Lesson from the Old to New

Is anyone else as excited this season as I am? I mean really. Let me review all the exciting things from the month of November.  First, Taylor Swift just came out with a new album, it is full of more pop-culture songs that remind me I am 20 years old and make me want to bust a move! In other news, I am a week or so away from hitting month 4 of life in Costa Rica!! It has been a crazy ride. I have made many friends, I have been hurt, loved, learned and experienced God in every single relationship. Also, I am about to fly to Honduras and grab another stamp in my Passport!!!

I have been reflecting on this semester away from home and really do think that I have encountered things here in this community that I would't have in Atascadero. That has created learning experiences that I wouldn't have had in Atascadero and this is worth this whole semester. To be totally honest, there have been a lot of messy relationships here at Portantorchas. There has been a lot of hurt, a lot of restoration, and a lot of learning.

What would have made this semester better? A lot of things. But, I think I would have given up a lot of wisdom and knowledge if it were the "perfect" semester. The current lesson I am learning as the semester ends is summarized in this question: Am I willing to take my hurt and my frustration and thank God for it? Along with that, will I see all the good, all the lovely, all the blessing, and focus on that? Any time I have a relationship in this world, I have the chance of being hurt and I think that is a reality that I will encounter for the rest of my life. But, every relationship has the chance to bless me. Every relationship at Port has blessed me and shown me God in a new way.

And, now as I think about leaving Port to a new unknown, I am thankful for all you who read this blog and are praying for me wherever you may be. I am leaving in a weak-ish (Nov 30th) to an orphanage in Honduras called Orphanage Emmanuel (I will be there from Nov. 30th until January 30th). I have no idea what to expect, what capacity I will be serving in, or how God will use me, but I am in expectancy of what God will do in my life and hopefully the lives of some of the children at the orphanage.

Please be praying for the following:

• Safety in traveling both to and from the orphanage. 
• New and meaningful relationships to form between myself and the other volunteers/staff and children.
• Health and safety in the months I am living at the orphanage.
• One close friend to walk through the experience with at the orphanage.
• The chance to see God in new ways. 
• That my Spanish will improve greatly while I am there, and that my lack of Spanish won't hinder what I need to communicate. 

Thank you all for your love and support. I may not be able to update the blog until February, so if I can't, enjoy your Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and I will be thinking of you! 

Check out the orphanage at this address: http://orphanageemmanuelhn.weebly.com

Missions Trip Pictures

When was the last time you looked a blog for pictures? Well, here is your chance. Enjoy.

I will write what the picture is about right below the pictures.

This is Shawny. She is a sweet little 1st grader. We become great friends. I miss her! 

Shawny and I colored together. She thrived on the attention. 

Bracelet making with Shawny.

I helped with the Mural at the high school mostly mixing paints, going over the outline, and writing the verse on the wall. It was a beautiful thing. 

The verse on the wall says that all the heavens are filled with God's glory and proclaims the work of His hands, so all the color was filled in with our hands and the student's hands from he school. 

Kayce and I. Love that girl!

The finished product!!!

The students that helped with our team. 

Games at the high school were a success! 

Some neighbors from the church, also a very typical yard and house from this community.

Grant, Mia, and I were the sign helpers for Mario. We really had great fellowship making that sign! 

Thanks for all the support from everyone that got me to this place. I am blessed by these opportunities. 

Blessings!

Missions Trips and Updates

This week is coming to an end, I hope it was a great week for you as it was for me. This week I have been recovering from the missions trip that we went on the week before this. I wrote towards the beginning of my time here at Portantorchas about a missions trip scouting project I went on for a weekend. Well, we took the week-long version of that trip with all the students and it was one huge success! I wish I had the pictures to show you, but I don't yet.

The trip as a whole was focused around building relationships with the community. I think that both the community and our group were ready and willing to make that happen. Costa de Pajaros may be the most hospitable place I have ever been to as well. The first night we arrived in Costa de Pajaros the high school drum line flooded the street and they performed for about 20 minutes for us. Also, the church moved their service to the evening -- just for us. We never made food for ourselves, the schools or church fed us every day every meal. It was truly an inspiring time.

