I have always been an optimist even though the world would rather me not. There is so much good in the world that tends to get overlooked by all of the bad and hatred. I have noticed this lately in reading the news so I have stopped reading it at least for now. Reading the news is depressing. There is always a story about someone hurting a child, someone killing another human being, or someone dying. This I know is the hard facts of life but I don't need to be reminded of it every day.
What I do need to reminded of is God's presence, love, and grace. I need to look at people the way that He looks at people. I need to love like He loves.
This is something we all need to do a bit more of. Our lives change constantly, as some say we are all going through the circle of life, but let us not get so caught up in life that we forget at look at through God's eyes. Let us not forget the beauty and good that is at work in this world. I get to see this beauty and good every day in the eyes of my friends and family, who are striving to make this world a better place through God's word and guidance. I also get to see this beauty in the eyes of the children I work with. When I look into their eyes I see hope and I see good, sometimes I believe I can even see a slight glimpse of God.
Let us be grateful for what we do have and live in the moment. Let us not be focused on what we wish was different in our lives or in the world, but let our eyes be focused on the Creator of the world. Let us each day give thanks and try in our own simple ways to make this world a little bit better for those around us. Maybe you can be a shining a light in a dark place for someone in need.
May 27, 2011
May 26, 2011
God uses Mose to speak to my heart...
Sometimes I read about the Israelites and think, "Man, they complained alot to God". But then I am reminded of my own life and how when things get tough I usually call out to God, saying, "God what are you doing now?" or I cry out and say, "God please help me". God has been using the Israelites also to remind me about God's faithfulness. God always provided and always kept His promises to the Israelites, and the same is true in my life. Looking back on my life I can see God's faithfulness and His handprints all over my life. God is good.
God has also been using Moses to speak to my heart alot. Have you ever thought about Moses' life? His life was far from easy and he was far from perfect, but God was faithful. Moses commited murder, ranaway from his problems, went into a foreign land, and was almost killed by God. That to me does not sound like any easy life. Staying in the desert for 40 years also does not sound like my idea of a good time, but God was faithful. Moses followed the Lord no matter where he was called to go or what he was called to do. Moses learned to trust God and gave up his life to follow God's calling on his life.
However, Moses quickly learned early on that he could not do this all on his own, he needed God and he needed people who were willing to become leaders. I am not overwhelmed with work or with problems, but I do see the benefits of working together and delegating responsibilities. We as people were not made to be alone. We were made to be in relationships. We were made to be in a relationship with God and with others.
Also, being an alien in a foreign land, I can relate to that right now.
God has also been using Moses to speak to my heart alot. Have you ever thought about Moses' life? His life was far from easy and he was far from perfect, but God was faithful. Moses commited murder, ranaway from his problems, went into a foreign land, and was almost killed by God. That to me does not sound like any easy life. Staying in the desert for 40 years also does not sound like my idea of a good time, but God was faithful. Moses followed the Lord no matter where he was called to go or what he was called to do. Moses learned to trust God and gave up his life to follow God's calling on his life.
However, Moses quickly learned early on that he could not do this all on his own, he needed God and he needed people who were willing to become leaders. I am not overwhelmed with work or with problems, but I do see the benefits of working together and delegating responsibilities. We as people were not made to be alone. We were made to be in relationships. We were made to be in a relationship with God and with others.
Also, being an alien in a foreign land, I can relate to that right now.
May 25, 2011
Llueve todo los dias en Costa Rica
My title loosely translates to , "Rain every day in Costa Rica". I am finding out the more I learn about Spanish the harder it is to translate. I definitely have a new found respect for translaters. Not everything translates word for word.
Yesterday, I got the chance to introduce to mi meastra, my teacher, the idea of a bad hair day. She had a lot of fun with that one. Here if we were to say someone is having a bad hair day or if someone looks really tired, we would say añejo or añeja depending on if you are talking about a boy or girl. The "j" in Spanish comes out as an "h" sound when you say the word. Grammar class is alot of fun, our teacher is great.
Today, has been a good day. I broke down in class yesterday and started crying but I think that is just what I needed to move forward. I just needed a moment to cry. I have learned that I need to be more proactive about speaking even though 90% of what comes out of my mouth might be wrong. Ticos are not shy about correcting you so that is a good thing.
