In a Country Where Time Doesn't Mean As Much...

It sure does fly by!  The past three months have been packed with adventure, growth, and new friendships!  Here's a quick overview:





September is Independence month here in Costa Rica, and the celebration basically lasts all month long.  Independence Day is September 15, but decorations and festivities run the whole month.  "Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz" is the last line of the national anthem, which shows their commitment to hard work and staying a peaceful nation.  It's easy to say that I live a pretty peaceful lifestyle here.  I also had the opportunity to go to the National Theater to see one of my students play in the orchestra for an evening of recognizing diversity and peace here in Costa Rica.  Even the president of Costa Rica was there!  :)








October included Grandparent's Day and Culture Day.  For grandparents day we performed a play showcasing the diversity of our students and appreciation for the grandparents.  Culture Day is celebrated on the holiday which we like to call Columbus Day.  I think its interesting that while the U.S. is celebrating taking over a land that is not their own, Costa Rica is appreciating all the diversity that makes the country unique.  As a school, we had an assembly where all the flags were carried from all the countries represented, dances and songs were performed, and John 3:16 was recited in many other languages.  We also had the opportunity to showcase multiple countries through booths with food and information.  Since my coworker is from Canada, 3rd grade got to represent Canada.  It was quite an exciting Friday morning, which led to an amazing 3 day weekend at the beach!  I don't think I'll get tired of having that option every weekend.

November has been a full month of adventure!  I have the privilege of getting to know a student teacher from California, and show her around the country to all my favorite spots.  Also, just a week ago I had a student teacher from MNU arrive to teach in my class.  This is my first experience mentoring a student teacher and I'm so excited about it!  She's only here for a short while (especially since we have all week off for thanksgiving....) but it's quite an experience.  Therefore I have many reasons to travel all around on the weekends.  Lately I've gotten to visit my favorite beach of Punta Uva (pictured above), go whitewater rafting, visit the Poas Volcano, and looking forward to a week of vacations and traveling this week :)  God is so good!

On a more serious note, I'd like to thank you for your prayers.  Coming back from a summer break in the states was a little tough on me spiritually.  I hadn't felt as connected to a church community here in Costa Rica as I did in the states.  I was missing my close-knit church group, and struggling to find something similar.  Although I still haven't found a permanent church home, I have been blessed with four lovely ladies to meet with weekly for a discipleship group.  They are amazing and I thank God for bringing together our group.  I don't know what I'd do without them!

La Paz

The peace... 

of Christ has taken over me.  I would have never thought that I would be sitting here writing a blog, in August of 2015, from Costa Rica again.  I told myself (and family and friends) that it would only be one year, then I'd be back in the states.  Yet God had a different plan.  And I am at peace with it.  

I apologize for the lack of blogging in the past 8 months, but a lot was going on.  During the 4^th quarter of school here in Costa Rica, I was also finishing up my master’s degree.  That required 45 hours of work from me, along with my full-time work I was already expected to complete.  Thankfully, I made it through, and was still able to enjoy the end of the school year with my precious students.

Towards the end of the school year last year, I was feeling conflicted on what to do.  I knew God had called me here for a purpose, and yet I didn’t feel that my purpose was completed here yet.  My school had gone through some changes, and I was unsure how I felt, but God kept speaking to me.  As I prayed, I didn’t feel a calling to go elsewhere, so I committed myself to another school year, and signed an open-ended contract.  One of the major blessings that helped my decision to stay was the fact that the parents of my students had actually petitioned to keep me for another year, and move up with the kids to 3^rd grade.  I was ecstatic!  It had taken me almost a whole quarter to build the relationships with the kids and the parents, and I was so excited to be able to keep them for another year. 

However, this summer, I was able to spend time back home in Minnesota and Kansas, and oh do I miss life there.  I miss my family, church, community, friends, co-workers, and life in general.  Yet, as I said, I know God isn’t finished with me here yet.  He has given me the strength, wisdom, and power to complete His will for me in this season of life, and I’ll continue doing that until He calls me back.

