Expat Blog

living in Costa Rica

Monday, September 19, 2011

Too blessed to be stressed!

Doing what I love! Homeschooling, taking care of my children and coming up with money making/money saving ideas...
Last week we went on our first field trip since being back (Free). We drove up to the state capital and attended Bug Mania. Kids love it! They were all too excited to see Goliath Bird eating spiders and creepy crawlies with 120 legs. Yuck!
Your eyes have not deceived you, he is holding it...



Ok, so it wasn't all disgusting. We did get to see some beautiful butterflies, ladybugs and moths. 




Two days after the field trip we attended our homeschool co-op with over 25 families. After a couple of hours of getting to know each other, we had a delicious pot luck lunch and ran through what a typical co-op day would look like. I think that we are going to have a great time there. 
Here is a sample of some of the talent at the co-op...I totally thought that this was really a basket, but I ate that chocolate, vanilla and red velvet cake like it was nobody's business. : )

I think that we are settling into our routine. Justin my 8 year old has started soccer, a game he fell in love with in Nicaragua. Asia and Kris has auditioned for roles in the upcoming Christmas play at church and the rest of us are just going to sit back and look pretty. (smile)


more to come...








Saturday, September 10, 2011

Trouble

On a day like any other, strolling down pleasant lane, I was tapped lightly on the shoulder. Turning to see who it was, I was hit so hard that I barely knew when my body hit the ground. Shock raced through me like a wave, as I rolled down off of my mountain top, down to my valley. I looked up to see my offender, realized it was trouble... Satan himself. He smiled as he watched me, unable to stand. I struggled... cried and couldn't believe that I didn't see the Father beside me. I thought for certain that He had abandoned me there, to die... alone.


My life had been a pretty cozy one ...spiritually. No huge twist or turns, pitfalls or stumbles. Just a pleasant stroll on the mountain top. I had married, gave birth to beautiful children and tried my best to walk the walk.
Though I knew the Word does not come back void and trouble was eventually going to find me... I didn't quite count on it knocking me down so violently.


Trouble came from whence I least expected and I felt completely and utterly abandoned by God. Why did it come this way Lord? Why no warnings? Your word say's that You will never leave or forsake, but I could not see/feel You in my troubles.
Job 3:26
I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”



My faith was shaken and I was left confused. How did I study the Word for so many years and yet be unable to be comforted by them in my day of trouble?
Job 4:3
Surely you have instructed many, 
And you have strengthened weak hands. 
our words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees;
But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled.

Though I am far from recovered, I have accepted. I know that God had not abandoned me at all, I had just refused to see him in my troubles. 


James 5:10
My brethren, take the prophets, 
who spoke in the name of the Lord, 
as an example of suffering and patience.
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. 
You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 



The children and I are back in Maine... I have missed this place almost as much as I am missing Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I think of the kids at New Hope daily and miss them most of all. 
The first week of Homeschooling went just as expecting with lots of sighs, moans and complaints, but underway never the less. We have a packed schedule of classes, part time jobs and puppies on the way! 


Though I am still weary, I am upright and making my climb out of the valley. I will not stay there long...


More to come...



Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Pain

Pain knocked upon my door and said
That she had come to stay;
And though I would not welcome her
But bade her go away,
She entered in. Like my own shade
She followed after me,
And from her stabbing, stinging sword
No moment was I free.
And then one day another knocked
Most gently at my door.
I cried, "No, Pain is living here,
There is no room for more".
And then I heard His tender voice,
" 'Tis I, be not afraid".
And from the day He entered in --
The difference it made!
For though He did not bid her leave,
(My strange, unwelcome guest,)
He taught me how to live with her.
Oh, I had never guessed
That we could dwell so sweetly here,
My Lord and Pain and I,
Within this fragile house of clay
While years slip slowly by!

More to come...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Rain!

Rain!!! I don't think that I have ever been so happy to see it pour rain like it did on Friday afternoon. We have been in the dry season here for the past few months and when I say dry, it has been dry. God is truly in control... It is clear. If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land Job 12:15




We were able to fill over 5 buckets. Thank God, because it would have been another weekend of unwashed dishes and unflushed toilettes. 


The children all had a blast running and playing in the rain while it washed away dirty little hands and feet. Not that they saw that positive side, they wanted to play soccer in the muddy water and put all the dirt back on. 


I am hopeful that this was the beginning of the end of the dry season. I only pray that as the rain continues to fall and we begin to grow weary of damp clothes and frizzy hair, we do not grumble and complain. 


More to come...







Monday, May 9, 2011

Feliz CumpleaƱos

Today was Debonney's 13th birthday! She is one of the 13 girls living at New Hope. After our nightly devotion time we all sang a few songs to her including happy birthday in English and in Spanish.




