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