EDCM: The DR

 

what the Dominican Republic did not have..

picture of reese and I’s drink) Dr pepper or diet coke )coke zero is not the same, sorry Tina. what is did have was these people. (Group photo) To say that this trip was phenomenal would be an understatement. Six women and 6 men. Some old (and I mean kindergarten old friends) and some new,  to get to know even better. I got to spend some great time with my baby girl. Reese, or Rose or even Just Reese as she was apparently known by dominicans since Reese is not a regular name in the DR. Jacob, Aka, Tadpole, but forever Rico to this group, “became a man” according the the flight attendant when she announced on the return flight that it was his 18th birthday. So things that happened at EDCM Team House Summer in the Winter Camp, is the theme of this post. I am writing it for me, you can read if you like. My Reese was amazing. She was responsible, helpful, friendly, and willing to pitch in wherever needed, she drew the line at tarantula clean up though. (and learned a few things about us old ladies that dumbfounded her) I could share the EDCM post and photos of what we got to do for others. We worked a medical clinic set up in an EDCM church that served about 350 people in Higüey. We traveled to Brisas del Mar (in La Romana)  and did (loosely translated as I mostly watched and tried to stay out of the way) as projects for much needed home improvements were under way for community members. It was an incredible experience. (speaking of translating I need to give up my fear of failure and learn some Spanish!)I could also dwell on what we did that was meant to  help others and be the hands and Feet of Jesus. But I really want to write down and remember what I personally gained this week. We flew into Punta Cana, a prime vacation spot for cold midwesterners. (no resorts for us) We promptly were driven to Higuey to get set up in dorm style housing at the Team House. All of the women in one room with bunk beds. I would tell you a rooster woke us up everyday, but that thing crowed all day long! If it was not crowing, the neighbor dog was barking. We were reintroduced ( at least I was) to Mariaella and Juan. He is the Pastor of the church in Higuey and his wife, who kept us fed all week. Along with  Marienella was Domintila. She stayed there in the house and put up with our shenanigans. We had some late night card games and singing. I had the opportunity to get to know Domitila  beautiful daughter Dahiana  . She led worship in church and was my translator for clinic days. Hearing her sing in Spanish and singing along with the song in English gave me chills and I cannot even explain why. Taylor plans and oversees the visiting teams. She made sure we had some idea where we should be and listened to our needs and wants and made them happen. Taylor is married to Harold, who happens to be Juan and Marianellas son. He is supposed to be in charge of overseeeing and training the EDCM pastors. However he could be found painting at the water plant, translating as we prayed for community members kneeled down at their sides. You could find him on top of a tin roof at their sides job site that he “just stopped by” engaging our team in conversation and generally loving on us and the community alike.  

Showering was not my favorite. no hot water and moving to one of the other bathrooms when sinks stopped draining. We had a home cooked dinner waiting for us at the end of each work day.  The dinner prayers (especially when Taylor and Harold’s son Caleb would pray for dinner in Spanish) were a special time together. Each morning and evening, our team of 12 would work in 2s and 3s to take care of dishes. I only had to wash twice! Reese volunteered! We started our day with the 12 of us doing group devotions on the roof. 7 different mornings and 7 different leaders. For many who led it was far out of their comfort zone. But not to worry as this was the most encouraging group one could imagine. We laughed and cried quite a bit. We were bummed as it was cool, overcast and windy on our one beach day. But I really feel God was faithful to us when the sun came out and the temperature was phenomenal.  Reese got out from under an umbrella long enough to look in shops and get drug to the pier for group pictures. Anyone who knows her is aware she doesn’t like the beach. She said she would pretend to though. Somehow my social battery held out. It blinked under 20% a few times, but I was given some time to do a quick charge and I was good. Work Paige will be disappointed in me only completing one book from my TBR list on Goodreads. 

I love traveling. If you have known me long enough you know I get thrilled by the planning, packing and repacking, and I even end up enjoying the destination! However my travels (going to show what a spoiled princess I am on this) over the last 2 years (since not long after the last DR mission trip) have all been somewhat overshadowed by rough stuff on the home front. God was so faithful on this trip. I thought of my loved ones, continued to grieve (getting to share my story of grief this year when I did my devo), and prayed for my family and friends back home. However, I felt that this crazy busy trip was the most rested I have felt in a long time. Currently I am sitting between the love of my life and my youngest baby (not much of a baby anymore, and I recognize that these times with her are winding down as she enters adulthood). We are on an airplane bound for chicago. That is where this story began, her Dr Pepper and my Diet coke. I could write in detail  of how God used absolutely every member of this team, and so many I got to meet or reconnect with to remind me of the “overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God.” But I am afraid I will need Tina to let me cheat from her as I totally forgot to take notes.

a few takeaways. I need to practice “The Church Clap” dance as I am terrible at it. And I got to ride in the back of a pickup truck, which made me feel 10 years old again. 

Christmas 2025

Snyder Christmas Letter 2025

Another year coming to a close, it is December 14th and after 8 inches of snow yesterday it is a deep freeze today. This past year has been full of great sadness but also great blessings. So here we go!

December 2024

We had a really special family Christmas at our house. I was blessed to have all my kids here along with both of my parents and James's mom. Eden was old enough to really enjoy Christmas. 

Highlights..the anouncement that Vern was expected in July of the coming year! 

The second highlight...Elijah and I beating Jamie at Euchre! What a victory!

