Jesse figured it out!

We have this wonderful lemon tree in our back yard! I love lemons and lemonaid. This morning the kids were collecting the lemons and Jesse likes to line them up and count them and then juggle them. Anyway this morning he put one on the back of his neck and said Mom, I know what my hole is for!!! (He has a very deep indention in the back of his neck and I tell him it is to collect my kisses) The lemon just fits in it!!

Little Kids Christmas

Christmas was of course a little different this year, but we all had one of the best Christmas's we can remember. This is what we bought with the money Mama & Papa gave us. Yes, that is a real working Barbie sewing machine, it will be so much fun sewing together!!
These are presents from Grandmother and Grammy Sugar!
Little Miss Priss!
They boys got these cool tracks you put together like a puzzle and the car runs along the track.

Then of course the BIG gift - THE Wii!!!
Who knew this thing could be soo much fun, oh and the kids liked it too! We literally played all day - I did have to turn it off and make everyone eat lunch, but that was the only time we stopped. We also got the Outdoor Adventure that comes with a mat and it will wear you out! Damie played this at a friends house and has talked about it non stop since. We got up Christmas morning and Shay read them the Christmas Story and then said "Since we had to bring Christmas in our suitcases you only have a wee little present, it is wee." Damie got it and started jumping up and down!! Check out Jesse's form - Uncle Rodney and Granpa Jack would be proud!
We also had so much fun making Mii's - you make the little person you play with look like you. We also made a Mii for everyone in our family and when we play baseball they all play on our team, it is soo much fun! You don't have a lot of options, but we made one that looks so much like Grandpa, it makes us laugh everytime we see him!

Big Kids Christmas

Shay and I didn't get each other presents for Christmas, we are just happy to be here! But due to our delayed container we were getting tired of cold food and sandwiches. Shay went on a search for a grill, because it is something we didn't bring with us and we would use later. He found the only one in Bani. After a few days of haggaling over the price he came home with it! Now you have to remember we are in the DR, so it came with no screws and missing a side. We are trying to have a new side made and we found an owners manual on line and got the sizes of the screws and Shay found a hardware store and bought them and it is sitting on our sinks in the back yard.
This is our first meal - Hamburgers of course! They were delicious!
We have lots of pots and pans coming so we didn't want to buy any, but since it has a little burner on the side we decided to buy just one pan. So it has been used for everything from boiling water for coffee (soooo good to have coffee again) and turned upside down to make pancakes (isn't my husband a genius!!).

Do you see the little jar of water on the grill? When we were in Costa Rica the little grill on campus kept a plastic bag of water hanging in the door way of the kitchen. When we asked what it was for they said to keep away the flies, we thought they were crazy, but it works and here in the DR we see glasses of water in the stores and resturants. So we have started doing it too and it is so funny to see the flies go away instantly!!
Needless to say Shay and I love our Christmas present to each other!!

What a difference 3 years makes

Last year we spoke of Christmas without all the trappings and then we thought life was spartan with paper Christmas trees and two suitcases of toys courtesy of my mom. And 3 years ago we wept as we "suffered" in a well appointed fully equipped compound while serving in Santiago, DR with Tim and Trena Johnson. How 3 years have changed us! Now we are not just content , but truly happy with NO furniture (except 4 cots, 1 airmattress and 2 plastic chairs), we only just got our inverter and batteries installed last week and thus ending the twice daily power outages. Inspite of no stove we were able to purchase a gas grill from a second hand store on which we are now cooking in the backyard. I can only say that we are fully resting in the grace of our Father who has brought us here for this purpose and has filled us with His joy. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Do we have some stories to tell!

