Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We actually celebrated our Thanksgiving last Thursday as a team. We had a huge dinner with about 60 people from Los Guido and Tejarcillos. It was a really fun day full of blessings. I have pictures but am still having trouble getting pictures to transfer from my camera...so one day they will eventually get on here.

Hope all have a great day today!

We are so very thankful for all of you!

Humbled by a four-year old

Well, it finally happened! We've told stories about being corrected in our Spanish by both Ethan and Isabelle several times. We've now been both corrected and humbled by our four-year old!

Last night, Matt was recounting the day with me. He was telling me about a group of kids from La Carpio who were holding on to him as it was time to leave and telling him not to go and asking him to stay. He said that they said, "¡No se va!" It sounded okay to me and I didn't think anymore of it as he went on with the story. Ever so quietly, a few seconds later, Audrey says, "¡No se vaya!" which is the correct form of a command in the negative form. This is most likely what the kids said to Matt. And after Audrey said it she got this huge smile on her face and just kept repeating it, laughing the entire time! We were telling her good job and also playing with her and she was loving it! You could just tell she was proud of herself but at the same time feeling kind funny that she knew something her Daddy (or her Mommy) didn't!




All we could do was laugh...and marvel at being humbled by our four-year old!

Our Izzy

Here are a few recent quotes from Isabelle Adair:

Iz: "Mommy, do you know why they call Hershey's Kisses 'kisses' ?"
Me: "No, I don't. Do you?"
Iz: "Well, I think it is because every time you eat one it makes you think of your mommy and you want to go and give her a kiss!"
Me: "I think so, too!" :)

Last night one of the women on the Siloam team shared with me that she had been talking with Isabelle. The woman asked Isabelle if she could speak Spanish and Isabelle said: "Yes, I can speak Spanish even better than my mom and dad. I help them all the time!"

Homeschooling update

We continue to work hard on schooling and try to balance ministry and school. We have several teams coming for the next month and it will be challenging decided what days to school and when to be part of the teams activities. Above is a picture of Izzy working hard one day recently.


Last week we started a project to learn more about Veteran's Day. I had downloaded the project from a site called CurrClick.com. This site sends me a link for free currciculum every week and I always download everything even if I think I won't use it. So, we made our first lapbook. What is a lapbook? you may ask. A lapbook is a manilla folder folded slightly different and then filled and decorated with information. The purpose is to organize the information about a particular subject in an easy to understand, neat and attractive way. Both Ethan and Isabelle LOVED this project. Since Veteran's Day was last Tuesday, and the kids had literally no idea what a veteran was, we began the project.



The really cool part was that Uncle Mark was here during the time we were working on this project so we had a great discussion about his service in the Navy. The kids were surprised to learn that both Grandpa (my dad) and Ponca (Matt's grandpa) had also served in the Navy. We also met a man on the EFCN team that had served as a Marine. So he gave Ethan a summary of what Marine life was like and the specific jobs they do. It was a really neat way to learn about something and then a great finished project to keep and refer back to.





Also, Ethan has really gotten into reading. In the past two days he has read two chapter books each with over 9 chapters! He LOVES to read. Thanks again to our friends who donated books for our "library."






Isabelle also has really taken off in her reading. At a little different level than her brother, but growing a love to read, she has began reading at least two of the small simple books pictured here. Thanks again, for those that donated us quite a selection of these books.

The hands and power of God

One of the most wonderful things about our God is that He chooses to use us in mighty ways that are designed to fulfill his purposes. He doesn't care that we are not quite equipped to fulfill the job; He doesn't care that we might not be strong enough; He does not care that we might not be mature enough; He doesn't even care that we really don't even deserve the privelege of being chosen. He just uses us without expectation of our part in His plan- He just chooses to use us. He knows our weaknesses and exactly what we bring to the task at hand- which generally is nothing. He just chooses to use us to demonstrate His power and His hand at work.

This past week with the EFCN team from Naperville has been a true time of being able to bask in the power and glory of our God when He places His hand on a task and uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes.

Last night, we shared in a time of celebration with the team at La Finca. This team came with the purpose of completing the new church building for the Los Guido church. This team funded the building project and arrived here to complete the roof and the floor. Many thanks were said by members of the New Life Church of Los Guido and also by members of the EFCN team. My sweet friend Luisa stood to speak her words of appreciation to the team, which she called "viejos," or "old folks!" As Mark translated what she had said- everyone busted out laughing. It is common to call someone by their "age" in this culture. For instance, when speaking to a teenage girl, you would say "muchacha," or the teenager. If you were directing someone to go to the older man across the room you would say "Vayase al viejo," or "Go to the older man." So, to her what she said was perfectly normal. However, when translated into English, it did sound rather funny. She used this terminology because she knew that their ages averaged in the 60's and some in the 70's.

This leads to my point: I admittedly was surprised at the ages of this "work team" when they arrived. I am truly happy to say that I as they said good-bye last night, I was more surprised at how God used them despite their ages to complete a mighty task. They really did work hard and the building is proof of that.

