Visit this link to see the video that I would like to share today. http://vimeo.com/15237921
(If you have trouble loading the video and are on facebook go to my page I posted it there)
I love this song and it felt fitting for today. This song sums up pretty much what I have been thinking about and what my dad and I have talked about this week. God has continually provided for me throughout my life and has guided me all the way. This life is not one that I would have chosen for myself, but I know that God gives the richest life. This life is so much better than anything I could have ever planned or could have ever dreamed of, I love it. I am satisfied in the Lord. Every need that I have ever had God has always provided. God gives me what I need when I need it. He is so faithful and good.
You know there are somethings when growing up that take some getting use to. For example, friends moving away, friend's getting married, and then of course moving out of the house and being apart from family. Those things can be hard. Although, I love my family and friends dearly it is comforting to be reminded of God's love and power in my life. As I stood by the ocean, I thought about how in the reality of life my life is just like a drop in the ocean. It is a small part of something that is so much bigger than me. God's strength, power, love, grace, and beauty is over everything.
"I am trusting you, Lord Jesus. I am trusting you forever and for all."
August 20, 2011
August 19, 2011
Spending time with my Dad
This past week has been great! I have really enjoyed spending time with my dad and getting to show him the parts of Costa Rica that I love the most. I have really enjoyed showing him around and introducing him to some of my friends. Our time together has been blessed. I love that my dad has been so easy going and laid back. I have realized that we have more things in common than I thought, at least when it comes to the things that we enjoy doing.
As we talked tonight, I asked him what he would remember the most about Costa Rica and his response was when I met him at the airport. He was surprised at how happy I was to see him. He also said that this vacation has been the best one he has ever taken, because we had no agenda and he got to see and experience a new culture, while at the same time relaxing and just having fun. I tried to show him a variety of Costa Rica so that he could see Costa Rica for how it is and then get to see the tourist side of Costa Rica.
While at the beach, I realized that what I have enjoyed the most about his visit was him. Just having his presence here and the comfort that he provides has been great. I have really enjoyed spending time with him and sharing pieces of my heart with him. I have had a couple little frustrating moments since he has been here and having someone I love so close to me during those moments has been nice. I love my dad's hugs. During his visit, I found myself just smiling at him because I was so happy he was here. While on another trip to Playa Hermosa 3 months ago, my wish was to come back some day with someone that I love. This week that wish came true as I sat on the beach with my dad and watched the surfers on the water.
Our time together has been blessed. I have loved having him here. Tomorrow is going to be a sad day, but I feel blessed to have had this time with him. I can't believe how fast this week has gone by, but I am so glad that my dad has had a great time.
As I walked around the other night at the beach, I thought about how happy I am to have my dad here, but I also thought about how sad I am going to be to see him go. I thought about life and how this is the life God has given me and how honored and blessed I feel to be able to have the opportunity to go out into the world to share God's love with others. However, saying goodbye to loved one's will never get any easier, but the comfort and peace that I have felt just by having my dad here should be the same comfort and peace I should have in knowing that my Heavenly Father is always presence. He is always here and will continue to always be near.
The thought of Jesus in the temple as a young boy entered my mind. Mary, his mother, and Joseph, his father, had been searching for Jesus and found him in the temple. After finding Jesus, Mary says, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching anxiously for you". Jesus replies, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my father's house?". However at the time, Mary did not understand what Jesus was telling her. (Luke 2:41-52).
Jesus' focus was always on the Lord and that was something that He wanted to teach us. We need to know who our true Father is. The love that I feel from my earthly father is just a small glimpse of the love that my Heavenly Father has for me. I am so grateful to have such a great father here on earth, but I need to focus on my Father in Heaven. I love my parents and family dearly, but my focus needs to be on the Lord. This is the life that I have chosen to live and the life that I have felt led to live by God's love and grace, and the compassion that He has placed on my heart for others. I am the happiest when I serving and loving God and others, and I know that this is my life. Right now in Costa Rica, this is a glimpse at the life that God has ahead for me and I am so excited. God is preparing me and laying the foundation for my future, and my life is totally in His hands. It is such a blessing to have parents who support me and encourage me on my journey and walk with the Lord.