I was apart of the ministry for the fishermen. There are four months that the government does not allow fishing in Costa Rica. We were in Costa de Pajaros during the last week of this restriction. It was like the town was radiating energy in excitement to be able to fish again. Part of the excitement was that the town had a game of pick up soccer on one of the last afternoons with out fishing. So, we brought a traditional dessert and coffee to the beach where they were playing, some students played with them, and then we handed out refreshments and Bibles to the fishermen and their families after they played. After, our staff leader said that some of the fishermen told him this was the first time someone had come to them and blessed them like that. The men and women both were also very open to receiving Bibles and we gave out every last one that we brought.

Our whole week was characterized by this type of interaction and it was a blessing. Also, there was a lot of things going on with wild life (seriously huge scorpions!!) so there were plenty of chances to rely on God in every which way. I will post some pictures as soon as I have them ready.

In other news, I leave in less than a month for Honduras. I am feeling more sure that this will be a very defining experience for me. Please continue to pray for safe travels and health as I go and spend time in that environment. Also, please pray that I can find a female staff or volunteer that I really connect with and brush hearts with.

Finally, I have an amazing friend here at school who is practically a professional photographer and she took some pictures of me just for fun before leaving for the missions trip. Here is one of some of the girls and then one of me.

Isn't she awesome!? Also, our campus is pretty awesome too, I think it looks like a back drop for one of those cheesy school pictures -- except real!

These are the newest things at Port and with me. Wish there were more, but that's about it. 

We'll talk soon :)

Erin

Panamá

Because we only have a 90 day visa upon entering Costa Rica, the students at Portantorchas had to leave the country for a few days to renue their visas. What better place to do that than on the beaches of Panama? 

First, we got up at 3:30am and drive to the border, crosses the border in record time, then made it to the coast. 

The military in Panama checked our passports. 

We then piled on a boat and went to Red Frog Island to a hostel where we are staying. 

Day two we went to a little island (I think Jack Sparrow spent some time there) and explored, then went snorkeling not far from where we had lunch. 

Kayce, Abija, y yo. 

I spent an hour husking this coconut and was rewarded with the freshest and most tender coconut fruit of my life. It was the highlight of my day. 

Today we are going to town and eating dinner out. We are planning to leave tomorrow and get our new 90 day visas for Costa Rica. It's wild to think we only have a month and a half left of this semester. 

I have made very safe plans to get to the orphanage in Honduras for dec and jan. I am very excited to learn more Spanish and expierence something totally new like that. 

Also, please pray for our group. Next week we are going all together to Costa de Pajaros the small fishing village that I blogged about earlier. We have a lot planning but are praying for Gods plan to come to fruition in that communtity. Please support our team through prayer as we move forward with that trip. 

Out of the Haze

I finally am coming out of the sickness haze. Turns out I got whatever was going around. Well, to be fair I got a portion of it. I skipped the tummy troubles (explosive diarrhea) and just got the rest. So, I slept for about 4 days while the world continued on around me and then spent the next two days trying to convince myself I was well while simultaneously getting winded walking from the main building to my bed. To sleep. At 7 pm. Ah... good memories! But, what a blessing health is. Every day someone new is getting sick around here. We have no idea what it is, who started it, or how long it will last for each person, so we just call it the plague.

Other than the plague, not much is new around here. This week for classes we are taking a break of guest speakers and doing an amazing study of First Thessalonians. It is an individual study and I have been using all sorts of books like concordances, Greek and English parallel Bibles, commentaries, Bible dictionaries. The list feels endless. But, I love it. Friday we will start the book of Esther with Janet, the founder of Portantorchas' wife -- another thing to look forward to.

A few questions I want to answer on this blog post because I have been bad at answering emails and many people have asked me about these things.

