octubre

I cannot believe how quickly October has arrived! I have been here for a month and it finally feels like home! Many things are still very challenging, but I feel like I have assimilated to some extent. More importantly, I am happy and feel like I am going to be able to do good work here.

I had an excellent weekend. The highlight was travelling down to Jarabacoa to visit Vic and Leslie Trautwein and their kids. They have been working in the DR for several years and I have had the pleasure of getting to know them during my visits here. All of the members of the Trautwein family have been blessed with the gift of hospitality. I always feel so welcome with with them. Vic and Leslie have four very intelligent and spunky little kids. It was so nice being around a family and visiting old friends. I feel very renewed and feel so blessed that they live on the same island as me! I look forward to spending more time with them.

Jarabacoa is in the mountains (which is my second favorite thing about the DR- the kids are the first). The air was much cooler and thinner there. I actually got to sleep under a blanket!! I also was able to go tubing in one of the rivers down there with the Trautwein's and another missionary, Erica. We had a blast. I got banged up a bit, and sitting is a bit painful at the moment, but we had a great time.

Luckily, it was much cooler in Montellano when I returned last night. Usually, when we don't have power at night, its difficult to sleep because its so hot (without a fan). Last night was great! When the power came back on in the middle of the night, I actually hhad to turn my fan off because it was too cold. Praise the Lord!!

More news... I found a roommate! She is from Austin (Georgetown), Texas. Its a little ironic that she is from the Austin area. It has given us a lot of common ground though. I feel like we have a lot in common. She will be moving in November. I am so excited to not live alone!!

I return to the United States (only for about 11 days) on Wednesday. I'll be attending Meghan's (my best friend from highschool) wedding in Charleston, spending some time with my parents and brother in Murrells Inlet, then heading out to Austin to visit Ryan and go to two of his friends' wedding. I am so excited to see everyone! I know its going to go by too fast, but I am thankful to be able see people that I love and miss so much!

Love & Blessings,
Georgia