But what is even more proof, is that God's hand has guided and cared for this project since it started about a month ago. His purpose for this team was not just to build the building, but to build relationships that will last until eternity. Our God is a God of details. What I love to see in life is these little things that He cares for, like the weather, for instance. We had absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather in what should be the last stretch of rainy season. They should not be nice warm days full of sunshine and clear of rain. However, they were. Until last night when it began raining and it is raining again this morning already. God's hand was upon the team yesterday as they visited homes in La Carpio as well as Tejarcillos. They walked and met some of the people in the existing discipleship groups in La Carpio, as well as met some new friends. Then they travelled to Tejarcillos and walked through the Pines and visited with several families of the church. With all the things that have been happening lately, it was a decision covered in prayer to take the team into the Pines. However, God in his majesty, protected the team. They were able to meet members of several families in the church and spent sweet time in the home of Vilma and Ester- you may remember them. Vilma is one of the first from the Pines to complete book 1 and then move on to discipling a girl named Margerhita. What a blessing for the people of all three areas this team has been!

God's hand at work. If even one day of the team's time here had been rainy like this the project would not be where it is today, just a small amount of work left. Each litle detail that was God-organized and played out perfectly in His perfect order came together to get to where we are today.

Join me today in praising our God for the great thing He has done!

Uncle Mark

Quick update:
We've been enjoying the EFCN team from Naperville, IL this week. WOW! The people God can use to do his work. Don't ever listen to the lies of the enemy about age or strength. There are members of this team who are in their 70's and they WORK HARD!

We're also enjoying the company of Matt's brother, Mark. He came yesterday afternoon and will be here through tomorrow. He was able to come down just for a few days and it has been fun having him here.

Today, Matt and Mark were at La Finca for the day helping Coco and a few of the guys from the team who stayed back from their paseo to work. They had a long hard day of work, but it was a good day for them and the the guys on the team.

The rest of the team went on a day trip to a nearby volcano and waterfall gardens and rainforest area. Three guys couldn't stand to let a day go by without working, so they stayed back. We as a team here, are always encouraged by teams, but this kind of dedication to a project is extrememly encouraging. Thanks, EFCN!!!!!

Tonight, Matt had the devotional and afterwards the team laid hands on us and prayed specifically for our family. It was powerful and encouraging for us.

Tomorrow, Matt and Mark still are not sure of their plans, but Mark has to be at the airport by mid-afternoon. Then we have the rest of the day full. The kids have enjoyed him being here and can't quite understand why he's leaving so soon...

just a few pictures

Here are just a few pictures from our trip. I took over 200 pictures mainly of just our time with our family while we were there! Obviously only a handful will make the cut to the blog. We've been having problems with our camera and trying to get pictures downloaded from the camera to the computer. For some reason, the computer is not recognizing the camera...oh technologoly!!!

Anyways...the pics...


My aunt Sandy, mom and I were able to enjoy dinner out with Audrey and Samantha one night. Samantha took this picture. She did a good job, huh?


The McCarty's came to visit us twice and also let us borrow their car for the time we were back! Sweet times!


Aunt Brooke and little Tator Tot (Samantha)


Brooke, Tanner and Ethan


The kids were able to go trick-or-treating with their grandparents since we were back for Halloween. It was a fun evening of walking around Frankfort and just being together.


Rog, Sue, Mark and Angyl and our family at Camp Cullom


Mimi and grandkids in leaves


My mom and me


Matt and Brooke :)


the grandmas and the granddaughters


Brooke and Courtney


Andrew, Steph and the kids


My mom and Dad (I love this picture!)


Our trip ended with a dream come true for Ethan. He had a free admission ticket to the new Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago and really wanted to be able to go with his dad and Alex. We didn't know if it was going to work out or not....but it did... and they went! They had a great time and Ethan, as you can imagine, LOVED it!


My dad (a rare photo of him smiling- this picture is such a blessing to me)

more to come later :)

Home Sweet Home

Hi! It is late and I really need to get to bed...however I wanted to share the joy of home sweet home we all felt today.

We enjoyed our visit to the states immensly and I loved every minute of time I had with my mom and my aunt, the unforgettable sweet way Samantha's arms felt around my neck every time she hugged me, the comfortableness of the Jenkin's home, Mike's smile, Katrina just being herself, my sweet friends, the church families we partner with and the fun of a Halloween night spent walking around Frankfort with Pappy, mimi and Ging-ging. The day at Camp Cullom with our entire family from both sides plus some extras. The smell of freshly plowed dirt still lingers in my nostrils and the happiness of working the farm with his dad is still fresh with Matt. Celebrating the engagement of a dear friend is a memory I'll cherish for some time and sweet fellowship with Alex and his family and even Kelly, not to mention fantastic pizza was a great way to end our time back. The beautiful colors of fall are etched in my mind and I am grateful to have been able to experience them again.

