The Straley News: THE Day...

I cannot remember the last time I was so incredibly content and just plain giddy with happiness…I take that back, it was probably my wedding day… but today is THAT rare and special of a day. It is the kind of day that marks the start of something so huge and new. Just like seeing God for the first time, or committing yourself to your best friend on your wedding day- you have this underlying feeling that you are no longer the person that you were yesterday. Those past days and that person are behind you and you are so ready to dive into the adventure of this new life.

We’ve watched this change coming from a distance. It has been about 6 months now since the first time we met Joe and Shannon. But no amount of questions, planning, research or preparation can make you ready for the feeling of stepping off a plane into a new life. Incredible.

Thanks to all of your prayers (and I really mean that!) our journey here was smoother than we thought was possible. Diego has been a trooper and is being SO good, even with all the changes and time alone that he has had to spend. And Dan and I feel surprisingly rested and sane!

We arrived yesterday afternoon. Joe and Shannon picked us up at the airport in a tropical downpour and by the time we arrived at the resort in Santo Domingo, the sun was shining and it was a perfect evening J The resort is fabulous and it makes this whole experience feel a little too good to be true. Granted, we haven’t actually rolled up our sleeves for a day of work yet, but I have a feeling that, for us, it will be more than worth it. This afternoon we are picking up our first group at the airport and spending one more night here in Santo Domingo with them. Sunday morning we will pack up early and probably go to a church service here in town before making the 3 hour trip to San Juan (which we are very excited for). Then we will finally be able to unpack and settle into our new home J Praise God!! Woo-hoo!

Prayer Stuff:

· * PRAISE GOD!!!! We are here, we are safe and we are SO excited for what is ahead!

· * The transition time will be fast and intense. This week we will be mainly observational. We will shadow Joe and Shannon in everything they do as well as accompany the team into the field to observe the service work. The following week, the reigns will be passed to us with Joe and Shannon being heavily involved to answer questions and help out. The third week they are pushing us out of the nest and letting us have a go on our own with limited interaction from them. The fourth week, it will be do or die as Dan and I will be left on our own when Joe and Shannon head back to the states to transition into their new Director role. So, if you didn’t catch the prayer request yet in all of that… pray that we will be quick learners, will not be discouraged or overwhelmed and will feel peace when they leave!

*Pray for Joe and Shannon. As excited as they are to head back to the states, it is a big transition and a big job that they are stepping into! Pray for wisdom and peace as they start this next part of their life.

OUR LAST PICTURE IN THE STATES...