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:20-21

So, fast-forwarding to today, we have completed 3 weeks of school so far, and I couldn’t be happier!  God has definitely blessed me and equipped me to do work through Jesus Christ.  It feels so good to have my students back, and to be challenging them in 3^rd grade now.  The school is moving in a wonderful direction, including integrating language arts and social studies.  This has allowed me to use some of my “expeditionary learning” experience in writing curriculum for language arts.  Although it is a lot more work, I love teaching this way and am thrilled to be able to write this curriculum. 

La Finca- Iglesia Del Nazareno Poas

I’m also at peace with being back in the beautiful country of Costa Rica (although I have been sick for about 2 weeks now, have computer issues, and haven't been to the beach...)  On a positive note, I did to see my uncle Dave, and hear him preach at La Finca- a Nazarene church up by Volcan Poas.  I hadn’t been up there yet, so it was a great chance to go up there, join him at church, and spend the afternoon at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.  It was an amazing display of God's creation for sure!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Today was a wonderful day spent with the Webbs and Carol as I explored a new church in a town nearby.  I'm utterly grateful to have such wonderful people here willing to help me.  The church in Tibas was great as I was getting to know Costa Rica, but I was lacking a strong community there.  As I spent time in Kansas, and at my church, I realized how much I miss my community there.  So one goal I have is to search for that here in Costa Rica.  So be praying for me as I am looking for that. 

Thanks for reading... I'm hoping to be able to keep up with this now that I have a little more free time on my hands!  

Let's Pretend...

This was actually posted 3 weeks ago when I wrote it :).  It's been a little hectic with the end of the semester, moving to a new apartment, not having internet, getting ready to come back to the USA.. etc.  So here's my Thanksgiving blog...

Thanksgiving…

A time when the United States remembers to be thankful. 

A time when people fill their bellies with turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and pie.

A time when consumerism takes over the human body and people go insane at stores.

This year my Thanksgiving looked a little different.  The weather didn’t feel like Thanksgiving.  I was unable to see my family.  I got to have a Thanksgiving lunch with my students which consisted of Popeye’s chicken.  Although Costa Rica doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, they do have Black Friday, Black Weekend, or Black Month, which I thought was interesting!  I also was able to have a Thanksgiving lunch with all the faculty and staff at my school.  And lastly, I was invited to join one of my bosses at his house for dinner on Thanksgiving Day.  Although it was very different, I am so thankful for the week I had, and wouldn’t change it for the world!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight” –Proverbs 3:5-6.  This bible verse has been surfacing in many ways since I’ve been in Costa Rica.  It’s on the journal I got from my mom before leaving… I’ve posted it in my classroom in both Spanish and English… It’s been in many of my devotionals… It’s been part of sermons I’ve heard.  From the very first moment I was even seriously considering teaching abroad, I’ve had to place all of my trust in the Lord.  It is very clear that if I had only trusted in myself, I would not be here today.  The beginning of my time here was very challenging for me, for many reasons.  However, I kept trusting the Lord, and his plan for allowing me to be here.  And by trusting in his plan, I have been able to relax (most of the time), and enjoy my time!  I am constantly surprised in the ways God has been blessing me. 

The most recent blessing has been the apartment I was offered.  In my previous apartment, there was little ventilation, and with rainy season, it was very moist.  These conditions made it perfect for the development of mold.  Mold was growing everywhere.  I am slightly allergic to mold, therefore I have been sick for a total of about 8 weeks, and I’ve only been here for 15.  But, I am now residing in a new apartment, in a great location, within walking distance of my crossfit gym, next to a mall, yet a little further from school.  When I first took a tour of this apartment, I was considering if I was dreaming.  This place is beyond what I ever expected, hoped for, or thought I would have.  I’m beyond thankful for this incredible new place to live.

