"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 :)

Gripe porcina (Swine Ful)

Most of you have probably heard about the outbreak of swine flu that originated in Mexico and has now made Mexico City into something out of a Twilight Zone movie with deserted streets, closed business, no traffic and even to the point of stopping churches from holding Sunday services. We now have confirmed cases here in Costa Rica. It appears to fast spreading wherever it is found.

I write tonight to ask you to begin praying against this epidemic now, if you haven't already.

More specifically, I ask you to pray for our missionary friends, Nathan and Sandra Kliewer, who are serving in the heart of Mexico City with their children. We love their family and they were a wonderful encouragement to us during language school here in Costa Rica. Sandra has been experiencing flu-like symptoms for the last week or so and also has had a fever. The doctor said that the absence of fever is a good sign, howver he cannot be sure that this virus os not the swine ful virus. So, he put Sandra on bed rest and she is not allowed to see anyone.

Please pray for Sandra. Pray that God would heal her and protect her and Nathan and their children from this illness as well as their ministry team in Mexico City.

My second purpose in posting about this is to ask you to pray for Matt's mom, Sue, on Wednesday. She will be flying alone to visit us for about 10 days. As there have been many reported cases in different parts of the states, as well as Indiana, we heard today, please pray for her as she travels through the airports and for her arrival here. Airports are breeding grounds for germs as it is, now that seems to be multiplied with this virus. Please pray for her travels and that God would protect her from any sickness or virus.

The third purpose to ask you to pray against this b=virus for our family and the ministry team and people with whom we serve. Matt and I and the kids as well as Matt's mom will be traveling to Nicaragua Thursday by bus. Please pray for protection from this virus as we travel and on our way back next week. Please pray for our ministry team as Mark and Meg, Melinda and Coco will all be traveling this month.

As hard as the enemy works in this world, we serve God, who has encouraged us to not fear and to know that He has overcome this world. He is the ultimate physician and more able to prevent any illness than any drug, vaccine or medicine...We trust in Him and know that He is in control. Will you go to the Throne of Christ with us and with these requests?

Mateito y Isa

Well, por fin (finally) Matt (Mateito "mat-A-ee-toe") is better. Tuesday evening we got some meds from the pharmacy, Zithromax and some heavy duty sore throat meds to soothe the sweeling and pain and today he feels (almost) back to normal. Praise God! THANK YOU for your prayers!

And today, I took Izzy to the pediatrician that saw her back in December for the asthma stuff, Dr. Martinez. He is really nice and good with her. Little things for me mean alot and he warmed his hands before he touched her back and the stethescope (just like Dr. Douglas used to do with the kids and Dr. Eller when I was little!) He also speaks decent English, which is important to me since we are dealing with little lives here :)

So, he really checked her out and agrees with me that there is something going on. She is not full blown asthmatic, for which I am thankful. However, she does have some irregular wheezing and the other things, like abnormal tiredness, weepiness and loss of appetite, cause him to be somewhat concerned. So, as a method of prevention, we've got another round of steroids and inhaler for the next two weeks.

So, we still ask for your prayers. He assured me that this is for prevention and that it was best that I had brought her in. Because without at least trying to prevent this from happening, it could possibly lead to a full blown attack. So, I am thankful for the mild symptoms to alert me that something, even if minor now, was going on, so we could do something proactive to prevent something major from happening.

THANK YOU again for prayers on her behalf as well.

Prayer for Mateo

Please pray for Matt. He's been sick since Sunday evening. He doesn't get sick very often, but when he's sick, he's really sick. Please pray for God to heal him quickly.

Also, it seems that Isabelle's asthma symptoms have come back. She's very tired, weepy, not eating well because she does not have an appetite. She also has a tightness in her chest that comes and goes. I am trying to get her in to the missionary doctor here to get a check-up. We would appreciate your prayers for her as well.

Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Do you not know?

The Holy Spirit is trying to teach me many things right now, although I am not a very good student, I admit. My heart is stubborn and at times hard. But, ultimately I desire to follow his teachings, His leadings, and to grow closer to Him. This thing called grace is so big it just blows my mind. It doesn't matter to my Savior what I do, how far I stray, He waits patiently for my return and is there when I arrive, arms open, already having forgotten that I had strayed. There is nothing I can ever do to earn His love nor His grace. He just gives it freely to me, the one He chose, to bear lasting fruit for Him, knowing full well my imperfections, yet chose me while I was lost in sin.

