Introducing Selah Grace Morley

I'm sure most of you have heard by now, but we have been enjoying our newest addition to the family for almost 3 weeks! Selah joined our family on February 14, weighing in at 9 lbs 5 oz. Many of you were praying for Selah's delivery, as we were trying for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Although there were several moments during the almost 24 hour labor that the doctor was going to call for a c-section, I was able to deliver Selah naturally in the end, glory be to God! It was evident throughout the entire labor and delivery process that God was present, protecting and guiding everyone each step of the way. 

Here are some pictures of our little cutie :)

 

Thank you all for your prayers and support as we continue to strive to be a family that glorifies the Lord in all things! 

With love, 

Jamie 

The Quickness of Obedience

      "Early the next morning," (Gen. 20:8) Abimelek wakes up to obey God and return Abraham's wife Sarah. "Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey" (Gen. 22:3), to offer his son as a sacrifice, in obedience to God. The servant of Abraham refuses food, so he can find out whether or not Rebekah will be offered as a wife for Isaac, thus fulfilling his oath. (Gen. 24:33). 

      Notice the quickness of obedience found in these biblical examples. Recently God has been patiently teaching me what it means to be truly obedient. My habit in life has been to act slowly. I justify this by thinking greater opportunity may come tomorrow. This always waiting for the best time attitude, has lead to lost opportunity. Sorrowfully, it has let fear and hesitation creep into my decision making. It has hurt those closest to me, who associate my inaction for not caring. It grieves the Holy Spirit. Procrastinating God's will is devaluing God's Word and sovereign timing. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7:24). 

     Most surprisingly to me is the incredible patience I discover God has for me. We recently got a puppy against our better judgment (expecting a newborn any day...). When it's 4:00 in the morning and the puppy starts whinging right after being taken out, my inward desire is to force this dog to be quiet. I've never done it, but the anger and frustration still pops out. I am amazed at how God does not force me to obey, but exercises great patience in teaching. 

Jeff Schumacher, our director at CMA regular reminds us as we teach obedience to our students that it is, "immediately, completely, and without complaint." My desire to obey quickly has led me to obey God's prompting to start a discipleship program for the teens here who want to go deeper in there faith. I am excited to announce that we rolled out the program yesterday, and 7 of our 14 current students have made a commitments to be disciples of Jesus. A year ago 1 or 2 students might have been interested in this, I am overjoyed at the atmospheric change in our student population. God is at work!

Pray that God will empower us to make effective disciples. Ask for a safe birth for mom and baby. Seek out greater obedience in Him.

Grace and Peace, 
Matthew and Family

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Here's to a New Year!

After wrapping up 2014 with a short but sweet visit to Ohio to visit family and friends, Matthew and I were able to return to the DR rejuvenated and ready for whatever God has for us in 2015. We got the year off to a great start with a visit from a beloved friend, Mary Nolen, who I went to college with at Indiana Wesleyan University. We absolutely love having family and friends visit, sharing with them a glimpse into what our lives look like here in the DR. What else does God have in store for us in 2015?

As many of you know, one of the biggest life changes we are anticipating in 2015 is growing from a family of 3 to 4. And with only a few weeks left before her arrival, we don't have much else on our minds except Selah Grace. When (and how?!) is she going to make her appearance? What will she look like? How will the dynamics of our family change? It is a very exciting and nerve-wracking time! 

So since this pregnant momma does not have much creative energy to offer in terms of writing an inspiring blog post, I'm going to keep this one simple and just ask for your prayers for our family and particularly for Selah as she approaches her entrance into the world (which should be sometime around the 1st week of February). 

Stay tuned for our next blog post-which should be a birth announcement for our baby girl!!! 

The Morley Family

                                          

I See Jesus

I See Jesus

The boy spewing obscenity

Entrenched in longing and distrust.

But by your grace he offers praise.

Emmanuel, God among us.

Old widow digging in my food.

No husband, No daughter, No son.

