El Trampolín

England + Last Newsletter

2012-01-22T08:27:00.001-08:00

You may be thoroughly confused by the title of this post. "Doesn't Krysta's family live in California? What is she doing in England?" To find out and hear a little bit more about my last few days in Costa Rica you'll have to read my last newsletter. If you didn't get it via email, follow the link below.

Last Newsletter from Costa Rica

And yes, my family does live in California, where we shared a great couple weeks together over Christmas break. It wasn't nearly enough time, so it's nice knowing that after this stint in the UK I'll be Stateside for awhile and able to spend more time with them.

One of the few photos with majority of my family. We were all together for over a week, which was amazing! But it's really hard to get 14 people together to take a picture.

Passing the Torch

2011-12-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Saying goodbye to the ones you love is never easy, but the heart receives a calming peace when you know you are leaving them in good hands, with someone who will grow to love them just as much as you do.

I'm so thankful José and I had these last three months to work together and ease the transition. He's a quick learner. Amazingly he has soaked up all the routines, expectations, and procedures established to help the Center run smoothly. The learning process also allowed the kids to take more ownership over the Center as they were responsible for teaching José how the store works, the library system, and their unique set of rules for playing Scrabble.

Yes, there were tears as I hugged my kids goodbye at the cafecito, but at the same time, I'm excited to come back and visit and see how things have grown. It's incredible to see all that God has done through these past three years and I know he's going to do great things through José and Tara's time there.

Everyone hanging inside the Center at the End of the Year Cafecito

It was so encouraging having many of the moms come. They were all so grateful for role we've played in their kids lives.

Cata was a huge help setting up and monitoring the cookie supply

Estefani and Reyneir, a couple of our first students in the Center

It's a little hard to see in this picture, but José is teaching the kids a bunch of games with the sidewalk chalk. He's great about jumping right in playing with them! I know he's going to really share his heart with them.

Last Week.

2011-12-04T16:04:00.000-08:00

Here are few of the highlights from this last week in the Tutoring Center. It was a great week to wrap up the year. We had cafecito on Saturday and invited all the parents and students. It was a big success, but I'll write more about that later. For now enjoy a view pictures from the special events of the week.

Las Viejitas with the aprons I had made for them by a couple of the ladies in our micro-financing site. They turned out super cute and the girls loved them! They were so funny; they didn't want to get them dirty despite me explaining a million times that was their purpose.

The girls decided they wanted to be in charge of making our last breakfast. Each of them brought something to contribute, and Tracey and I learned how to make some Costa Rican treats.

Our very healthy spread: muñuelos (think dense funnel cake) "sweet meatballs" (popcorn balls), chocolate cake, and fruit with yogurt

Later that same day we made the sugariest, sugar cookies I've ever had.

The kids loved them, of course!

We finished out the week making Christmas cards as gifts to give to our families.

From highlights

It was a super fun week full of lots of memory making events!!!

Beach Trip!!!

2011-11-24T19:51:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was our final Girls’ Group trip. Per the girls' request, we went to the beach and experienced one of the most gorgeous days I’ve ever had at the beach! There weren’t too many people, the waves weren’t too strong, and it was sunny with a slight breeze all day. It was incredible! The girls spent the whole day taking in all the beach had to offer-- rolling in the waves as they crashed on the shore, floating on the boogie boards, sunbathing on the rocks, and even trying to make friends with the Jr. high boys surfing right by us. (Oh yes, we are teenagers now!) We rounded out the day with a stop off at McDonalds for Happy Meals and all the soda they could drink. The last 20 minutes of the ride home I was pretty sure my eardrums were going to explode due to all the giddy hyperness, but thankfully we all made it home safely.

Stopping at the crocodile bridge along the way.

This was one of the favorite activities of the day--sitting on the shore waiting for the waves to crash on them and send them tumbling in the whitewash.

Pamela after being tossed by a wave. (This is one of my favorite pictures from the day)

A brief moment of both Tracey and I sitting on the shore. Lynnea fit right in with the "big girls".

Alicia, Debby, and Shaudin

Sunbathers

Sunbathers after they rolled around in the sand. It took them FOREVER to rinse all that sand off, but they had fun!

Our gorgeous beach!

It was a great day with lots of fun memories made that we will continue to share, even from a distance.

Graduation!!!

2011-11-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday we celebrated 9 of our students graduating from 6th grade with a special lunch in the SI office. We briefly contemplated making homemade pizzas, but quickly decided they would appreciate Pizza Hut just as much, if not more.

Graduating from 6th grade is quite an accomplishment. For some of these kids, they already have significantly more schooling than either of their parents. And everyone of them is already in rolled for high school starting in February. ( We don’t have jr. high here, just elementary school and then high school) I’m so proud of these kids and all of their hard work. Some of them I’ve been working with since they were in 4th grade and it is INCREDIBLE to see how far they’ve come!!!

(L to R) Carlos, Estefani, Cata, Genesis, Yurly, Debby, Shaudin. And yes, this is the best picture we got of the whole event.

Sharing Life

2011-11-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

How do you tell the community you’ve worked with for almost 3 years, that it’s come time for you to leave? Even the word “leave” sounds so harsh. Last Friday I sat in circle with my girls needing to do just that.

They were being rambunctious young teenagers as usual, but my heart was heavy with what I knew I had to share with them. Once they all calmed down a bit, we went around the circle sharing our favorite part of Girls Group. I was completely caught of guard by their responses. It wasn’t the trips to the beach or waterfalls. It wasn’t all the crafts and fun projects we done. It wasn’t even the baking (though many did mention the importance of chocolate in all our gatherings). For every single one of them, their favorite aspect of Girls’ Group was having a place to come and hangout, make new friends, talk about what’s going on in their lives, and really be listened too. One of the biggest complaints I hear from my girls, is that no one really listens to them, except for at Girls’ Group. They understand their moms are really busy working hard to take care of their families, but they just want to be heard, to know that their feelings matter, and to have the support of an adult they trust.

As I reflected on the girls’ responses, I was reminded that the most valuable resource we have is time. And taking the time to sit with someone and really listen to them, is often much more “effective” than just coming in with a well designed program or a slew of expertise. Yes, the girls have learned a lot through the programing we’ve done in Girls’ Group and they LOVE all of the outings. But at the end of our season together, I know the piece that has made the most impact and encouraged the most growth in these girls, is taking the time to sit, hear their stories, laugh and cry with them, sing Alicia Keys and Avril Lavigne at the top of our lungs, and occasionally use direct conversations to give them the guidance they need. In short, taking the time to really invest in their lives and be a steady presence they know they can count on. To me, this what I think of when the Bible talks about sharing our lives and discipling others.

Even though I feel heart-broken over leaving my girls, I know that they will be okay. God knew about this transition long before I did and had the next team warming up. The girls already love Tracey and they had a great time with Rose at the Waterfall gardens. I know once Tara is here, they’ll be excited to hangout with her too.

On Friday, we cried together a lot. But we also laughed too, and spent a long time recalling all the great memories we’ve shared. At the end of the day we agreed to make the most of these last few weeks we have together and make as many great memories as we can! (And eat as much chocolate as possible)

In these last few weeks, I don't want to be rushed or selfish with my time. I want to be conscious of those around me and really appreciate what we have to share. I know I won't be ready to leave in a month and don't want to miss a moment between now and then.

Sharing Chocolate Gravy for breakfast with my mom and Tracey

Helpers

2011-11-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

In the Tutoring Center we are always looking for quality helpers. We know all students benefit from one-on-one attentions, and we have several students who really need it. These last two months we were blessed to have two students from Nyack University join us daily in the Center as part of their study abroad internship. It was so great to have two more patient and creative helpers with us!!! Plus, it was a great chance for them to practice their Spanish.

Lani and Daniela

Jenny and Allison

During their last week here, we even had the opportunity to go to the International Latin American Film Festival in the oldest movie theater in Costa Rica. A special treat for all of us!

Thanks Lani and Jenny for being a part of the Tutoring Center. We miss you!

Brothers!!!

2011-10-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Last week was a great time getting to hosting some awesome people from my home church as well as two individuals from the other side of the country. I was very thankful for the opportunity to share with my church family all that they have been a part of over these last three years. Though the highlight was definitely just getting to spend time with my brothers. Since both of them joined our family long after I had moved out, I haven't had the opportunity to just hangout with them and build our relationships as much as I'd like to. (Living in a foreign country and them being teenage boys makes this exceptionally difficult.) We had a great time experiencing Costa Rica together and growing our relationships, even though the time was short. I mean, what teenage boy wouldn't think I was the greatest sister when he gets to come over to my house and eat a whole batch of cookies and brownies!

Elijah and Gerry enjoying brownies at my house!

The boys had great attitudes and open minds for taking in all the new experiences of Costa Rica. Gerry wasn't deterred from making the most of the experience even when he broke his ankle on the second to last day :( He still somehow managed to accompany me, on his crutches, for a long walk at the beach the next day! This week was a special time that will continue to grow our relationship even though they're back in the States.

Fall Newsletter

2011-10-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had the opportunity to read it via email, check out my last newsletter that will be written from Costa Rica. Hear about the end of the year events and meet our two new teachers!!!

Newsletter!!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

2011-10-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Last week we finally made it to our original destination of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens with ALL of the girls, plus our friend Rose who was visiting from Fresno as she considers coming on staff here. We all had an amazing time! The girls used their love of photography to document every step, down to the bathrooms. The beauty of the park is truly breathtaking. If you ever get the chance to visit Costa Rica, you really should check it out.

Rebeca and Yurly

Maria and Rose on the trail

Alicia holding the national butterfly

From the top...

...From below a 120 ft. Waterfall

Bathroom picture! Alicia, Shaudin, and Estefani

This is our Jr. High attitude picture

From La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Besides the incredible beauty of God's creation and all the laughter shared with the girls, the part of the day that struck me most was how thankful the girls were for the opportunity to be there. I lost track of how many times one of them would come alongside me on the trail or stop next to the butterflies and say, "Thank you so much for bring us here. This is such a special day."

I think my girls are great, but remembering to say thank you, is not one of their strong points. It really touched me how grateful they were and how they took in every bit, realizing how beautiful their country really is. I want to pass on their thanks and thank you for your part in making this day possible-- for supporting me, praying for us, and encouraging me especially when things haven't been all smiles and butterflies.

p.s. If you want to see more pictures, just click on the album link.

A Change of Plans

2011-09-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we were planning a special trip for Girls' Group to a gorgeous nature reserve, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, just a little outside of San Jose. Everyone was SUPER excited!!!! But as the day approached, several of the girls were no longer able to go, due to school and family obligations. I sat down with the remaining girls during one of our Viejitas breakfasts to discuss the dilemma. Even though I knew they wouldn't be keen on the idea, I proposed postponing the trip so everyone could participate. In the meantime, we could do something special on the original day here in San Jose. As I expected, the initial response was, "NO!!! We can't wait to go!!!!"
But then after a short pause, Rebeca spoke up, "Can we have a minute to talk about this with just us girls?"

"Of course," I replied and went to straighten the books in the library.

About 5 minutes later, Rebeca snuck in and said slowly, "We decided we want to postpone the trip so everyone can go. And we would like to go to the park and have a picnic that day instead. Can we do that?"

"That's a great idea!" I replied. "A picnic would be tons of fun!"

As Rebeca and I walked back into the kitchen, she turned to me and said with a big smile on her face, "We are good friends to the other girls, aren't we ?" I was so proud of her. We've spent the last month talking about being a good friend. Of all the girls, Rebeca has the hardest time consistently being one. In that moment, I could see the change taking place in her.

We had a great time hanging out in a big park in Desamparados, and everyone is excited to go together to the Waterfall Gardens next month!

Alicia, Me, Catalina, Maria (my friend and co-worker), and Rebeca

The girls flew kites for the first time ever.

Of their own accord, the girls organized it so everyone would bring something to share for our picnic. I was in charge of bringing peanut butter, for the girls favorite snack- PB&J's

Just after this picture was taken, Catalina took out a small child who wouldn't move out of the path. Her defense, "I yelled at him and told him I was coming down." Fair enough, right?

From Parque de La Paz

"Busy but Good"

2011-08-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

So it’s been awhile since I’ve written in this space. Rather than trying to update you on every detail of the last couples months, I’m going to employ the phrases I’ve often used of late when answering how I’m doing, “Busy but good.” We had a busy but good 3 months of teams working alongside of us. It was great to see the exchange between our Costa Rican Students and the American/Canadian students. It was a privilege to be able to help facilitate the sharing of God given talents and insights. I know that many lives were touch through the time together. Thank you so much to each of you who shared part of your summer with us and to those who helped support them to be here. We are all in this together.

Since the teams ended, we’ve had a shift of focus that has also kept me busy but good, Transition. While I still have several months left here in Costa Rica, there is lots to do to prepare for transition that will be taking place both in the Center and for me personally. I’d greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this important time. One huge praise, is we’ve hired one new teacher for the Center and are in the process of interviewing another.

These next couple months in the Center will be full. I'm busy trying to put in writing everything I’ve learned and set into place over the last 3 years, spending extra quality time with my girls, training a new teacher, and all the regular day-to-day responsibilities of running the Center. When I get home from work, most of my time is spent studying for the GRE (if anyone has any pointers, I’d greatly appreciate them) and researching grad schools and scholarships for a Masters in Education. All exciting things, but it easy to get tired and stressed out looking at all that needs to be done. My desire for these next few months it that I can be diligent in completing the tasks and preparations I need to, but still be fully engaged in my kids and the community here. There is so much that I love about life here in Costa Rica, I don’t want to miss out on any of it in these last few months.

A few of my highlights from the Summer

Taking the girls to on a scavenger hunt in downtown San Jose

Having an AMAZING intern, Amy. She was a huge help and a great addition to the Center! Thank you so much, Amy!!!

Celebrating the summer and Dustin's birthday at one of our favorite restaurants. They have the best secret sauce!

Hiking through the incredible countryside of Costa Rica.

From Summer 2011

Sitting on my roof to enjoy breath-taking sunsets.

INA

2011-07-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to join all the SI Costa Rica sites and take our older kids to the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA). INA is a government run trade school, particularly geared to providing quality job training to youth and adults from economically challenged communities. All of their services and trainings are completely free, but the students have to show that they are motivated and committed. Many of our students had heard of INA, but had no idea what they really offered or how to get connected. This trip was a great opportunity to show our kids what is available to them, if they are willing to work hard. Many of my girls couldn't stop talking about all of the exciting possibilities and areas of study: textile design, tourism, food preparation , hair stylist, etc. Many of our kids have the motivation and commitment essential to succeed, they just need help getting connected to the resources that are available to them. It's exciting when we get to help build that bridge.

My Girls

Our whole group

From Summer 2011

It's the simple things

2011-06-12T16:05:00.001-07:00

A refreshing Saturday morning.

Sunshine.
A cup of coffee.
A book of poetry.
Laundry on the line.

"Prayer is waking up to the presence of God no matter where I am or what I am doing.

When I am fully alert to whatever or whoever is right in front of me; when I am electrically aware of the tremendous gift of being alive; when I am able to give myself whooly to the moment I am in, then I am in prayer."

~ Barbara Brown, An Altar in the World

Chapati and Hip-Hop

2011-06-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

With the start of summer teams, we've had a great influx of wonderful people willing to share their gifts and talents with us at the Tutoring Center. Both groups, so far, have been a great help in the day-to-day activities of the Center-- tutoring kids, directing craft time, and playing incessant games of tag during "recess".

