen amigas de la novia y mi mama tenia una que dice mama de la novia. Fue muy preciosa.

Braulio hung out with his guy friends over beers and burritos. They had a great time too.

Braulio y sus amigos pasaron el tiempo con cervezas y burritos. Tambien lo pasaron muy bien.

Caught Sleeping!

2008-10-13T13:54:00.001-07:00

A new Addition La Familia Crece

2008-10-11T19:00:00.003-07:00

We have some new family members in our home.

Tenemos algunos miebros nuevos de nuestro hogar.

Braulio and I brought home two parakeets. We'll see how Nellie (or Nango as Braulio has taken to calling her) likes it.

Braulio y yo trajemos dos aves a la casa. Veremos com le gusta Nellie (o Nango como Braulio la llama) le gusta.

Motorcycles! Motores!

2008-10-09T18:50:00.001-07:00

Un amigo mio me pidio que le arreglara su motor. Fue bueno hacer algo que me encanta hacer. Me hizo sentir en casa poder salir a montar motor por un rato.

A friend of mine asked me to fix his motorcycle for him. It was nice to be back doing something I love to do. I also felt more at home taking it for a spin around the block (to test to see if it worked right).

Este amigo toca en una banda y la otra noche cuando fui a verlo tocando, me dio la gracias delante de todo el mundo por arreglar su motor. Me alegro poder ayudar a un amigo.

My friend plays in a band and the other night when I went to see him playing, he thanked me from up front for fixing his motorcycle. It makes me happy to be able to help a friend.

Fish Hatchery Criadero de Peces

2008-10-06T17:14:00.002-07:00

Today we went to the Feather River Fish Hatchery. We learned all about the California Salmon and Steelhead.

Hoy fuimos al criadero de peces del rio "Feather River." Aprendimos del salmon de california y de otro pez "Steelhead."

Salmon migrate from the ocean to the hatchery where they were born. They are then herded into pens where they are sorted for breeding.

Salmon migra del mar al criadero donde nacieron. Depues estan juntados en guardarias donde estan organizados para reproducir.

The fish that are ready to breed are then killed. The eggs are removed from the females and the milt from the males. They are then combined in storage facilities where they will incubate until term.

Los peces que estan listos para reproducir, los matan. Sacan los huevos de las hembras y el "milt" de los varones. Despues se mezclan los dos en lo que parecen cajones grandes donde estan guardados hasta que cumplen su tiempo.

The baby fish are then kept outside in small tanks covered with mesh so the birds can't get them. When they are adolescent fish they are then released where they will make their way to the ocean to begin the process over again.

Los peces bebes se guardan en tanques chiquitos que estan cubiertos en algo para que los aves no se los comen. Cuando son peces adolecentes estan soltados al rio donde migran al mar donde empieza el ciclo otra vez.

Don't worry. The fish that are salvageable are given to the Native Americans and poor. The ones that aren't fit to eat are taken to the rendering plant.

No te preocupes. Los peces que se puede comer estan regalados a los indios nativos de los estados unidos o a los pobres.

Sierra Nevada

2008-10-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

My mom came to visit and we went to the famous Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Mi mama vino a visitar y fuimos a la cerveceria famosa Sierra Nevada.

There is a sampler where you get to try many of the different kinds of beer that they brew.
Hay una cosa que se pide donde puedes probar un poquito de muchas de la diferentes tipos de cerveza que hacen.

Braulio tried all of them. He didn't like the darker beers.
Braulio probo todos. No le gusto tanto las cervezas mas pesadas, o oscuras en color.

His favorite was the Anniversary Ale, which they only brew in the Autum. He also liked that India Pale Ale and the Wheat.
Su favorita fue la "Anniversary Ale," la cual solamente hacen en el otono. Tambien le gusto la "India Pale Ale" y la "Wheat."

Airfest in Chico

2008-10-01T14:16:00.002-07:00

We went to the Chico Airport to see the air show.
Fuimos al europuerto de Chico para ver el show de aviones.

There were all kinds of airplanes. Many of them did tricks in the air.
Habian muchos aviones diferentes. Muchos hicieron trucos en el aire.

There were also lots of old cars as well as motorcycles.
Tambien habian muchos carros reliquias y igual que motores.

We sat in the sun for 5 hours and definatly enjoyed our day. Check out the pics on Flickr.
Nos sentemos en el sol por 5 horas, pero me disfruto el dia. Chequea las fotos en la pagina de Flickr.

Hungry Con Hambre

2008-09-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Since I arrived here a few weeks ago, I've loved eating the food. I have even gained almost 20 pounds!

Desde que llegue hace unas semanas, me has encantado comer la comida. Hasta casi me he subido 20 libras!

Let's Go Giants! Vamos Gigantes!

2008-09-07T08:58:00.002-07:00

We went to a Giants game against the Pirates.
Fuimos a un partido de los Gigantes y Los Piratas.

They wore "Gigantes" uniforms to honor Orlando Cepeda.
Ellos pusieron uniformes con la palabra "Gigantes" para honrar Orlando Cepeda.

Garlic fries rock!
Papas fritas con ajo!

We won!
Ganamos!

Labor Day

2008-09-02T17:08:00.003-07:00

For Labor Day we went to the Feather River Canyon, where I spent much of my childhood.

This is where I grew up.

