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This time tomorrow I'll be on a plane flying home to the most wonderful family on earth, friends who love me more than I deserve and the glory of a white Christmas spent together.

For weeks months I've been anticipating this, but with my suitcase lying open on the floor all I'm feeling now is TERROR. 

I made the mistake of visiting weather.com this afternoon and I've decided that I'm just not ready for it. I own ONE pair of pants and ONE long-sleeved T... that's the best I've got to defend me against the elements. I'm not even sure what US state the snow clothes/jackets/mittens/boots that I owned once upon a time ended up in. I've caught myself  contemplating whether it's possible, scientifically, that my body might actually seize up in the 100 degree temperature change. Either way, I prefer to think of my adversity to cold as a prophetic sign from God that I was made for the tropics... rather than admitting I'm just the wussiest Minnesotan ever born.

Let me get my mind off of it now while I recap a few of the ways that we've been enjoying the beautiful Christmas season here in the DR:

The first weekend of December Nicole, Laura and I went to a Medical Conference on the North Coast of the island. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. The very word "conference" usually sends me reeling into a fit of compulsive yawning- but they got me with the addition of "beautiful beach and free food". I'm REALLY glad I went. We kind of turned it into a road trip of sorts, stopping and spending the night on the way in the town of San Francisco de Marcoris to watch a Dominican League baseball game...

Someone actually made it on base! WOOT!

Best picture EVER

I have to say, the game went by quicker than any other baseball game I've been to. I'm sure that part of it was because they were HORRIBLE and lost 13 to 4, but also just because Dominicans know how to have a good time and we just got caught right up into it. By the end of the night my cheeks were sore from smiling too much, my throat was sore from yelling too much and my heart was just HAPPY :)

The conference was hosted by a non-profit organization called Medical Missions Internation (MMI). They have been working in the DR for 40+ years now sending medical teams out to remote villages to provide healthcare and education. Basically, they do what our teams here at Solid Rock do, but because that is ALL they do, they do it REALLY well. 

As much as I was a fish out of water (band-aids are about the extent of my medical knowledge), I learned SO much! The speakers had so much passion for what they do and such a genuine love and desire to see this country changed. It was intoxicating to be around! I never tire of seeing people from all different nations and backgrounds gathering in a common purpose and glorifying God together. It was just what my heart needed- to be reminded that this work is SO much bigger than me or San Juan or even the DR. That we are NEVER alone. That God has bigger and more wonderful things planned than we could ever ask for or imagine...

Oh yeah... the beach WAS pretty. 

And although it may have been the reason I went, it wasn't what I took away... I took away a head spinning with new ideas and inspiration and this SWEET straw hat. 

The fun doesn't stop there though... 

After our girl's weekend away, Dan had a pretty crazy adventure in the works too. 

He and our friend Miguel drove down to the opposite coast of the island in search of one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in the Caribbean to do some spear fishing....

Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of the Eagles)

It's one of those crazy places that you think couldn't possibly really exist: Where iguanas roam like squirrels

And the colors and life UNDER the water are somehow more brilliant and beautiful than those above

Starfish?!? seriously??

I'm pretty much green with envy, but he's promised to take me along next time ;)

I wonder if hopping back and forth between two countries, cultures, CLIMATES ever gets normal. I don't feel like I deal with the typical "culture shock" anymore. Both cultures are far too comforting and familiar to be shocking. But also too different to co-exist very well in my mind. So strange to be totally immersed in one and then in a matter of hours wake up in another. One that made me who I am, the other who is changing me into who God wants me to be. BOTH feeling like home. Each one making me miss the other. 

I'm not always good at balancing both, but I feel immensely lucky. No. BLESSED. 

And all my terror of freezing toes aside, I can't wait to be home with my family. And I think my biggest wish this Christmas is to be able, someday, to share this new home with them as well. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year... 

the hap-happiest season of all!

