Where to even begin...This will be my third week of language school here in Costa Rica and everything is going quite well. For the next couple of weeks I will be the only student at Forester Instituto Internacional, but at least I am at the head of my class :). I have a wonderful, patient professor, thank goodness! I am really learning a lot though, which is very good news considering that is why I am here. I have a long way to go as far as speaking Spanish fluently, but I am getting there, but when it comes to understanding what people are saying to me in Spanish, I would have to say I am doing pretty well. I am really interested to see my total progress at the end of May.
During these past couple weeks I have had the opportunity to put all my lessons to work with my Costa Rican family and at different cultural events including The Parade of Horses and The Orchid Exposition.
I am still amazed at the peace the Lord has given me through all of this. Yes, I miss my friends and family, but I have peace. I am not sad or homesick, which I am sort of surprised at because when I moved into my apartment in Savannah I cried for nights. Don’t get me wrong I was excited to be there, but I was in a new city, living by myself for the first time in my life. I know that is a pitiful example, but in some ways I expected it to be the same here, at least initially and then I would get over it like before, but it is the complete opposite. I have the peace that passes all understanding. I tell you this only to show the power, strength, and peace that the Lord has given me here in Costa Rica. He is here with me always and He is constantly providing for me. So, I am just here and relying on Him.
This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to go to church here for the first time. I found a Methodist church in downtown San Jose, Templo Evangelico Metodista “El Redentor”. I was a little nervous about going because it is tough enough to visit a church by yourself in America, much less being a foreigner in another country visiting a church. It was so great though, the people were so friendly and welcoming and I even met some other Americans there who are missionaries here working at a Methodist School near where I live. Just another blessing from God! I am so excited about returning this Sunday.
I have one last thing I want to share because I know this is getting kind of long and you are probably tired of reading this (if anyone is reading this). I wanted to share a verse that I had in my devotion last week. It is Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.” The reason I share this is because I began wondering, “How am I serving the Lord here in Costa Rica?” Sure, I am learning Spanish so I can go and serve in Mexico, but what am I doing to glorify Him here. After reading this verse, I realized I am serving Him through my diligence in studying, through the opportunity to share with those I meet about the work that the Lord is doing in my life (for instance why I am here learning Spanish and what I plan to do with it.) As long as I am working to give Him the glory in all things that I do, even here...I am serving Him.

“In my life: be lifted high
In my world; be lifted high
In my love; be lifted high...”
- “Came to My Rescue” by Hillsong










The first picture is of Forester Instituto Internacional, my language school. The second is of my house here in Costa Rica and the third is of my family here in Costa Rica. In our home, there are two girls from Switzerland, one girl from Germany, two Costa Ricans and me representing for the USA. The other guy is also from the USA, Miami, but he was only here for a week. The next two images are from The Parade of Horses. The last is from The Expostion of Orchids and this particular one is the National Flower.























































To view more photos click on this link:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2188326&id=46201418&l=26d3bddc4e

First of all, I would like to say I am sorry I have not posted sooner, but my computer has been having some issues and I am having to use the computer when I can at school or go to an internet cafe. With that said, I have been here in San Jose, Costa Rica for a little over a week now and I am really enjoying it. Sure, classes are tough, so much information at such a rapid pace, but I love this place, the people, and the culture. During the week, I go to Spanish class from 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Monday through Friday. In the afternoons, I explore the city with other students and then work on homework and I study, study, study. I have the weekends off to "rest". This weekend I had the opportunity to go to Jaco Beach and also to a parade of horses downtown, it was definitely a fun, cultural experience. The days are full, but in a good way. It has been very interesting because there are not that many students here at this time. So, sometimes it does get a little lonely, but I know that I am never alone. Speaking of that, the Lord is already using this adventure to teach me so much. One of the biggest things I am learning is to rely and trust completely in Him, knowing that He loves me and that He is faithful. I have also learned to look and be aware of the blessings that the Lord gives me throughout each day. Being thankful draws me closer to Him and it is much better than worrying or complaining because what good is it to do the latter two, neither change your circumstances. As soon as I can I will post pictures from the weekend and of my house and school here. I hope you all are well!