Costa Rica Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Once again, thank you so much for your prayer support as I am here in Costa Rica! Time is moving fairly quickly, and it is hard to believe I have less than 2 months left here!

In the afternoons, Sydnie and I often go out to various neighborhoods to invite kids to different children's events that we have. It has definitely been really good to be getting out in the community, not just to tell people about events, but also just because it is wonderful being able to meet more people. Though there is still a language barrier for me, it is a blessing being able to get out and look for other ways to shine Jesus' love.

The Potter's Field Kids' program will be starting back up again on February 25th - I am very excited for this! I have missed this time with the kids, and actually have missed the routine of the program. I know that ministry should not just be a routine, but I do miss having that set time each day with the kids. Quite a few kids have signed up so far for the program and so we are very excited.

This last Monday, Tandrian, Sydnie, and I went to San Jose with a lady from the church here. We came back Tuesday, so it was a short trip, but it was good. We were able to walk around and see the different shops there, and we also went to a mall. It was a nice taste of home! In a way, it made me miss home because even though it reminded me of home and I was able to get things that I get back in the states (Cinnabon for example :)), it wasn't home and my family wasn't there. It was still really good though, and it was nice to have a little bit of a break. We also went to Price Smart while we were there, which reminded me so much of Costco, and of working there. I didn't see any sample people though! :)

In the mornings, before we start work at the church, I have been listening to sermons online by Jon Courson. I have been blessed by his teachings. My Mom actually really encouraged me to listen to a sermon every day if I can, because it is so important to be feeding on the Word. I was becoming really discouraged with things, and she thought some of it might be because of the language barrier and not really being able to have fellowship with people at church, and also not understanding the sermons. I do have a translator most of the time at church, and that is really good, but it's not quite the same as being able to understand the pastor for yourself. I am thankful for the online resources that we have available to us!

Overall, I am doing well and am blessed to be here. The sermon I listened to this morning was a reminder to me to be still and know that He is God. Pastor Jon was talking about how we think "what do we need to do?"... but really we need to think "what do we need to be?" The answer is, be still. Be still and know that He is God. This is always such a good reminder to me! Sure, we can walk around all anxious trying to figure everything out, but Jesus wants us to simply come to Him, to simply be still in His presence, to recognize it's not about what we do, but about who He is, and to trust Him with all our hearts. Lately, I have been feeling like there is so much to do, and I become discouraged by the expectations I place upon myself, and feeling like I constantly have things to get done. It is so encouraging to remind myself to be still, to know that He is God, and, thankfully, I'm not. I can be still, trusting in Him with a thankful heart, and He will be faithful to enable me to do the things which He wants me to do.

I hope that you are all doing well and being blessed. Thank you again so much for praying for me. If there is anything that you would like me to pray for you about, please don't hesitate to email! What a blessing it is to be able to pray for one another.

Love and God bless!

Emily

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

Costa Rica Update and Prayer Requests

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers for me! I love you all.

Things have been much more laid back than my first couple months here. Right now the kids here are on summer break and so that also means the Potter's Field Kids after school program is on break as well. I am excited for PFK to start back up again next month! 

It's hard to believe my time here is over halfway done. Yesterday we made a trip to Nicaragua to get our visas renewed. Praise the Lord, we all got 90 days and so will not have to make another visa trip. It was neat to be able to see another country. We had to be out of Costa Rica for 3 hours in order to get our visas renewed, and so once in Nicaragua we took a taxi to Rivas, which isn't too far from the border. We spent time there, and then when it was time we took a taxi back to the border and crossed back into Costa Rica. Thankfully, the trip was uneventful for the most part, and it ended up costing a lot less than I had planned, which made me happy.

At Christmas time we had a couple weeks off of working at the church. We are now back to working there, which means spending most mornings there doing whatever may need to be done on that particular day, cleaning and what not. I talked to Corey today and asked him what we should be doing in the afternoons while PFK is on break, and he mentioned that he would like us go out and tell kids about PFK so that they can register for it, and for us to get out and do more evangelism. This will be good to help fill our time. I am thankful that we have time to rest and that I am not worn out (I was afraid I would be tired all the time here), but it is a struggle to have so much free time. I feel as though I am living in Costa Rica but not really doing anything of value, and my heart is to be sharing Jesus with others. The language barrier is so very hard for me and there are so many times I feel useless here because of it. Even when we go out evangelizing, I feel as though I am just following the others since I am not the one having the conversations. I have often felt that I would be so much more usable to the Lord if I were at home and working. 