They have also been extremely generous in sharing their special talents with us during Girls' Group. Last week, Praise, who's family is originally from the southern part of India, taught us to make chapati while sharing about the culture and custom of her home country. The girls had lots of great questions about the country they initially had difficulty locating on a map. Through listening to Praise share, the girls learned that something are the same no matter where in the world you live. And they loved making and eating the chapati. It was a great learning and growing experience for all of us.

This week we in Girls' Group we're having a hip-hop class lead by Amy, our great intern. I can't wait!!!

Naomi, Atalia, Amy, and Praise cooking up the chapati.

Deborah, carefully rolling out her bread. I think she spent 15 minutes just trying to get the perfect shape.

Ready to enjoy the finished product!

Goodbye, Blake

2011-05-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, the inevitable came to pass- Blake had to return to California to finish university. While I knew it was coming, it was still incredibly sad to have to say goodbye to him. Being able to share life in Costa Rica over this past year, has been such an amazing blessing. He is the bridge that connects my two worlds, that some often seem not to touch--the States and Costa Rica. Blake is someone who continues to inspire me in the way he lives his life--serving and loving others, laughing and appreciating the small gifts in life, questioning the status-quo, and not settling for mediocre. Thank you, Blake for sharing your life with us. Costa Rica will never be the same for it.

Carrying on our family tradition of Saturday morning pancakes

Celebrating Maria's birthday at one of our favorite restaurants

Shenanigans in the kitchen with Cailah

The kids at the Center loved having Blake around. In addition to being a great teacher, he really brought out the kids' personality.

Blake and I had a long list of thing we wanted to explore while he was here. We finally made it to my favorite coffee shop, during his last week here.

A Special Visit!

2011-04-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

This last week was Holy Week, which meant most things were closed for a week of rest, reflection, and time with friends and family. We followed suit at the Tutoring Center, except for one special event on Wednesday--Cafecito with Leah!
Leah, my dear friend and our assistant teacher from last year, came to pay us a visit during her Spring Break. The kids were so excited to see her. They haven't stopped asking about her since she left last December, wondering when she's going to come back to visit. During her time living here Leah made a big impact in our kids' lives through consistently loving them in a myriad of ways--intently listening to their silly stories, patiently working on reading syllable for the 20th time, and developing creative art projects each week. It feels like she is still here with us. On Tuesday when we started back to the normal classes at the Center, several of the kids couldn't understand why Leah wasn't there, why she had to go back to her job in the States. One child said, "But she belongs here." I agree. Thank you Leah for a wonderful week.

Leah and a few of the kids

Leah and I went to the beach for a few days. It was great time of relaxing and catching up on each other's lives. It was a really refreshing week!

Tropical Weather and Scarves

2011-04-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Even though Costa Rica is far from being a cool climate area, scarfs are big deal. When the weather drops below 60 F, everyone breaks out their winter wear. The girls in Tutoring Center have been asking me to teach them how to crochet so they could make their own scarves. Unfortunately, back in college when everyone was learning how to crochet scarves and beanies, I was too busy studying in the library or cooking Family Dinner. So week after week, I have to keep telling the girls, "Sorry, I know you think I know how to do everything, but I don't know how to crochet." But then I had a great idea.

In Girls' Group we've been talking about how we can share the talents and interest God has given us in order to better our community. To help get us started, I invited my friend and fellow staff member, Maria, to share with us her talent of crocheting. The girls were so excited! The plan was for Maria to come once and teach us the basic stitch. But the girls are so in to it, we're doing a whole series. Right now crochet-floral hair clips are all the rage. Maria is teaching them how to make this cute barrettes for themselves or to give as gifts to their friends. Some girls even talk about selling them once they get really good. The materials needed are cheap and easy to get, so it's a great pastime for the girls. By the time the temperature starts dropping again, the girls will be able to make beautiful scarves in all their favorite colors.

(L to R) Maria, Lisbeth, Yendry, Stefania, and Cindy

Shawdin, Yurly, Cata, and Deborah all deeply concentrated on practicing their first stitches. It was great to see the girls helping teach or re-explain it, as some learned faster than others.

Alicia, trying to figure out which side of the yarn the needle is supposed to go.

Thank you Maria for sharing your gifts with us and having patience as we learn!

Birthday!

2011-03-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

My birthday was a couple weeks ago, and it was a memorable day full of special times with many of the people I really love.

The day started off early with breakfast with the Viejitas. Blake managed the morning session all by himself, so I could spend most of the morning with the girls. Thank you Blake!

For lunch, Blake and I headed to the park in the community next to Los Guido in order to enjoy some of the beautiful sunshine. It always feels like such a treat to "go out" for lunch.

Later that night we all dressed up and headed to dinner at an old Spanish mansion that has been converted into a delicious Moroccan Restaurant. One of my friends gave me the great idea of starting a list of things I want to do before my next birthday. One of the items on my list is try 5 new restaurants in San Jose. This was a definite winner!

Thank you to everyone who made my day special from both near and far!!!

Las Viejitas

2011-03-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

In attempt to continue the special relationship with the girls who have been part of Girls Group for the last year, I've started a special morning tradition with them. One day week, we all come early and make breakfast together. It's less formal than the normal Girls Group that is open to all the girls of the Tutoring Center, but allows me space to continue to carefully pour into their lives and listen to their stories. I have seen so much growth in these girls' lives over the past year. It is so encouraging to see them grow confident in the young women God has made them to be and to realize how special they are to their Creator. It makes all the difference in every other aspect of their lives. These girls have become the leaders of the Center. It blesses me so much to watch them reach out to the new girls and set an example for everyone else in the Center. In order to not confuse ourselves too much, we decided this special group of girls needed their own title. I call them The Viejitas, the Old Ladies, which makes the girls laugh almost every time, given that the oldest one is only 14. But it is a reminder that the are setting an example for the younger/new members of the Tutoring Center. The Viejitas have a special wisdom and experience to share with the rest, and they are doing a great job of rising to the position.

Lala writing out the recipe for Coffee Cake. Every week we learn a new recipe. The girls have even tried out a few of the recipes with their families.

There is always plenty of laughter while cooking together.

The girls typically hangout in the kitchen for the rest of the morning while I go and help Blake run the morning session of tutoring. They love having a safe space to just hangout with their friends.

And they always leave the kitchen spotless. It's amazing!

And We're Open!!!

2011-02-27T18:46:00.001-08:00

The Tutoring Center is officially open for business, and we have had a great first two weeks! We had a wonderful group of ladies from Guatemala, Austria, and the States who helped us out during our grand opening. It was such a blessing to have experienced teacher and Spanish speakers helping me work through all the kinks of being in a new space with new students. They were so patience, flexible, and willing to do whatever needed to be done in the moment. Thank you ladies!

(L to R) Me, Marie, Claudia, Rebekah,
Suzi, Rachel, and Nivia

Nivia playing Oraciones Divertidas with Carlos. Everyone needed a review of parts of speech in order to play this game :)

Claudia with one of our new families

In the second week of operation, Blake joined me as a full-time assistant. He does great with the kids. A lot of the kids who are new to me, already know Blake from his time doing sports in the neighborhood with Diego. He provides a great bridge in helping me build relationships with these kids. I'm also really thankful to see that almost all of our faithful students have followed us over from the old location, even the ones who have a longer walk. Our 4th grade and up session is at capacity everyday, and art time is been overflowing both weeks!

Kids waiting to get in for the afternoon session. Everyone has their homework!

Making new friends. Catalina and Daniela

It's so exciting to see everything coming together! The kids all seem really content in the new space and the neighborhood is very happy to have us there. We're off to a good start!

The New Tutoring Center!!!!!

2011-02-09T10:55:00.001-08:00

After countless hours and labors of love the New Tutoring Center is ready to open its door to students. Tomorrow is our first orientational meeting. On Tuesday the Center will be open with its full schedule of activities including tutoring, library, art, cooking, and Girls' group. We're excited! The community is excited! Everyday kids and parents pass by, anxious to know when classes start. Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we start out on this new step of the journey. The neighborhood we're working in is a tough one. But I was reminded yesterday as I hung out with the kids in the park, it's a functioning community. There are a lot of rough edges, but in their own way, they're making things work and supporting each other to the best of their abilities. I know I am often blinded to hope by the seemingly dire circumstances of my kids. Yesterday was a reminder that my kids don't need me to save them from their circumstances, they just need some more tools to use. I trust that the Tutoring Center can do just that for the community. But more importantly, I hope that it can be a place that reminds us all of how much we are loved and valued by our Creator; that each student, parent, volunteer, and teacher who comes through the gate will become a bit more of the person God created them to be.

Blake made this lovely video tour so you could have a visual of the new Center. A HUGE thanks to everyone who helped make this dream possible!!!!

California Christmas

2011-02-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Sorry it's been awhile, but I figure all of you have been equally busy with the holidays and beginnings of a new year. :)

I'm back in Costa Rica after spending some much need time resting and being with family in the U.S. The month of December was a crazy whirlwind of end of the year activities, packing up the Tutoring Center, and saying goodbye to how things have been for the last year and a half. I arrived in California, tired but thankful to be with family, an endless supply of hot water, and fresh blueberries. It was so refreshing to enjoy time with family and some close friends. I didn't spend as much time traveling around, though I would have loved to haven seen so many of you. During this trip I felt it was crucial to take some time to rest, so I could return to Costa Rica recharged for all the new things 2011 holds for us here. I am glad to say that doing less, seemed to be just the right thing for me. I am excited to be back in Costa Rica and feel ready to dive into all this year holds. The new Tutoring Center looks amazing!!!!! There's over 500 books waiting to be shelved in the new library, and a whole bunch of kids anxious to be a part of all the new Center has to offer. I would love to be able to share it all with you firsthand, so come visit!

Here are a few pictures from my time in the States. I wish I had more to share, but I did a terrible job of documenting. It's something I need to work on this year.

We're Moving!

2010-11-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

As you’ve seen, we’ve experienced tremendous growth in the Tutoring Center over this last year. Most days we have more kids coming than we have time or space for. While we don’t have any more helpers, yet, we do have a new facility for the coming school year. A good size house is available to rent in a nearby neighborhood where many of our kids live. In this new space we will be able to have more students as well as offer a greater variety of services. For me, this is the beginning of a dream come true. Since we opened the Tutoring Center in 2009, I always hoped it would grow into a little community center where we could do cooking and gardening with the kids; offer parenting and adult literacy classes, and hold a lending library with all the books we rescued from the California school system. We now have the space to do it, we just need the helpers and the funds to get started.

If you are interested in knowing more about this new stage and how you can be involved, click here. Or send me an email krystaleanne9@gmail.com

We are extremely thankful to Ricardo and Giannina and everyone at La Iglesia Reformada, for so generously sharing their space with us over the last year and a half. They truly have been a huge blessing and wonderful friends. It will be sad not being right next door to them, but I know our relationship with them will continue to grow.

Helpers

2010-11-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

Over the last few months, it seems the kids have had more days where school was canceled than days they actually attended. As result, they want to spend the whole day at the Tutoring Center. Unfortunately there is not enough for them to do, (they have no homework since there is no school) and there is definitely not enough room for all the kids to be there at the same time. I feel really bad about having to tell the kids, "No, you can't come study right now", especially when I know they have nothing else to do. But there is no way two teachers can help more than 15 kids at the same time when they all are working on different things, even if we did have space for them.

One day, after a week of no classes, one of my 5th graders had an idea. "What if I come back in the afternoon, and I can help you tutor the little kids?" Great idea! That afternoon she came back with a group of five other 5th and 6th graders who proved to be amazing teacher's assistants. At one point Leah and I had nothing to do, because everyone was working so well and independently with their student teachers. While I wish the kids would have school everyday, this new systems seems to be working out well. The older kids are learning responsibility, patience, and creative thinking. The younger kids receive more personalized attention. Everyone wins!

Alicia and Christian working on Math problems

Fabian and Yurly learning about the difference between domestic and wild animals

Catalina teaching Ana how to estimate measurements

Karla and Brayan working on color and letter recognition

Spontaneous Visit

2010-11-28T06:23:00.000-08:00

As I've said before, there's no substitute for being able to share life here, first-hand with friends and family. A few weeks ago, Leah and I had the immense joy of showing our dear friend Sarah around our world here in Costa RIca. She bravely took a few days off of work, traveled over night, and was ready to jump right in. She went to Girls' Group with us, taught 5th grade math with her emerging Spanish skills, rode the busy buses, experienced all our favorite places downtown, got to know most of our family community, and even had time to relax at the beach for a few days! Thank you Sarah, for coming and walking though daily life with us.

Sarah, Leah, and I

Sarah and I outside of our favorite coffee shop

We spent a lot of time just hanging out and talking. It was sooo good!

Catalina

2010-11-09T16:05:00.002-08:00

Today I had a great afternoon working with Catalina. She first started coming to the Center over a year ago. In the beginning, whenever she faced a difficult problem or question, she would just give up or take on a horrible attitude. It was so difficult working with her, but bit-by-bit we built up her confidence. Today in class she was introduced to the concept of least common multiples. She didn't understand the teacher's explanation, but wrote down everything on the board. The test on this concept isn't for two more weeks, but she wanted to start figuring it out today. (Already this marks a huge improvement.) We sat there together for over an hour and half, working on her math homework. Me, trying to re-learn the concept from an old Spanish math textbook we have in the center and then trying to explain it using the new vocabulary I just learned in a way a twelve year old can understand. Catalina, faithfully applying her multiplication tables she has finally mastered to figure out multiples of 28, 76, 114. Once Catalina finished all of her homework, which also included identifying prime numbers and determining the divisibility of other numbers, she asked if I could give her more numbers to practice finding the least common multiple. She wanted to make sure she really understood how to do it on her own. A few minutes later, I saw Catalina using her extra practice sheet to teach one of the other 5th graders how to find the least common multiple. I was so proud of her. She has grown so much in this last year.

Even though this may seem like such a small thing, a child doing her homework, for me it marks a change that has taken place in Catalina's character. She no longer is afraid to attempt things she doesn't understand right away. She has developed the confidence and perseverance to figure it out. Furthermore, rather than being smug in now having something she can do but another cannot, she shares her knowledge and patiently walks them through the steps she has just learned. This is the change I long to see in each of our kids. While learning the math concept itself is great, the character development is infinitely more valuable. This is why we do what we do.

Catalina playing "What is my occupation?" at Girls' Group.

Two Years

2010-11-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

On October 22, I celebrated 2 years of being here in Costa Rica. I many ways I feel like I've been here infinitely longer-- I can't remember what is likes to be able to do all ten items on your to-do list in one day, or to experience consecutive days without rain. I'm overwhelmed when I look around the Tutoring Center seeing 20 kids there nearly everyday, and wonder how we grew so fast. But I also thought I would be perfectly fluent in Spanish by now, able to discuss philosophy and my greatest dreams without thinking about how to conjugate verbs or where to put pronouns. (I'm learning to recognize this is an unrealistic goal )

I love Costa Rica and love the work I get to be a part of here. Yes, it is so hard being away from family and community. I often feel like I'm missing out on huge pieces of your lives, and it's challenging to share life here in away that makes sense for those of you who've never been here. But we are trying.

My initial 2 year community with SI is up, but I don't feel my time in Costa Rica has come to an end. I'm extending my commitment for another year. There are many exciting things coming up, especially with the Tutoring Center. I'm excited to see where we will go.

Here are a few of my favorite things....

Family, Friends-both new and old

Outdoor Adventures

Exploring San Jose

Our kids!

Girls' Group Weekend!