Yesterday God used a dirty, strung-out, barely clothed desperate woman who was begging for money in the middle of the street to remind me that He lives in me and in all of His children. I have seen this woman several times in the same spot, doing exactly the same thing. She is obviously a slave to the addiction of one or many drugs and every time I have seen her, shows the signs of addiction in her constant swagger, wild movements and lack of care for her body. The same man is always with her and yesterday he was sitting on the side of the road watching as she attempted to collect money from passing driver's.

As we approached her, I contemplated closing my window. I was sitting behind the driver's seat, next to window with Audrey on my lap and I knew that an encounter with her would be inevitable. But I resisted the urge to close the window and as we rolled to a stop to wait for the traffic light to change, she approached Matt and said, "Lend me 2 mil, brother" (about $4.00). As she was talking, she glanced back in our direction, saw Audrey and stepped towards our window, saying how cute she was. The woman's face dramatically changed from that of a desperate woman seeking money from a random man to one of love and care as she looked at my youngest daughter. I would be lying to say that I did not want to shield my child from this woman. I would be lying if I said I was thinking of how I could be Jesus to this woman. I was actually praying for the light to change and for us to be able to drive away. The woman, smiling widely, began asking Audrey questions. "How old are you, precious?" Generally Audrey becomes very shy and will not speak to strangers or use her Spanish when we are around. To my great surprise, she held up four fingers and said, "Cuatro" with a big smile. I smiled at the woman. The woman talked for another 30 seconds or so about how cute Audrey was and how tall she was, tall like her daddy she said. She moved back and forth to the driver's side window and our window. She noticed we had a cake in the front seat between Matt and Pastor Rogelio for the church service in Los Guido. "Who's birthday is it?" she asked. "They stayed behind," Rogelio responded kindly. The cake wasn't actually for a birthday, but for the Droke's commissioning, but Rogelio's answer was kind and simple. "That's not fair," she says, "It's their birthday and you took there cake!" Then the light changes, and we begin to move forward with traffic. Before we drive away, she looks one more time at Audrey, smiles and says "Adios."

I really don't know if that woman even remembers our few minute conversation. I may never see her again. But, as we drove away, I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of the ministry God has given us to take the message of reconciliation to the lost in this world. God wants that woman to be restored to Him, just like He wanted me to be restored to Him years ago. Just like He wants me to continue to restore my relationship with him even now, when I fall, when I fail Him. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)If only she knew the gift God has for her, maybe her life would be different.

I found this poem on a friend's blog this morning and felt compelled to share it with you.

Do you know, do you understand, that you represent Jesus to me?

Do you know, do you understand that when you treat me with gentleness, it raises the question in my mind that maybe he is gentle, too. Maybe he isn’t someone who laughs when I hurt.

Do you know, do you understand that when you listen to my questions and you don’t laugh I think, “What if Jesus is interested in me too?”

Do you know, do you understand that when I hear you talk about arguments and conflicts and scars from your past, I think, Maybe I am just a regular person instead of a bad, no-good little girl who deserves abuse.”

If you care, I think maybe he cares — and then there’s this flame of hope that burns inside of me and for awhile I am afraid to breathe because it might go out.

Do you know, do you understand that your words are his words? Your face, his face to someone like me?

Please, be who you say you are. Please, God, don’t let this be another trick. Please let this be real. Please.

Do you know, do you understand that you represent Jesus to me? (Seeking Small Groups, Gary Poole) (Thanks, Dave, for sharing this).

"You face, His face to someone like me?...Do you understand that you are Jesus to me?"

Do I really know that I am Jesus to others in this world. To believers and to unbelievers. My very face reflects the face of my Savior.

I often feel weary and tired and worn out. The desperation I see every day takes its toll sometimes. My heart aches for the woman who shared with me yesterday that she doesn't have enough money to buy diapers or formula for her son. She desperately wants to work, but like most, she is here illegally and cannot find work. I didn't sleep well last Tuesday. I tossed and turned thinking about the senseless loss of two lives in Tejarcillos that morning. The desperation of a young man, 20 years old, who would attempt to rob a delivery truck guarded by a man carrying a shot gun at 9:00 am. The situation ultimately ending in the loss of both the young man's life as well as the guard's life.

Desperation and darkness and stronghold and addiction and hurt and anger and hate and captivity.

Sometimes the burden I bear for the lost feels like too much. Sometimes it makes me want to close my window and shut out the ever-present need all around me. Sometimes I feel so weak and so tired.

