Happy Thanksgiving from Costa Rica

Our missionary students are so blessed when they are able to celebrate an American holiday while living here in CINCEL. It is important as well for their children. Although we live in another country, it is important to carry on American traditions so that the children grow up knowing and loving two cultures.
So many of the little ones said thank you to Denny and me yesterday. They have made lots of sacrifices on behalf of their parents. You forget as an adult sometimes how very difficult it is for the children. They miss what they used to experience with cousins and grandparents and it is especially difficult on holidays.
So we had a feast!! How better to compensate homesickness than with food! We found turkeys, very expensive turkeys! Each family brought the dishes to pass and oh my! terrific! The Costa Rican staff thoroughly enjoyed their American cuisine!

Missions Conventions! So much fun, activity, motivation & FAITH!

We had a lovely weekend with our friends in River of God! Love that church! They have always treated us like family! We feel so at home. Missions Conventions are just the greatest events in my opinion! Everyone coming together for one purpose, evangelization of the world. Nothing like it! We had a ball, even with the kiddos! Preaching, Banquet, Kids Convention, great weekend!

When I took all my Costa Rican supplies on the plane by hand, I thought man I hope the kids appreciate this! and they did!!

The Dorm Life!

Renee is an Resident Assistant at the college. She loves it! She loves "her girls!" We thought it would be fun to have a little "cafecito" on her floor. Cafecitos are at 10:00 and 3:00 here in Costa Rica. This particular one was at 9:30 at night! Oh well!! We made it!

Most of her girls are freshmen and it was so fun to see college through their eyes for a bit and they were able to enter the mind of the missionary for a bit!  We had Costa Rican coffee, lots of Halloween candy, and a little Costa Rican keychain gift. Precious is what it was!

The farmer!

My sister married a farmer nearly 40 years ago. Her husband also just retired from being a postmaster in their town. Farmers are workaholics! That is what I have learned! Very early mornings, late nights, sometimes all night when cows are sick, having babies, etc! My sister was not raised on a farm however she makes the most incredible farmer's wife. I have always admired her through the years. Her gifts are amazing. Her work ethic like none other, her love for her home and family is outstanding. I honor her with this blogpost.

my family, how I miss them....

Very rarely do I have the privilege to be with my family. Since I was preaching 5 services near them, oh the beautiful times we had together. The older I get, the more I treasure moments. Maybe it is because we are missionaries and all we get are moments!

My sister had a tough day on her birthday in September so I wanted to have a belated birthday celebration with her. We had so much fun, a new restaurant for us both, treating her like a princess, coffee and birthday pumpkin roll at a special bakery. Spending quality time with each other with lots of stories, lots of laughter. It was like a moment in time when we removed ourselves from the rat race of daily demands and gave each other time. It was wonderful!