These have been some of my thoughts and struggles as I am here, and yet the Lord is so good and is faithful to encourage me and remind me to trust Him, and that His ways are not my ways. He doesn't ask me to understand His ways, only to trust Him. I know that it doesn't matter if I feel useful and effective, because that is just focusing on myself and how I feel. Maybe the Lord is using this in my life to keep me dependent on Him, to make me see that my adequacy and sufficiency is not in myself, but in Him. Even if I were at home and could speak the language, my adequacy and sufficiency would still all be in Him.

I need to trust the Lord with all my heart. I so desperately want my time here to be spent for God's glory and for His purpose. I want to live a life that brings Him glory and points others to Him. I don't want to merely live in Costa Rica, I want to live in Costa Rica for Jesus. I know that the Lord has called me here, I know that He has me here for this season of my life, and so I must trust that He will use this time for His glory, and in the way that He sees fit.

God is good, and He is faithful. 

Thank you for continuing to pray for me!

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given my in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Prayer requests:

Please pray for my health - that my lungs would be healthy and I would be faithful to do my treatments like I need to do them.

Please pray that I would trust the Lord with all my heart, and be content with where He has me and for what purpose He has me here. 

Please pray for my team (Tandrian and Sydnie) and I, that we would be unified and serve well with one another. 

Thank you!

Christmas

Though it doesn't necessarily feel like it here in Costa Rica, Christmas is quickly approaching and I have been pondering the meaning of this season. 

This Christmas season has been rather diferent for me than in the past, as I am not at home with my family. Yesterday, Sydnie and I found an artificial tree in the storage room at church and put it in our apartment. We went to a nearby gift shop and bought some decorations, and now our apartment is all decorated for Christmas! Honestly, I was starting to think that I wouldn't have a tree this year. I know that Christmas isn't about trees and decorations, but even for those simple things I am really thankful. 

As we all know, though, Christmas is really all about Jesus. Christmas is about God in His love sending His Son to be our Savior. Christmas is about Jesus, coming as a humble babe and saving mankind. Thus, Christmas is about hope. 

Before the foundation of the world, God knew that we would desperately need a Savior, He knew that left on our own we are hopeless and need Someone in whom we can hope. There is a quote that I absolutely love: "If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; if our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; if our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; if our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; but our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior." I am so thankful that God, even before creation, knew of my need for forgiveness and made that forgiveness possible through Jesus. 

One of my favorite Christmas songs this year has been "Oh Come All Ye Faithful":

"O' come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O' come ye, O' come ye

To Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels

O' come let us adore Him

O' come let us adore Him

O' come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord"

I have been thinking, what must have the shepherds thought and felt when they went and beheld Jesus, the baby lying in the manger? These shepherds beheld with their own eyes the One whom had come to save them. What joy must have filled their hearts, what hope must have stirred within them! At the same time, I am sure they must have felt amazement and wonder as their Savior came in the humblest of ways one could have come. 

Read with me this passage from Luke 2:8-20:

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!' When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the Child." 

Notice that it was said to the shepherds that the angel brought good news of great joy which will be for ALL people. This stands out to me so much, as I ponder the good news of Jesus, and how He came to save ALL people. This makes me want to share the good news of Jesus with others, as my heart breaks for those that don't know Jesus.

Something else I would like to point out is that once the shepherds went and saw Jesus, "they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child". The shepherd's didn't just keep this good news of great joy to themselves. No, instead they made known the good news of Jesus! Are we like the shepherds in this way? Or do we keep Jesus to ourselves? 

Jesus came to save a hopeless and dying world. There is life and so much hope in Jesus. Sadly, our world today seems like it looks much like it would have looked like before Jesus came... dying and hopeless. My heart breaks because of the recent shootings that have happened - there certainly doesn't seem to be much joy and peace in this world. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of the families affected, and it makes me want to be at home with my family. I don't have any answers to all the questions, but one thing I know is that this world desperately needs hope. This world desperately needs joy and peace. This world desperately needs Jesus. 

Though it may be extremely depressing with all the events happening today, we can have hope in Jesus, and, yes, even joy. The world is in a sad state, yes, but there is comfort and joy to be found in Jesus. May we be filled with hope and joy this Christmas season as we look to Jesus who came to be our Savior. May we come, behold, and adore Him, the King of Kings who came to save.

