Brothers!!!

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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