My full wallet, so full of shame.

Emmanuel, God bring justice.

Pray, realign our living now.

Remove our inward selfish sorrow.

We seek freedom, we seek Your growth

Emmanuel, repentance, us.

In pain and sorrow He appears.

The fatherless are justified.

The widows cause is lifted high.

Emmanuel, I see Jesus. 

___

An Empty Chair

This Thanksgiving was unique for many reasons. Being on a tropical island tends to give it a different feel, for someone who grew up in Ohio and is used to the cold that has set in by this time of year. Not being around family also was a contrast, as with family come the traditions and things that make a holiday familiar. Although I did get to see my dad, which is a reminder of how cool and crazy it is that we both live here (especially because this is the first time I have lived close to my dad since I can remember)! 

Most of all, my (Jamie) mom's side of the family was missing a special member of our family around the table this year. My Aunt Janet (mom's sister-in-law) went to be with the Lord on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving after a tragic accident that caused serious brain damage. Growing up, Thanksgiving was always when we got to see Aunt Janet, Uncle Gary, and cousins, Amy and Peter. For that reason, all my dear memories of Aunt Janet are associated this certain holiday. Some of my favorites include one night in particular where she and I stayed up talking and laughing, her insisting each year on making homemade mashed potatoes instead of the box kind, her simplicity and sweetness, how funny she was during family game time, and above all, her humility and servant's heart. 

So since last Tuesday I have done a few personal things to celebrate my Aunt Janet's life from a distance, since I won't be able to be with family during this time. One is writing this blog in memory and celebration of her (although she would probably blush if she read it, she never was one to seek out praise or attention!). Also, because I never remember her wearing toe nail polish (part of her simplicity, I suppose), I took the polish off my toes to remind me of her, as we're still wearing flip flops here in the DR. Finally, I have taken moments each day to think of memories of her and just picture her in my mind.  I see her glasses and her rosy cheeks and her straight hair. I see her smile. And my heart is filled with love for her, for who she was while on this earth and who she will continue to be in our hearts and as we live out our lives forever different for knowing her. 

Many of you reading this blog never knew my Aunt Janet, but now you know a piece of her and can be praying for my family, especially my Uncle Gary and cousins Amy and Peter, as we all are feeling the loss of a beautiful, vibrant, and unique part of our lives.  

Potlucks and the Body of Christ

Matthew and I have started doing this beautiful thing at the church at CMA- potlucks. The strange thing about where Caribbean Mountain Academy is located is that here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, there are probably at least 8-10 other Christian, North American (can't disclude our Canadian friends!) ministries here in town. Which means, there are a LOT of N. Americans that live here. This is not a proven statistic, but I would almost bet that per capita there are more N. Americans here in Jarabacoa than in any other city on the rest of the island. It is truly a phenomenon. OR, better yet, God has very special plans for this city. 

The goal behind the potlucks is to bring unity to these various ministries by inviting everyone to come together and share a meal. Each month we highlight a ministry in town, so someone from that ministry will give the message during the service and share about what God has been doing in their ministry. We pray for that ministry specifically and then after church we all enjoy a meal! 

Today's service: everyone getting seated 

Today, we had our third monthly potluck. We had the best turn out yet. We actually filled up EVERY seat in the chapel (praise God!). It was truly an encouragement to see the place packed out by various missionaries representing almost all of the ministries here in town. Matthew has the privelege of pastoring the only English-speaking church in Jarabacoa (that we know of). Which gives us a really unique role in the lives of all these English-speaking missionaries (including our own staff and students). We are still praying about exactly what that may look like, but it seems like these monthly potlucks are a great start. 

Sometimes it seems ironic that the Lord would call us to another country to mainly minister to people of our own country. At times, it has been easy to be discouraged, thinking we are not "real missionaries" for this reason. Yet verses from 1 Corinthians 12 (see below) came up several times today, affirming me and where God has placed us right now. 

Verses 15-20 read, "15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body."

Recent day at the park with my guys!