Braulio in front of a piece of old gold mining equipment.

There are many hydro-electric powerhouses throughout the canyon, as well as many damns. The water was way too cold (for us anyway) to swim much.

These are the flood levels from previous years.

Primera Margarita

2008-08-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

We went to Tres Hombres with my mom while she was up visiting from Concord. Braulio had his first Margarita and we both ate some of the best carnitas in town. (Warning: shameless advertisement) You can never go wrong with Tres!

The Bear

2008-08-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

My first drink at the Madison Bear Garden! They have a cool inside with stuff everywhere.

My first Bear Burger.

My First Slurpee!

2008-08-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Braulio drinking his first 7-11 Slurpee!

Our First Purchase Nuestra Primera Compra

2008-08-25T13:55:00.004-07:00

About 4 blocks from the house is a Salvation Army store. We purchased our first TV, which we needed because the one that is in the house didn't connect to the previously unused DVD player. Braulio was amazed that we could get such a big TV for only $20! I was amazed that we could transport it 4 blocks only using the dollie and no one stopped us.

A mas o menos 4 cuadras de la casa hay una tienda de Salvation Army (vende cosas usadas). Compramos nuestra primera television, la cual necestiabamos porque la otra no funcionaba con el DVD. Braulio penso que era increible conseguir una television tan grande en $20. Yo pense que era increible que pudimos transportarla caminando con un dollie y nadie nos dijo nada!

Landing Aterrizaje

2008-08-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is for our friends in the DR:
Este es para nuestros amigos en la RD:

Arriving Llegando

2008-08-23T09:15:00.003-07:00

Well everyone, we arrived safely in Sacramento. From now on the blog will be in both English & Spanish in order to be able to share our experiences with our Dominican friends. After 4 take-offs and landings, Braulio is an expert at flying. During the first rough patch of turbulence, I grabbed his arm and said turbulence makes me nervous. He looked at me and said it's just a few more pot holes in the road. That made me laugh out loud and not be so nervous during turbulence.

Bueno todos, llegamos bien en Sacramento. De ahora en adelante el blog estara en ingles y espanol para poder compartir con nuestros amigos en la Rep. Dom. Despues de 4 despueges y atterisajes Braulio es un experto en volar. Durante una turbulencia bien fuerte, le agarre su brazo y dije que la turbulencia me pone nerviosa. El me miro y dijo que solamente hay que pasar unos ollos mas. Eso me hizo reir and quito los nervios durante otras turbulencias.

Doulos Despedida

2008-08-12T07:28:00.003-07:00

It's official. Braulio and I will be leaving the DR and arriving in Chico, CA on Thursday Aug 21st. We've both experienced many different emotions as we prepare to leave. But one thing is for sure, we are loved very much here. The staff of Doulos gave us a Going-Away party and I was humbled that so many came.
God always comes first...praying...

Sancocho - a traditional Dominican stew eaten with white rice & avocado. It's really good!!!

Everyone enjoyed the sancocho. Thanks Minerva!

Braulio with his family. They will miss him deeply.

Welcom Home

2008-08-01T06:05:00.003-07:00

It's great to be back in the DR! I am noticing small culture shock changes, but nothing that brings discomfort yet. One big change is AMET, the traffic police have arrived in Jarabacoa. They are enforcing the helmet law, the registration and insurance law, as well as the no underage driving law. It is amazing to me that as humans, we just need a law to make us do what is good for us any ways.

A sign that says "Don' throw trash" and all the trash on the ground below it.

Braulio with his helmet on!

Summer in Chico

2008-07-18T16:43:00.002-07:00

So far my vacation has been going well. I have gotten to spend some time with Maia, my best friend, Beth's 5 month old daughter.

I am reading about marriage since I am engaged and mostly what I've begun to understand is it is one of the ultimate incarnate examples in life of dying to ourselves and our selfish natures in order to serve someone else. As I spent time with Maia and Beth, I realized that having children is the other ultimate incarnate example on this earth of dying to our selfish nature. I am sure no parent says it is easy, but I would hope if they are seeking Jesus, they would say it was worth it.

I have also spent a lot of time with my family. It has been good. There are times when it all feels so normal and natural and other moments where culture shock sets in and I feel like I am a foreigner in a strange place.

Wordly Riches or God's Riches?

2008-06-28T08:43:00.003-07:00

I am reading the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Sider. The more I read it, the more God opens my eyes to a biblical perspective of wealth and abundance. As I read it, God convicts me of some of our cultural attitudes that do not bring him glory and helps to teach me to see money and possessions from his perspective. After reading this small quote on possessions I hope that you too will begin to take an honest look at your own attitudes about wealth and possessions, while seeking God’s opinion.

An abundance of possessions can easily lead us to forget that God is the source of all good. We trust in ourselves and our wealth rather than in the Almighty. When we focus on ourselves, we forget no only God but also the people he created. In our self-absorptions, we are fooled by the pleasure of possessing.
Most Christians in the Northern Hemisphere simply do not believe Jesus’ teaching about the deadly danger of possessions. Jesus warned that possessions are highly dangerous-so dangerous, in fact, that it is extremely difficult for a rich person to be a Christian at all: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:25 NRSV). Christians in the United States live in one of the richest societies in the history of the world, surrounded by a billion desperately needy neighbors and another two billion who are poor. We are far more interested in whether the economy grows than in whether the lot of the poor improves. We insist on more and more, and reason that if Jesus was son un-American that he considered riches dangerous, then we must ignore or reinterpret his message.
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger p.93

Always learning...