As we talked tonight, I asked him what he would remember the most about Costa Rica and his response was when I met him at the airport. He was surprised at how happy I was to see him. He also said that this vacation has been the best one he has ever taken, because we had no agenda and he got to see and experience a new culture, while at the same time relaxing and just having fun. I tried to show him a variety of Costa Rica so that he could see Costa Rica for how it is and then get to see the tourist side of Costa Rica.
While at the beach, I realized that what I have enjoyed the most about his visit was him. Just having his presence here and the comfort that he provides has been great. I have really enjoyed spending time with him and sharing pieces of my heart with him. I have had a couple little frustrating moments since he has been here and having someone I love so close to me during those moments has been nice. I love my dad's hugs. During his visit, I found myself just smiling at him because I was so happy he was here. While on another trip to Playa Hermosa 3 months ago, my wish was to come back some day with someone that I love. This week that wish came true as I sat on the beach with my dad and watched the surfers on the water.
Our time together has been blessed. I have loved having him here. Tomorrow is going to be a sad day, but I feel blessed to have had this time with him. I can't believe how fast this week has gone by, but I am so glad that my dad has had a great time.
As I walked around the other night at the beach, I thought about how happy I am to have my dad here, but I also thought about how sad I am going to be to see him go. I thought about life and how this is the life God has given me and how honored and blessed I feel to be able to have the opportunity to go out into the world to share God's love with others. However, saying goodbye to loved one's will never get any easier, but the comfort and peace that I have felt just by having my dad here should be the same comfort and peace I should have in knowing that my Heavenly Father is always presence. He is always here and will continue to always be near.
The thought of Jesus in the temple as a young boy entered my mind. Mary, his mother, and Joseph, his father, had been searching for Jesus and found him in the temple. After finding Jesus, Mary says, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching anxiously for you". Jesus replies, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my father's house?". However at the time, Mary did not understand what Jesus was telling her. (Luke 2:41-52).
Jesus' focus was always on the Lord and that was something that He wanted to teach us. We need to know who our true Father is. The love that I feel from my earthly father is just a small glimpse of the love that my Heavenly Father has for me. I am so grateful to have such a great father here on earth, but I need to focus on my Father in Heaven. I love my parents and family dearly, but my focus needs to be on the Lord. This is the life that I have chosen to live and the life that I have felt led to live by God's love and grace, and the compassion that He has placed on my heart for others. I am the happiest when I serving and loving God and others, and I know that this is my life. Right now in Costa Rica, this is a glimpse at the life that God has ahead for me and I am so excited. God is preparing me and laying the foundation for my future, and my life is totally in His hands. It is such a blessing to have parents who support me and encourage me on my journey and walk with the Lord.
August 16, 2011
Going to the Beach
So I decided to do one more post before we actually leave for the beach. This morning my dad and I along with Elaine and May will be heading out to Playa Hermosa for 3 days and 2 nights of relaxation! I can't wait! I am so ready to just sit in the sand and take in God's beautiful creation.
I have enjoyed my time with my dad so much, but now I am even more excited to just kick back on the beach with him and talk. It has been such blessing being able to have my dad here. Last night, as I was having my anxiety attack my dad gave me a hug and tried to calm me down. However, he didn't know he was actually making it worse, because there has been moments here when I just cry but no one is here to give me a loving hug, like my dad, and I thought of that and just cried more. It felt nice to have someone here who could just give me a hug and say everything is going to be okay. I miss having those comforting loving moments.
I love having my dad here and I have really enjoyed our time together, even though his time here is flying by fast. My heart needed this time with him. Thank you Lord.
Goodbye blog for 2 days! Hello sand and sunshine!
I have enjoyed my time with my dad so much, but now I am even more excited to just kick back on the beach with him and talk. It has been such blessing being able to have my dad here. Last night, as I was having my anxiety attack my dad gave me a hug and tried to calm me down. However, he didn't know he was actually making it worse, because there has been moments here when I just cry but no one is here to give me a loving hug, like my dad, and I thought of that and just cried more. It felt nice to have someone here who could just give me a hug and say everything is going to be okay. I miss having those comforting loving moments.
I love having my dad here and I have really enjoyed our time together, even though his time here is flying by fast. My heart needed this time with him. Thank you Lord.
Goodbye blog for 2 days! Hello sand and sunshine!
