Fun loving people, spanglish, chicken fights, swollen ankles because of bug bites...and that's just the start of it.

  So Tuesday was when I got to go to my site for the first time. I had met my site leader Geidy (pronounced Hayti) a little before but it was literally just a brief 'Hola' and slight hug then back to where we were eating. So I got to my site, which is Social Work in Los Higos and la ciudad es muy muy bonita!!! (very very pretty!). The hills are all just rolling green and yet I've really only seen them with lots of cloud cover and rain haha Yet it still made me think of the Sound of Music LoL I could only imagine what they looked like when the sun was over them and this morning driving in I got to see a little piece of that. But as soon as it shone through, the clouds rolled right back in and threatened lots of rain. When we parked our car I noticed a group of teenage boys standing around in about a 3 foot circle and and yelling and screaming. Kind of thought it was a fight but then realized they were all looking down at something. To my astonishment it was 2 roosters and they were fighting. Now we walked right passed them and I wanted to stay and watch but more because I could not believe what I was seeing and that I was so intrigued that they would do such a thing. I almost wanted to go and yell at them! I then made the connection that the yelling and screaming was all taunting them to keep fighting or kill the other one. So then about 10-15 minutes later we were sitting in our building and our door was open and happens to look right at where they all were. I watch one man walk away with a rooster held under his arm and looking down at the ground...slowly I see the wing of the other rooster kind of waving and then he just stomped on it!!! I couldn't believe what I just saw...but he just picked it up and carried it away with the other one. It literally was one of the craziest things I have seen here. 
  So my site leader Geidy does not speak much english at all - which #1 puts me in a very tough and sometimes uncomfortable spot...okay maybe that a little lie...it's very uncomfortable. She doesn't really try to include me in a lot of conversations we have when we go see people at their houses, so I am often sitting in a chair just looking around and trying my best to understand and be polite and considerate.
  A boy 16/17 years old named Elvis (but pronounced Elvi) showed up while Geidy was trying to give me the orientation and ended up doing his best to translate, she along with I were both very happy that he showed up. The sad thing is because of all this I can feel myself closing up and basically hiding in an invisible shell. Why do I do this? It makes me mad and uncomfortable with myself. I think the only way that it can be fixed is #1 to pray about it, #2 start studying spanish at night and #3 keep my head up and smile...while doing my best not realizing I am being eaten alive by bugs. Because of this particular bug, which just so happens to be called a noseeum bug (say it real slow and laugh ;P), and my ankle is now starting to swell and it just doesn't feel good =/ oh well haha
 So anyway after writing the above ^ in my journal I had gotten cut off and Geidy and I, after drinking some coffee with our sugar, headed back to the base. While I journaled I was praying and the second we got in the car it was like my spanish (very little of it) came back to me and then we had some pretty good conversation just getting to know each other and our backgrounds. So I got to come back and write about it and was very uber excited about it. 
  So going back to Sunday night (trying to catch you all up) I gave my testimony along with a couple other people. After each person went someone would volunteer to pray for that person. Vicki (our beautiful Team Director) prayed for me and gave me a 'word of encouragement' before she prayed. It went a little something like this..."Wanting to get to the place you were with God in Fiji and wanting to go back there is a great thought but in reality it will only discourage and disappoint you because you should only be trying to go passed that and getting even closer with God. Don't do something you have already accomplished it won't get you anywhere. Strive for something more." I almost wanted to cry hearing her say that and with such joy and encouragement toward me I really took it to heart and realized how true it really was. 
  Then since the first group of teams are happening these 2 weeks we as interns are expected to go to the chapels in the morning with them just so we know what they will be talking about all summer (since with every outreach it will be the same). So this morning the Art Site Leader, Fransisco (we call him Fran) did his talk on Sin. Now I got more out of the part after he talked about sin if that makes sense...and this is one of them (sorry it's a backward image but you get the idea) That if we know God. If we have a relationship with God; There is no reason you shouldn't run to God every single time. And he gave an example of him and his son, who respects him as a father, wouldn't go running to some stranger calling out his name but would stay close to his father or run to his father calling his name versus the stranger. He also said that if we consider ourselves a disciple, we have to be discipled by someone, as well as us having to disciple someone. If you fall in love with God it will last forever. 
  Then tonight we got to be a part of staff bible study, which is every single person who works for SI down here and their significant other and/or kids. An american man who has been living down here for about 2 years and now has a four month old boy named James - love that name! So he talked to us about 'calling' and our calling from God. He says that our calling is how we determine how to live our lives. like David in the bible he was called to be four different things throughout his entire life. Though we do live in an imperfect world and times happen when we hear the wrong thing and may understand our calling as the wrong thing. And if that happens it is something that we should fess up to and realize what we had interpreted wrong and then go on and fix it. We may suffer if we choose to do what we want or what God doesn't have planned for us. Yet when we do fulfill the calling God has for us we understand who we are. If you are being called by God to do something, he is the only one who could fulfill it. God knows us better than we do ourselves - and we need to accept that. And those are just some insights to what he talked about which was amazing. two great sermons in one day was really cool to be a part of. I feel like as interns we sort of get an in a sense better side of things because we get to participate in these sorts of things. 
  So now I have to go off and finish my bible readings for the day. It is quite the bible study we have going on for us interns this summer and it will be an adventure. Almost reading the entire bible! Great things happening and it's only been a week here =]
  Keep your eyes open for any little thing God could show you. 