2008-06-24T08:35:00.002-07:00

Braulio working

As I think more and more about making Braulio's reality and mine into one, there is so much I realize we may never come to understand about the other. I realize that I chose this life here, he does not. It is the only life he has ever known. I cannot wait someday to share with him the other part of my life (in the US) so that we may be able to chose together! Henri Nouwen's words once again more articulately convay the truth of living here...

The winds cover everything with thick layers of dust; water has to be hauled up in buckets from below and boiled to be drinkable; there is seldom a moment of privacy, with kids walking in and out all the time, and the thousands of loud sounds make silence a faraway dream. I love living here, but I am also glad that I can escape it for two hours a day and for one day a week. Living here not only makes me aware that I have never been poor, but also that my whole way of being, thinking, feeling, and acting is molded by a culture radically different from the one I live in now. I am surrounded by so many safety systems that I would not be allowed to become truly poor. If I were to become seriously ill, I would be sent back to the United States and given the best possible treatment. As soon as my life or health were really threatened, I would have many people around me willing to protect me.
At the moment, I feel that a certain realism is necessary. I am not poor as my neighbors are. I will never be and will not ever be allowed to be by those who sent me here. I have to accept my own history and live out my vocation, without denying that history. On the other hand, I realize that the way of Christ is a self-emptying way. What that precisely means in my own concrete life will probably remain a lifelong question.
Henri Nouwen, Gracias, Wednesday January 20

2008-06-16T08:39:00.003-07:00

Unfortuanetly, we did not make it to Haiti. It's a long story, but we're back here in Jarabacoa safe and sound. Thanks for all your prayers. Here is a small story of the first day of travel.

We left Jarabacoa at 7am. We got to Santo Domingo at 9:30. It took us an hour to buy our tickets because of course they don't take plastic - only cash (I should've known). Then the only ATM in the bus terminal was broken so I had to walk blocks away to find one where I realized that I had no access to my money because I had to destroy my debit card after the identity theft I experienced last week. Thankfully I am an American (how often do I really say that in this country?) with all it's privleges - yay for cash advance.

Then when I returned I was told I had to pay part of it in dollars (no they couldn't just multiply and charge me in pesos) so I had to go find somewhere to change money. Whey would I have dollars when I live in the Dominican Republic? I don't know! Finally we made it on the bus.

Wow, what a bus! The seats converted into mini beds and they gave us lunch, soda & candy! I thought "wow, this is better than an airplane; at least there was more leg room!" I thought this for an hour then the bus broke down. We were broken down on the side of the road for an hour and half, until they sent us a new bus. So late, but not stuck they sent us another bus.

We finally got the the border and because of improper papers for Braulio we weren't able to cross into Haiti. After 12 hours of travel we were less than an hour away from my Dad, Karla and our church friends. It was definatly dissappointing. I thought "Why, God?" "What is the lesson in all this?" So we spent the night in a hotel in Jimani, the border town and prepared for the 10 hour treck back to Jarabacoa yesterday.

We arrived in the evening, tired but good. We are still praying about what is the lesson in all this...

Life as a Missionary

2008-06-03T13:02:00.003-07:00

Henri Nouwen says much more accurately what I think, feel & experience...

It is far from easy to be a missioner. One has to live in a different culture, speak a different language, and get used to a different climate, all at great distances from those patterns of life which fit most comfortably. It is not surprising that, for many missioners, life is full of tension, frustration, confusion, anxiety, alienation, and loneliness.

Why do people become missioners? Why do they leave what is familiar and known to live in a milieu that is unfamiliar and unknown? This question has no simple answer. A desire to serve Christ unconditionally, an urge to help the poor, an intellectual interest in another culture, the attraction of adventure, a need to break away from family, a critical insight into the predicament of one’s own country, a search for self-affirmation – all these and many other motives can be part of the making of a missioner. Long and arduous formation offers the opportunity for re-alignment and purification of these motives. A sincere desire to work in the service of Jesus Christ and his kingdom should become increasingly central in the mind and heart of a future missioner, although nobody can be expected to be totally altruistic. Seldom do we come in touch with our hidden drives only after long and hard work in the field. Preparatory formation and training cannot do everything. The issue is not to have perfectly motivated missioners, but missioners who are willing to be purified again and again as they struggle to find their true vocation in life.

The great challenge, however, is to live and work out of gratitude. The lord took on our guilt and saved us. In him the Divine work has been accomplished. The human missionary task is to give visibility to the Divine work in the midst of our daily existence. When we can come to realize that our guild has been taken away and that only God saves, then we are free to serve, then we can live truly humble lives. Clinging to guilt is resisting God’s grace, wanting to be a savior, competing with God’s own being. Both are forms of idolatry and make missionary work very hard and eventually impossible.

