Becoming Who He Wants Me to Be

When I heard that Fi Dan was accepted to Ross University, I cried. A lot. I was so scared. Thinking about the unknown scared me and this was a big unknown....in a different country! But we had prayed about it and we felt right about it. So with a leap of faith we jumped! But still I worried about the little things. I worried about how I would support my kiddos in a third world country, I worried about never seeing my hubby, and I even worried about being lonely and not having any friends in Dominica.  Little did I know, Heavenly Father was busy taking care of all those things for me.

My journey in Dominica has changed my life and who I am forever. Often times Fi Dan will say, "If I had gotten into a school in the States...." And I think to myself..."Ooops, sorry babe! It's because of me we were sent to the islands! I needed this experience to become a better person!" If you would have told me 3 years ago that I would be living on a little island, taking care of my kids, supporting my husband...and I was just not loving it but thriving, I would have laughed and said, "No Way". But with God's help what I thought was impossible became possible. 

When Fi Dan and I decided that the kiddos and I were coming back to the States early, a part of me was excited but another part of me was sad. More sad that I could have ever imagined. And I know it was because of the amazing friends that God gave me while I was on the island. It was also because I was doing the things that I never thought I could do and I was loving it! And of course, because I knew that my hubby would be in Dominica by himself, without his family. 

Looking back now, I am so grateful for this experience. Never in my wildest dream would I have thought that God was preparing me to meet such wonderful people and for me to become someone I didn't even know I could be. And also fulfilling my dream of traveling and living on an island (of course it wasn't the exact island that I wanted, but no complaints. It was wonderful). Now after years and years of of Him leading me and guiding me, I am only starting to understand His love for me. I am now just starting to understand how to trust Him and know that everything will be ok, as long as I do my part . But it still makes me laugh a little that He had to literally drag me across the country to a tiny little island for me to trust me Him. :)

Here are just a few pictures of my favorite memories of my amazing journey in Dominica.

I loved it when Fi Dan came home and the kiddos would just go crazy! Makes me love this man even more when I see him with our kids. 

Resourcefulness. If you asked me what LIFESKILL you would need here....I think #1 would be Resourcefulness. :) 

My kids learning how to swim! They were little fishies in the water!

One of my favorite memories! Rylan and Nenji doing the Beethoven face. 

I loved waiting for the kids to come home from school!

The rainbows here were amazing!

Snorkeling! Oh, how I miss it. 

Sandy babies. Mommy snorkeling.

Christmas! Receiving barrels was so much fun!

I loved learning about and discovering the different kinds of food in Dominica.

Friends

I loved it that my kids made really good friends in such a short amount of time.

I loved beach days. 

My favorite thing, diving for sand dollars!

I miss these girls!

I absolutely LOVED craft day! 

Family hang out time!

Mommy and Baby Yoga

I miss having friends over....particularly to do my laundry. Just kidding, I begged them not to!

Trips down to Roseau

I loved the sunsets and watching these silly boys. 

Miss finding amazing creatures ALL around!

I loved that no matter what you took a picture of, it was beautiful! I miss the green, lushness of the island!

I miss this girl! Amber!

I loved the amazing sights!

I loved amazing opportunities like whale watching!...although we didn't get to see any whales, but still.

Crazy, but I miss The Usual Spot!

I miss game days

I miss this little family!

I loved it that the Prep school and ELC was so close to our house.

I loved family bonding time!

I even miss baking cinnamon rolls for Benjamin House Bakery!

And lastly my favorite memory....just endless hours of great memories with amazing people. 

What an amazing journey! I love this quote, It just sums everything up!

"Our Heavenly Father knows that learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials. Such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different than what we were."---President Thomas S. Monson