Playing a little catch up!

So I decided that I should probably write a little about what I am actually doing here so far haha though it may sound like lots of fun...well that is because we are! =]
5-19
The day we got here it was like 11 am, when we finally got out of the airport we walked out to a huge group of people waiting on both sides of an aisle - basically think Red Carpet style haha And at the very end we saw two big signs saying 'Mija' and 'Americana Ariana' haha It was great to see Christine and Jeff with Vicki. We piled into the truck and drove to our new home in Jarabacoa!!!! I think when we drove up and walked in Brittany and my jaws dropped to the ground, because we were not expecting how great this place looks haha So since the rest of the Interns didn't come in till that night the 4 of us got to catch up and have some TCC hangout time. I think Christine and Jeff really enjoyed seeing two faces they recognized! We then drove into town that afternoon and then just had fun walking around and familiarizing ourselves with the town yet again.
5/20-5/22
Finally all the interns are now here and are having a super awesome time just getting to know each other. Here is the video we had to put together for the 'rules' to show all the teams that come through lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU9pWDSxyks&feature=player_embedded#at=68

More coming soon I promise! Just super tired and busy...and lots of other stuff that needs to be done. (I just like to keep people on their toes lol)

And it all starts!!

So yes I am finally here! I cannot believe it happened so quickly! haha here I have been complaining about it just coming so slowly and now finally we are here. We have only been here two days (almost) and have gotten along so well already =] While being here so many great things have happened and been very open and hilarious! All from reading the 'quote book' that was started and just getting to know each other and where everyone is from! Here is a picture of all of us interns (minus 2, Kelly and Jesse). The water wasn't even that cold...well as we thought it would be haha Tomorrow we get to go on another hike - yippeeeee hahahaha Just wanted to add a quick picture of everyone and will put a more extensive blog post later on when I have more to talk about ;P 


smile. 

Mmm..the wonders of Holland

So I got to come out to Holland for this weekend and cannot say how excited I am that I actually got to make it out here! I mean with leaving to the DR coming up so soon...but honestly I can't say I am not happy I got a little vacation after this past semester. A little refresher moment. My dad and I brought over 12 horses between the two of us and there were two people who had their own horses making us have 15 all together. It was so fun with them and all - especially because the tv's decided not to work in the whole plane leaving us with 9 hours and 30 min with reading a book if we had one. 

So yesterday we went to go watch my little cousin Iris show her horse and then after that we got to see my new little cousin--well she should be and i consider her that! Nienke is beautiful in the pictures that I've seen that I could only imagine what she may look like in person =] I imagined right to haha She is beautiful!! I mean look at her...and the fact that I haven't held a baby in so long is making this an even sweeter moment! 

These two are the proudest parents right now haha I think especially Didi (Gerrit Jan - the DADDY) haha Him having a baby, especially a daughter, he is literally on cloud 100 right now. There is no wiping his smile off for quite a while I am sure of it. Everyone is so happy for them both - you could say we've all been waiting for this day to come =]


By the way, Happy Mothers Day to this beautiful glowing new mommy and to my Momma back at home as well as Beppe, Karin, and Annelies =] And every other mom I know out there - you know who you are haha 


Today I believe we are heading to Marrit's house and possibly going to see my cousin show again today. We shall see! Hope everyone is having a fantastic Sunday - or going to be! 

Have peace and joy today. 

Who I am.