Love and peace and grace and kindness and gentleness and compassion and hope and faith and caring and LOVE...and SALVATION. JESUS.

Jesus. He died for me and rose from the dead for me. For those I am burdened for, as well. As He carried his cross to Calvary, He thought of me, right here in this moment that I feel so weak. As the nail was pounded into His wrist, both the right and the left, He thought of me. Again, as the nail was pounded into His feet, He thought of me. As His body sagged under it's own weight as the cross was erected and He had to use His own body weight against itself and as his muscles began to tear, He thought of me. As His own body began to grow weak and He asked His Father, my Father, "Why have you forsaken me?" Yet, God had not left Him. It was the Father's great will for His Son to die so that the world would know His great love for it; so that I would know His great love for me (John 3:16). God has not left me, He is here with me. Even in times of personal weakness and physically tired.

I am strengthened today by the hope I have in Christ. I pray that yesterday, the woman we saw in the street, saw Jesus in our faces, in my face. I pray that those I love here see Jesus in me. It is hard to know how to help...how to comprehend the need, how process the hopelessness. Hard not to become tired and weary.

"Do you know know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

It is in Him that I will become strong in times of weariness. It is in Him that I become free of the tiredness.

Also, God promises earlier in the same chapter of Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling:
'In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

These words have brought joy and hope to me for many years now. The more I learn, the stronger that hope becomes. These words were written by a prophet who desires to bring hope to a desolate nation held in captivity.

The uniqueness of the Bible, what sets it apart from any other book ever written is that it is alive, living, ACTIVE. What does that mean? It means that the words of this prophet brought great hope to the people of his day, brought the promise of forgiveness and of a Savior. Brought the news that though suffering will always be present, it has refining power for God's people. And the same is true for me and for you today. The same words that brought hope to the Jews then, bring hope to me today. My prayer is that His Word will bring that same Hope to the people of Tejarcillos and all of Costa Rica and to you. That those held captive will be set free. Despite the darkness that has fallen over this city, this country, God has not been defeated. He understands the suffering of the people in a way we can not. He plans what we cannot fathom. He has strength we do not. He has power we do not. He makes smooth the rough and rugged and makes the high become low.

Might you pray today for the lost and broken people held captive that our Mighty God plans to set free. Do you know that you reflect your Savior. Do you know how your face is the face of Jesus? Do you not know that God is the everlasting?

Might you remember,too, that even though you may think as missionaries we are above tiredness, above weariness, above failure...we are not. Might you pray for strength, wisdom and utter reliance on our Savior alone.

Happy Easter!

Hope that today is blessed day for all of you and the true meaning of Easter rings true for you today.

Christ is Risen! Risen indeed!!!

A wonderful day!

Today, we had a wonderful day! We left the house around 9:00 this morning and picked up Cindy from the mission house and then headed to Tejarcillos for our morning prayer time. We shared prayer requests and spent time in prayer and spent time in fellowship. Then we prepared for the day ahead. We had two special activities planned for all of our discipleship groups. We went to Jazmin first. We had planned a special lunch for those in discipleship groups with us and Cindy brought a special craft to do with everyone. We started out with the craft and everyone loved it! Then we served arroz con pollo which two ladies from the church had prepared. It was delicious and it was such a great afternoon. We had about 30 people in a little three room home.

Then, we relaxed for a little bit and worked on the planning of the rest of the week with Rogelio and Nery. Then, we began planning for the evening meal. People began showing up about 4:15 (or even a little earlier!!) and by 5:00 we were all inside- about 60 people- hungry and ready to eat! We served the food and had enough for seconds. It was fun watching the kids eat and so much fun hanging out with them. All the kids went out to the soccer field and played soccer with Pastor Rogelio and Matt before heading home for the evening.

It was a long day and the girls were sleeping when we got home. But it was one of those days you never forget. Thank you Lord for this day!

These are the Days of our lives...

Audrey said the funniest thing this morning. There was a lizard on the ceiling of our garage this morning and we were watching it through the window from inside the house. Audrey couldn't see it and she asked for someone to pick her up. I put her on the chair by the wall sp she could stand and see it, then I walked in to the kitchen.

I heard her say to Izzy, "Ohhhh, Sissy. We've never seen a lizard like this in all the days of our lives!" and then she exploded into giggles of joy.

She is such a blessing and always full of interesting and funny comments!