Humility is the real Christian virtue. It means staying close to the ground (humus), to people, to everyday life, to what is happening with all its down-to-earthiness. It is the virtue that opens our eyes for the presence of God on the earth and allows us to live grateful lives. The poor themselves are the first to help us recognize true humility and gratitude. They can make a receptive missioner a truly happy person.
Henri Nouwen, Gracias, Friday March 5

Chocolate Party

2008-06-02T10:13:00.002-07:00

On Saturday a bunch of us got together to have a chocolate party. Now for those of you who know me, you're probably thinking this sounds like torture for Tara (I highly dispise chocolate), but... it was really fun. Pachi brought some ice cream that was half vanilla, so I did get to enjoy some sweets. It was such a good time of community that I was reminded of how thankful I am that God would give me such wonderful community to serve with.

Cabarete

2008-05-22T06:37:00.002-07:00

Guess what...

I LIVE HERE!!! :)

All the couples...

Los Tigeritos... Ricardo, Braulio & Daniel

Mi Amor...

Last weekend we went to Cabarete. It was election weekend here, so we had a few extra days off. It was really fun to spend the weekend with so many of the people I love the most here in the DR. It was a relaxing as we head into the crazy last few weeks of school.

Master's Class

2008-05-15T13:19:00.001-07:00

Me touring Santo Domingo with my professor.

A fellow California, Pamela from Davis, has taken a few courses with me.
This last week I took another Master's class. This one was on Curriculum Design and Assessment. I learned so much and am so excited to start implementing some of what I've learned in the classroom. On top of having a great class with a great teacher - she taught us a previous class this year - I got to observe in various classrooms at the International school where the program is held. I learned so many great things and got to take the best from each teacher and classroom. It was a very busy and information packed week! I also got to take the professor around to see some of the sights in the capital. Joan DelaValle is one of the most sincere and caring teachers I've had in my educational career.

What does God want?

2008-05-06T09:58:00.001-07:00

These are the homes of a couple of my students.

As I consider what it means to be American (born with privledge) while living and serving here the DR, I feel I am called to lead an even more humble lifestyle. As I struggle with this and how I can best bring glory to God through my life, I find Henri Nouwen's words are more able to express my thoughts...

Can we truly live with the poor? Although I live with them and share their life to some extent, I am far from poor. I live in a nice home with a running water & a water heater. I eat 3 good meals a day and I get to take a hot shower, sleep in, and have relaxation when I want it.
So my living with the poor hardly makes me poor. Should it be different? Some say yes, some say no. Some feel that to be a missionary for the poor, you should be no different from them, others say that such is not realistic or even authentic.
Adapted from Henri Nouwen, Gracias, Wednesday January 20th

I will continue to seek out God's desires for my lifestyle here and be open to any changes that might bring.

Thank You!

2008-04-23T12:59:00.002-07:00

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. I am doing much better from the attack of the amoeba. I am still recuperating. Shelly, my roommate, takes very good care of me and I am deeply grateful.

Attack of the Amoeba

2008-04-21T06:09:00.001-07:00

Please pray for me. Last week I was hospitalized with an a very aggressive amoeba. I am still sick, though functional, but very weak. Please pray for my strength as there is a lot to do this week and next.

2008-04-14T10:20:00.002-07:00

Yesterday was the wedding of Micki & Daniel. She is our fourth grade teacher. It was so beautiful and so much fun.

Who's really the teacher...

2008-04-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

If anything has affected me deeply since I have been living in [Jarabacoa], it has been the children. … Yet here I am surrounded by boys and girls running up to me, giving me kisses, climbing up to my shoulders, throwing balls at me, and constantly asking for some sign of interest in their lives. The children always challenge me to live in the present. They want me to be with them here and now, and they find it hard to understand that I might have other things to do or to think about. … I marvel at their ability to be fully present to me. Their uninhibited expression of affection and their willingness to receive it pull me directly into the moment and invite me to celebrate life where it is found. … I did not know what to expect when I came to [Jarabacoa]. I wondered how the poverty, the lack of good food and good housing would affect me; I was afraid of becoming depressed by the misery I would see. But God showed me something else first; affectionate, open, and playful children who are telling me about love and life in ways no book was ever able to do. I now realize that only when I can enter with the children into their joy will I be able to enter also with them into their poverty and pain. God obviously wants me to walk into the world of suffering with a little child on each hand.

Adapted from Henri Nouwen, Gracias, Thursday January 28

The Whole Story

2008-04-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know the last blog wasn't very detailed. I have been super busy with lots of things. But here is the whole story...

On Saturday night Braulio asked me out to dinner. It was late, and I was tired, but because we are both so busy right now I wanted to take advantage of any free time with him. When I asked him where we were going, he wouldn't say. I didn't mind much. After we had gotten on the motorcycle to drive into town, I asked him again and he said La Lena - a pretty fancy, expensive restaurant. I thought that was strange because we always eat on the street. So I asked, why are we going there? He said he had gotten paid and wanted to eat a good dinner.
After we had eaten and were discussing life, he pulled out a box. At first I thought he must have something else in there - not a ring. Then he opened it and asked me to marry him. I couldn't believe it and kept repeating "What is that?" I said yes, and he had to remind me to accept it and put it on. We have filed the paper work for a finace visa, which means that when he gets his visa, we will be marrying in the USA. It should take about a year to a year and a half to get his interview. Please pray for rapid proceeding.
Love to all.

We're Engaged!

