Off to the Dominican Republic

My friend, Gwyn, left again today. It's so bitter sweet. I'm happy for her and her family, but so sad for myself. (in that first link, you can see pictures of the house they will be living in) Gwyn is so excited to be living with all her own stuff again. They have shipped a big container with everything they haven't sold by boat down to meet them. Please pray they get it out from the dock without any problems - sometimes people have been known to hold the containers for more money and more money. They have a "friend" who is suppose to be helping them out with it.

They have embarked on their lifetime adventure. They have picked up their whole family (three children included) and moved (after a year at language school) to the Dominican Republic.

Here is where they will be. They will be working with Restoration Ranch (no connection to our old church - Restoration, even though they do support the work there) - which is going to be an orphanage to the countries neediest children.

Right now, Shay will help with the construction and Gwyn will continue to home school their children.

Here are a couple of pictures of the work in progress...

My friend Gwyn is home!!!! It's not for long, but she's home!!

Gwyn and her family have been in Costa Rica for the past year at language school learning Spanish. They are in route to the Dominican Republic to work at an orphanage - Restoration Ranch. But, I can't even think about that right now. She's here for several weeks and I just want to enjoy the time we have together.

Today we spent the whole day alone together. Guess we probably haven't done that ever (maybe in high school???). It was so nice to be able to talk about everything under the sun. We weren't interrupted or had to spell out any secrets!! :-)

It was such a nice day. We went out to lunch and shared some yummy cheese fries!! We're planning her birthday outing soon. Shay's promised one more day of keeping the children for her so we can go and celebrate her.

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures, next time!! They are off for a fun late afternoon at the dentist now. Gotta get everything checked up well before they leave the country again.

Here is a picture of the house they are gonna live in at the DR...

Here is the front of the house. No worries about the children running out and playing in the road huh? :-) Gwyn, gotta do something about that Clemson orange though!!!!

Living room and dining room - I think this is going to be such a beautiful house for them. I especially love all the arches and angles. Gwyn will fix it up beautifully I know!!!

Kitchen - way bigger than the little kitchen she had in Costa Rica.

Backyard - what do you call it with no yard? Back area? Lots of room for riding toys!!!

Here's a link if you are interested in checking out the progress of the Restoration Ranch.

Front View
Originally uploaded by shayngrin

Here's there house - isn't it cute? :-)

The Griffin Family - They Made It!!!

Our beautiful family
Originally uploaded by shayngrin

Gwyn and Shay made it. They are in language school in Costa Rica. It was so hard to see them go!! I creid for a while - just feeling sorry for myself!!! :-) I so miss them and Daria too!!!

Swimming at the Griffins

What a pool full!!! 9 kids and 4 grownups!! Notice how Gwyn and I avoided the camera!! :-)

Emily and Terry

Bobby had just had stitches in his pinkie toe - Artie and Shay wrapped his foot in a Wal-Mart and then taped it up with duck tape!! A man and his duck tape - what a match made in heaven!!

Terry got more and more comfortable as the day went on.