"The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up"

I now understand.

As of today I understand what it means to say that we are in the "rainy season" here in the DR. I understand why tropical storms can actually be a big deal and I understand why it is that we are making plans to build a new clinic. Holy new appreciation for nature.

I understand all of this because it rained last night. It was that angry kind of rain, where the sky growls and flashes and just opens wide up and dumps rain drops heavy and fast. The kind that in less than an hour had filled our street, flowed into our courtyard and rose into the guest rooms. Less than an hour!
Anyone who has seen Top Gear will appreciate my want for a "Toybota" rather than our Hilux as we came driving down our street, watching the water break up over the front of the hood. Crazy! Thank goodness that we have an awesome group from Roanoke here this week, that not only had great attitudes about it, but were an incredible help in our clean up efforts late last night.

So, I had been talking with our good friend, Kristin the other week about how unexpected, unplanned and uncontrolled life is here. I was telling her how I basically feel like a schizo on a daily basis- the group is doing well, so I'm happy, then our workers don't show so I'm frustrated, then our truck won't start and I'm stressed, but then it turns out to be an easy fix so I'm happy again, but then I hear about some sad news from a friend and I'm sad, then the group calls again with a need and now I'm sad and stressed together. I think you are getting the idea, and it's ridiculous! When I told all this to Kristin, she nodded, because she understood (she's been a missionary here for 6 years) and then handed me a great book because she is wiser than me and was kind enough to share some of that wisdom.
The book is all about thanksgiving, and I'm not going to lie, I did not really understand what it had to do with my situation when she first handed it to me. But that's Kristin's wisdom in action, because this book has really been rockin me. At one point she actually equates thanksgiving to salvation. Crazy, right?! The author talks about how any moment in our lives that we do not accept as a gift from God and give thanks for, is a moment that we basically are telling him "you aren't Lord over this situation/moment, you are not big enough or good enough for me in this". Wow.

All that to say, this week has been a crazy one for a lot of reasons, but I'm working on practicing my thankfulness in all things and I really do see it slowly beginning to change my heart and my perspective. I have had more peace and joy this week than I've had in a long time. I feel more blessed than I have in a long time too, mostly because I have stopped to name and recognize all those little blessings that have been there all along... even rain.

BIRTHDAY!!

It's all because of my mother...

Both the fact that I was born and the fact that I am convinced that every birthday should be the most wonderful day of the year (with only the possible exception of Christmas Eve). It is also a well known fact, in the Stark household, that the magic of a true birthday begins several days before the actual day of birth and can last for up to a solid week after. Everyone wants a reason to celebrate, right?? 

And this, my first birthday in the Dominican Republic, was no exception. The day would have been a typical friday morning: helping an exhausted group muster up their last amount of energy to clean out their rooms and pack up the bus for their trip back to Santo Domingo, except for all the friends and family who either stopped by, called, or left me yummy treats filled with birthday wishes. What a wonderful start to the day! Eventually after a birthday chat with my mom, Dan and I hopped in the car for my birthday drive to the capitol. 

This sign was at the entrance to the resort... I have no idea if it was actually for me, but the top line says, "Welcome Birthday Girl"! Woot! Now the only thing they are missing is the marching band and parade in my honor. haha ;)

After dropping our bags off at in our room, we wandered a block or two down the road and had a birthday lunch at a fancy deli/wine bar. Delicious! -and a fun change from regular resort buffet. After lunch was a great birthday nap that we woke up for just in time to get ready for a great birthday dinner. The resort had gifted us a dinner for two at their fine dining restaurant. After they had spoiled and stuffed us with great food and wine, the chef and waiter brought out a huge birthday cake, singing the most adorably pathetic version of "Happy Birthday" I've heard yet. haha, it made me smile. 

But of course Dan doted on me most of all, with lots of laughes, great conversations and love the whole day...awww :)

And I got to continue the celebration all weekend long! The son of our friend and bus driver, Monchy, had a birthday on Sunday, so they invited us to celebrate along with them for a double birthday party on Sunday evening.

And the birthday weekend kept rockin as we got to celebrate ANOTHER SIX birthdays when Lassie (Monchy's dog) gave birth just a few hours earlier to some very cute and healthy puppies. So stinkin adorable.

Birthday Wishes!!

DR birthday #1= big success