These verses are a great reminder to all of us: Embrace where God has placed you. Whether the pinky toe or the heart of the body, the rest of the body cannot function properly unless we are all doing what we are called to do, right where we are, right now. Pray for Matthew and I as we strive to do the same! And for Gabe, because even though he is just being his cute little self, God has a special purpose for him too, here at CMA. He daily impacts students and staff here with his contagious smile and his adventurous spirit. 

Recent painting by a student, who is color-blind,
by the way ( you wouldn't know it from the painting!)

Join us in praising God for providing 100% of our financial goal for this next year in the DR, 100% funding for the art program (that continues to be going great, by the way!!), and for filling 100% of the seats today at church. Our God is a God of 100%'s and "abundantly more", so we will not close our hands to any blessing he wants to pour out, but rather expectantly trust in his abundant provision for every need!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

Much love and many blessings! 

Jamie 

SALT

When I was growing up and going out with friends, it always ended up happening at some point. One of us would loosen the salt shaker lid, so when you needed to add a little more sodium to your fries, an entire reservoir of salt would empty onto your plate. Jesus said to the gathered crowds at the mountainside, "you are the salt of earth. Salt." Now, as it was when Jesus spoke this,   salt is what makes our food appealing and appetizing. Even while typing, 'salt and vinegar chips,' my mouth begins to salivate. For the past four years the majority of youth that I have ministered to have been non-Christian. Early on I remember telling the the parable of the Prodigal Son, and it was everyone's first time hearing it. I was dumbfounded. From that point on I felt the need to take shakers in both hands and start pouring out the salt. From this frontal Gospel approach, unintentionally, I tend to incite anger and argumentation,  or boredom and uninvolvement. There is such a thing as too much salt!
I recently told my youth here at the CMA that we are canceling youth group and starting discussion group. I am realizing that for every one word of truth I speak, I must first listen to ten words. The first question for our first night of discussion group was, "Would you allow Miley Cyrus to be a role model for your 12-year old daugh

Prayer Requests:

• Many of our staff are sick and Jamie has a bad cold,  please pray for healing. 
• Ask God to bring more workers for the harvest.
• Pray that God will continue to provide financial resources for our family.
• For Jamie's pregnancy.

Gracia y Paz

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The Good Hard

 Recently a friend and I were walking and talking and the term "good hard" came up. Ya know, the things we face in life that are super hard in the moment, but looking back we can see the good that came out of it? We had been discussing recent struggles and even shared a few embarrassing low moments we had experienced. The low moments in and of themselves were not what was embarrassing, it was describing them out loud to a friend that brought the blood rushing to our cheeks! I am grateful to have friends that I can do this with. 

Our little adventurer is now walking!

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

All of us face trials, whether we believe in God or not. I am thankful that in following God, our trials produce maturity and growth and character. None of it is wasted! Even if the trial is brought on by our own weakness or sinfulness. Thank you, Lord! 

We are growing. God has planted us in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, for this season of life and he sure is using this place to make us more like Him. There is something about being out here away from the "comforts of home" that bring all of your weaknesses a little closer to the surface. Anyway, we are thankful for it  (most days). 

Baby Girl due Feb. 14th

I'm learning more and more that nothing good comes out of a proud heart, but many blessings follow humility. So for our prayer partners out there, can we humbly ask you to pray us through this stretch of extra good hard stuff? Pray for our family and our marriage. Pray for our ministry here at CMA. Pray for my pregnancy and finding the right doctors and every step between now and us meeting our little [girl] sometime in February. Pray for our community here. And whatever else comes to mind. 

With humble, thankful hearts! 