1. Are my classes in Spanish? No. This is the first semester that all of the students are fluent English speakers and none of the speakers so far have had a problem doing the classes on English. So, no, the classes thus far have not been in Spanish though I am sure at some point they will be.

2. Am I still going to Honduras/ How is the planning for that going? Yes, I am still planning to go to Honduras, though for a while I wasn't sure. Honduras is not a very safe place (in fact it is the most dangerous country in Central America), but the Orphanage I will be at is safe. I am planning to fly into the capital and get a taxi out to the orphanage. It is a very expensive way to travel, but being alone and while and female and rich (compared to the rest of the country) puts a huge target on my back. You knew this though, I just wanted to make sure you know that I know. But, if you could have these concerns in your prayers as I get in contact with the orphanage and make travel plans, I would love that. It is nerve wracking for me, but I think it is something I need to do.

¡Pura Vida!

A Lonely Saturday

Hello all of you friends who faithfully read my blog and pray for me. It has been too long since I updated my blog, I am sorry for that! Costa Rica has been a crazy ride these past few weeks. Two weekends ago I was in a costal village in Costa Rica called Costa de Pajaros. It is a fishing village that is so secluded from the world it felt like it was swallowed by the trees the second we left. I was with six people from my school doing a scouting trip because in October our whole school (20 students) is going for a week to do ministry. Costa de Pajaros is a place that you would never find unless you knew someone who had been there. When Roberto (a staff member) went to find it the first time, he passed the tinny dirt road that led to the town. It could have been a driveway for how small and unnoticeable it was. It is the only way into the town. Once in the town, you find that 95% of the population fishes for a living. Many people have never left the town or even been to San Jose. Poverty and hopelessness is the chisel that has carved out the town. It was very impactful for me to see this town and then right away think of how I can help. After returning to school we filled in our classmates about the trip and we have started the planning process for the week we will be in Costa de Pajaros.

The following week after this trip we had a class on the Feasts of Israel from a Messianic Jew. WOW!! It was an amazing experience learning about Israel from a man who has lived there and from the perspective of a Jew. If you ever have the chance, do learn about the feats of Israel.

Last weekend began a hard week. Some times were nice, but it was hard physically for me, not feeling great. That lead into a hard week. I started feeling better Tuesday, and then on Tuesday my friend passed out in class. Tuesday was slow, just looking after her. Then, Wednesday, people just started getting sick, all with different things. Thursday my friend passed out again, and another close friend got sick to his stomach. It was a blessing to care for them and the other classmates who were sick, but it was odd that about 10 of the 20 students were having sicknesses that were so unrelated. After praying and thinking we just though that it must have to do with spiritual warfare. It all was so random and was truly rendering many students ineffective.
God is doing amazing things here, healing lives and growing His children. We all know that His plan won't be thwarted and whether people are just sick because they are, or there is spiritual warfare going on, we will fight it and continue learning in class and in community.

As of now, all but three students are at the beach and zip lining. I was going to go, but I kept feeling that I needed to take time to be quiet, not care for the people who have been sick, and just be alone. I think I made the right choice. It is a blessing to take a shower for as long as I want and play music loud while painting nails and all the things that are hard to do living with 6 other girls. So today is a lonely Saturday. A very good Saturday though! I like to think that I am giving my classmates a chance to miss me.

If you think of it, be praying for the spiritual health and physical health of our community. Spiritual being the most important, but physical being the more obvious. The more I talk to people the more I am seeing that pretty much everyone has been struggling with some kind of physical ailment this past week. I have been hearing of major panic attacks, three day long head aches, kidney pain, one girl even has some kind of fluid in her lungs. Really all sorts of things are going on.
Also, pray that I can keep up energy to serve those who are sick and have eyes to see the needs of those who won't ask but still are in need of help. I have been learning this week that I can only serve well if I am doing it for the glory of Him who sends me to serve. I have to serve for His glory! I do not care for ones I love for them to say to me how much they appreciate me, I serve them so they have the assurance of how well God provides for them. Pray that I have a spirit of humility and serve for His glory alone.

