Puppies

Hello!

A little over two years ago, we found this stray puppy sniffing around our garbage can.

Of course, a certain five-year-old wanted to keep it but we had to say, "no." We weren't trying to be mean, just trying to save us from allergies! Our neighbour adopted her instead and named her Rosita.

Early this morning, while most of us were still sleeping, Rosita gave birth to five puppies of her own. Kids, friends, and neighbours couldn't wait to hold them!

I, personally, did not hold them. And no, my dear daughter, we may not have one.

Goodnight!

Marcie Cooper

Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

Hello!

How are you? Can you answer using a word other than "fine" or "good?" Do you have peace?

I must admit that I can be a terrible worrier. I often get anxious and forget about God's peace, especially if I am not spending enough time praying and reading my Bible. I worry about my kids and our health and about silly things that will probably never happen. When I start to feel like that I quote Philippians 4:6-7 to myself. It says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

God's peace is not just the absence of war or worries or fears. It is more than we can imagine! Ephesians 2:14 even says, "He Himself is our peace." I'm glad that I serve that kind of God. I can pray to Him about anything I'm worried about and He can take care of it and help me not to worry.

Do you have that kind of peace? It comes first from believing in Jesus' death on the cross to bring peace between us and God. It is not the kind of peace that the world gives. It is more than we can understand or imagine.

Have peace!

Marcie Cooper

Santiago Field Trip Part 2: The Zoo

Hello!

Have you been to a zoo before? On my little girl's field trip on Friday we went to a monument and a small zoo in Santiago, a city down the mountain from us. The zoo had mostly birds and farm animals with a few other ones like monkeys, turtles, and crocodiles.

There were two lions but they were only separated from us by two layers of chain link fence. I didn't go too close to them! My favourite were the lambs.

I think the kids had just as much fun with the cotton candy and crazy tube slide!

Everyone except the driver and a couple of adults fell asleep in the bus on the way home. It was a fun but exhausting day!

Marcie Cooper

Santiago Field Trip Part 1: The Monument

Hello!

Last week, I went on a field trip with my daughter's class to Santiago, a city about 45 minutes to an hour from here. It is the second largest city in the country after the capital, Santo Domingo.

The first place we went was to a large monument dedicated to the Heroes of the Restoration of the Dominican Republic. There were large displays, paintings, and statues of people who fought for the country's independence in the 1860's. Plus fun figures of people who lived at that time.

 

The tour guides told the kids not to go on the railings so they all peeked through for a view of the city (pictured aboved.)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the field trip tomorrow: The Zoo!

Have a great day!

Marcie Cooper

St. Patrick

Hello!

I hope you had a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I never really celebrated St. Patrick's Day until after I was married. My husband's Grandma is Irish and sent us a St. Patrick's Day card. It was the first one I'd ever received! Since then we've done little things to make the day special. Yesterday we wore green, read St. Patrick's day books and ate shamrock pancakes and potato soup.

What I really love about St. Patrick's Day is that Patrick was a missionary. Did you know that he wasn't Irish? In the 5th century, he was taken first as a slave to Ireland where he worked as a shepherd. After six years, he returned to his home in the British Isles but then he felt called to go back to Ireland to share God's love with the people there. It is told that he used shamrocks and their three leaves to help explain the Trinity and how God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. He died on March 17th, the day we now celebrate as St. Patrick's Day.

Have a great day and remember that God loves you!

Marcie Cooper

Baby Tan

Hello!

I just can't help but show you this cute little guy who snuck away after his bath and jumped into a pile of blankets and cushions his siblings were playing with.

Look at his little arms. My baby has a tan!

He had sunscreen on at the beach but we don't put it on every day when we're outside. He LOVES to be outside!

Have a great (hopefully sunny) day!

Marcie Cooper

A Whale at the Beach

Hello!

On the week-end, we took some visiting friends to the beach. We all had fun!

Some of us (but not me) even saw a whale! My little girl says that it looked like this but was going the other way:

Humpback whales migrate here every year to have their babies in the warm water. See the baby fin beside the mother's?

My husband saw lots of whales on a whale-watching trip a few years ago to Samana, on the east of the island.

He took these whale pictures then. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to see one!

Have a great day!

Marcie Cooper