May we share this good news of great joy with our family and friends.

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.”  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Costa Rica Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all so very much for continuing to pray for me and encourage me as I am here in Costa Rica! You all bless me tremendously.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here serving the Lord and His children. These past few weeks have been challenging, and yet I am learning to be thankful in all circumstances. I'm learning it is easy for me to say that I am thankful, but it is another thing to actually live a life of thanksgiving. Especially with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the subject of thankfulness has been one that has been on my mind a lot. I am so thankful for my Mom, because there will be times that I text her and tell her the struggles I am going through, and she reminds me to be thankful and that God is good. 

This will be the first Thanksgiving that I am away from home, and it is hard not being there. Even though I’m going to miss spending that day with my family, I still have much for which to be thankful!

The PFK program has been continuing to go well, praise the Lord. We actually just have two more weeks left of it and then we won't have it for two months because the kids have their break from school. I am sad that the program will be ending for two months, but I guess this will just cause us to look for more ministry opportunities and other ways we can reach the children outside of the program. Please be praying for us as we end the program. Please pray that the children would continue to be fed by the Word, and that we would be able to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. Please also pray for wisdom for us as we look for other ministry opportunities.

There is a song by Audrey Assad called “Lament” and lately I feel as though I really relate to it. Some of the lyrics go like this:

“I'm Mary and I'm Martha all at the same time;

I'm sitting at His feet and yet I'm dying to be recognized.

I am a picture of contentment and I am dissatisfied.

Why is it easy to work but hard to rest sometimes?”

These lyrics describe so well how I have been feeling lately. I have been finding it so hard for me to rest, feeling as though there is always something that I should be doing. I have been loving my time I spend with the Lord, but even then I easily get distracted by what I feel I should get done next. Please pray for me that I would be faithful to do what needs to be done, but that I would always rest in the Lord and not take burdens upon myself which He never meant for me to bear.

I would appreciate continued prayer that I would pick up more Spanish. I need to start taking time to study it. Cory was telling me that if I start studying for even just ten minutes a day that would probably help a lot because I am also constantly around people speaking in Spanish. I am starting to pick up on things, and I definitely know more than when I first arrived here, but still not that much.

I have found that I love early mornings here. I love to get up, get my coffee, go sit outside, and do my devotions. Around 6AM it actually feels fairly cool outside, and so I love going outside at this time. Most of all, it is really good to have this quiet time with the Lord before the day begins. Recently, the Lord greatly encouraged me through His Word. I have been reading in Matthew, and I got to chapter 14 where Jesus fed the 5,000. This section stood out to me in a powerful way. When Jesus told the disciples to give the crowd something to eat, they said, “We have only five loaves and two fish” (vs. 17). The disciples felt that they didn’t have enough to minister to the people, but Jesus said, “Bring them here to Me” (vs. 18), and He had the people sit down, gave thanks, broke the bread, and the disciples gave the food to the people. The people all ate and were satisfied. I had read this story before, and heard it many times, but suddenly it meant so much more to me. On my own I am inadequate, and so often in ministry I feel inadequate and worthless. The wonderful truth of the matter is that if I surrender myself to Jesus, as little as I may feel I am, He can use me effectively in ministry because it is Him and not me. My adequacy is not in myself, but in Jesus, my strength is not in myself, but in Jesus. The disciples felt they didn’t have enough to give to the people, yet Jesus asked only that they surrendered what they had to Him and He took care of the rest. In the same way, though I so often feel like I’m not adequate enough to minister to people, Jesus asks me to surrender all that I am to Him and to trust Him to use me. He alone is able to meet the needs of people, and I am simply a tool in His hand. Though I come to Him empty handed, He is so faithful to give me what I need to minister. It is all about Jesus, and nothing about me.

I want to again thank you all so much for praying for me. I’m blessed to be able to serve such a faithful and loving God. Even though things can be hard, God remains on the throne and in control.

Costa Rica Update: Week 3

Hi Everyone!

I want to thank you all so very much for all your continued prayers and encouragement while I am here in Costa Rica. It really means so much to me. I am so blessed to have the wonderful support and love of you all back home. 

This past week here in Costa Rica was a good one. There were some challenges, but I'm learning how thankful I am even for the challenges in life because it causes me to depend more on Jesus.