It’s amazing… the way God works.  My life in Kansas was so good, so comfortable, I was so happy.  Two years ago, when God called me to teach abroad, I was excited, yet scared.  As that calling became a reality in August, I was still excited and still scared.  I was leaving my comfortable bubble that I knew so well, to go to a new country I’d never been to, teach in a school I’d never seen, communicate only with Spanish (outside of school)… yet I knew that if I put my trust in the Lord, everything would be okay.  There were times in my life in the States when I did whatever I wanted, not what the Lord wanted me to do.  I was selfish, ungrateful, and disobedient at times.  But being here in Costa Rica has led me on such an incredible spiritual journey.  I’ve learned to communicate more with my Heavenly Father.  I’ve learned to depend on Him every single day.  I’ve learned that He is truly ALL I need.  He has made my faith stronger in places that I didn’t even know needed to be strengthened.    I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now.  I’m exactly where God needs me to be, and I’m incredibly feliz J  

Still Catching Up!

So my last blog ended with the weekend before Halloween, so I still have about a month to catch up on.  Halloween night... Not the usual Halloween night for sure.  Some people celebrate, but my school doesn't celebrate at all.  Therefore, we took the opportunity to go out for dinner and try chifrijo- a dish I'd been wanting to try since I saw it on the back of my tortilla chip bag the first week I was in Costa Rica.  It is a dish that is made of chicharron, pico de gallo, black beans, and rice.  It is served with chips, lime, platano and avocado.  Que rico!! We traveled up into the mountains for this adventure.. and boy was it cold!  I didn't pack much clothing for cold weather so I know now what I need to bring back with me at Christmas time.

Chifrijo

Seeing as Thanksgiving is a US holiday and all, I was surprised to hear that we are having quite the celebration at school with our kids.  The planning began way back in October, on a Friday after school.  I'm thankful to have a few moms who love being crafty and have been such a huge blessing.  We decorated the classroom just in time for November to begin, and have planned for our lunch of Popeye's chicken.  After spending many hours decorating, the next morning was a much needed trip to the beach!

I was fortunate enough to take two final beach trips with my dear friend Stephanie before she had to return to the United States.  We made it to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and woah was it 'tan linda!'  The water was so clear, the food was delicious (cooked in coconut oil) and the weather was fantastic!  We were so blessed to be able to ride with one of our bosses and his wife to the beach, and we even were able to stop at the Sloth Sanctuary on the way.  I never knew how amazing sloths could be.  They're pretty interesting creatures!  Since we had a ride to the beach, that also meant we had a way to go down to the beach called Punta Uva; one I had heard was amazing.  And it was.  So serene, with not too many people, no vendors, and beautiful sand and water.  Such a blessing of a weekend!

Puerto Viejo

Sloth Sanctuary- Featured on Discovery Channel

Punta Uva, Puerto Viejo

Lunch on the beach in Puerto Viejo

The next weekend we headed back to Tamarindo for one last beach vacay together.  We stayed right near the beach in a pretty nice hostel/hotel private room.  Within walking distance of Tamarindo beach, we decided to continue walking to the next beach, Playa Grande.  The only problem is you have to cross a river with crocodiles. So naturally, being the thrill seeker that I am, we swam as fast as we could across the river and only saw two crocs.  Just kidding!  There are many people with little boats that will take you across for a small fee.  The beach was much nicer on that side since there weren't as many people, and no one to bother you to buy things.  It was a much needed relaxing place to lay next to the ocean.  However, it was a good 45 minute walk to the spot of the beach we wanted to get to.  But SOO worth it!

Playa Grande, Tamarindo

Sunset in Tamarindo

Now I've caught up to this weekend... the weekend of Stephanie's departure.  I can't express how much she has meant to me the past three months.  She has been more than just a roommate.  She has been a true friend, spiritual companion, trusted listener, co-cucaracha killer, laughter pal, "sister/twin" (according to all my students), amazing chef, music DJ, accountability partner, and so much more.  I will truly miss her, and already do!  She had such an impact here in Costa Rica and I am so glad she followed what God put on her heart while she was here.  I can't wait to see her again, whether its in Costa Rica or if I make it to Brazil to visit!  She's irreplaceable but I know God will lead me to more friendships here in Costa Rica.
 