August 15, 2011
Exhausted
Today my dad and I along with my close friend Elaine went downtown to purchase our tickets for the beach and to shop around for some mother's day gifts. Today was mother's day in Costa Rica. My dad of course enjoyed himself as we walked around downtown San Jose. He was actually able to see it when it wasn't raining and he was able to see all of the people walking around. He really loved downtown San Jose.
Afterwards, we came home and I went to the airport to pick up Star, a new student at ILE. I was able to take her to her new apartment and show her around San Francisco de Dos Rios (the area where we live). Unfortunately, she did have to walk around in the rain as I showed her the main road and as we visited different banks trying to make a withdrawal. Mother's day must have affected most of the banks because almost all of the ATM machines were out of money. We then grabbed a taxi and went home to get my dad, who had been enjoying an afternoon of rest and relaxation.
By the time we got to my house it was time for dinner so all of us went out to the nearby pizza restaurant. The food of course was delicious, Star and I both had pasta while my dad enjoyed his pizza. I do have to say the pizza here is exceptional because they make the pizzas fresh and cook them in a fire oven. After we finished eating and chatting, we went to Star's apartment and introduced her to her landlord. Then my dad and I walked home in the mist of the rain, it was nice.
Then came my emotional breakdown as I realized that I had lost the keys to our house in one of the taxis. Papi and I retraced my steps and searched at the restaurant and then came home, only to come back empty handed. "Tranquila," papi says as I begin to cry (this is where my situational anxiety kicks in as I start to cry uncontrollably). However, everything is okay. Papi is making new keys which I offered to pay for of course since I know it is not cheap to replace 8 keys plus an additional 6 keys to go along with our new lock. Everything is fine though.
That is not the ending I would have chosen for this day but overall today was a good day. However, I am starting to see that I am emotionally exhausted. I have done more in the past 3 days then I normally do in 2 weeks and it is starting to get to me. Although having my dad here is totally worth it and I am so excited to relax at the beach tomorrow. It is time to relax and just kick back.
Also, just so you know I will not be blogging for at least 2 days while we are at the beach.
Prayer Request:
-Please pray for Star as she gets settled into her house and explores San Jose, and prepares for the upcoming tri-mester at language school.
-Please pray for safe travels as we go to the beach and as we come home.
-Please pray for me and my situational anxiety attacks, pray that they would go away. I really feel like my anxiety attacks hinder my ability to think clearly in certain situations.
Afterwards, we came home and I went to the airport to pick up Star, a new student at ILE. I was able to take her to her new apartment and show her around San Francisco de Dos Rios (the area where we live). Unfortunately, she did have to walk around in the rain as I showed her the main road and as we visited different banks trying to make a withdrawal. Mother's day must have affected most of the banks because almost all of the ATM machines were out of money. We then grabbed a taxi and went home to get my dad, who had been enjoying an afternoon of rest and relaxation.
By the time we got to my house it was time for dinner so all of us went out to the nearby pizza restaurant. The food of course was delicious, Star and I both had pasta while my dad enjoyed his pizza. I do have to say the pizza here is exceptional because they make the pizzas fresh and cook them in a fire oven. After we finished eating and chatting, we went to Star's apartment and introduced her to her landlord. Then my dad and I walked home in the mist of the rain, it was nice.
Then came my emotional breakdown as I realized that I had lost the keys to our house in one of the taxis. Papi and I retraced my steps and searched at the restaurant and then came home, only to come back empty handed. "Tranquila," papi says as I begin to cry (this is where my situational anxiety kicks in as I start to cry uncontrollably). However, everything is okay. Papi is making new keys which I offered to pay for of course since I know it is not cheap to replace 8 keys plus an additional 6 keys to go along with our new lock. Everything is fine though.
That is not the ending I would have chosen for this day but overall today was a good day. However, I am starting to see that I am emotionally exhausted. I have done more in the past 3 days then I normally do in 2 weeks and it is starting to get to me. Although having my dad here is totally worth it and I am so excited to relax at the beach tomorrow. It is time to relax and just kick back.
Also, just so you know I will not be blogging for at least 2 days while we are at the beach.
Prayer Request:
-Please pray for Star as she gets settled into her house and explores San Jose, and prepares for the upcoming tri-mester at language school.
-Please pray for safe travels as we go to the beach and as we come home.
-Please pray for me and my situational anxiety attacks, pray that they would go away. I really feel like my anxiety attacks hinder my ability to think clearly in certain situations.
