Independence Day In Costa Rica

Yesterday was the celebration of Independence Day in Costa Rica.  We started out with a parade of lanterns on Friday night in the gym at Sojourn Academy.  We had a program where we sang Costa Rican songs and the runner brought in the torch.  They had dancers and alot of entertainment.  It was really interesting to see how they celebrated.  We ended by taking our lanterns and walking around the block of the school.  Then we went back in the gym for tea and Costa Rican tamales. 

 

 

The girls showing off their homemade lanterns.



Costa Rican Tamale, wrapped in banana leaves.

Katie found her first grade teacher at the celebration, so we had to take the opportunity to take a picture since we missed our first day picture. 

 

 Here is the Costa Rican flag at the parade Saturday.

 

 

 

Some kinda creepy characters toward the end of the parade.  King Julian from Madagascar is in the back to the right.  Can you find him?

 

 

Danica cooling off with a treat.  We thought it was an ice pop, but it was more like a frozen jello thing.  She loved it.  Hannah & Katie didn't finish theirs.

 

Prayer requests:

 

*for the girls to continue to adjust to a new school, making friends, and learning Spanish

*for Danica to potty train, at this point it really is hit and miss

*for Chris & Rose to learn Spanish and take it one day, sometimes one word at a time

*to be able to spread Christ's love through actions when words are not possible

*to remember why we are here and trust God for everything

 

 

 

Praises!

 

*We have some of the most beautiful sunsets from our backyard!

*Hannah & Katie have both enjoyed school and are making friends

*Chris got to play the drums during praise time at chapel last week

*We have Monday off school, so an extra day to rest!

*We have been attending a church we really like, even though we don't understand all the words :)

 

 

 

 

Our first Costa Rican Rainbow! 

 

 



Counting Our Blessings in Costa Rica

Today started out like any other ordinary day.  In fact, it was a beautiful, clear, sunshiny morning.  I commented to Chris on the walk to school how clearly we could see the mountains!  Yesterday was our first day of Spanish classes and it was a little stressful, so I wasn't so eager to go back to school where EVERY word is in Espanol.  But I went anyway and prayed that today would be better.

 

Chris and I have our first two hours of class together in Grammar.  Today I was feeling like I was understanding more and really enjoying class.  Sometime in the second hour I looked over at Chris because I thought he was shaking my desk.  He looked at me like, "it's not me!"  We were in a classroom on the second floor, so it started out as a little shaking and progressively got worse.  Our teacher was very calm and I kept watching her thinking, is this normal?  When the tremoring stopped she told us "tranquilo" and motioned us out the door, which I was guessing  meant "Stay Calm!!!" 

 

We went outside and found that this was not a "normal" tremor at all for Costa Rica.  We went to the parking lot for safety then met in the chapel for information and a time of prayer.  It wasn't until then did I realize how much we have to be thankful for.  It could've been so much worse.  What we felt was a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that originated 90 miles away in the beach town of Cangrejal.  Praise to the Lord of all creation who saw fit for us to be here another day.

 

I want to share with you the scripture that was read in chapel today. 

 

 Psalm 46:1-3

 

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

 

 

Danica saw the moon this morning and she insisted that I take a picture.  I am so glad I did to show you how crystal clear the sky was this morning.  The moon is the little white dot above the palm trees.

Lastly,  please pray for the girls as this was quite an experience for them too.  Pray that they don't live in fear and we would be able to effectively share with them the reason we can live in true freedom.  We have already had some great discussions on how the Lord cares for us and in life or death that doesn't change.

We love you and appreciate all of your support.  Don't forget to take time today to count your blessings too!

 

 

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Hannah my fifth grader and Katie my first grader.  Everyone was excited and up by 6:00am.  They were very excited to start gymnastics after school today too.  

 

It was a very blessed day!