I'm continuing to love our time with the children during the week. It is such a joy to spend time with them. I still would appreciate prayers that I would learn more Spanish, because I really wish that I could communicate with these children more. I'm so thankful though that I am able to still love them and have fun with them. On Thursday at Kid's Club I played soccer (they call it football here) with a couple of the boys, and I had so much fun with them! 

There is one boy who comes to PFK, Gustavo, who has completely stolen my heart. I think he is 8 years old - he is so cute! He is such a troublemaker! It's almost as if he lives to antagonize the other children. This last week he went to use the utility sink outside, and I realized that there was a machete right next to him. I went and grabbed it and put it inside the office because Gustavo + machete = bad news. :) He is such a little rascal, but for some reason or another he always brightens my day and makes me so thankful to be here. Please be praying for him. Please pray that he would have an obedient heart and that he would know how much Jesus loves him. 

Tuesday evening we had an earthquake here - I heard it was a 6.6 - it was freaky! Sydnie and I were doing dishes at the church when it happened. I actually heard the rumbling and thought it was just a big truck driving by or something. Then, all of a sudden, there was a lot of shaking and Tandrian said, "That's an earthquake!" The look on her face scared me, and I didn't know what to do. I went running outside, not knowing what the heck I'm even supposed to do or where I'm supposed to go during an earthquake. Thankfully it was very short lived. It is such a weird feeling to have the ground beneath you moving! It scares me, but I know that I will most likely experience more while I am here. I find myself thinking about earthquakes a lot during the day, and even at night, being super paranoid about one happening. When I was talking to Tandrian about earthquakes, I said something about me not minding earthquakes as long I knew the result of it beforehand. She reminded me that that wouldn't be living by faith, to which I replied "Sometimes I don't like faith." I was partly joking, but that is honestly how I feel at times. I know that isn't exactly the right attitude to have, but honestly sometimes faith is hard. I'm not talking just about in earthquakes, but even about in life in general. Sometimes it is really hard to trust Jesus in the midst of the trials and struggles of life, and sometimes I am just like the man who cried out to Jesus in Mark 9:24 - "I believe; help my unbelief!" I'm so thankful that Jesus is patient with me. Oh for grace to trust Him more!

On Wednesday Cory, Tandrian, Betty, Sydnie and I went to the beach really early to do devotions there. This will be something we do once a month. It was raining a lot, and so we ended up going into a restaurant and did devotions there. It was a really good time together... we read Psalm 145 and then each shared on a few verses. 

Thursday morning Matt, Brooke, Ethan, Isabelle, and Audrey left to go back to the states. It was sad to see them leave, but I'm so thankful for the time we had with them here. Betty also left us on Thursday morning, and is now back in Montana for a bit before she goes back to Uganda. I'm learning more and more that life is full of goodbyes, especially when following Jesus. Goodbyes are hard, but there will one day be a day when all believers are together forever in Heaven and there will never again be anymore goodbyes. Also on Thursday morning I was able to talk to my Mom. I told her some of the struggles I have been having and she encouraged me. Later she texted me saying "Iron sharpens iron...say and do all things with love and a humble heart."  I wrote this down and put it on our refrigerator door. I'm so thankful for her encouragement!

On Friday I once again did a lot of laundry. I had determined not to wash so many clothes at once, but much to my dismay, I found that almost all my clothes that I had washed the previous week smelled because they did not dry fast enough. Needless to say, I was very frustrated by this, but this is just one of the little challenges we face here. I'm looking forward to dry season because clothes will dry so much faster then. I know it will get incredibly hot, but I think I honestly would rather have heat over humidity. Cory, Tandrian, Sydnie, and I talked about possibly seeing if we can get a washing machine at a used appliance place. We could all chip in for it and hook it up on our porch. It would save much time, and also would wring out our clothes really well, which would help speed up the drying process. We will see though, on whether or not we will be able to find a cheap and reliable one. 

This week I've been struggling with feeling as though I can't really do anything besides cleaning. During our time at the church, Sydnie and Tandrian will practice singing and playing guitar, or sometimes translate sponsors' letters to the children, but since I'm not gifted musically and can't speak Spanish, I just clean and organize at the church. I know that that is serving the Lord as well, but sometimes it is hard and I struggle feeling as though I'm not really gifted. I talked to my Mom about this and she encouraged me that maybe I should start taking part in worship practice because even though I don't feel that that is my gift, it would help me learn songs in Spanish. Pastor Phil also said that he would like me to type up new music sheets on Thursday evenings during worship practice, and so it will be good to serve in that area as well. Don't get me wrong, I love cleaning, but sometimes I feel like that's all I'm capable of doing which discourages me, but I know that this is just a lie from the enemy. Jesus created me how I am and I can live knowing that He created me just as I am to be used for His glory.