New shoes... The Bridge... the circus...and a little bit of my heart

Sorry for the delay in posts...here is a quick update:

Tuesday, I took Ethan to get some new shoes. Well, we went to look because he really needed some new tennis shoes. I dread shoe shopping here for two reasons: 1) Shoes are sooo expensive and 2) they are pretty poor quality. So, anyway, off we went, me praying for a bargain and Ethan just excited to be looking for new shoes. First two attempts came up with nothing but two pairs of shoes in his size and they were pretty ugly. So, we went to Payless, which here means PayMORE but what do you do? So, they only had two pairs in his size as well (he must have the popular size around here) but one pair he really liked and I did, too. After he tried them on and decided he liked them, I asked the price because I couldn't find it on the box. They were pretty pricey. I walked around trying to decide whether to get them or not and I came back and asked Ethan if he really liked them and if they were really comfortable to which he replied "yes" to both questions. Then, he sighed and said, "Mom, I really like them, but I just don't want you to have to spend so much money." My heart melted. He has such a kind heart. Well, we bought them...he wore them home...and hasn't taken them off since! In fact, he has been running and jumping every chance he gets- it is so cute!

Also this week, the church in Tejarcillos has been learning the 12 scripture verses to the evangelical tool, The Bridge from Navigators. At the beginning of the year, one member of the congregation shared with Pastor Rogelio that she had wanted to share the gospel with a family member, but didn't know how. So, he challenged the church members to learn the 12 verses and each week during the Wednesday night prayer meeting, we have taken time to go over the verse for the week. This Wednesday, we recited the verses in front of the church. Matt and I both were able to recite all 12 and are praising God that He has given us the ability not only to speak in Spanish, but also to guard the Word of God in our hearts in Spanish as well! We feel much more prepared now to share with the people we are serving with about God's great love for them.

And, in other family news, the circus has come to town! The circus tent was set up mid-February and the kids have wanted to go since they first saw the big purple castle-tent! We checked on admission and it was outrageously expensive so, we told the kids we couldn't go and of course they were bummed. I had prayed that God would make a way, because I had heard it was really good and they wanted to go so badly...and God in his goodness, answered my prayer! A sign went up Monday offering 2 for the price of 1 admission this week, the last week of the circus. So, Matt and I talked about which day would be best to go and the plan was set for the Big Surprise for the kids :) Isabelle had actually been invited to spend the night with her best friend and her family was going to the circus also. So, we talked with her and explained to her the surprise and that she could choose and either way it would be fine with us. She was so cute, she said, "Well, you are my family and I really want to go with you, but I know that I'll have you forever. Abby is my best friend and I don't know how long we'll live in Costa Rica together, so I think I'd like to go with her and her family." In more ways than she even knows, she has grown so much since we began our life here. Without fully understanding her thoughts, she has processed that sometimes people are only in our lives for a short time. She has began to understand the value of really loving the people God gives us to share our lives with. Although, I missed being with her at the circus and kept thinking what she had thought about it all (our family went at a different time than her friend's family), I was proud of her choice to spend time with her friend. She had a great time and even got to spend the night!

Matt and I enjoyed the time with Ethan and Audrey. They were fascinated with all they saw and we were pretty impressed, as well! I do thank God for the life he has given us. Although our schedule at times is quite crazy, God has given us such wonderful opportunities to grow closer to each other as a family. Matt and I are learning how to marvel in the wonderful creations God has given us in our children. I say learning, because I believe our lives in the past have been so chock full of "stuff" that in the process of running from one place to another we many times ran so fast that we missed wonderful opportunities with our kids. Now, we recognize this, and honestly, are fighting to preserve the time we have with our kids. Ethan will be 9 in May! Nine years with this precious little boy and in 9 more years he'll be in college! I have committed to God to fight to preserve my family, to really commit to them in these precious forming years of their lives. I've committed to holding my relationship with Him first, Matt second and then to my kids. Right now, that takes up almost all of my time. For some time, I struggled with that, struggled because, as I always have, I fight with the lie that I need to be everything to all people. God is showing me that I do NOT have to believe that lie. He doesn't want be to be everything for everyone and stress about how to do everything I think I need to do. What He wants most is for me to be all things for Him. He wants me to love Him more than anything...anything else. Even if that means that my role as a missionary looks like the life of a normal mom. I am learning to accept that sometimes what He calls us to does not look like what we first think it might. And the Holy Spirit has gently reminded me that He made me to be Matt's wife and the mother of these children, a job he gave to no one else. He has often reminded me that he really doesn't need me to reveal His word to the lost people of Tejarcillos, even if I have memorized all 12 verses of 'The Bridge.' What He would really like for me to do is be the helpmate to Matt that he designed me to be. To be supportive of him like no one else can be. To keep our home in a way that allows him to be comfortable and relaxed. To pray for Him for the things that only I see. And to train His precious children, the three he has given to Matt and I, in the way He created me to. And so, my life continues as wife, mom, teacher, daughter of the King and missionary. I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given me to disciple the young girls and the two married couples. I love these times and am thankful to have this time in the ministry. I am also very thankful to be able to help in the cooking and serving of the many mission teams that come throughout the year and also to our team during our weekly meetings. I believe we are finally finding a balance and I thank God for the prayers offered on our behalf and for His answer prayer and guidance.