2008-04-08T09:15:00.003-07:00

On Saturday night Braulio took me out to dinner and asked me to marry him. I said yes. I was not expecting that anytime soon though. I had finally found peace in just being content with where we were in our relationship. God always surprises you! We have already filed paperwork for a fiance visa and it will come through anytime from June to December of 2009. In the mean time we both have school to finish. Email me if you want more info: arat316@yahoo.com

2008-04-07T06:19:00.003-07:00

My aide, Mark O'Neil, was hit by a car last week. He broke both bones in his leg and had to have surgery. He is doing better and is at home recovering. Please pray for him and his wife Ciara (5th grade teacher).

2008-04-01T10:02:00.002-07:00

This is a picture of one of my students, Adrian, and his family in Lego Land in California. It is a great reminder to me that just because I may leave one day, does not mean that I will lose everything I've learned here or appreciate about this culture and place. It gives me hope...

2008-03-26T12:42:00.002-07:00

Last night was the celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Doulos Discovery School. It has been an amazing journey to be a part of something so new that God is doing here. It was also lots of fun to dress up and eat a really, really fancy dinner (we don't do that very often). There were 5 people who have been with the school for all 5 years. One of them is Fransico, the day guard. He is pictured here. They recieved an all expenses paid trip to the beach for the weekend. Typical of most Dominicans in Jarabacoa, he has never been to the beach or seen the ocean. I am so excited for him to be pampered, though I know it will be hard for him to experience so much abundance after a long life of poverty. It was so much fun to remember...

Vacation!

2008-03-25T09:17:00.003-07:00

Easter break was amazing. We got to camp on the beach for four days. We only got to snorkel about a day and a half of that because a cold front from Florida made the ocean so scary that the Dominican Republic's North Coast was closed for two days. It was very refreshing and gave me the little boost I needed. I also spent one of the best days ever at a nearby river in Jarabacoa. Check out the pictures under friends on my picture page. The quote for this week:
"Guess What? Guess What?"
...Pause...
"We live here!"

Practicing new stuff...

2008-03-12T10:20:00.001-07:00

Today I put into practice one of the things I learned in my Multiple Intelligence masters class. I gave the kids an option of how they wanted to do the activity - write, draw, act, or build. They picked the one they thought they were the best at and loved most. Then they had to come up with something that represented a part of our project on Australian aniamls or something they learned. Check out some of the pics of the drawings and the things built. They are awesome. It is so neat to be able to apply what I am learning in my masters classes to see improvement in my students.

Master's Class

2008-03-04T07:26:00.002-08:00

I am in the capital again for another class. This class in on Multiple Intelligence in the classroom. I have learned a lot. Especially differentiating instruction which, for those of you non-teachers, means teaching to kids abilities and not where they are supposed to be. It has been a very interesting class. One of the spatial ways we learned to teach all sorts of subject areas and interests is through mathmatical oragami. It's not animals, it's shapes. The picture is of some of the shapes I learned to make with one of the teachers, Rachel. She is 72 and is studying her Doctorate right now. Can you imagine all the changes and fads she's seen over 50+ years of teaching? It's very inspirational.

The Roof

2008-02-26T08:15:00.002-08:00

Well, the Payano house got it's roof today. Germania (Braulio's mom) was very excited. If you haven't seen the photos of the house she lives in now, check them out on my flickr page, under Payano house. It will be such a blessing to her to have a "real house" as she puts it. All the money was donated by Katie and Raul's church in Michigan. I am so grateful to them, as this woman is such a servant who loves on all she comes in contact with. She deserves to live in a beautiful house.

The Zoo!

2008-02-22T12:21:00.002-08:00

I took my kids to the zoo today. It was fun. After 9 hours and a splitting headache I sit here writing to you some of the wonderful moments. The kids were all wonderful. They had so much fun and got to see so many animals they had never seen before. After seeing all the big animals, we had lunch. We ate lunch near this playground full of public school kids. They were yelling, pushing, hitting, not waiting thier turn or being very nice. I thought, here's the test Lord. After a wonderful time of them being good examples to the other kids, we began to pick up trash. As we were the only ones, in the midst of around 100 kids playing, some of them stopped to help us. That was a miracle I witnessed today. People here are taught to throw trash on the ground and never pick it up. Despite the challanges I face with this class, after today I am very thankful the Lord has brought them into my life. They have helped me grow in patience and perserverance.

2008-02-20T09:05:00.002-08:00

After four years of being in a country where motorcycles are the most common mode of transportation, I finally got to ride on a Ninja. It goes really fast, but doesn't feel like it. You don't think you are going that fast, and you look sideways and every thing's a blur! It was the first, and probably the last, time I'll ever go that fast on a motorcycle. Thank you, Jesus!

2008-02-18T05:33:00.002-08:00

So as I sit here, exhausted on a Monday. I confess that it is hard to be here right now. As I was getting ready for bed last night, I confessed to God my desire to go "home" I said. I said "I don't want to be here. I want to go home."
God's response to me this morning was Mark 8: 34-37 New Life Version.
Giving Up Self And One's Own Desires
34 Jesus called the people and His followers to Him. He said to them, "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must give up himself and his own desires. He must take up his cross and follow Me. 35 If anyone wants to keep his own life safe, he will lose it. If anyone gives up his life because of Me and because of the Good News, he will save it. 36 For what does a man have if he gets all the world and loses his own soul? 37 What can a man give to buy back his soul?