This trip back was a gift from God and one we do not take for granted. We understand all too well how scarce these precious times with family and friends will be for our family. Therefore, we feel blessed. In all that, though, there is an unmistakeable feeling of not quite fitting in when I am there. After living here over a year now, I feel a little between worlds when I am in the states. It is as if everything is vaguely familiar, but not enough to put a name to any one thing. Being with family will never grow tiresome or burdensome again. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, in our heart language, is something to value as a privelege, not a right. However, at times, for me it is becoming more and more apparent that I am from a different world. Being in Wal-mart for instance is completely overwhelming to me, the woman who does her grocery shopping in a little shop where I ask for my purchases from behind a wall of bars and the owner hands them (my purchases) to me through a little door in the bars. She then tallys my purchases with a hand-held calculator and writes them on a large piece of paper on the counter as she tallies them. If I am short a few colones she circles my total and sends me on my way, knowing full well I'll be back after while with the rest. I stood in the cereal aisle in WalMart a good 20 minutes one night pondering the necessity of what had to be over 100 choices. (I did however find one I thouroughly enjoyed and brought back two boxes!) But seriously- do Americans really need a hundred cereals to choose from? Then, I turn around and there are about as many options if you prefer oats, cream of wheat or grits. It is evident the simplicity my life has now as compared to even a year and a half ago. When we are here in our daily routine, the laid back Costa Rican style is easy to adapt. We love it and love the way the ladies at the bread store knows all three of our kids names, the pulperia guy sleeps at the counter every day, but wakes up as we enter and greets us as if sleeping in your store when no one is in it is completely normal. The people in the neighborhood will stop and talk with the kids as they play in the front patio. When I need to purchase items that I can't get in the two stores here in our neighborhood I walk about 7 blocks to the nearest large grocery store (think IGA) and get what I need, rain or shine. My church is made up of ex-drug addicts, gang members and people who live in shacks made of tin and held together with bottle caps. What apicture of grace God has given me to look at and experience each day.

And so, the realization I have is that my life is different, and I pray it will forever remain different, from all that I loved about my old life. I will rejoice in any opportunity to return to the life of old to reconnect with family and friends, however, I pray that uncomfortableness once there will remian as a forever reminder of the privelege God has given me to take the gospel to the nations, specifically here in Costa Rica.

Admittedly, it was hard to say good-bye, as it always will be. This time might have been a little tougher than last time, even. However, it is good to be back home. The comfort of your own bed, the familiarity of your neighbors, and the smell of the and the sound of the rain are all things that remind me that my life is here. We spent the day today with our friend Lucia and my God reminded me of just how special my life is here. Could you pray for my friend Lucia as her life is not an easy one, yet she remains one of the most faithful people I have ever met and I am constantly encouraged by her faith and trust in God Almighty. Would you pray for her five children: Carlos, David (Da-veed), Pamela, Michelle and Daniel. Please pray for her husband Carlos, who is living a life of bondage in alcoholism and rage resulting separation from his Heavenly Father. Please pray for the basic necessities of life even down to adequate clothes and food for each day for her and her family. Please pray for their safety and protection as they live day-to-day in a city where violence rages around them.

My life here is purposeful, meaningful and of value because of the privelege of living it with people like Lucia who exhibit the love of Christ to all. Christ died for me and for her and it is in his death that we became sisters. While my heart aches for those I love in the states, what a privelege God has given my family to be part of what he is doing right here.

Moms, I love you both, but know my heart beats to be here. My soul breathes for the purposes He has for me and for Matt. I long to see His purposes lived out for Ethan, for Isabelle and for Audrey that are being established right here, even in these early years of their lives.

My God, My Jesus, My Counselor, Thank you, for what you are doing here. May I always trust in you to complete your promises, that you will always bring good in the midst of sorrow and difficulty, and that you have a vision greater than my mind can ever understand and that reaches farther than my eyes can ever see and is more vivid than my mind can ever imagine. I love you.

Update

I only have a few minutes this morning but thought I would update you that we made it to Indiana and are enjoying the time we have with family. Yesterday was an absolutely wonderful day spent at a local woods and nature conserve called Camp Cullom. We used to visit this place every fall and spring with Matt's parents. Yesterday, they joined us as well as his brother and sister-in-law and my parents and brother, my niece and also my cousin and his fiancee. It was a wonderful day and I am so thankful we were able to do that. We were blessed to be able to visit with a supporting church Wednesday night. Matt was able to help out with a community project they had going on this weekend as well. Today we head to another church to speak during the service and fellowship afterwards. The afternoon will be spent with one of my lifelong friends and her children and then off to anevening spent with our church family. I know that most of our missionary friends are not able to leave for the states for periods of several years at a time. God is so good to allow us this time here with our family. I am very thankful to be here.

Please pray that our visits with these churches would be fruitful and God would continue to open the hearts of individuals, as we are still very much raising support.

Please also pray for the Los guido choir today as they lead worship in Tejarcillos for the service this morning.