August 14, 2011
A Great First Day
My dad is here visiting for a week and today was his first full day in Costa Rica. This morning I woke up excited to show him around and spend time with him. I think my favorite part of the morning would be going into his room and just lying in bed talking with him. I miss having those moments.
After we talked for a while, we started to get ready for church. My dad was excited to experience church in Costa Rica. We started walking to church at 10:18am to go to a service that "started" at 10:30am. His first words when I told him what time we would be leaving the house was, "Why are we leaving then? Won't we be late for the service"? "No, we won't be late," I assured him. Last week, I showed up to the service at exactly 10:30am and hardly anyone was there. Surely enough, we showed up at around 10:42am and people were still filtering in (this would continue until at least 11:00am). Welcome to Latin America daddy.
He loved the church service and then afterwards I had somethings I had to do so we went to one of the outlet malls for lunch. We ate at a Mexican restaurant called Antojitos. He loved it and now wants to go back before he leaves. After lunch, I had to go to a store to get a present for a friend and my dad waited outside people watching (this is one of the many things we have in common, we both love to people watch). I love that my dad is so laid-back and easygoing.
Within his first almost two days, my dad has done more than I did my first week in Costa Rica. He has been in 3 buses and 3 taxis, all of which he loved. He has been taking in every experience and trying to process everything he is seeing. I loved watching his face as we walked around downtown San Jose, I could tell he was having a great time. Today we didn't get to walk around the way I wanted to, because it is Sunday and it was raining. I wanted to show him all of my favorite things about downtown San Jose, but hopefully tomorrow. We are going to hang out there for most of the afternoon and evening so that hopefully he can see a few of my favorite people to watch (the painter and the musician) and a few of my favorite places. There is a coffee shop that I heard about last week from a friend that I would like to take him to, and of course to all the touristy places. We might try to see if we can get a tour of the national theater (my dad is a history buff). Although today, we did get to walk around quite a bit in downtown San Jose and he did go to Pops, the famous Costa Rican ice cream shop. They have really good ice cream and cappuccinos.
Today was such a great day. I wish I could slow down time. Today went by too fast and I know the days are just going to keep going by faster. My dad loves the fact that we don't have an agenda and that we can just do whatever we want, and that time feels like it moves slower here, but since his arrival I feel like it has been going by faster. Time needs to slow down just a bit. As we walked home today, my dad said, "Today was awesome"! I just smiled. I wanted to cry because I wish every day could be like this, but I am thankful for the time that I have with him. Today was a great day.
After we talked for a while, we started to get ready for church. My dad was excited to experience church in Costa Rica. We started walking to church at 10:18am to go to a service that "started" at 10:30am. His first words when I told him what time we would be leaving the house was, "Why are we leaving then? Won't we be late for the service"? "No, we won't be late," I assured him. Last week, I showed up to the service at exactly 10:30am and hardly anyone was there. Surely enough, we showed up at around 10:42am and people were still filtering in (this would continue until at least 11:00am). Welcome to Latin America daddy.
He loved the church service and then afterwards I had somethings I had to do so we went to one of the outlet malls for lunch. We ate at a Mexican restaurant called Antojitos. He loved it and now wants to go back before he leaves. After lunch, I had to go to a store to get a present for a friend and my dad waited outside people watching (this is one of the many things we have in common, we both love to people watch). I love that my dad is so laid-back and easygoing.
Within his first almost two days, my dad has done more than I did my first week in Costa Rica. He has been in 3 buses and 3 taxis, all of which he loved. He has been taking in every experience and trying to process everything he is seeing. I loved watching his face as we walked around downtown San Jose, I could tell he was having a great time. Today we didn't get to walk around the way I wanted to, because it is Sunday and it was raining. I wanted to show him all of my favorite things about downtown San Jose, but hopefully tomorrow. We are going to hang out there for most of the afternoon and evening so that hopefully he can see a few of my favorite people to watch (the painter and the musician) and a few of my favorite places. There is a coffee shop that I heard about last week from a friend that I would like to take him to, and of course to all the touristy places. We might try to see if we can get a tour of the national theater (my dad is a history buff). Although today, we did get to walk around quite a bit in downtown San Jose and he did go to Pops, the famous Costa Rican ice cream shop. They have really good ice cream and cappuccinos.