I would also appreciate your prayers as I have been struggling lately feeling that my time in the Word is dry and I really want to feel the presence of the Lord in my life. I know that I need to keep seeking His face regardless of how I feel, and that I need to still trust in His promises even when it's hard. 

This past week has been a crazy one for my family back at home. Please be praying for them. A week ago this last Friday my Grandpa was hospitalized because he had a really bad lung infection. I think it was Thursday that he was able to come home, and is getting better, praise the Lord. I was able to talk to my parents yesterday (I can call them for free using an app on my phone) and found out that my Mom went to the hospital on Friday. She kept fainting, and my Dad said she was unresponsive and he called an ambulance. They think she was just really dehydrated since once they started giving her fluids she started getting better. Dehydration and stress probably made her sick - because like I said my Grandpa was in the hospital and so that had added a lot of stress to her. Please be praying for complete healing for my Mom as well as for my Grandpa.

Thank you all again so much for all your prayers and encouragement. I love you all and you are all such a blessing to me.

Week 2: Costa Rica

It was another good week here in Costa Rica!

I'm loving our time at Potter's Field Kids Monday-Wednesday, as well as Kids club which is on Thursdays. Though I still can hardly speak Spanish, I love my time with those kids. Last Monday Tandrian and I taught the English class - we played Simon Says which was a blast. I would give the command in English, and then would demonstrate what I just said (example: clap your hands). Eventually, I would just give them the command without doing the motion and they would remember what it meant. I am so blessed to be able to be here and spend this time with the children.

On Monday afternoons those of us who do PFK meet together to talk and pray before we begin the new week. Last week Don Victor, who is on staff for Potter's Field here in Costa Rica, asked us why we came to Costa Rica. I said (with Tandrian translating since I don't speak Spanish and he doesn't speak English) that I came because I have a heart for missions and kids, and I want to love on the kids.  He encouraged me that I can show love for them even if I can't speak their language - I can show them through my actions. He used as an example a little girl that had come to Kids Club the previous Thursday. I couldn't have a conversation with her, but I held her on my lap during club. He said that that is an example of me being able to love through my actions. He said that she is a little girl who comes from a poor family and she needs a lot of love. God is so, so good for allowing me to be here. I'm so thankful for His grace which allows me to serve Him by serving others. I want to be His hands and His feet. I want to love these kids with the love with which He has loved me.

We've had the power go out a few times this last week. It doesn't stay out for very long, and so it really isn't a big deal. I think it was a week ago last night that it went out for the first time since we'd been here. I was actually already asleep, but I awoke to Sydnie shaking me, and saying "The power went out!" I was so confused for a minute, having just awakened, and it took me a minute to realize what was happening. Our bedroom light was off, which, honestly, we have yet to sleep with it off, because we are both paranoid. Sydnie had been out in the living area when it went out and so she came running into the bedroom (running into the counter in the process). If I were her, I would have done the exact same thing and would have woken her up, but right then I think I would much rather have been asleep instead of waking up to complete darkness. Sydnie was panicking, saying, "I'm not ready to sleep with the light off!" and wondering how she was going to check her bed in the dark (we check our bed for scorpions each night). She was freaking out and was scared of what might be lurking in the darkness. I think I would have been freaking out just as much if I wasn't already safely in my bed. Sydnie got in bed and I think it was only a couple minutes before the power returned. Praise the Lord! We could sleep in the safety of the light again. :)

On Thursday night Sydnie and I stayed up late and cleaned our apartment. We were up really late but I was so glad to get things cleaned. We also talked a lot while cleaning, and so that's part of the reason we were up so late, but it was good. Chatting, cleaning, coffee, and listening to music are some of the best things in life. :)

On Friday Sydnie and I decided to do our laundry. We both thought that we could do a week's worth in one shot, and that way just get it all done at the same time. We decided that we will never do that again! It took us hours - and we still didn't finish it all! Betty saw our tub of clothes soaking and said that whoever clothes those are is really ambitious! I now understand what she meant!

