Puede Ser

This boy ... he doesn't miss a thing!

"We will see" This is how life feels right now
... we will see what happens, when it happens, if it happens and how it happens!  It's been an emotional, overwhelming, life giving, exhausting, sun filled, rain drenched, mud puddled few days!  We are sleeping peacefully after the first night, we are waking with the roasters, our ears are adapting to a new language and we're even speaking some words, we ventured to a little store down the road and bought a power strip, a mirror and prayed for someone, some of us are loving the food, others are trying new things, we've experienced tears, laughter, sharing our hearts without words, healing, and the peace of Jesus' presence during worship.

Home Sweet Home

We are currently living at the Vida220 base which feels much like camping.  We have a small living area with 3 small bedrooms for the boys approx 6'x 8' and one larger bedroom for us.  We share the shower/bath area with the guys and our eating/meeting/hangout area is outside in a pavilion with tarps and tin roofs to extend it.  The first night was rough, I cried myself to sleep and was still tearful when we woke the next day ... we were exhausted from the day of travel and our luggage situation.  Saturday morning Daryl and I had a much needed talk date as we basked in the beauty of our view, with clear blue skies and warm breezes ... this was indeed very healing for our soul.  We didn't say much to each other, just cried together, got it all out then prayed, worshiped and laughed together!  God is so faithful ... while we were crying the neighbor started playing very loud worship music in English!!!  So healing for our soul!

Pushing the van on the way to church!

Today, Sunday we worshiped with a local Mennonite church, had lunch with the pastor and wife who is the granddaughter of Titus and Edna Martin (from Stumptown)!  We enjoyed their company and will enjoy future fellowship with them!

The boys are adjusting and have all stated they love where we're living, lizards and all! They are having fun interacting with the students, there is a creek to play in, space to kick soccer ball, trees but no climbing yet, and unlimited kindle time today because it's a rainy Sunday afternoon and they can't be outside!  School ... well, I think when Dad starts language study, we'll start school again.  It's sort of like an extended Christmas brake!

Thank you for praying for us ... we know all these God moments are first of all because He loves us, and second of all because you're praying us through this journey!

Pray with us: 
-healing for Daryl's hip, it's a bit better but not 100%
-for wisdom as we discuss expectations with Delynn, Gloria, Manuel and Liz who are the directors of the Vida220 school.  we have had sweet connections with these two couples and very much look forward to ministering with them!
-wisdom on choosing a house to rent.  There is a good possibility we will rent the house that Delynn and Gloria are currently living in.  It's in the town of Heredia and within walking distance to everything we would need ... super markets, markets, parks, Daryl's language school, churches, El Nido, etc ... it's city living.  The boys love the house already because it has a small courtyard and an outdoor living room (under roof).  It is very cozy.  This house is not within walking distance of the base but for 3 months of language study it's more important for us to be closer to town than the base.  Once the youth teams come next summer it would be better to find a house closer to the base or buy a car ... not something we were planning on but may be a necessity.
-for Daryl and I to keep our communication and our hearts open, to freely cry together when we're feeling weak and incapable, for alone time when we're surrounded by people, for wisdom in choosing a church ... we plan to visit several before making a decision.
-pray for the boys in these days/weeks/months of transition.  We will be moving and living in transition for quite a few months.  Pray for them as they adjust to a new normal life of change!

Praise with us:
-for the moments of peace as the waves are churning around us
-beautiful times of worship and Jedidiah's constant singing
-meaningful connections and conversations
-lots of opportunity to practice Spanish.  We were concerned we would not have much opportunity since we're not living with a host family.  There are plenty of English speaking opportunities but there are lots of Spanish speaking opportunities also.
-Adam loves greeting people on the road with 'Hola, como estas?" and of course they all love him!
-God is holding our every moment and taking care of our every need!