2010-10-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

To end our first official term of Girls' Group we had the great privilege of taking our girls to the beach for the weekend. For most of them it was their first time ever to see the ocean even though they only live two hours away from it. Beyond opening up their world, the weekend was a special time for us to deepen our relationship with the girls outside of our normal, more formal structure. There were many good conversations and sharing moments nestled in all of the giddy laughter and high-pitched screams. It was a weekend packed full of first time adventures and bonding experiences. Girls, who before this trip, would not have considered the other a friend, now share inside jokes and countless wonderful memories. And what's even better, there's a whole other handful of girls who want to be a faithful part of Girls' Group when the new session starts up at the end of this month.

All of us getting ready to leave from the Tutoring Center: 6 girls, Erin Janzen, Giannina, Leah and myself.

First sight of the beach

Leah was plugging her ears the screams were so loud!

The house we stayed at had a pool, and I think the girls liked it almost as much as the beach.

After lunch we convinced them the beach really would be as much fun as the pool...

First steps in the ocean; they were not disappointed.

Catalina filled her swimsuit with shells, while repeatedly asking, "No one is going to get mad at me for taking all of these? Will more shells come?" She was baffled, overwhelmed, and so excited all at the same time.

Everyone had a buddy so no one got accidentally swept away by the waves. None of the girls actually know how to swim.

Maria wasn't too sure about the ocean water, but she loved collecting shells and walking along the beach.

Burying Estefani in the sand.

The girls love cooking together. It was a great experience to share in the meal preparation. We were a little worried the girls would miss their typical beans and rice, but they did well with peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti, and pancakes.

Every slumber party needs great pajamas, especially matching ones

Down below the bridge are giant crocodiles, another first for the girls

One last special treat: McDonalds. The girls got just a little excited when they learned about "free refills".

There's so many pictures and stories I could share from the weekend. If you want to see more you can check out the rest here, and if you want to hear more about our time, send me an email. Thank you to everyone for all of your encouraging words, thoughts, and prayers when we first stepped out and started Girls' Group. It has been an incredible blessing to be apart of these girls' lives and to be able see how setting aside a special time for them makes such an impact in their lives. Even though at times it is so challenging, I look forward to being able to continue to walk alongside them and pour into the new girls joining our group.

Loving

2010-10-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I run a tutoring center in Los Guido. Yes, I am a university trained teacher. I have lots of great ideas of how to make learning fun and engaging, involving various learning styles and never staying too long on one activity so kids don't get board. But most days, this is not what my children need most. They need someone who sees all of them and is able to respond to that with love and patience. As the kids trust us more, they let us into their worlds, their worlds that are often just barely hanging in balance, their worlds that affect every other interaction and decision. Being let in is a great privilege, but also an overwhelming responsibility. I now know that Maria calling other children ugly and stupid mostly likely stems from the fact her mom does the same thing to her, as we witnessed during a recent home visit. By no means does this make it okay for Maria to say these derogatory things to her classmates, but it's not a simple as saying, "Marie, we don't say things like that because it's not nice." This is a just a small example.

Each day there are countless interactions like this, many being much more severe in nature. I would like to say I embrace them all as "teachable moments" and we have calm discussions through each misstep, but we all know this impossible, especially in a second language. I would like to be able to stop and with patience and love talk with the child about why she is acting this way, why he said that, why she hates her. And sometimes it possible. But most of the time it's not. There are 15 other kids who need individual attention in that moment. Kids who's moms have brought them to get help with their homework, since after all, we are a tutoring center. This tension of seemingly conflicting goals (educational support v. overall life support) is something I struggle with almost everyday. I know that education is really just a vehicle to relationship and life change, but that vehicle needs to be effective if we are going to keep using it. But I don't want to be so stuck to the expressed educational goals, that I miss loving and serving the whole child.

The truth is, these kids have my heart. I will do pretty much anything to help them. This is why weeks like these last few, where almost everyday we have some melt-down or blow-up in the Center, are so personally challenging. I want to do right by my kids. I want to love them in the best way possible, but so often I don't know what that is or how to do it. No amount of university training can teach you that.

But I try my best. I stumble through Spanish. I hug them. I cry on my way home. And I trust that as much as I love them, God loves them infinitely more. Where my feeble attempts fail, he is still caring for them. He knows their situations, their language, their hearts. He can speak to them where my words are a jumbled mess of misused pronouns and conditional tense. He can embrace them when they run out of the Tutoring Center before I ever have a chance to talk to them. He loves them (and me) more than I can comprehend.

And so I go to the Tutoring Center each day, heart ready to love, knowing it will be hard and it will probably hurt, but trusting that I don't have to do it all.

Some of our faithful students. These kids are there everyday!

From Center Time

This is what it looks like most days as we walk out of Los Guido, a host of kids accompanying us to the car or bus stop.

Family Time!

2010-09-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like being able to share your life first-hand with the one's you love. Certainly one of the greatest challenges of living in Costa Rica is being so far away from my family and friends. That distance is compound by the fact the daily factors of my life here are so foreign to most people living in the States. They can't fully understand how tiring it can be to take buses everywhere; or how going to the grocery store isn't a simple exercise; or how road construction can completely change the local public school schedule for months thus effecting everything at the Tutoring Center. These are things that no matter how hard I try, cannot be fully understood from a distance. So to be able to have my mom, dad, and brother, Benje, be able to come down and live life with me for bit, was such a blessing. They road the bus, hung out with my kids at the Center, experienced San Jose, and explored the beauty of Costa Rica. It was so wonderful to be able to catch up on life over long dinners and lazy afternoons at the beach. No matter how good technology is, it's not the same as being able to sit with the one's you love. Though I will always wish I could have more time with them, I am so thankful that each was able to come and share in life here.

Click on the picture below to see the rest of the photos from our time together.

Family Time

Summer Wrap-up

2010-09-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Things are beginning to settle down a little after our packed summer season. We had quite a few groups of great helpers come work alongside us in the Tutoring Center. It's always good to have extra hands and loving hearts. Plus, the kids at the Center love getting to meet new people and get a kick out trying to help the teams practice their Spanish. Even though the teams are only here for such a short time, I know that lives are being impacted. It's difficult at the end of the two weeks, both for the American students and our kids to say goodbye. Our hope is that these experiences will have a life-growing impact for both groups. Thank you to everyone who came and shared life with us this summer. We hope you have taken what you learned here and are continuing to serve and have an impact back home in your community.

Playing "What is my profession?" with the girls as we talked about Dreams and Goals during Girls' Group.

An impromptu recess. The kids love when teams come because they get to play more games and run around outside since we have extra people to help supervise.

Silly boys!

Ki and Rebecca working on a puzzle during break time.

Blake's Here!

2010-09-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

I know this is a little late, but the last few months have been a bit busy. Blake is here for 9 months to work on his Spanish and help out with SI. He's getting ready to move in with a Costa Rican host family, but it has been so fun having him at my house for the last 2 months. We haven't lived together since he was eleven years old, so we all kinds of new things to learn about each other. Luckily, his new host family is just a short walk from my house, so we'll still be seeing lots of each other. I'm so grateful to be able to share this experience of living and working in Costa Rica, with my little brother. He continues to be a source of encouragement and inspiration to me.

Museo de Niños

2010-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

For awhile now, Leah and I have been talking about wanting to take our kids to the great Children’s Museum in San Jose. We were a little overwhelmed by the thought of how to organize such an event, especially the task of keeping track of all the kids while in the museum. We finally decided we would brave the outing during winter vacation when we would have the help of short-term team members in keeping the kids together in the museum. I called the museum and set up a tour. They even waived the kids’ entrance fee. We decided to limit the trip to kids 8 years old and above, since we only had 20 spots. There were a lot of really sad 7 year olds, but we promised we’d do another trip soon.

On the day of the outing, we had a great ratio of 2 to 1, children to adults. When we arrived at the museum, I was so thankful we had so many helpers. They actually closed entrance to the museum for the rest of the day shortly after we got there, because there were already so many people there. Inside was packed, but the kids didn’t seem to mind. They had a great time weaving in between the crowds, trying out all the hands on activities they’d never seen before. I loved getting to watch the kids investigate and experience so many new things. Julio, my 8 year old counterpart, kept turning around and yelling, “Look at this!!! Look at this!!!”, before dashing off to something new.
The kids had so much fun! For most of them, it was their first experience going to a museum. I can’t wait to take the kids there again. There was so much in museum we couldn’t see as a result of time and it being over-crowded. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to take the 7 year olds too.

Everyone on the bus

From Vacation and Museum

Exploring the Train

Catalina and Marjorie

Roger

Reyner learning about banana production, one of the major exports in Costa Rica

Waiting to go into the radio recording studio

"Shopping" in the grocery store and learning about healthy food choices

Several of the kids were so wiped out they fell asleep on the bus ride home, but not Julio.

Vacation!!!!

2010-07-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

The school schedule (along with the seasons) here in Costa Rica runs opposite to the United States. We just finished our two week winter vacation. In the Tutoring Center we decided to take advantage of this homework-free time to do extra-curricular activities in the afternoons. The kids had tons of fun and it was a great way for the short-term teams to integrate in with the kids at the center.

We did cooking classes, thanks to a our new stove! It was the first time any of the kids had baked cookies. They loved it and did a great job with both the sugar cookies and oatmeal choco-chips.

Roger helping me put the cookies in the oven.

Everyone waiting for the cookies to come out.

The remnants

One day we painted animal puzzles Jeremy Janzen made for us in the wood shop, one of SI’s other sites in Los Guido. Puzzles are one of the favorite break activities in the Tutoring Center, so the kids were super excited to make their own puzzle to take home with them.

On the last day of vacations we had a play day in the Community Center next door to the Tutoring Center. Luis Diego and Cindy, our newest staff members helped lead a bunch of games with the kids, which was a blast. We also did Readers’ Theater with the book, Where the Wild Things Are, a favorite read in the Center. The kids thoroughly enjoyed making masks and playing the part of the monsters in the story. It was a great way to end the fun-filled two weeks.

Costa Rican version of "Snake in the Grass"

The team acted out the story the first, and the kids thought it was hilarious. They couldn't wait to do it on their own.

Catalina was in charge of giving the crown to Max during the storytime

Cynthia, Sharon, and Ana playing "Simon Says". Sharon didn't follow along all that well, but still had fun.

A Day in the Park

2010-06-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Last week for Girls Group, we decided to do things a little differently. Even though the girls only live about 5 kilometers and a 50 cent bus ride from downtown San Jose, they rarely get the opportunity to leave Los Guido and explore all the the city has to offer. Los Guido has no public green space and the one play area since its recent installation last summer, has been stripped bare of all usable equipment. As a result, the community lacks safe and welcoming places for kids to play and hangout outside of their own homes. In downtown San Jose there are lots of beautiful parks and public space, but when I asked the girls if they had ever been to any of these parks, they had no idea what I was talking about.

So in an attempt to share some of the natural beauty of the city, we boarded a public bus and headed to downtown for a picnic and play day in the National Park. As we walked the six to eight blocks from the bus stop to the park, we tried to point out places of interest the girls hadn't seen before: The National Museum that used to be a fort and still has all of the artillery marks in the watch towers; the wall normally covered in crimson clematis flowers; and the old president's house where they have all kinds of fancy parties. The girls loved getting to see first hand things they had heard mentioned in school or read about in textbooks.

Once we arrived at the park, we spent to morning running relay races, playing Dias de la Semana (like hopscotch), and eating PB& J and chocolate chip cookies. It was a simple outing, that hardly cost anything, but I know it made a big impact on the girls. Who knows if they ever would have had the opportunity to do something like this outside of the being part of the Tutoring Center. Most of their parents do not have the luxury of free time to be able to play with their kids, let alone take them downtown to the park. Once again, I am reminded, that the most valuable thing I have to offer to these girls is my time. It's not any fancy training or programing I can bring; it's just me being available and part of the loving community we all need in order to grow into the individuals God created us to be.

We all had an amazing time together laughing and sharing life. We wished we could have stayed longer, but the girls had to get back for school in the afternoon. We will definitely be doing more outings like this in the future.

Cedula!!!

2010-06-03T07:47:00.000-07:00

Over a year and half after turning in all of my immigration paperwork, I finally have my Costan Rican ID card (cedula)!!!! It has been a long process, but I think worth it. I'm told when it comes time to renew my residency in two years, the process should be much easier. Let's hope so!

The California Express

2010-05-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago I was blessed with the opportunity, thanks to some very generous friends, to fly to California in order to celebrate the marriage of a good friend from college. It was speedy trip; in less than four days, I visted seven to nine cities, depending on how you're counting. Regarldess of the rapid pace, it was a wonderful time with friends, filled with laughter, eating, dancing, and late nights. Thanks to flexible friends, I was even able to squeeze in a few hours with family. Bryton wanted to know if I was staying until our family vacation to Tahoe in June. Sadly, no, but at least I got to eat dinner with them and put the girls to bed.

Reading Groups

2010-05-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

Shortly after opening the Tutoring Center, we realized many of our students greatly struggled in the area of reading, which was impeding all other areas of learning. When there are a lot of kids at the center, it's difficult to take the time to sit and teach the basic concepts of reading to a student who needs one-on-one attention. The most obvious solution to us, was to start reading groups based on students' level of abilities. This in turn, would allow us to provide more focused, customized attention to each student in order to help expedite their learning. We thought it was a great idea. Parents seemed excited. Wonderful!

No one came.

Almost a year later, after having a consistent group of struggling readers come every Tuesday and Thursday morning, we decided to try again. We made invitations, talked with moms, recruited extra help, and everyone was excited. We decided to keep it during normal tutoring time on Tuesday mornings since the students were already faithfully coming then.

First Tuesday, not a single student, not even for regular tutoring. But they all showed up the next afternoon, with no clear explanation for why they hadn't come the day before.

Second Tuesday, the majority of students showed up, though many were late. The kids seemed to really enjoy the reading activities and individualized attention.

Third Tuesday, two students came, but only because they had test to study for. The rest came in the afternoon or the next day. Again, with no reason or apparent concern regarding their absence.

It's hard not to be frustrated at this point. We have put a lot of effort into planning and preparing these lessons and activities in order to help our students develop the skills they need to succeed in school. Many of these kids are several grade levels behind. On the surface, parents and students seem very excited about what we are doing, but for some reason they don't take full advantage of it. I know there could be a million reasons culturally, economically, even spiritually, why the kids aren't coming; but it's hard to know how to proceed. Do we keep planning and waiting to see who shows up? Do we try to develop something different? Are students not coming because of something we are (or are not) doing? Is there something we are not seeing? These are all questions I have. This is where development work gets more complicated than just helping kids. I know I value reading, and I know the community values it as well. But the way those values are pursued and to what extent they are held, varies greatly. I don't want to just force my community to learn to read my way. I want them to be able to discover a love for reading that reflects their own pursuits and values. Knowing how to provide the opportunity to do that is challenging. Learning how to see past my own biasis and way of thinking is difficult. But in doing so, I know that I can learn from community as well. They have many valuable things to teach me. It may not be the specific skills of reading, but it could be just as vital. God has made each one of us with something of value to share, regardless of where we live, how much money or education we have, what language we speak, or what we look like. I pray that through this humbling (and at times frustrating) experience I can be open to receive, as well as, to give to my community.

Girl Time!

2010-04-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Ever since our trip to Leaves and Lizards last year I've been toying around with the idea of starting a girls' group- a special time for the older girls in the tutoring center. I wanted to create a time where the girls could be kids instead of mini-moms, a time where we could talk about the decisions and pressures they're facing, a time where I could pour into them letting them know how truly special they are. In Costa Rica 7th-12th grade are all part of high school. As most individuals take longer than 6 years to complete those grades, it is quite common to have 12 year olds and 21 year olds on the same campus. As you can imagine this can lead to all kinds of problems, especially with young girls being swept up by much older guys. Sadly this is not at all uncommon.