Today was such a great day. I wish I could slow down time. Today went by too fast and I know the days are just going to keep going by faster. My dad loves the fact that we don't have an agenda and that we can just do whatever we want, and that time feels like it moves slower here, but since his arrival I feel like it has been going by faster. Time needs to slow down just a bit. As we walked home today, my dad said, "Today was awesome"! I just smiled. I wanted to cry because I wish every day could be like this, but I am thankful for the time that I have with him. Today was a great day.
August 13, 2011
So Blessed...
It is great having my dad here! Our meeting at the airport was similar to what you would see in a movie, an anxious person waiting to meet a loved one. However, before I even saw him I was crying in anticipation and when I saw him, I did exactly what I said I would do...I attacked him! I gave him a huge hug and tons of kisses. I couldn't stop crying because I was so happy. The reality of everything finally sank in, my dad is in Costa Rica and my first tri-mester is over, wow.
I could have never have planned this life for myself and I am so grateful that I didn't. God has truly blessed my life and I am continually amazed by His goodness. Today, my dad and I really didn't do much because we were both so exhausted from the emotional anticipation of today and the traveling. We also both did not sleep much last night so we just laid in bed and talked about Costa Rica and started to catch up on each others lives. We did have a short adventure in a taxi, but that was all it was...an adventure in taxi because we got lost, and I couldn't describe our destination very well, all I could do was say the name of our destination and describe the general area. We were trying to go the ministry in Valle del Sol, but even though we were in the right area we never made it there. However, my dad did get to hear my broken spanish as we travelled, which he of course he thought was cool considering I didn't know hardly anything when I came. My dad has also been loving my mama tica's cooking. Now he knows what I am talking about when I say that she is great cook.
It is amazing to see how far I have come in such a short period of time. Today, as I walked with some new students around San Jose and as I talked to my dad about the culture and San Jose, even I was amazed. I never noticed how much I have changed until I have met new people entering the culture and I saw part of my old self in them, especially in my dad. My dad knows me and I am so excited to show him the person that God has and is creating me to be.
As my dad went to bed, I started to reflect on how blessed I am and how good God is, and how through the good and bad times God stays the same. Two years ago, Costa Rica was a thought or dream in my mind, but I never thought it would be a reality and even a year ago I still thought, "language school sounds perfect, but maybe it is just perfect for someone else and not me". God still lead me here and as my parents and I can confess this whole journey has been driven by God. He paved the way for me to go and I just had to say yes. If God allows me to stay here till April 2011 great, and if not then great. God has shown me His love and faithfulness, and I trust in Him no matter where He leads me.
As I sit in my room, I amazed at how God provides. My dad and I were talking about that at dinner tonight, about how God has continually blessed me throughout my life and I once again felt so humbled because I know I am so undeserving. God's love for me overwhelms me. In every season of my life, God has lead me to be exactly where I am at right now. He has created me to be the person I am right now, and He continues to show me the person He wants me to be and knows that I am.
"God, he isn't right so show me who is, and continue molding me to be the woman that you want me to be. The one you want me to be, the one you made me to be, and the one he needs me to be". I wrote that prayer a while back after I met someone, a guy, who I wanted to like but God said no. That happens to me a lot, but I know my prayer has and continues to be answered. I am so glad that God does not keep me were I was and have been, but instead continually transforms me and molds me.
This life is not what I had planned...it is better. God is so good. His grace is truly amazing.
I could have never have planned this life for myself and I am so grateful that I didn't. God has truly blessed my life and I am continually amazed by His goodness. Today, my dad and I really didn't do much because we were both so exhausted from the emotional anticipation of today and the traveling. We also both did not sleep much last night so we just laid in bed and talked about Costa Rica and started to catch up on each others lives. We did have a short adventure in a taxi, but that was all it was...an adventure in taxi because we got lost, and I couldn't describe our destination very well, all I could do was say the name of our destination and describe the general area. We were trying to go the ministry in Valle del Sol, but even though we were in the right area we never made it there. However, my dad did get to hear my broken spanish as we travelled, which he of course he thought was cool considering I didn't know hardly anything when I came. My dad has also been loving my mama tica's cooking. Now he knows what I am talking about when I say that she is great cook.
