Keep Calm and get your Gratitude On ~8 months down, only 1 to go :(

"Let them give thanks to The Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy."  Psalm 107:21-22

On the week before Thanksgiving (in the States) I find myself giving gratitude to The Lord for so many things.  In Costa Rica they do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way we do in the States.  Even though it is not a national holiday here many churches focus on being thankful in one way or another. This past week in church we celebrated in a big way with the dedication of a very special little lady.  

I along with my church family in CR have been praying for her since before she arrived.
God has used her to remind us His miracles and powerful Spirit is alive and well among us.
Even the youngest among us testify to how incredible The Lord really is!
Thanking The Lord for you Gloria!

We were asked to write what we thank The Lord for. . .
What are you thankful for??

I am thankful once again for the team I get to work with every day.  This last month we had the Seminary graduation.  Our department was in charge of the decorations for the graduation and reception.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love to exercise my creative side when it comes to things like this.  It was cool to be apart of an important day in the lives of people from across the region.  We had graduates from 6 different countries in attendance and a host of others who were unable to be with us physically but joined us through telecast.  

Some of the countries the graduates were from:
Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Venezuela

This month I learned from a Guatemalan friend how to make tortillas.  I  have always wanted to learn but this month I got that opportunity.  I am not the pro she is but I will be working one perfecting the art of tortilla making in the future.

Thanks Ana for teaching me!

This month I am thankful to get the chance to help lead one more team actually from the same area of the States I am from originally.  The Mid-America Nazarene University (MNU) team of two got here last week.  They are doing some of their student teaching here at an international school,  They will be with us in Costa Rica for 4 weeks.  They are learning their way around the city and adjusting well to life in Costa Rica.

MNU Students - Jaymes and Misty

Last but least I am giving The Lord gratitude to live, work and study here in Costa Rica.  I can't believe it's been 8 months and counting already!  I have loved being apart of what The Lord is doing here in Costa Rica and on the Meso America Region for the Church of the Nazarene. As I look forward to the next few weeks here I can't help but express gratitude for this opportunity and the support of all of you which without such financial and prayer support this would not be possible.  I know I have said it before and I will say it again but THANK YOU.

So with all that said now to answer the question of all questions at this point of my life... what is next, do you know where you are going come December?  The answer is YES! After much prayer, time The LORD, more prayer, and advice after a short visit with family and friends for Christmas I will be headed to Cactus, TX at the beginning of the year.  I have excepted the position of Work and Witness, Volunteer, and Church Relations Coordinator at the Cactus Nazarene Ministries Center. I am super excited about this coming opportunity and position.  While I am sad to not be going back to ministry in Wisconsin I know The LORD is leading toward this new adventure and the ministry He has for me in Texas.  So if you or someone you know would like to come help out in a town of 4,000 people with 17 different languages spoken, I would love to chat with you about coming to volunteer with us. There is something you can do no matter your age or skill set.
I look forward to sharing more with you in future months about Cactus, TX and what ministry looks like there.  But for now you will still find me in San Jose, Costa Rica among friends and family sharing life with them and counting every moment as a gift from The Lord!
Buenos Noches mi familia y amigos (Good night family and friends)!