Matthew, Jamie, Gabe, and Baby Girl 

Recent adventures

 Last week, Matthew, Gabe and I went to a beach 3 hours away called Las Terrenas. It was our first time there and we absolutely loved it! Our second day there, we ventured out to a waterfall in the next town over. Well, initially, we where just venturing out to see what we Could find. While driving, a man on a motorcycle comes up to the side of our car and says to us in Spanish That there is a waterfall just up the road and tells us to follow him. We kind of look at each other and laugh and decides to follow him, Despite The mood of the situation. Sure enough, there was a waterfall. BUT, to get to the waterfall We had to ride horses! The man Told us it was a very short, easy ride. The day was kind of lending itself to an adventurous spirit so after debating for a moment, We decided to give it a try. (I know, some of You have gaping mouths right now ....)

Gabe and I got what the man referred to in his broken English as the "4x4" horse. I guess that meant he was supposed to be the most sturdy, trusty one. It was a beautiful ride, but it was by no means short OR easy. We had a guide that walked by foot the whole way, leading the horse, which was helpful. We rode through rivers and up and down hills all through the Dominican "jungle". I was praying to myself the whole time, reminding myself of Scriptures that had to do with God keeping us safe. He did! 

When we got to the point where we dismounted our horses, we still had to hike down many stairs and through another river and up more stairs to reach the waterfall. But when we arrived, it was breathtaking. This whole time, Gabe was so content and happy. We have a little adventure boy on our hands :). 

Despite the nervous prayers along the way and all the work it took to get there, when we got to the waterfall, the Lord spoke. We had been talking to this couple and since the lady was holding Gabe (very common here), Matthew and I took the chance to swim out and go behind the waterfall. When I was heading back out, I was floating on my back looking up at this 130 foot waterfall. I was practically under it and my breath was taken away. I could feel the weight of the water and the roar of the falls drowned out all other noise. I felt so small, looking up at the falls, and all I could think about was Psalm 42:1-2,7:

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God... Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me..." 

These verses gained new meaning for me in this moment. I realized that a lot of times in life, I choose to stand at a distance from the waterfall. I hold on to fears, control, and self-sufficiency. Because taking a plunge into the water and standing beneath the falls means letting go of all of that. But that is the life that God invites us into. He wants to daily sweep over us, in a way that makes us forget all of our fears and worries, in a way that makes us thirst for Him alone to satisfy us. And although many of us (including myself), often avoid this because it would mean allowing ourselves to become smaller and God to become greater in our lives, it is the only way to live a truly satisfying Christian life. 

Since my moment at the waterfall, I've had many other moments where I've been tempted to fear (including on the ride back to our car!) or to take care of something on my own, but this image of what I saw looking up at the waterfall keeps coming back to me.... and I take a deep breath and give God control and allow his peace to sweep over me. 

Praying you allow God to do the same in your life this week!

Blessings,  

Jamie, Matthew, Gabe 

This little cutie will be ONE on Saturday!

Home In The DR

Looking out into the city!

Jamie and I (Matthew), recently returned back to the CMA from 3 weeks in the states. We were blessed with the opportunity meet with many friends and family who support us with prayer and finances. It was truly great to hear from many of you who are praying for our ministry. A pastor-friend once told me that he believes the greatest things that God will do through his life, will be done through prayer. So I thank you and am grateful for your prayers.

In this post I would like to address a few of the questions some of you asked while we were state-side. Obviously, there may be questions I do not address, so if you are left wondering feel free to email us or post your questions on our Facebook Page.

What is Crosswinds Caribbean Mountain Academy?
       We are a therapeutic Christian boarding school for struggling teenagers located in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. Parents primarily from the United States and Canada come to a place in their relationship with their child where they no longer know how to continue. Students come to our large campus located in the DR for the purpose of family restoration.

How does the Crosswinds CMA minister to students?
       We believe in a loving God who seeks to restore the whole person, therefore we seek to take a holistic approach to bringing the change which God desires. Here are just a few of the ways we minister.