I like going on walks ... I like holding hands. I like going to the beach, no matter what time it is. I like looking at the stars and I love hiking. Camping is something I enjoy. I love falling asleep in the arms of someone who loves me ... I like being kissed on the forehead and having my back rubbed. I love massages no matter who they're from. If you give me one, I will melt. Guaranteed. I love taking pictures. I love laughing, I love being silly, and I love when people aren't afraid to be silly sometimes. I like cartoons. I love to swim and play in the water and I love board games. I like to sing when I am alone, even though I'm not very good at it. But if you ask me to sing for you, I probably won't. It has to be spontaneous. Music is important to me and I will not tolerate music that is degrading or crude in any way. I love snail mail ... I love cards. I love getting mail, but I like sending it even more. 

Generally speaking, I think before I speak -- especially in large groups. But once you get to know me, I am an open book. Don't be put off by my apparent shyness ... because shy is the last thing to describe me accurately. I love when people open doors for me and pull out my chair for me. I want to be respected -- I want my feelings and my thoughts to be respected. I'm not always as confident as I seem. I love being held. Always. Sometimes I don't want to talk about what is bothering me ... sometimes I just want a hug ... someone who will let me cry. I like when people aren't afraid to show what they're really feeling. I don't like when people run from their true feelings because it doesn't do anyone any good. 

I do not like being told things just to make me happy. I would rather be told the truth and be hurt than be "protected" and happy. I overreact sometimes. Don't be afraid to tell me I'm wrong or out of line. I might not be happy about it at first but I will come to realization soon. I like people who are strong enough to face me when I'm raging ... people who will let me be angry for a little while. When I'm hurt, I withdraw. I threaten to run away from the situation that is causing me pain. All I want is to be told honestly that I'm loved. 

I love paper and journals. I love the smell of new books and leather.  I love sweatpants ... I love having my hair in a messy bun. I love being comfortable and I love being told that I'm beautiful, even if I'm in sweats and my hair is a mess. I am just as comfortable in a skirt as I am in sweats. I like to work, it makes me feel productive and useful. It keeps me from being idle. I dislike feeling useless. Though I absolutely love being able to do nothing when I want to. I love staying up late and I love sleeping though I do not think I will never sleep enough. I love to paint, even if it is a replica of some sort. If it turns out good I am very proud. 

I love reading for hours on end ... especially outside on a breezy and sunny day. I love the sun ... I love being at the perfect temperature, not hot and sweaty. I especially love playing in the rain and sitting outside when it's stormy. I really love making snowmen and snow angels and skiing and just plain being in the snow. 

I can't wait to teach my kids the way my parents taught me. 

I love the fact that I will one day have kids and MY parents will be the grandparents - the Pake and Beppe. I can only dream of the day I can turn them to grandparents. How proud and happy they will be. All the things they will help teach my kids. How much they will spoil them. 

I can’t wait to step out onto the isle of my wedding and see my future husband up there standing and waiting to turn around and see me. I can’t wait to see his face. I can’t wait to have my daddy here on earth walk me to the beginning of my new life with the man I have found and God leading us to wherever he wants us to be. 

I love riding horses. If anything I regret in life is when I stopped showing and riding. But it’s something I chose and I wish I hadn’t but I am glad that I can still saddle up and enjoy myself whenever I am home. I can’t wait to hopefully live somewhere I can have my horse in my backyard and be able to just go out and watch her graze. Get on her and my husband on another and just take an afternoon stroll. 

I cannot wait to bring my kids up the way I was, out in the country and free spirited. Able to do just about whatever I imagined with all the space and my imaginations ran wild.  Smelling the flowers, playing in the dirt till the sun goes down, sitting in the pool till the later hours of the night arguing about what to make for dinner once we would get around to it. Sleeping out in a tent in the backyard but going in the house in the middle of the night because of the sprinklers coming on or because it is to hot - okay and maybe for when it got to scary. 

I love to travel. In a plane more than anything. I want to go everywhere I can get to in my life. I hope that God has that in His plan for my life. Whether it is somewhere here in the states or off into a random timbuktu country not many people have been to. And whether it is for pleasure or for work either will do to please me. Just put me on a plane and let it fly. 

I am a small piece of treasure. We all are. And I am treasured by God and by my Family. I think my family tries their hardest to be the best family they can be and there is nothing I can do but be thankful for them and what they do. I don't think they know how much I miss them when I am away at college, but I do. I just can hope everything is going as well as it seems to be. 

Joy. Peace. Love. Happiness.