As I look at my older girls at the Tutoring Center, I want them to be able to go into high school with not only the educational tools they need to succeed, but also to be grounded in who they are in Christ. I want them to realize they have a community of people here to support them and go to when they need help.

This last week was our first club. I brought in fresh flowers and special coffee mugs from my house to make the Tutoring Center feel more homey. Erin made delicious chocolate, chocolate cookies. The girls were super excited! A couple girls couldn't come this week because of things going on at school, but we decided to start anyway. I often let myself get so caught up in creating the perfect situation where everyone can attended, that we never end up having the said event. I didn't want that to happen with the girls' group. I'm still don't know how everything is going to unfold, but that's okay. On Friday I realized the most important things about this group is just spending time with the girls and listening to them. After our club time officially ended, I was waiting for Jeff Dixon and visitors to come by and ended up spending nearly another 2 hours just hanging out with the girls, talking about what life was like in their neighborhood. In some ways this time may have been even more impactful than our morning of playing games, eating cookies, and decorating journals. I pray that God will use all our time together to build into these girls in order that they will know just how special they really are.

The invitation for the girls.

Coffee and Cookie Time! Erin Janzen is helping with the Girl Group, which is a huge blessing.

Decorating journals. (L to R) Erin, Alicia, Hazel, and Catalina

Los Mendoza Sotos

2010-04-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

If you've been following this blog for awhile, you've probably notice there are two girls who are frequently in pictures and posts regarding the Tutoring Center: Alicia and Catalina. These two have been the most faithful attendants of the Tutoring Center since the beginning.

Alicia and Catalina come from a big family who's parents immigrated from Nicaragua, which is typical for Los Guido. But there are many things that set them a part from the average family here in Los Guido. All six of the kids share the same father and mother, who are still together. Both parents have steady jobs in construction and cleaning. This is good for the family income, but leaves the kids at home alone from 5am till 6 or 7pm. Another thing that makes this family different is a strong value of education. Despite the fact several of the kids have learning disabilities and Mom has no free time, she continues to push her kids to do well in school, never allowing dropping out to be an option.

This family is very dear to me, and I have been praying for them a lot. Even though there are many things that set them apart from the average family in Los Guido, they face many of the same daily obstacles of poverty: the struggle to financially support a big family, safe play areas for the kids, support in school, positive role models, and most importantly emotional and spiritual support for each member of their family.

Alica, Catalina and Belkys on our trip to Leaves and Lizard

Shortly after Alicia and Catalina started coming to the Tutoring Center, they also started coming to Sunday school at the church. Then they brought their younger siblings, Roger and Marjorie; and then their older sisters, Hazel and Belkys.

Catalina and Marjorie decorating cookies for Thanksgiving

Roger working on his key holder during our vacation workshops

At the beginning of this year Giannina, the pastora, and I were able to visit Darling (Mom) on one of her few days off. During our visit she expressed a strong desire to be part of a fellowship of believers, but she doesn't have much time and didn't think her husband would support it. Giannina encouraged her to come just once a month to the women's meeting so she could be supported by other moms in the community. Today Giannina told me that Darling has been coming to every women's meeting for the last month. Also, over Semana Santa, she came with all of her kids to every activity the church had. Darling and her family no longer are isolated. They can be encouraged and supported in all aspects of life by this family of believers.

My prayer is that as we continue to support kids educationally and reach out to their whole family, we will see God transform their lives and break the bonds of poverty and isolation in all aspects of their (and our) lives.

Visits

2010-04-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

After a busy week with our first team, I was blessed by a week long visit from one of my best friends, Nicki Appel. This was an extra special treat as Nicki is currently living in England, and it is a bit more challenging to travel to Central America from the UK. Unfortuantely I was sick most of the time she was here, but we didn't let that interfer wtih enjoying out time together and the beautiful tropical climate.

Lunch at the Tutoring Center. Nicki came and put her high school Spanish to good use.

From Easter in California

Enjoying the sunshine at Esterillos. We made sure everyone had plenty of sunscreen, especially Nicki.

San Luis Obsipo Reunion. (Me, Josh, Leah, and Nicki) We had a great time reminiscing together.

While this isn't a great quality picture, we had a fabulous time enjoying the international art festival going on. This was the free salsa concert in the park. There were people dancing everywhere. I loved it.

A couple days after Nicki left, still unalbe to talk from my sickness, I boarded a plane for California. Here in Costa Rica everything shuts down for Semana Santa, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. I took advantage of the week off to go to California and meet my new niece, as well as spend time with the rest of my family. It was quick trip, but no matter how short the time is, it's always great to be with family.

Jasmine Marie Williams

Putting Papa to work de-boning the chicken.

Cooking with the girls.

Easter lunch with most of the family. We were just missing Benje and Blake.

Hanging out with little Jasmine.

From Easter in California

Celebrating Dad's birthday!!!

Quick stop in SLO to see Sara and Blake (but I don't have a picture with Blake, sorry)

Spring Update

2010-03-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished my Spring Update. For those of you who didn't get it through email you can download it here.
Spring 2010
If you'd like to be part of my email updates let me know.

This is a picture of Ricardo and Giannina (pastors at the church where the tutoring center is) with the lovely ladies who were working alongside me in the Tutoring Center for a week. We had a great time together, and they were a huge blessing to me and the students. Thank you, Ladies!

Birthday Week

2010-03-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

March 2nd is my birthday. I always love birthdays-- mine, friends', complete strangers', doesn't matter. I just think they are a great excuse to go out of your way to make someone feel like royalty. I have a roommate who shares this view, but she takes it to the extent of a birthday week. While we didn't intentionally do that, I feel like it's been a whole week of fun and refreshment. We kicked of the weekend with a double birthday celebration up on the northern pacific coast in Tamarindo. We met up with friends and spent 2 days soaking up the sunshine and dancing around in the waves. The weather was perfect, and it was a wonderful change of senery. Upon returning to the city, my birthday was celebrated eating my favorite meal with my friends and teammates, eating cake with kids at the Tutoring Center, watching a documentary at an outdoor showing, and sharing a delicious meal with dear friends at my favorite restuarant.

Now the birthday week is wrapping up, with another fun weekend with friends centered around lots of tasty food. I'm remained through all the shared meals this past week, how much joy it brings me to prepare and share food with others. It is was makes me feel part of a community. Since I was in college I've had the tradition of doing Family Dinners once a week. I make a bunch of food and then whoever can come, joins together for food and fellowship. When I look back on my time in San Luis Obsipo or Visalia, most of favorite memories center around these times or relationship built through these weekly meals together. I'm sure there are other ways to create community, but sharing food is definitely my favorite. One of the things I love about the SI staff, is that everyweek we share a meal together after our staff meeting. It is in these times that life is shared, relationship fortified, and community is built. Recently, I've been longing to start up Family Dinners again. To be honest, my biggest inibitions is wondering who I could invite and if anyone would actually come outside of my teammates. It is my dream that it would be a community representing the diversity of life around me, but I don't understand the cultural norms well enough to know if it something that would work wtih Costa Ricans. In many ways community already appears to be firmly established amoung Costa Rican as a results of proximity of extended families and life, long friends. Most people have lived in the same neighborhood their whole life. Sometimes it seems like no one has time or interest in being part of another community. But there are many of us who don't have those connections. And while the majority of us are from the US, maybe it's okay to start there. Perhaps in time, it will grow to fullfill my dream.

This week full of meals with friends has given me hope. Maybe it's time to step and start Family Dinners again.

Look at Laura's amazing birthday surprise! It was the best tiramisu any of us had ever had.

My birthday dinner at Cafe Mundo

Marlo and Me

Girls' Night wonderfully turned into Girls Weekend (though we did let the boys come back for dinner)

Master Chefs: Taylor, Me and Marlo

Back in Session

2010-02-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

This last week brought to a close summer vacation for students here in Costa Rica. It was nice to have a little time to get things ready in the tutoring center and re-adjust back to life here. There's been a few rough spots in the last few weeks, but I have been anxious to back into the swing of things, especially at the tutoring center. It has been so fun and refreshing to spend time with my kids there. I really did miss them a lot over vacation, and they have been so excited to be back at the center. It also encouraging to see that many of the things we were working on last year magically sunk in during the break. Roger knows most of his alphabet; Catalina is willing to keep working on challenging math problems; and Alicia finished her first chapter book!

This year we've changed a few things in the schedule. We are doing formal art time once a week, as well as an English class. We left one day open to do home visits or work on building relationships with the teachers at the local schools. Last week we had a meeting with the principal at the Christian School in Los Guido, and she seems very open to working together. We have had several new students come from their school this week, which is exciting. I imagine we will continue to see more new faces in the coming weeks as kids get back into the routine of school. As we keep growing, we'll need more helpers in the center. But one big praise is I now have an assistant during most sessions. Leah, my roommate has committed to being there everyone afternoon, as well as, Jeff and Tracey Dixon who each help out one day when teams aren't here. Please continue to keep the tutoring center and children of Los Guido in your prayers. I feel like there is a lot just beginning to unfold, and I can't wait to see what adventures this year holds.

Yarelyn making her first purchase from the Tiende del Centro de Tutoria. This year we put in place a reward system to help kids to stay motivated to try their best even when it's hard. Kids can earn Centro Pesos by doing different reading activities, passing a level on their math facts, having exceptional behavior, ect. So far everyone is very excited about it!

Luis, working hard on his times tables.

Alicia and Catalina working on bean mosaics during one of the art times.

Jose Alejandro, one of our new students from the Christian School

From Centro de Tutoria

Raquel showing of her artwork and her folder where she keeps all her work and her pesos. The folders will allow us to better share with parents (and hopefully teachers) what the kids have been working on at the Tutoring Center.

A Crazy First Week!

2010-01-26T18:52:00.000-08:00

While it has been wonderful to be back here in Costa Rica, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. This past weekend we experienced a very terrifying event in the form of a car accident. Miraculously everyone was okay, but I have to say I'm still kind of shaken up. It is absolutely incredible to see how God's hand was over the whole day. He truly was watching over us, and I am so thankful. Cailah did a great job of sharing the story on her blog. Rather than retell it, I'm just going to direct you there through this link Click Here Please join us in praising God for his protection and keep praying for us as we try to sort through all the emotions and logistics of a major event like this.

California

2010-01-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

It's always wonderful to have time with friends and family, and this past month in California was no exception. It was a great mix of traveling to see friends and family around California, and relaxing time at home doing the day-to-day activities. One of the challenges of being an older sister from a distance is missing out on a lot of the everyday activities in your family's lives. This last month at home was a great opportunity to stock up on a lot of those, memory making experiences, especially since EVERYONE was home for Christmas. The time was filled with lots of laughter, bike riding, cooking, shopping, kids' basketball games, painting nails, and other things that just aren't the same via skype or telephones.

All of 9 of us siblings, plus our friend Steve, spent an afternoon miniature golfing. I'm pretty sure there were many rules broken, but we had a great time!

Benje, trying to give Kat some pointers

From California

Rina, Blake, and Karlee taking a break from the all the strenuous activity.

From California

I'm not sure any of us made this whole without a little assistance.

From California

The girls and I also spent a lot of time making yummy meals and desserts for the rest of the family. Both Kat and Rina have the makings of great chefs. I am so proud of them!

From California

Special Adult Dinner with Papa, Dad, and Mom at my favorite restaurant, Le Bilig.

From California

In addition to a wonderful time with my family, I was also blessed to spend time with many dear friends and supporters. Even though the time was short, it was so encouraging to share life and all that God has been doing. I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures while traveling, but here are a few.

Brad and Sara Osbrone, my best friend who has been living in London for the past year. It was so refreshing to my heart and soul to be able to spend several days with her. We just get each other.

From California

David and Krichele Jeffcoach. I love these guys. It was so exciting to hear about the adventures God is preparing for them too.

From California

Jeff and Kristi Davids and their newest one, Sienna. We had a great time all hangout for the traditional New Year's gathering.

From California

Thank you to everyone who made the effort for us to be able to spend time together, and I'm sorry to everyone I missed. I know it is impossible to be able to see everyone, but I wish I could. It truly was a wonderful time in California, but I am also equally excited to back in Costa Rica. I know that God has a lot planned for this year, and I can't wait to be a part of it unfolding. I only hope I can keep up. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep them coming.

A Good Year

2010-01-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to all of you who having been praying for me. You are a crucial part of God’s work in Costa Rica. Without prayer and God’s leading, all our good deeds are meaningless. Thank you for joining me in covering Los Guido, Costa Rica and myself in prayer. I know that nothing I do is a result of my own efforts, but what God has allowed me to do. Please join me in praising the Lord for all He has done this year, as well as, seeking His will for this next year.

Praises From this Past Year
~God’s great provision this past year
* A location for the tutoring center
*A wonderful home
*Continuous financial support
* Good friends in Costa Rica
* Continuous strength and energy

~Lives being changed for Christ, both students coming down to Costa Rica and kids in Los Guido

~Kids coming faithfully to the tutoring center and the opportunity to build deep relationships with them and their families

~Amazing teammates in Costa Rica with Students International (SI)

~Countless more things that God has done this year

Prayers for the Coming Year
~Continued wisdom, strength, and discernment in working and building relationships in Los Guido

~The new year at the tutoring center
*New leadership/mentor program with older kids
* I could have someone there to assist me everyday who speaks Spanish and is good with kids.
*I would be able to involve parents more and build deeper relationships with the whole family.

~My Spanish would continue to improve

~Continued unity among SI Costa Rica staff

***Most importantly: That God would remain at the center of it all. Specifically for me, that I wouldn’t get so caught up in what I think needs to be done, that I forget the one who is in control of everything.

I love this Psalm and it is my song for this year. God is good, all the time.

Psalm 146
Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD.
I will praise the LORD as long as I live.       I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. 
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,  and all their plans die with them.
  But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,       whose hope is in the LORD their God. 
He made heaven and earth,    the sea, and everything in them.   He keeps every promise forever.
  He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.    The LORD frees the prisoners.

The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down.       The LORD loves the godly.
  The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
The LORD will reign forever.       He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.
Praise the LORD!

End of the Year

2009-12-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

As the school year came to an end here in Costa Rica, we decided to do things a little differently at the tutoring center. The kids didn't have homework, since they had finished with their exams a couple of weeks earlier. While school was technically still in session, no one had classes, so there were lots of extra kids hanging out at the tutoring center. We decided to take adavantage of the time to do some extra curricular activities: art projects, wood work, and cookie decorating. It was a great finale to close out our first year at the tutoring center.

As I said goodbye to the kids on the last day, it was hard to believe I wasn't going to see them for over a month while I was back in the States. I truly love getting to spend each day with these kids. It is such a privelege to be a part of their lives and to watch them slowly grow academicly and spiritually. God has been so faithful this year to give me nuggets of encouragement whenever I become discourgaged or worried that I'm not seeing enough "results". Creating the change is not my responsibility, it's God's, and I can see that He is working. I just need to continue to be faithful to follow His leading and not try to get ahead of His plan.

Jeremy working with some of the kids on their wood projects.

Everyone was very into their project.

We made letter/keyholders for them to give to their parents for Christmas

Decorating snowflakes

Visitors, Team, Thanksgiving, and Cookies

2009-12-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

These last few weeks have found me rather busy with lots of visitors and fun activities. We hosted a wonderful team from Wasco, CA over the Thanksgiving break. I had the pleasure of having Julie and Abby working alongside me at the Tutoring Center. It was exciting to see both of them connecting with the kids and pouring their hearts out in service. There were many tearful goodbyes at the end of the week.

