Because Sometimes You Just Need A Timeout

Buenas Tardes, mi familia y amigos!  Good Afternoon, my family and friends!  As I sit this evening wondering what I should share with you about the last few weeks, all that comes to mind the little phrase "Sometimes You Just Need a Timeout".  Most often we associate timeouts with the fact that one has been bad and deserves some sort of consequence for previous actions taken.  For those that know me I used to be a preschool teacher and nanny so the word "Timeout" was in my regular vocab :) However in this case I am suggesting that Timeouts don't have to be brought on by negative behavior. Sometimes we just need to stop, creating space to just "be" and take a Timeout.

My 3 weeks in the States allowed me to take a Timeout with family, home churches, and friends.  To be present in conversations, in peoples lives, and in my time with The Lord. These Timeouts breathe life into my life and those I care deeply about.  Timeouts allow what are just moments to become sacred moments between those who are fully present.  Do I live my life taking Timeouts to just be with those around me? What do I miss when I don't take the time to greet people in the way they deserve.  (In Costa Rica, you greet and say goodbye to most everyone if not everyone around with a hand shake and "kiss" on the check.  Especially with those you know well.  It's doesn't matter how long it takes.  At first we as North American's think it takes so much time.)  This simple act of greeting creates space - a Timeout, if you will, to acknowledge the presence and importance of the person for which you are greeting.  This interaction takes less than 5 secs but it still creates a Timeout where people encounter love and receive the understanding that their lives are important.
Timeouts in the way I am using here, are simple and life giving but also require an effort to truly decide to be present and create space for them to take place.  I want in what time I have left in Costa Rica to create space for Timeouts.  Timeouts stop and greet my friends on the street, to make time for coffee or lunch with a friend, to spend time studying Spanish, to spend time in personal worship and reading my bible, to take walks, to listen to friends, to watch movies, to skype with family and friends in the States, to pray with a friend, to go to the orphanage, to invest my life in others.  I want my life to have more Timeouts.  Here are some of the Timeouts The Lord has allowed me to take these last few weeks.  

Timeout - to skype with my niece and new nephew.
Can't wait to see her and meet him in Dec.  He was born Oct. 1st

Timeout - Outreach Events

Maximum Missions - children's event

Over night outreach at local hospitals 

Timeout -  for Worship with local youth groups  

Timeout - Quality Time with Friends

Introducing Prof. Zeidy to chili, cheese hotdogs

Ana is a fellow missionary, I thank The Lord for her often!

Carol and Kelly.  Kelly is an independent missionary in Nicaragua.
It was fun to host her in Cost Rica for a few days!

Of course it's always fun hanging with the Webb's -
to say that Kayley, David, and Shelley are awesome would be an
understatement!

And last but NOT least - Timeout - Worshiping at El Alto

Praise Points: New Revelations of what The Lord is teaching me, and the blessings of The Lord providing through prayer and financial supporters!

Prayer Points: Health - due to rainy season I am (and many others) are fighting headaches almost daily. Pray I can find ways to make them more minimal.  Pray for God's continued guidance as He uses me here in Costa Rica in leading others.  Last but not least pray I would finish the next two months strong in studying and loving others fully!  

Gracias por todas cosas!  Doy gracias al Señor por todos vosotros! Thank you for everything! I thank The Lord for all of you!