Well I have been hounded about my lack of posting/blogging so I took the afternoon to learn how to post on blogs and I admit, it’s not as bad as I thought! Costa Rica has been a whirlwind! We’ve been here barely a week and it seems like we have all jumped right into Tico-land. The food is awesome, the people are so kind and we’ve all been blessed in many different ways.

Yesterday we were able to have some intentional girl/guy time. The girls got together for some prayer time and just some moments of sharing our hearts. I feel so blessed to have those girls as teammates but more importantly just friends.
Stacy is so kind and unassuming. She keeps me on my toes about having an intimate relationship with God. She’s a care giver and I love having her by my side. Alison and I are blessed to be neighbors here in Costa Rica (well, when they get to move in.) She has such a passion for people and truly gives her heart. I’ve loved sharing the last year with her and have had more laughs than I know what to do with. Tara continues to surprise me with her wisdom. When we met yesterday she talked about how being here, we were stripped of everything except our identity of being a “christian.” It’s so true and she is so good about seeing situations in such a Godly way.
Needless to say I am BLESSED by these women. Every one of them brings a different aspect to “team” that wouldn’t be as strong without them. The guys took the kids to the park while we met and let me just mention how blessed we are to have such amazing, Godly men on this team. We then switched off the kids and the guys got to go eat, pray and also “share feelings.” Ok, well they didn’t call it that but it’s exactly what went down.
It has been a wonderful few days and were all ready to get started on the Spanish language (ok, well I’m a little nervous.) I’ll write again soon. Blessings to all!

Well, the entire team has finally arrived to the beautiful country of Costa Rica, but not without some adventure. While the Davidsons, Yoakums, and Mark were supposed to fly to San José together, it ended up that Mark went first (at 11:30 am), with the two families following close behind (at 6 pm). It is a long story, but two phrases just about sum it up: “rain delays” and “missing passport” - yeah, pretty stinky. Then, the Thompsons and Fletchers left the next day, both knowing that they would be moving into temporary housing, since their rental houses are still under construction. Apparently construction projects down here aren´t always finished on time…

But, we are all here in San José, Costa Rica, adjusting to our new home - or should I say, nuestra casa nueva. Either way, we are setting up our houses, paying rent, locating stores, buying groceries, learning about the city, and trying to figure out how to say what we need to in Spanish. The process of adjustment has begun, and it looks like it will be one fun (and sometimes stressful) adventure!

The other night, Justin and I were having dinner here in Tennessee at a wonderful restaurant called Bell Buckle Cafe. We took our teammates there when they came to visit. Yes, we think that much of it! It is actually located in Bell Buckle, TN. Can’t get any better than that. **Sidenote: We have just one more night that we have open while here to eat out if we wanted. I told Justin tonight I want to go back there. Yep, just a few nights after the last time we ate there. It is just so amazing!** So, as we were eating, Justin asked me what I was most excited about in these next 2 upcoming weeks before we leave for Costa Rica. Without hesitation, I knew what that was for me:
BEING WITH OUR TEAM AGAIN!!!
Now, I have to say, I am definitely sad to be leaving the people here in TN that have welcomed us in, loved on us, cared for us, fed us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and prayed for us. They have taken over a place in my heart, and we are so grateful for that. Despite this, I told Justin I just cannot explain the excitement I have for seeing our entire team again all at the same time. Really, it’s for several reasons:

*I can’t wait to have some girl time with Tara, Stacy, and Stephanie,
*I love to watch the guys all interact as they joke with one another, encourage one another, laugh, and pray together (from what I hear, they have a mock “Olympics” all planned out for themselves to be held in College Station before we leave. Pretty much, they’re crazy.),
*It will be priceless to see all 7 of our kids begin to develop what we hope are lifelong relationships with one another,
*I LOVE having worship time with these people,
*I laugh more with them than I do with almost any other group of people,
*I will have work-out partners again!,
*Justin and I will be around others that support us and hold us accountable in our marriage and as parents to Cailyn,
and
*The work that God has called us all to is finally beginning (at least internationally!)

Honestly, I could continue this list, but for your sake, I won’t. I just had the urge to share the excitement that is welling up within me with someone. As each day passes, I grow more and more in love with the path God has for our lives at this time. I pray that in return for you as well. May God grant you the ability to surround yourselves with people who encourage you to do the will of our Creator - whether in your home in the US, or in Peru!