Volcan Irazu

view from the highest point possible


Mommy and Ethan hanging out


Mommy and Ethan at the top


full view of the crater and lake


Izzy running on the playa


At the volcano sign


Matt and the kids at the highest point. When we arrived, there was total cloud cover and we couldn't see anything. Except white clouds!


This rocky, ashy area is called Playa Hermosa (Beautiful Beach). It is where the ask and volcanic rock have settled over the years. A part of the beach has begun to regrow plant life on its own.


Ethan scratching out his name in the sand


Izzy, Audrey and Mommy walking along the beach area



Interesting creature called Coati looking at me


A coati hunting for food


One of the best parts of the trip was the amazing scenery we saw. We haven't seen an area like this before since we've lived here and it was really cool. We all ooohed and aahhhed about the farmland and farms that we saw. These next few pictures really reminded us of Indiana.


freshly planted fields


flat farmland. We saw the farmers tilling and working the ground by hand. We saw several work horses plowing the ground.


We could smell the freshly tilled soil. One of my favorite smells in the world!!!


How many people can you fit in the back of a Toyota? At least 10!


Great view of the country and the city


a great view


hillside fields

Head in the clouds

Thursday is the day we devote to family...and because we had a nice deposit to be used for "Family Fun" from our friends in the ladies Bible Study from Frankfort, we headed out of the city today to Irazu Volcano about an hour from our house.

We had a fantastic day! I will post more tomorrow, but I had to post the picture of how cloudy it is at about 11,000 feet above sea level!


It was only about 50 degrees and it sure felt COLD!!! to our now well-adjusted-to tropical-climate bodies! The clouds felt like a light snow as they would blow across us and it is amazing that it does NOT actually snow because it is so chilly.


Matt and Audrey at the highest point...totally clouds...couldn't see anything past about 50 feet ahead of us....



Our van was about 50 feet from us when we took this picture...about 5 minutes before this picture was taken, it was sunny and we could clearly see the crater of the volcano. Then the clouds rolled in and we couldn't hardly see anything!

It was pretty cool!

"I like it. I really like it!"

Today I was discussing a home remedy for stomach worms...yeah...it's a possibility Audrey has 'em...poor girl...so I was discussing this ability the seeds of a papaya have to take away the worms with fellow CLF missionary Debbie, today. She has served in the jungles of Venezuela and has a wealth of information on all sorts of things. She filled me in on what to try for Audrey. So, as we were saying good-bye, Isabelle asked about the "experiement" we were going to try with Audrey (the eating of the seeds). She was confused about eating seeds since usually you do not eat the seeds of fruits. I reminded her of how much she likes passion fruit and you eat the seeds in it. She says, "Oh yeah...they kinda taste like boogers." short pause..."I like it. I really like it!"

Not quite sure of the actual meaning, but hoping the reference was to the passion fruit. This was too funny not to share...out of the mouths of babes...

Today in pictures

Today's post is a photo blog of our day in Jazmin...


exploring the "jungle" in Jazmin


los toros (the bulls that roam freely)


La ciudad (the city) looking into the city from the mountain that Jazmin is on


Katerin


Jose, Katerin's little brother


the first house in Jazmin


Izzy exploring


houses in Jazmin


Ethan playing on the big rock


Ethan and Eleazar in the "selva" or jungle


Ethan and Eleazar playing


Eleazar


Audrey enjoying nature


Brooke and Katerin during the discipleship group


Brooke and Katerin praying before starting the discipleship group


beautiful dragonfly morphing out of old skin





the path from Tejarcillos to Jazmin


Isabelle and Audrey...I LOVE this picture!!!


The sidewalk is a result of a recent humanitarian effort in Jazmin by a group of North Americans. The interesting thing is that their efforts in Jazmin generally distract from our efforts. Sadly, the attraction of free candy, a ride in a truck or simply new people is sometimes enough to distract the youth and adults in our discipleship groups from being consistent. We've felt the effect of something as simple as an English class lure youth away from studying God's Word and growing in your relationship with Him. This new sidewalk however, is a huge benefit to our ministry now that the rainy season is upon us. We slip and slide walking up the hill if it is even a little bit muddy. We are thankful for the way God chooses to bless our ministry through efforts of other groups. God is good to use all things for His glory.



Today is my Dad's 60th birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!!!

"Well, that explains it!"

Yesterday, we took the kids to a nearby park to let the older ones ride their bikes. We had to do a few errands before we went so I grabbed a few things to have a picnic with before playing at the park. I brought crackers, tuna, mayo, juice boxes and a couple small bags of chips.

As we were eating, all three kids were ooohhing and aaahhing over the food. You would have thought I had cooked a full course fancy-smancy meal or something. There was a chorus of "WOW, Mom, this is so good!" Thanks MOM"! "Great lunch!"

Ethan, between bites, says, "Mom, did you take classes to learn to cook or something?" To which I responded, "Well, actually I did take cooking classes when I was in high school." (That was when home-making values were still respected and thought to be useful...and you could still actually choose home-ec or vocational classes)

He looks at me very matter-of-factly and says, "Well, that explains it! It is obvious!"