1. Experiencing God's Creation: We are located on the side of a beautiful mountain called Mogote. On top of this we are constantly taking the students hiking, swimming at different waterfalls, and once a month we try to do a bigger activity like going to the beach or hiking Pico Duarte. We believe God desires to use His creation to speak truth and beauty into our lives, so we give our students these opportunities. 
2. Education: While at the CMA our students spend half a day doing online classes. Each student can learn at their own pace while receiving 1-on-1 attention from the staff on duty. Christians are called to excellence in all areas, and we therefore teach the importance and value of education. 
3. Servanthood: We believe that following Jesus means we serve others as Jesus served us. Students learn servanthood by doing mission work in different nearby Dominican communities in which we have ongoing relationships with. 
4. Christian Living: We seek to center our campus around the person of Jesus Christ. We have morning/nightly devotionals, weekly church services, spiritual group, and have daily opportunities to share Christ and pray with students.
5. Therapy: We have counselors who meet with our students, and also have weekly Skype sessions with the family. 

What is Our Mission Statement? 
"Changing hearts and bringing hope to a generation at risk." Some of the underlying scripture to this statement is:

Romans 12:2; We do not only seek to change the outward behaviors of our students, but we believe that through the grace of God, our students hearts can be transformed. Once God transforms the heart, soul, and mind a change in behavior will follow.

 Jeremiah 29:11; just as God had a purpose and plan for Israel, he has a purpose and plan for each student brought to the CMA. THERE IS HOPE!

What Financial Support Do We Need?

After having lived in the DR for 9 months, we have reevaluated our budget and come to realize we are in need of about $300 more a month. Gas is very expensive, in addition to car maintenance (which is about a monthly ordeal due to the horrible roads here!), as well as ongoing baby expenses and groceries. We are also anticipating some increased expenses come January 2015, as we are expecting baby Morley #2! Jamie is about 11 weeks along and we are super excited to have two little ones 18 months apart!

If you would like to become a monthly or one-time supporter here is our tax deductible online form.

How Can You Pray For Us?

Working with "troubled teens" requires a lot of patience and wisdom. Our staff need prayers daily concerning how to best minister to these students. 

Pray for Jamie's pregnancy, for her to find the right doctor's, and just that everything would go well!

Pray for our family and our marriage! 

Pray that God would give me wisdom in equipping the CMA staff for ministry.

Blessings!
The Morley Family

Unless the Lord Builds the House....

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Psalm 127:1

"...the builder of all things is God." Hebrews 3:4

This past week, both of these verses were in my reading for the day. The word "build" stuck out to me like it was written in red. I have been reflecting on these verses since then, trying to prayerfully  consider what God was trying to say. And even now as I sit here to write out my thoughts, I remember that the name of our blog is "Kingdom Building" .... I'm seeing a theme here! 

In these verses, what screams out to me is ...... "Give God the hammer!" How often do we take the hammer out of God's hands and try to "build" things on our own- whether it be our ministry, our reputation, our holiness, our personal growth, you name it. And yet, when we look in the Bible we find a repeated theme of God wanting us to submit our will, our plans, our everything to his control so that he can accomplish his plans. 

And then I'm reminded of this verse:

 " For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and unseen whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things  have been  created   through him and for him . " Colossians 1:16

So for me, this theme has been a bite of the so-called "humble pie". I do not do myself or my Savior any favors by trying to work, work, work. In fact, I work in vain. But when I hand the Lord the hammer and let him do the building and creating- what he has been doing since the beginning of time ... Jesus is glorified, I'm not burnt out, and there is fruit - in season! 

We are getting ready to head home to the States and we have been contemplating all the conversations we will have  updating people on the 8 months we have spent so far in the Dominican Republic. And ya know, it has not been what we expected! It has been unexpectedly hard and good in different areas. But one thing I can confidently proclaim is that the Lord is "building the house" ... and his kingdom, for that matter! It does not look like what we thought it would, but we are trying daily to "hand over the hammer" so that the Lord can do his work and nothing is done in vain. 

Ministry / Family Updates:

- The month of May was full of visitors! So thankful for family and friends who were able to experience our life here....

