**I thought I set this to post while I was flying home today, but apparently it was a major fail. That’s what happens when you take a Benadryl before posting.
After we visited another Compassion project yesterday, we went to the market since it was our last day and we all wanted to pick up a few souvenirs to take home.
Here are a few things I’ll take home with me.
A fab amber ring that was a total bargain thanks to my mad haggling skilz (Can I pull off skills with a z? I’m on the fence about it).
The ring totally reminds me of something Rachel Zoe would wear and when I saw it I said, “I’m dying. I am totally dying”, in my best monotone voice.
I also purchased some Dominican coffee because rumor has it that it’s even better than that slop Juan Valdez is peddling down in Columbia.
And, lastly, some pure Dominican vanilla extract because it is going to make my Christmas baked goods muy delicioso.
But there are other things I’m taking home with me that aren’t tangible, yet will remain etched in my memory forever.
And then there are the things that have caused me to leave a big piece of my heart in this country that was totally foreign to me just five days ago.
I owe a huge thank you to Compassion for what they have shown me this week. I am truly forever changed.
To Shaun Groves, thanks for sending that follow up email asking if I was sure I didn’t want to come on this trip. I can’t imagine anywhere else I would have rather been for the last week.
And a special shout out to my roommate and photographer extraordinaire, Keely Scott. Every photo you’ve seen on my blog this week has come from her. I couldn’t have told the story without her. And I wouldn’t have laughed nearly as hard if she hadn’t been my roommate.
Thanks to all of you who have sponsored children this week. Words can’t express the difference it is making in their lives. And if you haven’t and would like to do so, it’s not too late.
To read the other accounts of the week you can go to Compassion Bloggers.
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I want to see a picture of the amber ring, and know the goods Caroline gets! I am a snoop.
I am also so glad God brought you back safely and yet changed forever.
I can’t even begin to tell you how your posts have touched my heart this week, and I know without a doubt that your presence among the children and families was like a much needed breath of fresh air.
Welcome home, and thank you, Big Mama, for traveling outside of your admitted comfort zone and taking us along with you.
I’ve followed your blog faithfully for some time now and cried for you and Ana when I read the post about your visit. I am facing the following issues; plant where spouse works laying off 100; closing for 3 weeks in Dec, having to apply for unemployment; enrolled in college courses due to insanity that I think I can finish my degree at age 45; church currently in building program we’ve pledged a monthly amount to; stopped subscription to daily newspaper to help cut costs; stopped getting a haircut, look like a 45-year-old in a high school hairdo; I would so love to sponsor your Ana’s siblings but it just is not in the books for me at this time. I mean, the money is literally not there. And I don’t even drink coffee. Oh, also have tried giving up diet coke, not successfully, but I’m down to one 16 oz a week if I sip on it daily. *sigh* and all these hardships are NOTHING. All I can offer right now is, daily prayer. And the hope that the job market will improve and we can have enough stability to feel like we can share more of it with others.
Loved sharing your journey with you this week. Thanks for taking us all along as we all have experienced the Dominican Republic and its beautiful people through your eyes. May the Lord Jesus bless the work you guys have done this week and may many more children know of His salvation and the hope that they can have in Him because of the work of Compassion.
Welcome home, Big Mama!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us,
I hope to go on a compassion trip when my baby is a little older…
I’ve been reading all week, Melanie — you and all the Compassion bloggers. What a powerful and even sweet trip. Welcome home. I’ll be continue to pray for all of you as you process all your eyes and hearts have seen and experienced.
The beginning and the end, that’s the way I feel about the pics. Oh, they’re ALL wonderful, but the gorgeous smiles on the joyful, gorgeous faces in the first one, melted my heart, and the smile on your face in the final picture did the same! I love the last one!!
I, too, would LOVE to sponsor one of these beautiful, deserving children, but right now, it would take a miracle. But I have HOPE that the MIRACLE MAKER can do it, and when HE decides to make it happen, I’ll joyfully sponsor!
Thanks for getting out of your comfort zone and for sharing this wonderful life experience with us! I know you’ll NEVER forget it.
And I, also, know that you’re DYING to get home and hug the necks of the ones’ you love, all the time giving thanks!!!
I’ll bet that ring is totally bananas (said in deadpan voice)
Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us. Welcome home!
I’ve spent time on missions trips in Haiti, Mexico, and several African Countries – - – your pictures here are bringing it all back. Your heart will never be quite the same.
Welcome home
.
My 16-year-old daughter is going on a Brio/Compassion trip next summer for two weeks; she’s reading y’all’s accounts to “prep” for that (I’m kinda in denial that she’ll be gone for TWO WEEKS, trying to focus on the amazing way her life will be changed and how she’ll get to see and be Christ at the same time….).
Thank you for giving us a piece of your heart (and so many others) through your words.
Compelling
.
Your week of posts have been very inspiring! My husband and I signed up last night to sponsor a child. We can’t wait to get our packet! You moved us to do this…thank you!
I just signed up for my second Compassion child. Your blog has truly touched me this week. Oh, how refreshing it is to be reminded that giving is Christ’s heart. It is so easy to get blinded to the things that really matter when you live in the U.S. I want so much for my children to have thankful, grateful, and giving hearts!
I’m so glad you are home safe!
Jenny from VA
Thanks so much for sharing. I LOVE that you had on your Aggie cap! Whoop! What a difference you have made.
Welcome home.
Glad you had a safe trip and gained so much from the experience.
Keep sharing
Oh my! I love Keely! When I was traveling with my sister and husband (Bethany Dillon and Shawn McDonald, respectively) I was on several tours with her husband, Gabe and got to know her a little….what a gem!
I have loved reading about the trip…
you’ve done a great job blogging the trip. my family actually sponsored a child this week thanks to this trip!
just fyi, coffee and vanilla extract are always the two things i bring back from the dr too!
Welcome Home!!!! Thank you for sharing your trip in such a real and personal way! As I posted on another one of your posts, I am going to sign up to sponsor a child. God Bless
I whined about my power being out yesterday because I couldn’t dry my hair. And then I read about Julia having to wait to have her picture taken because she didn’t have anything to wear. Then I asked the Father to forgive me of my self-absorption.
I whined about my power being out yesterday because I couldn’t dry my hair. And then I read about Julia having to wait to have her picture taken because she didn’t have anything to wear. Then I asked the Father to forgive me of my self-absorption.
Melanie – Your trip sounds phenominal. So glad that you were able to go. Loved the posts and the pics. Praying that God helps you to process all that you exerienced and that He continues to use your trip for His glory.
Sweet blessings, Amy in OR
Hoping your trip home was smooth sailing. I can’t wait to hear more. I just get so teary-eyed looking at the pix. Did you sneak any darling kids back with ya?
Mel,
I love the pictures. The children are just beautiful and so are you. I love the Aggies hat.
I prayed for you and your entire team while you were gone and I know you recieved what God had for you!!
Love you,
Patty
I’ve loved keeping up with you guys this week – and can’t wait to hear more of what you have to share with us. I know your heart has to be full to overflowing.
So glad to hear you’re safely home! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and moments from the adventure, I’ve been following your blog and Ree’s all week and it’s been so touching to see how God is working in the DR and in all of you through this trip.
Loved the stories, loved the pics too…Would love to go myself! Hope the trip home was smooth and the homecoming sweet!
What an amazing experience for all of you… those who returned to The States and those left behind in D.R.
Caution: If the vanilla is like the type sold in Mexico, it contains a blood thinner…which makes it taste so good…but is not healty for those with heart conditions that are already taking a blood thinner. Just a heads up!
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