Way to go, Mrs. Mosson! The fruit of your labor speaks!!! :)

Ethan's birthday present

We're thinking that we'll be buying Audrey's birthday present a little early this year so that she isn't left out :)

a few pics

Here are a few pics from our Nicaragua trip:







Carlos and his family and our family
We were able to contact the same taxi driver that we used last time and arrange for him to pick us up through the hotel. It was really great seeing a friendly face waiting for us and it was so nice to reconnect with him. We invited him and his family to spend the day with us Sunday and it was really wonderful getting to meet his wife, Belkis, and his daughters, Yessi (Jessi) and Rachel. When Carlos picked us up Monday, we arrived a little early at the bus stop and he invited us to spend some time with his family at his house. It was very humbling having them invite us and so wonderful being able to learn more about them. We pray our relationship can continue with this special family.


A little glimpse of paradise
At times, it feels like a distraction to have to leave, and in all reality, it is. However, Belkis encouraged me by reminding me that in the life of full time ministry, family time is often sacrificed. We know this to be true in our own lives, although we do our best to guard our family. She reminded me of the blessing God has given us to be able to leave every few months and have uninterrupted family time. It realy helped me to put into perspective the blessings God has given us and thank him for all He has done for us.


My handsome husband relaxing (a rare sight to see)


Matthew and his Momma
What a wonderful gift God gave us to be able to share this time with Matt's mom. She treated us to several meals at the restaurant, something we usually don't have the budget for. The food was excellent and relieved me from cooking every meal, which was nice. We really enjoyed our time with Mimi.


Tatiana and our girls
One of the things we love the most about this specific hotel is the family atmosphere the owners and employees have created. All of the employees and their families live at the hotel and eat their meals together and also receive health insurance. There is a school for all the children. We have really enjoyed getting to know the staff and this time they welcomed us like family. It was really cool to hear "Welcome Back!" with huge smiles from all as we arrived! This is Tatiana, one of the girls' friends from last time. She lives there with her husband and they are expecting their first child.


I love this shot...Mommy and Audrey laughing at who knows what...but just having a great time


Mommy and Iz enjoying the waves


Audrey and Dayana playing
The girls met a little friend the first day there named Dayana. She was super sweet and we enjoyed her company the rest of our time there. She really enjoyed herself, too, as there are not many other girls her age to play with. We were blessed by her company throughout our stay.


a baby sea turtle
Dayana's dad and mom work at the hotel and her dad is actually the general manager. He invited us to watch the release of baby sea turtles our last day there. It was absolutely amazing and a once in a lifetime event to participate in. Each of our kids were able to liberate at least one of the babies and we watched until they all made it to the sea. It was such a cool experience!


Dayana, Audrey, Ethan and Isabelle with the baby turtles. Twenty-three babies had been born that day and were released that afternoon.


Brooke and the kids with Mimi at sunset





Ethan exploring the rocks
Ethan really loves this part of the beach. There are a million little nooks and crannys and he spends so much time walking and digging and watching and looking at all the different creatures that live in the rocks, primarily the crabs.


Audrey on the beach. I just love this shot. She absolutely loves the sand, the waves and building and digging.

Happy 9th Birthday, Ethan!!!!

Today Ethan Matthew McClain is 9 years old! It does not seem possible, honestly. I can remember my pregnancy, the wonder and awe of him growing inside of me, I remember him being born and the utter fear of being responsible for this little person, then his smile and laugh and the ways he has changed and grown over the years. But, it has flown by. Nine years!!! When said, it seems like quite a long time, but to me, today thinking back, I cannot believe how fast the time has gone.

We started the day by singing him our family birthday song ("This is the Day") and then I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, his favorite! Mimi had brought us a Ben 10 Omnitrix watch from the states and we gave that to him this morning (He LOVES Ben 10) and the girls bought him Ben 10 cards, which they all three collect. (Think baseball cards, but super cheap).

This afternoon we have some surprises planned, too.

Pease pray for my baby boy today. God is growing him into a handsome caring loving young man and I am so blessed to be able to be his mom.

Here is a few pictures from the years.

Ethan about 2 1/2 months old (Look at those rolls!!!)





Proud big brother with his adorable little sisters (just turned 5)






Last year of preschool (5 1/2 years) Sooo handsome!!!






First lost tooth (about 7 years)






This was taken on our Nicaragua trip. He loves to explore and swim and he is just such a wonderful unique kid! We love him so much and he brings us great joy. We are forever grateful to God for allowing us the privelege to parent this cool little boy!




**The comments seem to be messed up and I cannot figure out how to fix them....Sorry about that.

Nicaragua photos

Sorry for the delay in posts...we said good-bye to Mimi (Matt's mom Sue) this morning after about 10 days here with us. We had a wonderful time. Nicaragua was fantastic time to share with her and relax, something we always need in the busy life we lead...

I have high hopes to post pictures soon of the trip, but I am also going to try something new.

I generally post most photos on facebook. I have enclosed the link in this post and hope that it works and you can view the pics of the trip.

There are two albums. Here is the link for the first:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78270&id=735354596&l=824cd11acc

and the link for the second:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78287&id=735354596&l=bf65c9d4d7

Please comment as to whether it is working or not....

Thanks!

**Note: It looks like you'll have to copy and paste the link in order to get to the albums. I know there is a way to include a link and just click on a word to get to it, I just do not know how to do it. If anyone has any helpful insights on how to do that- I'm all ears :)