From Team, Thanksgiving, Cookies

As part of our time with the team, we braved another first at the Tutoring Center...decorating sugar cookies. Baking sweets is not cultural activity you will find in many homes here in Costa Rica. Most families do not even own a working oven. So the idea of decorating sugar cookies is a completely foreign concept, but one the kids were dying to try. With the help of a 2:1, child/adult ratio it was a great success. The cookies turned out beautiful and I don't think too much extra frosting was consumed in the process.

From Team, Thanksgiving, Cookies

Catalyna, Majoria, Abby, and Madai

These boys ate a lot of extra sprinkles!

Graciela and Rebeca

At the end of the week we had a giant Thanksgiving feast, including 2 turkeys the team smuggled into the country for us. (A small turkey here cost roughly $85). It was so fun to spend the evening with new and old friends, sharing in gratitude over all of the things we've been blessed with. We even got to carry on one of my family traditions--decorating your placemate with some of the things you are thankful for. :) Even though life can be challenging at times, we have so much to be grateful for!

They're really excited about turkey!

Many First's

2009-11-18T15:10:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing time this weekend at the lodge up in Arenal. Thank you for all of your prayers; we certainly felt them. Every last detailed came together perfectly; I could not have planned it better even if I tried. The girls had an incredible time and can't stop talking about everything we saw and did in a short 36 hours. The girls had the opportunity to learn in a hands-on-way about all different kinds of farm animals and rainforest life. In addition, the weekend was full of lots of laughter and being silly together as we tried new things. More than anything, it was a great time building deeper relationships in a way that would never be possible within the tutoring center.

A Photo Essay of the weekend...

We picked up the girls at 7am in Los Guido in our microbus. On the way up, the girls experienced thick fog for the first time ever. They kept looking out the window saying, "Estamos en el cielo!" We're in heaven! Thanks to the fact seatbelts don't really exist here, the girls were able to bounce all around the van as we had a sing-along, promptly producing lots of motion sickness.

From Leaves and Lizard

Catalyna and Leah in the microbus

Luckily we made it to Leaves and Lizards without any accidents. Shortly after arriving we headed down to the barn to learn how to ride a horse. The girls were super excited, but got a little freaked out once we were actually near the horses. Notice Madai's face.

From Leaves and Lizard

Debbie did a great job easing their fears and teaching them how to comfortable control the horse. Within an hour everyone was riding with confidence.

Catalyna kept wanting to go faster. But as we were riding in a corral, it wasn't really an option.

From Leaves and Lizard

Belkys was extremely hesitant to go near the horses, and it took a lot of convincing to get her to even try it. But it was amazing to see her confidence level increase, especially after a scary freak out when one of the horses got spooked. She was amazing!

From Leaves and Lizard

It was also my first time ever on a horse! So fun to be able to share the experience with the girls.

From Leaves and Lizard

After riding, we shared a lovely dinner with Steve and Debbie and headed back to the cabin to rest before our big hike the next day.

From Leaves and Lizard

That night we all enjoyed hot water showers, and the girls used a blow dryer for the first time before sleeping like queens in our luxury cabins

From Leaves and Lizard

After our big breakfast of fluffy pancakes, cheese omelets, and bacon (all very special treats here), we headed off to hike through the rainforest with our trusty guide, Oscar.

From Leaves and Lizard

Catalyna, Belkys, Judith (Madai's mom), Madai

It rained on us almost the whole time, but we were prepared!

From Leaves and Lizard

Due to the rain, there weren't as many animals out and about, but we were still overwhelmed with God's amazing creation. It reminded me of all the nature hikes my family would do growing up.

From Leaves and Lizard

Our ride home held one more surprise for the girls.... McDonalds!!! Here in Costa Rica, American fast food is rather pricey and considered a very special treat. (The thing for middle class families to do is is have birthday parties at McDonalds) When we pulled in to the parking lot, the girls could not believe it! It was a great ending to a fabulous weekend!!!

From Leaves and Lizard

A very BIG thank you to Steve and Debbie of Leaves and Lizards for making this unforgettable weekend possible!!!

From Leaves and Lizard

Leaves and Lizard

2009-10-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

In examining certain aspect of my personality and work style I realize I am much more of a detailed orientated person than a visionary dreamer. I like to dream, but quickly become intimidated by the bigness of it. I haven’t figured out the whole business of networking and building strategic partnerships, so I falsely think I have to accomplish the great idea all on my own.

A few weeks ago, a dream opportunity fell into my lap with enough of the big stuff already worked out; there was no way I could say no. I met Debbie and Steve last month when us girls decided to get out of the city for a night. We found their lodge, Leaves & Lizards, on the internet and decided to go for it even though it was further away. We had an amazing stay. Over our family style breakfast, I shared with Debbie and Steve about the kids I work with in the city. Debbie immediately lit up; she has always wanted to be able to bring city kids out there but lacked the connection. Perfect. We spent the rest of the morning dreaming of all the things we could do with the kids. Debbie is already super involved in the community there. All I needed to do was find transportation and convince the parents to le me take their kids for the night. Unbelievable. I was so excited, but still really nervous. How was I going to convince parents I’ve never met to let me take their daughters, who’ve never heard of the concept of a fieldtrip, on an overnight trip 4 hours away? Yikes.

This weekend I was finally able to meet with the mom of 2 sisters, Catalyna and Alicia, that I want to be a part of the trip. We had a wonderful time together. All of the kids were so happy I came to their home, and it was great to finally meet their mom. I shared with her more about the trip and why I wanted the girls to go. After reassuring her I would be with the girls at ALL times, she gave her permission. She continued to thank me for all that I am doing for her and her kids. I just kept telling her how much I love having her kids at the center. It was a very encouraging afternoon.

I still am a little nervous about the project, but I am so excited to see how God has gone before us opening doors and preparing connection I wouldn’t have made on my own. We still have a few more details to work out before our trip on Nov. 14-15, so please keep us in your prayers. I can’t wait to share how it all turns out!

Reading Time

Leah, Alicia, Madai, Winston, Catalyna

Ladies' Night

2009-10-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I love playing hostess. It's one of the things that makes me feel at home in a new place. A couple of weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to host a Ladies' Night with several of our friends and fellow missionaries. It was a great evening of fellowship filled with lots of laughter and great stories. Together we represented half a dozens cultures and several different language, but everyone felt included. For me it is a beautiful pictures of the richness of the body of Christ and the blessing of being able to come together and share in fellowship.

Left to Right
Sonia, Tracey, Cailah, Aiyla, Leah, Erin, Kristina, Isabela, Giannina

A Photo Essay of Life

2009-10-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Soccer game for Josh's Birthday

SWAT police protecting our sections. We somehow ended up in the official cheering section.

Fun Day in the Park

Beautiful Creation in Costa Rica

Residency

2009-10-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

After being "In Process" for almost a year, I finally received my Costa Rica residency. Yeah!!! This means I get discounts at all the National Parks, can get as many cellphones as I want, and most importantly, I don't have to leave the country every 3 months to renew my visa. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for this process; it is a HUGE relief to know I am approved.

In the same vein, Costa Rica is starting to feel a lot more like a home instead of a long trip. At the end of this month, I will have been here a year! It's incredible to reflect on all that has happened and been developed in this past year. I go back and forth between questioning why it took me so long to "get established" here and amazement that I am already so at home here. I still have a long way to go before I feel "native". Though, I am learning to be content in how far I've come and to recognize I don't have to take everything on at once. Development on a personal or community level doesn't happen overnight; it's a slow process if you want lasting results. Rather than trying to force things along, I'm learning to take opportunities as they come and invest in what is currently in front of me. So I'm enjoying the amazing friends from the States I'm blessed to have living here in Costa Rica, and slowly trying to build natural, deeper friendships with Spanish-Speakers here. I'm joyfully and diligently pouring into my twenty-ish regulars at the tutoring center, and not stressing about how to meet the needs of all the 1,400 students at the school next door. (plus the 3 other schools in Los Guido). This is what God has placed in front of me for now, and I want to give it my all.

Tiempo de Lectura

2009-09-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. Through a book we can travel to new worlds, experience different time periods and ideas, and begin to build dreams for our own lives. Unfortunately, reading is not a popular pastime here in Costa Rica, despite their seemingly high literacy rate. A large part of the problem is the lack of exposure to reading as an enjoyable activity. For awhile now I've been wanting to start a reading group with some of my more faithful 4-6th graders at the Tutoring Center. Josh found several copies of The Little Prince, in Spanish, for me, and I've been reading it through trying figure out how I'm going to get my kids excited about reading.

Then on Monday, I decided to stop in to one of the few used bookstores I've seen here in Costa Rica. Luis, the man who owns the closet-sized store, is a kindred spirit. We talked for almost a half an hour about the need to provide reading opportunities for kids and the magical experiences books allow us to have. He wants to help me build my little library in Los Guido. I bought a few children literature books to start with.

Today all classes were canceled in Los Guido, a far to common occurrence, which left my 4th-6th graders with nothing to do and no homework. I boldly suggested something they had never done before. Reading hour! As I glanced up from reading with Naiomi, I experienced one of my proudest moments yet in Los Guido. All of my kids were reading. Catalyna was pacing back and forth engrossed in the book of tales I'd purchased on Monday. Maidi was sprawled out on a bench with a pile of children's books beside her. And Alicia was hidden in the corner with her first ever chapter book. Even Jeff was reading the daily newspaper. It might not seem like much, but this small start is a huge encouragement to me. As well as, a reassurance that if good books are provided, children will read them if given a little push.

Lovingkindess in the Darkness

2009-09-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

Most often it is through trials that we are able to get a glimpse of how much God really loves us and how fragile we humans truly are. These past few months have been filled with many trying circumstances, and at times I felt there was no way I would make it through. But God is continually faithful, even when we struggle to believe. He gives us the strength to hold on in faith, especially when we can't see our way through the darkness.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to get away and visit a friend who lives out in the countryside. We spent several hours walking through the mountains marveling at God's amazing creation. In awe at the way He carefully designed each plant, shrub, and tree with a special purpose: to protect from landslides, provide shade for other plants, serve as homes and food for much of the wildlife. God's design in nature continues to remind me that He has a purpose and design for my life too. (I know this is elementary, but I frequently need reminding.) God is continuing to work together all the aspects of my life, the good and the trying, for His glory. Upon returning to the city, I read Psalm 107...

" Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Whoever is wise will observe these things,
And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." ~v. 8,9,43

He loves us and will always provide for our needs as we walk with Him. This does not mean it will always be easy or "fun", but often through the dark times we are able to understand His lovingkindess even more.

From Weekend in Q-Town

Josh and I with the amazing view behind us. (If you want to see more pictures of the beautiful countryside, click on the album link)

Moving, Jungle, Leah

2009-08-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks in great part to our wonderful friends and the team who came down early from Texas, we moved into our new house in record time. In less than 24 hours we completely packed up our old house, everything moved into our new house, and fumigated. Yeah, the only drawback to our new house is the cockroaches. I loathe cockroaches! Though my response has gotten better. I used to yell at Cailah, “Kill it! Kill it!” Now I can actually smash them myself, with only a small scream.

Cailah trying to keep the packing under control.

My new room. It's huge and I have a great view! No more giant window looking into my room the kitchen like at the old apartment.

Big, open kitchen! I love the "pistachio gelato green". It makes me happy every time I walk in.

After moving all our stuff over, the next morning we headed off to the jungle for a week with our last team of the summer. We spent most of the week working on projects around the Bible Campus: painting, laying block, organizing materials, and working in the garden. We experienced several days of heavy rain while in the jungle; one night we even had threats of a hurricane. (I didn’t believe it) Even though the rain appeared to be inhibiting our productivity, it provided great opportunity to build relationships with people on the team. And in the end, we were still able to complete all the projects the Sharps needed help with. My favorite part of the trip was being able to share the jungle experience with Blake and watching him dive right in with his very limited Spanish. We had two Costa Rican teenagers from the city with us, and Blake made it his mission to make them feel a part of the team. It was a complete success! Every time I saw them, the three of them were laughing and joking. I think Blake learned more Spanish in that week, than most people learn in a whole semester!

Blake and Nini. I'm not sure how much work the two of them got done, but they built a strong friendship.

A few days after arriving back in the city, my dear friend, Leah, flew in from California. She is here for at least 6 month to learn Spanish, and I’m so excited to have another friend here. As much as I want to build deep relationships with Costa Ricans, the time, effort, and language required to do so is a little daunting at this point. In the meantime, it is especially wonderful to have good friends, like her, Josh, and our team nearby. This summer has been extremely challenging for me, and I don’t know where I would be without the support of this community God has provided for me.

I’m looking forward to a slightly slower pace in the coming months. I will still be at the tutoring center full-time, but will have more time to plan and develop new ideas. I am also looking forward to building friend relationships with Costa Ricans.

Quality time with Blake in the new house.

New House!

2009-08-01T00:01:00.001-07:00

Wow! Today has been one of the craziest days yet here in Costa Rica, but one filled with amazing blessings! Yesterday, I came home to apartment to an awful smell and the sound of water dripping. When I passed the bathroom, I realize the roof was ready to crumbled and there was quite a bit of standing water. Shortly after, the ceiling did fall and water started rushing down as my neighbor in the apartment upstairs continued to use his water even though he knew it was rushing into ours. There have been many quirks and issues in our apartment, but this was the last straw.

Though knowing how long it took us to find this place, we new it would have to be an act of God to find a new, suitable place and in less than 48 hours. (We leave for a week in the jungle on Sunday morning). God is so faithful! We found a great place by 9am, saw at noon, decided to take it and were meeting with the lawyer by 3:30pm. The locks were changed at 6pm and we've spent all night packing, with the help of Blake and Aiyla. Tomorrow morning, the team is going to help us move all our stuff into the new house, before we all head off to the jungle bright and early Sunday morning. I still cannot comprehend it. God is good. Please be praying for us, as we strive to get everything livable tomorrow. Our friend Rachel is house sitting for us, and we want her to at least be able to cook and sleep in comfort. Also, be praying that we get all of our deposits back from our landlord. She doesn't have any real grounds to withhold them, but we are leaving without giving a month's notice.

I can't wait to share pictures of the new place when we get back! We also have an extra bedroom now, so there is plenty of room for visitors.

Art Workshop

2009-07-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the swine flu, kids here in Costa Rica got an extra week off for their winter vacation. (Yes, it's technically winter here right now). Given that this was our first experience running a tutoring center during vacation we didn't really know what to expect. Would we have no kids because everyone is enjoying their vacation? Or would we have a ton of kids because the moms wanted something for their kids to do? It proved to be more of the first. Our faithfuls, Alica and Catalyna were there everyday, along with a sprinkling of others. When presented with a third week of vacation, we decided to take advantage of it and plan something special. Bríana and Jaclyn, who were part of a group here from Fresno, helped me plan and prep for an Art Workshop. Jaclyn made lovely hand-decorated flyers and we invited all the kids who normally come to the tutoring center, plus a few more.

I was a little nervous because I've never taught art before, but I quickly realized you don't have to be a professional artist to teach kids. We had a great turnout, and the kids loved it!!! Plus, I think everyone from the group enjoyed painting as much as the kids did. It was also a great opportunity to help expand the kids world. We put art prints from old calendars up around the room to serve as inspiration. Many of the kids made their own rendition of Monet or Picasso, and now those paintings are going to brighten up their own rooms. I can't wait to do something like this again with the kids! Thanks to all the groups' help; I couldn't have pulled it off on my own.