- Gabe is 10 months old, is now an expert crawler and is exploring other forms of getting around (climbing up and off things ....)! He continues to be such a source of JOY in our lives, we are excited to spread that joy while back in the States.

- We have reevaluated our budget / current funds / ongoing needs and have determined that some more support raising will need to take place while we are home! I think some unexpected costs that are taking a toll on our budget are: gas at $6/gallon, car repairs (mountain driving can be tough on a car!), ongoing baby expenses, and the list of things that cost 2x more here than in the States. We are hoping to raise between $ 300 and $ 500 more per month. 

A huge thanks for all of your support and prayers! 

Blessings, 

Jamie, Matthew and Gabe

Run, Forrest, Run!

Recently the students and staff on campus participated in a 5K "Color Run" in Santiago. I (Jamie) actually did not participate in this one... BUT the idea running a race relates to a passage I read in Scripture recently, and using this recent race as an example seems to make sense. Imagine all of the runners lined up at the start line. Lots of energy, excitement, and maybe even some nerves. Now what would happen if there was no finish line? Or, better yet, the race officials tell you there is a finish line, but they don't tell you where it is? If you've never been to Santiago, Dominican Republic, it is the second largest city in the DR, aside from the capitol. Being in Santiago is hectic. Especially if you are not familiar with the area, it would be easy to get lost. I'm imagining all of our students and staff running around Santiago "like chicken with their heads cut off". As soon as the race starts, I can see a few determined runners set out to find the finish line, but the majority of them quickly lose steam at the thought of the slim chances of ever finding the finish line. With no end in sight, what's the point of running the race? 

And that brings me to the passage. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, "24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away.26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air." (HCSV) 

This passage hit me like a 2x4 across my forehead. Do not run aimlessly. I felt the Lord nudging me to consider what my "aim" or goal is. What am I running towards? Or am I running around like a chicken with my head cut off, with no real purpose in mind? Sometimes I relate to the latter more than anything. Even being here in the DR, having moved here for a specific purpose and having constant reminders that I'm not "home", it is still easy to get into the day to day and lose sight of the purpose behind everything I do. 

We all have specific callings on our lives that may differ from person to person based on how God gifted us. As I reflect on the ultimate goal of everything I do, I'm reminded that it all serves to point towards the Lord. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory." (1 Corinithans 10:31, HCSV)

We think of you all often and pray that whatever you are doing, that it is with an attitude of praise and for the ultimate goal of glorifying God! That is what unifies us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Praise God! 

A few recent encouragements for us, as we "run the race" here in Jarabacoa, DR:

For this painting, we could only use two colors of paint! 

-Art program is back up and running, to the right is a picture of the first paintings that were created in last Friday's art class!
- This must be "Visit the Morley's" month, as we had friends here over the weekend and have 3 different groups of family members visiting yet this month! Such an encouragement to us to share our lives here with people we love!
- We've mentioned CMA being in transition, but are encouraged that a new couple moved on campus this week and there are several new staff coming in the next several months.
- We purchased tickets for our first trip to the States since we moved here- just over a month away!
- Gabe is 9 months old today! He's a speed crawler now and officially said his first word- "Da-da" :)

Our first of four visitors for this month, Dan and Meghan Hauser!

Keep running the race! We pray that the Lord encourages you to press through whatever you face today in order to best glorify Him.

In Christ!
Jamie, Matthew and Gabe

We have a new support video! Click here to watch it!

There is a horse in my yard!

All of my life I have wanted to own a horse. I was born with a love for horses, took riding lessons growing up, did 3 or 4 years straight of "Horseless Horse Project" in 4-H (sad, right?) until we leased a horse my last year so that I could actually show at the fair... you get the idea. So here I am, years later and in the Dominican Republic, with 4 horses at my disposal. And to be honest, for the first 6 months that I have been here, I have focused more on the fact that 3 out of the 4 are stallions and a little more on the rowdy side, definitely rusty with being ridden, and are smaller than your average horse. Plus, they just do things differently here. It is common to simply tie your horse up and let it graze, rather than turning it out into a pasture. They use different saddles,which don't always have the right parts. On top of that, we live on the side of a mountain, so finding a flat area to try and lunge a horse or do some practice-riding is virtually impossible. Let alone, trying to find time to ride with a baby!

