It was Robert Frost who said, "The only way around is through". My whole existence, since we've been on the island, has been a "going through" experience; no easy way here. I guess only the native Puerto Ricans know, what seems on the surface, to be the laid back island mentality; I'm still waiting to find that. I know it's here. I guess I just have to keep "going through", as Frost suggests, to reach the point of toes in the sand and a cool drink in my hand:) I know somebody said that; I can't think who.
~So what did I go through the past week and a half that has left little room for blogging? A day/evening spent in the EMERGENY ROOM!  I woke in the middle of the night with severe nausea and throwing up every hour for six hours straight before checking into the emergency room. Talk about an experience!!! By the time I checked in, my nuasea was accompanied by abdominal pain on one side. Sonogram revealed a cyst on my ovary which will be checked out further at a doctor's appoinment I have scheduled for tomorrow (Wed.). How I wanted my husband in my moment of need and discomfort, but mom was a sure bet for second place. We never outgrow needing our mother, right, when the chips are down? She was a trooper, and without her, I think I would have been a victim of triage in the emergency room. From being placed on a gurney against the wall in a hallway of dozens of patients waiting for a private emergancy cubicle, to the nurse wanting to give me a pain shot in the rear in the midst of all these people, to some very unsanitary conditions and low concern nurses and doctor's, my mother stayed on top of everything on my behalf. We even had to have Hunter bring a pillow and blanket from home, no linens except for sheets! I will see if the sonogram was accurate when I report to the gynecologist tomorrow. I am feeling better, but please pray. 
~Hunter is getting ready to leave for his big tournament in Dallas and is very excited to play some tough baseball, as well as see his dad and big brother and sister! David, along with Nathan and Holly, and Skylar and Steven, will be traveling to the big D on Thursday to see little bro in his red and white, playing for the island of Puerto Rico! He is sure to stand out; the only gringo on the team:)  Thanks to several friends who gave generously for Hunter to travel back home with his team and have the opportunity to be seen by several college scouts who attend this annual showcase weekend.  All eyes are usually on the boys from PR:)
~Speaking of not really laying back and taking it easy, as so many pictured we would be doing, I have taken on the role of mentor mom with our church's MOPS organization (Mothers of Preschoolers). We meet twice a month, and I can only say that I can't believe I'm now a mentor and not the young mom coming to get fed like I so foundly remember back at Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas when Nathan, Skylar, and Hunt and Naomi were my young ones.  It's a good place to be though, middle aged, recalling with thanksgiving all those years, and now being able to give back or share what I can with so many beautiful, young mothers. Naomi works the nursery...a paid position, and she likes that very well:)
~I've also become a part-time English teacher to Hunter and the other baseball boys, as I travel to the baseball house/school once a week for a lesson on essay writing and ACT/SAT prep. The coach is so very appreciative and has given me license to teach "whatever will make them better communicators". My  mind is racing with ideas, and I love the ability to use baseball analogy in applying to the English lesson and essay writing process.  The Lord always has a way of combining our interest when we look to Him.

  How many times have I prayed to be one with my Lord, to share in the fellowship of His suffering (Phil. 3:10), and even so for my children to know that kind of endurance. This island adventure is surely achieving part of that prayer! As always, I have a prayer for you....that whatever you may be suffering, be it big or small, that you realize, as Frost suggest, going through is the better way than going around it, and always, always keep your eyes on our Lord who gives us the ultimate endurance!  

 ~Hasta la proxima (Until next time)....joni

Hunter playing second. A routine practice.




This one was out of reach!



Hunt showed us this spot to get fresh water coming from the mountain. People stop along the highway to fill up their jugs.

My van purchase. This was an experience of a different kind! Pray we get our monies worth:/

Wyatt the Pirate. Rico has gotten big....still no words, just a lot of squawking.

We took in a performance at the music conservatory, not knowing if it was all going to be in Spanish. It was, but was oh so lovely, and well worth it. Spanish certainly is one of the romance languages. This night of music attested to that!

The performance was held in an open air spanish courtyard. The audience members danced to each piece.

Una semana agitada…One hectic week!

No, I have not slipped into a life of leisure and forgotten to include you all in our island adventure. The past 2 weeks, since David left, has been some of the most exhausting and challenging days I have had in my life. Because we were unable to locate a used vehicle while he was here, I was left to do so on my own.  Gone are the days I could sit back and be “mom”, while dad handled all the big, weighty matters that frankly, men tend to handle, and with good reason. I have been,  to what seems like, every part of the island, excluding the southern boarder. Traveling the oh-so-congested highways, to the very narrow inroads of municipalities that lead one to another, I have become quite familiar with the areas of Bayomon (pronounced By-o-moan), San Piedras (Pea-ay-drus), Carolina (Carol-eena…don’t forget to roll those r’s), Caguas (Kau-was), and many more.  And boy have I learned the meaning of “good condicione”…the Puerto Rican equivalent for what, to them, is a used vehicle in “good condition”.  Let’s just say, I’ve learned to “deal” in a way I never thought possible. I may be blonde, I may look like the common tourist ready to be taken for a ride, but not so.  I came so close, so many times, to what seemed like a good deal (calling David to report back to him my findings), only to find out the sticker was expired, the air really doesn’t work, or it just needs one small part. As desparate as we are to have our own vehicle, I've learned fast to point out the indescrepancy and move on to the next one. As I write this entry, knowing I am so far behind on my updates, I have only to report to you that I think I have found us a good, used minivan. As with everything else in this laid back culture, what would be a normal process back in the states of buyer makes purchase and seller delivers the goods, is anything but that on this island. I’m still waiting to receive the vehicle I purchased six days ago! I cannot close without telling of the counterfeit money I received from Western Union in the neighborhood supermarket. How did we know? The lady I am purchasing the minivan from detected it with the special pen that detects fake bills.  You may be asking, “What is she doing with one of these pens?”  At this point, I try to avoid asking that question myself and am trying even harder to lean on the optimistic side of things, while trusting the One who goes before me in place of my earthly husband.; however, it cannot be denied that skepticism surrounds us on a daily basis, as we are very aware of the crime, drug related activity, and corruption at high levels (unfortunately, the nice looking, muscle clad policeman standing on the street corner supposedly protecting both locals and tourists, may not be as trustworthy as we think).  We have been waiting for our friends Brian and Keli to return from the states to see how best I should handle the counterfeit bill I received, since he is with the FBI. As I close, I do so in deep security of the One who gave us this amazing opportunity, who has provided us a nice, little apartment where we feel very safe in spite of the dangers that exist all around us, and who has led us to a church family and friends who have undergirded everything we have done with great concern, guidance, and assistance where and when needed.

Being so far from what has always been our safety in our homeland, in our own neighborhood, with our own friends, and with husband and dad by our side, me and the kids, and even my mother, are challenged to think on where, or in whom, our security lies. I ask you to do the same by stripping yourself, perhaps mentally, of those things, or that person, who means the most to you today in order to find your ultimate security in Christ alone.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms of He who provides, protects, and points the way in the absence of my husband!  ~joni

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

Psalm 20:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1



Hunter showed us a spot on side of mountian near his school where we get our own "Ozarka". We fill up our water jugs once a week when we go to get him.



Wyatt, at a local school carnival, climbing a volcano



Bean Bag toss, the same in all countries!



Yoga at sundown, in park that sits on the beach.  It's so nice to "people watch" in the park, and sit along the beach in the breeze that comes through just before sundown.