The Giannina and Ricardo, pastors at the church where we do the tutoring center, with Jaclyn and Bríana

Paola, Allison and Kenneth had a blast painting with Shirley and Janie

Britany, intently focused on her pointillism

Alicia and Catalyna. Alicia loved Picasso!

Parents' Visit!!!

2009-07-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the great pleasure of showing my parents around my beautiful new country. They arrived at the end of an outreach, just in time for my dad to speak at Kid's Club for Father's Day. It also provided an opportunity for them to get a little bit of a feel for what it's like when teams are here. Summer isn't the best time to visit, since we are normally extra busy with teams, but it's the only time my parents had a reliable babysitter(Blake) to stay with the rest of the kids still at home. We lucked out though, since their visit fell over the two weeks we didn't have a team. I was able to spend the weekend with them up in MonteVerde, before they headed to the beach to celebrate their 30th anniversary. After spending the workweek at the beach, they headed back into the city to hangout with me for a few days before my dad had to head back to work. We went Farmer's Market, a birthday party for the Dixon kids, my church, and my favorite restaurant. Josh also came into town for the weekend to hangout with my parents.

It was great to be able to share first-hand what daily life is like here in Costa Rica. My mom continues to comment on how much longer everything takes here. Yup. But there are also many things they now love about Costa Rica: the landscape, how waiters don't bring your check until you ask for it, the kids in Los Guido, thunderstorms. There was so much more I wanted to do while they were here, but we'll just have to save it for their next visit...

Centro de Tutoria

2009-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today was the much anticipated beginning of our new Tutoring Center in Los Guido. Through home visits, time at the guardaria, and kids at the club de niños, it’s clear that there is a huge need for scholastic support in the community. Many of the moms in community did not make it past 3rd grade, and therefore do not feel equipped to help their children with their studies. The schools are extremely over crowded, and you’d be hard pressed to find a book in any of the classrooms.

Tracey and I are eager to start working with the kids in the community, but we also want to be sure were are offering the kids the best support possible. There is a tension between wanting to help every kid, but knowing that if we start out with too many kids we won’t be able to provide quality assistance to kids who really need one-on-one attention. Last night, as we baked cookies and prepared last minute details, we had no idea how many kids would show up today. I was a little nervous, much like the first day of school as a new teacher. I prayed that God would bring the kids He wanted to be there, and that He would give me the words to explain clearly, in Spanish, our hope for the tutoring.

And He proved Himself faithful; the day turned out perfect! In the morning group of orientation, we had several of our leaders from the club de niños, as well as a few other girls. They were all very excited about the tutoring center and seemed readily in accordance with the guidelines we had set out. They eagerly explained everything to one of the girls who came in late.

When it came time for the afternoon orientation, two of the girls from the morning group showed up with their younger siblings, neighbors, and a friend. They were super excited, and wanted to know why we couldn’t start tomorrow. (We are doing another orientation tomorrow, for those who couldn’t make it today).

At the end of both sessions we gave each kid a book from the collection of children Spanish literature that was donated. It made me so content to know that each child now has their own book. For most of them, it is probably the first book they’ve ever owned. I know there are going to be many challenges we will face, as we try to support these precious kids in their journey to expand and use their mind, but I am thrilled to be able to work with kids through the medium of education. There are endless possibilities of what we can do through the space the church has provided us. My mind is spinning with ideas. For now, please continue to pray for me and Tracey, and each one of the kids who come to the tutoring center. Pray that we would have patience, language, and wisdom how to best serve each child. Pray that the kids would be like sponges, and that they would be able to overcome the many obstacles they face in learning.

This is the main room of the tutoring center. We also will have the small room off to the side to set up a mini library and use for special group tutoring

Also, tomorrow afternoon we have another group of Students coming from the States. This time they are a large group of freshmen in high school, so it will be a completely different experience from the last group. :-) In the mornings they will help finish preparing the tutoring center by painting and finishing furniture. In the afternoons, they will work alongside me tutoring students or helping the Costa Rican kids practice their English.

Costa Rica 3--USA 1

2009-06-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night we surprised the team and took them to the World Cup qualifier game between Costa Rica and the US. They were ecstatic!!! We sat way up in the nosebleed section, but you still had a great view of the field since the stadiums are built straight up. We couldn’t see the rows below us, just the field. And if you ever tried to stand still, you could feel the stadium, swaying beneath your feet. I decided it was better to just jump with the crowd.

Some of our students before the game

Josh, Aiyla, and me

Our students after the game. Despite the final score, they had a great time!

First in the City

2009-06-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

After many hugs and a few tears our first group of students here in the city flew home yesterday. They were a great group to initiate the student part of SI Costa Rica. Everyone was flexible and excited to be working and praying alongside us as we are developing ministry sites. To give you an idea of what the week looked like here is schedule for a typical day. The team was staying at a hostel about 15 minutes away.

8:30 Meet the team at the Park in order to catch the bus up to Los Guido
9-12:30 Hangout with the kids at the Guardaria: One day we made cookies, a brand-new experience for all of the kids. It was hilarious!
12:30-1:30 Eat lunch in a Soda run out of the front of a lady’s house in Los Guido
1:30 Take the bus back to the Dixon’s/SI office
2:45-4 ish Work on sorting books and getting things ready for the tutoring center
4:30 Get students back up to the Hostel
6pm dinner and/or nighttime activities with the team
After 9 head home, exhausted.

Needless to say, it was a busy week. Normal life kind of got put on hold. Hopefully in the future I will figure out a better way to balance everything and still get enough sleep ☺
Even though the week was jam-packed, I was greatly encouraged though having the students here. I loved watching them fall in love with the kids and in turn Costa Rica. It was great to be able to dialogue about the poverty and devastation they witnessed, and what our response should be. It’s easy for me to become discouraged by the oppressive poverty I witness everyday, but talking with the students reminded me that God is about transformation. This week I continually came back to Isaiah 61:1-4

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

There is a lot of devastation and despair in Los Guido and in many of our own lives. I know that God began to transform students’ lives this week, and I pray that He is doing the same in Los Guido as we continue to serve and love the community there.

Our next team comes in tomorrow, but they head out to the Jungle with Cailah and Jeremy for the first 5 days before coming back into the city. Please be praying for them and our staff, that God would be preparing all of our hearts. As a staff, we covet your prayers. We know that it is nothing we say or do on our own that is going to change the students or the community; true transformation only comes through Christ. Pray that we would allow God to work and speak through us, and that He would sustain us through this busy time.

Pictures!!!

Making Cookies at the Guardaria

An intense game of Uno. I think there were two different sets of rules :-)

Alex and some of her new friends at the Guardaria.

All the boys loved hanging out with Adam. It was great for them to have a positive male role model, even if it was only for a week.

Reading books with the kids at Club de Niños. This was probably my favorite even of the week. It was such a blessing to be able to watch all these kids having some sit and read with them. I daily experience I took for granted growing in my house.

Last Minute Trip Home

2009-05-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

My grandma’s memorial service was planned for Memorial Day Weekend in Central California. Originally, I thought there was no way I could go (timing, funding, transportation, ect). Then things got moved around and suddenly I was free to go. I found a great deal on a last minute ticket and decided to fly back to California 3 days later. It was a whirlwind of a trip, but I am so thankful I was able to come back. It was wonderful to be able to share the weekend with family who I haven’t seen in years. We celebrated my grandma’s life through retelling countless memories we had shared with her and the influence she has been in our lives. It was a very special time, one I will always cherish. It was also great to see my siblings; I can’t believe how much they’ve changed in only 4 months! One of the hardest things about living in Costa Rica is knowing I’m missing out on so much of them growing up.

Even though I was in California for less than 4 days, I was still able to see a few friends. Thanks to some amazingly flexible and serving friends, I was able to spend some short bouts of quality time with several dear friends. (Thank you Roberts for hanging out at LAX for SO long, and Jon for driving me down in the middle of the night.) Even a few hours with good friends is so refreshing and encouraging to me. As time and distance makes it more challenging to maintain friendships, these are people who I really treasure in my life. I am thankful for their continuing presence in my life, even across the distance. I wish I could have seen everyone, but it was a VERY quick trip. I look forward to having more time at home at the end of the year.

Lady Lilac

2009-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

When I saw this car, I knew it was meant to be. How often does one get to drive a car in her favorite color, especially when her favorite color is purple? We bought the car last week from a super nice Costa Rican couple. Both of their kids are on staff with YWAM, so they were happy to see the car go to another home in ministry. Cailah did a great job learning to drive stick, and was ready to drive us home after only 15 minutes of practice. I was thoroughly impressed! Having a car will minimize the stress of many aspects of daily here in Costa Rica. For example, we no longer have to make the 20 minute walk to the grocery store in the rain, and we can easily get home from night events with the teams. We are very thankful for the blessing of having a car.

Two different 27's

2009-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

We've now had two Club de Niños and they seem to be going really well. We have a space to hold Club for the afternoon group on the patio of one of the kid's house. It's definitely not as orderly, but we still have a good time. A lot of the kids we've been doing home visits and tutoring with come to the Club, so it's great to be able to continue to build relationships with them. To give you an idea the social structure of the community in Los Guido, I have a story to share from this Friday. (I promise to share pictures, soon)

Tracey and I are cutting papers and stickers getting ready for the afternoon group. A bunch of kids are hanging out with us and we are making casual conversation about school and family with the kids.
Carmen who is 16 years old, asks Tracey, "How old are you?
"I'm almost 30", Tracey replies.
"Oh, my mom is only 32 years old," states Carmen.
Mafe, who is the fourth of six kids, the oldest being in high school, turns to me,"How old are you?"
"Twenty-seven", I reply
"Oh, my mom is twenty-seven, too".

No response from me. How do you process that. My life, a single, 27 year old, with no kids, is completely foreign to them. Most of the kids can easily understand that I'm not married, since their mom's normally aren't either. And if there is an adult male living in the house, he's probably not their dad. But the kids really cannot grasp the fact that I don't have any children. My prayer for the girls we are building relationships with, is that they will have another option, that they will be able to break the destructive cycle. That they will have the option to be married to a faithful man and have children within that marriage, if they choose to.

Club de Niños

2009-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (Friday) is our first Club de Niños up in Los Guido. As part of our partnership with Food for the Hungry, Tracey and I are continuing the kids' club they have once a week before the church serves lunch for the kids in the community. Yesterday we went up and met a lot of the kids and invited them to the club. They all seemed pretty excited. Unfortunately because of the rotating school schedule, a lot of kids we talked to have class in the morning. We are trying to figure out a way to hold another session of the club after lunch for the kids who go to school in the morning. (Something you could be praying for) Over the past few weeks we've been working on curriculum and activities to share with the kids. I am really excited about our theme for the first 2 months-- Psalm 139, looking at all the aspects of how special God made each one of us. Many of these kids come from home situations where they don't get to hear how precious and special they really are. As a result, it affects almost every aspect of their lives: school, friends, life dreams, the way the treat others and themselves. I pray that through our time together, they can start to see themselves the way God created them.

How many resources does it take to plan a Bible lesson in your second language?
1. Children's Bible, English
2. NIV Bible, Spanish
3. Spanish/English Dictionary
4. 501 Spanish Verb, to look up all the subjunctive conjugations
5. Spanish textbook, to remember when to use subjunctive
6. Calendar
7. Notebook with ideas and notes
8. At least 4 different tabs open in Safari on my computer
9. Word document with actual curriculum
10. Lots of coffee!

Staff Planning Retreat

2009-05-07T17:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend all 11 of us crammed into 2 cars and took off for Tamarindo on the northern coast. Rainy season has begun, and thus we were able to score a great deal on the modern version of the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. We saw monkeys and giant iguanas from the patio every morning. We had a great weekend planning, playing, cooking, and hanging out together. All the kids did great together, Cailah and Aiyla tried their feet at surfing, and we were able to brainstorm some great ideas for the summer teams that begin coming at the end of this month.

Everyone has their floaties

Unfortunately, on the way home we had a little car trouble.... The Dixon's car started making a high pitched noise and loosing speed. We pulled over on the side of the road, but couldn't figure out what the problem was. Luckily, Costa Rica has a great national car insurance company. They'll pay to tow your car to your mechanic no matter where you are, and they'll cover your taxi as well. Wonderful news, since we were still over 3 hours away from home! Luck for us, even though we were in the middle of nowhere, there was a little pulperia, run out of the front of someone's house. We bought water, and broke out our snacks and waited out the rain. Our taxi and tow truck arrived an hour or so later, but not before the lady next door kindly let us her bathroom. As we were leaving she told us be to be sure to stop by next time we head North. I love how open and hospitable people can be here!

The Car....

Waiting out the Storm

Visitor

2009-04-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

I know many of you think of jungles when you think of Costa Rica, but we do not live in the jungle. We live in the capital city of San Jose, a major metropolitan area. So you can imagine Cailah's shock when she looked over from the couch today and saw this creature staring at her through the window!

YIKES!

La Guardaria

2009-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

If you've had a chance to read through the newsletter, you'll know a little bit about the guardaria (daycare) where I've been working for the last month or so. The kids there are so dear to my heart. The guardaria itself, will not be my permanent work site, but hopefully I will continue to be able to spend lots of time with these special kids. I will be working on an education site in Los Guidos, very near the guardaria. All of the kids who come to the guardaria need lots of extra help with their school work. Today, Tracey was working with Charlene, who is in 2nd grade, and she couldn't even write out her alphabet on her own. It is my pray that we can create a space where these kids can come and get help through one-on-one attention with their school work. Tomorrow we have a meeting with Fundacion para el Hambriento (FHI) **See Dec 2nd Post to read more about FHI** who I will be working with to help establish a tutoring center as well as other programs for the children of Los Guidos. Please be praying that God would clearly direct us to the needs he wants us to focus on, and that he would open the space for us to be able to do it. We have lots of kids who want tutoring, but we need a quite place to do it.

Here are a few of my new friends... Unfortunately the one day I remembered to bring my camera, the power was out (so some kids didn't come) and the big kids were all at school in the morning. So you'll have to wait to meet the rest of them :-)

Axel and Gabby. Gabby runs the guardaria by herself. Right now there are only 25 kids, but soon they will be licensed to have up to 80 kids!!!

Tracey and Charlene working on letters.

Aiyla and Ian. Charlene, Axel, and Ian are all siblings. They come from a really tough family. But even in this last month, I have seen what a difference having someone show them love has made in their attitude and actions. I have a real heart for this family.

Daniel and Dixon

Genesis, Tiffany, Dixon, Aiyla, and Ian. Genesis, is the most responsible 4 year old I've ever met. She takes great care of her little sister Tiffany, even puts her to bed during nap time!

A Few Pictures

2009-04-16T22:11:00.001-07:00

I haven't been doing the best job of keeping visual documentation of life here in Costa Rica. I am to try to take more pictures to share with all of you. Here is a start.....

Traditions are a big thing in my family, especially one's that revolve around food. It just wouldn't be Easter without cardamon bread or the lamb cake.

Cailah was kind enough to come to my aid when I realized I had some how forgot to pack my lamb cake mold. She slaved for many hours in the kitchen to make the perfect lamb cake with nothing more than a picture from the internet as inspiration. Great job Cailah!!!

Unfortunately I have no pictures of all of us hanging out enjoying all the delicious food. :-(

Yesterday we had our first amphibian visitor in our new house, Señor Gecko. We were quite glad to welcome him, as he feeds on all the bugs we DON'T want in our house.

