Counting my blessings.

It's Monday night, May 2, 2016 and I just got home from Clase de Español. We have FHE every Monday, except tonight. Our family is taking off and doing their own individual FHE. So, I'm doing some blogging, which I'm so far behind on that I can't remember what's been going on.

Looking down into the zip line canyon

Our daughter and son in law, Angela and Doug spent a week with us and went home one week ago today. We had so much fun with them! We went to a beautiful resort called Punta Cana. It was at an all inclusive hotel and amazingly beautiful. We went on an excursion to the jungle where rode a zip line. We went on 12 of them and it was so much fun! Some were steeper and faster than others and some were longer. It was absolutely gorgeous flying through the jungle above the trees. We spent time on the beach and Randy did some snorkeling (which wasn't very good), but it was a great getaway!

   We also spent a few days with them here in Santo Domingo. We took them with is to the institute and to one of our classes there. Then we went to FUNVAL (our class where we teach institute, US culture and a little English to students learning to work in an American call center). The teachers had arranged for all four of us to do "mock interviews" with the  guys. So after my Book of Mormon class, we went up into a room and they brought the students into us. We had certain questions that we asked them. It was for them to practice so they wouldn't be so nervous when they start interviewing for real. We gave them each five minutes. I think Doug and Angela enjoyed it. They really saw why we love our FUNVAL guys. These young men are so motivated and so spiritual. Angela and Doug were surprised when we walked in and they stood up and clapped. They really appreciate everything  you do. Even the ones who have graduated still hug me when they see me. They are like having 30-40 grandsons. You worry about them, pray for them, and just love them so much. 😉

Good news!  When we went to Funval on Tuesday May 3rd we were informed that half of our Fuunval class had been hired!  Yea!  We are happy that they are getting jobs but sad because we will miss them.  We will see them again on June 25th, Graduation Day.


   Anyway, it was so nice to be with our daughter and son in law. They are such good people and
they've helped and supported us so much. They take care of the house and yard and help Kathy (our
friend that lives in our house) when she needs it. They are so busy with six children and work and church assignments that I feel guilty. We couldn't be here doing this mission without them. I'm so grateful for them. 

 One of my students that I've talked about before is Aura Paola Diaz.  She is an amazing young woman. When we first came to the DR, she couldn't speak a single word of English. She came to our English class and we taught her some basics. She hasn't been able to come to class this past semester because of her school schedule. She just keeps practicing on her own and can now communicate quite well. About a month ago I introduced her to my friend, Kris, (another senior missionary) who is teaching basic piano skills. In a month Aura has advanced to playing the hymns from the easy hymnal. Kris says she's ready to play for sacrament meeting. Aura goes to her church every chance she gets to practice piano. She also practices at the institute whenever she can. She's only 18 and wants to do everything! I   believe, if anyone can, it's Aura. Last night another senior missionary couple that work in public relations, were setting up a display and they met Aura. She volunteered to help them with their presentation! She takes four or five classes at the University and several institute classes. She travels into the city from Boca Chica, which is about 30 miles away, on a bus and a "public" car. It's expensive for her, so on the days she has college classes, she comes early and stays all day at the institute between her classes. She started working on her missionary papers right after she turned 18. That way she can have all the medical and dental things done so she can apply as soon as possible. She won't turn 19 until November. She is going to be one "amazing" missionary.  I can't wait until that day! I love Aura.
 
This week there are no institute classes because we are between semesters, but there are University classes, so we have all the students in the institute building studying and socializing. It's a great opportunity to be with them. We will still have FUNVAL on Tuesday and Wednesday and Pathway on Thursday though. Each program has different schedules. It's nice to have it a little slower so we can spend more time with the students.  (Practice our Spanish with them)
   We really love it here.  We love the students and the people we work with. We love the other senior
missionaries so much! Our closest neighbors, the Bentleys are leaving in six weeks.

Steve and Kris Bentley 

They are the Area IT  missionaries.  They are good friends and Randy and I will miss them both a lot. I borrow everything from her. But it's their friendship that Randy and I will both miss.
   Well, I've spent enough time telling you all about my temporary family here in Santo Domingo. Life is interesting and Heavenly Father blesses us with so many different opportunities to grow and to
 love other people.
   Won't the after life be great when all the people that have crossed our paths come back into our lives again? Love and miss you all. Peggy