The airplane rides were interesting because the first one was the smallest plane we had ever been on and we were all serperated expept Gwyn and Jesse were together. Damie and Sierra did great sitting alone and even made some friends and the boys got to see the cockpit. The second flight was a big plane and there was not an empty seat and we assume the bottom of the plane was full too because when we got to the DR and we found out our luggage didn't make it with us. But by the end of the day we had all of our stuff! We spent the first 4 nights with Greg and Melynda Burge and The Stones feed us and took us to church. They also took us to see our new house and Restoration Ranch. This is a picture Denise took during our trip. It was wonderful to step foot on land that we have talked about, dreamed about and prayed about for so long. It is really coming along well! Since Monday, Dec. 8 we have been living in our new home in Bani. Bani is about 1 hour from the Capital where the Stones and Burges live. We have not gotten our container yet, so we have 2 plastic chairs 3 cots and 2 air mattresses. We don't have any appliances, so have a cooler we keep a bag of ice in and 2 lanterns for when the power is out. We are basically camping. We are very blessed with a sweet neighbor who has given us some great advice about Bani and given us numbers of trustworthy taxis. We also don't have a washer and our dirty laundry was piling up and we ask her about a laundry mat and she didn't know what we were talking about, but she said we could rent a washing machine. So we did and this is what came. One side you fill with water and soap, with a hose if you have one, with buckets is how we had to do it and we had plenty of help. Then you put soap in and it agitates for about 10 min. Then you drain all the water out and fill it with clean water for the rinse. Then you drain that water and put the items in a little container and it spins them - Shay calls it a glorified salad spinner, then you hang them out to dry! It fills a day to do laundry this way, but we don't have a lot of other things to do so it was kind of fun!! We have also been forced to be creative with eating. We have made sun tea and we warmed our food on a tin roof.
Everyone but me (Gwyn) was sick the first week we were in our house. We got to know the pharmacy on a first name basis, but everyone is now well. There are about 15 other kids that live on the street and when the power is out everyone goes out side, so the kids have made plenty of friends. This is one of our neighbors his name is Junior, he is 8 years old and very sweet - his mom is the one that has been so helpful! This is our kids sitting on our front porch, just watching the world go by.

on the road again

sorry for the long dry spell. We have been up to our eyeballs in worldly goods and this past friday we waved goodbye to our shipping container and booked our flight to the DR for 12-4-08. yeah God we are on our way!!!!!!! more information on our stay in the Good 'ol USA when I have time.

What have we been up to??

We don't have internet access at either of our mission houses, so it is difficult to keep the blog updated. We will do better once we are in the DR. We have been speaking at a few churches - Shay preached in Spanish this past Sunday!! This was quite an accomplishment, he did such a great job! I (gwyn) will be speaking at a few WMU and GA groups. We also went to the beach with Shay's family and have some family days planned with my family. We have gone through all our stuff and getting it ready for the container. We are homeschooling a K-5, 1st grader and 3rd grader and they are doing good! Below are some pictures of our weeks in the US.

My "heart" language

Among missionaries there is often a distinction drawn bettween languages a person knows and there "heart language". Heart language is the language your born into and therefore the one that most deeply touches who you are. This is the reason why good people like the Wycliffe Bible translators work so hard to translate the Bilble so that people can read God's word in that language which most profoundly touches there lives.
Last Sunday I was rather disinterested in the worship service though it was my first in a year in English. Then, I began to sing the songs by translating them into Spanish. suddenly my heart swelled and tears came to my eyes and I felt the Spirit washing over my heart. I asked the Lord to help me to feel His Spirit in my "heart language" too. (thinking English) The responce which came to my spirit was "I did! You've given your heart to Spanish and the Hispanic people I've called you to serve." It is, now, the "language of my heart" though it is not my "heart language" from a tecnical standpoint.
Shay "Santiago"

What a beautiful dream!

