Birthday Week

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!