So here in the DR….. we don’t have poinsettia PLANTS. We have poinsettia TREES. And they are magnificent. Of course before I lived here I had no idea that poinsettias could grow as TREES…but it’s the coolest. You do see the trees in San Juan but not as much as in the mountains or on the way to the presa (the dam) or El Cercado.
We don’t see the weather change as much as in Pennsylvania but when the poinsettia trees are red-red-RED and the ground is dry and the breeze gets down into the 60s at night…. it’s winter here in San Juan. Changing seasons. I feel like I’ve been in the midst of that lately. I was home in Pennsylvania for about 2 weeks this month, helping my parents move. They moved out of my childhood home which was EMO-TION-AL. Wow- lots of memories. AND they have a different car. AND we have a new cabin. AND it was COLD (although that isn’t new). Changing seasons. Things were looking different when I arrived in the States. It feels kinda weird. But it was (and IS) RIGHT and GOOD and I LOVE the new places and the view at the new cabin and the fact that my parents live within walking distance of an Isaac’s Deli Restaurant and the Costco and a Sushi Bar. These are cool things. Change isn’t always easy for me to swallow. I happen to like to BE the person in the midst of change as opposed to adjusting to the change in others. Is that how everybody is? We sometimes do better dealing with our own change than the change AROUND us. So I’m adapting and adjusting and all that jazz…..and it’s colorful.
I see the bright red poinsettia trees popping out in the tropical landscape and it seems more brilliant than it ever has. These crazy baby-breath-like trees are often near them and it’s just this amazing combination of perfect flower arranging. And I think of all the things that God is “arranging” in my life. New apartment life… complete with a potential balcony garden that I am beyond excited about. Another new work season (winter craziness!) coming upon us. New stuff at home in PA like cabins and houses. Deeper, better relationships on all sides. Improving language skills. Driving to work every morning on the pasola shivering with the “winter” morning air here. New knowledge of the pain-in-the-rear stuff that I’ll have to do to get my Dominican Visa all squared away. New patients that I’m meeting and loving and enjoying sipping orange juice on their porches. New educational charlas making their way into our barrio clinics. Newness. Changing Seasons.
And yet….. much remains the same. My parents ARE home, no matter what roof is over our heads. That was a refreshing and reassuring promise that was so evident during the PA move. My job and my life here definitely have seasons of change but I remain happy and content in San Juan and feeling God leading my (and our) steps here at Solid Rock. I feel so blessed and continue to feel God’s call here in this place at this time…amongst the poinsettia trees and barking dogs and crowing roosters and trucks rumbling over the bridge that I can see out of our window. In the midst of ANY of the above-mentioned changes, I still feel loved and utilized and like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
As always…THANK YOU. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me and praying for me. For those of you who don’t know, I’m self-funded down here and I certainly could not do any of this without you. So please know that in all these seasons….. your steadfast help is very very appreciated. And since Thanksgiving Day was yesterday, a quick mention of my gratitude: :) I am SO THANKFUL for my faith and my family and friends and those who are lifting me up that I don’t even know about. We serve an awesome God…. in all seasons…in all changes.. Bendiciones!
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