November has come and gone and we barely realized it was here due to the flurry of activities each week held.
Along with daily visits to baseball fields for one-on-one time with coaches and Bible studies with athletes, Miguel started a small group for a few of the coaches who have a thirst to go deeper than the regular outline of devotions and basic discipleship. He began with three coaches and in a month's time that number has doubled. We are so excited to see these individuals grow in their relationships with Christ and begin to apply the teaching they receive to their daily lives and the way they disciple their own families.
Another joy is the addition of two baseball players who gave their lives to Christ as a result of gleaning from the truths Miguel has been sharing and watching their coaches change as they apply those truths to their every day habits!
We celebrated Thanksgiving twice this year. Wednesday evening with a few of our church and work friends who are American or like family to us. And Thursday afternoon with a big community of missionaries an hour away.
Is it hard for anyone else to believe that the end of the year has begun? We're already a week into December and time has been flying by with wrapping up University finals, finalizing work stuff, and preparing for our trip to the States.
Miguel is trying to brace himself for cold weather and stave off nightmares of all the things that could go wrong on his first experience flying, and even leaving the island.
Thanks to our sister-in-law, he has a thick winter coat custom made waiting for him as soon as we arrive. :D
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers during Miguel's residency visa process. They were all answered!
On Nov. 27 we headed to the U.S. embassy for a 9 AM interview appointment. That morning, there was a problem with their computer system and our appointment was delayed for another hour and a half. But once we got in, the entire interview took less than 10 minutes and we were on the road again within half an hour! We are so excited to be able to take time to travel to the States for the Christmas season - and be together this time! Last year, we had plans to spend the season together here in the DR, but my youngest brother, Anthony, died in a car accident on December 11, and the unexpected trip to Michigan extended through Christmas. It was not easy when we had planned to celebrate together and instead mourned apart.
God's grace has continued to pour over our lives this past year, even in the darkest moments. While it will be difficult to spend this holiday season with a gaping hole in our family, it will not be without hope. Through the tears, we will be celebrating the joy and wonder of knowing Anthony is living with our Savior - that he is truly celebrating the reason we have Christmas.
We'll also get to celebrate a new addition to our family - this time in the form of a sister-in-law. My younger brother, Lewis, is getting married Jan. 6, '18 and we are thrilled!
Below is an outline of our schedule for this trip. We know it's a busy time of year for most people so we've carved out several days before and after the busiest time to be able to travel a little.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas!
Along with daily visits to baseball fields for one-on-one time with coaches and Bible studies with athletes, Miguel started a small group for a few of the coaches who have a thirst to go deeper than the regular outline of devotions and basic discipleship. He began with three coaches and in a month's time that number has doubled. We are so excited to see these individuals grow in their relationships with Christ and begin to apply the teaching they receive to their daily lives and the way they disciple their own families.
Another joy is the addition of two baseball players who gave their lives to Christ as a result of gleaning from the truths Miguel has been sharing and watching their coaches change as they apply those truths to their every day habits!
We celebrated Thanksgiving twice this year. Wednesday evening with a few of our church and work friends who are American or like family to us. And Thursday afternoon with a big community of missionaries an hour away.
Last night FCA DR had our annual staff Christmas dinner to mark the end of the work year and officially kick off vacation season. Instead of taking time off during the summer, all of our staff members get most of December through the beginning of January off to celebrate the holidays and spend valuable time with their own families while recharging for a new year.
Every month, we marvel at how true God's grace has been to answer our personal prayers for a truly Biblically sound church to plug in to. We started attending services at our small local church right after getting married and around the same time that our pastor officially stepped into his role (the same pastor who did our premarital counseling and performed our wedding ceremony), and which now finally has a name - Abundant Grace Church. We love growing alongside our fellow believers and being involved in the changes that are happening in the community as a result. It's difficult to find churches here that are truly living and serving in the capacity that Christ has called us to as His bride. Many evangelical churches leave a sour, legalistic taste in the mouths of the communities they are established in, which results in many people (believers and non-believers alike) to hold Christians at an arm's length and not want to get involved or trust that grace and love are actually real. We are humbled to be able to be discipled as we disciple others - to be poured into as we pour out.
Is it hard for anyone else to believe that the end of the year has begun? We're already a week into December and time has been flying by with wrapping up University finals, finalizing work stuff, and preparing for our trip to the States.
Miguel is trying to brace himself for cold weather and stave off nightmares of all the things that could go wrong on his first experience flying, and even leaving the island.
Thanks to our sister-in-law, he has a thick winter coat custom made waiting for him as soon as we arrive. :D
On Nov. 27 we headed to the U.S. embassy for a 9 AM interview appointment. That morning, there was a problem with their computer system and our appointment was delayed for another hour and a half. But once we got in, the entire interview took less than 10 minutes and we were on the road again within half an hour! We are so excited to be able to take time to travel to the States for the Christmas season - and be together this time! Last year, we had plans to spend the season together here in the DR, but my youngest brother, Anthony, died in a car accident on December 11, and the unexpected trip to Michigan extended through Christmas. It was not easy when we had planned to celebrate together and instead mourned apart.
God's grace has continued to pour over our lives this past year, even in the darkest moments. While it will be difficult to spend this holiday season with a gaping hole in our family, it will not be without hope. Through the tears, we will be celebrating the joy and wonder of knowing Anthony is living with our Savior - that he is truly celebrating the reason we have Christmas.
We'll also get to celebrate a new addition to our family - this time in the form of a sister-in-law. My younger brother, Lewis, is getting married Jan. 6, '18 and we are thrilled!
Below is an outline of our schedule for this trip. We know it's a busy time of year for most people so we've carved out several days before and after the busiest time to be able to travel a little.
- St. Johns, MI - Dec.17-23 - we are open to traveling an hour or two to see you (or you can come see us!)
- Dec. 24-Jan. 6 - we have this time blocked off to spend with family and local friends
- MI - Jan.7-9 - we will have a few days left for last minute get togethers before heading out
- Atlanta, GA - Jan. 10-16 - our schedule is wide open so far but it will fill up fast! We have multiple places to stay and many people who are excited to see Miguel again. Let us know where you'll be and you can help us introduce Miguel to big city USA.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas!
