A Christmas Catchup - December 21, 2007

As I just typed today’s date above I had to stop and think about it, check a calendar and ask Kayla before I could believe that it is really almost Christmas. It definitely snuck up on me. Perhaps it’s the fact that I am still wearing shorts and enjoying the 80 degree weather. But even more than that, it must be the way that Christmas is celebrated here compared to home. The first week of November we brought out the extent of our decorations: A two foot fake tree with 6 gold globes and half a string of flashing red lights (half a string because about midway they just stop working.) It is quite the festive display set up on our front porch. As much as it makes me laugh I am sure I will miss it. It’s greeted me as I’ve walked home from school every day for the last two months.
It’s the last Friday before Christmas and our first day of break. If I was at home, I am sure that I would be out shopping somewhere making the last minute purchases before the stores closed for the holidays. Instead, I took advantage of the running water and sun/wind combination perfect for drying and declared it laundry day. By the time I get around to doing my laundry here, it is normally a big pile that consumes a large portion of my day. In the end I have a wet front from water splashed out of the sink and soar, red hands. For awhile there I was really effective. One sink for soak, another for soap, and then I’d rotate back to the first for rinse, and back to the second for wringing. It works pretty well and it is definitely the best use of my time. If you are ever considering washing your laundry by hand, give me a call. I think I’ve perfected the process and it might even be faster than using a machine. But then my whole concept of time is changing. Why rush through my laundry? Well actually I can think of some good reasons: before the water runs out or it starts raining and I have to hang dry my clothes indoors. However, laundry time is good thinking time, so I took the risk and slowed down. Here are some thoughts I’ve been bouncing back and forth just my life:

1. I haven’t blogged in way to long – Hopefully that will get better again
2. God is good – He protected us through Tropical Storm Noel and Tropical Storm Olga. I still don’t understand all of the bad that happens in the world and I’ve become a lot more aware of it as I see even the hurt that my close neighbors experience. But he still whispers in the storms.
3. I successfully learned the names of all 46 of my students by the end of the first semester. J haha…don’t worry, it was a little faster than that and they all have 2-3 names they rotate through so it’s harder than it sounds.
4. I can now argue in Spanish just as fast as my students, sometimes we are arguing about different things because I misunderstood the first phrase, but that always makes for a good laugh
5. Don’t become a missionary as a nursing student; their concept of germs here scares me. We have a “drinking fountain” in the office. It is actually just a jug of water and ONE cup that we all share without washing. I only used it once and then held my breath for a week waiting to get sick. Luckily I was spared. This week is the Chicken Pox outbreak. Apparently they didn’t know it was contagious. All of the kids still go to school and they continue to take part in the drinking fountain in the office. They all have horrible scabs because nobody told them they shouldn’t scratch them. Oops. I offer a band-aid and hug when I can and then pray germs are a myth.
6. The term “Student” Missionary is accurate – I am always learning something new: the language, the food, the cello, the concept of relying on God
7. Support systems are soo important. Thank you everyone who has taken the time to pray for me, send me something, or even just think of me. After four months the mail has started coming through and thank you Grandparents, the Bob Logan family, The Hensel Family, Amanda and Andrea, and Willy, and Laura, and of course my family. I read the letters over and over.

It’s not much, but it’s a little bit of my life. I continue to take it a day at a time, or sometimes even minutes at a time. But somehow I make it through, and not alone. This place is becoming home and when I look at pictures, I can’t help but think about how hard it will be to leave. I would be lying if I suggested that life here was comfortable and normal now. But I don’t think that I really want to live in my comfort zone and I wouldn’t take back what I have learned so far this year. I hope that at least one of my students gains half as much as I am from these months together. Thinking back on the child crying in my arms last night at the thought of me leaving in six months, I hope that perhaps I have made a difference. Sure she knows the 150 English words I’ve taught them, but I hope more than the words, she remembers that someone thinks she’s special; Even if that someone did take away her recess at least once every week.
I hope the Holiday season is going well for everyone. Try and slow down to take at least a couple breaths. Don’t let the materialism of the season distract you from the blessing of the break. I know I am lucky to be able to sit here listening to my Christmas music and sipping my sleepy time tea (thank you Willy!) knowing that there is nowhere to go. If you have to, pretend you are in the middle of the Dominican Republic and enjoy the peace, and the laughter of the children outside. And while you are there, read the Christmas story. It is a good one!
With love and Christmas blessings,
Ashley – Feliz Navidad