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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.