The countdown is on!

9 more days until I'm back in the sweet south!

And even more exciting....3 days until my family flies into Costa Rica! It doesn't even seem like it should be time yet, but these last 2 weeks have flown by. 3 days until my family gets here also means I only have 3 more days left of teaching, and one of those days is Field Day with the elementary students! I have really enjoyed being with the high school students, even though I have experienced more attitude and unwillingness to participate than I did with the elementary students.

Along with the excitement of going home though, comes a sadness to leave this beautiful country and the people I have built relationships with here. The more goodbyes I have to say, the more sad I become that I am leaving. Last night I had to say goodbye to the women in my Bible study. I don't think they know how much of a blessing that time with them has been for me, or how much I've learned about Heaven and my Father through that study. I can confidently say that that study has changed my life forever. The knowledge I now have of Heaven has given me a stronger desire to share my love for Christ with others. I never realized how intricately planned the New Heaven and Earth was or how big of a part it plays in God's plan for us.

Like I mentioned earlier, I have opposing feelings about going back home. The part of me that still wants to stay in Costa Rica, is the part that has seen God in a new and more powerful way. Since being here, I have been stripped of some of the comforts of home. Granted I've had a beautiful home to live in, plenty of delicious food, a wonderful place to work at, but I haven't had my family, my boyfriend, my closest friends, my car, a TV with more than one English channel or my church (Side note: I am beyond thankful for modern technology that has allowed me to talk with loved ones all the way from CR). Without those comforts, I've been able to see God leading my steps and my words.

I've been able to trust Him to get me from point A to point B in HIS timing through taking public buses, taxis, or by walking. At home I have the ability to get in my car and drive anywhere that I please in whatever time I want (unless I hit Atlanta rush hour traffic which happens quite often). I've seen Him work through relationships I have made in Costa Rica, and He has taught me how to make them glorifying to Him. Through this trust I now have in Him, I have been able to see and recognize Him working in SO many situations, and because I now see Him, I can specifically thank Him daily for his provisions and how He works in my life. I'm afraid that when I get home, I will fall back into the comforts of home, and get back into my old routine that was lacking daily prayer and thankfulness and time spent in His Word. This is the biggest prayer request I have right now, that from day 1, I would continue to be grounded in Him and that he would continue to mold me and transform my mind, without getting caught up with life.

I can't wait to share more experiences from this trip with everyone in person. The prayers have been deeply felt, and I am humbly grateful for them. I believe this will be my last blog from Costa Rica, but hopefully I'll continue to use this blog to share with you all what is going on with my life and what God is doing in my heart.

PS. I saw a sloth cross the road....ha!

Love to you all, God bless, and Pura Vida