In the new year we started seeing how much harder it was to safely keep Dad at home. He was falling daily and watching him struggle was truly heartbreaking. In January he moved to The Hawthorne Assisted Living here in Danville for therapy. Therapy just was not quite enough to keep him safely on his feet. So this arrangement has become a permanent one. 

January also brought the typical after the holidays illnesses. This past year I was hearing so many complaints of nausea and dizziness with these illnesses. So I did not think much of it when my long time friend was seeking my advise about how sick and dizzy she was feeling. She got bad enough the last week in January to go to the walk in. She messaged me at work at 4:30 that Wednesday afternoon and told me she appeared to have a tumor in her brain and was being sent to the hospital. That next week Amanda ended up with surgery to remove the tumors that were causing her greatest symptoms. When she came home, it was a great opportunity to spend more time together at her home while she recuperated. This scary development dominated my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers for the unforeseen future. 

In February, the twins turned 25! The year of fifty was absolutely eventful, but I am still amazed that I am old enough to have 25 year olds!

James and I also went back to Jamaica (where we got married in 2008) with Robbie and Megan for Megan and I to take a class. If you know me you know that a trip to the beach in the winter is like a lifeboat in a storm. 

And it would not be us if we did not travel more in the Spring, so in March we headed down to Texas to visit James's dad Steve and his wife Connie. We had not gone there since 2019 so it was a long overdue visit. 

Also in March, Amanda was now getting settled into a routine of Cancer treatment. When she decided to shave her head, Stephanie got the idea we should go to dinner all in crazy wigs, so we did! Charity could not make it because she was very busy becoming a grandmother that night. We were intentionally spending more time together this past spring. This was particularly interesting because part of Amanda's treatment was high doses of steroids. Amanda had always been the most reserved of us all, so when she became quite chatty and a bit uninhibited with the steroid treatment, we all enjoyed this new side of her!

In March we celebrated Eden's second birthday with her Elmo themed party. 

Stephanie's beloved Grandmother passed away. During the visitation, the four of us (Steph, Charity, Amanda and myself) had the opportunity for a great picture of us all dressed up. I am very grateful for this picture. 

April brought Easter, Our small group annual retreat (back again to Starved Rock State Park for some hiking), and some great family time.

    In May, we had Reese's school formal (It poured down rain), birthdays and Mother's Day. For Mother's Day, James cooked on the flattop, started a fire in the pit (my favorite) and the kids painted rocks for me. 

            

June was a hard month. Amanda had started hospice. Below is a picture of me, Amanda, Stephanie and Charity our first week of Senior Year in 1991. Along with it is a picture we took our last time together. James, Reese and I had been planning a trip to Europe for over a year and the next day was travel day. Leaving that night was one of the hardest things I have done. It took me back to leaving for Paige's Boot Camp graduation knowing that my long time friend and sister-in-love Brittany would likely pass from her cancer before I returned. I am so grateful for those moments together in that hospital room that Amanda's family so graciously allowed us. 

The trip to Europe was pretty incredible. I was so blessed to have the experience with James and Reese along with long time friends, and new friends we met on the trip. We traveled from Chicago to Italy. We made our way from Italy, through France to Spain. We finished up with a flight from Spain back to Italy before flying back to Chicago. Ten long, very hot, very emotional days. My favorite part of the trip was Ancient Rome and the Colosseum.  

We flew home on our 17th anniversary. The trip was amazing, but I was anxious to get home to my friends. We were also only a few weeks out from the new grandchild's due date! The service that was held at our church for Amanda was absolutely beautiful. It was a testimony of her faith in Jesus. I was so proud of Amanda's daughter, Olivia, and how she honored her mom. 

In July, Reese went to Church camp (twice), Volleyball camp, and Wisconsin with the Longs.  In August she headed to Michigan with the Long family as well. She was home long enough to meet her new niece, Vern Elizabeth, who was born on July 11th. We were in love. Vern and big sister Eden have been a balm on my aching heart this year. 

In August, my family spoiled me for my birthday. Turning 51 was much harder than I expected, without Amanda. We had done a 50th birthday weekend the year before and it was all I could think about all day. 

In September, we mostly went to Volleyball games.  

By this time, my mother had decided to sell her house and her rental. She wanted to move into an apartment right by where dad was now staying at the Hawthorne. My sister, James and the girls and I started going through their home. This was a good move for mom, but it was difficult to imagine their home all cleaned out and them not living in it anymore.  Mom's new apartment is decorates so cute and she and her dog are settling in there nicely, only steps away from where dad is staying. 

In October we went to lots of Volleyball games. The end. 

Halloween weekend, my friend Jen and I took 8 teenage girls to the Dells. It had been a few years since our last Dells trip and this one did not disappoint. The girls, and Jen, were a huge blessing to me! 

November 22nd, Reese turned 16 and got her Driver's license! I have totally skated over the topic of her volleyball year. We traveled like crazy to away games and had a great time watching Reese and her friends play Volleyball. She has chosen to play basketball this year which she is not nearly as fond of😝 We had a wonderful family Thanksgiving at our house. We also took dad back to the house and sat in the back yard and enjoyed a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon before the sale of the house closed.

First weekend in December, we went back to the Dells with the family. Another pretty wonderful Dells trip. The little girls did so well and I think Eden had a great time!

I was blessed to spend a great deal of time this past year with the people I love the most in this world. I was also reminded again of how short this life is. One of the first tattoos that I had Paige do for me after she started tattooing was a pencil drawing of the story from the gospels of the lame man whose friends tore a hole in the roof in order to lower him down to Jesus. I have friends like that, I continue to pray that I will have faith like that.