It is amazing to see how far I have come in such a short period of time. Today, as I walked with some new students around San Jose and as I talked to my dad about the culture and San Jose, even I was amazed. I never noticed how much I have changed until I have met new people entering the culture and I saw part of my old self in them, especially in my dad. My dad knows me and I am so excited to show him the person that God has and is creating me to be.
As my dad went to bed, I started to reflect on how blessed I am and how good God is, and how through the good and bad times God stays the same. Two years ago, Costa Rica was a thought or dream in my mind, but I never thought it would be a reality and even a year ago I still thought, "language school sounds perfect, but maybe it is just perfect for someone else and not me". God still lead me here and as my parents and I can confess this whole journey has been driven by God. He paved the way for me to go and I just had to say yes. If God allows me to stay here till April 2011 great, and if not then great. God has shown me His love and faithfulness, and I trust in Him no matter where He leads me.
As I sit in my room, I amazed at how God provides. My dad and I were talking about that at dinner tonight, about how God has continually blessed me throughout my life and I once again felt so humbled because I know I am so undeserving. God's love for me overwhelms me. In every season of my life, God has lead me to be exactly where I am at right now. He has created me to be the person I am right now, and He continues to show me the person He wants me to be and knows that I am.
"God, he isn't right so show me who is, and continue molding me to be the woman that you want me to be. The one you want me to be, the one you made me to be, and the one he needs me to be". I wrote that prayer a while back after I met someone, a guy, who I wanted to like but God said no. That happens to me a lot, but I know my prayer has and continues to be answered. I am so glad that God does not keep me were I was and have been, but instead continually transforms me and molds me.
This life is not what I had planned...it is better. God is so good. His grace is truly amazing.
August 12, 2011
A hard but good day
Today, I was really overwhelmed with everything going. I have what some may call a delayed reaction when it comes to goodbyes. I usually dont show my emotions right at the moment I am saying goodbye, but today there were moments when I couldn't fight back the tears.
Today was graduation, for some of the ILE students who will be leaving and going to their countries of work. I have some very dear friends who graduated today and will be leaving tomorrow morning. Graduation went well, considering everything that was going on at the school. My friend, Sarah did an excellent job at organizing the reception and along with some other volunteers, I was able to help her with filling the food trays and cleaning. So during graduation, we were busy running around, so much so that I didn't have time to fully process everything that was going on.
I cried a bit during graduation when I realized that Kelly is really leaving, but I tried to push it back out of my mind. That is until, another friend, Steve, who runs the ministry at Valle del Sol, showed up to say goodbye and remind me that he is leaving. In that moment, I refused to cry, but since I have been in Costa Rica, I have never had the urge here to tell someone I love them, but as I said goodbye to Steve that is one of the things that I wanted to say, but didn't (since then, as I have said goodbye to a few dear friends that is the one thing that I have wanted to say and did say. I then realized that I don't say those words nearly enough here to the people that are dear to me. I think that is why as I said goodbye, I wanted those people whom I love to know that I love them and that they have a place in my heart). He has been such a wonderful friend and is such a good Godly man doing wonderful things here, that it broke my heart thinking this might be the last time that I see him, at least on earth because I know I will see him in heaven (he is returning to the USA until the end of January). He has taken me under his wing at Valle del Sol and has been like a mentor to me. I am very grateful for him, his family, and his ministry at Valle del Sol. He has been able to not only minister to the children at Valle del Sol, but also to me.
As graduation ended, I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. I was still trying to hold all of my emotions together until I had time to think about everything. However, I did not get to go home and relax. Some friends who graduated invited me out to lunch, but I really didn't feel like I could handle any more goodbyes or even people right at that moment. One friend though kept asking me to go so I decided to go for her.
I am so glad that Heather talked me into going because lunch was wonderfully bittersweet. My friend, Sarah had the idea to go around and have all of the non-graduates say what they were thankful for about the people who were graduating. At first I was like I am not doing this, so I waited until the end to talk. I ended up crying, because each of those girls, even though some of us didn't talk that much, had made an impact on my life and I was grateful for knowing them. As we continued to share everyone, including the graduates, went around the table and said what they were thankful for in one another. We all ended up crying. God knew that we all needed that moment together. It was great to hear about what others see and notice in you, and to hear about how God works through you to impact someone else's life. It was very a good lunch date, and afterwards I got to hang out with Heather.