My translation, which I can't remember off the top of my head, said to give up himself and what he wants.

Obviously I know now is not the time to leave, but life here is wearing on me. I am tired of so much hate, so much meanness, so much corruption, so much gossip, so much lack of initiative, so much focus on only this moment and the mentality that tomorrow doesn't exist.
There are many wonderful things about this place as well. If you've been following me in my adventures here, you should know them already. My favorite being the relationship focus of the culture. But I feel a heaviness that I haven't felt before. It could be after 4 years, the attitudes of Carnival - a time when spiritual attack is high - is wearing on me. Please pray for me.

2008-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad!

2008-02-13T11:37:00.002-08:00

This is a video message for Raul & Katie Payano, Braulio's brother & sister-in-law. You can watch it if you want, but it is in Spanish. It shows Braulio, his sister Betsaida, his mom Germania, & his grandfather Victor.

Sometimes life is just...normal - even in the DR.

2008-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

I am feeling very stagnant in my life right now. I feel like every day is the same as the last. I do the same things every day then I wake up and do them all over again. It is sort of driving me crazy. On top of that I don't really like my class very much (I know you aren't supposed to say that). I like the kids as individuals, but I don't like teaching them as a class. Don't get me wrong, there are some very bright and loving kids in my class, but there are also some petty, selfish, spoiled, unmotivated and mean kids too. I think maybe last year's class spoiled me.

I do need some prayer for a few boys. The boys in this picture. Jorge, Frailyn and Fernando. Frailyn (in the middle) still can't add anything mentally (which he should be able to do), not even 2+3. Jorge and Fernando (on the ends) are behavior problems because they are completely unmotivated. They don't take pride in their work and don't seem to care about much of anything. I am at my wits end about what to do, so please PRAY!!!

Retreat

2008-01-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

These are the women in my small group at the Women's Retreat.

We were asked to pick some things that represent God's glory for us. For me it is the mountains. There is something so magestic and strong about the mountains; and here they are always intense green and full of life. They take on an even bigger picture of God's glory for me to think about how many people live up in those mountains and survive (life is extremely hard in the DR mountains). The other thing that expresses God's glory for me is the rain. For all the reasons one could think of.

This weekend was the women's retreat. It was such a good time of rest and relaxation. The theme of the weekend was God's glory; giving God glory. What does it mean to glorify God? and How can we do that? It was a weekend full of grace for me. I have recently felt much like a failure, much like someone who can't meet any of God's standards for me or my life. I feel like whatever God wants me to do, I am doing the opposite. So to have our Heavenly Father meet me in the midst of that and remind me that it doesn't matter what state of sin I am in, to always give him thanks and glory. Because ultimately giving God glory has nothing to do with me. It's not about me, about how much I am or am not living up to any standards or the things I am doing. It's all about Him receiving the glory for the amazing things he does in me and my life. Praise the Lord!

2008-01-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

Well, life takes over and once again I haven't updated my blog in a long time. Life here is usual as always, well as it's usually unpredictable.
~ It's still raining (very unheard of this time of year)
~ We're in the end of the equivalent of the World Sieres here (Go Licey!)

~ My house has been invaded with mice - yes mice (We've killed over 20 and found
babies! Welcome to living in the country side)

~ School is crazy as ever (starting our Spring Expedition)
~ Lots of friends making big life decisions about leaving or staying.

Last night was Joey and Roy's birthdays so we went bowling in Santiago. I haven't been bowling in a long time. Braulio had never bowled before in his life and he kicked every one's butt. I am amazed at how many strikes he got! We had a lot of fun.

Surprise

2008-01-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

SURPRISE!

For those of you who did not get the chance to see me, I surprised my family and friends for Christmas. It was so much fun.

I told my family that from now on we should have Christmas in the DR, because it was SOOO cold!
Check out the pics @ www.flickr.com/photos/arat316

On a sad note, last Sunday my house was broken into and they stole my computer. I am very thankful that they didn't get some other important documents, money, etc and very thankful that I was not home when it happened. Please pray for peace as I feel very threatened and that I would claim God's promises of protection.

In Memory of Griselda

2007-11-26T12:18:00.001-08:00

I haven’t had to feel the deep lose of death in 10 years. Griselda was the first person I have lost in my adult life. She is the first person in my life who has NOT died of natural causes. She is the first Dominican friend I have lost. She passed away on Friday at 3:30pm. Saturday I woke up at 8:30; the time I would normally see her walking up to our gate. She would smile her beautiful smile and we would begin to chat about life over a brief cup of coffee. She always had this cute pouty face with one eye brow raised that she would make when I said something she thought was crazy. Without her I couldn’t have become the woman that I am. Even though some might say she just cleaned my house, she was so much more. She taught me more than I could remember about Dominican culture. She was a wise woman, whose faith challenged my own. She gave me lots of good advice and allowed me to become the hospitable woman I am, opening up my home to others in need. I will never forget her or her legacy of faith and service.

Challenging Week

2007-11-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

My kids are challanging me this week in ways I've never known. As they bicker and fight like never before I begin to doubt if they are even paying attention during our devotion time and activities. Last week was Outdoor Education Week. Check out the stories and pictures on the Second grade blog (link on the right).