Park days...

We've spent the past two mornings at local parks in an attempt to just relax and soak up the wonderful sunshine God has blessed us with recently. Yesterday, we went just down the road from us and let Izzy ride her bike. Ethan played soccer and Audrey, well, she just ran and screamed and ran and made all the noise she wanted to :) (OUTSIDE!!!)

Today we went to a park about 10 minutes away from our house. We have come to love this park. It reminds me of Columbian Park for you Indiana folk...Anyway, today we took a kite along with us and had a wonderful time. There are two sections to the park and to get from one side to the other you have to cross over a walking bridge that is over the main highway we take to Tejarcillos (for those who have been here before. We found quite possibly the best playground we've seen so far on the other side of the bridge. It was a wonderful morning!

"I need your kisses"

Last night, as I was putting Audrey to bed, she reached her arms out to me and said, "Mommy, I need your kisses." Awwwww...so sweet. The perfect way to end my birthday. Thanks to all who called or sent me birthday wishes!

"I need your hugs"

Tonight we got home a little later than planned and the girls were both asleep. Ethan was almost there. Matt and I carried the girls into their bedroom and put them in their beds. As I started to walk away from Audrey's bed, she said, "Momma, I need your hugs." Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever heard? :)

Happy Birthday Isabelle Adair!!!

Today is Isabelle's 7th Birthday! How can it be that she is that old? She woke up this morning and said that her voice was different and she looked bigger because she was 7 now! We are making it "her" day today. This morning I fixed her french toast, we ate tacos for lunch and we'll do what she would like for supper :)

This morning, we took off with the purpose of finding her a bicycle, which is what she wanted for her birthday!






I prayed we'd be able to find what she wanted: "a pink bike with a basket and streamers on the handle bars." Thank you, Lord, for leading us to the right shop :)

Then we took her to her favorite park, where she could ride her new bike, and we also fed the ducks. So far, it has been a fantastic day :)

Please pray for our sweet Isabelle today :)

By the way, we are all better today. Thank you for praying. Late yesterday afternoon, Audrey's fever broke and I started feeling better. Last night Isabelle said that the only thing she wanted for her birthday was for me and Audrey to feel better :) Isn't she sweet?

sick...

Just a post to ask for prayer. We've been hit by a flu-like bug. Audrey and I are both down with headaches, body aches and stomach aches and I've also got some yucky sinus stuff going on. We'd appreciate your prayers.

The retreat was wonderful...but I'll have to post more about it later.

some thoughts

Last night, I talked with our good friends the Blackstock's who are serving in El Salvador. It was wonderful! Both of our familes have Vonage phones and so we were able to talk as if we were in the states. The connection was amazing, I must say. My thoughts afterwards were of how wonderful is our God to allow us the advances in communication that we have today. What life must have been like for the early missionaries who waited weeks upon months for communication with family, friends and churches. We literally have communication at our fingertips with the internet, Skype and Vonage, email and other instant messenger-type programs. I have had the opportunity to "talk" with friends in various parts of Central and South America instantly, and North America, too as well as "seeing" them through Skype and webcam. I am amazed at the ease with which we can communicate today.

Other thoughts: I'll be leaving this afternoon for an overnight women's retreat through ILE (the language school). Although I am no longer a student there, they offer these retreats for missionaries serving here as well. I am excited because all of the "wives" on our team will be going. Pray it will be a great time of fellowhip for the three of us as we generally have no spare time for time together outside the ministry. Pray for the "men" as they'll hold down the forts without us.

blog questions answered

The answers to the blog questions are:
1. I chose the colors red, white and blue because they are the national colors of both the United States as well as Costa Rica. (Way to go Erin! Half-right, Ryan...)

2. The picture is of Ethan and Isabelle and was taken in Nicaragua last August.