One Week More

Saturday marked 14 weeks of Costa Rican goodness, and tomorrow marks 1 week until we fly home to the people we deeply love and miss.

The emotions are mixed... there is a certain sadness to saying goodbye to our new families and wonderful friends, but an certain joy in returning home to our loved ones.

Herein lies a beautiful truth- the love of God transcends space and time. He is above all that goes on here, all that we do and hope for and wait for. God was here before we were in Costa Rica, and will be here long after we have gone. It is the same in our homes in the US. We will return to the arms of our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and dearest friends- a homecoming that has long been anticipated and will be a sweet reunion.

One of the truest blessings of this experience is that we have grown to learn how truly we appreciate the people we have spent the first part of our lives with. And now, our families have expanded to include the people of Costa Rica- an incredible breed that God created with the most loving of Spirits.

The question has been continually ask in the last few weeks- "What is the first thing you're going to do when you return?"

my response:

run into the arms of my mother and Trevor.

take my shoes off and dig my toes into the carpet in my bedroom.

then eat a frosty with my mom.

GO TO CHURCH and worship the Lord.

lindsay jo's response:

i'm going to hug my parents!

and go to church.

cole's response:

eat chik-fil-a.

after i hug my family (of course).

we would also like to point out that it does NOT feel like Christmas! The weather here is still 80-85 degrees everyday, even though it is very windy. Cole pointed out that he never realized until we got here how much cold weather makes it feel like Christmas time.

we're looking forward to sweaters ("yay sweaters!" says Lindsay), scarves, fireplaces and coldness. lindsay commented earlier that Christmas is going to smack us in the face when we get back- it definitely has NOT sunk in yet. however, my tico family has decorated the house, Christmas trees in every home and icicle lights all around the outside of my house. i'll be sure to take a picture. Christmas is a very extravagant holiday for them as far as decorating, but they're crazy about using the same decorations every year and they take really good care of them. at the same time though, they don't do tree ornaments the way we do. the ornaments are all the same and everything on the tree matches and looks beautiful.

i would just like to point out that we are currently listening to Whitney Houston belt out Christmas music, as we sit outside together. cole is playing "air tambourine" and lindsay and belting it. we're having a good time :]

so maybe we should stop taking for granted the people we spend everyday with?!

THAT is what i have learned.

after 3 and a half months away from my parents, brothers and sisters, friends and boyfriend, i have never appreciated them more. and while sometimes it takes going away for awhile to appreciate what you had all along, i will never see my life in the States the same way.

God has shown me the beauty of everyday being a new day.

My way of life has changed- everyday is a chance to live and love.

Thank you Costa Rica, it's been real.