Tonight, we had my dear friend Josh over for some Mexican food. Josh is one of my best friends from Cal Poly. He's always planned on doing Peace Corps in Latin America, and happened to be lucky enough to be sent to Costa Rica for the next two years. During these first few months of training he lives about a 30 minutes bus ride away from me. It's such a blessing to have someone who's been my friend for so long living here, too. It makes it feel more like home.

We're excited to eat!

Can you guess which is mine? Cailah likes having the support of another carnivore.

Semana Santa

2009-04-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

This past week was Semana Santa- Holy Week. In Latin America, Easter is a week long affair. In many ways, I really appreciate the extra time, because it provides the opportunity to really reflect on how great a sacrifice Christ made for us. Often, in the States, Easter sneaks up us. We are left with no time to prepare our hearts and meditate on God's great gift of love and grace to us through His son, Jesus. Here in Costa Rica, thanks mostly to the catholic church, there is a greater emphasis on Good Friday and Christ suffering on the cross for us. On Friday we observed a reenactment of Jesus's trial and procession to cross. Granted there were a few aspects of the procession I didn't quite understand, like who were the ladies with star halos, but overall, it was a powerful reminder of how much God loves us. He would send His son to die in our place. And if He does love us that much, He certainly is not going to abandon us in this world. He wouldn't send His son to die for us, just to leave us all alone here on earth. He wants to be a part of every aspect of our life; He deserves to be a part of every aspect.

I'm currently reading a book by Max Lucado called He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart. I highly recommend it. He looks at each detail of the cross and what God is promising us through it. On Good Friday I read the chapter "I Have Redeemed You and I Will Keep You: God's Promise in the Blood and Water". Lucado explains how Jesus's blood is what saves us once and for all; we can never be 'more' saved than the day we accept Christ. The water represents God's work in us through the Holy Spirit. It is the work He continues to do in us each day to make us more like Him. It is the work He has created for us to walk in. These works aren't what save us, but they draw us closer to God as we experience more of Him. I want to experience more of Him; I hope you do too.

The Wait is Over!

2009-04-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

For all of you who have been patiently waiting for pictures of our new house, wait no more. Cailah has put together a wonderful video tour sharing all the blessings and quirks of our new place. We've been in this part of the city for almost 2 months now, and I can finally say I'm starting to feel settled in. I'm comfortable with the buses, know my way around the farmers' market, and have even found a new favorite park. All these little things help to make it feel little more like home.

Hope you enjoy the tour! We'd love for you to come see it in person!!!

Driving

2009-03-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I officially drove for my first time, in Costa Rica. And let me tell you it was no small drive around the block. It was the 30 minute drive to the airport, through 3 rotundas, and to the complete opposite side of the valley. Granted it was Sunday, so there was less traffic, but still it was a great feat. Now that it's behind me, I really want to have my own mode of transportation. I realized, while driving, how much easier many facets of my life would be if we had a car. Going to the grocery store and not having to take buses and taxis. Being able to run more than one errand a day. Not having to spend almost 2 hours on the bus, for an hour long Spanish class. Being free to leave my own house after 6pm. I think this is the biggest factor, feeling free to live my life a little more like how I would if I were at home in the States. While a car certainly is not a necessity for life here, it would simplify a lot of daily task, especially once we have teams coming.

It just so happens, that one of my teammates, has a friend who is selling an old car for $1,000. Split between Cailah and I, that's not too bad. We're hoping to check it out this week. Used cars always make me a little nervous since I don't really know the first things about cars. But you can't beat the price, and my teammates know a few things about automobiles. I'm praying if it's not a good car for us, that it will be gone by the time we are able to check it out.

Our First Group

2009-03-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

This last week Cailah, Aiyla and I hosted our first group here in Costa Rica! We led 22 college students from James Madison University on a week long outreach in the jungle region of Talamanca, Costa Rica. We were working alongside the full-time missionaries down there, Curtis and Kathy Sharp. This is the same town and ministry that I have been a part of over the last several summers, so it was quite a treat for me to get to go back there. Also, the group of students we had were amazing! Each one came down with a heart to serve, looking for God to work in and through them during the week. It was a joy to watch them serve the community, the Sharps, and each other as serving unto the Lord (Ephesians 6:5-7)

A few of the highlights:

Watching the students love on the community. Even though we weren't doing a VBS after the days' manuel labor, the students still really wanted to hangout with the kids from the community. They would tirelessly play with them till we had to call them back for dinner.

Great times of worship and sharing. We all blessed by how amazing God is and the work he is doing in each one of us.

Being able to bless the Sharps and the community through the many projects we were able to complete

Seeing friendship developed and strengthened among the team members and knowing that each one is going home with a great support system.

Guatemala!!!

2009-03-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

This last week I had the pleasure of being part of a 35+ Women's Outreach at the Student's International (SI) base in Guatemala. We were women from all over the globe, but we came together to learn from each other and be apart of the work God is doing in Guatemala.

The SI Costa Rica Ladies

We spent the first part of the week living with host family in the community where we were working. This is our host family.
They were amazing!!! The dad, Anecleto, probably told us over a dozen times that we weren't guest, we were family. They were so kind and truly opened up their home and their hearts to us.

I was blessed to be able to work alongside my good friend, Rachel, at her school. She teaches English classes there for all the grades. But since I am a Spanish-speaker we decided my help could best be used in the overcrowded kindergarten class. I loved getting to hangout with those kids all day. I have really miss working with kids on a regular basis, so this week was such a treat for me.

On Mardi Gras, all the schools celebrate with a carnival. The kids come dressed in costumes and much of the day is dedicated to getting as much Pica Pica into your classmates hair! (Pica Pica, is a painted eggshell that has been stuffed with confetti) It was absolutely hilarious!

Even Debbie and I got our share of Pica Pica!

But after it was all over, all the kids helped clean up the school.

Outside of the time at the school, I really enjoyed getting to spend time with old friends, as well as make new ones, especially among the Guatemala staff. It was so great to be able to share with each other and encourage one another as many of us are going through the challenging time of transition.

Over 13 years ago, on outreach with SI in Guatemala, I felt called to God's work in Latin America. It was so exciting to be there again and now that I am now fulling that call. There is so much more I could share. If you want to hear more, email. You also can check out the rest of the pictures from the trip below

Guatemala

In and Out

2009-02-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

We officially moved into our new apartment in Desamparados! Jeff Dixon was a huge help in getting all our stuff moved over and picking up our new appliances. They have also graciously invited us to share many meals at their house over these last few weeks. We are slowly beginning to set up our permanent home. We have an oven with no racks, a refrig that isn't cold, and no couch. But we do have an amazing view, a beautiful kitchen table, and super comfortable beds. We still have a ton to do, but all in all, it's been a good week.
Tomorrow we leave for the SI base in Guatemala. SI is having their first ever Women's Outreach. Guatemala shares many of the characteristic we would like to build in SI Costa Rica, such as home stays and many of their ministry sites. This is a great opportunity for the women of SI Costa Rica to learn from a more mature base. Please be praying for our time there. Amidst everything that has been going on, I don't feel completely prepared to go, but I know that God has a lot planned. Please pray that my heart and my eyes would be open to where He is moving and what He wants to show me. Also pray for the women from the States who will be joining us, for some of them, this is their first mission trip. As well as for the people of Magdelena where we will be staying and serving. I will be working alongside my friend Rachel at the school where she teaches English and helps oversee several of the other programs. I am excited to see everything she does there and encourage her in the work she is doing with the children of the community. If you want to hear more about the school, you can check out her blog http://kellysinguatemala.blogspot.com/

I look forward to sharing more with you when we get back in a week. Thank you for all your prayers, and I love getting to hear from you.

Beach Pictures

2009-02-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

Many of you have asked how we've been enjoying the beach. Well, we don't exactly live near the beach, and it can actually be quite cold here in the San Jose area. This last weekend we finally made the 4 hour public bus ride to Manuel Antonio. Cailah and I were joined by Aiyla (our new SI intern) and Pam (a missionary to Mexico studying at our language school). We found a great hostel/apartment complete with monkeys outside our window every morning.

We spent one day at the national park, where I experienced my first benefit of applying for residency: $3 admission, versus $10. Yeah! The park is beautiful and there is all kinds of wildlife as you hike around or sit on the beach.

This guy was a little to close for my comfort.

I'm really happy about my P n J on the beach!

Our special sunset dinner at the airplane restaurant.

Hiking down to the beach the hostel lady told us about. She said it only took her 30 minutes walking with kids to get there, but we think Costa Ricans are bad at estimating time. It took us almost an hour to get there.

Great sunset on our last night

We are so thankful to have had this time to go and relax at the beach. As we were riding the bus out there, I was reminded of why I love Costa Rica so much. The countryside is so beautiful! We only get tiny glimpses in the city, and it's easy to just focus on the dirty big city feeling. It was nice to get away from urban development for a few days, breath in the fresh air, and appreciate God's creation.

Where is my worth?

2009-02-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Cailah and I were blessed to spend our first weekend at the beach. I’ll write more about our time later, but first I want to share with you what God has been teaching me. One of the hardest things for me during these past few month in Costa Rica, has been the lack a clear role or job description. I knew there would be period of transition when I first arrived. I also knew we are starting up a new base, so we don’t have clearly defined positions of responsibilities. Coming into it, I thought I was totally prepared for this; it was going to be an adventure. Well, the adventure has turned out to be a little slower paced than I expected. I thought by now I would have kids who I am working with on a daily basis, friends in the community, a sense of purpose. I have found myself frequently frustrated and even sometimes questioning why God has called me here. But this weekend, God really showed me my heart, and how it wasn’t at all lining up with His. I am a “doer”, I like to have an impact, I want to see a job well done. This is all fine and good, until I start viewing my actions and my accomplishments as what define me, instead of allowing my relationship with Christ to be the most important defining aspect of my life. I want people to see the good things I am doing because it makes me feel valuable. If I don’t have anything tangible in terms of good works, to show for the several months I’ve been here, how am I to be validated? But I am looking to the wrong place for validation. Christ alone is the one who can determine my worth and affirm me, no matter what the circumstances are. I began reading a small book this weekend, Out of Solitude, by Henri Nouwen. He relates to our lives the passage in Mark 1:32-39, where Jesus gets up early, and goes to a lonely place to pray. He discussed the necessity for us to get away from all of the things we “need to do for Jesus”, in order to spend time with Him, and allow Him to affirm us. I know this is not a new concept. It is something I have struggled with these last few months, as I’ve been stripped of all the things that have previously defined me: family, friends, students, culture, and community.

"In solitude we become aware that our worth is not the same as our usefulness.... In solitude we can grow freely without being preoccupied with our usefulness and we can offer a service which we had not planned on. To the degree that we have lost our dependencies on this world, whatever world means-- father, mother, children, career, success or rewards-- we can form a community of faith in which there is little to defend but much to share" ~ Henri Nouwen

I know this weekend, was not a quick fix. I know I will continue to struggle as we keep praying about where it is God wants us to be. In those moments though, I hope I will quickly remember that I am child of God. He defines me, not my good deeds or usefulness.

Ministry Update

2009-02-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

Please continue to be praying with us, that God would make it clear where He wants us to be serving. We have built relationships with several people who’s needs and vision match with Students International. We are in a bit of a unique situation in that we, as individuals, will be doing full-time ministry day in and day out, but we will also have groups of students and adults who will be joining us throughout the year. Therefore, the ministry needs to be viable and meaningful in both aspects. Also, we have discovered that many people here have been badly hurt by missionaries in the past. We want to be cautious in making commitments, in order to be sure they are commitments God has intended for us and that we can follow through on them. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and patience as we meet with different people and wait on the Lord.

Moving

2009-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

Whew, this last week has been busy! We finished our last week of language school. It was a great refresher after being back in the States for so long. While it was a little sad to say goodbye to our teachers, we are excited to have built strong relationships with them during our many weeks together. Several want to get together once we are settled in our new place, and few really want to join us occasionally in our work in Desamparados.

In addition to going to school everyday this week, Cailah and I were working hard to find a new apartment over in Desamparados. The apartment we are currently living in is close to the language school, but over an hour bus ride away from Desamparados where we'll be working. After making over 50 phone calls (in Spanish) and trying to find apartments with very complicated directions, we finally found the perfect one. God has completely blessed us. It's a brand new apartment that sits up on an incline and looks across the valley to the nearby mountains. The view is gorgeous, and there is a little patio for us to put two chairs and some plants. Now we just need to get everything to go in the apartment: stove, refrig, table, couch, ect. This is one of the few times it would be really nice to have our own car as we try to check out different deals all over the valley. Lucky for us, the Dixons, have already gone through the process of furnishing a house here, and they have a car. They are generously helping us figure everything out. Once we get things set up, I'm sure we'll be doing another video tour. Until then, enjoy the view from our front porch. (It would be really great if the power line weren't there, but oh, well)

Pictures from Home

2009-01-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I took very few pictures during my extended stay at home. These are by no means an adequate representation of my trip, but they're better than nothing.

Hanging out with my old friend Kristine who picked me up in LA for my appointment at the consulate.

Celebrating Papa's birthday. I made the carrot cake, but didn't make it into the picture. Oh well.

Chinese food on Christmas Eve, a tradition I try to change every year. Mexican food would be so much better!

Papa and Me

The adults' night out at my favorite little French restaurant.

Delicious caramalized pear dessert crepes. Yummy!

Hanging out with Danny and David during my 4 hour layover in LA. They were a huge help with all my luggage. Thanks guys!

Thank you

2009-01-13T23:25:00.001-08:00

I want to take a few minutes to say thank you to so many of you who have been praying for me and my family over these past couple weeks. Your prayers and your sweet words of comfort and encouragement have meant so much to me. These last few weeks have been challenging, but I am continually reminded that God is good ALL the time. He is using each circumstance in our lives for His glory. Each day there are blessing that keep popping up here and there that so clearly show God's hand over everything.

My mom had to go to Arizona with my grandpa for two weeks to help sort through all his stuff there and get his condo ready to sell. Because we are in a period of transition in Costa Rica, I was able to have the flexibility to extend my stay and help Dad take care of the kids while Mom was gone. While home, I have been so blessed by our community of friends and family that have surrounded in this time, especially from my home church, Crossroads. Our church family took such great care of us; helping me get kids to school, basketball games, piano.... Plus, while my mom was gone, I don't think I cooked one meal! This was a huge help, even though I love to cook, since I also happened to be really sick most of the time my mom was gone.

My mom is now back; which I am so thankful for. My grandpa has moved into a one-bedroom apartment above the garage of our neighbors, two houses down the street. It is perfect for him. He is close to family and near enough to town that he can still walk to his favorite coffee place, McDonalds. He is glad to be here, but there still is a lot of transitioning. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

On Saturday I head back to Costa Rica. I am thankful for a few more days to get to spend some quality time with Mom. It's hard to realize that this is, most likely, my one trip home for the year. It will be hard to say goodbye to my family all over again and to leave my strong community here. But at the same time, there is a part of me, that is hopefully for the community I will build in Costa Rica. Right now, that community is very small, but I look forward to building relationship that will expand my "family" down there. It will never replace the relationships I have here, but I look forward to the day when the two communities will be joined together forever and we won't have to say goodbye anymore.

My Nana

2008-12-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

God's plans are so much bigger than anything we could ever imagine. When I went to my appointment at the Costa Rican consulate, the lady literally checked off all my paperwork and then put it in a fedex envelope to send to Costa Rica. There was no logical reason for me to have turned it in here in the US instead of in Costa Rica. But God wanted me home, and I am so glad he brought me home at this time.