Last week I woke up in a house in Peachland, North Carolina from the most beautiful dream. I've heard how people sell tapes that you play while you sleep and when you awake your smarter, nicer, or better in some way or another. Well, I awoke from my dream with the ability to speak in pretty good Spanish. Believe it or not it's true.
My dream was beautiful, horrible, exciting, boring, difficult and yet easy. I dreamed at first I was in a strange country surrounded by strange people with unusual customs and langauge. Then suddenly they transformed before me into a beautiful and generous people with a language no longer mysterious, but powerful and lovely. I gave my heart and my frenship to many of them and today I am sad that I am not still in the land of my dream, though I am so very thankful for the journey and that little stretch of road that I like to call "language school". If ever the faculty or staff of ILE read this blog know that you have my deepest heart felt thanks for you love, patience and skillfull labors. with tears of joy and rememberance, Shay "Santiago" Griffin

We are here

We are in Peachland, NC, staying in a beautiful home provided by Peachland First Bapt. Church, we are also in Boiling Springs, SC staying in a home provided by Boiling Springs 1st Bapt. Church. We are going through our worldly goods and getting ready to pack our container. Our computer is in the shop for about 3 weeks. We will be able to check our email every few days and you can reach us at our Vonage phone number. We are all doing well and enjoying time with family and friends. More later!

Jesse - 5 years old

I can't believe my baby boy is 5 years old! There's this little store close to us that has the best cinnamon rolls - so this was his birthday cake! He loves them! We will have another party in the states very soon!
Wasn't it just yesterday we got the call that we were going to have a 2 day old new born. We brought him home, all 5lbs of him and couldn't believe what a miracle he was! He was the perfect baby, slept well, ate well and always wanted his Mama(which I loved!) He has grown up so much this past year and I guess I need to accept the fact I no longer have a baby. I have a nickname for him that I am keeping even if he is growing up, Bundle. Every morning when he wakes up he comes to me with his blanket wrapped around him and I scoop him up and I started telling him he looked like a bundle and it stuck. When he is being diciplined and he isn't happy with me he'll say "I am not going to be your bundle anymore!" but moments later he is curled up in my lap. He has a smile that is contagious. Here in Costa Rica you don't see blonde hair much, so everyone that passes him has to touch his head! He also has a very tender heart! Usually 2 or 3 times a week the kids color me and Shay and anyone else they know pictures, so one day I colored some and gave Jesse one and he was so touched he got a tear in his eye and hugged me and said Thank you so much! I have my guesses, but I can't wait to see what God has in store for this little miracle! We are very blessed to have 3 miracles!

Costa Rica - what have I learned

As the time quickly approaches for us to leave the wonderful country I have been thinking about what I have learned during my year here. Carla our empleada has taught me how to get out any stain - hot milk! I am serious - heat a little bit of milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds and soak the stain. I have seen it take out ink, blood, grass and spaghetti sauce. The only stain it or anything else won't take out is the sap from the banana tree in our back yard, anything it touches it turns black and stays black! She also cuts a hole in a hand towel and fits it over the broom and she mops with that, it is so smart because you just wash it each day - I have always hated dirty mops.
I learned to quilt this was definitely a GOD thing. I literally woke up one morning and had this desire to quilt. I thought I haven't sewn since Jr. High and I don't have a machine!?! I searched the internet for quilt and found a shop and the nice ladies taught me how and I am in love with the process and the results. I plan on getting a machine and taking some classes while we are home. I want to sew clothes for us and make more quilts!
Another thing I have learned is Ants are our friends, we tried and tried to rid our house of them, but have learned to live with them and even enjoy their strength and resourcefulness. (that is a string from a banana they were carrying it up the wall!) We just count it as a little more protein in our diet!
I have learned there are lots of things you can do without and life goes on and you adjust. A/C - most of the time you don't need it here, but on those days you do, you just open more windows or turn on more fans.
Dishwasher - we do have Carla, and I feel very blessed to have her - the school ask all of the students to employ an empleada (maid) they use it as a outreach and have a bible study each week for them and it is great Spanish practice - she doesn't speak English! It is very inexpensive and she is here 3 days a week. But we still have 4 days and Damie has become a very good dishwasher and it has been good for him.
A Car! - This is a big one, but also a blessing! People drive crazy around here and there is no where to park. I have come to love riding the bus and it is nice to use a taxi on occasion. It is also nice not to have to worry about the crazy gas prices - over $5.00 here.
Wal-mart & Target & grocery stores - Oh this one hurt!! I didn't realize how much I was spoiled to hop in the car and go get whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. We have only purchased 5 or 6 pieces of clothing since we have been here and we are OK, we are all sick of the same 6 or 7 outfits we have worn for a year, but no worse for the wear - although the clothes are worse for the wear because of the other thing we lived without - A DRYER!! I love clothes hung out in the sun, they smell wonderful! But when the towels can stand up by themselves - free exfoliation!! The dilemma comes when it is rainy season - which is a lot of the time here - so you get used to having clothes hanging all over your house!
Toys - this kids have had the same toys and we only brought a few things. They have gotten things with grandparents came and 3 things each at Christmas, but they have learned to be happy with what they have or make some new things out of trash or empty boxes.
Now that it is time to go home we have to decide what to bring home only to pack and take to the DR and what to send to the DR. What do we need, what things are important? We have always been surrounded by STUFF (shay is a self confessed pack rat) and this year we have very few things and it is very freeing!
I hope none of this has sounded like complaining, I have loved my year here and wouldn't trade it for anything. Everything that seems like it would be hard has turned out to be better or a blessing. I have always like simple things, I like to experience things as they were meant to be, I don't like imitations, short cuts, fast food - yes they make life easier but you miss something, I feel cheated. This may sound silly, but this wraps up what I have learned in Costa Rica - Take the time to do something thoroughly, completely and you are rewarded by the process and the outcome. I think the more we can live like our grandparents did the happier, healthier and more content we will be.

