Getting matching Burrito Brothers t-shirts.
When Levi encouraged me that I would still be close to Rebecca, even though we’re not on the same team.
The track near the house for working out. I will always love track.
The mountains I see when I walk down the street.
Having Walmart in Costa Rica. Bless the living God.
TACO BELL.
Having a real towel and a hot shower at June’s house.
Taking communion with a Parmesan goldfish. A goldfish. Jesus is so awesome.
Rita gave us peanut butter popsicles when we got locked out of the house.
Laying on the beach in Jaco.
Talking on the way home from Jaco with Tyler in the front seat. Refreshing.
All the unintentional hang out time I got to spend with Becky.
Drinking that pineapple smoothie on the beach.
Becky reading ridiculous hashtags that people make.
Breakfast for dinner. Never a mistake.
Lava cake. Mac and cheese.
If a man has a nice pair of bag pipes, then he better have the mouth to prove it. Game night with Elizabeth.
When Kevin couldn’t recognize himself, in the hat he wears everyday in a picture we drew of him.
Dancing at the prison on Costa Rican Independence Day. Free.
Going to fancy dinner with Elizabeth and the brotherhood. Steak. Praise Him.
When I ordered a meal in Spanish and she understood me. Yes.
The adventure day to Walmart. Classic.
Tyler brushing his teeth with his hand in his pocket. Everyday.
Calling an Uber to pick up pizza for dinner in the rain. Best idea.
When Anna said she loved us in the car ride home from Little Caesar’s.
Going to taco rico in the pouring rain. Worth it.
When we played the picture word game and someone wrote, “If he plays the bagpipes, he better have the mouth to prove it.” Dead.
Krystal from the high school dancing to reggae-ton music. Christa would love her.
Waking up out of a dead sleep to Rebecca hugging me. Tears.
Gallo pinto, plantains, and chicken from that street stand. Bless the Lord.
Spending the day with Tyler and Rebecca and going up to the bell tower in Granada.
The amazing breathtaking view for awakening.
Plaintain chips. Fresh. God bless Nicaragua.
Barbecue chicken in the bush. THE BUSH.
Another outdoor shower. I want one for my home.
Sharing a tent with Rebecca at awakening.
When Liz from fusion led worship session and I watercolored for the first time. I’m getting my own when I get home.
Going one day before we broke the only toilet at awakening. Go figure.
Having Rebecca keep watch while I pooped behind a tree because the toilet was broken. Savage.
Encouraging one another at worship. Face to face.
Hearing the goodness of God through Brenton’s testimony of how his family moved to Nicaragua.
When Tara shared about her vision from the Lord about the ancient of days coming up over the mountains. You are a mighty God.
When Molly begged me to teach her to run fast when we got to her house.
Getting to eat amazing pizza before heading to Tara’s house. Drooling.
Taking the chicken bus to Dario. Fell backwards into the young man behind me. Oops.
Teaching Molly to run fast in her front yard. Determination.
Meeting the students at the center and they welcomed us with hand made paper gifts. Sweet.
When Rayna made an amazing queso dip. I’ve never smiled so hard.
Praise God for Todd knowing Spanish to teach English to the boys. God send.
Playing baseball with the boys and they moved in to pitch for me. Thank you.
Reading bedtime stories to Molly and then doing her hair for school in the morning. Her mouth reminds me of my own at her age. It never stopped moving.
Teaching English in our class groups.
Teaching devotional to the boys.
Hearing Tara’s life stories. God is good.
When Junior came up to me and asked for a big hug and when class was starting. He wants to learn. I’m so touched.
Making snowflakes in art class. It was a hit.
Seeing the boys be have fun sports. Inclusive.
Going for ice cream around the corner. Galletas y crema.
When Rayna made a birthday lunch for Angelo. Grilled chicken, potato salad, cucumber and tomato salad, PLANTAIN CHIPS, rice, ANNNNDDDD ice cream at the end.
When Tara bought cheesy taquitos for us.
When we were walking home from the center and Levi and I heard the beat drop on a Jason Derulo song and got LOW.
Being asked to braid people’s hair on a daily basis. Fun.
Trying to teach Junior and Deyvin how to say fox. Lord help us.
Playing baseball and soccer with the boys.
When Hamilton asked Sierra for English homework. My heart.
I love when the boys genuinely want to learn English, and ask us words outside of class.
I threw up the baseball mit and Nick fell trying to catch it.
Working out with everyone at the center.
Celebrating Molly’s mini birthday at the center and God multiplied the cake so we got two pieces. Praise the Lord.
Making popsicle airplanes with the boys for art.
Mollys birthday party on the weekend. Cristobal’s son is hilarious.
So much chocolate cake.
Playing basketball with the boys for the first time. Josmar is a baller.
