Life Has This Way of Marching On

Today, I heard that my 12 year old nephew got his black belt in karate.

And, along with being ridiculously proud of him, it also made me think of all that is happening back at home while I strive to focus here.

In fact, it's been something that I've been thinking about quite a bit recently. The first few months of being here in  Costa Rica were filled with constant internal conversations and pep talks... "Focus, Lindsay. God brought you HERE for a reason. Don't waste it, wishing you were home."

And now life seems so "normal" down here that I find myself suddenly thinking about home and feeling slightly guilty that it's been so long since the last thought.

And yet, since the bombing in Boston where my heart and mind were wrenched back to my beloved New England with a vengeance, all that I've missed seems All Too Real.

In the seven months since I've been gone

Weddings are being planned

Goddaughters are walking and talking

Loved ones have finished their race here on earth

Nieces and nephews have had birthdays, been in plays, advanced in karate & Boy Scouts, gotten new pets, lost new pets,

Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter happened

New cars have been purchased

Babies are on the way

New relationships have started... and some relationships have ended

Not to mention the countless family dinners, pedicures, trips to Target, pistachio martinis, movie dates, and couch snuggles that I've heard about via phone, email or Skype -- and been 2,500 too many miles away to participate in... actually 2,440.9. I googled it.

And yet, in the seven months since I've been here

Gotten so many more stamps in my passport

Seen Jesus heal broken hearts

Learned to sing in Spanish

Prayed for hundreds of people in a language that they don't understand... but that God does

Sat on the ground with the destitute in San Jose

Loved on children who love back with abandon

Been led into a deeper relationship with Jesus in ways that I didn't think was possible

And in the midst of all this, knowing on a deeper level that all of these emotions are going to be flipped at the end of my time here... while re-integrating into North American life, wondering about and missing the lives of the ones that I'm currently intermingling with.

What a beautiful, painful, and vivid way to learn the truth of Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in Heaven..." With a heart split now in thirds... a part in NH, a part here in CR, and a part desperately longing for what comes next.

My Real Home.

Answers!

I've still been really struggling with learning Spanish, so I signed up to take a five week intensive course beginning in May. The cost was $848. Money that I didn't really have. But I really felt like this was from God, so I stepped out and signed up. 

And then I told Him, "I don't really want to ask anyone for money. People have been so generous already, and I'd like to just see how You will work this out."
I got a notification from my church that some money had been deposited into my account... $500... and as far as I can tell, it was donated on the day that I made the decision to take the classes.
And then, an unexpected $100.
And then, $150.
And then, $30.
And with yesterday's $75, all you math wizards will see that I now have seven extra dollars to put toward my bus fare for those weeks!
None of these people knew about my classes. Each one just said "yes" to a prompting from the Holy Spirit.
And left me in awe, once again, of my Great God.

(Clouds over Nicaragua... Feb 2013)

I'd Like To Thank The Academy

... and also - YOU!

Thank you for GIVING: From those who gave $5, to those who gave $2,000... or those who were practical and gave space to store my things for this year, or gave time spent in doing my taxes via email. To those who support me financially on a monthly basis, or those who surprise me with "coffee money" or clever care packages. For your gifts, I thank you.

Thank you for PRAYING: There have been so many times that on an extra difficult day, I'll check email or Facebook, and there will be a note... "I'm praying for you." Those four words have a way of boosting my spirits. Making me realize that 1) the battle is NOT mine... it's His, and 2) I am not fighting it alone. Not only am I following a Leader who has already won, but I have comrades on this battlefield, both near and far away. For those prayers, I thank you.

Thank you for WRITING: The emails that are filled with normal, "This is what I did with my day" details. The quick little "we miss you" messages on Facebook, the cards and letters that come via snail-mail, the pictures that come of people and places back home... and the "I'm proud of you" notes. For this Words of Aff girl... they meet such a deep need. And for those words, I thank you.

Thank you for SENDING ME: To my family... your support and whole-hearted agreement that this year I belong in Costa Rica, and not NH... this means more than almost anything. Knowing that I'm here with your fullest blessing gives me the courage to keep saying "yes" to His call. For entrusting me to an awesome God, I thank you.

On the days that I go to bed smiling, because I've had life-changing experiences,
and on the days that I fall on my knees sobbing, because the spiritual warfare is so intense.
On the days when I laugh and think, "Just when did this become my life?"
and on the days that the weight of all that I'm missing at home is too much to bear.
On the days when Jesus is so real, I feel as if He's with me in my bedroom,
and on the days where life seems extra "lifey" and my humanity is extra... human.

Each one of these days has been possible because I am surrounded by love.

And for all this, I thank you.

(Our balcony, after a stunning rain storm)

Beach Pix!

We just got back from three days of refreshment at the beach...

So beautiful.

Laughter.

Reading.

Swimming.

Walks with Jesus on the sand.

 Sunset... unfiltered. 

 Some of the creatures that kept us company

 Palm frond bonfire.

 Shannon caught the frog... then, of course, he peed.

 Sand art!

 All sorts of nuts

 Shannon climbs! Jessies smiles! I try to give the girl some privacy!

Crab art!

Also, I tried surfing. 

Our Morning Playlist

The girls and I gathered in the living room after breakfast, for some much-needed time in worship.

Here's our playlist.

WARNING: Listening to these songs with an open heart and wide-flung arms, can lead to an amazing time of communing with Jesus!


"We Are Here For You" - Matt Redman

"Endless Hallelujahs" - Matt Redman

"Pursuit" - Jesus Culture
  

"Take Back" - Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band

 "Through & Through" - Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band

"What Love" - Riverside Worship Project

"Hurricane" - Jimmy Needham
 

 "Worth it All" - Rita Springer

Eyeglass Clinic -- Black & White Style

 (Seidy took people's blood pressure - Rodney being the concerned husband over Cindy's elevated numbers)

(Having fun before the people arrived)

 (Shannon, doing the eye exams)

(Once the exam was completed, these lovely women found glasses that would work)

(Searching for the right pair)

 (Praying over this chunky little nugget <3 )

 (Prayer Group #1 - Faith in action)

 (Prayer Group #2 - taking "selfies" during our break)

(Our team!!)