The Calm after the Storm

           After 6 weeks of craziness, we are finally able to relax and settle in in the Dominican Republic.  For the first 6 weeks, we had 5 FCA groups from Atlanta come here on missions trips, 5 house guests, sign-ups for school for Grace and Wyman, openings of bank accounts, insurance, and cell phones.  We also had 5 weeks of spanish classes (probably should have waited to start this now, but it has been fun) and the retrieval of our car from customs.  It has been pretty crazy.  If we could do it all over again (do not want to) I believe we would probably just buy a car here, start spanish after 1 month, and do a lot more relaxing.  We have learned a lot from this experience and feel like we are better for it (whatever that means). 
            Yesterday my cousin Tony and his wife Jen flew into the DR for a 5 day visit for Grace's Birthday.  They brought a lot of the extra stuff that we left at home.  It kinda felt like Christmas morning when they arrived with all the suitcases filled with coffee singles for me, toys for the kids, swedish fish for Jodi, business cards and armbands for the ministry and various other knick knacks.  We are looking forward to a day at the beach Saturday, church and an indoor amusement park Sunday, and a movie and dinner at the beach Monday.  Grace turns 4 and we are just blown away at where the time has gone.  She was born on August 16th of 2007.  Jodi and I recall driving after football practice each day to visit her at the hospital.  She was 3 pounds and 4 ounces at birth and we were speechless (yes, Jodi and I were speechless) at what God had created.  Grace and all the children of the world are His and we (parents) adopt them and nurture them.  Thank you Lord for allowing us to care for Wyman and Grace.  We are blessed.
             We miss all of you very much and look forward to visiting Atlanta over Thanksgiving and Boston over Christmas.  Jodi will be visiting Atlanta soon for a brief weekend and I will be visiting my brother Ed in Roanoke for 5 days when he starts chemo.  Thank you for all the prayers! 

               It's official now, we are Dominican!  Here is Michael's new business card (note the spanish name for FCA).  We also have a Dominican license plate on our car.  Somos Dominicano!

Official Business Card - wahoo!

Our crabby friend at the beach with Uncle Tony and Auntie Jen.  Jen and Wyman in the ocean. Gracie's newest friend in the restaurant across from the beach.