still learning

It's been a while since I've felt the inspiration to blog. A lot has transpired in that time, but as I reflect back even futher on this year, that we are rapidly approaching the middle of, I see how quickly and vastly my life has changed. God has stripped me of many comforts, and through this He has soften my heart. He is, I believe, not forcing me, but rather inviting me to lean more fully on Him, in a reckless abandon I cannot fathom. As you know I'm in a strange place, with strange people, who speak a strange language. I've commited to do something that I know is above my head and out of my hands. I am often tempted to feel alone and forgotten, helpless and at times a little hopeless of ever feeling competent at anything again. I am acquainted with the overseas illness that brings out the little girl cry deep within for mom to come and make it better. I have been humbled by seeing how prideful and arrogant I truly am. I have often felt confusion, the painful awkardness of being different, and at times even shunned. Yet greater than all this I have been absolutely AWED at the glorious, beautiful, capable, unchanging, unmeasureablely loving, LIVING GOD I serve! I can't remember a time in my life when I have been more grateful and aware of the faithfulness of His presence. I am learning and unlearning much. I pray that through the entirity of this journey I remain sheltered in the ming-boggling peace that He supplies.

Lately this familar and, often for me, easily forgotten verse has been on my heart,

Galatians 2:20 ~ "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

feria and fiesta time

Today was full of first time experiences. It started early this morning when I accompanied my tico mom and her youngest son to the local feria. The feria is a huge trade-day-like-event. The atmosphere is filled with a large number of people busily picking over fruits and vegetables as the vendors yell out prices. I got to see, experience, and learn the names of tropical fruits I've never heard of before. I also got to drink coconut juice out of a fresh coconut! The man actually cut it open, stuck a straw in and handed it to me. I thought it was pretty cool.
Later this afternoon, I got to attend a fiesta de cumpleano, which I was really excited about. You must know this is my first real fiesta. It was the birthday of the younest son's best friend. So...we arrived at the party around 2:30 and we didn't get back home until close to 7! When we got there a clown was leading games and tricks with the kids. Then he moved to painting faces. About this time it's 4ish and the guest are served the traditional arroz con pollo, chicken and rice. Next, we bring out the pinata. After scrambling around on the floor for candy it's time for ice cream. We all enjoy the ice cream. Then the birthday boy opens presents. It was a big party so there are a lot of gifts...finally we cut the cake. After enjoying the cake and saying goodbye to everyone in the room we leave. I really did have a good time even though I had no idea what the topic of conversation was at my time the entire evening. Despite my confussed state of mind, I am thankful to have had some quality time enjoying life with my Tico family. When all's said and done the Costa Rican people know how to shop cheap and party hard! Well, at least the Costa Rican's I know.

learning moments

Today was the second day of language school and I can't help but feel there is so much to learn. A language is such a vast goal to attain! Taking a deep breath, stepping back, and looking at the big picture, I realize it is only one star in the grand nightsky view of this journey I'm on. There are many things to learn and conquer, there always will be. I think one of the ironies of life is that the more you learn, the more you realize how much there is to know, and that you will never be able to learn it all. I'm learning to glean what I can and not worry about the rest. The teachers at the Institute are gracious and truly desire their students to understand and speak the language. I am grateful for their kindness and patience.
Having the opportunity to live with a Tico family is helping me immensely to learn more about the latino culture, language, and amazing food! Whoever said you lose weight overseas did not know my Tico mom! The youngest son in the family, Jean Pierro, is 8 years old, and is loads of fun. So far we have played cards, Gran Banco(Costa Rican form of Monopoly), and with pistolas de agua. Ocassionally his 8 and 6 year old nieces and 2 year old nephew (this is not a type-o) come over and we all play together. It's amazing how much fun you can have with people and have no clue what one another is saying! Diago, the uncle, is so cute running from room to room declaring "Hola!" to everyone in sight. My bond with him might be strongest since we share the same vocab range. Truly, there is much to be learned from children, their sincerity, and love.

tico sunsets

This evening as I gazed on the unbelievable sunset here on this foreign shore I realized that I have been living here for a little over a week. There are many days that I feel like a kid in a toy store, in sheer amazement of all that's going on around me. Then, there are the days of feeling like the lost child in the store trying to get some one to help me, but no one speaks my language! As I have these feelings, God has continually taken me back to Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." O, the comfort of having a Shepherd to pick me up, place me on His shoulders and carry me during those moments of confussion...as well share in the good times of fun, laughter...sunsets.

beautiful views in a foreign land

Estoy Aqui!

Welp, it's finally here. After a crazily busy weekend and half a day's travel, I'm in a foreign country. I think it will take a few days for it to all sink in. I'm sitting on the bed looking out at the breath-taking view of the mountains surrounding San Jose. The windows are open and a cool breeze is blowing through as birds are yaking and flying around. I'm amazed yet again at the goodness of my heavenly Father, and am in great ancipation of all that He is going to do. This past weekend was a great time to reflect on the unending love of Christ and to know why I'm here right now. What a life-giving message we, as believers, have to share with this world. I pray that I will not be silent, and that I will fulfill all of God's purpose.

Almost There

So there's only one more week of orientation left, and then we're all off to the various corners of the world. It's surreal to think that I'm actually doing this...going to live in another country and share the unending love of Jesus! How mindboggling is that! It feels like this thing that I've only talked and prayed about for months on end, and now it's actually reality.
Despite how intimidated I am, I am even more in awe of the greatness of this task and opportunity. I can't even begin to describe how being around like-minded people for the past eight weeks has encouraged and challenged me. What an amazing God who puts the right people in our lives at the right time. I know that this part of my life will forever change the person I am. My prayer is that I will become more of the woman God would have me to be, and that this time would cause me to walk with Him and trust Him as I never have before. So that I would become a woman after God's own heart who will do all His will (Acts 13:22).