Packing

OK, I need some help! If anyone has any suggestions, advice anything, I'll take it. I have about 2 weeks to pack an entire house. We have 16 suitcases. How do I pack and weigh while we still have to live? What is worth taking or what should I leave, what should I sale? I have friends that have had nervous breakdowns over clothes hangers, I handled that one yesterday - they are all staying here! One breakdown down and hopefully no more to go! My goal is to pack one suitcase a day and I did one yesterday, but it was everything I could think of we didn't need, today is going to be a struggle!?!

We have a house in the DR!!

Shay took a 5 day trip to the Dominican Republic to see Restoration Ranch - the children's home we will be working with, to look at some houses for us, check out the city of Bani, where we will be living and work with a team from our church Restoration. As usual God did more than we could ever ask or think!
We have a house in the DR!!
Nicer than we could imagine, the rent is ridiculously low and it is in a very nice neighborhood! We don't deserve the grace and mercy given to us everyday! PRAISE OUR MOST GRACIOUS GOD!
Thank you to everyone who prays for us and gives to support us, we could not do this without you!
There are more pictures in the slide show at the top right!

Check this out - Our God is Good!

Check out the website for the story behind the song - it is as good as the song.
http://healer.integritymusic.com/

God can do ALL Things!!

What a great story

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out."

Moral of the wicker basket story: Take time to read a portion of God's word each day; it will affect you for good even if you don't think you've retain a word.

I need to be changed from the inside out!

Grace Livingston Hill

I don't know how I have missed this great Author all my life, but I have. My best friend Kelly suggested them and I am in love! Here in Costa Rica it is not easy to find a book in English especially older books, so I turned to the web and found a website with some books online and I printed out a short one, The Mystery of Mary and read it in a weekend. Then I had Shay check the library at school and they have about 6 of her books so he brought me Head of the House - read it in 3 days. So he will be getting me another today. I can't put my finger on what I like about them so much except that the characters act like I would like to act and how I would like my children to act. The characters inspire me. I can't wait to get the next one.

Beach Trip

 
 
 
 
We went to the beach this weekend! It was on the Caribbean coast and it was beautiful! The kids had a great time in the ocean and Jesse of course was always on the look out for animals - we saw a slough, huge crab, lots of little crabs, birds, fish, and his favorite was this log close to the ocean that was full of little snails, he sat their for a long time! Sierra was very brave, she is usually very afraid of the waves, but played and played in the ocean. Damie had a great time swimming and building sand castles!