Stephanie and I before she left...

It's not goodbye... It's see you soon!

How Time Has Flown

Its true that time can truly fly when you're having fun.  It has been a whirlwind of an adventure so far in Costa Rica, but I wouldn't change any moment of it!  I have officially been here for 3 months now, completed one whole quarter of teaching, and am about halfway through the second quarter.

As far as school goes, the biggest challenge lately was Parent-Teacher Conferences.  The only experience I had with true Parent-Teacher Conferences was during student teaching because I had only had Student-Led Conferences the past three years:).  In addition to the newness of Parent-Teacher Conferences, the added challenge was that most of the parents only speak Spanish.  However, I took the time to prepare notes in Spanish so I was ready to discuss everything with the parents.  It was a very neat experience to get to host conferences in Spanish and English.

The challenges of adapting to teaching here have slowed down as I am learning the ways of the school.  I absolutely adore my class and am learning a lot from having a class that is full of ELL (English Language Learners).  After I finish my MS in Education, Reading and Literacy this year, my next goal is to get my ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement.  Therefore, this year has helped me learn a lot about teaching ELL students.

And of course I have had a blast exploring Costa Rica!  The country is so diverse and has many different ecosystems to explore.  Living in the valley of San Jose, I am experiencing the wet, rainy season, but having the opportunity to travel on the weekends to see other parts of the country.  Below are a few photos from my adventures since the last blog!

Zoo Ave Field Trip

Tamarindo, Guanacaste Beach Trip

Catamaran Ride in Tamarindo

Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo

2nd Saprissa Game-- vs. Sporting KC!

Day Trip- Stopped in Sarchi- The Artist Town

And home of the largest carreta (ox cart)

Volcan Arenal

 Natural Hot Springs

Almost...

finished with Quarter 1 at school!  I can't believe it!  The past week and a half I've felt somewhat like a chicken with my head cut off.  I've had lots to do and not much time to do it, so it's been interesting.  But I did take last weekend to rest and relax on the beach.  This was my first beach trip, and it definitely won't be my last!

 

 

A few of my coworkers and I drove to the coast right after school on Friday.  We went to Manuel Antonio, which was about 3 and a half hours away.  Of course it was raining, with traffic, so it took a little longer.  Nevertheless, we arrived and found a hostel for the weekend. 

 

I'd heard such great things about Manuel Antonio, because they have a national park as well.  Therefore, we were able to wake up and go to the national park, walk a little bit, see some wildlife, and go to a more "private" beach inside the park.  My goal was to see monkeys... and all I saw on the beach were some iguanas, and lovely raccoons that were trying to open our bags and steal our things.  They were sneaky, even after we moved our bags... twice.  Besides the raccoons and iguanas, we didn't see much on the way in, or at the beach.  However, on the way out we were able to experience the capuchin monkeys swinging and running across the street, while a howler monkey climbed as far away as he could from the flock of humans staring at him.  We also spotted a snake, some birds, a frog, and a deer.  So overall, I'd say it was a success :)

 

Wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park

 

 

 

 

 

And praise the Lord Almighty because we get 2 days off of school the week after next :)  They normally have a week off after the end of the quarter, but they took that out.  Luckily, they decided to add a 2 day break for us, so I'm looking forward to that weekend so we can take another trip... somewhere!  Stay tuned :)

Viva Costa Rica!

It has been an exciting, fun week to celebrate the independence of Costa Rica.  Each day this week at school, we had a program in the morning.  Each grade level in Primaria performed a different part of Costa Rica's history.  We, the 2nd graders, had the privilege of sharing about the national tree, Arbol de Guanacaste.  Throughout the week, I became more familiar with the National Anthem, the Independence Day song, and learned about faroles and BOMBAs! 

