Holly Jolly... Lazy Dazys

I can honestly say I have never done this level of NOTHING in my entire life.

Well, it's not entirely nothing.

I've organized and cleaned my house, sorted through baby stuff and am working on a "stuff we still need - and time is running short!" list, I've baked cookies and tried new recipes... Robersy has even gotten in to the cleaning spirit and is currently sorting his drawers!

But apart from that we've been pretty lazy.

It's kind of nice :) We needed a break.

So honestly I don't have a whole ton to share except photos from our last few events leading up to Christmas and a couple from Christmas day. 

We enjoyed a couple of days with Robersy's family in Bani and on Christmas Eve we celebrated Noche Buena with a couple of Robersy's boys and their family with a meal like I have never seen in my life. It was a sweet time with a few visits afterwards to other boys on the team and some friends from church. We went home with LOTS of leftovers. Christmas day was celebrated with some relaxation and family time. We loved reading the Christmas story together and talking about what it might be like to have been present the day that Jesus was born. I can't imagine! 

I hope you enjoy the photos. See you in the new year!!!

A party for some of the faithful boys in our church/youth group. 

Another Christmas party and giving out lots of baseball gear!

Baseball players play basketball too I guess :)

Celebrating Christmas with the staff at SCORE. They work hard all year 'round!

We enjoyed the SCORE Christmas party!

Visited the Park of Lights with friends :)

We visited family and friends (this is Robersy's momma)

Robersy's step-dad Gio

Robersy chatting with his grandpa, Fabio.

Then we continued to eat and visit some others closer to home.

We ate a LOT.

Some more than others :)

Sweet friends!

"Santa" even popped by!

Don't judge the moo-moo :) 

So basically it's been a lazy couple of days, but we're thankful for the time to just rest. Tomorrow we plan to do a few visits and actually get dressed to leave the house.. but until then, I'll enjoy one more lazy evening!

Oh hey Christmas, you sneaky little sneaker!

I remember when I was only a few months pregnant.
Robersy recommended watching a movie, I got comfortable and within 10 minutes I was FAST asleep on the couch.
Watching movies with me is no fun.
However, when I opened my eyes, Robersy's face was right in my face! 

***WARNING: Never scare a pregnant woman!***

Freaked me out!
I thought I was going to deliver the baby right on our apartment floor!!!

This feeling came to me again on Friday. 
One week until Christmas?! 
Like Robersy's glaring eyes in my poor sleepy face. LOL.

I can hardly believe that Christmas is here already. 
Where did the year go?

One year ago... and since then so much has happened!!!

Next week I may elaborate a little more on some memories from the year, but today I want to focus on the the next few days ahead.

Sometimes things get SO crazy that they fly by and we miss it.

Even the story of Christ's birth is SO quick (you can read Luke 1 and 2 in about 7 minutes!) that we forget it was 9 MONTHS!

I shared last week about how being pregnant at Christmas has given me some insight on Mary's pregnancy journey (although not at all the same... but, you know what I mean!).

We think a sparkly Angel showed up, had a chit-chat with Mary - boom she was preggo and in a few short verses Jesus was born!

But for 9 beautiful months Mary watched her body transform. Others did too. Comments were made, rumors were spread and very few believed the story.

I'm sure she lost a lot of friends during those 9 months. Perhaps it was one of the most lonely times of her life. But in her womb she could feel flutters, kicks, karate punches and somersaults from Emmanuel, God with us.

I imagine she looked at other children and wondered what Jesus would be like. What would He look like? Would he suck His thumb? What would be His first word? Would He be sociable?

9 months of waiting and dreaming of her little Boy.

As time drew closer I wonder if she experienced Braxton Hicks contractions. I wonder if she had to give up running (yeh, I think I'm at that point people!). And I'm almost 100% sure that when she headed to Bethlehem, she sat side-saddle on that donkey.

***Side Note: that previous thought came to me when I caught a motorcycle taxi to the grocery store last week. Dominican roads are not the smoothest and my poor driver had the sun in his eyes, so he says. Thankfully he was going to speed of a trotting donkey... HOWEVER... oh, poor Mary***

Then it happened. No doctor or doula. No exercise ball or warm bath tub. No options of c-section, epidurals, or pain meds.

And what did they use to cut the umbilical cord?

Emmanuel. God with us.

The most beautiful story in Heaven and on Earth is something incredible to ponder. But when we get "wrapped up" (see what I did there?! lol) in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays we miss so much.

