This past week my family and I spent a week in Costa Rica. And it was incredible!!! Being in another country just made me even more excited for the World Race, and what God has in store for the new year and 2012. Costa Rica was beautiful and I loved being able to spend qualitiy time as a family. It was just what we all needed. We hadnt had an official, real vacation in 3 years. Life had gotten so busy and everyone had different work schedules. And although it was a vacation, I was humbled by the trip… walking on the dirt roads, trying to communitcate with locals (they all spoke Spanish), and sleeping on airport floors. So many crazy adventures through the country of Costa Rica. Also this was the last time we will have a family vacation before family dynmics change… as I am going away for 11 months and my sister is probably going to get married in 2012 or 2013. Mom wanted one last chance to be together as a family. I am so thankful to have been bless with an amazing, loving family that loves the Lord. I am going to miss them, but I know that this is where God has called my life, and I know that God will comfort them while I am gone.
Sooo instead of writing a crazy long blog on Costa Rica, I am going to share 11 pics and 11 verses!
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My family getting ready to go zip-lining, repeling, and rock climbing!!! Crazy, awesome, slightly scary adventure! This was the first time my daddy had been zip-lining and he is not fond of heights, but we all did it! Awesome.
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6: 27,33
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My family having a tradition Costa Rican meal of chicken, beans and rice, vegtables, and pinapple. Yum!!!
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Ps 34:8
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My mom riding a horse for the first time ever!!! Crazy! And my awesome sister who loves horses, guiding my mom after the trail ride through the mountains of Costa Rica.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it agian: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
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Beach or Playa (in Spanish)!!!! Sooo much fun! Me, Amanda, and Mom.
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20
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Me and my sister sitting on volcanic rock looking out at God's beautiful creation.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Gen 1:1-2
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My family plus a driver ALL fit on a four-wheeler!!! Ohhhh that was a sight to see riding on a beach, trying to get our next adventure.
"Leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Gen 12:1
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Me and Manda with our glass bottles waiting for lunch to come.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matt 5:6
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Beautiful Photo of my sister!
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16
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Sisters forever! Watching the sunset on the beach.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10
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Monkeys are very friendly in Costa Rica! They jumped on our boat and we fed them bananas!
"Can you fathom the mysteries of God?" Job 11:7
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My parents who have stood strong in their faith through the years.
"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him." Ex 15:2
SO that is Costa Rica for you!!!! Amazing!
P.S. Our travel day home: Leave the house at 4:30am. Drive to Liberia, Costa Rica. All is good. Go to Houston… The craziness started. Plane is delay from 3:05pm to 4:36pm. Thats ok. But 4:30 came and went. They annouced that the plane was here but no crew. Then 6:30, they annouce the crew had arrived. 7:30 they annouced that the crew was lost. (ohhh good). Finially 8:45pm, we load the plane! 20 min later… everyone is loaded and settled just waited… they annouce that the flight crew has checked their logs and are over the hours and they are no longer able to fly, please exit the plane and go to the service counter for a later flight. Since coming in from Costa Rica they would not put us up in a hotel. So my family rung in the new year on the floor in the Houston Airport. Woo Hoo! We were on stand by for the 8:40am flight to Charolette. And God was good. We all got on the plane! Flight to Columbia went out at 4:20pm. Got on the plane, noticed the window in the seat infront of me had something all over it… ohh projectile vomit. Gross. Waited for the bi-hazard team to come clean up the window, wall, seat… I felt so bad for the father and daughter seating there. Ohhh we finially made it to Columbia! Woo Hoo!!!! But no luggage… Waited around and it came with the next flight at 7:30pm. All our luggage came through! WOO HOO! We made it home and with our luggage… 38 hours later (instead of 7 hours it was suppose to take). Crazy experience that I am thankful for.
