Back in La Romana!!

Friends,

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement during the last six months of my time in the US taking a much needed rest.  In the last six months I have learned that if I don't take care of myself I won't be around to take care of all of the people I love and serve in the Dominican Republic.  It's something that I knew in my head but was obviously not living in my life.  I now have a renewed energy and health that I didn't have when I went to the states in May 2011. 

I returned to La Romana in the early morning hours of December 1, 2011 and have been taking things very slow, concentrating mostly on getting my house arranged the way I like it and practicing the things I learned in the US to keep me relaxed and refreshed.  I went to the hospital a few days ago to meet with friends and reconnect with colleagues and it felt great!  So many warm smiles and hugs that it really felt like coming home.  I was also able to work with Moises and talk to some potential new medical folks that may begin surgical clinics with us and even a couple considering long-term missions work with us!  Praise God for his provision!

For many of you, you may not have known that I moved into a new place just before I left for the States back in May.  I know am renting a home in a wonderful neighborhood closer to the hospital that has a really nice yard for the dogs.  Both Kobe and Sasha are in heaven with their new space and I'm so happy that I found a place for less rent than I was paying while still offering me a safe neighborhood and room for the dogs.  It really has been such a blessing to wake up to the birds singing and have a quiet neighborhood full of families and kids who have already adopted Kobe and Sasha...they watch for them when they get out of the yard and want to give them baths!!

So as we end 2011 and begin a new year, I want to encourage you to take some time with family and friends this season to love on them, care for them and let them know how much they mean to you.  We are all so blessed and often forget our blessings when we are stressed or under pressure so lets remember to thank God for all of the good we have in life, even when it's hard at times.  Even when we may not have the riches of the world we have the richness of friendship and a hope that never ceases.

Many blessings,
Kristy