One of my favorite songs at Christmas is "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rqhG2yT-58

Reminds me that even though getting/giving gifts, baking cookies, looking at Christmas lights, searching for a black Santa (yet to find one here...), even being with friends and family is such a fun and CRAZY time... don't lose sight of why we celebrate.

Don't let it jump in your face, send you for a loop and allow it pass by so quickly that you miss out on special times to share the best Christmas gift ever with others. 

Jesus Christ. Emmanuel. God with us!

HE IS HERE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq801o0WyXA
By Darlene Zschech

He is here
The Savior has been born
The one we've waited for
Surrounded by our praises

He is here
The promise of the king
To You our lives we bring
Let your glory be revealed

Joy to the World
Peace to all who love Him
The savior has been born
And all the heavens smile

Glory to God
We bring an offering to You
Join with all the angels
Singing Hallelujah

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE LARAS!!!

White girls can't dance... but I still do.

"Today I choose to dance :)"

Last week I focused on thankfulness and choosing to dance in ALL circumstances, but last night I accidentally took it too far! 

I danced... in public.

Now, let me say, I am all for a little dancing. I love how David danced in the presence of the Lord and I've been able to witness some beautiful dancing. But I will say one thing. This white girl can't dance.

Ask my hubby who desperately tried to teach me in our first few months of marriage. This is the same man that entered dance competitions for fun... 

I try, but I'll be the first to tell you. Don't expect anything pretty! HA-HA!

But in celebrating the birth of our Savior I just couldn't help myself! 

Our God... GOD ALMIGHTY, YAW-EH, SAVIOR, LORD OF ALL... chose to humble Himself and come in human form to dwell among us. EMMANUEL - God with us.

Not only that, but then He chose the most obscure vessel in which to come. A lowly virgin. Mary.

He could have entered the world with a chariot of horses. But He slipped in to our world unnoticed in the unlikeliest place. A stable??? A cave??? Among the animals :)

This week a friend and I had an interesting discussion about the place where Jesus was born. A stable or a cave... either way, I'm just thankful He came! 

And as a side note, let me tell you, being pregnant at Christmas is the coolest thing! I feel like I understand Mary a tiny bit more. I feel for her too. I cringe each time I get on a motorcycle taxi never mind riding a donkey for days!

As I've mentioned before, traditions are a little different here in the Dominican. Now, SOME people go crazy shopping like I'm accustomed to growing up in Bermuda... but in "el campo" (countryside) it is definitely more about family and FOOD! People will travel miles to be with family for a day or two and instead of sitting around playing with new gizmos and gadgets, they'll chat for hours on end while snacking on apples, grapes and gummy candies.

No matter how you celebrate, as believers we have SO much more to celebrate! A King who gave it all up to come to earth, live a perfect but VERY difficult life, and then died a cruel death on the cross... for me.

What greater gift.

Even though we focus on the 24th (here in the DR) and the 25th (State-side/Bermuda/UK/etc.), we have a reason to celebrate every day! Because Christ isn't just a Savior who died... He rose again and REIGNS VICTORIOUS!

For this reason we live and laugh and dance! But of course, He gives us reasons to dance every day!

This week we've watched our risen Savior do some pretty cool things right before our eyes.


A passport received for Y which will then lead to other things for her and her family in the near future.

An open invitation to a brothel on Wednesday morning where we shared the Gospel and loved on the precious girls who feel as though they are not worthy of anything more than selling their bodies on the street.

A Lily who came to the ministry unable to read, read her first book!!!

The church Christmas play went FANTASTIC!

Some families of Robersy's baseball boys came to our church's Christmas play where the Gospel was given and then a few came back the following night for church as well.

A group brought down a stroller that we had purchased in the States. Someone on the team put it together and it's ready to go... we're going to be parents... AH!!!


We have so many reasons to praise the LORD every day of our lives. If you think you don't have a reason, send me a message and I'll send you a list (especially since - if you are living, breathing and physically able to send me a message, you are more blessed than you can imagine).

Enjoy these photos from the week and remember how blessed we truly are.

The lovely dancers before the play

Lights. Camera. Action.

Robersy sharing the Gospel

The cast celebrating after the show.

Always a photo-op :)

A few of our "sons."

After a morning of baking with friends... we got a little crazy :)
This is Tonky.