Her personality is not of one who wishes to call attention to herself, so it tickled me to watch her truly enjoying the hugs and attention.
We celebrated with cake and ice cream, which is always a treat here. You can imagine what 26 children look like after enjoying cake and ice cream... right...
Now imagine it with no running water. We had zero water all weekend long, and today it came on for about an hour in the morning and not again until later this evening.



All I could say is, thank God for wet wipes!
: )

More to come...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Cost of living

This week started off with Nicaragua Labor day, May 1st. Kids were off of school and we did nothing but lounge around and watch television... in Spanish.
My son walk around the house that day squinting without his glasses on, he had lost them at the beach 2 days before. (Apparently everyone knew but me) Ugh! Third pair this year.
Tuesday morning we decided that I would get a ride into town with Moses and pick out new glasses. I had him excused from class and we left at about 10:30am.
Going to Managua is never a quick run. Mostly because it is about a 30 min ride down hill so usually we try to get a few things done for each trip. We ran errands for a bit then headed to the ophthalmologist. the glasses were ready in a few hours but we had to come back the next day for them as we had too many other things to do.
I will break down for you the cost of Antonio Jr.'s glasses:
Exam - 30 Cordobas = $1.36
Frames - 400 Cordobas = $18.18
Lenses - 500 Cordobas = $22.72
Look on Antonio's face with his new glasses and haircut - priceless. (smile)

As we drove around Managua those two days, I watched as Moses showed kindness to everyone he came into contact with. He stopped and shared his lunch with two different people sitting on the sidewalk. He slowed down for someone and gave them a ride on the back of his truck. His job here at New Hope is never really over as he works day and night. He and his wife are truly precious brothers and sisters in Christ.

After being out of the habit over the long weekend and out Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought that Emily would have forgotten everything that I taught her in our potty training. Thank God, as she came over on Thursday morning she got right back in the habit. She actually did better than I expected as she hasn't had an accident since. 
Hopefully after another week or so she can graduate back to the orphanage (in underwear) with her siblings and I can move on to Frankie. 

He is a sweet kid with a great disposition, it will be a pleasure spending time with him. 

A couple of days ago my girls found out about a beauty salon down the road and have entered the wonderful world of eyebrow detailing. Cost....15 Cordobas = .68 cents


Tony have been asking me to get mine done for years, but frankly I was too chicken to sit through the painful process. The girls said that the woman at the salon used a razor... painless. hhhmmmm... I might try it.... maybe.
As the girls left the salon,  Antonio jr (their chaperon) went to change some money. There was an old lady walking by them who looked sad, dirty and poor. She didn't beg for anything but it tugged at their hearts to see her. Chantell walked over to her without saying a word and gave her the rest of her money. 
An older gentlemen later walked up to them on their way home and asked if they could buy him one mango. Cost 1 cordoba = less than .05 cents.
They bought it for him and while he ate, he asked if he could follow them home. Ezekial, a young Miskito boy living here at the orphanage was with them and he told the older man that he could not follow them home. 
Ezekial later told the girls that he wanted to follow them so he can find out where they live and ask for  things later on when he is in need. 
The need is great here, I know that the Lord is planting seeds in the hearts of my children.

Water is an issue here. It is constantly out. We ran out the night before last and had to survive on our purchased 5 gallon purified water (for everything). Yesterday during the day, the internet went out because of a mix up with the internet/phone company. So I snuggled up on the couch with a book and computer game to later have the electricity go off. Oh for goodness sake... LOL! Thank goodness, it was only out for about an hour and we had plenty of flashlights and candles to keep us company. Thank God for his mercy because this morning we had all three; water, internet and electricity. Pray that the Lord will continue to show us favor.  

More to come...

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Beach day!

We had an awesome time at the beach today. 28 friends, family and children boarded two different vehicles and headed to Playa de Pochomil. It's about a 45 minute ride from El Crucero driven by our friend and pastor Moses. (Thank you Moses!)Yes, we left two hours later than expected but it was well worth it. The kids had a great time in the water.




The beach was peaceful and beautiful and with the extra eyes, ears and hands of 3 other wonderful missionary woman, we were able to keep an eye on all of the children. 


We stayed out on the beach long enough to watch the sun set.




Thank goodness Tony decided to start the grill just before the kids decided that they would starve to death and we had our fill of hot dogs...Yummy... I haven't had a hot dog in over 3 months. 

As we were boarding the van to head back home a young boy of about 5 came up to us. He stood around and smiled at us all. I was so happy to watch Kyle, a fellow missionary here and brother in Christ befriend him with simple questions like What's your name? How old are you and How many brothers do you have?
Just before we left Kyle asked him if he knew that Jesus Christ loved him. The young boy shook his head no. "Well, He does love you and so do I" He gave him a hug and the boys face lit up. After Kyle fished in the van for something to give him, we waved at the smiling young man as he held on to his mango...smiling. 
I love to see the love of Christ shine through!

More to come...