<He must increase and I must decrease>

White Water and Soccer!

Things have been pretty eventful around Portantorchas these days. To start the highlight reel, I went white water rafting in the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. It ranks as the 5th most beautiful river in the world, it flows to the Caribbean, it has warm water, and of course, it is nestled in the jungles of Costa Rica. We had quite a few class four rapids which proved to make it an exiting trip. Also, the scenery was gorgeous and I was on the boat with my three best friends. So that made it all the better.

We woke up really early and left for the river at 5:30am, stopping for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast on the way to the river (rice and beans take the win every time). When we got to the river there was about a mile hike down to the valley and then we were off. One of the coolest things we saw were indigenous indian children, maybe three or four years old, swimming in the river in the nude. It was one of those cool moments when the tourist life and the local life collide. I could go on and on about the cool things we saw, but instead I'll just put up some pictures :)

Another really fun part about life in Costa Rica is all the soccer adventures. On thursday night all of us went to a turf soccer field and played Majanga, a style of pick up soccer that is really fun with a lot of people. It was raining and we played for about three hours. It was a blast!

Through all this fun and adventure, God is so good to continue to teach me lessons here at Port. Recently I have been challenged by some of the staff to step up as a leader. I had been praying and processing that challenge for a while when today I was sweeping my room (well, my room plus 6 other girls). I was so blessed by the realization that for me to become a leader, I need to serve. My mentality has to ally shifted. I no longer feel the need to prove myself as a leader. Matt 23:11 says, "The greatest among you will be your servant." I pray this can be my attitude of seeking leadership. 

Off the Compound

Blog update. Blogggg updateee. Okay, here goes. Well, the past week has been really fun! I have been having really good and uplifting conversations with friends, making tortillas in Spanish class, and still more slack lining. Oh! And I went into San Jose on the busses today with my friends. My amazing and lovely friends.

San Jose was quite the trip. We took the bus from the town we live in, there is still some debate if it is Coronado or Morovia, and spent 45 minutes getting into downtown San Jose. At that point it was a mission complete because Grant told me he would show me how to use the bus system and so the trip was based around the fact that I never did learn how to use the buses a few weeks ago. Well, there was not much to learn. You get on, pay, and sit (or stand), then got off. That’s it. And, it is a big circle.

San Jose is really fun. My biggest observation is this: there are a lot of shoe stores. And lingerie stores to be honest. Weird, I know, but still this is the truth. My friends and I mostly walked around, dodged cars, and ate Pops. Pretty much every block around here has Pops, which is an ice cream joint.  Grant owed me money and so he got me something, but all I wanted was a frozen banana dipped into nutty chocolate. It was fabulous.

After all of this, we went to Walmart (I know, why is there Walmart in Costa Rica?) and I got a dark chocolate bar and a few other things I needed. It is really hard to find some things around here—especially dark chocolate. After Walmart we headed home, got off a stop too early, walked a bit in the rain, and made it home. Uneventful, I know, but really great and needed. Sometimes it is needed to get off the “compound” and breath fresh air.

I have been learning a lot this week too. My girlfriends and I have been really honest. Really honest. What a blessing it is to live in community with like minded people who you love, love you, and you can tell anything to. To bear our souls in a way that glorifies our Heavenly Father is a blessing. Joy has become a crown upon our heads. Also, we have been asking the question around here, “who is Jesus to you?” My answer is this: relentless. Jesus is relentless to me and He will not let me go. I have come to realize that He is willing to talk, wrestle, cry, laugh, and be joyful with me, but He is not willing to let go of me. This is, I believe, the tune of these next 9 months. Praise Him for it too.

Here are some pictures from this week :)

 Cory, Emily, and Kacey after poetry night.

 Practicing my balancing on the slack line.

 The girls with Grant after a poetry reading we had. We tried to hold him but ended up dropping him on the ground. Oops.

