Tico Tuesday, June 24th

Today, all the members of the team from my church in Maine (EABC) who were here last week were asked to post on the group facebook page a one word reaction or summary of their time here. My word was filled, but thinking about it again, I think "overflowing" is a lot more accurate. As King David wrote, "My cup runneth over." In the time the team from EABC was here, I received so many expressions of love: gifts, hugs, backrubs, snuggles, getting to play 2 games of Dutch Blitz (which I hadn't done in years!--and they left me the cards!) and watching the movie Frozen (which I'd been wanting to see for some time now), getting to share time with people I've known for almost 17 years (and with whom I feel totally loved, accepted, and comfortable), seeing how 4 kids I used to babysit have grown into amazing young adults... It was all so phenomenal. I loved having people I know and love love on "my kids" at the Bible Home. There were just so many sweet moments leading up to and on this trip. My former Sunday School teacher got up in the middle of the night to see the team off. A cancer survivor I've never met sent me sweet gift bag. It goes on and on.

View of Los Guido from the 1st floor of the child care center!

Another major highlight of the week was getting to go to the Los Guido Child Care Center. I hadn't been to the property for over a year, and they had only begun to start moving dirt around. Now, there is a whole building with 6 adorable painted classrooms with bathrooms and sinks and running water and toilet paper!!!!!! The kitchen and dining hall are underway, and funds are still being raised for the administrative offices. If you ever want to know what it's like to walk on a miracle, come to Los Guido! It is a source of incredible joy and awe.
This past week filled my heart to overflowing and as I told the team: my heart is full of thanks and praise. (And my apartment is overflowing with maple syrup, canned blueberries, thank you cards, shredded wheat, chocolate, and many other goodies!)
All glory, thanks, and praise to God!
Carrie

PS When are you coming down here with your church? We need your help!
PPS If you care anything about the World Cup, Costa Rica came in first place in our group (over Italy, Uruguay, and England!) and on Sunday we play Greece to see if we can make it into the quarterfinals!!! This country is PUMPED!!!!

Tico Tuesday, June 17th

Words can not describe how happy I am and how amazing this week is. The team from my home church in Auburn, Maine is here and I am being spoiled up the wazoo. Hugs, backrubs, and so many presents I don't even know where I will be able to store them all in my 250 square foot apartment! The gifts are wonderfully fun, useful, and heart-touching. But getting to spend time with these people far outshines any present: even clam chowder, chocolate, and bagels! I am so thrilled to get to know the members of the team I hadn't met before, bond more with people I did know previously, and see how 4 kids I used to babysit/watch in the nursery at church have grown and matured. It's just overwhelming. Our time has been wonderful. The reunion at the airport was emotional, but the rest of the time has been a blast. We went to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens on Sunday and delighted in God's magnificent creation there (my favorite parts were the butterfly garden and the waterfalls). This morning we had a special cupcake decorating activity for the house moms that went really well. The team is working on painting and sewing projects as well, and having special crafts and activities with the kids. We are milking every moment. And I'm going to go play Dutch Blitz again for the first time in waaaaaaaay too long!
May you enjoy some quality time with someone you love this week! And may we never take God's goodness and love for granted!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, June 11th

Yes, it´s Wednesday, but I´m making do as best I can without a compu at home. I´m so grateful it´s just a 10 minute walk over to my office here at the Bible Home! And I´m trusting my new laptop will arrive to Maine on time for the team from my church there to bring it down on Saturday! Anyway...

God is doing great things here at the Bible Home! About a month ago, I met with two girls to remind them of some important truths. They have been continuing to work through their struggles and learn and grow. Last week, everyone in their house was challenged to do something to bless others and show what they have been learning. So, these girls composed a song and performed it during AWANA on Sunday morning. The song was beautiful—and very well done! I was so proud of them, my heart once more was full to the brim. After AWANA, they gave me a personal reprise and then we hung out doing cartwheels, bridges, and backbends until their family members arrived for visiting hours. It was delightful! These girls are very special to me right now, and I´m looking forward to continuing to build my relationship with them and pour out more into their lives. I have a meeting with my supervisor later this week about an idea I have to do just that! I´ll let you know what comes of it!
May God fill your heart to overflowing this week!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, June 3rd

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...And the Stupendous, the Sad, and the Beautiful.
The Good: God is good. He is loving, faithful, holy, perfect, just, and worthy of all praise, no matter what happens in life. Also good is my relationship with my coworker Xinia who's been here at the HB for a couple months now. She's wonderful and I am so grateful for her!

The Bad: My personal computer died on Sunday. The video card burned out and it has been recommended that I get a new one. Thankfully, it's not much hassle to just stay here at the HB after work and use the computer here. Also, God's timing is pretty amazing. Right now in my semester, I barely need my computer. I am just doing tons of reading. And, as soon as I send this out, I hope to order a new one for the missions team from my church in Maine to bring down when it comes in less than 2 weeks. (unless anybody has any other suggestions).
And yes... that would be the Stupendous right there. For over 3.5 years, ever since I started serving in Roblealto, I've been saying they need to come. And FINALLY, they're coming! June 14th! A team of 15 people, including 4 of whom I used to babysit or watch in the nursery at church! And they're coming to love on "my" kids here! So beautiful! So exciting! Reality just started to finally hit the last week, and I'm ecstatic!!!
The Ugly: It's raining termites here in my office and not long ago one just landed on me and ... I'll spare you the details. Yuck!
The Sad: My friend Jessica is leaving in less than a month now. Though I know she is being obedient to God, I (selfishly) don't want her to leave. I've never had a friend like her before and I hate that I'm going to have to let her go. I'm going to miss her dreadfully. I appreciate your prayers as she and I try to make the most of what time we have left together and for each of us in our grieving/transition processes. (If you didn't know, yes, it is actually really good and important to appropriately grieve all losses, not just death. :-) )
The Beautiful: This comforting song, right here. Even if you don't understand a word, I am confident it can still soothe your soul. Listening to it usually makes me want to cry, especially when we sing it during worship with the kids at the Bible Home. I'm pretty sure I've written about it before, but it's just.that.good. The lyrics translate as follows:
Sweet Refuge in the storm is Jesus Christ the Savior/He encourages and feeds me with his Word and his love/I come to rest in him, he is my faithful friend, a powerful and fresh anointing fills my heart/Sweet Refuge in the storm is Jesus Christ the Savior
Listen to it, savor it, believe it. Amen.
Carrie