Saturday Tandrian, Betty, Sydnie, and I went to the beach with Matt, Brooke, and their kids. We had a great time! I had a lot of fun with their girls, Isabelle and Audrey. They are so sweet!

Yesterday morning I found myself getting stressed. We have a lot of plumbing problems in our apartment, and our shower was getting all backed up with smelly water. The result: our bathroom stunk really badly and we were unable to shower. It was sad, but just a part of life. Sydnie said, "I know I'm going to read something about this in my devotions!" And she did. She wrote out what she learned in her devotions and shared it with me, and in it she included the first part of the song, "It Is Well":

 "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, It is well with my soul.'"

We both needed to be reminded of the fact that we are called to be content no matter the circumstance in which we may find ourselves. The little frustrations that we daily face are just that - little frustrations. We need not let them discourage us and weigh us down.

I'm so thankful for all that Jesus is doing in my life. I am thankful that He is watching over me every minute of every day. I'm thankful that I can take everything to Him in prayer, even little issues such as stinky apartments and leaky sinks. I'm thankful that Jesus doesn't leave me the way that I am, but instead He refines me through the testings and trials of this life.

God is good, and God is faithful!

Arriving in Costa Rica

Tomorrow marks a week since I left for Costa Rica. Praise the Lord, it has been a good week!

It wasn’t as hard as I would have thought it would be to pack for six months, though my Mom did most if it and so I am sure that’s why. J If I didn’t have her help I am sure I would have ended up super overwhelmed, because it was still challenging trying to fit everything in the allotted space while not going over the weight limit. Thank you, Mom! I ended up having to check two bags –there was no way I could have gotten away with one. My carry on was packed full of medicine and I worried that I wouldn't be able to fit it in the overhead bin. My Mom reminded me to be anxious for nothing and that the Lord had brought me this far and so surely He would continue to pave my way to Costa Rica.

When I got there Sydnie was already there at the front counter to check her bag and everything. I then went to the counter and checked mine, and was done long before Sydnie, which was weird since she was there first. I soon heard that she was having a problem because of the length of her stay, and that they needed to see her bus ticket to Nicaragua where we will be going when we need to leave the country to get a new visa. Our bus tickets don’t have dates on them and apparently that was a problem. Finally they got everything squared away, but then they called me up to the desk. Thankfully, it didn't take too long with mine since they had just gone through it with Syd. I’m so glad it all worked out quickly – at that point I wanted to hurry up and get through security so that I wouldn't be cutting it close.

Robby and Colton Fowler came to the airport to pray for us before we left; that was blessing. One of my best friends, Joey, surprised me by coming and I was so glad that she did. My Mom knew she was going to come, but wanted to surprise me. She had said that Joey decided not to come because it would be too hard to say goodbye.

I got past security and met up with Syd who was already at our gate. Our flight was completely full, and so they were trying to get people to check their carry ons for free. It sounded like a really good deal, and I really wanted to do it so as not to have to deal with mine, but since it was all medicine I needed to keep it with me so that it wouldn't get lost. I still worried about fitting it up in the bin, even though when I went to Belize I had the exact same carry on and it fit fine.   

When it was time, I boarded the plane, and went to put my carry on in the bin, and could not get it to fit! Oh no, my nightmare was really happening! I got so nervous, and the plane was super crowded, but I had to go back to the front and talk to the flight attendant. I did, but it was hard since I was going against traffic and I am sure people were annoyed at me. I felt so panicky and told the flight attendant my problem and also that the carry on usually does fit, since I had traveled with it in the past. She quickly found the problem – one of the pockets was simply packed too full and so once I removed a few bottles of medicine it would fit. She was super sweet and understanding and I am so thankful for that, because she easily could have been grouchy at me for packing it too full.

I got back to my seat, and then Syd came on the plane, and was wondering why I was sitting where I was… I then realized I was in the wrong seat! I seem to always do that – I have no idea why since you think finding your seat would be one of the easier things about flying – apparently not in my case.

I ended up staying where I was, because the guy whose seat I unknowingly stole told me he didn't mind trading. Thankfully, again I encountered a gracious person who chose not to be grouchy with me. God is so good to me!

The lady next to me on the airplane was all drugged up because she gets super nervous when flying. She was so scared and at one point kept whispering to herself “it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine”. I get paranoid while flying as well, and seeing her freak out and get all nervous made me nervous too! I tried not to show it though, because I didn't want to make her more scared. I prayed with her and even though sitting next to her made me more nervous of flying, I am thankful that I did because it was cool being able to pray with her. Even in my weakness Jesus is strong!