 

-- Mi Clase :) --

 

 

 --2nd Grade Team--

On Friday, the students got out of school at 12, and the teachers had the afternoon off as well.  We were going to return on Friday evening at 5:30 for the Acto Civico program, so the principal invited us over to his house for the afternoon.  We had a nice relaxing afternoon up in the mountains... a home very opposite from mine in the city.  Then we returned to school for the Acto Civico.  The students performed musical pieces, and there were traditional dances as well.  After the program, 6th grade and 11th grade students provided the meals.  I had a tamale y arroz con leche.  Que rico! 

 

 

 

-- 3 of my chicas during the Acto Civico Friday night --

 

 

-- Un baile tipica --

 

 

-- At the principal's house --

 

 

On Saturday morning, I could hear bands playing starting around 8:00 am.  So no sleeping in at this house! We had decided we were going to take the bus into San Jose, because my roommate hadn't been yet.  So I showed her what I knew about downtown San Jose, and was excited to eat Pollo Campero since I hadn't had it since El Salvador 2013.... Unfortunately, the sandwich I got wasn't quite what I had remembered about Pollo Campero, but oh well! After lunch another teacher joined us downtown and we walked about a mile to find the Parque Nacional.  On our way to Parque Nacional, we stumbled upon another park that was filled with craft stands, tents where you could sit and play chess, areas where people were salsa dancing, playing futbol, or hula hooping!  We walked through, as it started to rain, so we decided to continue on to the park that was our destination.  We got to the Parque Nacional, and it was beautiful!  There were hardly any people there, and it seemed like a nice calm, serene area to rest and enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica.  We took some pictures, and as it started to rain harder, we decided to walk back to the main part of town.  As we walked back, and were pretty much soaking wet, we passed through the park that had activities.  We decided to join in the dancing, as now it was more of a latin line dance class.  We had a blast, dancing in the rain, and found out that she is there every Saturday teaching dances!  So now we know where to go on Saturdays:)  We also stopped and hula hooped for a minute before heading back.  As we were getting back into downtown San Jose, we went to a coffee shop to rest, and wait out the pouring rain.  We were just getting warm and dry when we realized it might not stop, and it was starting to get dark.  So we headed back to the bus stop in the rain!

 

-- Parque Nacional--

 

 

-- Bailando en la lluvia --

-- Parque Nacional --

 

Sunday was quite an eventful day as well.  After church and lunch, we were invited to join the Nazarene Missionary family for a "Tarde Tipica" (Typical Afternoon) at a local Nazarene church.  The church had traditional food for sale, and music playing while we enjoyed the food.  The food included empanadas, picadillos (ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a tortilla), a variety of postres (desserts), coffee, and agua dulce.  After most people had eaten, a man was walking around with strips of paper.  I politely accepted, then realized it was a BOMBA! and I was going to be expected to say it in a microphone for the whole church to hear.  I wasn't so sure about that.  A BOMBA! is a type of oral expression that is quite witty or funny, and rhymes.  The kids had been saying BOMBAs all week so I was used to hearing them, just not used to reading them.  But I made it through my first (and possibly last...) BOMBA! Some of the young ladies were dressed in the typical dresses, yet they hadn't planned on dancing.  When we asked, however, two of the girls were willing to dance for us.  After the "Tarde Tipica" ended, we got dropped off at home, and then went to church, a little late, but we can blame that on tico time :)  After service, there was more traditional food to celebrate Costa Rica's Independence Day.  I definitely haven't gone hungry at all this weekend!

--Tarde Tipica en La Iglesia Nazareno de Los Angeles--

Finally we arrive to Monday, the actual day of Costa Rica's Independence!  I got up this morning to walk down to Tibas to see the parade.  The streets were full of people and performers, ready to march the streets of Tibas.  The parade consisted mainly of school groups, bands, "drill team" like dancers, and a few children dressed in traditional dresses and outfits.  Red, white, and blue filled the air, and all were happy and proud of their country.  It's been a very energetic week, and I have loved seeing the loyalty ticos have to their country! 

 

-- Independence Day Parade --

 

 

-- Independence Day Parade --

-- Representing the Province of Guanacaste --

 

-- Representing the Province of San Jose --