As I said earlier it rains every day right now it has been raining for about 3 hours. The rainy season has definitely started. I don't mind the rain though except for when I am tired because it puts me to sleep when I am trying my hardest to stay awake. Not even my strong cup of coffee is enough to keep me awake anymore. Learning a new language can really make you tired because your brain is working over time. I have to think not just about the words I am try saying but also if I conjugating them right, pronouncing them right, and forming my mouth right. There is alot that goes into trying to form one word and that is not even trying to form a whole a sentence, which is what I am learning how to do now. Each day though it gets a little easier. As mamí says, "little by little".
Within the next two weeks, I will start having a tutor that will help me practice my Spanish. I am looking forward to that. Also, I am looking forward to chapel tomorrow where we, as a student body, get to take communion together. I really love going to chapel.
Well, I should get back to doing my homework. Buenos Noches.
Yesterday, I got the chance to introduce to mi meastra, my teacher, the idea of a bad hair day. She had a lot of fun with that one. Here if we were to say someone is having a bad hair day or if someone looks really tired, we would say añejo or añeja depending on if you are talking about a boy or girl. The "j" in Spanish comes out as an "h" sound when you say the word. Grammar class is alot of fun, our teacher is great.
Today, has been a good day. I broke down in class yesterday and started crying but I think that is just what I needed to move forward. I just needed a moment to cry. I have learned that I need to be more proactive about speaking even though 90% of what comes out of my mouth might be wrong. Ticos are not shy about correcting you so that is a good thing.
As I said earlier it rains every day right now it has been raining for about 3 hours. The rainy season has definitely started. I don't mind the rain though except for when I am tired because it puts me to sleep when I am trying my hardest to stay awake. Not even my strong cup of coffee is enough to keep me awake anymore. Learning a new language can really make you tired because your brain is working over time. I have to think not just about the words I am try saying but also if I conjugating them right, pronouncing them right, and forming my mouth right. There is alot that goes into trying to form one word and that is not even trying to form a whole a sentence, which is what I am learning how to do now. Each day though it gets a little easier. As mamí says, "little by little".
Within the next two weeks, I will start having a tutor that will help me practice my Spanish. I am looking forward to that. Also, I am looking forward to chapel tomorrow where we, as a student body, get to take communion together. I really love going to chapel.
Well, I should get back to doing my homework. Buenos Noches.
May 23, 2011
Rainy with a chance of more rain
For the past couple of days the weather here has been rainy. You can walk out your door in the morning with the sunshining and by 2pm have a full out thunderstorm. The weather constantly changes from hour to hour. That is why it is always better to be prepared and take your umbrella with you. Papí won't let me leave the house with out it.
Today, at school I got to learn some new words. Right now, I am learning the names of the objects in the livingroom along with some other nouns. In grammar class, I had a quiz over regular and irregular verbs. I am sure I did well on the quiz but I really need to study hard for the test.
Student Council, a.k.a. STUCO, has been going well. I am not sure if I said this already but I am now also the cashier for the group. We had a game night last Friday which was alot of fun. We played Phase 10 and Cranium.
Also, every week at school we have chapel two days a week. In this way, ILE kind of reminds of LCU. On Tuesdays, we sing worhsip songs then listen to a sermon given by one of the students. On Thursdays, we sing worship songs then listen to a testimony from one of the students. Thursdays are usually my favorite day for chapel. However, this week they are switching it up by dedicating all of Tuesday's chapel to singing worship songs and then on Thursday we will all share in communion together. I am really looking forward to chapel this week.
Tomorrow, is also my workout day so I get to go to Zumba class for an hour and play volleyball for two hours. Both of which are alot of fun. I have really been loving Zumba. I just love to dance even though I am not very good, but I like to learn and improve from watching others.
Last week, as some of you probably know was a hard week emotionally for me but it is getting better as time goes on. God is really opening my eyes and teaching me some new lessons, and even some old ones that I just need to put into practice. Even though it has only been a month I have already been learning and growing alot. I can't imagine what God is going to do with seven more months, but I am excited to find out.