Awesome Nativity display in the center of town-
complete with the world's homeliest stuffed donkey

"She really masculine looking... but still oddly attractive"
(Dan's comments regarding creepy Mrs. Claus statue)

So, of course, I've been trying to get myself into the spirit of the season.

I've been listening to Christmas music- Blaring my Burl Ives to try to compete with the mix of Pitbull and bachata that is coming from my neighbors house. I made hot cocoa last night- despite the fact that I was definitely sweating over the stove while I heated it up. And today I watched the Grinch while I helped Dan clean his snorkel gear in preparation for a trip to an abandoned beach to go spear-fishing.

The fact that Christmas season looks a little different here in the Caribbean hadn't bothered me much until today- now it is making me a sentimental fool. Gosh darn it- I want the magic!

Of course there's the twinkly lights and lightly falling snow kind of magic- but I think right now I'm missing the magic of the anticipation. Every day in December is bringing me closer to something WONDROUS and I want to FEEL it!

I'd like to blame it on the sun, the palm trees and the fact that NO night in San Juan has, is or ever will be a SILENT night...
But the truth, as usual, comes back to me.

"You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."

(Hebrews 5:12-14)

I've been SO hungry for Jesus lately, but haven't had a clue what to do about it. It occurred to me that for the first time in my life, no one is spoon-feeding me Jesus. I'm not picking up spirituality through osmosis like I could back in the states. Holy by association isn't going to work. Begrudgingly I have concluded that it might be time for me to stop whining and figure out how to feed myself some solid food.

If this Christmas is going to be meaningful, it wont be for any great sermon I hear, it will be because I (Mrs. Kari Lynn Straley) make the decision to turn my attention, thoughts and heart toward Christ. If it is wondrous, it will be because I take the time to recognize the wonder that exists all-around me. If it is magical, it will be because I choose to let the love of a god-baby enter this heart of stone and pull me into a life and adventure beyond my wildest imagination. 


Emmanuel: God WITH us. 


Wow. When I stop to just let that sink in, it is absolutely


Beautiful. Wondrous. Magical.

Damos Gracias (Fall Newsletter 2011)

Happy Thanksgiving! As we write, our hearts and stomachs are stuffed full of thankfulness and pie after a wonderful celebration. It was incredible to look around at our mix of guests and really feel that, though there were many faces we missed, we felt we were among family. Out of the many blessings this last year, our wonderful community of friends here was the most unexpected and overwhelming.

Kristen, Nicole and Jennifer (Margo's Daughter)

Dan's parents were in town to celebrate with us and make the most AMAZING turkey, stuffing and pies! 

Also on our list of unexpected blessings are: community baseball nights, fresh Chinola juice on a hot day, watching our groups show God’s love and serve our community,  and the growing familiarity of places, people, smells and sounds of San Juan. This year has changed so many things about who we are, including what it means to us to truly give thanks... 

Coming up with a list of blessings at Thanksgiving time would usually feel like a mixture of cherished tradition and grade-school cliche. But somewhere during this last year, the act of giving thanks took on a whole new meaning as we found ourselves clinging to it to guard against pride, doubt, weariness and worry.

As you can imagine, our first year on the mission field has been an exhilarating and exhausting ride. Dan has fought with a brain that aches day after day from being stretched and pulled as he wraps his head around the Spanish language. I (Kari) have struggled with frustration in trying to balance my time between all the people and needs. We both at times (maybe more often than not) have felt terribly inadequate for the job before us. And you know what? It made us moody! When things were going well, we were up; God loved us and we were ready to serve. But when things were tough we were confused, hurt and threw our hands in the air.  It took some great friends to point out how much we were relying on ourselves to pull this off and not trusting the character and promises of God. 

Choosing to cling to thankfulness has begun to change our hearts and the way that we view the circumstances around us. It is the quiet reminder to the soul that, whether the day brings productive, meaningful work or the construction materials never arrive, it doesn’t change the fact that God is good. He is present. He is in control. He is owed thanks! Especially in the moments when nothing seems to make sense and we can’t find the words to pray, it is SO good to go back to that simple phrase and thank Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine!