 My very yummy chocobanana.

Just a cool church in San Jose.

Have a great week!

~Erin

Pura Vida

Well I am honing in on the end of week 2 here in Costa Rica. Some things about life here I have become very comfortable with. For example, always being outside is a blast for me. Myself and a few other students  have started running, working out generally, playing soccer (that's mostly them though), and slack lining. 

I love slack lining a ton. This is me in the backyard of school walking across the rope. 

This is another picture, Grant is the other student who loves slack lining with me. 

Another outdoor activity that we are currently doing is a beach trip. Costa Rica has some amazing beaches, here are some pictures from this weekend. Also, be warned that I have no idea what beach or what coast I am at. 

The water is warm and the waves are big and the life is good over at the beach. Our biggest concern was where to eat lunch and it turned out to be a pretty easy and fun problem to solve. 

Costa Ricans say something a lot, "Pura Vida." It's kinda like the slogan of their country. It translates to something similar to, "pure life." It's an interesting phrase because it really means more than that. I think it is a mentality. The kind that makes me go slack lining before and after breakfast and wakes me up to read and teaches me to be in the here and now. To always love recklessly and with out inhibition. Pura Vida-- go to the beach and get pummeled by waves and eat nachos at a restaurant with no walls and smile for the thousands of pictures. Pura Vida-- make choices that are healthy for you and praise God for that health and smile a lot. 

I am finding I like living Pura Vida. It's freeing. It's not perfect and I'm not perfect and it is most defenity not a do whatever you want pass. But, it is the way of life in Costa Rica and I like it. 

Bible classes start in two weeks once Spanish classes end. I am looking forward to that but will miss my Spanish teacher, Don Arturo. He is a sweet man and I am pretty sure is trying to set up us girls in his class with his three boys. It's fun and we laugh a lot. Once Bible classes start my experience may turn from Pura Vida to Puerta Estudia, but hopefully I will still be out kicking the guys butts at slack lining and beating everyone at ping pong. And if not, well, Pura Vida. 

The hotel pool this weekend. 

A quiet time back at school on the duck dock. 

Inside and out of beautiful church in Corannado out side of San Jose. 

Love you all, enjoy the pictures!! 

In Case You Were Wondering...

Well friends, I have had time to settle in down here in Costa Rica. This post is mostly for those of you who I chatted with, asked questions with, and imagined life in San Jose with. It may be funny at points, but hopefully it will enlighten you on some serious subjects.

In case you were wondering...

...there are very attractive Costa Ricans. I mean it was disputed and questioned by some, but it is true, they are some around.

...no, we do not flush the tiolet paper. Any of it.

...not all of my classes are in Spanish, but I will have some.

...I was accepted to work at the orphanage and a few students are thinking of coming for some time in the 2 months I will be there, though most are not crazy like me and want to go for two months.

...The food here is amazing, and no, it is not all rice and beans. But, we are happy when it is because it tastes so good.

...Living with six girls is really fun. Even if we can not flush our toilet paper.

...I love it here.

So there you go. Some myth busting in Costa Rica. Thanks to all of you ho pray and support me.

Blessings from Central America

Quick Update

Hello Friends and family! I wanted to let you all know that I am safe and in Costa Rica. It was a 14 hour journey of travel and I ended up flying to Chicago and then to San Jose, but after all that, my adventure ended with a group of students welcoming me at the air port in San Jose.

Class doesn't start till monday, so I am just hanging out with everyone and checking out the campus. I will be sure to post some pictures soon.

As far as how I am feeling. Well, I feel super great! I love the weather, the people, the places we have gone. Costa Rica is lovely. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be right now. And, I think that is the grace of answered prayers and walking in the will of The Lord.

I'll update again soon, until then I challenge you to enjoy where you are today. No place is perfect except the place The Lord takes you to. Find the blesing in it.