Griselda is not more stable. She has had some analysis' done. She has had no damage to her brain and is in a coma. The doctors are hopeful that she will wake up as they continue to give her more blood. This is the first time in my life that I have been so close to such violence. It challanges my faith with the usual questions of "why would God allow this?", "was God present with her when this man brutally beat and chopped at her with his machete?", "can God be trusted, than, to redeem the situation?". Deep down I know the answers to all these questions. I know God's plan is to bring glory to his name. Oh, that he would bring comfort to those of us that need it...

Braulio's visa appointment is on Tuesday. As we get all the letters and paper work that we need, I am challanged in my faith. Yesterday was mail day and the letter of invitation from the church (mailed three weeks ago) did not arrive. I still have a faxed version of the letter. It is God's little reminder that even if I plan and prepare and organize, He's still ultimately in control. My first reaction is it's not fair because I am repsonsible and prepared. God is still in control!!! His will, will done and ultimately it will be better.

Despite all these challanges in my faith, I am deeply thankful. I'm thankful for these challanges, as they grow my faith. I am thankful for my "family" here. I am thankful that I have the honor of living and serving Jesus here. I am thankful that I can see and experience the best of two cultures. I am thankful for so many people in the states who love me and support me. I am thankful for all that God is doing in thier lives. The list could go on and I am sure I would still forget something. In this time of Thanksgiving, try to remember these things every day - not just one Thursday in November. Thank you to all of you who've sent me Holiday greetings.

Adventure to Ensenada

2007-11-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

Amanda, Shelly and Braulio at the beginning or our Adventure!

Braulio was our hero!

The beach was incredible and it was worth it to see a new part of the country.

The day started out as any holiday. We awoke at 8:30, sleeping in for me, and began to prepare for our "Adventura" (adventure). We planned to go to Ensenada, a beautiful secluded beach about 3 hours away (according to Amanda's Dominican tio). The oil needed to be changed and the carburetor cleaned and so El Rubio was not ready until 10am. As we pulled out of town at 10:15 we were unaware of the true adventure we were on.

Before we even arrived to turn off the main hwy (about 2 hours into the trip) Braulio had to pull over and check something on the car a hand full of times. Then we pulled onto the road to this beach. It was once paved and now horrible (apparently since the time of Trujillo-that's really long). About 30 minutes down this road, the car stopped because, of what we thought, it was out of gas. As my Spanish is good enought to keep me safe, I got a ride from a car returning the way we had come to the nearest gas station. I then got a moto concho, or motorcycle taxi, to take me back to the car where Braulio had realized it was problem with the electrical stuff. We got everything back on track and moving.

We saw donkeys, goats, chickens, cows, giant spiders and many other things. Braulio had to stop the car a few more times to fix stuff and we had to get out to walk down a really steep hill (all our weight in the car makes it too low to the ground for bumpy hills). We arrived at this beautiful beach almost 6 hours later.

We did get to spend a couple of hours enjoying a very amazing beach (there were no tourists!). It definitely was a Dominican Adventure. Check out the pictures at: www.flickr.com/photos/arat316

Storm

2007-10-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have heard about the tropical storm/hurricane, I am fine. It has been raining for four days and is exepected to rain for 10 more. My feet are never dry and my clothes either. My clothes have a smell of mildew from never being able to dry and there is mud everywhere because the sun hasn't been out in four days. School was cancelled today because they are afraid one of the main bridges in Jarabacoa will be washed away. Pray for the Dominican Republic and Haiti. There is much flooding and families loosing the only things they have.

Life as Usual

2007-10-27T09:03:00.001-07:00

Masters Class:
Last week I had another masters class. This class was about Curriculum change in education. We had to do an action plan for a project. Krista and I did it on our assessments in Geography. This plan will be put into action this next semester. These classes have been a challange as I have not had to study or write papers in almost 5 years. However, they are very applicable to what I am doing and I love that!
School:
Next week is outdoor education week. We will be doing a week of study on water. First, second and third grades are going to compare and contrast a lake, a river and a pond. Please pray for safety and sanity!
Personal:
Braulio hasn't had a job for a couple of weeks. It is really beginning to affect him. Please pray that he would get work and pray that I would know how to encourage him.
My friends and I plan to go to the beach next weekend and I am so looking forward to a time to just relax.
I am doing the study Lies Women Believe in my small group. It has been good to re-examine what are my beliefs and how I can replace what isn't truth with God's truth.

2007-10-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my birthday party. All my friends came over to make wraps. Then they surprised me with cupcakes! Later that night we went dancing to celebrate a friends graduation from technical school. It was so much fun! Everyone in the club serenaded me the Birthday song—in Spanish of course. I was reminded of how much God loves me and what an awesome community he has given me here. Even though I am feeling old (suddenly those lines on my face don’t go away), I am feeling very loved. I know what you will all say—that I still have so much time and that I’m still a baby. I can see the subtle changes. I am thankful for the wisdom and maturity God has given me over the last few years. I am honored that He would allow me to live here, serve him and be transformed by his grace.

Pray for fundraising to continue studying my masters. I am currently in my second class (Curriculum Leadership and Educational Change).

This is the pasola (scooter) that Braulio finished giving a make-over. He began awhile ago and after much hard work and many hours not only was this a wonderfully working machine but also very cool. It has a flying soccer ball on the side because it was given to the soccer coach, Jose, at school. On the front it say says Doulos Revolution, which is the name of the soccer team. He is very proud of the pasolas transformation (and me too!).