We love our life here and have so many reasons to be grateful- and the more we give ourselves time to stop and count them, the more we find! Even as we continue to find ourselves challenged and stretched, we are so thankful for it! We know that we are being changed and renewed and maybe little by little becoming more like Jesus. 

Things We Are Thankful For:

Supporters

We cannot begin to say thank you enough to all of the friends, family and strangers who have stood beside us, prayed for us, encouraged us and financially supported us this last year. We can say for certain that your love has changed and humbled us greatly! We absolutely cannot do this alone, so we deeply thank those of you who have chosen to journey with us. 

San Juan de la Maguana

We still haven't gotten over the stunning scenery, the bustling life, vibrant colors, earthy smells and beautiful people here. We remain convinced that we live in the most beautiful place on earth. We are so thankful to be a part of this community and only hope to be able to give back a small part of all the joy, hospitality an drove that they've given to us. 

Child Nutrition

This sweet face is one of the 200+ babies that we have in our Child Nutrition Program. Like many of the children, when we first met her she was severely malnourished, weighing only 11 lbs at 14 months old. Thankfully, because of the milk and nutritional education provided for her, she has gained 2 lbs in the last month! Laura Demastus, new the the Solid Rock staff, will be living with us for the next year to help us discover even more effective ways of helping these little ones and expanding this program. 

Will You Join With Us?

Over 10 months ago, we set off with the impossible dream of following God into the specific work that He is doing here in San Juan and somehow becoming a part of it. But, of course, when we arrived in the DR, we were still the same messy people, desperately in need of a savior and a lot of help! Situations here demand and call us to become something more than what we are alone. There are problems that run too deep for any person to fill and prayers that sometimes we are too tired or confused to pray. 

More than anything, we desire to know that we are not alone. We want to be part of a community that goes far beyond San Juan, Minneapolis, or Bristol, CT. A community of people who love God, love people and who long to see His Kingdom come in the world. This wonderful place happens to be the corner He brought us to, and we would love to invite you to share it with us. 

We ask you to consider becoming a part of our community by choosing to support us. Whether it is a one time gift or monthly support, an e-mail or a morning prayer, we long for the encouragement and joy that your partnership would bring as well as the chance to become a part of your story and the community in which God has placed you!

For more information about Solid Rock, our ministry here or to provide financial support, you can visit the Solid Rock website: www.solidrockmission.org and click the "donations" tab. 

We'll leave you with a few more pictures of the friends and experiences we are so thankful for!

 

A Little More About Us...

Seriously, one of the strangest feelings is meeting a someone for the very first time and them knowing strangely detailed information about our personal life. That happens on a fairly regular basis since I forget sometimes that our blog is linked up with the Solid Rock website. 

Unfortunately for them, most of my posts are disjointed personal, and usually un-original, thoughts about life- with a fair number of pictures that serve as an attempt to distract from my word-vomit. But today, realizing that this will most likely be read by lots of weird and wonderful people whom I have yet to meet, I thought I'd avoid the introspective mumbo-jumbo and try to do a little better job of introducing ourselves...

Let's begin with Dan...

Awww! Super cute, right??

Dan is originally from Simsbury, CT. He has a wonderful family- His mom (Ruth) and father (Gary) along with an older sister and two older half-brothers, which makes him very much the baby of the family :)

Dan struggled with the idea of faith and God during his teenage years, but has a pretty cool story of how he gave his life to Jesus on the way back from a court hearing about some mis deeds... you can ask him about it if you'd like to know more. Since then, he's never looked back. He also has a better story than me about the day he knew he was going to be a missionary... Pretty much, Dan's just an interesting guy with an interesting perspective on life. It's one of the many reasons that I love him.