I was so thankful once we were in Atlanta – I felt so glad to be out of the air. Sydnie and I discovered that the Atlanta airport is huge and walked from one end to the other because that’s where our gate was. Once over there, we decided that it was worth the walk to go find a Starbucks – after all, it would be our last one for six months!

The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. It wasn't a full flight and so Sydnie and I were able to change seats so that we could sit together.

We then arrived in Costa Rica! We went through customs alright. The lady kept asking me how long I was going to be in the country, and I kept trying to tell her I was leaving the country in 90 days, but she didn't speak English so could not understand me. She kept thinking I was saying 9 days and I kept trying to explain it. Finally, I think she just got tired of asking and let me go.

Matt and Cory (fellow missionaries) drove Sydnie, Tandrian (who arrived soon after us), and me to our apartments. We arrived there and began unpacking and getting all settled. 

Wednesday, the day after we arrived, we had orientation where we met with Cory to talk about what it is we will be doing each day.

Monday-Wednesday we have Potter’s Field Kids from 4:30-6:30pm. At PFK we will be teaching the children English, Bible stories, playing games, and helping with homework. Thursdays we have Bible club, which is also from 4:30-6:30pm and all children are welcome to attend for songs, a Bible story, and games.

A couple mornings a week we will be helping out at the church – cleaning, organizing, running errands, etc. Tuesday mornings one of us will help Rebecca, Pastor Phil’s wife, with whatever she may need help with that day. A couple of the mornings each week we will spend evangelizing or going around and visiting the PFK families.

Tuesday evenings there is Ladies Bible Study, Wednesday evening there is church, Thursday evenings there is worship practice for those who are interested in being on the team, and then there is also babysitting for Pastor Phil and Rebecca that evening. Friday evening is youth group. Saturday and Sundays are our day off for the most part.

I loved my time with the children this last week. I went to PFK on Wednesday, and then to kid’s club on Thursday and the kids are so much fun. It is definitely a huge challenge not being able to speak Spanish. I want to be building relationships with these children, but not being able to really talk to them is such a struggle. I would appreciate prayer that I would be able to quickly pick up some Spanish, and that even if I can’t speak to them in their language, that maybe I could find other ways to communicate my love, and most importantly, Jesus' love to them.

This last Friday was basically a free day, and Syd and I spent time cleaning our apartment. We both decided that it needed to be thoroughly cleaned, and that we wanted to get rid of whatever was smelling up the place! There was probably a lot that was contributing to the odor, but I think a lot of it had to do with the potatoes on the counter that I discovered were rotting. I was so thankful to get them out, although the apartment seems to always smell which is very unfortunate, though it could be way worse! 

Thursday evening Betty and I went to Matt and Brooke’s to babysit their kids. I had so much fun with them! Matt and Brooke are actually moving back to the states at the end of the month because that is where God is leading them for now. I am really sad that they are leaving, but thankful that they are still here for our first couple of weeks, and that I will see them at the ranch in Montana when we go back for reentry in April.

Saturday was another free day, and we decided to spend it at the beach. It was wonderful. I was able to spend time with the Lord while there, and, as I looked out at the ocean, was once again reminded how big our God really is. Compared to Him I am just a tiny grain of sand – actually even smaller, and what a comfort that was to me to remember that truth. All the problems that I have, all of my struggles and weaknesses, are so tiny compared to my God. Why do I spend so much of my time focusing on my problems, instead of looking up and focusing on my God? It was such a comfort to remember that God is so big, and so surely nothing could ever take me from His hand. I am His forever, and all my days are in His faithful hands. Yes, I will have struggles and trials, and yet He remains faithful and above it all. He is always on the throne, the question is do we recognize that fact and find peace in knowing He is on the throne, or do we fail to recognize His sovereignty because we are too focused on our problems?

I am so blessed to be here in Costa Rica. I am so thankful that the Lord has faithfully led me here. I have had so many fears and almost let my fears stop me from coming to Potter’s Field, and yet the Lord never gave up on me. He was so patient with me and gave me the grace to do His will. I am thankful that I serve a big God. I am thankful that no matter how big my problems may seem, He is bigger still. I am thankful that He gives me the grace I need each day. I am thankful that I can trust Him. I am thankful that He holds me in the palm of His hand and won’t ever let me go.