To say the least, even though I would typically say that when I'm around horses, I'm "in my element", I have to admit that being around horses here, where everything seems different to me, I don't feel in my element at all! 

Just this past week, one of the horses has been tied up in our back yard consistently. One morning, I woke up and looked out my window to see this horse grazing and it suddenly dawned on me, "There is a horse in my yard! What a blessing!" It was as if I was able to recognize the blessing because my brain did not have enough time to register the list of negatives I'd been compiling. 

I've been reflecting on that  a lot this week. Sometimes our attitude about life is just a matter of perspective. You know, is the glass half- empty or half-full? A cheesy saying, but there is truth there! 

So, I'm starting to finally come around to embracing what is in front of me. The horse in my yard. The beautiful view. The pace of life here. The opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. I could (and have) found negative things to say about each of these things, but I'm much happier and at peace when I embrace them and give thanks for them. We have SO much to be thankful for. A little gratitude goes a long way.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.1 Thes. 5:18

You can be praying for ...
- CMA-we are in the process of hiring for several positions. Pray that the right people come along!
- Encouragement for staff here as we continue to go through the transition of directors 
- Our little family of three as we continue to adjust and learn and grow

We love and miss you,
Jamie, Matthew, and Gabe

come as you are

in the wave and rush of moving to a new country, taking up new occupations, meeting new people and hoping to make friends, naturally, a lot of expectations and dreams are formed. and we all know that feeling- when the newness starts to wear off and reality starts to take hold. the fog of adrenaline and excitement starts to lift and you are able to see a little more clearly. and of course, there is a mixture of "good" and "ugh, not so good"...

new friends. ever-changing job titles. fun adventures. lessons learned the hard way. ideas tried. ideas flopped. joy. tears. 

so is life, right? the "life of the missionary" is not any different at the core than the life of one who lives in their hometown. and that is what is becoming more clear to me (jamie) now, after 5 months. unfortunately, my bag of weaknesses and old wounds followed me here to the Dominican Republic. 

actually, no- it's not unfortunate! because no matter where i live, no matter what i do, no matter how old i am, my God is faithful. and gracious. and loving. and he invites me to come to him as i am. aka- broken, wounded, and messy. 

i don't think i needed to move to the D.R. to be reminded of this lesson, but it has come to me in a new light in the midst of different circumstances. so i suppose this post is a shout out to all of our friends and family back home, just letting you know that life is life here! but God is good and he is at work in us, even if it looks different than what we thought it would look like when we first moved here.

some updates-
- matthew is kind of "in limbo" right now, still technically the pastor here on campus, while also working almost full-time in house with the students. this is tough and good all at the same time. recently matthew said to me with a smile on his face, "i'm definitely learning a lot!"
- while CMA (Caribbean Mountain Academy) is in a period of transition between leaders, we are trying to revamp the program and critically consider all aspects of what we do here. this is tiring and exciting all at the same time, but much prayer is needed for this organization as many decisions are being made that will affect our course in the future.
- in the midst of these changes, the special programming- namely, the art program and horse therapy, are on hold until we get more of the foundational aspects of the program set in stone. this has been a hard step back for me, but this is where i'm learning to trust in God's timing. and this is where i learn to wait patiently!
- Gabe is just thriving! crawling (oh my!), eating fun new foods, clapping, and teething (he has 8 teeth). 
- we shared a wonderful visit with my family at the beach this past month... so thankful to spend a whole week together! 

so this is us! learning, growing, and trying our best to Represent Jesus To Those in front of us. your prayers carry us through the ups and downs of life and ministry. thanks for remembering us in your hearts even though we are far away.

Aunt Abby with Gabe at Cabarete Beach, D.R.

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