My sweet Chiquita

Now excuse me while I turn on my Christmas music... and DANCE!

I think the turkey is pregnant!

I've eaten a LOT of turkey in my lifetime. Even though I am not American, we faithfully have it each Thanksgiving, we enjoy it most Christmases AND I savour it sliced on sandwiches throughout the year. I love turkey! 

However, I have rarely had the opportunity to cook it myself. Until this year on our Lily House trip to Jarabacoa...

A fellow missionary and fellow preggo (Sarah D.) was in charge of the bird and she allowed me to help her. After a thorough washing, massage and lots of seasoning it looked ready. 

The oven was set and everything was ready to go... until I remembered. There has to be a reason that people lose their wedding rings and other devices in the turkey's bum. 

"Did you check it?" I asked. 

"I don't think there's anything else." She answered. 

As I bent over and squinted to see what was up the dark canal I concluded, "If there isn't anything else... I think the turkey is pregnant."

I felt as though I got a glimpse into the world of an OB-GYN as I slid my hand in. Doing my best to deliver the Turklet with care.

FUN FACT: A male turkey is called a tom or a gobbler, a female turkey a hen, and a baby turkey a poult or chick. A young male turkey is called a jake and a young female is called a jenny. A group of wild turkeys is called a flock, a group of domesticated turkeys is commonly referred to as a rafter.

I found that when I Googled hoping that a baby turkey was actually called a Turklet.

Apparently "Jenny" was not preggo. Only giblets to be found. However, the turkey rocked and we gobbled it up!

I love that Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there will be times like these. "A time to laugh." (v.4)

But over the last few weeks I feel like I've experienced most of the emotions mentioned in this passage. Laughter, tears, thinking I was dying...

That is where our centipede friend comes in.

An innocent walk with the dogs turned into a confrontation with a foot long centipede. I have never felt so disgusted than having that creature crawling all over my foot and ankle.

I'm not entirely sure how it got there. I was under a tree at the time so I'm not sure if it fell and landed on my foot OR if it had been asleep in the middle of the road and I happened to wake it up. Either way... having a cockroach (basically Bermuda's national bird! lol) across my foot would have been preferable. Especially when that little bugger stung me!!! Right on my big toe!

I have never felt so much pain from an insect. 

I hobbled to the house knowing that Robersy would question my actions (He thinks every time I get myself into things like this it's because I'm doing something stupid. Which is partly true... HOWEVER, not this time!). 

Thoughts of big-toe amputations and an early baby delivery rushed through my mind (thanks Google) but thankfully everything turned out OK. "A time to be born and a time to die." (v. 2) I'm glad it wasn't my time.

There are SO many more stories to tell. One day I will really write a book. But God has called us to a life of adventure while serving Him on the mission field.

In between trying to move while balancing regular ministry, baby classes/appointments and just trying to live a normal life, I have realized one thing. Our life is anything but normal.

I actually LOL'd as I wrote that. As I write this I can hear the pigs running around and eating next door (I'm not being mean about our neighbors... they really are PIGS), I can hear motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) loaded with students on their way to school, I hear a man on a megaphone selling and trading used goods, but I can also see the sunrise.

In this crazy world we live in, there is reason to laugh, cry, sit quietly, love and dance. 

Today I choose to dance :)

Yesterday I did so (in my heart) with 10 baseball boys that just came to hang out/ EAT!!!/ play wii, dominoes, etc.  at the house while I spent some time with a friend.

I'll do so again today with 4 GAP students (students that are here to study for a year) that are coming to help us get the house in order.

And I'll continue to do so each day this week with the many people that God has chosen to place in our path and ministry.

I hope you choose to dance today too!

Stupid Red Cups... Take Two.

Well here we are. 
30 weeks. 
30 weeks of growing a child! 

That means 10 weeks until our lives are switched upside down and we get to meet a little boy that will part of our lives forever!

Recently my sister posted this photo of our trip to Disney in August.

August 2015

In 3 months my body has changed incredibly!!! Although the 30 weeks have passed in the blink of an eye… the change is VERY evident.

November 2015

Looking back even further, I remember Robersy and my first “date.” I’m not sure if we can even call it that since it was at a camp banquet AND we took a translator with us since I hadn’t quite mastered Spanish yet. LOL.

Summer 2009

Once again, those 6 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Who would have known that my banquet date would one day be my hubby!? (Although if you've heard my testimony... I totally knew. But we'll save that story for another day).