Goodbyes and Notes

It's that time. Tearful smiles, laugh-filled exclamations, last glances, and many hugs. How do you say goodbye to friends like the ones that The Lord blessed me with? Well, first you bake all day. Seriously. Tonight was my goodbye dessert, so naturally I baked four desserts -- the most loved being a triple layered chocolate cake that had frosting made with one and a half pounds of dark chocolate. If that won't drown some feelings I don't know what will. After my lovely day in the kitchen, friends poured in. Actually a lot of friends poured in. I wasn't expecting the turn out, but was blessed mightily by it.

For three hours I talked, laughed, and brushed hearts with people that I love and love me. After the last goodbyes, a few especially hard, I gathered up the cards that people handed me through out the night and went back to my room. First, I opened Laurie's (Yes, Laurie I know you're reading this and I am very thankful for your generosity, you are too good to me! Love you!). But, before I could read the words I paused. From everything people have said, being away from home is hard. Especially for ten months. Sometimes I am not sure I can do it. Every one of these cards is a vote of confidence. A hand in the air, a tally next to my name, all with one message of Truth, "you can do this."

So I opened all the envelopes and put the notes in my favorite envelope (it says "Regular Attender Erin" on the front and it makes me smile and get leaky-eyes all at once). I think I'll read the letters through out the year. On the days that the Enemy says I can't. On the days when even chocolate cake won't cut it. Because really, how do we keep on? By every Word of The Father; I know those are the words of The Father through the pens of lovely friends. Soon I'll need a hand raised in my favor, a vote cast for me, a tally next to my name, and I know where to look. Praise God!

Healthy Dad, Healthy Plans

For those of you who were not aware (and don't feel bad if you weren't, it wasn't big public knowledge), for the past month my travel plans went on ice. My family found out the end of June that my dad had a tumor on his thyroid, most likely cancerous. While we waited for surgery to tell us how serious it would be, I stayed close to home and decided to hold off on things like packing in case I was needed at home next year. It was a wild ride. I literally opened my hands to God, to His will, His plan and laid Portantorchas on the alter. Then, I opened my arms realizing that I would have to not only lay this next year on the alter, but also my father. If he took it all, what would I do? Would I still praise? Yes, I would praise through the tears.

Yesterday my father had surgery and it went perfectly. The tumor and thyroid came out, he is really well and coming home today. He most likely will not even need any follow up treatment. God is faithful, He is gracious, and He lavishes beyond what we deserve. I am praising through the laughter and joy.

I am learning that no matter the diagnosis, the result, the plan for the next year, it is my joy to praise and to carry on no matter what. So I as wake up in a sweat, mind racing about packing and missing my flight and all the things that scare me, I simply cast my eyes on Jesus, the one who brought my father through in perfect condition, and I claim that on my life. Do I think nothing bad will happen, no destruction will find me, I will never have my heart broken? No. I believe wholeheartedly that bad things could happen. But, I believe that my God is bigger and that my faith will not be shaken.

For all you who want the plan, I will leave my house around noon on the 1st of August and get to SFO for my 8:30 pm red-eye flight. I get to San Jose on the 2nd and will be at my school all of August through November. I am applying to Orphanage Emmanuel in Honduras for my Christmas break. I plan to be there all of December and January. I will get back to school for my last semester, and home the beginning of June. So that's the plan, phew.

I will continue to update this blog as I travel as often as I can. You'll be seeing pictures, hearing stories, and meeting the people I meet through words and photos. Here's to a great year! Cheers and blessings!

Here is my address:

Student Name
Portantorchas 
1291-2150 Moravia
San José, Costa Rica

Blessed and Ready-er

Summer has arrived... for some of us. Sorry Cal Poly and public schools, but Cuesta is out for summer! For me, I am out of Cuesta forever! I just graduated with my AA and am set up to transfer the fall I get back from Costa Rica. My fervent need for change and newness has remained in my system, though now it is simmering not boiling. Thankfully too, I aim to enjoy all that the Central Coast before I leave it for such a long time.
Here are a few updates for those following my preparation in leaving. First, I bought a plane ticket!! That was a huge step for me, but I am so peaceful about it! I felt like in the buying of that ticket there was no turning back. None. Somehow, I am really confident in that truth! This is a picture of me right after I bought it, as you can tell I am quite thrilled.