Today, at school I got to learn some new words. Right now, I am learning the names of the objects in the livingroom along with some other nouns. In grammar class, I had a quiz over regular and irregular verbs. I am sure I did well on the quiz but I really need to study hard for the test.
Student Council, a.k.a. STUCO, has been going well. I am not sure if I said this already but I am now also the cashier for the group. We had a game night last Friday which was alot of fun. We played Phase 10 and Cranium.
Also, every week at school we have chapel two days a week. In this way, ILE kind of reminds of LCU. On Tuesdays, we sing worhsip songs then listen to a sermon given by one of the students. On Thursdays, we sing worship songs then listen to a testimony from one of the students. Thursdays are usually my favorite day for chapel. However, this week they are switching it up by dedicating all of Tuesday's chapel to singing worship songs and then on Thursday we will all share in communion together. I am really looking forward to chapel this week.
Tomorrow, is also my workout day so I get to go to Zumba class for an hour and play volleyball for two hours. Both of which are alot of fun. I have really been loving Zumba. I just love to dance even though I am not very good, but I like to learn and improve from watching others.
Last week, as some of you probably know was a hard week emotionally for me but it is getting better as time goes on. God is really opening my eyes and teaching me some new lessons, and even some old ones that I just need to put into practice. Even though it has only been a month I have already been learning and growing alot. I can't imagine what God is going to do with seven more months, but I am excited to find out.
May 22, 2011
Sunday
With each sunrise I praise your name
At the end of each day I give you thanks
Each day I strive to bring you glory
May my life be pleasing to you
And when I work may it be for you
When I speak may they hear you
Have not my will be done but yours and yours alone, amen.
At the end of each day I give you thanks
Each day I strive to bring you glory
May my life be pleasing to you
And when I work may it be for you
When I speak may they hear you
Have not my will be done but yours and yours alone, amen.
May 21, 2011
My Day in a Nutshell
- Slept in til 7:30am.
- At 9:00 went to the Feria, an open fresh market, which is super cheap and all the fruits and vegetables are delicious. My new favorite place in San Jose.
- At 10:15am I met my friend, Sarah, and we went downtown town to the artisan market, shopped and ate ice cream.
- At 1:00pm I ate lunch at home and then left to go to Valle del Sol to work with the kids.
- At Valle del Sol we played games, sang songs, and taught a lesson. The kids also got their photos back and decorated a picture frame. The kids loved it! I also was able to lead prayer in English with the kids and help in the classroom. Steve would like me to work more with the younger kids and really help lead the classroom in the future. The kids are so much fun and they really love coming back every week. I look forward to seeing them every week.
- Once I got back home at 5:00 I ate dinner and then studied my verbs for while before watching a movie with Kelly.
May 20, 2011
Some more thoughts...
"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling" Exodus 15:11-13.
God is awesome, holy, majestic, mighty, and strong. His love is unfailing. He is our redeemer and our guide. He always has our best interest at heart and He will never leave you. He is always present, you just have to acknowledge Him and allow Him to work in you and through you. This may be hard because we are not always sure what He is doing but we have to trust in Him.
For those of us who have ever been betrayed or have felt unloved or unworthy know that this is a hard thing to do. But our Heavenly Father can not be compared to any human being, because He is perfect. He is always faithful and He is always loving. Nothing you can do will ever turn away His love. He longs to be with you, you just have to accept His love, and be honest with Him about your failures and sin. Ask for forgiveness with an open heart and He will forgive. Our God is the best god there is, and the only true God.
"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?"
God is awesome, holy, majestic, mighty, and strong. His love is unfailing. He is our redeemer and our guide. He always has our best interest at heart and He will never leave you. He is always present, you just have to acknowledge Him and allow Him to work in you and through you. This may be hard because we are not always sure what He is doing but we have to trust in Him.
For those of us who have ever been betrayed or have felt unloved or unworthy know that this is a hard thing to do. But our Heavenly Father can not be compared to any human being, because He is perfect. He is always faithful and He is always loving. Nothing you can do will ever turn away His love. He longs to be with you, you just have to accept His love, and be honest with Him about your failures and sin. Ask for forgiveness with an open heart and He will forgive. Our God is the best god there is, and the only true God.
"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?"
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