My grandparents had been visiting my family from Arizona, and they decided to stay a few extra days so they could see me. On Friday night, we all had a wonderful dinner together, and I was able to share with them everything going on in Costa Rica. Later that night, my grandma suffered a very severe stroke. The ambulance came and rushed her to the neurotrama unit in Roseville, where they operated and drained the blood from inside her head. There was severe brain damage and she had fallen into a coma. During the next few days we visited her everyday at the hospital, but there was no response and the doctors were not very hopeful. On Monday, a miracle happened and my grandma was able to respond to question by wiggling her thumb to answer yes. We got to spend several hours with her, sharing good memories and telling her how much we loved her and how much she impacted us. When we'd ask her if she was ready to go see Jesus, she would wiggle her thumb like crazy. Then when we asked her if she wanted to stay with us, she wouldn't move at all. My grandma had always made it very clear she did not want live in a nursing home, but this was the confirmation we needed in order to be able to take her of the respirator. On Monday night we sang all my grandma's favorite hymns to her and gave her a special charge to watch over us from up there. We took her off the respirator and after everyone had said their goodbyes, she went to be with Jesus.

My heart cannot yet grasp the fact that my Nana is gone for good, but I know that God has had his hand over all of this. In the last 6 months my grandparents traveled all over the country visiting all of their friends and family. They spent a month at my parents' house and got to see all of the kids' different Christmas programs. Then they would have been by themselves in Arizona when my grandma had the stroke, except, I had to come home to the States at the last minute for my residency. God definitely has a plan and I know that we can trust Him, especially in the midst of such hard circumstances.

I covet you prayers for me and my family, especially for my grandpa. He and my grandma were married for over 50 years. Papa knows that God will be his strength in these hards times, but it still is so trying.

I am so thankful to be home with my family right now, and I really appreciate all of your prayers and support.

Festival de la luz

2008-12-17T16:13:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had an amazing cultural experience of going to the annual light parade held in downtown San Jose. It's said that over a quarter of the country's population attendeds the parade each year! So while many people encouraged us to arrive before noon in order to ensure a spot among the million people, our group decided we did not want to wait in the rain with children for that long and figured 5 o'clock was plenty early, which it was.

One great advantage of being taller than the majority of the country's population, both male and female, is that you don't need the best spot at the parade. The were many strange pre-parade activities that included lots of mimes, clowns, and other odd mystical beings.

The actual parade did not reach us until after 8pm. It was pretty cool, but next year I think I will be content to watch it on tv.

I'll be home for Christmas!

2008-12-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, dealing with government applications and processes can often be rather frustrating, but this one has turned out to be a blessing in disguises. Before I left the US, I was told (multiple times) by the Costa Rica consulate that I needed to turn in my application for residency in Costa Rica. Now it appears that some laws and procedures have changed and I can no longer turn in my application here. I must return to my home country and turn in the application at the Costa Rican consulate there. And it needs to be done as soon as possible before the laws change and my paperwork expires. Of course!

While initially this was extremely frustrating- I wasn't planning on going home till next summer, I didn't budget for it... what if the laws change again??? But despite all of these unknowns, I now see the forced trip home as a huge blessing! I get to be home with family for Christmas; which is the best possible present ever.

Without residency I would be forced to leave the country every 90 days which would get expensive and take up a lot of time. Also, I would be unable to get a cell phone, and other aspects of daily life here would be complicated. There are several laws currently in the Senate here in Costa Rica, that could severely affect my application for residency. Please pray that they won't be passed in time to hinder my applications and that everything will go smoothly during my appointment on the 19th.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

2008-12-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

Call me old fashion, but there is no substitute for a living Christmas. Sure they make a lot of nice plastic ones these days and you can burn candles that smell like Christmas trees, but it's not the same. I was so excited to find out Costa Rica has their own beautiful pine that they grow especially for Christmas time. While we didn't make it to a cut your own tree farm, we did find a very obliging taxi driver to help us get it home from Hypermas (read: Walmart) It is now beautifully decorated with all of our Pequeno Mundo (read: Dollar Store) lights and ornaments. I love sitting on our couch with my cup of coffee and good book, with our special Christmas tree in front me. Now if only we had a Advent calendar.

Food for the Hungry

2008-12-02T16:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had a meeting with Jaun Carlos and Christina from an organization called Food for the Hunger. www.fhicr.com They have been working in Los Guidos, an area of 200,000 people within the city of Desamparados. During our meeting they shared with us their heart to see the churches united in Los Guidos, as well as, see people's lives transformed in body, mind, and soul. They shared with us many of the projects they already have established--feeding kitchens, sports clinics, parenting classes-- as well as those things they recognize a need for but don't currently have the staff to support. They are very open to working with Students International. We share a similar heart and vision for the people, and many of the projects they would like to start in Los Guidos are the same ideas we had from the needs we had observed through conversations with other peoples. While we are not certain that we will partner with FHI, the meeting was confirmation for our team that this is where God wants us, and the things He has been laying on our hearts coincide with the needs of this community. We really do not want to just barge into a neighborhood with all of our American ideas and try to "fix" the people. We want to come alongside what God is already doing in the area.

Please be praying for us as we try to discern exactly where God wants us to invest our time, talent, and treasures. Most of FHI's projects are winding down for the Christmas season, but after the first of the year, we all plan on spending sometime working as volunteers at different sites to see how we might fit into their ministry.

Dìa de Acciòn de Gracias

2008-11-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

Well, Costa Ricans don't exactly celebrate Thanksgiving, but that didn't stop Cailah and I from taking a day off of school in order to spend the morning cooking many of our families' traditional dishes. In the afternoon we had a big Thanksgiving feast with all of our teammates. While most of the dished came out wonderful, we did have a few bumps do to unavailability of certain ingredients. I really wanted to make my aunt's pistachio salad, which calls for cool whip. I gathered together all the other hard to find ingredients, but couldn't find cool whip. No problem, I could make my own. After spending almost 2 hours desperately trying to create my own version of cool whip based on peace corps and other missionaries recipes, I gave up and substituted chantilly cream (which several sites said you CANNOT do). Ultimately it turned out okay, but it wasn't quite the same as home.

This would be how I'd describe the whole Thanksgiving day. It was wonderful to have several families to share the day and family recipes with, but it wasn't the same as spending it with my family. This was particularly hard, knowing that Benje was home from New York and Blake had come home from Cal Poly, so I was really the only person missing from our family. Plus, Gerry and Gerrina, two of my youngest siblings, adoption was finalized on Tuesday, and I was the only one missing for that too. I guess I'm just beginning to realize more of the family sacrifices of moving so far away. I am so thankful for all of the modern technology that allows me to stay in contact so well with everyone. And I am extremely grateful for my amazing teammates and their very loving kids. There's never a shortage of hugs.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Know that I am missing you all and am so thankful for each one of you.

Cailah and I excited about missing school and cooking!

Jeff and Jeremy carving chickens. Turkey was over $6 a pound!

All the wonderful food. There were plenty of leftovers.

The kids' table.

The Costa Rican, Russian Ballet

2008-11-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

When I moved to Costa Rica, figured one of the things I would have to give up would be the many art and culture events I enjoy frequenting in the States, be it small art galleries, museums, or the theater. Costa Rica is know for it's beautiful environment, but not it's contributions to the man-made artistic world. But there is a National Theater downtown... Cailah and I decided to check out the schedule and were shocked to find "Pro-Ballet Clasico Ruso". I love ballet, and Cailah lived in Russia for a semester. We bought tickets immediately! Since the arts aren't as popular here in Costa Rica, the tickets are fairly inexpensive in order to remain open to general public.

On Saturday night, we got ourselves all dressed up and headed downtown on the bus. The theater is intimate with very ornate architecture. I'm not sure which country descriptor should be first, but regardless it was a wonderful performance of mostly Costa Rican dancers who have been trained by a Russian ballet master. Afterwards we walked across the plaza and enjoyed a cup of cafe con leche at the famous Gran Hotel, where we've always stayed on previous SI trips. It was a very special evening out!

Friends and Entertainment

2008-11-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

Many of you have asked if I've made lots of new friends or met many locals. I wish I could say I have, but outside of our language school, we don't have a place to interact with locals on a more personal level. This will definitely change in the next few months, once we start spending time in Desamperados. I am exceedingly thankful for our wonderful team and the good friends they continue to be; taking me to get fingerprinted for immigration (a several hour process), sharing many cups of coffee, and sharing their loving and entertaining children with me.

Yesterday we hung out with Tracy Dixon and her kids, Sawyer and Olivia. Sawyer did not want to eat any lunch, but he was very eager to use his booster seat.

Strapping himself in...

Ready to take off...

Stopping for a short rest.....

And climbing up onto the doll house... Mom intervened here.

Blessed.

2008-11-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

Today I have been overwhelmed with how much I can see God's hand guiding my life and how much He has blessed me. If you've seen the video of our apartment, you know it's a far cry from the hut I was ready to live in the jungle. Yet, it was by far the cheapest we found here in the city, and just happened to be one of the nicest and closest to our school. Then I think about our language school. There are hundreds here in San Jose, but I happened to find this one on the internet, and it has been perfect! Not only are the teachers highly qualified, they purposely keep it small so that it retains it's family atmosphere. All of our teachers have given us their phone numbers and told us to call them if we need anything. One teacher even invited us to her church. If that weren't enough, Cailah and I are getting private classes at the group class rate because it's the off season. As I reflect on my first two weeks here, I amazed at how smoothly this first transition has been. I know there will be bumps ahead, but I am so thankful for God's hand that has been over me, making the path smooth, thus far. Thank you for all of your love and prayers; I can feel them all the way down here in Costa Rica.

This is us enjoying the only sunset I've seen since being here. It's normally to cloudy/rainy to notice the sun went down. It was beautiful!

Our House

2008-11-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to Cailah's video tour of our apartment. (Sorry, I can't figure out how to make it a live link, so you'll have to copy and paste it into your address bar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJDtQykhzsg

We are thoroughly enjoying making it home.

La Primera Semana

2008-10-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

I've only been here for just under a week, but so much has happened. Cailah and I found an amazing furnished apartment to rent that is only a 5 minute walk from our school. We got all of our stuff moved over from the Dixons and Janzens' yesterday, and have spent the last two afternoons trying to figure out how to set up our house. It's so wonderful to have a place that is our own. It helps make the move seem more long term, and not just a 2 week mission trip. Which in turn, I think will help me adjust better. Thank you so much for all your prayers about housing. I'll post pictures in the next few days, once it's not such a mess :-)

We also have been attending language school in the morning all this week. Since it's the "off-season", Cailah and I are the only people in our level. It's great to direct our learning and really focus in on the areas we need to work on. That being said, I often get frustrated in class, because I see how much I have to learn. Please pray that I would have patience with myself and that I would really be able to take in all that we are learning.

I was greatly encouraged tonight when Cailah and decided to have a fun and relaxing evening going to see High School Musical 3. (I'm a huge fan!) We specifically checked to make sure it was in English with Spanish subtitles. Imagine our surprise when Zac Efron started speaking in Spanish!!! All of the dialogue had been dubbed over in Spanish, but the songs were still in English. Cailah and I were both pleasantly surprised that we were able to understand almost everything in the movie and enjoy it along with all the 12 year old Costa Rican girls in the theater!

Costa Rica!

2008-10-26T21:45:00.001-07:00

I have arrived! It seemed like this day would never come, but now that I'm here it is completely sureal. My mind truly cannot process it just yet. I am thankful to be here and even more grateful to have the amazing support network of my teammates, The Dixon and Janzen Families and Cailah Pritchard. This morning when I woke up, Tracy Dixon was making pancakes, and I felt like I was at home for our traditional Saturday morning breakfast. It's so wonderful to be around people I know and love as I begin this new stage.

Tomorrow Cailah and I start language school and then in the afternoon we are looking at an apartment we really hope we can get. It's less than a 10 minute walk from our language school, in a safe neighborhood, sounds really nice, and is within our budget. Please be praying that it works out.

I promise to write more, when I have more to share. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers and your encouraging emails; they mean a lot to me. Lots of love to you all.

New York

2008-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

For some crazy reason, when purchasing tickets for Costa Rica, it was $300 cheeper to fly through New York instead of straight from California, and I am so glad. I had an amazing 5 days in New York hanging out with my brother, Benje. My dear friend Josh was also came down to visit from Boston, and then my cousin, Jeremiah, came up from Washington DC. I had a great time hangout, enjoying some amazing restaurants, wandering through the MET, going to see a great new musical, and just generally being spoiled. It was a great last few days in the State's and a really special time with my brother before I moved. Here are a few pictures from my time there. Notice the heavy layers of clothes; Costa Rica is quite a climate change!

Single mom of 5 (+2)

2008-10-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

I have always had a lot of respect for mothers, but this week that respect grew ten-fold, especially for single moms. While we had an amazing week and a half together, I felt like I was constantly playing catch up and I never managed to get anyone to soccer practice quite on time. But I also realized, those are the details of life, that aren't always that important. Nobody's life is permanently altered because they were five minutes late for the warm-up or because the laundry didn't all get put away before going to bed. Instead, the important things are the memory making time like homemade pizza night or playing dress-up's together. This last week and half was full of crazy moments trying to rush everyone out the door with shoes, backpacks, lunches, and homework; but it was also brimming with lots of special moments playing together and sharing life. I am so thankful for the time we got to have together, though I still can't wait for my parents to get home this afternoon!

Baking with cousins Zach and Josh,, who stayed with us for a week while their parents went on a much deserved vacation.

Homemade personal pizza night. The kids wondered what happened to their older sister: they got to have pizza for dinner, didn't have to eat salad, and had ice cream sundaes for dessert!

Karlee came up on Sunday and helped organize a yard clean up. It looks great!

MTI

2008-10-06T11:15:00.001-07:00

I don't know how to even begin sharing with you all of the amazing things God did during my 3 weeks in Colorado at MTI. God is faithful! I arrived at the retreat center feeling very emotionally and physically tired from a busy week of traveling all over the state saying goodbyes. I wasn't looking forward to building new relationships when I knew I would just have to say goodbye again. But God softened my heart and put me in the center of an amazing community of people who are all getting ready to embark on a similar journey. During our 3 weeks there, the staff taught us to share our lives through our raw and honest discussions in class, which facilitated so many areas of growth in my life. In the evenings, we had plenty of time to just be silly together playing games (Body, Body, anyone?), eating ice cream, and exploring the beautiful nature surrounding us.

I am so thankful for this community of dear friends. Through my time with them I was able to share many of my excitements and fears of moving to a new place with many both foreseen and unknown challenges that await me. I also learned how to say healthy goodbyes that help us cherish the impact our friends have made on us and grieve the loss of the physical proximity. This process leaves us ready to say full hello's to new people as they enter our lives. I know this is going to be crucial for me as we will have many short-term teams coming down to Costa Rica, and I want to be able to fully invest in each team that comes down.

I am so overwhelming grateful for the time I had at MTI. Everyone there, staff and participants, were such a blessing! I am so glad Students International said I needed to go this training, even though i was a little hesitant at first.

Weekend at the Dorens'

2008-09-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

I was delightfully stolen away form MTI this past weekend by my Aunt Tracy. I spent the weekend exploring the small mountain town of Salida, riding bikes, visiting the farmers' market across the street, and cooking lots and lots. And of course, great family time!

Riding to the health food store with Sara and Aunt Tracy. Sara was so kind to share her pink cruiser with me all weekend!

Merry-go-rounds do still exist!!! Shortly after cousin Casey and all his friends proved why they are now outlawed in many parts of the country.

I love swings!!!