This one is pretty self explanatory. But I'll say it anyway...

I'm officially in the midst of my second official fall on the east coast. And I can confidently say, that it is the best. Even though the west coast is the best coast--the east cast sure has this season figured out.
​From bluegrass concerts in fields of wildflowers to leaves changing every color of the rainbow to fire pits to hot mugs of coffee watching the sunrise with your neighbors. --Sure, you can do all of that anywhere but there is something special about it here. I don't know what it is, but I'm glad I get to be here for it.

So, get in your car, book a plane ticket or start hitch hiking because Brackett and I can't wait to show you all the cool spots to see!
I even got a new thermos that keeps coffee warm all day so we can go hiking and have a cup of joe at the summit.
See you soon.

It' s now October. 
And that means exactly five things: 1. Next month is November (!!!) 2. I have been a puppy momma for one whole month 3. The leaves are changing 4. Switching out the afternoon joe/tea for a warm cup of locally made apple cider 5. I've been living on my own for three months and the bungalow has a steady flow of people. (But, man, that went those months went fast. Like, so so fast)

As I sit here, with my pup at my feet, the wind blowing and grey's anatomy reruns turned on I can't help but to be homesick. Not in a I want to go back to Seattle ASAP way. But a I can't wait to remember this moment because I feel at home in this moment way. Being here, right now feels like home. When I moved out I wrote down my hopes and dreams of moving out on my own, as I reread them I am overwhelmed with the Lord's goodness he has for everyone that walks through. In three short months, my home has been a place for countless dance parties, rivers of tears, cuddles, too many awkward silences, weekly movie nights and an ever-changing routine. To put it in the simplest form, life is so full even when it seems slow. ​

My biggest hope for the bungalow is that it will be a place to come and see a little more of Him.

Dom was and is one of my best friends. He is full of laughter, and is not afraid to tell you how it is. 
I have to admit...I don't know Claire too well, but I know for a fact she is gentle, and extremely compassionate. And when you meet her, you want to know more about who she is, and why she is the way she is. 
Together they are best friends. They showed us all the importance of marrying your best friend. 
These two are truly incredible together... I know, I know, everyone says that about the couple getting married. But Dom and Claire are that couple -- A dynamic duo that offers everything they have. A couple who has proclaimed their marriage for more than themselves, a challenge that they are embracing. Many times while I was editing these pictures, tears filled my eyes because of the love these two have.
Their love is real, and it's so evident.
You can see it when Claire looks at Dom.
You can see it when Dom makes her laugh.
You can see it in the way they love everyone around them.
And there was something so special about that day, it was the mark of the beginning of this crazy adventure after a a few years of dating, and a long engagement. This was the start of two people filled with unfathomable joy mixed with a God who knows no bounds. 

The simplest way to put it is that there is the presence of love was what purely filled the air in the towns of Cielo, and Santo Domingo. Our hearts long to be filled with hope. 
And that is what we saw. 
Pure love.
Overwhelming joy.
And the atmosphere was full of welcoming hearts opening us Americanos with arms thrown open. 
I was held tightly. I witnessed pure laughter in every interaction. Although none of us spoke Spanish perfecto. We tried, and were greeted in every home with the widest of smiles. 
As I sit here, scrolling through pictures, I can't help but to see gratitude. 
I wish that I had the words to describe what I feel, but I don't. I hope these pictures overwhelm you with a sense of happiness. Because that was what I saw.
Even in the silent conversations I had just sitting in a home of a stranger. Even in the patience of those who listened to my broken Spanish. Even in the frustration of having to drive back and forth. Happiness was everywhere. 
Smiles were open, and laughter was the loudest. 

There are so so many stories I can write to you. 
Like the time we were stopped behind a banana truck. Or the time we went to visit those in the leprosorium. Or when we commentated a soccer game. Or dropping a block of concrete on my foot. Or when I spent a day in the Dominican Jail (which I would love to tell you about over a cup of coffee). Or even when we left. 
But I am not going to. I am going to show you highlights, and if you would like to hear my favorite/least favorite-hardest/easiest moments, etc. I would love to meet up for coffee/tea/food/enoing to tell you. Typing out the stories would not do them justice.

Entonces, here are some pictures:

This is Edwin. 
Edwin was a resident at the leprosarium we got to visit.
He has the sweetest, and most caring heart of anyone I have ever met. 
He couldn't see. Or feel what his skin feels. Or put weight on his legs.
Neither of us were fluent in the same language. But knew enough to piece together a conversation. 


His words will forever remain with me. 


He repeatedly said, "a hug is something to never take for granted. No matter what you can feel or not, there is something special about our touch. And that is magic."

So I gave him a hug.