I love looking back and reminiscing. Some memories make me laugh. Others make me cry.

Then I think back to how our world has changed. When we laughed at the thought of prayer being taken out of schools... thought persecution was something that only happened in the Middle East... would never have guessed that someone would be recognized as a HERO for changing their gender.

On Monday, although I didn't post, I actually did write a blog. Some of my blogs will never be public. But it was entitled, "Stupid Red Cups." HAHA. You can imagine the rant that ensued. I've revamped my blog to not speak about specific situations since my goal is to not step on toes... just to share my heart and what God has been teaching me. 

But here is my question... How have we become so concerned about cups that we forget about the BIG things?

Remember that video I posted last week?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esxy6ZwpZuQ

From what I have heard this video has been showed in churches, Bible studies and of course shared over 2 million times throughout the internet. 

But do we get it?

Does God's Word just count in some situations and not in others? 

Do we get to chose when it counts?

Do we live it?

Then those stupid red cups. And I say stupid, because they really are. I can honestly say I do not have one cup in my home that has the nativity scene on it, a baby Jesus or even the star above the stable. I don't expect Starbucks to. 

But I take joy in sharing the Christmas story with the girls I work with, their children, the youth group and everyone else who will listen!!! And I dance around my house to all the precious songs about what this season means to us as believers. 

We shouldn't expect the world to get it because 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."

So we know these things. We memorize them (sometimes in 2 languages!), we read books about it, have Bible studies about them, we talk about it in small group, and then we do not OBEY.

Friends. Our world is changing. Our lives are changing. But we can chose to make a fuss about things that we have no control over... or we can take a stand of obedience in our lives and not just memorize/talk about/ post about it. 

And God honors OUR  (that's both yours and mine) steps of obedience. 

I'll share some examples from Robersy and my life this last week.

This is obviously not one of the boys. But we're thankful for Pastor Nate
who shares with the boys on occasions too!

Some of the boys that Robersy discipled... are now discipling others. These boys (teenagers from 16-18yrs old) are the ones that stand up and share Christ with their peers. We're praying for their faithfulness and spiritual growth. We hope they won't just be great baseball players... but we beg God to form them into men that love Him and serve Him with their lives.

A girl that I've have the privilege of discipling made the decision to be baptized this week! Her words to me were "I'm ready to take some steps in my life regarding education, family, etc. but how can I not take the next step in my spiritual walk first!" You go girl!!! 

A group of ladies came to know a girl on the streets over a year ago. I have had the blessing of following up and bringing her to church off and on over several months. Yesterday she gave her life to the Lord. Then a friend who she had brought then led her husband to the Lord too! 

You see... obedience isn't just memorizing. It's taking action.

Friends, before you post - climb on your soap box - or hate on others. Take a look at your own life. Are you taking action in your own spiritual walk? 

I pray God will give Robersy and I the strength to do this daily. How about you?

Home! Home? Where is home?!

I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to fly "home" for a few days. I was able to attend the baptism of my godson and celebrated my little bundle that is on his way too :) It was a busy, but relaxing week AND I got a lot accomplished (a lot of passport stuff I needed to get ready for Josiah). Thank you LORD! It felt good to be "home" but my heart still missed my other "home." I know a LOT of people can relate!

A few weeks ago a friend and fellow missionary gave me a few books to look through. Robersy politely accepted them for me and I stuck them on the shelf with a bunch of other books I haven't read yet. However, I took one with me on my trip back for an "easy read."

It shares about the life of Ruth Bell Graham (wife of Billy Graham) through stories and quotes by some important people - Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson and of course her husband and children.

On the flight home, while I was feeling excited to get "home" and sad to leave "home" all at the same time, I was finishing up the last chapter and found such a timely paragraph shared by her daughter, Ruth. It says...

"One of the deep sorrows of my mother's life occurred when she had to leave the shelter of her home, that secure compound, and go away to Northern Korea to high school. She has often said that God was then preparing her for a lifetime of good-byes. But to a young thirteen-year-old girl whose heart was breaking with homesickness, she had no idea what God's purposes would be and therefore turned to the One she knew she could trust above all others, her heavenly Father. Early in her life she made Christ her home." p. 171, Ruth Bell Graham - Celebrating an Extraordinary Life.

Isn't that cool!