He bounced around to several different colleges and tried out even more majors, but ended up (strangely) in Anderson, IN studying philosophy and Christian ministry. It was in Anderson that he heard about an organization called "Youthworks" and decided to become "Work Projects Staff" during the summer of 2007. 

This is Dan in Juarez, Mexico with a family that he built an extra room for in his 'free time'. 

Youthworks also happens to be responsible for the fact that Dan and I meet. I think this picture sums up how I felt about Dan that first summer... don't worry, I came around eventually...

Other interesting things about Dan...

He LOVES baseball- the Red Sox to be specific...

He has always wanted to be a pirate...

He loves taking naps with Diego...

...and has a new-found love for snorkeling and spear fishing since we've moved to the DR.

Sit down with Dan for two minutes and I guarantee you that there will be no small-talk involved. He is a say-it-how-it-is, lets-talk-about-stuff-that-matters-without-worrying-who-we-might-offend kind of guy. He will also never pass up an opportunity for a board game or a bowl or chips and salsa. Things you might not guess about him are the fact that he's really an awesome cook and a great gardener! 

Alright, that's all the time I have for today, I'll guess there'll have to be a second edition!

If you are reading this and you are one of the weird and wonderful people I have yet to meet- tell me about yourself! 

Have you come to the DR with Solid Rock before? Do you have a trip scheduled for the coming year? How did you hear about Solid Rock? Or what have your times here meant to you? 

I'm excited to get to know you too!

A Day in the Life (A Photo Journal)

Serving Breakfast and Preparing for the Day

Like most mornings, Wilmer, a young guy from the neighborhood who loves to come by, stops in to say hi to Genny and Diego.

Then there's my laundry. Since it's almost always sunny, the hang-dry method is utilized... which I have grown to love. I like grabbing my sun-warmed clothes off the line in the afternoon... and then they end up in a giant pile in the middle of our bedroom floor... waiting to be folded....

But instead of folding, I decide to drink some AMAZING Dominican coffee and write up the shopping list for the day...

 After that's taken care of, I check for new e-mails, make phone calls and plan for the upcoming teams...

But then I hear some ruckus outside and see that our lost truck has been returned! (it was borrowed 2 days ago)... unfortunately it was returned on the back of a tow-truck...

...with most of it's engine in piece in the bed *sigh*

As I head back to the guesthouse to inform Dan, I find this big mess and very innocent looking puppy...

 I don't find Dan, but instead I see our branch of bananas and decide to make some banana bread...

But THIS time I make sure to set the timer... because I may have burnt several things beyond recognition this last week (the brownies that cooked 12 hours through the night turned out less than gooey...)

And this gives me just enough time to sip more coffee as they bake...

Tah- dah! Delicious!


And thus ends the photo journal part of my day... at 11:00am...mostly because I find it difficult to remember to carry my camera around with me for more than 10 minutes at a time. Perhaps I will try again another day...

Looking back through my morning, I have to admit, it looks less than glamorous or thrilling. But even though big parts of my days (like anyone else's) are filled with seemingly mundane tasks (laundry, cleaning up doggy messes, washing the banana bread goo out of mixing bowls and trying to decide which of my limbs to sell in order to earn enough money to fix the truck yet AGAIN) I LOVE it. Something about living here- in a place with so many vivid colors, raw emotion, and non-stop music, has helped me see beauty in so many places I never looked for it before.

There are still a lot of moments when I REALLY want my life to be special and significant. I want to MATTER. I want to show Mother Teresa how it's done. And I want the lighting in my pictures to cast me just right.
But I think hope, that the moments when I'm content with the mess that I am and the GOOD God that HE is, are slowly become more frequent. Those moments bring romance and adventure into the simple and mundane.
Like the feeling of butterflies that a girl gets in the slightest hint of affection from the guy she loves, God can whisper his love to me in the feeling of sun-dried gym shorts, the way that my knife glides through a perfectly ripe avocado or the satisfaction of pulling perfectly browned banana bread out of the oven.
It's a GOOD day.