Learning Spanish and cooking with Reyna everyday. A Queen indeed.
Kevin’s birthday celebration. Demolished the piñata.
Riding in the truck bed from Matagalpa to Dario. Peace.
Kiss me ice cream. Forever changed.
Todd and I reading our bibles every morning at the table.
Lily following us to the center. What a funny dog.
When the boys ask to learn more English on the way to sports class.
High fiving Nick. So small but gets after it.
When Junior wanted to take pictures with me. That smile is priceless.
Noel and Gerardo in the morning class. So proud of them for learning the alphabet.
The way Noel said purple. Pur-play!
Watching the boys at the outreach. Absolutely blown away by their heart of giving and discipline.
The drive from Dario to Léon.
Listening to worship music because I downloaded 4 new albums in the hostel in León. Solitude.
The gallo pinto, platanos y enchiladas at the food cart after a long day of travel. Dios de buena.
Volcano boarding. Rad. That free pizza after. Radder.
Finding Kiss Me in León. Café brownie. Gloria Jesu Cristo.
The free breakfast of toast and eggs at hostel Jardin.
Rebecca and I double date with Christa and Anna.
Cuddling with Rebecca in Arboleta hostel.
Seeing the mountain between us with Christ and Rebecca. Loudest people in there.
When Rebecca made that collage of all my weird faces.
Whenever Tyler came and sat in our room and talked to all us girls. He bit that cucumber in half.
Talking with Kevin at that table white table.
Worshipping with the YWAM people the first day we got here.
Celebrating Anna’s birthday and LacaLaca. That burrito. Bless his holy name.
Getting the cake with Lorena. Soo good.
Listening to Stacie talk about life. Wisdom.
Getting to sit in Juan Valdez coffee shop and pray.
Seeing Rebecca and Ariane unexpectedly around town. So happy.
When Kevin said, “Thor is a man with a big hammer,” and Levi said what?
Bear hugging Anna when we got home from the mall.
Lago de Coatepeque with the brothers. We jet skied inside of a volcano. Lord what?
That night I stayed up late and just cried and worshipped. Thankful.
Sophia at the feeding program. Precious.
Making fresh toast with Bea from DTS. Bright.
Los Chorros. Your wonderful beauty.
That night at the campaign during intercession. My soul praised you and spoke words I didn’t know it could say. Deep in love.
Seeing the Esmeralda, and Mariela with all their siblings. They are so sweet. 9 total kids. What in the heck.
Playing card games with Lorena.
Going to Rincon del Cielo with Stacie, Mató, and Lorena. Gorgeous.
That burger with Becky after we talked about all the feels.
Following the trail that you’re taking me on through your word. Uncovering.
When we had steak and potatoes for dinner. Praise the living God, your praises will forever be on my lips.
Leading the Saturday lesson with the kids. So involved.
Going to Vidals with Anna. Girls day.
The last moments as the brotherhood.
All the birthdays we had at the base. Pastel!
Taking Ale and Marielos to the movies. Oh Jesu!
Girls night with the guys. They hung in there.
Levi’s nipple getting waxed at girls night. What a trooper.
When we pushed Lorena into the pool and then Tim pushed me into the pool.
Clearing out a space for Lorena and Ashley’s family to have a new home. Gratitude.
When our host helped me twist my hair. I love having people so my hair.
Braiding Becky’s hair. Braiding Anna’s hair. Braiding Sierra’s hair.
Watching Maze Runner with Marielos. ¿Porque?
Taking the team Christmas card photo at Burger King.
When my foot fell in the trash puddle in the slums. TWO DAYS before ending the race. Seriously Lord? So close.
Sitting poolside to spend time with You.
Going to Stacie and Mato’s house our last night at the best. What an incredible couple brought together by the Lord to point others to him. Bookends.
When Kevin said, “if you hit it hard enough it will go in the hole,” but he was talking about pool.
Packing up to leave the base. This is the last time on my race I’ll do that.
Getting to the hostel in El Tunco and being reunited with everyone.
Having Rebecca attack me, and escort me to the room.
Working out one the race for the last couple times.
Dancing with Ari.
Squad creative worship night, baby photos, Herbert and Gurtrude.
Eating lunch with Ariane.
When Rebecca woke me up by taking the covers off my face.
Sitting on the beach with Katy Michael.
Final dinner with the squad.
Winning two water pong games in a row with Levi. Boss.
Hugging everyone goodbye at the baggage claim.
I couldn’t contain it when I hugged Tyler and Anna after hugging Ariane.
I lost it when I hugged Arianes mom.
When Felicias family brought us cupcakes, and Katy’s mom bought us coffee.
On the plane to Denver and after landed, and I thought to myself, let this past year mean something.
Love,
Alisha