Then, I started to think about how I didn't have a good bag to take! So this started a little shopping and I bought two amazing bags that I love! Again, the excitement was too great and I had to take another #selfie :)

I am just so thrilled with all of it. The ticket, the bags, the adventure, and to be honest the summer too. I'll be backpacking, counseling a group of high school girls at Hume with my church, camping with family, and going to a sewing class with my aunt (all before I leave on August 1st). So many sweet and fun things to do by His good grace, I am so blessed to enjoy it all. 

A Perfect Gift

It's that time. The spring-fling, summer-fun, plan-making, time of the year. Maybe it's the flowers blooming -- that released energy into the air combined with the sun that makings us all move a little slower in body and a little faster in mind. It is an oxymoron in nature that as things slow down from the heat, they quicken up from the energy of the season. I'm not sure why. We sleep less, do more, and are more restless and bored than ever. And boy am I feeling it this year. Three weddings this spring. One being my brothers (I was a bridesmaid too). It has already passed 95 degrees this April. My trip is in full planning swing. And. to top all that off, I am more restless than I think I have ever been.

I don't know why it hit me with such force today. Wait, I do. But the why isn't the real issue, it's more the symptom. Today I finally said the words I have heard buzzing since high school but never said myself, "I have to get out of Atascadero. NOW!" Yes, I am there.

Well, it's about time I guess! I just got my packet of info from Portantorchas. I now know about dress codes and meal times and ministry projects and traveling and so much more. Nothing was imperative for me to know and nothing really helped with planning, but I promised to tell when I got it, and I did. As far as the big questions I am still as clueless as before. But, I will be purchasing my plane ticket this week. And, starting to buy little things like new sandals. I may even go rummage through my friend's stuff to find her rain coat this week (thanks Sarah!).

It's safe to say that I'm ready. God is so gracious to provide an amazing opportunity at the exact right time that I am begging to get out. He knew what I needed and is giving it to me. Like Pastor Tom preached today, "every good and perfect gift comes from above." I believe this is one of those gifts wrapped up in the paper of timing and mercy.

The Next BIG Adventure

Hello all of my sweet friends, dear family, and understanding readers. It has been a while. In starting this blog, I knew I wanted it to be a place that I wrote on only in times of traveling adventure. Not to say that the trips around California and around the central coast are not adventure, but I am talking big adventure. Like leaving for the summer. Okay -- that was big for me. But this one is just BIG. I mean BIG, BIG. 

On August 1st I am going to a school in Costa Rica called Portantorchas. It is a two semester school that teaches classes on Spanish, Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian Living. I don't know much more about it than a person could find out about from the website (http://www.portantorchas.org/english/index.html) because they send info to students after the deposit is sent. So, I am currently waiting to hear about the adventure I signed up for and trying to figure out what to pack for the months away from home.

It has been an interesting journey getting here. I was confirmed to Sacramento State University for this fall when I decided to go. I thought that there was no way I would move to a foreign country in the middle of college. But I called and changed my status to decline and will re-apply for next year. I am so glad that I am going Portantorchas instead. I am thankful for the break it will be from secular college. I am grateful to be going to a place that fosters growth and mentor-ship. A place that isn't satisfied with my spiritual growth this far and will ask for more. I want to be pushed and pulled. I want to jump head first out of my comfort zone and finally have to trust 100% on God. I am exited because I don't know. These weeks of not knowing are special to me, and not lost on me. For this, I thank God that His plan is perfect and He has a plan for a hope and a future in my life. I'm claiming it!

I'll keep you all updated on the developments. I can't wait to write during the next 12 months about the getting to, living in, and traveling through C.R. Thus begins the blog to Costa Rica!