and so it begins!

  I arrived safe and sound on Monday after a very early morning (thanks to the best mom ever for waking up at 2 am to drive me to the airport)!  I've jumped right into things here. For at least the first few weeks of my stay, I will be living with some long term missionaries; a mom, dad, four kids, two dogs, and a bird. This is the same family I stayed with five summers ago and, well, there is never a dull moment in this house. They are incredible, fun, and busy. They keep me on my toes.
  My job for the next three weeks is to get tutoring boxes together full of math and reading supplies for each site where interns will be this summer. So I've begun making copies, coloring (college education right there! fortunately 11 year old Chase can help me out), reviewing my fractions with sweet pizza cutouts, and scouring the school for old textbooks and reading materials. Tomorrow I will travel with Vic, the dad, to Constanza, another site, to learn about the ministry there and see what we have for tutoring supplies. 
  I have really been settling into the Dominican culture again. It's been wonderful reconnecting with friends, both english speaking and not. My spanish has really been put to the test, but it hasn't failed me too bad yet. The rice and beans are delicious as always, and today, 12 year old Luke taught me how to drive the motorcycle (Dad, you didn't read that). Like I said, settling into the culture. :)
  A specific prayer request: A young woman in the community had emergency surgery yesterday and something went wrong. She has not stopped bleeding since. Here, patients are responsible for finding their own blood if they need transfusions since the hospitals don't have any. She already received six pints last night and as of this afternoon was seeking more donations. Please pray for healing for her, peace for her husband and family, and for A negative donors to step up (almost all Dominicans know their blood type for reasons like this). 
  Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers. It really has been a fine transition and I am thankful for the time I have had here already (especially since I haven't seen a cockroach yet!). Be praying that I would be able to discern the best way I can be a blessing to the family I'm with and the organization as a whole in the next few weeks. To God be the glory!

humbled, excited, three days!

  I remember talking with one of my roommates this past semester about what it looks like to seek the Lord while ultimately making your own decisions. We came to a beautiful conclusion. If we choose on a daily basis, hour by hour, minute by minute, to believe that God truly loves us, then we are continuously humbled. Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." So when we are humbled, we gain wisdom. With wisdom, we see the path God has paved for us, and we are able to obey. And when we are obedient, God works in and through us. So, recap: God loves us --> we are humbled --> we gain wisdom --> we can obey --> awesomeness happens.

  It all starts with choosing to continuously believe that God truly loves you and has a plan for you, and that you are Christ's beloved. When we really come to terms with that, how can we not be humbled?

  Out of this conversation (partly) came my plans for this summer: I leave for the Dominican Republic in three days (!!!) where I will spend two months working with Kids Alive International (<-- click to check them out!). I could not be more excited to see what God has in store for this summer. It is my prayer that I, and each of my teammates, will be routinely reminded of the depth of God's love for us and for each child we interact with. And in being reminded, we may be ever humbled as we walk in wisdom and faith.

  I am humbled and honored that I get to go forth with this experience! And I will be regularly (not sure what that actually means yet) be updating this blog so that you can be a part of this experience with me. Thank you so much for all your love, support, and prayers. It really is encouraging to have such a community of love around me.

  As I am keeping you updated on my summer, PLEASE send me e-mails and tell me what is going on in your lives too. michelle.nelson@my.wheaton.edu

  Blessings!