My heart is so torn between Bermuda, Dominican, Scotland, England, Canada and the States since my family and friends are so scattered around, that every time I say "HELLO!" to one person it requires a "GOODBYE" to someone else.

But there is security in Christ. Our safe place :)

Maybe you won't be "home" for Christmas or your loved one hasn't been "home" for ages or because of your circumstances you just never quite feel at "home." If you know Christ as your Saviour... you are always HOME!

Hope you feel encouraged by that today!

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I left you all hanging last week since I was traveling, but as always we appreciate your prayers throughout the week!

Robersy was involved in some clinics while I was gone and he is out and running around with SCORE's Baseball Conference this week. Pray for that! For safety and of course all those ministering and the many being ministered to. They will be playing a LOT of baseball and talking a LOT about Jesus! These are two of Robersy's favorite subjects so he's going to enjoy every minute!

Josiah (our son) is doing well and wiggling a lot. We'll have another check-up next week to make sure we're on track for our last 12 weeks. He loves Kraft Mac & Cheese and since he's kicking so much I have convinced Robersy that he is destined to be a football (soccer) player. Robersy is not impressed!

Although I was unable to go out for ministry the last two Thursdays my friend still went out and said she was able to chat with some of the regular ladies and several of the street kids. It has been a rainy week (which we love - more rain, less ladies) but I'm looking forward to seeing the girls this week as well as arranging our ministry at the brothel in the next few weeks.

Thanks again for your prayers! Please let us know how we can pray for you!

Four.

Four.

That is the number of casserol dishes I broke in one night.

I didn't even know that was physically possible! But three went in one go as I was taking the stack out of the oven (our storage place for most ovenware) and then the last dish shattered when I took it out of the oven with freshly baked brownies. 

Of course, that wasn't the start of my rough week. Within only five days our family dog died, my laptop crashed, our truck was sent to the shop, the fridge stopped keeping anything cold, the bathroom flooded and I ran out of gas for the stove while cooking dinner.

If I were in my dream world, the laptop would be sent to Best Buy, the best mechanic would pop over to check the truck (and have parts on hand to fix it so easily), the fridge would be replaced on warranty, the plumber would swing by and gas would be delivered.

I enjoy the easy life :)

But as I sit here in complete darkness because, wouldn't you know, the lights are out... And I watch the crazy lightning storm right outside our apartment, I'm reminded of how good HE is. 

If this is only a glimpse of HIS power, I am in awe. The wind, the rain, the lightning, the thunder.

HE is strong and powerful and HE chose me to be HIS own! 

HE created me in HIS image and then put HIS Spirit within me to help me live this crazy life!

HE has given me brothers and sisters around the world that encourage me, cry with me, rejoice with me and support me.

A friend reminded me (as I poured my heart out to her) "and you are healthy..."

That is just the beginning. I am inside a warm home with a husband that loves me. I have a precious baby boy growing inside of me. Someone blessed me with the opportunity to go home so I get to travel to Bermuda this week. Our ministry is growing and we've seen many young people come to Christ this year. A girl came to church with us this morning with her children and one came last week too, others are seeking more of HIM, and GOD has protected us every single Thursday that we go out!

You see... Amongst the messy, there is a GOD who is still in complete control.

When we can't even physically handle casserol dishes without them crashing to the floor. HE is still present to get us through and give us rest.

It's funny. This last week I shared a devotional about David when Absolom (his son) was seeking to kill him. Poor thing was down and out. Sad, angry, dsicouraged, seeking refuge in the wilderness... Then along comes a relative of Saul (his deceased archenemy) who begins go curse David while throwing rocks and dirt at him. 2 Samuel 16.

Poor David!!! He was already down and out, then this. He couldn't get any lower. He even toys with the idea of deserving this treatment and allows the dirt throwing maniac to continue.

But when David and his men reached their destination "weary" the Bible says... There they were refreshed. 2 Samuel 16:14

REFRESHED!

Isn't that beautiful.

Friend, you might feel a bit like David. Down and out and then just one more thing pushes you over the edge. I felt a bit like that when the last dish shattered... But we are PROMISED refreshment in HIM.

That lightning throwing, thunder rolling, GOD of all creation has promised us rest in HIM. I know when I wake up tomorrow morning there will still be dishes to be washed, a house to be cleaned, no laptop and no truck - but also a Savior who is still on HIS throne and... Life will go on :) 

Praying for my bloggees today, no matter what you're going through. 

May you find true rest in HIM.