In the midst of all of this, I had this giddiness inside of me because my dad is coming tomorrow to Costa Rica. You can see how this whole day has just been an emotional rollercoaster. My mind officially can not take anymore, but this day has been wonderfully bittersweet. I will miss my friends dearly, but I am grateful for Skype and the internet so that no matter where they are we can keep in touch.
Tomorrow, I have to say goodbye to another dear friend, Kelly. Without her I don't know what I would have done this tri-mester. She has been such a wonderful friend. I will miss her so much. God knew that I would need her in my life during this time of transition, and I am so grateful to have her in my life. We have shared many laughs together and have had some good times. It is going to be hard for me to say goodbye to her, but I know we will talk again soon. I am so excited for her, and for all my friends, who are transitioning it their next journey in life. I know that there are many people in Venezuela who will blessed through Kelly's life and work in ministry.
Please pray for all of those who have graduated ILE today and please continue to pray for the ILE staff and administration, as they too are going through a time of transition.
Today was graduation, for some of the ILE students who will be leaving and going to their countries of work. I have some very dear friends who graduated today and will be leaving tomorrow morning. Graduation went well, considering everything that was going on at the school. My friend, Sarah did an excellent job at organizing the reception and along with some other volunteers, I was able to help her with filling the food trays and cleaning. So during graduation, we were busy running around, so much so that I didn't have time to fully process everything that was going on.
I cried a bit during graduation when I realized that Kelly is really leaving, but I tried to push it back out of my mind. That is until, another friend, Steve, who runs the ministry at Valle del Sol, showed up to say goodbye and remind me that he is leaving. In that moment, I refused to cry, but since I have been in Costa Rica, I have never had the urge here to tell someone I love them, but as I said goodbye to Steve that is one of the things that I wanted to say, but didn't (since then, as I have said goodbye to a few dear friends that is the one thing that I have wanted to say and did say. I then realized that I don't say those words nearly enough here to the people that are dear to me. I think that is why as I said goodbye, I wanted those people whom I love to know that I love them and that they have a place in my heart). He has been such a wonderful friend and is such a good Godly man doing wonderful things here, that it broke my heart thinking this might be the last time that I see him, at least on earth because I know I will see him in heaven (he is returning to the USA until the end of January). He has taken me under his wing at Valle del Sol and has been like a mentor to me. I am very grateful for him, his family, and his ministry at Valle del Sol. He has been able to not only minister to the children at Valle del Sol, but also to me.
As graduation ended, I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. I was still trying to hold all of my emotions together until I had time to think about everything. However, I did not get to go home and relax. Some friends who graduated invited me out to lunch, but I really didn't feel like I could handle any more goodbyes or even people right at that moment. One friend though kept asking me to go so I decided to go for her.
I am so glad that Heather talked me into going because lunch was wonderfully bittersweet. My friend, Sarah had the idea to go around and have all of the non-graduates say what they were thankful for about the people who were graduating. At first I was like I am not doing this, so I waited until the end to talk. I ended up crying, because each of those girls, even though some of us didn't talk that much, had made an impact on my life and I was grateful for knowing them. As we continued to share everyone, including the graduates, went around the table and said what they were thankful for in one another. We all ended up crying. God knew that we all needed that moment together. It was great to hear about what others see and notice in you, and to hear about how God works through you to impact someone else's life. It was very a good lunch date, and afterwards I got to hang out with Heather.
In the midst of all of this, I had this giddiness inside of me because my dad is coming tomorrow to Costa Rica. You can see how this whole day has just been an emotional rollercoaster. My mind officially can not take anymore, but this day has been wonderfully bittersweet. I will miss my friends dearly, but I am grateful for Skype and the internet so that no matter where they are we can keep in touch.
Tomorrow, I have to say goodbye to another dear friend, Kelly. Without her I don't know what I would have done this tri-mester. She has been such a wonderful friend. I will miss her so much. God knew that I would need her in my life during this time of transition, and I am so grateful to have her in my life. We have shared many laughs together and have had some good times. It is going to be hard for me to say goodbye to her, but I know we will talk again soon. I am so excited for her, and for all my friends, who are transitioning it their next journey in life. I know that there are many people in Venezuela who will blessed through Kelly's life and work in ministry.
Please pray for all of those who have graduated ILE today and please continue to pray for the ILE staff and administration, as they too are going through a time of transition.
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