Good bye :(

2007-09-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Idarlenne. She is going back to first grade. She doesn't know how to read yet and won't be able to keep up. This will be a difficult transition for her and my biggest prayer is for her friends she leaves behind in second grade. I want them to be sensitive and loving towards her situation.

Don't forget to check out second grade's blog to see what they have been up to!
www.doulossecondgrade.blogspot.com

Master's Class

2007-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

This week I have been taking my first Master's class through Buffalo University. The class is Leadership in Educational Change. It has been an interesting experience. It is a program designed for people who are already teaching, so the classes only last a short period of time. The class is in the capital at the most expensive school in the country. The people in the class are part of the International School curcuit. It is very interesting to be back in the academic world of universities, surrounded by people who aren't here in this country to benefit anyone else, but themselves.

The capital is 2 - 3 hours away and I am traveling with Krista. It has given us lots of time to chat and share. It has, however, taken all my energy. Please pray for my energy as I end this week and for the other teachers in my class. There is a cultural workshop in November (learning how to live here and not offend anyone and love others). I am praying that they would be caught by God's love and want to go.

A Loooong time...

2007-09-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone

I AM SORRY!!! Please forgive the length of time between blogs. I returned from the states and was overwhelmed with getting ready for school and helping do orientation for the new staff. Once school started I was stricken with typhoid fever. Today is my first day back after a week of doing nothing but sleeping. It was a good day considering...

I have really learned what it means to depend on Jesus. I truly cannot get through a day without him. I began the first day of school, August 21st, with a fever of 103. I worked those first four days and then stayed home last week. After this experience I also realized how lucky we are in the states for our health care system (even though some may disagree).

I miss you all terribly and the culture shock has been missing all of you. I miss seeing you, talking, praying, and just being with you.

Please pray for my strength and that I would continue to take care of myself.

End of the trip to the States

2007-07-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

It is my last day here in the states. It has seemed like a fast trip, but really was one month! I have been blessed and refreshed in so many ways. It truly was an answer to prayers after this very difficult year. I am so excited to go back and share with my friends and "family" in the DR.

As I thought about certain stores some of my Dominican friends would love to go to, but also the overwhelming feeling of TOO much, God reminded me of how it is a great example of him. After living in a place where you get two options (and one isn't a real option because it isn't good), walking into any store you are hit with a sense of being overwhelmed. So many choices, so much abundance (and in only one store!). It is a great picture of God's love for us; so abundant. He is love and can't help but love us! Or a buffet is a great example. I couldn't believe it when I could chose anything I wanted and eat all I could! It gave me a great example of what God's banquet will be like.

I was refreshed by the messages I heard at my church this month and even downloaded the ones I missed. It is a series on the myths that make us miserable and the truth that sets us free. Check it out, because it is so much the truth that I have learned living in a developing nation and you can hear about it right here in the states!

Thank you to all you helped make this month a huge blessing. I pray that God would bring more blessing and grace into your life, as he did mine this month. See you in the DR!!!

My DR Video

2007-07-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun!

2007-07-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Beth & I enjoying coffee!
I love the ice cream here!
I get to drive everywhere!
Grandma & I cleaning out her closet.

Well, it's half way through my visit here in the United States and it has been a full one. The biggest change is having to get used to the schedules. Everyone here has schedules. You even have to schedule hang out time. It is very different from what I am used to. We just stop by and visit or invite people the day before. When in the US, do like the North Americans do...
If you didn't get a newsletter or an invite to my celebration, everyone's INVITED:

BBQ Saturday July 14, 5pm @ The Simpson's in Chico (Stilson Canyon) 616 Coyote

I made it!

2007-06-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Me on the carpet!
I know it's different!

Oh my goodness! I finally made it back to Chico. I know I haven't been good about keeping up on my blog, sorry. That trip from the DR to California seems to get longer and longer every time I come. I am in my first full day in Chico and it is surreal.

Some of my observations:

1. Everything here is so BIG!

2. The toilet paper is softer.

3. Carpet is wonderful.

4. We make a lot of decisions in each day (flavors, soda, work, play, food, etc)

5. We have a lot of stuff.

6. The food is very rich and flavorful, but not as satisfying in some strange way.

7. We are more blessed than over 3/4 of the world.

One of my North American friends says that God knew she needed lots of comfort in order to have faith in him, that's why he had her born in North America. I think about my Dominican friends that struggle to put food on the table and buy pencils for thier kids to study. As I re-enter a place that was once so familiar and now is so foreign, I am reminded that God has a purpose in all things and all people. God knew from before I was born what he was calling me to do. As I feel so uncomfortable in a place that I love, I trust in God.

The Last Day of School

2007-06-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

I made it! Today was the last day. I am sitting here waiting for my last few parents to show up for parent conferences. All my stuff is packed in boxes, labeled and waiting to be moved to the other building where I get a bigger classroom (and four more students = 20). I am so excited to be able to relax and sleep until 10 if I wanted. I am excited to visit the states and all my family and friends. Mostly I am excited because I am so proud of my students and of myself. We worked so hard this year and I am so proud of the growth and accomplishments they've made this year. Teaching is a hard thing to do, but it's moments like these that make it worth it. To know you've made a difference in the life of child...